What's In A Cup?

A week or so ago there was a HUGE blow up on social media about Starbucks new "Holiday Cup." I know, I know. Everyone on the planet is aware of this giant fiasco. You would have to be living in a cave in the Kolima mountains in Siberia to not have heard all the shouting and name calling.


So what do I think? I thought you'd never ask! First off, it's a stinkin' cup! A chunk of paper shaped in a round cylinder like shape.  Why are we getting so completely unhinged about a cup? First off, most coffee drinkers would agree that it really doesn't matter what you put your coffee in, as long as it is moderately clean. It could be plastic,  paper, Styrofoam, cardboard, glass, metal, wooden, tree bark, tin can or animal skin, as long as you get your daily or hourly for some,  dose of caffeine.  Does what is on the outside of the cup really make a difference to the overall taste of the contents of said cup? I mean does your coffee taste better because the cup has a picture of Mikey Mouse or some witty quote about your mood before you drink your coffee?

With that being said, why are so many people upset? Why are they upset because Starbucks didn't put "Merry Christmas" on their cup this year? Really? Is that a violation of the 11th commandment? "Thought salt not produce any cups that don't say Merry Christmas," Really? It's a stinking cup!! When did Starbucks become a Christian organization? When did they become obligated to put religious slogans on their cups? There is really no common sense reason why we should be upset about a simple red cup.

As a believer how should I respond? I was surprised to the response of so many people who were upset because Starbucks had launched an all out war on christianity. The moral fiber of our society will be unraveled if coffee cups everywhere don't have Merry Christmas written on them. Christians every where are going to be eaten by lions and churches are going to be burned down all over this lone red cup. And then there are those who engaged in hate and spiteful arguments. Call me crazy but how is calling names and yelling at people on social media going to bring others to Christ. Ephesians 5:2 says, "Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ." I don't remember a case of Jesus being hateful and downright mean to people.  Jesus always responded with love, kindness and grace in the face of critics. It's really hard to live a life filled with love when you are making personal attacks on other people. John 13:35 says, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." So if we act in anger, spite and hatred whose disciple are we? We often wonder why the world has come to think of Christians as petty, angry, self centered hypocrites.  Then we go and start a holy war on social media over a lousy cup of coffee.  No wonder the world hates us.

So what do we do now? I for one am striving to be different. For one thing I am not going to buy myself any coffee not in a cup with a manger and nativity scene on the outside. And since I absolutely hate the taste of coffee, I haven't lost anything! Seriously, I am not sweating the small stuff. I desire to live my life as a reflection of God's love. I am trying each day to treat people as I believe Jesus would. Not arguing them into salvation  but by demonstrating the power and love of Jesus in my life everyday. If we treated people with a little love and respect more often then we might see a little respect and openness returned when we share the Gospel of Jesus to people.

I am really interested to hear your thoughts. So leave me a comment.

Getting Started

Welcome. Over the past few days and weeks I have seen numerous events that have made me question how I as a follower of Jesus Christ, should respond. I have seen other believers respond in ways that make me question what God says about how we are to respond and live our lives in ways that bring honor to Him and in a way that causes others to take notice? After much thought I want to share my thoughts and what I find I  God's word about how I as a believer in these uncertain times should live my life and respond to events that occur.

I hope that you will enjoy and maybe be inspired. Feel free to come back often and leave comments.