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* Details contained in the original correspondence, or inquiry have been omitted or otherwise altered to protect the confidentiality of the inquiring party and to make key spiritual/psychological points.  

Dear Rock Doc: 
I don’t understand how you can keep spouting off about Christ and all of that Christian BS?  And you’re supposed to be a psychologist?  How can you believe in those fairy tails and how can you push that off on your patients?  My mom directed me to one of your advice columns and to be honest, it made me and the members of my band want to throw up.  

I’m a 16-year-old kid and my whole life my mom’s been pushing this religious stuff on me.  My mom keeps asking me, why don’t you become a Christian rock artist like POD or Dr. BLT?  I just remind her about how much of a hypocrite she is, along with all of her uppity church-going friends.  

Sure, I must admit, I thought you were cool when I saw you on that Cake music video and heard some of my friends talking about you, but when I started reading this stuff at Tollbooth, I couldn’t believe what I was reading.  Do you really think anybody, knowing what a bunch of hypocrites Christians are, will care about this Christ stuff you are brainwashing all of us to believe in?  Please, BLT, just give it up!

By the way, why don’t you ever interview bands like mine?  Bash may be new on the music scene, but dude, we rock!  And we don’t feed people Jesus trash like you and POD.  That just sucks, dude!

I heard you’ve been so desperate about finding good musicians out there that now you’re interviewing your own nephew, that Andrew Thiessen guy.  What’s up with that?  

Unabashed Christian Basher from the band, Bash 

Dear Unabashed Christian Basher from the band, Bash: 

Believe it or not, I receive emails and comments posted on my blog like yours constantly.  And, to be honest, I’m kind of getting sick of turning the other cheek.  But I’ll turn it one more time, because I get the feeling you are actually reaching out with this letter.  

One of my biggest critics, a hard-core atheist, who, like you, doesn’t even know me, but caught a comment I made in support of fellow Christians, recently posted a comment something to the effect of me being as far away from an example of a follower of Christ as one could possibly be.  Well, I had to reluctantly agree, because, as a follower of Christ, I am constantly missing the mark.  I've often described myself as a stumbling follower, and a doubting believer and that pretty much sums it up.

Yes, in my walk of faith, it's all too often one step forward and two steps back.  But my desire to emulate our savior is a desire that I've had for quite some time now, a desire I put into a song called When I Grow Up I Wanna be a Carpenter.  I've posted the lyrics here, and if you'd like to check out the audio, feel free to visit today's entry at:

Bakersfield Sound Underground 
http://www.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com 
I’ve posted the lyrics below, in hopes that you will read them and reflect on your letter as it relates to this song.  If you’re going to go around judging Christians, they you must understand, that we have already been judged, and found “not guilty,” not because of our own righteousness or purity, but because of what Jesus Christ did for us when he died in our place, on the cross, to make atonement for our sins.

It is only a fairy tale if you don’t trust or believe in miracles.  I do.  And for patients of mine that are believers, our common belief in miracles helps miracles to happen.  The Bible says that if we have the faith of a mere mustard seed, we can move mountains.

There are lots of mountains in the lives of people of this nation, and, around the world.  There are seemingly insurmountable economic woes, wars, massive famine, and, global spiritual bankruptcy.  I’ve noted that in this song:

Everything is Fallin’ Apart 
http://www.drbltl.net/music/EverythingIsDemo2.mp3 
As a psychologist, I understand and appreciate the complexity of problems facing those afflicted.  I go out of my way to avoid giving them quick, easy answers, or throwing Bible verses at them that are out of context.   But I don’t apologize for believing in Jesus.  

If you look to Christians as an example of how people should act, you’ll be disappointed again and again.  Christians should try to be good people, but as human beings, they will fail in their efforts.  

I hope you change your attitude towards me, and towards Christians, but that is not something I have control over.  Write me off if you wish, but before you do, listen to this song, or read these lyrics and understand that God is not nearly finished with me yet.  He may not be finished with your mom yet.  He may not be finished with you yet either.  

When I Grow Up I Wanna be a Carpenter

from the CD, The Truth Hurts

words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2008

when I grow up I wanna be a carpenter
I wanna build a world of lastin' peace
when I grow up I wanna be a carpenter
tear down doubt, build relief

why don't you water my spirit
why don't you nourish my soul
so I can grow up just like you
why don't you water my spirit
why don't you nourish my soul
so I can grow up just like you

when I grow up I wanna be a carpenter
your words of love are the tools that I need
when I grow up I wanna be a carpenter
with this guitar as my hammer
hungry mouths will I feed

why don't you water my spirit
why don't you nourish my soul
so I can grow up just like you
why don't you water my spirit
why don't you nourish my soul
so I can grow up just like you

when I grow up I wanna be a carpenter
so I can repair the damage that I've done
I couldn't pull the nails I drove in your hands
but I'd like a chance to make it up to you

why don't you water my spirit
why don't you nourish my soul
so I can grow up just like you
why don't you water my spirit
why don't you nourish my soul
so I can grow up just like you

If you’re a musician in distress, or a friend or family member of one, contact me at: 
drblt@drblt.net