UPDATE 4/14/09: Wesley Sleep Program Puts Me To Sleep – That’s A Good Thing!
Last week, I did a post about a new Biblically based sleep program developed by Billy Wilkins, one of the original members of Third Day. I added a disclaimer in the post – “Snark Alert” – because I know some of you freak out when I get a little snarky in my posts.
I don’t have a problem using Christian products – I often play the audio Bible read by Alexander Scourby when my brain is wound up and I can’t sleep. But I think we’ve become a culture that relies on products instead of God, with Christian everything from books and music to energy drinks and sneakers. Or, as I said in my post, “Why, why, why are we constantly looking to other people to read the Bible for us, learn from it and then regurgitate it for us in tiny, digestible pieces?”
No surprise, I heard from Billy Wilkins, who was obviously not happy that I’d used his product to launch a vent about Christian commerce. I completely understand, so we started chatting on email. He’s a good sport, and I found out that his sleep CD has been used by nurses in military trauma units to help soldiers find sleep relief.
Anyone who knows me even a little knows I bleed red, white and blue. My brother-in-law is in the military. I often write to the sons and daughters of friends serving overseas and I’ve told you a few times about the Any Soldier website, where you can write to soldiers who might not receive mail or care packages from home.
So I decided to give Billy Wilkins a chance to tell you a little more about his Wesley Sleep program and how you can help provide sleep CDs to soldiers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
Here is a response to my post, from Billy Wilkins (you might want to read the original post first, so you know what he’s referring to):

Even though the Wesley Sleep Program and I have been the target of your recent “Snark Alert,” I appreciate your invitation to write this guest post. You are very fair.
To confirm in my mind exactly why I was defending myself, I actually looked up the word “snark.” I’m now more confused than before. From the two definitions I found, I must be either a “threatening event” or a “mysterious, imaginary animal.” Hmm. I guess I’ll try to use this opportunity to let you and your readers decide if either I or the Wesley Sleep Program belongs in either category.
From your earliest post, I get the idea that you thought I had written a commentary on what the Bible says about the topic of rest so that lazy people wouldn’t have to do research themselves. I see how you would reach that conclusion from the briefly-worded press release. Not at all! Here’s the difference: I researched the Biblical topics of rest and sleep not to teach lazy people what it says. I did it so that I could utilize what I learned to design a “sleep-aid” for people who lie in bed for hours letting their minds chase random thoughts. I thought how beneficial it could be for those who may be struggling to find real rest–maybe because of hormones, life challenges, and worries about loved ones or financial concerns — to be able to end their day hearing the words of Jesus along with some dreamy sleep sounds. What better way to end a stressful day?
Ironically, the accompanying Wesley Sleep Program booklet states virtually the same thing as your Snark Alert. These are exact words taken from my book:

“If you do become a Christian, I congratulate you. First, I encourage you to tell someone who is also a Christian. Then, I also wish to persuade you to get involved with a loving, Bible-based church….It is my opinion that you should also begin studying the Bible, since it is like God’s love letter to you, His child…. You may find that the more you study, the more questions you may have. I say that’s a good thing. View your curiosity as a part of growing in your faith…Finally, know that as you share your excitement about your relationship with God, I almost guarantee you that you will be surrounded by skeptics and cynics who will challenge and try to discourage you. Just expect it, and if you’ve been studying, you can be prepared.”

The Wesley Sleep Program seemingly parallels your “Snark Alert!”
From reading some of your previous posts, I see that you and I both agree that sadly, there may too many Christian music fans whose desire to hear about God is limited to their listening of song lyrics. At least I’m encouraging people to study while also trying to help them find peace.
Speaking of helping people, I am receiving begging requests from nurses at War Transition Units for people to send them more copies for our troops suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other problems. I’m glad that brave men and women are finding peace with this CD.
Seeing that we agree on so much, I think the problem was a short press release with few details.
Here’s my new life’s desire: a future post by Joanne: “Snark Alert Canceled! Wesley Sleep Program Not ‘THAT’ Bad after All!”
Billy Wilkins
Billy says copies of the CD can be donated directly to the military unit he mentions. Just go to Amazon to purchase the CD and have it shipped to:
Kimberly Pfennigs, Case Manager
WTU, Bravo Company
1852 Irwin Drive, Building 1059
Ft. Carson, CO 80913
If you end up donating a copy, let me know.
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