"Who and What" or "What and Who"? (part 1 of 4)

At some point in our lives, we've all been asked two questions that speak to others' interest in our lives.

Who are you? What do you want to be?

For the most part, the first question is usually part of a standard, polite inquiry when an acquaintence is made. "Who are you?"

Attention span and focus typically last long enough to take in a name, which we may or may not remember 10 minutes later, and maybe a few anecdotal facts. ...Jane's daughter, Manager of this or that.... I'm sorry..who are you again?

Starting this thought process out...Is your name the primary definer of who you are?

My name is Bill. Bill Petty.

My name, in and of itself, is not sufficent to speak to who I am. It does say something about me. I am a Petty...that's strong. Bill is a man's name, so that helps portray me to a point. Male... But, after a general introduction, the next question is inevitibly...Are you related to Tom? Or...Richard? As if being me isn't sufficient. I know that's not the intent. People always look for connections, which they feel answers more of the Who Are You question.

Look further into the Who..consider the scripture as Jesus spoke to his disciples in Matthew 16:13-17. The Who Are You question has an interesting twist...

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah(annointed one), the Son of the living God.”

The answer to "they say" comes in the form of names. So.. okay, these names carried some rather hefty weight and identity, but the response is interesting considering the response to the second question of "Who do YOU say that I am?" You are the Messiah. The Son of the living God.

Powerful, though provoking..and even dangerous in these times. Responding with names could also be a preview into the second answer, as the disciples respond to the question dealing with an external audience with that which is ultimately non-defining of Christ. The response from their own understanding is much deeper and speaks specifically to who He is, which includes what he is.

We want our name to represent who we are...but that requires a connection of what we are, and that requires effort and thought and decisions. This is an ongoing topic, and the content is under development.

Conclude Part 1 of 4 for now. Stay tuned...

A Cup Of Coffee?

I'll take a cup of coffee, please.

No, I don't really care what the cup looks like. I started out with a little Chinette cup when I was a kid, and now prefer my coffee mug with the pic of my kids on it from Father's Day in 2005.

Don't worry, if it's a little dirty, I know where I can wash it clean and I don't mind the effort.

I'll take some Vanilla Caramel creamer, please, as that is my personal preference. God knows that I have different tastes than others. Some really enjoy their coffee black, while others prefer a little sugar or some honey. Some like robust, dark coffee. Others like lighter, sweeter blends. Some strong, some week. Kona for me, thanks.

And, by the way, there's nothing wrong with the way you enjoy your coffee, nor with mine. It's just different. It doesn't change the essence of the coffee itself; only my enjoyment of it. (God made the creamer, too, by the way.)

I like coffee hot, but not too hot. I will usually let my coffee sit and cool off a bit before I drink it, sometimes to the point of it being just warm. In like kind, I will sometimes read the Bible and come across a scripture that screams at my soul. "Here I am! You need me today." Sometimes I take it in immediately and enjoy the warmth as it approaches my heart. Other times, I like to let it sit so I can take in the odor and let it cool a bit so that I can really enjoy the flavor. The bitterness mixed with the sweetness, the quenching water and the energizing spirit that dwells in it. I drink it in slowly, savoring it.

Then there are the times that life and work get in the way, and my cup of coffee just sits there and gets cold. I forget to drink it....it just sits there. I have wasted a perfectly good cup of coffee that could have really done the trick as I started this morning.I usually drink 2 cups (mugs) of coffee each morning. The first is always freshly brewed, usually before it has finished brewing because I just can't wait. I take that first sip. Man, that's good! I drink a sip at a time, but by 1/2 cup, it's getting cool, so I top it off. Steam....that's a good sign.

And the smell. Even people who don't drink coffee like the smell of coffee. They walk in a room where the coffee is being brewed and breathe in deep. Ahhhhh! Coffee. But, taking a cautious sip, they turn up their nose and walk away. Too bitter. Too dark. Seems they just haven't acquired a taste. But, maybe they just haven't tried the right coffee, or perhaps they haven't had someone make a cup that hit the right mix of creamer and sugar and cinnamon and cocoa and vanilla......etc. The smell is enough to keep them coming back in the kitchen for yet another, Ahhhhh! Coffee.

Have you ever noticed that someone that really likes their coffee usuallyhas REALLY good coffee and will almost immediately ask you, "Would you like a cup of coffee? I have this great coffee. Here, let me make you a cup. Sugar? Cream?" They take into consideration that you have certain tastes and expectations that might allow you to enjoy it bit more.

Then, on the other hand, people who aren't so confident about their coffee will wave their hand in the direction of the coffee pot and say, "Yeah. We've got some coffee over there if you want to get some."

I have heard so many people say "I just can't start my day without a cup of coffee." Or, "Don't even think about taking away my coffee. I just can't function in the morning without it." But, how often do you hear someone say "I just can't start my day without spending some time with God and His Word, thanking Him for the blessings in my life and asking for help in my own an others' lives. Don't even think about taking away my morning prayer and reflection time. I just can't function without Him."?

Excuse me just a minute......

Excuse me, Sir. Would you mind topping off my cup, please?