Not a Latte, nor a Mocha Grande
I confess I visit the local coffee shops now and then for a Latte, but if my dad were still alive, he would NOT approve.
First of all, paying over $7 for a large latte (steamed milk and espresso) would be SO VERY WRONG! Then to stand in line to order a coffee with a flavor… is also a SIN.
According to my dad, it is acceptable to add sugar, but true coffee drinkers either drink it black or with the 'approved' dairy companion of the day. Half-and-Half.
Also, my dad would not purchase anything called a scone. If you want something sweet to accompany your coffee, buy a package of sticky Danish pastries from the IGA Grocery with a shelf life of 4 years. AND the only coffee drink resembling a Mocha in my parents’ home was if my dad accidentally poured his Folgers coffee into a partial cup of cocoa sitting around.
And beyond the example of my dad, Coffee was the true cornerstone beverage for my family and most every church function when I was growing up.
I remember fondly Pastor Wayne Larson (no relation) and his wife, Ruth, who led our church in Cable, Wisconsin. They displayed what I would call the ‘GIFT OF COFFEE’. They would often call up my folks and say, “Put a pot of coffee on, cuz we are coming over.” And while I would not elevate ‘their gift of coffee’ on par with Spiritual Gifts described in the New Testament, but it still seems pretty pretty pretty… significant. BUT I DIGRESS.
Church coffee that I remember was brewed in a traditional aluminum drum with TLC. Coffee was symbolic of fellowship, though it often tasted like something less. And again… Church Coffee was never confused with the Holy Sacraments… but it did rank right up there, probably ahead of the benediction.
The question is… Was church coffee boiled in an aluminum percolator good? Yes, maybe, and other times it may have tasted like hot dishwater, when the drum was finally cleaned… THE DISH RAG WAS LEFT IN THE DRUM!!
Now fast forward to CHURCH COFFEE TODAY. Gone in most churches is the Aluminum Percolator, replaced by what I would call, in some cases, a ‘Coffee Ministry’. Choices are no longer limited to black, with sugar and/or half and half. Now, I can order a Latte Grande (coffee speak for large), a Turtle Sundae Mocha, or maybe a White Chocolate Raspberry Cooler. The possibilities are endless. And while the scriptures teach us to be in the world but not of the world… in the case of coffee, I WANT MY LATTE.
Blessed are the Coffee Makers for they shall receive tips? <— was this a beattitude?
An old Church legend suggests coffee was first introduced to the church by pastors to keep parishioners awake during a dull sermon. This is believable, but remember Newton’s Law. With every action (coffee drinking), there is an equal and opposite reaction (ill-timed exit to the restroom during a sermon).
There, now try and keep that image out of your head the next time you pour yourself an extra cup of coffee in your church foyer.
Finally, to round out today’s coffee toon commentary, let me share a coffee paraphrase of Revelation 3:16 where the Lord is speaking about a church being lukewarm. Neither hot nor cold.. and how distasteful LUKEWARM COFFEE is.
Have a great day.. filled with God’s Spirit and many coffee blessings too. Smile lots. Enjoy life. And always. BREW UNTO OTHERS as you would have them BREW UNTO YOU! Hebrews 3:16
Jeff (caffeinated) Larson
P.S. - Below are a few moments from the Bible where I believe coffee was in order.
I would like 7 Triple Espressos, 2 Lattes, a White Chocolate Mocha, and 2 small decafs to go, please (12 spies)
Before we leave, let’s stop over to see what’s her name for a quick cup of coffee. (Rahab)
Sometimes it took more than a strong cup of coffee to GET UP IN THE MORNING. (Lazarus)
After a good, well-prepared meal, a nice cup of black coffee with a slice of Devil's Food Cake would be lovely.
Coffee with a snack that is both SWEET & CRUNCHY (John the Baptist)
