I had an interesting dinner the other night. My guest was a ruling elder at one of the largest (if not the largest) Presbyterian churches in our fair city. Over our second scotch and after a lengthy discussion of the original series Star Trek movies, he suddenly shifted the topic. He brought up everything weContinue reading “Edified by Wasted Time”
Tag Archives: Cigars
Positive Pleasures
It might be said that there is an over use of the Screwtape Letters on this blog. However, I find Lewis’ demonic alter ego to be not only pity, and insightful, but a real delight to read. As such I will use him to accentuate the ongoing thinking on pleasures as a gift from God,Continue reading “Positive Pleasures”
Temperance and Lewis
“But the whole point is that he is abstaining, for a good reason, from something which he does not condemn and which he likes to see other people enjoying. One of the marks of a certain type of bad man is that he can not give up things himself with out wanting every one elseContinue reading “Temperance and Lewis”
Calvinism by the Rules of Comedy
Introduction The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery makes the interesting point that the plot structure of the Bible is a U shaped comedy plot. It begins in paradise, descends into chaos, and ascends in paradise. Or to use the literature maxim, “In a tragedy you die, in a comedy you get hitched.” Comedic principals and instinctsContinue reading “Calvinism by the Rules of Comedy”
Would You have a Drink with It?
“One of the tests that should regularly be applied to the results of any thinking process, however plausible, is: Would I like to sit down and have a vermouth with this thing I have just talked myself into? On that scale, ballerinas, oysters, free speech, and romantic love come off just fine. Computers, the ModernContinue reading “Would You have a Drink with It?”
Gratitude for Third Places
I would recommend reading the following two articles before continuing https://letterandliturgy.wordpress.com/2021/03/15/on-male-friendship-and-the-local-church/ Having spent a good portion of my last fifteen years studying the Biblical Manhood movement it is rare that I find writing on the subject that moves beyond the usual pablum. They articulate very well not only a part of the problem but alsoContinue reading “Gratitude for Third Places”
First Cigar Back
I should have started with something better but I have a confession to make. I may have squeezed in a cigar earlier this year on a surprisingly warm day that sometimes appears in Memphis during January, because our weather is controlled by Sibyl. If I did I can’t recall it. Sunday we had glorious warmth.Continue reading “First Cigar Back”
Snow Day Thinking
Over the past few days there has been an editorial back and forth in one of the local newspapers I enjoy. The topic was the recent week of snow that shut down the city. The first salvo was that snow days are a rare delight that should be cherished. The snapback was on the havocContinue reading “Snow Day Thinking”
How to Read this Blog
Dear Reader, Welcome to Southern Reformed Smoker, we are glad to have you. Wether you are here to click around hit like and try and get us to reciprocate on your own WordPress blog, a CCP bot, or an actual person who fell down the internet rabbit hole and this is where you landed, Welcome. Continue reading “How to Read this Blog”
Yet Another Article on the Proverbs 31 Woman
Introduction An excellent wife who can find? Done! Not the brag, but I found one. Seriously, I am not trying to brag. I would like to take this particular post and honor my excellent wife, N*. My goal is not so much instruction as to simply praise the really lovely woman I married. First aContinue reading “Yet Another Article on the Proverbs 31 Woman”