Thursday 9 February 2012
I've been living in my current home for fourteen years.
All the same there is one junction, known to locals as the Crooked Billet, which confuses me every single time I approach it.
No matter how many times I come, nor from which particular angle, it sends my head spinning every time.
I simply cannot make head or tail of the sign which depicts the road layout.
The sign-writers have tried to make it clear - with just pictures rather than words - but to me it just looks like a load of squiggles.
Sometimes signs are confusing, don't you think?
We used to have a sign up in the church where I work which read as follows: "this door must remain open, except for during Open Door when it must be shut".
Confused?
You wouldn't be the only one!
Occasionally you see a church with a massive day-glo poster outside saying "you are welcome" with a smiley face and every door is locked.
What's that all about?
Years ago now, the church where I work pulled down some chunky iron railings outside - they seemed to be saying "keep out" rather than "come in".
Last week I drove past a set of allotments nearby.
Now, it has to be said that I haven't been on allotment since I was young enough to be bribed into helping on ours by my dad.
So, it was only a passing glimpse - but I actually burst out laughing, right there in the car.
On one plot there was a big scarecrow, all dressed up in an old suit and battered hat.
And do you know what was on the very next plot?
A bird table!
Talk about mixed messages ... Either the birds are welcome or they're not!
The Bible has a lot to say about meaning what you say and saying what you mean.
If you don't, then you end up sounding like you've got two voices.
Jesus said a person who doesn't mean what they say is like salt which has lost its saltiness - absolutely no use to anybody.
'You might as well throw it back into the sea where it came from', he said.
Whatever you say today - try to say it clearly!
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