I’m quite late to the game, I see. Just a quick thought. I like the “get an appetite for dinner by watching people chew with their mouths open” line, but it doesn’t work here.

It’s a rhetorical line which might work in a sermon or talk, and does make me think (reminds me of CS Lewis’s comments about strip clubs in Mere Christianity) but it isn’t what anyone would say in the situation above. It reads like the author trying to be clever…I actually think just cutting it out would be more effective, leaving John’s outburst (”What’s that for?”) standing alone.

Anyway. Loved it.

And on the time to laugh and cry thing, I sure hope that we are not to put off all singing and laughter until we are on the other side of Zion’s gates. I recently heard a sermon that discussed Paul’s tendency to never encourage “putting off” the old self without a simultaneous “putting on” of the new.

As that relates to pornography (and other sexual immorality), putting off the old sin should be accompanied with putting on the new- pursuing the kingdom and righteousness of Jesus Christ first, and within that pursuing godly sexuality. All the while rejoicing and singing and laughing (and occasionally weeping) as we pursue our Supreme Savior!

It will be most interesting to see where you take this. I would but MY tuppence on revealing the heart behind the typical American pastor doing his best to hold it together and keep up a good appearance but hampered by ignorance of his own sin and desparate need of a Saviour. One could do this theologically, and miss the vast majority of the marks. Doing it this way is not only far more fun, but the more effective.

And as to the Punct-Nazis, I’d not fret overmuch. The story flows. Or rather, rages downstream. Never mind a few rocks and pools along the way. Barely noticeable. The silly rules and conventions of “prawper writing” can be met elsewise.