UAQ’s

Why does this blog exist?

I wanted a place to practice my writing and try to put my thoughts down in a clear way. I want to work on theological writing and some humour. The whole thing is work in progress. Ideas are not always fully formed or I can have blind spots but my hope is to work those out so that I have put down coherent ideas with obvious application.

Is there a main theme to this blog?

Attempting to work out theological ideas with practical application. My goal is to encourage and exhort Christians to grow in sanctification in areas that are sometimes neglected due to their background noise status. Things that we are supposed to grow in, like charity, but somehow they get pushed to the side because other issues are currently more popular or feel more pressing. I actively want to avoid hot takes or anything that even remotely resembles discernment blogging. I don’t plan to comment on any current issue with any regularity. I am not saying never, something may come up and I might write on it, but it will definitely be abnormal.

Smoking is in the title, can we expect anything related to that?

Occasionally I will be writing a piece involving cigars, like this one. I often try to work them into other pieces. Mostly though the cigar content is on the instagram account.

What Cigars are your favorites?

Drew Estate Undercrown is near the top. But anything from Drew Estate I love. The Nica Puro Diamond Rough Cut is another favourite (now discontinued and I am hoarding my last two boxes). But for a day smoker Punch Classico, Alcazar 3 Maduro, New World By A.J. Fernandez. Nica Rustica. For more check out the Recommended Cigars.

It’s not as if your identity is totally hidden but why no full name?

As I wrote in the proprietors section, I live in the Bible Belt, some would say the buckle. And I work in ministry and there are still a lot of people who staunchly believe that smoking and drinking are sins period. And would genuinely call into question my salvation if not my ability to do my job. Also Calvinist can still be a dirty word in my job so I am trying to keep something of a low profile. As counter intuitive as that sounds.

So you are Calvinist’s then?

The name of the blog should have given that one away. But for my answer I will quote Mattie Ross from True Grit:

“I confess it is a hard doctrine, running contrary to our earthly ideas of fair play, but I can see no way around it. Read I Corinthians 6:13 and II Timothy 1:9, 10. Also I Peter 1:2, 19, 20 and Romans 11:17. There you have it It was good enough for Paul and Silas and it’s good enough for me. It’s good enough for you too.”

If you write you obviously have to read, what are you currently reading?

CH: God Mocks – Terry Lindvall, Pops – Michael Chabon, The Willows at Christmas – William Horwood, Gentle and Lowly – Dane Ortlnd, Most of The Most of S.J. Perelman – Ed. Steve Martin, Our Guilty Silence – John Stott, Becoming C.S. Lewis – Harry Lee Poe, Empire Express – David Howard Bain. I am also perpetually re-listening to Screwtape Letters – C.S. Lewis.

Didn’t there used to be another person who founded the blog too?

Yes, M’colleague T.S. sadly she never wrote anything and now just occasionally instructs me on how to operate the instagram.