I hope you take his invitation seriously. Work needs to be done, and this is a table for two: just you and the One pursuing you.

The menu will vary depending on whether you are an atheist or an ex-Christian.

If you are an ex-Christian, He will prepare what was served the day you met and decided to follow Him — you know, before life got messy. And ugly circumstances made you walk away from that relationship in pain and confusion.

If it was a false teacher, an abusive pastor, or a wolf in sheep’s clothing that made you walk away from your faith, that’s OK. He wants to restore you to the place where you first believed and debrief you from your horrible encounter.

If you are an atheist, He will pick the menu. But it will be something from “that day.” I have never met an atheist who didn’t believe in God at one time in the past. But something happened. I call it “that day.” Here’s how every conversation with an atheist goes:

“Do you believe in God?”

“No!”

“Did you ever believe in God?”

“Yes, when I was a child. I was raised a Christian.”

“What happened?”

Then, they always take me back to when they decided to divorce God. Almost every time, something horrific happened to them or someone they love(d). Maybe it was an untimely death or sexual abuse from someone whose job it was to protect them. Many grew up in churches that were crazy: snake handling, false evangelical miracle “blab-it-and-grab-it” prosperity churches, Jesus’ end-time death cults, etc. Maybe it was a dagger in the back from a righteous brother or sister in the Lord.

The atheists all say the same thing: “Why would a loving God allow that to happen? I can’t believe in such a deity if that is the way He sees me. The Bible isn’t true. Look at all the deaths Christianity has caused over the ages.” That event goes against their current understanding of justice and a righteous God.

Instead of raising their clenched fists to heaven and shouting, “Why God?” they quietly water the seeds of confusion to grow the hidden fruit of unforgiveness, bitterness, and anger — an anger that runs deep. They believe they can control it. But it tends to poke its hideous head out of the dirt at inconvenient times, like when they write.

Their lips and keyboards craft “I don’t believe.” But their hearts wonder why miracles happen every day all around the world. Somehow, there wasn’t a miracle for them on that day.

Where was God? Isn’t He supposed to know everything? Why doesn’t he show up?

The rejection slowly grows fruit. Instead of pressing in to endure the test of their faith, they walk away.

And that is why Jesus is cooking breakfast.

Breakfast Is Ready.

Jesus made breakfast for Peter at a time when he needed it most. Peter had denied him three times, wept bitterly, then gave up on his true calling and everything he believed about his life. It was painful and confusing. So, what did he do? He returned to what was comfortable: fishing.

Jesus invited him to breakfast.

The restaurant He chose was on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where they first met a little over three years before. The ambiance resembled their first meeting: a miraculously full net of fish. They were looking at each other over a crackling fire. That’s precisely what happened when Peter denied Jesus for the final time. As a rooster crowed, Jesus looked through the fire to make eye contact.

It was Peter’s “That Day.” And Jesus took him back there so He could heal the hurt, demolish the shame, answer the confusion, restore Peter’s belief in himself, and eat a tasty breakfast in fellowship.

Before that breakfast, Peter was an ex-Christian. After that breakfast, people brought their sick into the streets, hoping Peter’s shadow would touch them and heal their loved ones.

Now, THAT is a mighty meal!

I Tried to Force Feed a Truth McMuffin. And Failed Miserably.

I met Lilith Helstrom on Medium. She wrote a sentence that made me instantly attracted to her. The line went something like, “I f***ng HATE Christians because they are so full of f***ng hate!” I could see past that line’s dripping hypocrisy to recognize someone in need of a restorative breakfast.

But in my foolishness, I assumed the role of waiter instead of the one who needed to feed her the most. Our conversations were illuminating. But she choked on my Truth McMuffin. And I shouldn’t have waterboarded her with a Mochaccino of scripture. Ugh!

She blocked me. And I blew my chance to be a part of her journey to get past the hurt and betrayal. I’ll leave that up to her spiritual maître d’.

I love atheists. I love ex-Christians. I really love witches and Satanists.

The conversation always starts a little shaky. But once I get past the barrage of:

· You are stupid.

· Jesus never existed. But if He did, all He ever said was to love everyone regardless.

· The Bible sucks. I can believe in “The Iliad, The Odyssey, and Plato’s Republic.” But the Bible is too old. Plus, there are too many translations of the scriptures.

· God is an angry, vindictive old man who condones slavery and hates women.

· A denomination has brainwashed anyone who believes some people end up in hell.

· I want to be (insert lifestyle choice here), so I refute any church that tells me to live contrary to what I want.

Then, we eventually get down to the meat and potatoes (or fish and bread) of the matter. And it becomes abundantly clear that something from the past needs to be healed. I wonder if the “prodigal son” thought feeding pigs was great. But eventually just wanted to go home. That’s when the father ran to meet him and restore him to the place and position he was created to have.

Pissed-off at God? How about a tasty breakfast?

Disillusioned? Look at what Jesus is cooking up just for you.

Have a seat. Take a load off. “Come, let us reason together.” – God

The Million Dollar Question:

I always ask the same question to people who hate God after they tell me their story. “Have you let God know how you feel about that?” 95% of the time, the answer is “No”.

“Why not?”

“Because He doesn’t care.”

He does care, my friend. He cares enough to make you breakfast. He wants to spend time with you because He loves you. And don’t worry about the dishes. God will clean up ALL the mess from that morning. You can throw your hidden trash into the fire.

And like your local diner, He serves breakfast 24 hours a day.

“Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water! Are you penniless? Come anyway — buy and eat! Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk. Buy without money — everything’s free!” Isaiah 55:1

So, what are you waiting for? Breakfast is served.