Thursday, March 21, 2013

Coffee Mug

Robbie Pruitt, Drawing © 2007 by Brittany Arnold

Coffee Mug is a guest post by one of my Bible and Theology in the Arts students, Randolph Rameau. Randolph was given this creative writing assignment in his creative writing class where the prompt was to write from Mr. Pruitt’s coffee mug’s experience with Mr. Pruitt. Randolph did a fantastic job here and it is with great joy, and with his permission, that I share this little jewel with you. Hope you enjoy!

Coffee Mug, by Randolph Rameau

Bitterly awaiting my fate, I heard the familiar noise of the coffee pot boiling next to me “Smff.” Soon, he would come roaring in, demanding of my service.

The door flung open as he torpidly dragged himself towards me. Forcefully grabbing my handle, he poured the scorching hot coffee into me. His parched lips cried out, “Coffee!” as he downed the first sip sucking the life out of me like those creatures who roam the night looking for prey. Like a vampire draining the life from its victims, the coffee inside me was drained. I was abandoned, left behind and dried out, but I knew it was not the end-there was more coming.

He ordered me to stay intact, to await his return. I only had a few minutes to spare until the sweltering hot liquid would refill my interior. He reappeared through the portal, this time prepared for the day. He blabbered at me, “Students, baby, grading, huff and something about the neighbors.”

He sat down on the kitchen chair; trying to comfort me he said, “Sweet coffee, you make my day, without you I would be a mess.” Burning with jealousy and sentiments of un-appreciation, my handle cracked and the blazing hot coffee ran across his lap; he could do nothing, but run, screaming to his wife.

That was the highlight of my miserable life; knowing he related to my pain filled me with joy. I wondered, would he throw me away, would I end up in the dumpster?

I did not care; I was prepared for the worst to come…

Friday, March 8, 2013

Walking in Selflessness


“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” –Philippians 2:3

Paul encouraged the early church in Philippi to be like him in their thinking and to go about community life, “Having the same love” and “being one in spirit.” Paul also requested the Philippians “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.” He requested they humbly value others above themselves and to not look to their own interests, but to the interests of the others (see Philippians 2:2-4).

As we study and work together in community as Christians, valuing and considering one another above our selves is very important. Like the early church, we want to be a community of love and honor who views everyone as valuable and treats everyone as children of God. We can value one another like this by showing honor.

Part of loving and honoring one another is respecting one another enough to be honest. This also means we do not take unfair advantage of others or succeed unjustly. It means we do not take what belongs to another. Finally, this means we hold one other accountable and encourage one another towards excellence and honor (Leviticus 19:11-19).

May we honor one another as Paul suggested by “Following God’s example as dearly loved children and [walking] in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2).