The Christian, The Witch and The Atheist...Who's right and Who's wrong?

  "Hey baby, how you doin'?

That is the response that I get from Vee everytime she or I walk in the door. She has very sweet spirit about her and loves her some Dr. Pepper. Vee is one of those individuals that are constantly around people and sometimes gets "burned out" by being around them. When she comes into work, she has a routine that she has to follow. If there are too many people wanting coffee when she walks in the door, she gets frustrated. Her frustration at times has lead to anger. But, when the people leave, she goes back to being herself. She is just goofy and likes to get the work done.

 "It's like my favorite drink ever!"

 This is the response that I hear everytime that I work with Sam. She constantly tells every customer that asks about certain drinks that "it's her favorite drink." Sam much like Vee has the same sweet spirit about her. She is young and loves to go out and party like we all did at one point and time in our lives. She is probably the one that I enjoy working with all of the time. Because my schedule has changed here recently, I don't get to work with her as much here lately.

Now even though we all work in the same place, we all walk a different path in life. With the point of views that we all have, we seem to fit at times. But those point of views can take on a very different meaning when dicussing them with each other. There are 3 people. The are 3 different views and only 1 conclusion.

Here we go...

 In my past stories, I have always shared my faith. I have not and will not hide my faith. It has granted me great oppurtunities to witness and minister to many people. For this, I am thankful. There are moments when I feel that I want to quit. And I have come close to quitting as well. But when I get close to that point, God provides me a chance to help someone. That is how I know that God has called me to this place.

 Vee calls herself a witch in the Wickan religion. She discusses her thoughts and her beliefs with the people that she works with, but not the customers. She talks about her Earth god, Ganeshi, who looks like a half-man, half-elephant being. Now, I love Vee and she works hard everytime she walks in those doors. We have had alot of chats about her faith and even though we disagree, we both believe that our faith is very important to us.

 Now Sam, she has no faith. As she says, "I believe in science. Someone sneezed and life began." Sam is crazy and I love her for it. She makes claim that she is an "atheist." Me and her have always discussed our faith very openly. We have both asked questions about each other's faith and come to only one conclusion, we are both RIGHT!!!

 Now, knowing that God has placed me into this store for a reason, I have seen the enemy hard at work and trying to beat me when dealing with Sam and Vee. With all of the discussions that I have had with both, I still know in my heart that I am fulfilling God's will for my life in this place. Even though I act like an idiot on many occassions, I still know and feel the calling to this store. Now, the cool thing about God and when He provides a chance to minister to someone and you follow through with it, you see the seed planted. You have opened a new package of seeds that are ready for growth. I would like to say that I have planted many seeds into these 2 individiuals lives and will continue to do so. I have seen many times where the enemy has tried to "get in the way." But, knowing what I know in faith and standing firm in my faith in Christ, I will overcome because Jesus has overcome the World.

  Jesus beat the enemy by overcoming the World. He overcame every judgement, every sin, every attack and even the wrath of his Heavenly Father. He overcame so that we would have right standing with our Heavenly Father. I claim that I have overcome with Him because of what He did for me at the Cross.

John 16:33... I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

 Now with Vee and Sam, the have asked me more questions about my faith then I have about theirs and what is my take on certain things. I have expalined to them what the Bible says and how it reveals the answers to everyone's questions. I have been asked why babies are born with sickness,and diseases. Why people die from other's hands and why do people kill in the name of their Faith. Many topics have been discussed and over the course of the discussion, I get a sense of peace and love in me from the Holy Spirit because I am planting a seed.

  Anytime you do something for the Heavenly Father in faith, it cannot fail. A "certain measure of faith" has been given to me. If we don't give or share with people the "faith", then that "certain measure" will remain the smae. But Jesus said that we can "increase our faith." How do we increase our faith? Simple....share it and spread it!!!

 Now I would have never thought of myself talking to people like Vee and Sam and sowing the Word of God into their lives. But that is what we are supposed to do. We are to minister to those who are "lost or deceived." Now, I have told Sam and Vee what I have thought about their faith and that I did not agree with them. But did I show hate towards them when I did it, NO!!! That is not the love of Christ.

