How's the old complaint?

James 5:9 ~ Brothers, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged.  Look, the judge stands at the door. 

Just as God gave these words to James for him and the people of his time, we (I) must be reminded of this verse.  James saw where people were complaining about one another - judging one another.  The Lord inspired him to give the people these words to remind them that He - the Living God is the only acceptable judge for our actions.

God has been speaking this to me lately. I am sure it is a reiteration or reminder of that this morning.  I find it easy to complain or judge others when it is not my place and I should just shut up and do what He has called me to do.  I am not perfect in my techniques, timing and delivery of things but God still graces me to do my work in spite of my self.  It is easier to point fingers at others or judge others when I have a different perspective but what I must remember is that my perspective is not always the best and that we (I) all must grown and learn along the way. 

So my prayer today is that God helps me to shut up, mind my own business and do the work that He has called me to do.  I do not make perfect decisions but God grace me to make the right decisions.

1 Corinthians 10:12 ~ So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.

Heading to Jackson for a picnic and play time, then naptime!!

Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music. ~ John Williams

Almost got run over by a semi pulling a trailer. He meant business.

Rockmelt Browser - You gonna try it?

http://www.rockmelt.com/

Will singing a native American song.

Will's 1st Thanksgiving program & lunch today. Good times...

New Addition to the Family, Approximate Birth-day 06/26/2011

Offer Something Superior

I have always drank coffee since I can remember. The first time I drank a cup of coffee I remember my Papaw Lyles telling me, "Son, if you drink coffee it'll put hair on your chest." That would be followed up with my Mamaw yelling from the kitchen, "You know you can't drink coffee, you're to young." Still till this day I do not understand what she was trying to keep me from. Was it the caffeine? Was it the party that I would want to have 3 hours later? I am not sure but what I do know is that once I drank that first cup I always wanted more...And the chest hair, well that never really happened(Oh well). And here I am 9:30 at night drinking another cup...

Over the years I have come to appreciate a flavorful coffee and can tell right away if coffee has gone stale in the bag. There are various ingredients that will vary the taste of the coffee as it is brewing. Such as the type of water, the oils in the beans, the type of filter used, if ground before brewing how long it is ground for.

I finished up a book this week that I read a year or so ago because it had great parallels. The name of this book is, Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz. For anyone that has visited your local Starbucks you recognize the author as the CEO of Starbucks.

There are great points that Mr. Schultz makes about the beginnings of Starbucks and the passion that the founders all carried.

1. There are two main types of coffee beans Arabica and Robusta.
- The best coffees are arabicas. Especially those grown high in the mountains. Arabicas can withstand the heat, and the darker the beans are roasted the fuller the flavor.
- Packaged food companies prefer robusta beans or light roasts because they allow a higher yield or weight. There is a tenth to half of a percent difference in shrinkage. The lighter the roast, the more money they save.

Mr. Schultz goes on to say, "Starbucks only uses arabicas because they care more about flavor than yields."

2. You must stand for something whether personal or in business.
- "Starbucks stood not only for good coffee, but specifically for the dark-roasted flavor profile that the founders were passionate about. That's what differentiated it and made it authentic."

3. Do not just give everyone what they ask for. If you are best at what they are asking offer them something they are not accustomed to.
- "Offer them something so superior that it takes a while to develop their palates, you will create a sense of discovery, excitement and loyalty that will bond them to you. It may take longer, but if you have a great product, you can educate your customers to like it rather than to appeal to the mass-market."

Lessons from Lady Gaga

A reoccurring theme that I feel is hitting me in the head is the noun Passion. I am a passionate guy when it comes to completing tasks or love for my family and friends but I want to continue that drive. When I speak of being passionate I do not mean going to the latest chick flick movie with my wife and crying with her about a love story by great actors.

I have just finished reading again, "Pour Your Heart Into It" by Howard Schultz. And if there is anything that I really received from that book and from the Starbucks work ethic is be passionate about what you do! Howard encourages every Barista in every thing that they do to do their best and be their best. That when they make that cup of coffee to make it the best that it can be. I was a barista for a few months and watching the videos with Howard's training you can tell that no matter how many zeros he has on his check that he wants to continue the passion that he had, if not more, when he started in the business. There is actually a shot rule that if a espresso shot sits for more than 8 seconds it is considered dead and should not be used in a espresso drink.

Just recently a short-known acquaintance passed away. In the short time I got to know him it was very evident that he was a man with passion. When I grow up I want to be as passionate as he was with everything that he said and did. It was even said at his funeral that he was passionate about life and that it showed until his final day.

Lastly, on a completely different note, I watched the Grammy's earlier this week and though I ended up cutting it off abruptly I must comment on a performance that I viewed. It never fails when I see Lady Gaga that she is wearing something that I think is crazy or doing something that I think is crazy. But what I realized about her is every time that she performs she is showing passion for what she does.


1 Peter 3: ¹³ And who will harm you if you are passionate for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, ¹⁵ but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.