by James Webb
A while ago I had an idea for a short story that went under the name ‘A Balanced Diet’. It was about a boy who has a revelation whilst listening to a talk at the church that his family attends. The talk, aimed at children, was on the book of Job, and the revelation is this: If you’re really naughty then God’ll get you, but if you’re really good then the devil gets you, as Job experienced. Read more
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
As you might have been able to tell from last week’s post, I’m making my way through Jeremiah again. I’ve always had a soft spot for this particular jolly prophet. I think his melancholy, dragging-his-heels approach to obedience struck a chord with me long ago, and over the years my appreciation for his own brand of bickering faithfulness has only grown. There are two specific things that I think Jeremiah grokked that are worth careful consideration: Read more
So God says “Go!” and you say, “No, I’ve worn
These shoes before. I know the way this ends.
With me abused, misused, confused and bruised,
I wonder why you don’t have any friends?” Read more