 Part of sharing the love of Christ is walking in it, even when you don't agree with it. I constantly clash with my manager, but as many times that I have wanted to walk out on him, the truth is that I would not be walking in love. I mean, my manager can put me into such a "anger" about things and if I re-act, then he see's another side of me. He see's me not walking in love. That's not how God wants us to be. Even in the midst of anger, you can still walk in love. That is where you will beat the enemy everytime. Walking in love helps you walk over the enemy.

  John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

 You will not always agree with everything that comes from everyone's mouth, and you may not even  like the person. But you have to love them!!! If Jesus said it, there is a reason for it!!! Now with Sam and Vee, I never have to walk on eggshells with them or tippy-toe around the truth. The Word of God is the truth. Atheism and Wickan beliefs are another weapon of the enemy that is being used today to deceive people.

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

False beliefs and teachings is what the enemy is using to defeat people to from knowing the truth. We, as believers have to be on the watch for such attacks and be prepared for those if and when they happen.

Jesus fought off one of the greatest attacks when He was in the wilderness. When Satan had come to tempt Him, the Word of God came from his mouth. It didn't become a knock down, drag you out in the middle of the street fight. He spoke the Word of God with the authority that had been given to Him by the Heavenly Father.  That is what are to do today....

 Now, I pray and believe in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, that these two children of God will come to the revelation of who they are in Christ and build a relationship with Him. We are getting to close to the Lord's return to just pick and choose who we want to make it into heaven. If that was the case, I know a few people that I would not want to go.

 But...

 I want people to know that their is a loving and beautiful Heavenly Father that is waiting on them to receive His Love. The love He has for you is un-ending and unconditional. He showed that love at the Cross.

 Once you God has touched your Heart with His love, you are never the same.

Drinking from the Cup of Hate...Part Two

 Now, we all let something get the best or the worst of us. Unfortunately, there are those who live in the "worst." Why would someone want to live in such utter hate? The truth is, that's all they know!!!

  If they haven't heard or seen the love of Christ, then they have not seen the love that God has for them. You have to look unto Jesus and see how He walked in love towards His enemies, His disciples and so much more.

 "Hey Buckwheat, Jesus got angry one time and even kicked over a few tables!" Yes, he did. But why?

Simple.....He was angered by the fact that His Father's house had become a grocery store instead of a house of worship. I mean, really? How mad would you be if someone was selling you "coffee and doughnuts" while listening to your Pastor. It would be like going to a baseball game and having $1 hot dog night.

 Anyways, hate is of the enemy. You cannot come up with an idea of being angry or hateful without a reason. The "reason" is a weapon that the enemy uses against all the time. When my mother died, I was given a "reason" to hate someone. A seed had been planted in my heart that was growing and producing some violent and hurtful emotions in my life. That seed that was planted in me, turned me into someone else. Not a child of God, but a child of hate. When I had accepted Christ, God pulled me out of that old pot and planted me in a new one. I still had some weeds in me, but over time He has trimmed and shaped me into the man of God He wants me to be. The weeds try to sneak in, but I usually catch them before they grow.

 Now.........Walking in Love!!! A powerful weapon against the enemy!!!

Satan wants nothing more than for you to be deceived and to think that God hates you for your sins. Satan is the "ultimate con-artist." He is gonna trick and tempt you using anything, anyway or anybody to get you to focus on anything else other than God. When you get mad at your husband, wife, kids or co-workers, it comes from the enemy. A small and seeded reason was put into your head for that reason alone, to get you mad!!!

  How do we fight this? My favorite Proverb, 12:16 A fool's anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor. The greatest way to fight this attack...

  "Don't react!" Uh oh..............here it comes!!!

"Okay Buckwheat, but you don't know what I have been through or what they did to me." In the big picture, it really doesn't matter. Some of us focus on the pain other than the act itself. The pain you feel will plant a seed in you that only God can destroy. There is no amount of medicine or counseling that will ever rid you of some anger that is in our lives. But there is a cure that rids people of that anger. Are you ready?

 The Word of God...

"Oh Buckwheat, now you are talking crazy?" If I am, then you wouldn't be reading this right now. If you don't want to hear the truth, then stop reading.

Waiting...

Keep pumping that anger ball! I promise you that your anger will all go away. NOT!!!

