Starbucks Theology

Looking back, my walk with Christ has been much like my experience with Starbucks. When I first started going to Starbucks I was intimidated by the menu. Everyone else there seemed to know what was going on and what to ask for, not me. Over time, however, I began to understand the system. My coffee turned into late which then turned to iced late, climaxing in an "iced quad skinny vanilla late." Which I and my barista began to call a "quad skinny Vinny" providing proof I had arrived at Starbucks Perfection. How many of you share an abbreviated name for an abbreviated name for their favorite coffee drink?

Soon I grew bored with the multi-layerd flavors of such a complicated drink. All the extras were getting in the way of tasting the coffee. I needed more umph! Plus, I needed to spend less on coffee. My road to the simple Starbucks life began with 4 shot espressos and has settled now in the simplest of all, coffee with cream (less than $2).

My road into relationship with Christ has been similar. When I first turned to Him I couldn't get enough. I tried every sort of spiritual practice and read as many books as I could get my hands on. I bounced from Christian Service, to body prayer , to radical Christianity and all around the theological merry go round. All in an effort to give Christ the particular flavor and sweetness I wanted Him to have. I totally ignored the fact that He already had a flavor of faith just for me and the only way to find it was to stop shopping and let Him lead me there.

My faith practices today are far more simple. Daily prayer and quiet time. Self examination. Listening for what the scriptures have to say to me on this day, in this place. This simplicity has deepened my relationship with Christ and my understanding of Christ in me.

Health Care is a Moral Issue

Sunday September 6Th the Gospel Reading form the Common Lectionary is Mark 7: 24-37.
This is a very difficult story for me to read, but very timely given the debate our government is carrying on regarding affordable health care for everyone in America.

In this story, Jesus, tired and seeking rest, travels to "the vicinity of Tyre" where he encounters a Greek woman who asks Him to heal her daughter. Jesus refuses. Jesus refuses to heal the girl because she is not Hebrew. She is not "covered" under the "Hebrew plan."

The woman refuses to be turned away, even after Jesus insults her by calling her a dog. She replies "Yes Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Jesus accepts her "plan" and heals her Greek daughter.

How can I as a Christian support a government that refuses health care to the neediest of its citizens? Drug companies, insurance companies, lawyers, doctors and peddlers are all making a profit off of pain and suffering.

When Jesus walked this earth He had a much different response to the suffering of others. Who would Jesus cover?

Thomas Merton

Today in my morning readings I started Thomas Merton's book, "Contemplative Prayer." Right off the bat he blows me away!

In writing about a Monk's call to to explore the two dimensions of community and solitude, Merton describes the call most Christians have to "works of mercy, or of creativity in the world."

This made me realize so clearly that all work is God's work! Secular work or work in the world should be seen as "Creative Christianity" or "Creative Evangelism." Our daily work is a door that opens allowing Christians access and influence in the secular world. My faith must inform my work. My Faith is meant to inform my business decisions. Business decisions should never define or inform my Faith.