EARLY MORNING STARBUCKS

It was an early morning trip to Starbucks – venti coffee - to fuel me for a trip downstate for a planning meeting with our district execs.

I let the coffee cool in the cup holder as I navigated the early morning rush on I55. a little later as traffic thinned out, I reached for the venti cup. If you are familiar with Starbucks, each cup has a quote printed on it. My venti cup had:

The Way I See It #233

I used to think that going to the

jungle made my life an adventure.

However, after years of unusual

work in exotic places, I realize

that it is not how far off I go or

how deep into the forest I walk

that gives my life meaning. I see

that living life fully is what makes

life – anyone’s life, no matter

where they do or do not go

– an adventure.–

– Maria Fadiman

Geographer, ethnobotanist and
National Geographic Emerging Explorer.

I love the disclaimer at the bottom of the cup…

“This is the author’s opinion, not necessarily that of Starbucks.
To read more or respond, go to www.starbucks.com/wayiseeit."

I recall what Dr. Richard Dobbins stated years ago in a sermon at Central Bible College. Dr. Dobbins is an Assembly of God minister, psychologist and founder of Emerge Ministries. He stated, “All truth is God’s truth.” That is a great thing to realize. We find truth all around us. Just because we find truth in an unlikely place does not discredit it. So, thank you Howard Schultz for a little reminder to me this AM. “Living life fully is what makes life – anyone’s life, no matter where they do or do not go an adventure.”

As I posted previously, I am on an adventure. Hmmmm, notice the coffee connection between those two posts. Yes, Caribou is still my favorite. Please, just don’t send an email to district headquarters or tell Juan Valdez.

And, when you are on an adventure, especially if you have to go “off road” (thank you Earl Creps), you need to be prepared.

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The Apostle Peter knew it was important to be armed with the Word of God. He stated wonderful truth for relationships and then quoted Psalm 34:11-13.

1 Peter 3:9-11 (NIV)

9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.

I especially love The Message Bible. It makes this verse SO CLEAR!

1 Peter 3:9-11 (The Message)

8-12 Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

Whoever wants to embrace life
and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do:
Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good;
run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval,
listening and responding well to what he's asked;
But he turns his back
on those who do evil things.

13-18 If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.

God, I pray that you will help me fully live all that you bring my way.