I am surprised that you failed to note that humor was employed in my comment. Do read it again to dicover the fact that I am in no way critical of John's writing, neither am I spiritually constipated.

The exact key to the riddle is that God has a sense of humor and as such, is not offended by John's writing.

You rather obviously are not cut out for it."

See? Now that hurts. Well. Sort of. I mean, not really. It has been my humble experience that if you're not offending someone somewhere, you're not interesting anyone anywhere.

Whoa. That DID come out sounding … admirably adagey.

Anyway, I know I'm gonna get stuff like that every so often. Whaddaya gonna do?

Tam: I think you SHOULD behave. Seriously. Right now. Stop it.

Dan: "Fat White Liberals"! Man. What a great book title.

Tam: THANK YOU! I'm … bear hairy, that's for sure. But that's really more than any of you need to know….

Hjordes: I want your friends. I want ANY friends. But you sound like you've got yourself quite the collective there. Awesome. Kiss them for me. Wait. Slap the atheist, hug the Quaker, kiss the Quabalist, and lewdly grope the born-againer for me.

Don't let the Stuffy Ones get you down, John. I think they are rare in the Christian world, anyway. Your writing TOUCHES people, and gets inside them, and stirs their hearts and minds like no averagely boring sermon will ever do.

p.s. The crazy Norwegians at my Lutheran church love you! So do four of my friends – an atheist, a Quaker, a Quabalist, and a new born-againer.

Sorry about the late response, but we've been busy with snow here in Chicago. It's too bad that pastors and churches don't get the street rags. The ministry would be more Jesus like with the bums, addicts, drunks and whores, instead of to fat white liberals (I qualify for the first two) sleeping their way through the sermon on Sunday.

I loved your piece on being unemployed and this one. Keep up the good work. Always good comments too by thoughtful people.

Dan