Hammer and Ale – Southern Reformed Smoker

By the Hammer of Christmas 2.0

Editors Note: It being the week of Christmas I am posting a shorter article for all five of you to snicker at then go back to spending time with the actual human beings who are with you. You can read the previous installment here. It has been a couple of years since I have waxedContinue reading “By the Hammer of Christmas 2.0”

Fencing the Hammer

Introduction It should be known that the Pharisees in the days of Christ were known for “fencing” the written law of God, or creating the “oral” law. The idea being if we don’t want to come close to breaking the law of God new very specific laws must be created around the written law. ThenContinue reading “Fencing the Hammer”

Edified by Wasted Time

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”

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”

My Spot

I do most of my writing at Hammer and Ale, which is a wonderful taproom that I love dearly. I try to arrive as early as work lets me off so that I can settle in at “my table.” It’s in the corner has the best view, is an appropriate height for my small frame,Continue reading “My Spot”

By the Hammer of Christmas

Editors Note: It being the week of Christmas I am posting a shorter article for all five of you to snicker at then go back to spending time with the actual human beings who are with you. So here I sit, at my local watering hole in sunny seventy degree weather. Sipping on a winterContinue reading “By the Hammer of Christmas”