I just overheard someone say, “Ya know, she really is a good baby. She only cries when she is tired, hungry, or needs to be changed.”
So the thought occurred to me, I wonder if God, while drinking a coconut latte with a few of His favorite creations has ever said about His children on earth: “Ya know, they really are good kids, they only cry when they are Tired, Hungry, or In Need of a Change.”
This morning on the today show, Glamour Magazine was honoring their women of the year – that is where I think I fell in love with Dr. Maya Angelou. Read the brief quotes below, but take a couple of minutes to watch the portion this interview with her that is at the beginning.
During the interview::
“You inspire other people, but what inspires you?” – Matt Lauer
“Every human being has the possibility and the probability and the privilege of inspiring someone else. Everybody. So, whether you know it or not; whether you recognized it or not – you’re a teacher- there are people watching you.” – Dr. Maya Angelou
“I listen to everybody. I think of my whole body as an ear; and I listen – carefully and with respect.” – Dr. Maya Angelou
Below is a an excerpt from a recent CNN article: this article is yet another reason why Churches Need Bars & Bartenders……
As part of his research for the book,“Everything but the Coffee”, Professor Bryant Simon of Temple University visited hundreds of Starbucks coffee houses, presumably drinking a lot of coffee but also watching his fellow customers, and here’s something he discovered: very few of them talk to each other.
We drink our coffee, we type on our laptop computers, we may read our books. If we came in with friends or business associates, we talk to them, of course. But Professor Simon writes that he saw very few spontaneous discussions among strangers.
He’s disappointed about that because, “Talk and ideas are crucial to the making of community.”
In “Bowling Alone”, Harvard University sociologist Robert Putnam wrote about membership declines in everything from bowling leagues to churches to the PTA, and linked those declines to a breakdown in civic participation.
Once upon a time, big ideas were discussed in coffee houses. In 17th Century Britain, people sometimes called them “penny universities.” Coffee house discussions in colonial America helped set the stage for the American Revolution, and the New York Stock Exchange started at a coffee house in 1792.
These days, we have other places to share our ideas: we can blog, we can tweet, we can call radio talk shows. But based on Professor Simon’s observations at Starbucks, we may need a little more help communicating face-to face. Perhaps we’re all just too busy with our laptops, but maybe the solution could be something as simple as changing the furniture: I was in an independent coffee house outside Pittsburgh recently. Customers there sat around a semi-circular counter, and the conversation flowed as freely as the coffee.
Church Bartender Tip: it’s time to move beyond self-serve coffee that has been placed against a wall and create ways to facilitate conversation; changing the shape of our facilities can shape and cultivate our lives in such a way that conversation face to face is a normal part of community.
On September 9th, 2009 – leaders from across the country were asked to submit videos of 9 minutes or less – focusing on leadership lessons they would like to share. I’m thankful to the team at The Leadership Networkfor allowing me the opportunity to pour out my heart and pour into the lives of others.
I hope the next few minutes adds value to your life and community. I look forward to any comments or questions that we can dialogue about.
Time isn’t moving any faster than it ever has – after all – it’s Time. But the rate of change however is an entirely different story. Check out this insightful video about where we are and are going with Social Media.
These two ideas simply brought a cold brewed tear to my church bartending eye.
Jarrett Stevens and his awesome bride are launching Soul City Church in the Spring of 2010 and they’ve put to video what I’ve screamed and cried about for years – Great Job guys – I love it.
And then this insanely brilliant idea:: Eric Partin and Shoreline Church give away Cozzies, Gift Cards to Off set you Tab, and Connection Coasters – as they have Church@McGuires – a rockin pub and Third Place Environment
Charlotte, NC area | Portland, OR area | Nashville, TN area | New Orleans | Exponential Conf. Orlando | Create Your Own – bring the Church Bartender to you
