Starbucks...and such...OVERKILL (on my part)? Oh...I said too much!

I'm not 100% sure who is the author of the thoughts on the thoughts on Starbucks coffee cups. Perhaps it's made it's way into your inbox. It blasts them for a couple of pretty "out there" quotes. Quotes that while not graphic in their language are bad enough that I won't give them a reprint here. I've seen some quotes that I don't like on my Starbucks and a few that I really do like. But the piece I'm referring to calls on us to boycott Starbucks based on these. Now, boycotting Starbucks would not be a problem for me. While I like the comortable enviorment, coffee doesn't get me going and there are plenty of other good places for study. In a typical week I'll usually spend a part of one or two days studying in a Starbucks...so I have no reason to defend them. Here's a response to a friend on the suggestion of boycotting them - I invite your thoughts and comments:

- I have never thought Starbucks was a Christian place. I know they have used some quotes on those cups from people who are people of faith as well. This sort of thing always provides me a lot of thought.

After Melanie's brother, Tim, was killed by a drunk driver. For sometime I would not eat at a place that sold alcohol or shop any grocery that sold beer or liquor...then I added tobacco to the list -but finally I decided that this was making no difference. I mean, how far should I take it? Should I not read a magazine that has a beer ad in it, should I not watch a show that has a beer sponsor...and if so, should I not shop in a grocery store that sells magazines that have beer ads in them...then if I go there should I not go to stores that the owners buy beer even if they don't sell it there - my business provides the money to the owners or managers for them to buy such.And if I'm really a Christian should I so support say a denominationalist who takes the profits from products I buy at his business and makes contributions to his church which teaches false doctrine. And even say I decide I should not do that so I only buy from businesses owned by Christians who do not sell beer or tobacco or magazines that advertise them. What about the employees? If they are not all Christians then I am buying products that provide income through the business where they get the income to give to or buy products that are against my Christian faith. And let's say the business only employees Christians. I then must investigate every product they sell - and the people who own the businesses that make those products. What if they also own say like Coke - a side business that produces alcohol. And what about the roads I drive on, highly financed by the proceeds of "sin taxes". If I drive on them and enjoy the experience then could not one say that if strectched far enough I am encourageing people to drink by enjoyng the drive on a road that their use of alcohol helped create?

Or what if the owners of the businesses of ... well, you get the point. It's just hard to know.

Christians are to be in the world and not of the world. What a challenge. All that said, I have boycotted some businesses before, some on purpose, some just by a decision not to take my business there anymore. And given the opportunity I buy first from Christians (even if I might have to pay a little more). I try to frequent places that if I know have a high moral standard offer what I'm looking for (But even this is difficult. For while Target is by nature much more likely to support liberal causes than Walmart - both do and support things I object to). For instance I like Chick-Fil-A for a lot of reasons (the world's best sweet tea, great chicken sandwichs, and they don't open on Sunday's to encourage their employees to go to church) but I can't vouch for the spirituality or practices of Cathy Truitt who owns Chick-Fil-A. Must I investigate his every investment before going to his resturant or can I simply say I like going there for what I know of his standards and morality?

As you see, I could go on a while about all of this (already have).

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to boycott Starbucks - but if I did I'd have to leave here now!

How To Make Your Life Count

Just finished a great little book today. It is by Dennis Jones, President of Heritage Christian University. It is a very quick, very enjoyable, very inspiring read. It's one that is hard to put down. Dennis takes eight principles and styles them around the theme of building a meaningful life. It has some very excellent principles for both individuals as well as churches. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this good book.

I feel sure I'll borrow his section on "gifts".

A couple of quick quotes from the book:

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the number of moments that take our breath away.” anonymous

“How much better it is to have fewer classes with better teachers than to have a large number of classes taught by boring, half-interested teachers. A gifted teacher can make the word of God what it truly is – exciting and interesting, capturing our thoughts and hearts.”

“A leader does not sit around and wait for someone else to do what needs to be done. A leader sees a job and takes action to get it accomplished.”

For Preachers Only...

I'm finishing up a new book but I can't wait to blog it. It will go on my top 10 list! It's a pretty short book - about 200 pages. BUT WOW. Now, you "non-preaching" types probably wouldn't benefit from it but it is rather dramatic in it's effect. My brother has read more books on preaching than anyone I know. I try to read several a year. I want to improve and be better and one way is to read and learn.



Those of you who have heard my attempts at preaching much at all know that I have advocated that any sermon I preach should have at LEAST 5 points. Preferably 7! For many reasons I've followed that pattern.



The book is titled "Communicating For A Change" and is by Andy Stanley (that's Charles Stanley's son) and Lane Jones. Stanley pushes strongly for ONE POINT sermons. And he about has me convinced. He also has some fascinating "outlining" concepts. I may not change my style but I have been VERY challenged and learned a lot. I'd encourage any preacher to investigate it. It will challenge your thinking.

I found the book online for about $10.00.


ADDED TWO HOURS LATER: OK enough jabs on me and number of points! :) One ex-frustrated listeners referenced my 7-22 point sermons. Another thought I always had one for each letter of the alphabet! :) Thanks...funny, none of those folks was bold enough to post their comments! :) Bring 'em on! :)