Archive for the ‘Cup of Joe 2.0’ Category

As someone who has enjoyed studying and coaching others to find their “passion” for serving God – it has been refreshing to be around so many people in Poland who are dedicated to sharing their passion for Christ.  Oh sure, some a passionate about their particular work, sports, etc… but many have “connected the dots” in their life to live passionately while also living intentionally for Christ.  They are using their passion (the burden that God puts on your heart – that you just can’t shake) to build the Kingdom.

The people we are working with this week in Poland are passionate people.  But, for many – their stories are not simple. Their were points in their lives where perhaps they didn’t have much passion.  They didn’t have much hope.  They didn’t have much Joy.  This is true of people everywhere… but people in Poland have been through alot.  They’ve (non-Jewish) been through WWII where millions were taken by the German Army to Labor Camps.  I even met a lady at an Orphanage who is older now – but she tells of the time when the German guards showed up at her home when she was a kid and told her and family that they had 12 minutes to pack and leave.  She was gone for 4 years – until the end of the war.  She worked mostly 14-15 hour days – 7 days a week with almost no breaks.  Maybe 1 break a day for 10 minutes – and very little to eat.  This was her existence for years with no end in site.

Today she and others who survived this slavery are passionate about telling their story to anyone who will listen.  It was amazing to have someone who experienced this actually tell you first hand about it.  It was sad – but so important to hear.  Later this week our team will be visiting Auschwitz – A German Concentration Camp were Jews were killed.  I’m sure I’ll be sharing more about that later (Link: http://en.auschwitz.org.pl/h/ or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auschwitz_concentration_camp .

For now – I’m heading back to a group of passionate people – people from Canton Ohio – joining with people from all over the Globe who have a common Passion.  A Passion to make Christ known.  A Passion to bring “a little bit of up there – down here” – a passion to share Jesus with those who haven’t met Him yet.  A Passion to make a difference – to bring hope to hurting people all over the world.  Today – in Lodz, Poland.

Living Passionately,

Joe

Greetings all -

I’ve often struggled with preparing blog posts.  Why?  Sometimes it’s been difficult to articulate my thoughts – Sometimes I’ve been bothered by the direction of this blog site – Sometimes I’ve wondered if it has any real direction at all. – Sometimes I’m passionate about a topic, but lack the discipline to sit down and prepare a post.  Sometimes I worry that my post won’t be polished enough. – Sometimes I think about who might be reading my blog and what their reaction might be.  My good friend John Hampton might refer to this stuff as “image management”.

Indeed, their are a wide variety of people in my life who may stumble across my blog (or maybe, because I’m such an incredible marketing guru – they’ll actually find me because I’ve posted links where they are likely to see and click on them – LOL!)  My family might read it, my friends, co-workers, clients, church, fellow pastors, total strangers, etc.  Some topics are likely to be more targeted at certain audiences and some topics might apply across the board.

Here’s what I’m thinking tonight.  This blog will likely reflect an “integrated and exchanged” life going forward.  Why?  Because, honestly – anything less than that won’t be authentic.  Life isn’t about compartmentalizing ourselves into neat little categories.  Life is messy.  Life involves highs and low, ups and downs, various seasons & struggles.  I’m not a son, husband, dad, uncle, friend, co-worker, christian, pastor, entrepreneur, tech junkie, dog owner, or Jesus follower in a vacuum.  I’m all of these things – all at the same time.  Life is integrated.   And, what I write about or post to this blog ultimately will reflect that.

So, how does one live an integrated life?  The best way, I believe is by exchanging our life.  I’m convinced that to live the fully abundant life that Jesus would have for us – we must get out of the way.   I just want to help deliver the Supernatural power of Jesus Christ in whatever way He sees fit – to my family, my friends, total strangers, clients, co-workers, really anyone that God might choose to put in my path.  I can only do this by getting out of the way and allowing Christ to direct my thoughts and actions.  This won’t be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is :-)

Buckle Up!

PS.  Part of me wanted to delete this post after writing it, but alas – publishing this is good for the soul.  Enjoy!

Hello Everyone -

2009 has been a truly unique year.  The year included job changes, my oldest daughter hitting the “teen” years, raising a Golden Retriever puppy, and eventually launching a business … 2009 will be a year I won’t soon forget.  Hopefully I’ve learned some lessons that will stick with me for awhile.  The good and the bad.

The most exciting part of 2009 was launching my own business.  I’ve always wanted to try my hand at “consulting”… so earlier in 2009 I launched Cup of Joe Communications, LLC. I currently have some incredible clients that I enjoy working with on a regular basis and look forward to a few new projects & clients as 2010 progresses.

At the moment though, I’m very excited to be returning to the staff of First Christian Church.  After spending nearly 8 years on the team, and wearing a variety of hats, I am returning to the staff at 3/4 time with an emphasis on managing the Church’s communication efforts again.  I’ll be working alongside a great team of volunteers and reuniting with a former colleague, Ron Yoder as my assistant.  Ron will be helping with a variety of things, but especially with Web Development and Social Media integration.  So much more I could say about all this, but for now…. this will do.

I’ve missed blogging and hope to rekindle my efforts in 2010.

May God bless you in the New Year,

Joe

That one word says so much.

1) I’ve been on an amazing journey over the last 12+ months. I’ve thought that I’d be re-launching this blog several different times.  Each time – God has said… “not yet”.  You could say he’s kept me speechless.

2) Speechless is how I’ve felt recently as it is difficult to put into words what God is up to in my life.

3) Speechless is how this blog will remain until God gives me more clarity as to how he wants to work through it.

Working on my speech,

Joe