How Christians should respond to Starbucks

St. Arbucks is no humbug.
His red cup kindles joy.
His cup of cheer is served up with a smile.
The absence of some sentiment is no conspiracy.
This saint who serves all faiths is hardly vile.

We have to be more gracious
when it comes to this dear Saint.
After all his Christmas cup IS red and green.
Our reactions (as believers)
to what others do or don’t
reflect our Lord to others (kind or mean).

We don’t need a cup with captions
to announce what we all know.
A plain red Starbucks cup is fine with me.
It is OUR jobs as Christians
to convey what Christmas means
as our culture toes the line to be PC.

Celebrating the legacy of Paul Harris and Rotary International

What goes around soon comes around.
We reap the things we sow.
We lead by serving others in their need.
A guy named Paul inspired
self-denial just like Christ.
And “service above self” became his creed.

Paul and his band of brothers
circled up for lunch each week.
That’s how (what we call) Rotary was born.
Paul Harris clothed integrity
in business suits and found
that “service above self” became the norm.

The Four Way Test soon followed.
Will it benefit the group?
Is it true? Will it build goodwill? Is it fair?
Rotarians all over
use that test to prove the point 
that “service above self” reveals you care.

Yes, Paul Harris birthed a movement
that is helping change the world.
Men and women of all ages lead the way.
We’re a family of servants
quite convinced we offer hope
and that “service above self’ will win the day.

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_P._Harris

Remembering loved ones on this All Saints Weekend

This is the weekend we recall
those ones who touched our lives
who closed their weary eyes and ceased to breathe.
We miss the way they made us feel.
We miss their smile and voice.
This weekend mem’ries beckon us to grieve.

These “saints” (though far from perfect)
left their footprints in our hearts.
They sanctified our lives and showed us grace.
We miss the way they ran toward peace.
We miss their quiet faith.
This weekend mem’ries call to mind each face.

Our parents and our siblings, too,
our children, neighbors, friends,
and all who’ve left us through the door of death.
We miss the way God used them all.
We miss their presence so.
This weekend mem’ries help us catch our breath.

“For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Alleluia, Alleluia…”

Celebrating the amazing ministry of Operation Christmas Child

Boxes that had once held shoes
have been repurposed for “good news.”
When packed with clothing, toys and games
God’s love is visualized.

Yes, Operation Christmas Child
results in joy and countless smiles
as boys and girls in far-off lands
receive their shoebox gifts.

A gift that’s given undeserved
both strikes a chord and hits a nerve.
It is a picture of God’s grace
that begs to be explained.

And so it is when handed out.
Kids learn what God’s love is about.
They understand it can’t be earned.
It searches us ’til found.

A little box, a big surprise,
that’s filled with what a stranger buys
for children they will never meet
except in Heav’n some day.

Check out http://www.samaritanspurse.org/occ