Posts by John Blase
The Blue
The writer’s role is what it has always been: he is a custodian, a secretary…I have always felt charged with the safekeeping of all unexpected items of worldly or unworldly enchantment, as though I might be held personally responsible if even a small one were to be lost. ~E.B. White Over the last month or…
Read MoreThese Days
Today is the first day of March and March is my birthday month (22nd day to be precise), so I told my wife this morning that if she thought about getting me anything for my birthday (which she usually does) then here’s a couple of ideas complete with plenty of time to get it right,…
Read MoreAsh Wednesday 2020
I told a friend earlier today that I was giving social media the big swollen middle finger for Lent, that I needed some quiet, and the hope that a clarity will rise. In the spaces where I might check Facebook or Instagram, I’ve chosen a couple of books to read—Kathleen Norris’ Amazing Grace and Pam…
Read MoreIn Praise Of Blue
If God is Love (as the Bible says) and Love is Blue (as the song says) then the law of transitivity leads me to at least consider the possibility that God is Blue (as I’ve long hunched). So much charming comes in blue— blue jeans, blueberries, blue skies smiling at me, she wore blue velvet,…
Read MoreThe God-Who-Belongs
He told me there were typos in his prayer book*. Sure enough—incline Your car to our lamentations. I did not see that coming. After that my so easily distractible mind could do little else other than add colors to a psalmy paint-by-numbers scene of God in His car, leaning slightly out the window to hear…
Read MoreThe Last of These
All my father’s friends are dying. As is nature’s way, clumps of two or three at a time hearing the river call their name, and they must answer. Because these men loved my father in this life, they left the wish that he be the one to stand above and say Let not your hearts…
Read MoreIs That What You’re In The Mood To Do?
I asked the angel if I should be reading my Bible every day, if I’m to be disciplined in eating the words of God and His authors. I don’t know much about angels but my gut told me the angel was miffed by my question but nevertheless sang out Is that what you’re in the…
Read MoreNoel
Blessed be the One Who made us. Blessed be the One Who made me— made me a man who as a boy fell in love with Christmas and never recovered— made me a man who makes wishes on December stars and calls them prayers— made me a man who trusts implicitly in angels and shepherds…
Read MoreIn The Darkest
It is a vision that struck me as odd for I’d not seen it before. I noticed the heart of the word “prayer” is the word “ray.” Not the name of a man who possibly wears sideburns and prefers classic country and the smell of Old Spice. But rather “ray” as in a beam of…
Read MoreLight of the Moon
The dream of being lost is nothing new. Over the course of my 52yrs I’d say 99% have been electric, charged with low-grade fear, something or someone in dogged pursuit. But last night represented the other 1% for I found myself lost yet at ease. Still chased by whatever but strangely at peace. The difference,…
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