People!!! It's a hard pill to swallow, but walking love will rid you and others of such hatred and anger. But, when you feel it rising on you again, take a breath and say "God, this is not me. You did not create me to be angry and full of hate. I am deeply loved by my Heavenly Father."

 That is the cure....

Now, I have come to the end of this story. But, I myself, like many others have to deal with this on a daily basis. Take comfort in knowing that God lives within you. His Love is in you. His Son is in you. His Spirit is in you. That is walking in love. Knowing who you are in Christ perfects your walk in love.

 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

  Walk in what Jesus has provided for you...

 Walk in His Love...

 Love is everything...

Drinking from the Cup of Hate... Part One

  It's so funny and sad to see people that come through my doors everyday and to see their attitudes flare up at the smallest thing. Like a cup of coffee...

 One customer of mine knows nothing else more than to come in and say "Venti coffee." I tell him the price, he gives me the exact change and leaves without comment. This is his routine. One day though, he changed his attitude and I felt it to the point of taking it on.

 Sadly, when I see that most people walk in the store in a bad mood, I ususally ignore it and move on. I won't respond to hate with hate, but this time it bit me and hard.

He had ordered something different and was having to wait in line for it. Something that he is not a regular too. As my friend was making drinks, I turned around to help her. From that point on, I sipped of the cup of hate. He started yelling at her from the other side and was wondering where his drink was. He went as far as saying "if you will take time from your social schedule to make my dam drink, that would be great." That made me mad because he hurt my friend. My anger had started to rise and boil within me.

 Now, I know it was over a cup of coffee, but we are all angered by something either so small or so big because of someone or something else, that we literally "wear the hate on us" and we use it against other people. It's our way of justifying the hate. Jesus never had hate in His heart, but He did say something about it.

  In 1 John 3:15 it says "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."

Noticed how John compared hate to the same as murder. Jesus said "that if you hate your brother, you are committing murder." What? How is that possible?

 Hate is the root to murder. But even the root starts with a seed that was planted. Somewhere in life, we have been seeded and planted with a type of hate in out heart. But Thank You Jesus, that when we recieved His sacrifice and His ressurection, we were up-rooted and replanted into a new cup. I love what Jesus asked when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:36, he says "My Father, if it is possible, let this CUP pass from me, but nevertheless, let your will be done." Noticed how Jesus referred to the Cross as a CUP. He knew that the Cross was going to be filled with sin, sickness, lack and so much more. But He also took on the "wrath of His Father." The anger or hate of the Father. In Isaiah 53:10 "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

 Why would it please God to bruise His own Son? Because He wanted the rest of His children to know how much He loves us. John 3:16 "For God so loved the World, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

 God loves us so much, that He sacrificed His only Son, to have a relationship with me. A relationship of love and peace. Not anger or hate. When we take communion, we drink and honor the death and ressurection of Christ from a CUP. Instead of drinking in the hate, we are drinking in His love for us and remembering what Jesus did for us. So many times, we drink from other people's lives that are filled with hate, discontent or anger. When we get to this point, we have to learn to "let this CUP pass." We have the most powerful being living within us, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. We have to power to throw that cup back into the devil's face at anytime. But we have to recognize first that hate comes from the enemy.It doesn't come from man, but the evilness of Satan.

 How do we overcome the weapons of the enemy? Simple.......Walk in Love!!!

"Buckwheat, whatever?" That is the truth! When that customer walks in and I know that he maybe in a hateful mood, the greatest thing that I can do is simply walk in love towards him, treat him with respect and "his cup shall pass." This is a hard lesson for some to learn, and even harder for those who have been deeply hurt by someone's actions. But the truth is this, walking in love towards your enemies and those who have hurt you in the past will help you experience the Love of the Heavenly Father.

 The Cup of the Heavenly Father is filled with the sweetness, the aroma and the love of Jesus and the Father.

Wanna learn how to defeat that anger? Read Part Two of "Drinking from the Cup of Hate.......

Ministering to a Soul, Drinking the Cup of Forgiveness

  "I could see the pain in her eyes, in her face and in her Spirit." She was totally overwhelmed with grief and loss, that she could barely function.

