Home.

There is no better word after a season of travel and a season of trials. Last night, David and I got to return HOME when we walked in the door of Christ Fellowship Church. It’s fashionable to ignore, deride or hide your church, but I love my home. I love Christ Fellowship and its heart for the kingdom. Last night my pastor, Tom Mullins, spoke a message that went straight to my heart. Within five minutes I remembered why I plan my trips so I can be home on a Saturday night. Here is what inspired me.

A Champion’s Legacy: Pursuing Gold

As champions of the faith we ae called to inspire, influence and impact others for eternity. — Coach Mullins

Our PASSION inspires others.

There it is…Pastor Tom’s first point refocused my thinking and clarified my attempts to walk through God’s kingdom. You see, it isn’t our talent that impresses other people, or our great looks, or the achievements we’ve racked up throughout our lifetime. It is our passion that inspires other people. We’ve all seen this to be true. Look at those of us who drink coffee: we talk coffee, drink coffee, go out of our way to taste new presentations of coffee. Sooner or later we notice that our friends all feel the same way we do. We may even begin to attend coffee cuppings, and other bizarre coffee rituals! It is our passion that intrigues other people enough to make them pick up a coffee mug and join the crew.

So what are your passions?

Your priorities will reflect your passions: how do you spend your time? What gets you excited and makes you drive across town for a new experience?

Your conversations will relate your passions. No secret here. I write Coffee Shop Journal. I read, and tell you about it. I wonder about the kingdom and feel like a five year old wobbling in high heels as I try to walk in it, but I do love the kingdom. I travel. Yes, I think I believe this. Our conversations do show our passions.

Your investments reveal your passions. Yes…money. I never met a bookstore I didn’t love. I don’t care what my cup of coffee costs (OK, maybe I do a little, but I’m really only saying that because I think I should!). Money reflects our heart. But don’t stop there on the investment train: where do you invest your time? thoughts? desires? energy?

This was only the first half of Tom’s sermon last night and today. You can watch the rest at Christ Fellowship’s website. But I was done after the first point. I want to take time out on this Sabbath day to wonder about my passion in God’s kingdom. I want to evaluate where my heart is, and make sure God has control of it. Most of all, I’m glad to be back home where my community is: the people who know me best and challenge me to keep taking the next step of faith.

Continuing with my series of cafe wanderings, I dragged my family into Stumptown Coffee, a Portland Oregon based roaster and brewer. They have five locations in this area, and I was excited to find one and try it! So here are my impressions. I was in their Belmont location, a newer venue in the downtown area. They have four other locations, each with its own personality.

• The decor was industrial in nature. There were tables and a long banquette-type seating with people on their computers, but there was a surprising amount of open space. They had some funky barstool chairs that swiveled in a way that made me suspect they were really motorized and wanted my rear end on the floor. I found this entertaining rather than annoying, but with an espresso in my hand everything is entertaining.
• The aroma in the store was perfect: a great blend of coffees scenting the air and unadulterated with anything else such as food preparation. They had some pastries, but nothing that would interfere with the primary purpose of a great coffee venue.
• The staff was well-trained, friendly and quick. Since there was a line in there nearly the whole time we hung out in the shop, they weren’t super chatty. I got the impression that this is an in and out kind of place, not necessarily a Third Place. I would like to know how their other locations are designed.
• The coffee was good. It wasn’t my favorite blend, and I probably should have had a straight coffee rather than an espresso. On the other hand — and this is one of my pet peeves, so to speak — their straight coffee was available only in thermal carafes. It was not fresh-brewed. Call me a coffee snob, but there you are. I like fresh-brewed.

I enjoyed the ambiance of the hustle and bustle, but Stumptown in this location would not be my hang out of choice if I were sitting with my computer or a book. Next stop??????

I read about this unique coffee shop in the book “Authenticity” by James H. Gilmore and B. Joseph Pine II. In trying to create a new blend (pun intended) of services, Union National Community Bank decided to open a full service coffee shop, which can also provide banking services. It is called Gold Cafe.

The book claims that the customer perceives this blend as an authentic offering because it is unique. I would love to see this in action. Would it feel like both a bank, and a coffee shop? Or would it feel like neither? Could the community profit from literally sitting down to a cup of coffee with the people who approve (or not) a mortgage?

In either case, I had to pass this one along. Anyone been here? Join in and let us know what it feels like!!!!

Dictionary:

antidote

(?n‘t?-d?t‘)

n.

1. A remedy or other agent used to neutralize or counteract the effects of a poison.
2. An agent that relieves or counteracts: jogging as an antidote to nervous tension.

