The Bible is the New Cool

This is an excerpt from the the book Common Sense: Listening to the Spirit, which was just released by the publisher:

Derek, Lilia, and Butch sat in the study hall. All three of them poured over their Bibles. Jack wondered at all the Bibles that had popped up at school lately, and decided to tease Butch about it, "When did you become a Bible thumper?" He chuckled in an accusatory and unpleasant nasal tone.

"Get with the program Jack! The Bible is the new cool!" Butch chortled and shook his head in disbelief at his own interest. "I can't get enough of it. Nola and I really dig it!"

Jack asked, "Why? It's just a bunch of religious crap!" Jack's angst showed itself in the little bit of spittle that ran from the corner of his mouth.

"Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. God's wisdom changes us and makes us into better people, people who can be happier just being people." Butch chuckled. When did I become so wise? He felt completely undaunted by anyone who poked fun at him because it was the first time in his life in which he felt internal peace.

Lilia listened to the conversation with interest, but kept her nose in her book, since she didn't want to interrupt Butch. Derek Listened, too. They both knew that Butch must have done the "one-eighty" somewhere along the line.

They listened carefully as Butch countered, "You should come to one of Lilia's 'Ride by His Side' Saturdays. It might really turn you on. You might actually have fun!"

"How many people go to that anyway?" asked Jack curiously, but with hesitation. He was part of the beer and party crowd and didn't necessarily want his life to change.

"There are usually between twenty and thirty people, and if you come to our fellowship on Thursday evenings, you could learn about what we're doing to change the world," said Butch with enthusiasm and winked at Lilia. She and Derek smiled. They were now officially included in the conversation. "Lilia might even find you a girlfriend. That wouldn't be all bad, would it?" Jack glanced in Lilia's direction, and she nodded, "Yes" in a knowing manner.

"Let me know when you have the next one," said Jack, who liked to please people, whether he meant it or not, "Maybe I'll try it."