She was lost.......

  My friend that I am talking about was about to head down a road that I had lived and walked 10yrs ago. She had experienced the loss of a family member by someone else's hand. Having been down this road, I knew what she was going through and even though the pain was almost the same, it was not. I knew the thoughts that were going through her head, her heart and her Spirit. The hate, the pain, the hurt and the emotions were beating her down. The enemy was trying to take her out!

I wasn't going to let him!!!

  It was 10 years ago that I lost my mother at the hands of another man while working at her job. She was killed along with 5 other people with only 1 survivor. That survivor lost his 15 year old son that day. Anyone that had a father, son or husband that day, was lost forever. Me and my sister lost our mother that day. My life was forever changed.

  I went through something that I would never wish upon my worst enemy and lived to testify only to the Grace of God that I made it through. And instead of leaning on God, I put my family through hell, pain, anger and so much more. And even though I could ask for their forgiveness for the rest of my life, it will never take away the pain that I caused them. I have a relationship with my father and sister, but because of my actions, it's not the same anymore. God has restored a relationship with them, but I have done nothing to continue that healing.

  So, knowing all of this, I was able to talk to this lady and minister to her the things of God. Now, when my mother died, the last thing I wanted to hear was anything about God. I was so mad at him, that I wanted to just walk away from Him. I thank God today that I didn't walk away from Him, but wished that I had His help in going through all of that. Instead, I leaned on my own understanding.

So began the path of destruction....

  So as I am talking to this lady, she breaks down. She can't handle the emotions or anger anymore. She let's it all out. God was in our midst and He was about to reveal Himself to her through me. GOD is awesome in His Glory!!!

 When she got done talking, I started telling her that there is a God that loves and would do anything for you. He actually did something for us a long time ago. He gave us a way to be healed. His Son, Jesus Christ was the healing. He provided this healing over 2000 years ago. The key to receiving God's healing touch, is not a choice that we all will come to easy, but brings a peace and a "love that surpasses all understanding." Just as God forgave us of our sins, we should forgive those who have sinned against us. His forgiveness brings healing to our soul. Jesus's Blood provided the healing..........

  When I told her that forgiveness was key in her healing process, she just looked at me like I was crazy. I gave that same look to my Pastor when he told me the same thing. "There is no way that I could ever forgive him!" I wanted to put some thought into that action. I mean, most of us believe that "murder" is the worst sin out there today. But the truth is this, "sin is sin, none is greater or lesser than the other." That was a hard pill for me to swallow at the time and an even harder pill for her to swallow.

  When Jesus went to the cross, He provided much more than the payment for our sins. He provided healing from the actions of sin. Whether you or someone else committed the sin, the healing has been provided. His Blood has provided that healing. The Blood of Jesus Christ is powerful. It's more powerful than any weapon on this planet today. Why? Because it destroys every weapon and attack of the enemy. I get chills just thinking about it. 

There is Power in The Blood of Jesus Christ

 But, forgiveness is key to healing. My testimony has always been how God healed me and delivered me from depression. After I made the choice to forgive the man that killed my mother, I started to see a change in me about 3 to 6 months later. The thoughts of suicide and depression were slowly disappearing. Within a year, they were both gone. It didn't happen overnight, but it happened once I realized that I had to put "faith into action" by reading and studying the Word of God and then making that choice. That choice, forever changed my life.

 The choice that she makes in this walk, will forever change her life. We prayed together over the situation and I gave her a hug. I gave her my number and told her to call me if she needed a shoulder to cry on or just someone to listen. She walked away for a little bit, only to turn around and run back into my arms. She said, "Buckwheat, you have helped me more than anyone else ever could." She continued to cry and just held onto me so tight, it was like she was holding onto God Himself.

 Then it hit me. GOD is in me. JESUS is in me. The HOLY SPIRIT is in me. How amazing it is when we put ourselves aside and focus not on the situation or the feelings that we are going through. We are "lifting our eyes upon the Lord" who has given a way for healing.

 Now, I can't make you forgive everyone that has hurt you. But I can tell you that in order for you to deal with the pain, the hurt, the loss and the anger, the best way is to love on God and let Him love on you. The best way to deal with all of these issues, is to make the choice to be forgiving. 

