Coffee With The Lord

A “sluggard” … What is one anyway?  When you’re reading the Bible you’ll come across the term in Proverbs quite regularly.  The context always presents whoever “a sluggard” is in a bad light.  Here’s how Webster’s dictionary defines the term… “A habitually lazy person.”  I’ve personally looked up the passages in the Bible that describe the “sluggard” and I can tell you I don’t want to be one!

In a church I attended we had one… claimed to be a “Christian” too (a “born again” Christian yet!)  Junk all over the yard, lawn never mowed, fence (or what was left over of a fence) falling down, roof covered with moss and falling in… And that was outside the house!  Inside a terrible smell, a single narrow path through all the junk, filthy kitchen and bathroom, beds never made… I could go on.  Able bodied guy (and his family) lived there too!  Smart – had an opinion (strong opinions) about almost everything.  Even a bit critical of others who disagreed with him.  Couldn’t keep a job, exhibited a complete lack of initiative, didn’t pay his bills, and worst of all gave the term “Christian” a bad name.

All of this came back to mind as I read the following words in my Bible this morning during “Coffee with the Lord”…

“I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.  Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” (Proverbs 24:30–34 ESV)

How much better to live like 1 Corinthians 10:31 urges Christians to live:  “So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God!”  One more time… As a follower of Jesus – someone called a “Christian” – I never, never, never want to be called a “sluggard!”  Just say’n!!!

(Oh, the pics?  At one time we lived in the house with the car in front… and then a “sluggard” moved in)

Montana is “home” for both Sharon and me.  We left it to go to other places years ago – to work and serve.  Lived in several different states, cities, and houses… but Montana (especially Western Montana – The Mission Valley – and Ronan and Polson in particular) is still “home” in our hearts.  We love Montana – and we look forward to returning there whenever we can.

What’s “home” for you?

When we travel “home” to Montana nowadays we have to stop doing what we’re doing, turn around, and travel many miles to get there.  As we travel we recognize locations along the way that bring back fond memories… places to stop, take a picture, visit a special restaurant, places where dear friends live!  It’s refreshing!  As we draw near the Rocky Mountains home just  seems nearer.  Then we come to Missoula, where Sharon went to college and got her nurses’s training… more refreshing memories.  Onward past Missoula to Ravalii, past the Bison Range, and then the first, awesome view of the Mission Range as we top the pass and drop down to St. Ignatius and then… You guessed it HOME!

When I decided to follow Jesus… “Heaven” became my “home!”  Since that day, I’ve traveled many miles, done many things, made a lot of friends, and had a lot of different experiences.  Times of refreshing (also times of trial and testing) have come and gone.  But the truth is, I’m on a long journey… a journey “home.”

All of that came to mind as I read Peter’s exhortation to some people who were challenged to turn around and stop going the direction they were headed, and start their journey “home!”

Here’s how he put it to them… He said, “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, Whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.”  (Acts 3:19–21 ESV)

Yup, glad I turned around one day from the way I was headed – down a wrong road, headed to destruction.  I asked for forgiveness and received it!  Then I started on the long journey “home” – to “Heaven.”  Gotta tell you on this journey I’ve had some wonderful times of “refreshing” (and a few trials, temptation and testing)… But believe me, the journey has been wonderful… it’s been worth it!  I’m headed “home” and one day Jesus Christ Himself will come and take me over the last hill to the place my heart longs for… Heaven is my home!  Hope to see you there!

Ever since serving as National Director for Christian Education and Commissioner on Discipleship for the Assemblies of God, “healthy churches” and “healthy Christians” have been a passion of mine. I have to admit, however, they were a passion much before then… They were a passion throughout my entire pastoral ministry and my involvement at Southwestern Assemblies of God University as a professor and administrator in the College of Bible and Church Ministries.

Here’s a truism you need to write down somewhere: “Healthy, growing churches produce healthy, growing Christians!”