Monday night I headed over to downtown Ft. Worth for a screening of the newest film from Walden Media, Amazing Grace.
The film tells the story of William WIlberforce.
Wilberforce was a member of British parliment near the end of the 18th century and early part of the 19th century. In 1784, a “great change” occured in his life. He became a Christian.
This “great change” influenced the way he lived and lit a new fire in his belly. Wilberforce set out to abolish slavery in all of the British Empire. It became his all consuming passion. He dedicated the rest of his life to this end. Friends were lost and enemies were made but he never gave up. For 34 years, he continued to push for an end to the “horrors of the slave trade.”
Three days before he passed away, Parliment passed the Slavery Abolition Act, freeing all slaves within the Brish empire.
One man. One Faith. One Pursuit. Millions of lives changed.
While watching the film I was struck by the thought that one person can make a lasting difference in the world. I used to believe that as a kid but somewhere along the way that belief turned into merely a pipe dream.
My least favorite sentances in the world are:
“It’s always been this way.” and “We’ve never done it that way.”
Those are the two biggest lies that cripple young dreams and vibrant life. Well, I’m not buying it anymore.
Yesterday I read Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce by John Piper. It was a great little read. It is under 80 pages so you could read it in about an hour. It again drove the point home to me: One person can make a difference.
The movie was very good and I am hoping to promote it with my teens and their families. The film opens on February 23. You can go to the film’s website to see where it will be playing in your area.
A day ahead of schedule:
Kicking at the Podcast Episode 2
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The Gospel According to Starbucks
Ultimately I’ve found that it isn’t about learning something new from Starbucks but more about relearning and being reminded of how to connect with each other and the community in which we serve.
I) Partners not Employees – Ministers not Pew Warmers
Philippians 1:3-6
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joybecause of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
1Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
You are not called to be a pew warmer but to be a partner in the Gospel. Jesus didn’t say “Those with ministry degrees go into the world…”
II) BE A Minister
It isn’t enough to say, “You are a partner act like one.” Baristas need to know what it means to be a partner. Starbucks needs to educate their partners on BEing partners. That’s where the Green Apron Book comes in.
The Green Apron Book
Be Welcoming
Be Genuine
Be Knowledgeable
Be Considerate
Be Involved
Questions to Percolate
1) What does it look like for you to BE WELCOMING to your family, coworkers, strangers?
2) What does it mean for you to BE KNOWLEDGEABLE about BEing a disciple? What gets you out of bed in the morning when it comes to this new life that you’ve been given?
Question and Comments welcomed!!!
I gave my first intallment of “The Good News of Starbucks” sermon series this morning. I got a lot of great feedback and got the impression that the lesson ready connected with everyone. Unfortunately, I was unable to record it. D’oh!
I spent most of Thursday afternoon working on the sound board making sure that everything was ready to record but something happened this morning and it didn’t work. I’ll give the second installment in two weeks. Hopefully by then I can work out all the kinks.
On Tuesday I’ll post episode 2 of Kicking at the Podcast with the highlights of today’s sermon.
I was so bummed that it didn’t record but hopefully this will be next best thing. Be on the lookout for the podcast this Tuesday.
I don’t get jealous very often and I don’t really have a competitive spirit. However, I’ll admit that today I am a little jealous of my friend Jordan.
Jordan and I grew up together through elementary, junior high and senior high. In junior high we played Y baseball together and then in high school we played football side by side. I was a guard and he was the tackle. I’m 5?9 and he is 6?8. Pictures of us together elicit quite a few laughs.
Jordan ended up going to Notre Dame on a football scholarship while I went to Harding to pursue a ministry career. Jordan now plays pro football for the Kansas City Chiefs.
I am so proud of my friend but I do find myself feeling a little green.
It isn’t his football career that has me feeling jealous. I love what I do and I would argue that I have the greatest job in the world. My dreams led me right where I want to be and Jordan’s dreams led him to the NFL. That’s how dreams should work!
No, I’m jealous because Jordan has his own Wikipedia entry! How cool is that?!?!?!
When I couldn’t sleep last night I went surfing the net looking at concert tickets, U2 and Coldplay fansites, and researching interesting stuff on Wikipedia. That is when I came across Jordan’s entry.
Jordan, I thought you had made it when I heard John Madden talk about you during a game but now I know you’ve made it. Congratulations my friend. I am so proud of your success.
I still jealous though.
A species of shark rarely seen alive because its natural habitat is 600 metres (2,000 ft) or more under the sea was captured on film by staff at a Japanese marine park this week.
The Awashima Marine Park in Shizuoka, south of Tokyo, was alerted by a fisherman at a nearby port on Sunday that he had spotted an odd-looking eel-like creature with a mouthful of needle-sharp teeth.
Marine park staff caught the 1.6 metre (5 ft) long creature, which they identified as a female frilled shark, sometimes referred to as a “living fossil” because it is a primitive species that has changed little since prehistoric times.