 We have been forgiven already. Forgiving someone else will be one of the greatest choices in your life.  

 Make that choice today...................

 

Did You Know that Espresso is 3 Parts Jesus!!!

"Hey Buckwheat, I need a doppio. If I don't get soon, I won't make it through the day!!!"

"Really?" Are you gonna die?

"Yes!"

"Whatever."

Most people have been totally taught and trained to believe that there is a special ingredient within espresso that will literally make them feel like "Superman." Now even though espresso has a concentrated form of caffine in it, there is nothing special about really. If you have never had a shot of espresso, then it will give you a run for your money. Some people feel their heart beat a little or alot faster. I have people order 4 to 8 shots of espresso by itself almost daily. But in time, they become null to the effects and it's like drinking water to them. In order to understand espresso and it's effects, you have to break down it's components.

Espresso has three parts to it's body. Just like humans, it's a 3 part being. Just like God, He is a 3 part being!

"Okay, God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are like espresso?" Yes..........................

"Buckwheat, are you crazy?" Yes, but that is beside the point!!!"

Espresso consists of the heart, the body and the creme.
Humans consist of the mind, body and soul.
Jesus was the Son of God in the flesh and was filled with the Holy Spirit. He had the mind of God, the body of man and the Spirit of God in Him.

Now, in espresso, the shot is poured in layers. The first layer is called the "Heart." It is the basis and bottom ground on which the espresso has been poured. It contains the power of the espresso with caffeine. It's where people get their rush for the mornings to make it through the day.

Our Heavenly Father is the Heart of everything. He alone has the power to do anything. He has the "caffeine" to get you through the day, the month, the year and this life. The more that you drink of Him, the bigger and stronger "rush" you get from knowing Him. His Heart is behind everything in this life. Drink of His heart, drink of His blessings.

The second layer of the espresso is the "body". It has a fullness and a reddish color when it pours. The body pulls the first layer and the last layer together. Jesus was the "body" that holds all of us together and has brought us back into the fold through His sacrifice.  The reddish color is a great representation of "the blood." I have watched the espresso shot pour 10 million times over and really never paid attention until recently. It was His "Body" that did everything for us..........

Now the last layer is called the "creme." It holds the flavor and the sweetness of the espresso. It has a light goldish-brown color with a creamy froth on top of it. It's the "icing on the cake" moment. It has a very rich and nutty flavor. To some, it tastes just like coffee and leaves a bitter taste in their mouth. But a true "espresso drinker" can taste the "sweetness and flavor" of the espresso.It has a smooth aroma to it as well.

In the Old Testament, there were different types of sin offerings. One in particular was called the "Sin Offering." This one holds a very special meaning to most. In the Old Testament, when a "sin offering" was made, it released a "sweet aroma" unto the Heavenly Father. Therefore, it was pleasing to God. The same sacrifice that Jesus had made, being the once and only "sin offering" for all of man, was a "sweet sacrifice unto God." Without His sacrifice, the Holy Spirit would not have been able to come and help us.

The "woman at the well" was drinking and taking in the aroma and sweetness of the Lord. She was drinking and filling herself on the "espresso" of the Lord. The "living water's" that flowed from Jesus brings refreshment, life, peace, love and so much more. The more "espresso of Jesus" that you drink, the more filling, the more power, the more righteousness that you get from His Word and His presence. The "espresso" that he offers will never lose it's rush. If you continue to drink of Him, the rush, the "caffeine kick" that you need and get from Him will last you alot longer than any power drink or coffee that you will ever have.


Now, all of this may seem like the ramblings of a Baristo at a coffee house, but the truth is that if we don't start drinking and feeding of what God has for us, through the Blood of Jesus Christ, we will continue to feed on the things of this world. When we feed on the things of the world, we slowly die and lose the energy. When we feed on the Jesus, we are empowered through His Word. Through His Word, the Holy Spirit can guide and lead us to do the same things that Jesus did while He was on this earth. That is the "espresso" of Jesus.

So the next time you come into my shop and get a shot of espresso, think of this..........

How much espresso do you drink on a daily basis? How much Jesus do you drink on a daily basis?

Which espresso is really gonna get you through the day?

