A Word In Your Ear - September 15, 2016

Ah, yes, here's Sunday and peace reigns locally '“ at least until mid-day. No, I know today isn't really the Sabbath. However, I wanted to introduce readers to my '˜day of rest', thinking it might bring some spiritual peace to their working week.
Roy EdmondsRoy Edmonds
Roy Edmonds

As a boy, Sundays began early, bored and outside kicking a ball – much to neighbours’ annoyance. In teenage years, it started mid-morning – dopey and dreading family events but, thankfully, also with the aroma of roast beef drifting upstairs.

As a young man, my day of rest was half gone when arising, often marred by a hangover or other frustrations. Years later, when travelling around the world, I was usually working – they’re an unchristian lot, overseas.

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Now I have time to enjoy that rare peace; take longer over breakfast, relax and read.

I’ve even attended morning mass, while suggesting to our vicar it would be handier held later. (“You’ll just have to get up earlier?” he replied.)

Still, I felt refreshed afterwards.

I had not opened the Bible since school. Now older, and considering the meaning of life, I decided you shouldn’t discount religion without reading the good book again – as an adult.

Thankfully, I started with the New Testament, as it was the more up-to-date (King James Version preferred). The Gospels are repetitive but the teaching of Jesus more profound, wise and radical than remembered. Now I’m back to the Old Testament, a hell-fire horror with strict rules on worship – or dire damnation for dissent. I manage a chapter or two each week and hope we don’t really have to still spend the whole Sabbath in worship.

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Of course, this was all set down thousands of years ago so God, too, must have moved on. Also, I now know that the Almighty has a sense of humour...

It’s the only explanation for my life.

* For Roy’s books visit www.royedmonds-blackpool.

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