We're Moving
Plus, Prophetic Trash Talk and the Slap Heard 'Round the World (Not That One)
Hello! Hope you’re well. Here’s the latest:
On Self-Delusion
Well, I’ve kept my promise and released a brand new episode of Holy Ghost Stories for you. This one took a bunch of work at a really challenging time, but I’m quite pleased with it and hope it blesses you. (If you’ve already listened, do reply and let me know what you thought—I really can’t tell you how encouraging it is to hear from you.)
Episode 9 of Season 3 is called “The Voice, the Naysayer, and the Doomed,” and tells the fascinating, heartbreaking story of King Ahab’s out-of-control appetite and the moments leading up to his prophesied demise. (1 Kings 21 & 22)
To me, a primary theme in Ahab’s story is self-delusion—that dark magic we exert upon ourselves when reality doesn’t quite suit our desires. I’ve certainly been guilty of it more than once. It’s difficult to watch, but there’s light too: in the midst of Ahab’s obsession and self-deception, Yahweh is present offering warning and truth—and finally, justice for the oppressed.
BITS AND BOBS
It’s fascinating to me how the book of 1 Kings slows down and tells us so much about Ahab’s life. Why does he get so much airtime? He was evil, to be sure (superlatively so, in fact), but Israel had plenty of evil kings—why the deep dive into Ahab? I don’t intend to answer this question here—I just think it’s worth pondering.
Ahab’s failed repentance is such a difficult part of this story. In the episode, I allude to a theory of mine—that Jezebel surely must have been, at least partially, to blame. It’s so difficult to pursue an unshared vision.
I really enjoyed the chance to spend some time with a lesser-known (arguably the most obscure?) Hebrew prophet in the Old Testament: Micaiah. Don’t know about you, but I like him.
The horns, though. You’ve got to hand it to Zedekiah—he’s devoted.
That slap! The first time I read this, I exclaimed aloud. If you’re planning to invite Zedekiah to your thing, you better know he’s bringing the drama.
Sometimes it’s hard to decide where to begin and end a story. This was not one of those times. I knew immediately—it had to be the dogs.
Poor, tormented Ahab. Melville says of his obsessive captain in Moby Dick, “Ahab and anguish lay stretched together in one hammock.” Sounds right.
I love how Yahweh aligns this story in a way that brings not just justice, but poetic justice, for Naboth. Bravo and hallelujah.
I do hope you’re blessed by this story. I’ve worked very hard on it for you and I’m praying that it brings you into a fresh encounter with Yahweh. If it does, share it with someone—I’d be so grateful.
Here’s “The Voice, the Naysayer, and the Doomed.”
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We’re Moving
As many of you know, my family and I have spent the past 18 months moving slowly around the world in a God-seeking, cost-cutting, globe-exploring adventure. From the south coast of England to the southern tip of Africa, from the wild shores of Northern Ireland to the sunny islands of Greece and Croatia, from the city streets of Boston to the wilderness of Egypt…it’s been quite a ride. (“Wait, ‘cost-cutting’? Sounds expensive,” you say. On the contrary—we were able to live on less than half of what we lived on before. But more on that in a future edition of The Latest.) This has, in many ways, been the most wonderful season of our lives. It’s also, of course, come with quite a few plan changes.
Starting at the beginning of this month, we were going to spend a year in Northern Ireland, but the wait time for visas has ballooned due to the inundation of Ukranian refugees. We applied back in February, but applications that normally would have taken weeks to get approved are now taking 6, 9, even 12 months. So we had to call an audible.
After much prayer and thought and conversation, we’ve decided to, at least for a little while, settle somewhere in the US of A.
So maybe instead of “We’re Moving,” the headline is “We’re Going to Stop Moving”?
More on where we’re headed next time, but for now: If anywhere in this beautiful country were on the table for you, where would you like to live? Or do you live somewhere you love? Reply and let me know; I’m always on the hunt for great places to put on my list.
HORROR AND HOPE
One of the things my kids love to do is read the Holy Ghost Stories reviews on Apple Podcasts. If you’ve left one, know that I greatly appreciate it—and know that you’ve likely delighted my daughters. Recently, they came across this one:
He’s bringing these stories of old back to life in exciting ways. He perfectly depicts how horror and hope dance side by side on the pages of the Old Testament. […] You can’t help but walk away with a renewed sense of confidence in Yahweh.
-Boo Scott
My daughter London read that and said, “Oooo— ‘horror and hope dance side by side’: I love that.” Then she said, “I want to draw that.” And she made this. I love it, of course, and thought I’d share it with you.
Among other details, she made sure to point out (and I’m embarrassed I didn’t catch it myself) that while horror (on the right) casts shadow, hope (on the left) casts light. Bravo and hallelujah.
If you’re up for taking 90 seconds to leave a review, I’d be so grateful. You don’t have to make it all art-y. :)
3 Cool Things
Zen in the Art of Writing, by Ray Bradbury - Picked this gem up at a used bookstore the other day and I’m loving it. Great, spirited counsel for writers and aspiring writers. Also, Bradbury’s making me want to open Something Wicked This Way Comes again. Really dig his voice.
The ocean - Endlessly moving, irrepressibly dynamic. Changing shape and color and sound and mood. The ocean is a wonder and I highly recommend spending time beside it.
Clouds - Clouds, man. Wow. I’m convinced clouds are a continually underrated aspect of nature’s beauty. Always in flux (much like the ocean), it’s as if God left some of the Creation Paint wet just so that He could keep messing with it. Bravo and hallelujah. (Is that our new phrase now? I’m okay with that.)
That’s the latest! Hope you’re blessed by “The Voice, the Naysayer, and the Doomed.” Oh—and don’t forget to reply and let me know where you’d move if you could (or where you’d never leave).
Gratefully,
Justin
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