I began thinking about antidotes today after noticing a rash of commercials promoting their product as an antidote to this or an antidote to that. When you look at the definition above you realize that being an antidote is a worthwhile kingdom goal for all of us!

So many times the people sitting next to us in Starbucks or in line at the grocery store are mired in problems for which there seems to be no cure. But we know differently. We are the antidote that points them to the cure. Jesus calls us to a radical, kingdom response to the toxins in our society. We aren’t supposed to dabble with the poison, we are supposed to administer the cure.

Knowing this, where do we need to apply the kingdom antidotes to society’s toxic poisons? How about these for a starter?

• Consumerism and over-spending
• Hurry and frantic, over-scheduled speed
• Selfishness in relationships
• Greed
• Blindness to social justice
• Worry

I could go on, but that list is already a lifetime of work administering antidotes. How about you? Do you need an antidote? Are you an antidote?  I’ve convicted myself with my words today, but I’m willing to walk down the road and see what happens. Today — which is all I can control — today I will be an antidote.

This is my entry for Watercooler Wednesday at Randy Elrod’s blog. 

I’m back in Portland, Oregon for a few days of rest with my family and remembering once again why I love this city, the runner up in the “first city of coffee” category. Seattle wins, but Portland is not a bad coffee-loving city! I will admit, though, that I was already waxing nostalgic for my Santa Barbara balcony and the morning drive to the city Starbucks while we watched the city come awake. Santa Barbara is one of the most unique small towns I’ve been to: upscale mixed with homeless, weary shoppers sitting in Starbucks chatting with musical street people. It seemed to me one of the curiosities of Santa Barbara that a larger percentage of the already large street population seemed to be musical. There were guitars, guitars, guitars and one sitar in sight. Delightful. And I loved the Starbucks there. They had new pastries, tasty delights that seemed to perk up my morning. On our last day, my usual Iced Espresso breve with energy was handed over and David and I sat down to eat. A few minutes later the barista wandered to our table with another grande Iced Espresso. “I think I forgot energy in that one. Have this one, too.” Yes, Santa Barbara life was good, and I shall miss it.

And now Portland.

As you long-time blog readers here know, I love the hotel we stay at here precisely because there is a very friendly Starbucks in our parking lot! Yes, I can get to coffee quicker than I can get to my car. This morning we wandered in and spotted some familiar baristas from our last trip, and wonder of wonders — some of the unusual tasty treats from Santa Barbara.

“I know you,” the barista said, “You’re the people who visit family here. You are the guy who has great shirts. It’s been awhile. Welcome back!” Kudos to the staff of the Sequoia Parkway Starbucks in Tigard, Oregon. Well done.

Oh…and those tasty treats? They are a preview of the new “good for you” breakfast offerings that Starbucks is rolling out! You can read about it in the USA today here.

There is no doubt that “authentic” is the new buzzword these days. You see it as an advertising adjective everywhere you turn, and in ministry world we’ve been recreating “authentic” experiences and longing for “authentic” interactions with community. I even noticed today in shopping for a new messenger bag for my computer that I wanted it to be have an authentic, vintage appeal. Wherever this consumer-oriented, technology-laden generation turns, it now wants to be and feel authentic.

Be careful what you wish for!

Authentic comes with a price tag. Consider, for example, the Santa Barbara Starbucks where we began our day this morning versus the Java Joint, an authentic local coffee shop here in town. Both served amazing coffee. We enjoyed our time in each. But I noticed something about Java Joint: the distressed brick walls showed different colors of brick reflecting its previous lives in retail. It’s bathroom was carved out of a store room, and had rickety fixtures original to the building. The people who wandered in from the street were often just that: street people. At Starbucks the air-conditioning was running well, the bathroom smelled clean and the colors harmonized.

When you search for authentic, you may be surprised by what you find. Be prepared in ministry, design and life, to greet the flaws in “authentic” with gratitude at their originality and acceptance of their character. And when striving to be authentic, remember that the cracks in the facade aren’t scars to be hidden, they are the life God has given.

Joy comes in the morning. 3:30 in the morning. That’s the time I had to get up this morning in order to catch my 4:30 ride to the airport. David, Jillian and I are off to Santa Barbara, CA for a family wedding. Now I have to tell you, my attitude on this wedding was less than stellar. I am tired, ready to sleep in my own bed, and NOT ready to fly across the country. Last week I complained to my friend Jody about this trip (yes, I dared to complain about a trip to an ocean-side resort in Santa Barbara. Just go ahead and send me a virtual slap in the face). Jody wisely said, “You know, when you’ve prayed about your life and put it in God’s hands, sometimes he plans surprises for you when you least expect them. Like at a family wedding you are too tired to appreciate. Maybe he has a gift for you there!”

