Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Incessant Divigation ~ Special Tuesday Edition


“SPECIAL TUESDAY EDITION” 
by Rick Jones, Husband of the Minister's Wife

Last Friday I broke from the usual humorous tone of my column and made some serious remarks about employing humor when facing troubles. I suppose I can do whatever I want when I write, but I felt a little guilty because I know that's not what readers expect. So here's my plan: once in a while, I'll veer into something serious. If I limit this to 10 articles or less a year, that'll be less than 20% of what I write.

That should take care of my guilt. But it doesn't. Being a good Baptist, I live by the rule that guilt is much like jello: no matter what else you have on your plate, there's always room for jello. No matter what else is happening in life, I always have a way to fit in a little guilt.

Lois was happy with the rose I brought home – but wouldn't three roses have been nicer? I preached a good sermon – but maybe it would have been better if I'd quoted Martin Luther instead of Steve Martin. I won the 100 yard dash – but couldn't I have run a little faster? Okay, that example is from waaay back when I could still actually run. But it just goes to show how long guilt can hang around. 

So I revised my plan: whenever I devote a Friday to a serious topic, I'll write a “bonus article” for the next Tuesday. This is my first one.

Before any pagans, Wiccans, or New Agers write to tell me how nothing productive ever comes from feelings of guilt, consider this: because of my guilt feelings, you'll get up to ten additional articles from me each year! Hmmm . . . depending on how you like what you read, I suppose that could actually help your argument.

It may surprise you to learn that I don't feel at all guilty about possibly offending pagans with that remark. Wiccans and New Agers, maybe, but I've found that pagans can be some of the most loyal and understanding of friends. After all, they worship the ground you walk on.

22 comments:

  1. LOL.. I loved your ending comment. " After all, they worship the ground you walk on. "
    Why yes we do. We love the Earth ;)

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    1. One reason I like that joke is that the second time I encountered it, it was on a self-proclaimed pagan's website. I take matters of faith very seriously, but I worry about people who can't laugh about themselves. I'm planning an article involving jokes about various faiths, told to me by people of those faiths.

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  2. That's the great thing about the internet...you can write what you want. Don't feel guilty...as a fellow Baptist I can tell you guilt can be covered by a good potluck.

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    1. As long as there are scalloped potatoes and several pies!! LOL!

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  3. Blogging is all about your style. That is what makes every blog different.

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  4. I guess you're right that there is always room for guilt even if there is nothing to be guilty about. It's your article and you can write what you want. I, on the other hand, enjoy what I read here.

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    1. Well, knowing him, he will write what he wants no matter what. We are glad you like what you are reading too!

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  5. I love the ending comment, too. Don't feel guilty because you are only expressing your thoughts.

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    1. I'm pretty sure he isn't really feeling guilty. He's just having some fun.

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  6. Stay true to what you know to be right and things do work out.

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  7. The great thing about a blog is that you can write whatever you want, even if you're the only one reading it.

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    1. That's very true, although it sure is a lot more fun to know others are reading it too.

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  8. Ha! I like the jello/guilt! :) Thanks for sharing!

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  9. Haha this is true. Pagans do worship the ground you walk on. Clever. :) haha

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  10. I like your style of writing. I feel like I am just sitting having a convo with you. And yes guilt is something that is hard to shed, so I feel ya! Great topic to write about.

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    1. It is tough to shed. Thankfully we don't have to carry it forever and their is freedom from it!

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  11. I to feel guilty, at times, when writing about something that could offend or could be cause an “uproar” as you could call it. I don’t mind if you veer off into another direction. You could talk about magical unicorns and I’d be entertained by your writing.

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    1. I'll have to let him know. He may just do that!! His mind can go in some interesting directions sometimes and he always keeps me laughing!

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