Stoney's Toffee-Nut Stronghold...........

 You know, I get all sorts of texts or calls from customers that are always wondering if I am working the day that they want to come in. Now, I am not saying that I am the greatest Baristo out there, but I do have some mad skills when it comes to making coffee and getting to know my customers.

One customer refers to me as "King Midas!"

I have a friend that texts me a couple of times a week to see if I am working. Her name is Stoney. This is her story..............

Text from Stoney............."Buckwheat, are you working today?" End Text
Reply from Buckwheat..........."Yes, I am here."

Text from Stoney.............. Okay, I need my fix and its been a couple of days since I have had one. I will be there shortly or I will send the hubby to get it." .........End Text
This is the text that I get at least 2 times a week from Stoney that I had unknowingly made a drink for her and she has become addicted to as well.

Now, here is how this all began. I had made Stoney a drink for her one night as a trade for letting me take her husband to the movies. By the way, that is the best trade that I have going right now. I had made her a toffee-nut Caramel macchiatto. Normally it comes with vanilla, but Stoney is always open to me experimenting.

So when I got to her house, we traded items(coffee and husband) and went about my way to the movies. After I left, she texted me and wanted to know what I had made her. I told her and thought nothing of it. Her reply back was this....."Buckwheat, you have gotten me addicted to this thing. I totally want nothing else." Me, I just laughed.

Now, I get texts from Stoney from time to time telling me that she needs her fix for the day. Did I lead her into an addiction or create a stronghold for her? Makes me wonder! Do we unknowingly create or lead people into sin on accident or on purpose. What does The Word say about leading people into an addiction or a stronghold? Or leading that person to sin?

James 1:14-16 says "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has concieved gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Now, it is human nature to just go out and do what feels good. Our flesh is not any different. These days, most of us feed our flesh more than we feed our bodies. The one thing that we have to be careful of is leading others into addiction or strongholds, sin!!!

Now Stoney doesn't have an addiction or stronghold to this drink, but the truth is that there are many people like myself that may unknowingly lead people into sin by my actions, thoughts or words. I should know that, through the Holy Spirit, that if I am leading someone into the path of righteousness or in a path of destruction.

Now, in James he used to the words "lured or enticed by our own desire." Yes, our flesh has desires. We have the ability through the Holy Spirit to control those desires using The Word of God and the help of God-ly people.

Here is an example. A man is dealing with an addiction to "adult material." Now, even though you may think that there is nothing wrong with looking at it,but he does! It may have ruined his marriage, career and so much more. Now as God-ly men, we shouldn't be looking at that stuff anyways. But there are millions of people that are addicted to that stuff and have lost everything because of it and many of them are Christians. By showing him that kind of material, you have unknowingly led him into the "idea" that this is what a "real woman" looks like versus what God says what a "real woman" looks like.

As a man, I have have to deal with this issue and use The Word of God to help me fight these types of sin. Do I always win the fight, NO!!! But Jesus has was given me the victory to overcome all sin. Tall, Grande or Venti!!! Sin is sin and no one is greater than the other. 

What we have to remember though is this. Romans 5:20 "where sin abounds, His grace abounds much more."  Now that is not a ticket to sin, but a love that covers us even in our arrogance. If we recognize that we made a mistake through The Holy Spirit, then God has promised to no longer remember that mistake. That is the mercy of a loving God............

So, the next time Stoney calls or texts me, I will have to remember that I am not just fixing her drink, but leading her into a world of great tasteness!!! 

So imagine what your drink would be like if Jesus made it and you became totally addicted to what he served you? I wonder what kind of coffee Jesus drinks?

Makes me wonder............... 

A Christian Cappucino? Are you Serious?

 How do you like it?

  That is the question that I ask hundreds of people almost everyday..............

The answers are always different, but the truth is that they are all the same.

  Cappuccino's................A strange twist for a coffee drinker.

There are only about 3 different ways to prepare a cappuccino......Wet, dry or in the middle.

  A wet cappuccino is basically more milk with just a little bit of foam. The drink itself is very heavy to the feel.  It has fullness and a body to it.

A dry cappuccino is all foam with no milk. Almost no weight to the drink. It has no fullness and no body.

