Thought from a Starbucks Cup!

This is an email that Craig sent out, that prompted me to get this page set up today since it has been on my to do list for, I don't know... a year! Anyways, here are some thoughts from Craig...


Here's a blog from a guy who doesn't have a place to blog ;)

This quote was written on the back of my Starbuck's cup this morning:
"Growing up, my parents always said, "You will leave this world the same way you came into it: with nothing." It made me realize that the only things we do in this world that count are those things that make the world a better place for those who will come behind us."
-- Tyrone B. Hayes (Biologist, herpetologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer)

Now, for all I know, this gentleman may be a fully devoted follower of Christ. However, Starbuck's is definitely not a Christian organization (don't hear me wrong, I love their coffee and enjoy going there, but I'm pretty sure Jesus is not their focus). This just struck me because it's one of those times where you see wisdom in an unexpected place. His thought of you will leave this world the way you came into it is almost a straight quote of Job 1:21. Then, his thought about "the only things we do that count are those that make the world better" immediately reminded of Piper's book, "Don't Waste Your Life". Several times in that book Piper talks about a plaque that hung in his kitchen growing up, which said something like, "Only one life, will soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last". Of course, this thought also lines up with biblical truth (1 Cor 3).

I recently heard a sermon from Rob Bell (thanks Jeff) discussing the fact that we can find truth anywhere, and this is evidence of that. One of my thoughts after that sermon was that I agree that we can definitely find truth anywhere, but the litmus test for determining truth is the word of God. In this case, I can apply this thought from a Starbuck's cup because I believe it to be true based on scripture. Of course, my thought on making the world a better place will also be shaped by the Word of God and could be different from the author of the quote, but one of the other things that Bell brought out is how this can be a connecting point with those who don't know Christ yet. This could definitely be a starting point of a great conversation with another Starbuck's patron because we both agree on this! Maybe an opportunity to help someone see that the Christian life is also meant to make a difference in the world (making disciples, offering our bodies as living sacrifices, loving our neighbor, etc.)

The other 2 quick thoughts I had were: 1) this is evidence of man being created in God's image with knowledge of his commands written to our heart. There probably aren't many people who would disagree with this thought, and it lines up directly with the Bible. 2) This challenges me to live out my faith (i.e. James -- my deeds are evidence of my faith). There may be many outside of the church who don't know Christ taking this to heart (Feeding the hungry, helping the sick, etc.) Amy brought up just the other day how in Romans 2, Paul mentions that because of the hypocrisy of the Jews, God was blasphemed among the Gentiles. It's just convicting to me, and it challenges me to seek God's grace to enable me to live and love like His Word tells me to, bringing Him glory!