Coffee... Black

I can say that there is one constant to my mornings: coffee. I drink way too much of the stuff, but I do enjoy it. A while back, my wife and I switched to 1/2 decaf to reduce the caffeine intake. I also will tell you that I drink my coffee the way it was intended - hot with no additives. It's just plain coffee, black. I know that these days you can get coffee in a myriad of ways, iced, flavored, and so forth. But not for me.

I wonder if we are moving back to a coffee, black kind of lifestyle. I have read and heard about how Americans are simplifying their lives and doing with less frills. I think there is truth in that. You might also say that it is about time. However, is the change temporary in response to the current economic climate? Or, is it a new era of how we approach life? Can we acquire the taste for drinking our coffee black, figuratively or literally?

Chris

The Power of Music

I am currently out of town at a conference, but I thought I would drop a quick post. Last night we had a worship service in which a local new church start provided leadership. They brought their band and pastor over to conduct the service. The band was very contemporary with guitars, drums, bass, and a keyboard. The vocalists were excellent and the music was great. It helped that all I knew all but one of the songs that they did.

As I listened to the band and sang along, I was reminded of the power of music. It can move within is in ways that we can't really describe. I believe that it is a conduit in which God can move in us and we can truly offer worship to God. I also believe that this is true of all forms of music. No, we might not all be drawn to the same musical type, but that doesn't dampen its power.

Next time you find yourself listening to some music, remember to appreciate it for the gift that it is.

Chris

The reality of it all really hit me on Saturday morning. On my phone, I have it set up that I get an RSS feed from CNN (as well as ESPN). One of the news headlines stated that 100,000 jobs were lost last week alone. I have been hearing of the reports of thousands here and there, but that total number just hit me. And, that was just last week. It doesn't take into account layoffs and job cuts prior to last week or since. To say that it is tough times is an understatement. All of us have probably been affected by the job losses or are close to someone who has.

There are no easy answers. I believe, as I think most do, that things will get better. However, it won't happen quickly. As difficult as things are, I do believe there is something good to come out of it. It's times like these that help us to truly see what is important to us. Sometimes, there are changes and adjustments that we all need to make. I have seen and heard about some of these positives in people's lives. I have also seen the importance of people's faith and faith community. That cannot be underestimated.

For now, my prayers go to all who have been impacted so greatly by the loss of a job. And I pray that we can truly be the people God has intended us to be in that we might come together and see on another through.

Chris