  A "in the middle" cappuccino has the best of both worlds. Half milk and half foam. The body is thrown off due to the uneven weight of the drink.

Now, I am really surprised to the fact that I have more people that want a "in the middle" cappuccino more than anything. This can say alot about a person. True cappuccino drinkers are very "picky" with their drink. Almost to the point of being "anal and mean."

  As I was making a drink one day, I got this thought from the Lord, "How many of my children are like the drink your making?" There are alot...........

Now, I am thinking, "I don't get it? A dry Christian cappuccino?" Help me here Lord...........

  The scripture that comes to me when I did some thinking on this was from the Book of Revelations 3:15-16.............I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Now how does the different type of cappuccino describe a Christian today?

  When you look up the definition of dry it means the exhaustion of a supply of liquid and has no body or moisture.
The definition of wet means to be soaked with a liquid or to be immersed.
The definition of middle is to be neither extreme.

"So Buckwheat, what is a dry Christian?" I am glad that you asked............

  A dry Christian is not immersing themselves in the Word of God or His presence. They want nothing to do with "organized religion" or "church." They believe in God and that's it. They don't want the "fullness" of the Lord. They haven't focused on their relationship with God.

A wet Christian is immersed in the Word of God, enjoys being in His presence, takes joy going to church. They want to continue to building a relationship with their Lord and Savior. They want the "fullness" of the Lord. They focus on their relationship with God.

  A "in the middle" Christian wants the best of both worlds. They will attend church like they are supposed to and say that was a great sermon. They continue living the life that they want and occasionally do what the Bibles says or much less read it. They focus on their relationship with God when they have time.

Jesus said it is better to one or the other. Hot or Cold, but not lukewarm. Why is that? In my thoughts and belief, it means that you accept Jesus as you Lord and Savior, acknowledge His sacrifice and raising from the dead, but you want to continue to live the life that you want. You have lost sight of your "FIRST LOVE," which should be Jesus Christ and the Heavenly Father.

  Here is how I relate to this. Before I had a relationship with the Father, I just believed He existed. That was it. When I got saved, it took me a while to develop and passion for the Lord and a relationship. Then once I got that fire, I was burning for Him. Then, for a moment, I lost that passion and went back to my old ways and tried to fit God in on my time. Then, I became a singer on the Praise and Worship team at church. I found a fire again. Then, I found myself slipping again. I lost sight of my "first love." I lost my focus.

I kept thinking to myself, "I am not going to make it into heaven, I will be vomited." That was an attack of the enemy right there.

  When you feel yourself getting into that "lull," that is when we need to regain our focus on Jesus and God and find that fire again!!! We allow the cares of the world to get on us and then turn around and put our relationship with God to the side. We become lukewarm in a way. Jesus says it is better to be one or the other. We need to make Jesus the "One" in our lives. PERIOD!!!

Now many people might say, "Buckwheat, aren't you being a little judgemental?" Yes and no!!!............. Huh?

  It is not for us to question each other's salvation nor the reason behind it. But we are to judge people by their fruits. If I see a pastor walking into a bar on Saturday night and then preaching on Sunday from the pulpit, then I might have a question for him. Sadly, there are many Christians that feel that way today. I often see myself like that at times. "I am doing things that will make people see me as a good Christian or as a hypocrite?" How do other's see me?

Do they see me as a "dry Christian, a wet Christian or in the middle Christian?" Only God and I can answer that..........

  Now, I maybe reading too much into this analogy, but the truth remains that there are Christians that or stuck in a mode that need help getting out of it. If we come across those people, we need to help them anyway we know how. We need to give the some of "God's espresso" to get that caffeine rush or fire burning in them again. There is only one kind of "espresso" that you can get from God that will put you in a complete rush, high, on fire and always want more....................Do you know what it is?

The presence and relationship with God..................there is nothing better than that! Nothing!!!

  So the next time you get a drink from the "Baristo Bar" ask yourself this question, "Is there a better way to drink this?"

God has prepared something for you that is far better than anything on this planet that you could ever eat, sleep or drink in this world. He has a better way.

  And whenever you accept a drink from the Lord, it is the sweetest and best tasting drink that you will have ever tasted.............Amen!!!