I’ve got some exciting news!!

Cups Cafe is preparing to increase our hours of operation and launch our very own line of merchandise for sale at Cups. It’s our plan to sell organic & fair trade coffees, flavored coffees, cups and t-shirts. We will offer a greater variety of products, and places to buy them in town, as the demand grows.

The mission of Cups Cafe will not change. We’ll still offer soups, drinks, sandwiches, etc for free as a way to serve Hope one cup at a time to young people and families desperately in need of Hope. However, there will be a display case at the cafe where supporters, guests, and shoppers visiting Medina’s Historic District can buy these products.

Non-profit organizations have been operating in this way for years. For example: Hospice of Medina County has its: Life’s Treasures thrift store. Project Learn runs: The Bookshelf. And Goodwill Industries, well…need I say more? While researching creative methods of funding our organization, it seems fitting that Cups Cafe sell coffee and cups and other merchandise to support its mission.

The purpose of selling our own line of products is to: (1) Generate more consistent revenue to support the mission of Cups Cafe. (Again, all the proceeds will benefit Cups). (2) Generate exposure and raise awareness of our mission within our community. (3) Strengthen and grow our organization in a way that will enable us to do more ministry (i.e. add new locations in other cities, purchase new equipment & supplies, expand our current location, start a shelter ministry, etc) and add future staff.

And who knows? If this grows, maybe someday Cups can open and operate a larger retail store on the square that offers a larger variety of merchandise and supplies that in turn benefit the non-profit cafe!!

To make this successful, we need your prayers and support with a few items:

1. An attractive display case. (I’ve already called a friend who built our donation box asking him to do the work but we may need materials).

2. A working cash register/computer with a point-of-sale software system, or paper sales slips to start.

3. Up-front capital to purchase our first round of inventory.

4. A strong base of consumers willing to shop at Cups for their coffee.

5. Volunteer help.

6. A wireless router and monthly support to add internet service at Cups.

Contact Tim if you wish to help with any of these items!

We’ll be sending more details in the coming days. And while you anticipate hearing from us, please begin to consider buying coffee and supplies at Cups. Thanks for your prayers and support!!

I hear that some of you are thirsty. You need a drink of my writing, because it’s been awhile since you’ve heard from me (like how things are going, etc).

Well…here’s a sip. I think you’ll like the taste.

Have you ever thought: “Let me just go back and do it all over again. What I know now, I really wish I knew then because there is this pain in my heart that just will not die. I desperately need a restart, a working reset button.”

When reflecting in this way, that person needs a simple solution that is extremely difficult for us to give. They need to hear that it’s okay…that everything’s alright.

That’s simple, right?

They need words of comfort so they won’t be left alone in their thoughts and worries all night long. If they say they are sorry, then they need to be able to move on. You need to help them stand up, look out, and see the sun again. They need forgiveness and trust- a restored relationship, because we are not designed to be left alone (Genesis 2:18).

Just about every family around you is crippled by relationships with others. Our community is filled with relationship crashes of all shapes and sizes- be it with a son or daughter, husband or wife, or co-worker. Some wrecks are more extreme than others and can never be repaired. However, those minor relationship bumps and bruises, though they hurt, can be fixed with a simple, “It’s okay, everything’s alright. I forgive you.”

And though the relationship may never be exactly what it once was, a relational reset with chipped paint and scratches is better than one left rusting in the junkyard. I have my fair share of relationship crashes, and I’ve witnessed lots of them from the conversations that have occurred at Cups over the years.

Just last week, I was asked for my advice about a broken relationship between one young adult and their parent. My advice? I encouraged them to call their parent. Stop running and go back and make up. Set things right before you’re left out on the streets. I don’t think this person acted on my advice, but I know it was the best advice given the situation.

Cups Cafe is still going strong thanks to our fair fundraiser and your prayers and financial support. We are not solely in the business of serving cups of coffee and soup. Cups Cafe also serves hope, and in November, Cups will celebrate 4 years of service to young people and families.

4 years. Can you believe it?

Pray for me and our Board of Directors. We’re meeting next Tuesday. I have a few new ideas and we will be discussing them at the meeting. Cups Cafe needs a new spark, a breath of fresh air. It’s getting stale.

My natural leadership style is entrepreneurial and inspirational. I like trying new things, dreaming and envisioning possibilities, meeting new people, leading people through road blocks to accomplish great things, and so doing the same thing over and over again (though the consistency and structure of routine is healthy) is really not my cup of tea. I get my wheels stuck in a rut when operating this way.

There have been a lot of relationship bumps and bruises in our history and so it’s time to hit the reset button and set some new things in place. I’ll share more after our meeting.

Is there a relationship in your life that needs a working reset button? If so, don’t hesitate any longer…PUSH IT!