Holy Smokes!

I used to live in an apartment facility called Wood-way.  If you are like me, the name conjures up a deep wooded place, but as with most apartment and housing developments the names have absolutely nothing to do with the place.  Most are called exotic or charming names but are in fact actually boring...   Maple Manor, The Citrus Grove, Blue Fountain Terrace, Glen Lake View Country Deer Oak Manor Acres Estates...


I once read about an Irish Property developer that a was constantly bothered by bunch of hippies, so he named the area "Pogue Mahone Court." For those of you who don't speak Gaelic it means "Kiss my A$$ court" 


I better change the subject quick or people are going to be saying "Don't read the Red Beard's blog.  All he talks about is housing developments..."


Anyways Woodway is not in the woods but next to Hwy 540.  Its loud and annoying...
It used to be falling apart and forclosed on till a ministry called Lightbearers bought it.  I believe they just wanted it as a capitol raising endeavor because, you see, the ministry raises money and helps train college students to do overseas missions.  They would use the rent money that people would pay to fund overseas missions in the 1040 window. 


However, when all the folks in a 50 mile radius who have a heart for missions found out about this place they all moved there.  Would you want your money to go to the coffers of some scruffy, fat guy in a tank top who is always smoking cigars and yelling at people or to help starving children in Africa? I knew I could win you over...


Because of the tenants, I knew living there were tons of incredible men.  Not War heroes and Spartans, but men who were incredible fathers, servants, leaders, and who lived life investing in eternal things, not just seeking their own gratification in life.  I dearly wanted to spend time with these men to learn from them and ask question. Then a quote of the dear Clive Staples Lewis came to mind that goes something on the lines of "I know of no better time than a pipe and a pint with a brother."  I said, "Clive ole boy, I couldn't hardly agree more.  Being a writer and a theologian he has other quotes on the same issues. 

"A pipe gives a wise man time to think and a fool something to stick in his mouth." - C.S. Lewis

This quote, combined with that of our founding father Ben Franklin, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy," I started an evening club on Sunday Nights.


  I invited these admirable men that I sought to glean wisdom from to come to my porch from 9-? to have a brew, Smoke some Tobacco, & debate, discuss, and share our thoughts on theology and apologetics.  We named this meeting "Holy Smokes"


In fact I do believe I was following in the steps of Lewis himself:

While the discussion was definitely not limited to this, the conversation mostly revolved around God's grace, his providence, and his elect.  Sometimes the discussions would get heated, and more often than naught we would drift far from the intended conversation to zombies, war, and time travel.  


This also give us time to bounce ideas off each other.  Talk about girls and the pursuit of girls and other things pertaining to girls and girls.  






Now My job is to travel the nation and speak to college students about God's heart for every tribe, tongue, and nation as heaven will in fact look like as in Revelation 7:9 and the other 1500 times God mentions it in his word...

 As to not offend the teetotalers & above all, to be beyond reproach, I have to abstain from all forms of alcohol and tobacco products. Although I would be lying to say that I don't miss it, I count it a worthy sacrifice to get others involved in what God is involved in:  Redeeming all nations for himself!  

I do miss a good tall beer in a chilled glass and the feel of my warm pipe after a bowl Blue Note Tobacco but I will gladly give them up (for now) for the sake of the kingdom. 


And I am sure my mother is happy about that...


How do you feel about alcohol and tobacco?