Thank you, Jody.

The pictures are blurry until I get my uploader out (does anyone else get blurry pics from their Macbook Air?), but you can see where I am sitting. Looking at the ocean, walking to a marina to eat in an outdoor cafe, driving up State Street and discovering shoppers paradise, hanging with family I rarely get to see. Oh yes, God brought joy in the morning, and unexpected refreshment in the evening. Maybe that’s the secret to living in the Kingdom: balance seasons of intense ministry with seasons of intense healing, sitting in Papa’s lap drinking up the joy.

I’ve been crazily, unbelievably busy the past two weeks with walking through God’s Kingdom with my eyes wide open. As you know, I’ve been feeling the lows of other people’s griefs, the highs of seeing my little Kylie start flapping her wings and getting some air, and the sheer fatigue of meeting the needs God puts in front of me.

Tonight I had dinner with my mom, who has memory and speech issues, my husband, and my single friend who recently lost custody of her four children and is struggling with medical issues that threaten to overwhelm her every minute of every day. Do you know what we did? We sat in Friday’s and we laughed. We laughed at the jokes my 12 year old neighbor tells every time he sees us. We laughed at the incredibly rude dad in the booth behind us who let loose with a burp that would have won any contest. We laughed at silly things, and we laughed at incredibly sad things. We enjoyed my friend’s recounting of the characters she has met in an ongoing support group. We laughed at her broke financial status, pretending to argue over the bill just because it was funny. We laughed at the charades we had to play with my mom, in order to bring her into the conversation. We even laughed when my mom said, “So what ever happened to that messy house you were having to clean up?” and my friend had to sheepishly admit that it was hers. I believe that God put a little bubble around us tonight and infused the four of us with just a bit of his crazy, undeniable joy and peace. It was the payoff for the tears I cried last week.

I was struck with one thought as we tussled over that bill at the end of dinner. My friend reached for her money, and truly wanted to pay even though I know her situation, and could never ever take her money. To my friend, that money she wanted to offer was the highest value thing she posessed. She wanted to give it to me. To me, the money for dinner was of relatively little value, a blip on the radar screen of life. I could give her that money and never think of it again. I thought back to my afternoon, an afternoon spent with three other friends working for hours on cleaning my friend’s home and preparing it for sale: a messy, thankless job that was only tolerable because it was shared and would be over soon. That time — those hours of sweat and strain — were my highest value offering. I can’t think of an offering that could possibly cost me more to give at this stage in my life.

How often do we salve our consciences by offering what comes easy to us — money, time, extra clothes, extra food — while withholding the true offering God wants from us? What is your highest value? ow does God want to use it?

This is my entry for the Watercooler Wednesday at Randy Elrod’s place.

Yes, I know they are everywhere. Yes, I know that some people question the authenticity of a place that wants to be a community third place, and yet, looks exactly the same from place to place. I even know that there are other places to drink coffee and gather with the community. But I’ll tell you this:

When you are driving through Lake City Florida (not a huge city by any means) and you see familiar green umbrellas and a green, round logo, life is good.

It’s great to be home.

What a weekend..a weekend that will go into our family history books and one that I’m glad to have behind me. My daughter is partying at Sonic tonight with her new freshman class and I am heading back for the long, long ride home.

After dropping her off, in classic Saunders style, David and I stopped into this garage-turned-coffee shop for an espresso to speed us home to Atlanta. While we were waiting for them to make — and remake — our drinks, we struck up a conversation with a young guy lounging at the next table. Turns out he’s a freshman at Kylie’s college, and a musician who plays percussion. By the time we left, we’d gotten into a great kingdom discussion about the difference between EE (evangelism explosion) and living in the midst of the kingdom. David and I were so impressed with the heart of this drummer with a heart. Great stop for coffee and oh so much more.

Then tonight we worshiped at one of our favorite home away from homes, Grace Fellowship Church. During worship, maybe because of our coffee stop, I was watching the drummer tonight. He was a conservative drummer, keeping everyone on that stage in the same place at the same time. He added so much to our worship experience. Without him, it would all fall apart. I decided that I would like to be a drummer. I’d like to be like our friend in the coffee shop and the guy on stage, keeping the beat steady so that other people can do their thing on stage. I have a whole new respect for drummers this week.