blanks filled...

Any thoughts on what went in the blanks of yesterday...?

Well... here they are... filled...

There is a word that comes to my mind when I think about our company and our people. That word is "love." I love Starbucks because everything we've tried to do is steeped in humanity.
Respect and dignity.
Passion and laughter.
Compassion, community, and responsibility.
Authenticity.
These are Starbucks' touchstones, the source of our pride.

--- Howard Schulz, ceo of Starbucks, Onward (emphasis on the words added, they fill in the blanks)

 Yes... a company... centered on coffee...

Howard Schulz... his book filled with passion and sacrifice... for coffee and people... along with the desire to create and maintain... the Starbucks Experience... in each of his stores... thousands nationwide... and around the world...

A man whose efforts... has drawn millions... to his stores daily... through the promise of coffee... and community...

As I've read Onward... and just a first few chapters so far... I think...

What if... the Church... God's people... were as passionate about Him... as this man is about espresso...?

What if... the Church... had even half the belief in the power of the Holy Spirit... as Howard Schultz does in coffee... and the ability to foster an experience... for each visitor to one of his stores...?

Aren't we called to a singular... passionate... relationship... with our Creator...?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:5

What could His people accomplish...? how many could be drawn...? if we believed... and pursued the experience of the Spirit... He promises...?

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

What if... what we loved... most... and... best... was Him... His Word... and His Way...?

What do you love most...? to what are you truly devoted...?