Coffee Cup Choas - The "Red Cup" Controversy

Much has been said, written, blogged, videoed, updated, and tweeted regarding the 'red cup controversy' of Starbucks NOT putting Merry Christmas on their cups this year.  With all the attention I thought it time to add my thoughts to the blogosphere.

I've searched the depths of my heart and mind and cannot find a place where I could really care any less about what Starbucks puts on its cups this time of year.

Why wouldn't I care?  I say, why would I?

Why would I expect a company who claims no Christian affiliation to even recognize a Christian holiday?  I've never heard a Starbucks executive come out and claim to be a follower of Jesus.  (I'm not saying there aren't, I've just never seen one.)  I've never seen any evidence in the company or its marketing or merchandise that would lead me to believe that Starbucks affirms any of the good news of the gospel or the exclusivity of Jesus.  They make coffee, they aren't a church.

So there, I genuinely could not care any less.

If you are a follower of Jesus and drink coffee, I'd remind you that we are called to steward well all that God puts into our hands.  Instead of expending energy on your protest, do some research and find a coffee company that uses part of its profits to do good work in the world from a Christian foundation and a Biblical worldview.  If you'd rather go and buy coffee from Starbucks, treat your barista well.  When you order, speak in a way that honors Jesus and wish them Merry Christmas if you like; then take your red cup and enjoy, and remember that the person who just handed you that coffee may not know Jesus yet either.  Are they closer to coming to know him by the way you just interacted with them?  Besides, isn't that what Christmas is about, bringing salvation and hope to the world?

(But wait a minute.  Thanksgiving hasn't even come yet...but that's another blog.)

26.2

     Well, it is 'truck window official'.  I've completed my first marathon.  Last Saturday I completed the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon.  I've had a few days now to ponder the experiences of that day and the mixture of joy and frustration it contained.  In my pondering I've determined that all I did that day was finish.

26.2 miles in distance but more so a total battle of will between my aching knee and ankle that made running quite impossible for the last 10 miles and my mind and heart that made quitting intolerable, but I finished.

Not in the allotted time period for the race, but the window was left open for the few of us who remained (and for that I am grateful), but I finished.

I didn't run the race that I wanted, but I finished.  It didn't look like I thought it would, but I finished.

I did enjoy the brotherhood of Stephen Samsel who ran, walked, limped, prayed, and survived each step of the process, and WE finished.

It was a beautiful day with great sunshine, perfect temperature, and not a drop of rain; and I finished.

God gave me a healthy body to be able to begin running three years ago with the goal of a 5K, and I finished a marathon.  I finished.

When I got to the finish line I was greeted by a loving wife and 5 loving children, and I finished.

When my 3 year old saw my finishers medal he proclaimed, "Daddy, you won!", and I cried and finished.

It was joyous, painful, terrible and wonderful, and I finished.

It was achievement, frustration, challenge, and victory, and I finished.

It was the first of many, God willing, that I will finish.  And I can't wait for the next one I will finish.

As long as God allows me, I will finish.  And now I am a 'marathoner' because I finished.

Just finish.