In The Tank Comments

Reference Text
Bowing to the coffee god Wednesday, July, 21, 2010
by John Fischer

I got a new Starbucks mug yesterday. It's a ceramic version of the famous cardboard cup with the familiar green circle. I am shamelessly loyal to the Starbucks brand. That’s because coffee is my religion. I can say that because Christianity is not my religion. In fact, I don’t have a religion; I only have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ His Son.

But I drink coffee religiously.

Religion is ritual, habit, doing certain things to get certain results, and pleasing the acceptable god by bowing, scraping and doing all the necessary penance required by that god to please him/her/it. I have been known to bow and scrape to the coffee god, but thankfully, not the real God, because the real God does not require this.

God does want my love and devotion, but He doesn’t want it in the form of religion. He has even been known to get upset with people who make a religion out of knowing him. He does not want our sacrifices, our regular attendance at worship, or even the praises of our lips if our hearts are not in it. And if our hearts are with him, where they should be, none of these things are good for brownie points in heaven. They may be a part of our lives, but they will flow out from us as a natural expression of a loving relationship.

Now I’ve had my old mug for at least 5 years, and this new one has a different set of rituals attached to it that I will have to adjust to. No problem. I can do this; it’s just coffee.

God, on the other hand, would not want to be a 10-year habit broken only by a new church, devotional book or pattern of personal discipline. Discipline is fine when it comes to self-control, but God would not like to be the product of discipline any more than you or I would. God doesn’t want our words, our singing, our sacrifice or our self-flagellation; He wants our hearts.

A real relationship is based on love and wanting to be with someone. That comes from the heart. And if it isn’t in your heart, no amount of religion will ever put it there.

Meanwhile, for my coffee experience, I continue to worship at the Cathedral of St. Arbucks. My coffee religion remains firmly rooted. For me, religion applies to coffee, but not to God. God is too reckless and unpredictable to fit into any religious system or practice. And aren’t you glad?


Comments Go Back
Today's date: Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Jodi Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Post Falls, ID, USA
Yes! And I totally get it! Thanks John. I know I can read these devotionals and be fed... not be judged... and I wish more people would "get it."

Yes, I was introduced to Christ through a religion/church/sunday school. But when did I meet Christ? One on one... not through a building or a weekly "this is what I have to do to be a Christian." We just cannot begin to think that we can put God in a box such as that.

Did Jesus go to one building every Sunday? How did Jesus describe the church? He said he would build it on the Rock...Peter. He didn't say he would build it with stones. And, the Pharisees.... I see today's church leaders telling everyone not to be like the Pharasees, yet that is exactly the example they give.

It makes me sad.

Jodi Monday, July 26, 2010
Post Falls, ID, USA
A million AMENS!!!!!!! to you John. Thank you for doing and saying what you are willing to say and do through u know who... The Holy Spirit. ANOTHER AMENS cuz I get it. Thanks for getting it and being out there for the rest of us who need to hear. :)

Mike Saturday, July 24, 2010
Georgia
I certainly can understand what you are saying about God wanting our love and devotion and the importance of loving relationships. But I do have a question about the church. In Ephesians 5:22 one of the things it talks about is Christ being the head of the church. In Acts 20:28, it tells us to be shepherds of the church of God. Your thoughts?

John Fischer Responds
Yes, but the church is not necessarily the building on the corner with the steeple.

Brian Sullivan Thursday, July 22, 2010
I agree with most of what you said. The question that comes to mind is that if God want our love for him rather than religion, why did he give us so much of it? Abraham, Isaac and Jacob built altars, anointed monuments, sacrificed animals, made vows, etc. Moses gave us the law, the tabernacle, and the Levitical priesthood. If the Lord doesn't need religion, it seems we do!

Even Christ, while rejecting false religious practices said he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. He established the Church and told it to go and teach all nations to obey all that he had commanded them. Religion is the structure that allows love for God to grow, just like a home does for a family or a garden for plants. I need religion, that is, the Church, to give that support and direction I need to give and receive God's love.

John Fischer Responds
These things are pictures of deeper spiritual realities. Make something of the pictures, you lose track of the relationship. The relationship is the deal.

Mary Ellen Cook Thursday, July 22, 2010
Lansing, MI, USA
Thanks for today's catch. It's the first on I have received in weeks. What's up?

John Fischer Responds
Go to "In the Tank" for the Catches you've missed. We will have a new delivery system soon.

bobbi Mac Gregor Wednesday, July 21, 2010
John,
I am a regular email reader and THIS ONE really "spoke" to me! I identify with it so very much [even though I NEVER drink coffee; love the smell can NOT stand the taste]! But somehow this one and yesterday's email seemed written JUST for me! For this I thank you so very, very much!
In His Name,
bobbi

Gina Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Springfield, VA, 22153
Heh. I thought my dad was the only one who said "St. Arbucks." :-) (Ain't it the truth!)

Jay T. Basinger Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Brooklyn, Michigan, USA
Why John!

Was it not through organized religion that you acquired you belief and faith?

Who told you about Christ? In what Church do you worship on the sabbath? Was it not your religious experience that brought you to Christ? Who told you what to search for in Christ?

How can one discover or find Christ independently without some initial indoctrination by a religious institution or person?

John, I understand your perspective. Christ didn't create denominational Christianity. How does one find Christ without being motivated by a believer?

Blessings and Shalom,

Jay T. Basinger

John Fischer Responds
You're right. Religion provides the structure for something spiritual to happen, but the spiritual happens without religion.

Tim Wednesday, July 21, 2010
IN
Outstanding thoughts

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