My 12 favorite pipes in the rack (http://www.twocousinspiperacks.com/) along with a few pounds of tobacco.
The books, bottom to top: ESV Bible, Westminster Confession of Faith with Larger & Shorter Catechisms, The Valley of Vision, my personal journal, two separate/topical journals.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Current Pipe and Tobacco Collection
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Hello Mr. Bryant,
ReplyDeleteI just ran onto your blog a little while back and have enjoyed reading some of your posts.
I wanted to ask you a question about your pipe smoking though.
I love the masculinity that a pipe seems to conjure up and the thoughtfulness that it can induce when enjoying a good bowl. As the The Dictionary of Visual Language of 1980 says, “Pipe: a primary masculine symbol with authoritarian overtones but also indicative of reliability and contentment.”
I have heard a lot of the arguments of how pipe smoking is not near as bad for you as cigarettes and so forth (and could even be beneficial according to some people) but the question I have in pipe smoking is, "Do you think that you pipe smoking could lead your children to starting truly bad addictive habits?" This has been the question I am trying to answer. If I smoke a pipe, then will my son smoke cigarettes? The old proverb of what the parents allow the children will allow in excess. Granted there is nothing wrong with a cigarette in and of itself but the addiction that can be sinful.
Just wanted to know your thoughts on that issue if you had the time.
Thanks,
Ben
Hi, Ben,
DeleteThat’s a great question. Sorry I haven’t replied sooner, but I have been busy with the holidays and a move out of state.
I believe mankind has been corrupting the good things God has given us from the very beginning. Think of anything. Sex, food, wine, tobacco, money, etc. All of it God gave us as things that are good and to be used for His glory. But we sinful men have founds ways to corrupt all good things. We love the thing created more than we love the creator. We are a sad bunch, really.
That being said, I look to live my life in a manner that is simple, separate, and deliberate. I raise my children in the same manner. I am pretty plain spoken with them, and don’t look to shelter them from much. In other words, I tell them like it is.
When I smoke my pipe I tell them how much I look forward to smoking with them when they are old enough. When, in moderation, I enjoy a single malt scotch whiskey or a glass of wine I tell them the same thing. I’ve always been very plain spoken about how the abuse of such things is displeasing to God. I tell them of the dangers of addiction and we discuss decisions that need to be made and responsibility has to be taken. Not in the sense that the secular humanists and their self-esteem driven drivel proclaim in the government education facilities, but in light of God's glory and our requirement to live holy lives as He commands us. I dare not worry about the possibility that they will abuse tobacco or alcohol much in the same way that I do not worry that they will cheat on their wives once they are married. I teach them the Bible. I raise them to appreciate what God has given us. I implore them to follow God's commands. I tell them to trust Him. And then I do that very thing. I trust Him to work in my children. It's His effort that counts. Far more than mine. I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Joe Jon Bryant
Thank you so much for te response. It did help and I appreciate you taking the time to explain that. Keep up te good work and enjoy your pipe! Maybe some day we'll smoke a bowl together.
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