James’s Blog: The Sacrament of Having Your Earwax Removed.

James’s Blog:  The Sacrament of Having Your Earwax Removed.

As I write this, my right ear is totally blocked with wax.

Apparently, according to my doctor, I either have very small or very dry ear canals. Whatever.

These days they don’t just syringe the ear to dislodge the offending build-up. No. Now you have to wait two weeks to get a jet of water pumped into your ear. In those two weeks you’re supposed to, twice a day, lie on your side with an ear full of olive oil to soften up the wax in preparation for the actual event.

Because I’m me, I can’t stop myself from reaching the conclusion that having wax removed in this manner is actually sacramental.

Hear me out (pun intended). Read more

James’s Blog: The Son who Walked.

James’s Blog:  The Son who Walked.

The disciple sat down, cross-legged and attentive, at his master’s feet.

“Teach me,” he said.

“Let me tell you a story,” said the master.

“There was once a man who had two sons. The eldest son was clever and handsome, while the youngest son lacked all of his brother’s gifts. However, being clever and handsome does not necessarily make you a nice person. The older brother teased his younger brother mercilessly, mocking him for his lack of intellect and good looks. The younger brother didn’t always understand his older brother’s jokes, but he knew when he was being made fun of, and he tired of this quite quickly.”

“One day the younger brother decided that he’d had enough, and that he was going to take his belongings and leave home. ‘I’m going to just walk and see where my feet take me,’ he said, and off he went.”

“So, on the first day, he just walked in a straight line. But something strange began to happen. He was amazed to see that, as he passed, the animals of the forest were leaving their woodland homes to follow him.”

“On the second day, he kept walking, and the trees of the forest began to uproot and join the animals following him.”

“On the third day, he kept walking. As night fell, he noticed that the moon and the stars in the sky were also following him. Why was this?”

“I don’t know,” the disciple said.

The master smiled.

“These days, you don’t need charisma or intellect. You don’t even need to know where you’re going. These days, if you just look like you’re walking with purpose, the whole world will follow you.”

James’s Blog: Seven Thoughts for Preachers.

James’s Blog: Seven Thoughts for Preachers.

1) The Bible contains poetry, exposition, theological analysis, parables, historical accounts, song and more. Valid styles of preaching are just as varied; a.k.a. The “More than one way to skin a cat” Principle. Read more

James’s Blog: Fair Trade.

James’s Blog:  Fair Trade.

This is an edited version of a sermon I once preached (though I’ve not edited it much). It’s a true account, though the lesson I was taught took a while to formulate and wasn’t delivered to me in the divine monologue that I have written here. However, I knew that when I told this story I wanted to present it as something personal that took place between God and myself, because it was… Read more

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