junkmail for blankets

I couldn't figure out what you were talking about when I read your comment, then I saw this and laughed my ass off. This is good stuff. Don't worry though, I have a few ideas on the back burner, and I will be posting when I finish finals.

funny, i always pegged moses as more of a strictly coffee and run kinda guy. i guess after 40 hours with no food, i'd eat bojangles too.

A friend of mine here in Cinti emailed me your website...

Though I only skimmed through a few of your articles, "Did Jesus smoke?" caught my attention. I always war with my two natures--my fundamentalist tendencies and my antinomian tendencies (the occasional Salt 'N Peppa moment brightens my day). What I appreciate about the "lepers" (smokers), though your article didn't directly speak to this, is that they have a sense of fellowship and community. I think Christians tend to be so fearful of offending our God that we don't want to fellowship with anyone below us--therefore we don't fellowship, truly, with anyone. We fear we might be tainted. This, I believe, is exactly what Protestants claimed to fight in the Reformation--merit. And I the chief of sinners.

Something not exactly related.... The "smokers" (meaning also drinker, Walker Percy readers, Magnolia watchers, etc.) tend to look down their nose (maybe out of fear) at those who wear headcoverings, buns, long skirts, and don't frequent the local establishment on Saturday nights. To the smoker/drinker, there is something innately strange about those types. So, in my understanding, the ostracism and disapproval works both ways. Honesty seems to dictate that we admit the offense may come from both sides. Is one worse than the other? I suspect that grace and the unconditional love of Jesus needs to be extended to both parties. Would you agree, or no? Thanks!

Kristen Johnson

kristen,

yes. heartily. and thank you for saying so. i'm with a friend in the deep south right now, the place where most of my church criticisms were born and are aimed, and it's painfully clear to me how much my desire to avoid criticism is just a mask to justify my own un-love.

thanks for reading, and thinking, and saying.

jeremy