A Christian Novelist and his Reefer?

reefer madness movie posterWould a writer who espouses the Christian worldview and embraces the teachings of Jesus the Christ as recorded in his “Sermon on the Mount” endeavor to write, not just one, but an entire series of fictional stories pertaining to the plant scientifically known as cannabis? In the eternal words of Reverend Lovejoy (from the Simpsons), “short answer, yes with an if. Long answer, no with a but.”

Since hatching the concept of Reeferpunk as the bread and butter of my writing career a year ago, I’ve received my share of rolled eyes and furrowed brows. Mind you, most people I know have become so immune to my brand of insanity that even an announcement of moving to Australia to farm kangaroos wouldn’t warrant a quizzical look. But writing a series of alternate history novels dealing with marijuana? After working as a campus pastor for the last thirteen years?

Usually the next question is in regards to the name or whereabouts of my dealer.

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Pray for Rain

Rain Dance by Tom Philllips
Rain Dance by Tom Philllips
Rain Dance by Tom Philllips

As I write this Texas is on fire. A few hours ago a tawny-skinned news anchor covering the fires from a bustling command center facade set up in some Walmart parking lot punctuated his morning report with the adage, “Pray for rain.” That was when it struck me.

It struck me as odd to hear a nancy boy reporter all fancied with make-up echoing the refrain. Why, you ask? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing against nancy boys, the wealthy or urbanites (all of which I have been at one point or another. But never all three at once!) It’s just that, well, rain is for the poor, not the wealthy. Rain is for the redneck, not the urbanite.

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What Would Baby Jesus Do? 5 Ways to Simplify Christmas

Mary and baby Jesus in Memphis
Mary and Baby Jesus, photo by Gary Bridgman

I am not the only one who has come to the conclusion in regards to the celebration of Christmas that if Jesus were alive today, he would be spinning in his grave.

Oh come on. If you can’t laugh just a little bit then you definitely need to read this post on creating a more sustainable Christmas, starting (just for you) with suggestion number…

5.) Don’t be a pretentious jerk. Next time your reading a poorly written and insulting blog (that incorrectly uses “your” in the place of “you’re”), stop and ask yourself, “WWBJD? What would baby Jesus do?”

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