We Have So Much

4 March, 2010

Mick Christianity , , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

Yesterday, a friend and fellow band mate of mine shared her recent experience while on a mission trip to Guatemala.  One of the things she talked about, as well as almost any other person who has gone a short-term missions trip, was the fact that the people they visit have so little.  More importantly, we have so much that we don’t need.

I know I’m guilty of taking things for granted all the time.  Right now I’m drinking coffee and had about 15 mugs to choose from.  The water used to brew the coffee came from our sink. Most people in this world don’t even have running water.  My socks are clean. I’m wearing glasses to help with my vision. I’m listening to Eric Clapton on a surround stereo. I’m warm even though it’s 25°F outside.

Yesterday I took some time to thank God for things.  Here’s my prayer:

  • Thank you for me family.
  • Thank you for great parents.
  • Thank you for great in-laws.
  • Thank you for coffee.
  • Thank you for my guitars.
  • Thank you for my friends at Crossroads.
  • Thank you for fireplaces.
  • Thank you for the internet and how it can aid ministry in so many ways.
  • Thank you for my journal.
  • Thank you for my record player.
  • Thank you for community.
  • Thank you for Girl Scout Cookies; particularly Samoas.
  • Thank you for Converse All-Stars.
  • Thank you for the blues.
  • Thank you for my musical ability.
  • Thank you for my car.
  • Thank you for the house we are in.

This is a short list compared to what it could be.  It would be easy to go Energizer Bunny on this list.
What do you take for granted?  Take some time a thank God for the things you have today.

Interesting Experience

5 May, 2009

Mick Christianity, Community , , , , , , 3 Comments

As many of you know, I used to work for Starbucks back in Cincinnati (Northern Kentucky to be exact).  My store had many regular visitors, so we got to know about 30% of the people on a first name basis.  The community was great.

One of the frequenters was named Joe.  He was a very timid guy who always just got a cup of coffee.  After several visits and conversations, I discovered the reason he only drank coffee was because he didn’t know what everything else was.  And like myself, he did not want to spend $4 on something he may not enjoy.

So one night I gave him an americano for free just to see if he liked it.  Being such a big coffee drinker, the americano suited him just right, and this became his drink of choice from then on.

Because of these events we actually talked more.  One night he came up to me and thanked me for my kindness and wanted to return the favor sometime.  He said that he offers entertainment for parties, and if I ever needed anything to just call the number on his card.  As he slid his business card to me, the first thing I saw was, “Girls!  Girls!  Girls!”  That’s right.  He owned a stripper business.

I found the situation to be quite hilarious.  There I was, a recent Bible College graduate getting handed a business card from a manager of a stripping company.  Looking back, however, I wish I had more of these encounters.  As awkward as the situation was, that is exactly what Jesus would have done.

  • “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”   -Luke 15:2

I want to meet more people like Joe.  We all should.  But how will you go about building a relationship with such people?  I’ve been wrestling with the idea of playing music at local bars.  Maybe that will be my avenue.

The Espresso Train

18 July, 2008

Mick Miscellaneous , , , , , , 1 Comment

After a long break, I am back once again.

A couple of days ago I needed to go pick up a friend at Union Station here in Joliet.  There is a coffee shop on the first floor that I have always wanted to visit, but have never been at the station while it is open.

I pass a sign that says “The Espresso Train Gourmet Coffee Shop,” and the first word to come to mind is ‘creative.’  The second line of the sign says espresso, cappuccino, coffee, and pastries, indicating that those things are sold at this store.  That was no surprise to me considering almost every coffee shop in the world has these items.

Upon entering, I see there is no espresso bar.  Thinking this could not be so, I looked around the store only to see coffee brewing and a stack of newspapers.  Leaving the store disappointed, I went back to the sign to make sure I read it correctly.  Espresso was definitely on the sign.

Thinking that maybe the espresso bar was in the back room for some reason or another, I re-enter and ask the lady behind the counter if they have espresso.  “We do not have espresso, but we have cappuccinos.”  While saying this, she pointed to gas station cappuccino machine.

Don’t get me wrong, I love gas station cappuccinos.  I used to get them all the time, but they are not cappuccinos.  They are lattes… or sugar with some milk and coffee.  Any gourmet coffee shop would know the difference.

The one thing that really got me was that the Espresso Train did not sell espresso, even though they advertised it on the sign.

I am a Snob

26 June, 2008

Mick My Thoughts , , 6 Comments

As you can see below, I have started to work for Starbucks once again.  With the job comes an array of coffee knowledge and a taste palate trained for discerning notes in the drink.  You could compare it to a wine connoisseur who knows the in and outs of each brew.  It’s amazing how many different flavors you can find in a single cup of coffee.

My snobbery of coffee, however, is returning.  The coffee of which I am drinking this morning is not appeasing what-so-ever, and is actually somewhat difficult to gulp.  Canned coffee in a drip pot to fresh ground coffee in a french press is like Long John Silver’s to Red Lobster.  There is simply no comparison.

I am grateful that Rhonda makes coffee for the office every morning.  It is not her fault that this is not great coffee, it is just the nature of it.  In the weeks to come I hope to provide this place with some good, fresh ground beans that are palatable.

About two months had passed before I could get used to drinking non-gourmet coffee, and it seems as if I have entered into the same mindset once again.  It is something I both hate and love.  I hate it because this severely limits the coffee I enjoy.  I love it because I enjoy the coffee.  What is this world coming to?

Starbucks: Round Two

24 June, 2008

Mick My Thoughts , , , , , 1 Comment

Yesterday marked the start of my second go at Starbucks.  I am re-entering a world of coffee, community, and great benefits.  The company is great to work for, which is part of the reason for going back.  Starbucks will be augmenting my current position at Crossroads, not replacing.

Why go back?  I actually have a couple reasons.  First and foremost is the fact they offer great benefits.  Christine and myself want to have good insurance.  And good insurance means bigger family… at least that is what we are hoping.  Hopefully we will not get surprised like Matt has in the recent months.  Plus, having a free pound of coffee every week is a great thing to receive.

Second, the community that a coffee shop creates is something I want to be a part of.  You really get to know the regulars and make friends with people you would otherwise not even meet.  Sometimes I wonder how we could create a similar community at Crossroads.  Starbucks tries to become the ‘third place,’ which pretty much means the third place someone goes other than work and home.  Someday we could have that kind of environment, but it will take lots of money and lots of planning to get there.

Hopefully this does not wear me down.  This will be my first time taking on two jobs at once (at least to this magnitude).  I have a feeling it will be much like when I was in college full-time while working 30+ hours a week.  Everything should go well, however, and I have little worries.

So if you are ever driving on Jefferson St. in Joliet, stop by and see if I am working.  I enjoy seeing people whom I all ready know.

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