Coffee With The Lord

Got a concern or anxiety that’s bugging you – something that is just, as it seems, “eating you alive” emotionally? It can be very helpful to talk to someone about it and “get it off your chest!” That is very often what a therapist does with a counselling technique called “reflective listening,” “empathetic listening” or “active listening” (and there may be other more technical names for this counselling technique I am not aware of). In fact, every good counselor practices and hones their “listening skills” to a fine art. The fact is, it’s very therapeutic for those who are troubled by anxiety and fear to have another caring person listen to them share their deepest concerns!

The Bible teaches God can help fill this role in your life… (I just read about it again this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”)! Here’s what it says…

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7 ESV)

So here’s the deal… Before you go out and spend “big bucks” on a therapist, it might be a good idea as a Christian to talk to God about “what is bugging you” – your fears and concerns. Hey, He’s more than simply a “therapist” (a good listener)… He’s a “SAVIOR!” (He can actually do something about what is bothering you!)

And the result? “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus!”
Sounds like a good idea to me… I’ve tried it and it works! In fact, I’ve got a few things I want to talk with Him about this morning.

Ever hear this? “Some people just have to learn things the hard way!”

I have a friend who lived a life of rebellion and excess! Early in his life he was introduced to alcohol and before long it dominated his life… he became an alcoholic! When you combined the rebellion, the excess, and the alcohol the mixture was toxic and probably would have been deadly. People tried to talk to him, they warned him, and godly family members and friends prayed fervently for him. One night during his rebellious living and doing what he called “pleasure” mixed with alcohol he had a terrible car accident and could have been killed! His life, however, was miraculously spared. The painful results though, were irreparable damage to his back and constant pain. But as a result he came to his senses, repented of his sinful and rebellious lifestyle, committed his life to Christ and abandoned alcohol!

Listen… I believe in God’s power to miraculously heal! I’ve seen God do it over and over again. But pray as we might, healing did not come to my friend. One day this is what he told me, “Every time I feel the stab of pain in my back it reminds me that God spared my life and I owe everything to Him! It reminds me of a very painful lesson I learned: “the way of the transgressor is hard!’” (Proverbs 13:15)

Now I don’t know what your spiritual journey has been like… what you may have had to “learn the hard way.” I know mine… and believe me, there are a few lessons I’ve had to learn that way – the painful way! I’m grateful for God’s mercy!  I’m grateful for even the lessons I’ve learned from the discipline of my Heavenly Father and the times “consequences” have taught me important life-lessons!

Here’s how several verses I read from Psalm 119 this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” put it…

“You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes! … It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes… I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant!” (from Psalm 119:65, 67-68, 71, 75-76)

I believe that! Thank you Lord for being a wonderful Heavenly Father in every way… Thank you for the lessons I’ve learned the easy way… AND the hard way! (Let me tell you though, I’d prefer to learn them “the easy way!”) Wouldn’t you?

I’m at Glacier Bible Camp in Hungry Horse, Montana (just outside of Glacier National Park… an incredibly beautiful place on planet earth!) – I have the wonderful privilege of serving as Bible teacher for their Family Camp this week! And I’ve got to admit it… My mind and heart are filled with NOSTALGIA and GRATITUDE!

Why, you ask? Because Glacier Bible Camp is where I received my call into the ministry 58 years ago!

It happened during a “Kid’s Kamp” (a camping experience designed specifically to reach children with the Gospel and give them an opportunity to experience Jesus Christ personally). The year God called me, we had a lady camp evangelist (I don’t even remember her name)… The night that God called me into the ministry, she shared a challenging message and the Lord spoke powerfully to my “child heart!” I responded to her appeal for those who wanted to grow closer to the Lord at the close of her presentation and went back to the “prayer room” in the old tabernacle to pray. (the old tabernacle is no longer standing today… it collapsed under the weight of an unusually heavy snow storm years ago). As I began to pray, telling God I wanted to serve Him and do anything desired for me to do, the presence of the Lord became very real to me. It was in those moments as a child, I sensed God speaking in an incredibly powerful way to my “child heart!” God’s call was almost Spiritually audible! It was also visionary! I heard God call me to share His word with multitudes of people and saw myself teaching the Bible before crowds of people. I wept and wept! I told the Lord, “Yes! I will do what You’re calling me to do!”

The next morning at morning chapel during camp an opportunity was given for anyone who desired to share anything God had done in their life the night before. I knew I had to share my experience! So this timid little farm boy from the little town of Pablo, Montana stood up and blurted out the words, “Last night I think God called me into the ministry!” I couldn’t think of anything more to say, so I sat down… ashamed! It was at that moment the director of the camp, a tall Montana cowboy preacher from Libby, Montana, stood up, walked to the edge of the stage in the auditorium, pointed his finger directly at me and said, “Son, last night God told me he was calling you into the ministry!”

That was 58 years ago… This week I decided to try to find the exact spot on the campground where that Divine transaction took place. I knew where the foundation of the old tabernacle was located (there is now an outdoor basketball court there). I found the spot to the best of my ability and stood there (see the picture)… and renewed my commitment to the Lord to fulfill my calling!

Oh, what a journey! Oh what that call from God has led to! Years of fruitful pastoral ministry! Serving as a professor for over 30 years at a Bible university training thousands of young men and women for Christian service all over the world! Serving the Assemblies of God, the denomination I am affiliated with, as their National Director for Christian Education and their first Commissioner on Discipleship. And to think It all began in the heart of a 10 year old child at Kid’s Kamp at Glacier Bible Camp 58 years ago! Incredible!

Just let me say, I love Glacier Bible Camp … and I passionately believe in the value of the Children and Youth Camps that are held there each summer! I am the product of camping programs like that!