Why Faith Barista
Welcome to Faith Barista – a blog that serves up shots of faith for everyday life.
My name is Bonnie Gray and I’m an everyday Christian looking to live a life of faith.
I’ve always been fascinated with the challenge of keeping faith hot and fresh in the daily grind.
I write at Faith Barista to share my faith journey with Jesus and in the process, find others to learn about theirs.
Being an everyday Christian isn’t so easy because there is so much stuff that gets in the way of trusting God and being true to who He’s designed us to be.
As we walk through daily life, the world calls us to be focused on the outer walk, with everything that surrounds us.
But the inner life is where real life happens. It’s where God calls us to be and faith can get us there.
“…your real life is hidden with Christ.” Colossians 3:3
As we sift through our thoughts, the Bible, conversations or happenings around us, God whips up drinks of inspiration and encouragement to draw us closer to Him each and every day.
Are you also after that fragrant aroma of Christ in your daily cup? If so, join me here at Faith Barista.
Together, we can get a taste of seeing Jesus show up in our lives.
Man, that would be the best.
Why Faith Barista?
No can ever have too much encouragement. You’ll find encouragement from everyday life as the days unfold with The Ultimate Faith Barista — Jesus Christ Himself. Join me here and share your faith journey. One story at a time.
What you will find at Faith Barista: Spiritual reflections, personal stories , devotionals and thoughts on Christian living for a faith-filled walk in everyday life.
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Contact
If you’d like to get in touch with me — have a question or a topic of interest — I’d love to hear from you.Click here to contact me.
About Bonnie
My name is Bonnie Gray and I’m the Christian writer behind Faith Barista.
I’m a native Californian living in the heart of Silicon Valley. I love hanging out with my best friend Hubby and wrangling our two boys on the homestead.
Rain or shine, I live for the moments I get to write, hovering over my keyboard, fascinated by a passion to find faith in everyday life.
I am editor and author of Faith Barista, syndicated by Crosswalk and Revelife, and a featured writer for DaySpring’s (In)Courage website. As a speaker, I love exploring how faith shows up in everyday life, inspiring audiences to discover faith behind the daily grind. As a writer, my articles have been published nationally by McClatchy-Tribune and featured in newsletters by Christianity Today and DaySpring.
Walking By Faith
I’ve crossed a variety of transitions in life. I used to think God’s calling was found in church ministry, overseas missions, or even in the workplace, working as an engineering and marketing manager in high tech. I was continually searching to figure it out.
It turns out I was already living out God’s calling — walking by faith in everyday life.
To others, it might look ordinary.
To God, the inner life is where real life happens. One day at a time.
LIFE is the ultimate full-time ministry
Even though I’ve had opportunities to serve God in different ministry roles, they are nothing compared to the most meaningful ministry we are called to: LIFE.
If people were to just look at our everyday lives, we might seem insignificant. Thank goodness, that’s not how God sees us.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Cor. 4:7
This hidden life — this life lived in Christ — is what I’d love to tap into. Will you share yours with me? I will share mine with you.
The 411
So, why did you start this blog?
Faith is a topic that is my sold-out passion. It’s been many moons since I first became a Christian. Even though I’ve got some mileage on me (you see the wrinkles?), I am still fascinated by the challenge to keep faith hot and fresh.
I’m continually asking, “Why is it that some Christians are hot on fire for God, always growing and full of life?”
I want to know how people keep that fire of faith lit when it’s a flickering wick, how to fan it into a bonfire, and how to feed it when it’s embers are quietly burning.
I started this blog to share my faith experience, and in the process, find others to learn about theirs.
[ Find out what FaithBarista's all about. Read Why FaithBarista? ]
Why did you choose the name “Faith Barista”?
I love the idea that I can be a “barista of faith”, because we are all apprentices, learning the skill and art of walking by faith. We learn from the master craftsman of faith, Jesus Christ, who serves up just what we need for each day’s journey.
In turn, we can be a priesthood of faith baristas, offering one another encouragement to live out our faith. Now, that’s exciting!
What do you do when you’re not writing at Faith Barista?
If you were to knock on my door, you’d find me:
1) Hanging out with my best friend, Hubby, love of my life. Hubby and I are both from the 80′s, love John Candy, OMD, stuffing ourselves with popcorn at the movies, hitting the beach and having coffee with pastries.
2) Wrangling my two boys, TJ and CJ. TJ’s my five year old son who fires up a bazillion question per hour and steals my heart everyday. CJ is my 2 year old cutie who can wiggle a dance and flash a smile that turns even macho guys into girlie men.
On top of my dresser, you’d see:
Piles of books, non-fiction mostly about spirituality, God, the Bible, parenting, marriage and relationship, and magazines. Thank you cards to write and water bottles to keep me hydrated.
On the weekends, you can catch me:
Doing family and friends stuff like hanging out at coffee shops, parks, kids bday parties, breakfast joints and sandwich shops, running errands, going to Safeway, Target or trying to get rid of junk (I’m a recovering pack rat!).
So, are you a “legit” Christian blogger?
I’ve always been passionate about studying the Bible and bringing believers together for community. It’s all about experiencing life together that has made being a Christian continually new.
Ministries I’ve had the joy of serving in: Leading student ministries as the Executive Committee Chairperson for West Coast Chinese Christan Conference (WCCCC), working as an overseas missionary in Hong Kong, teaching Bible Study and Small Group Training workshops, graduating from Peninsula Bible Church’s Pastoral Ministry Intern Program and launching PrimeTime, a ministry for singles in their 3o’s (this is where I met Hubby and got married. I swear, that is NOT why I started it!).
Contact
If you’d like to get in touch with me — have a question or a topic of interest you’d like to see covered — I would love to hear from you!
Please email me at FaithBarista(at)gmail(dot)com.
What I Believe
Probably the best way to understand what I believe is to see how I live. Hopefully, reading FaithBarista will give you a good idea of what that looks like.
But, to put it succinctly into words, I’ll point you to my local church’s statement of faith.
I am a member of the body of believers of Jesus Christ all over the world. But, locally, I am a member of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, Palo Alto, CA.
Christy on Why The Biggest Hurt Can Become Your Biggest Gift { A Real Life Invite }
Hazel Moon on Why The Biggest Hurt Can Become Your Biggest Gift { A Real Life Invite }
Charina @ Pondered Thoughts on Why The Biggest Hurt Can Become Your Biggest Gift { A Real Life Invite }
Jeri Taira on Why The Biggest Hurt Can Become Your Biggest Gift { A Real Life Invite }
Alecia on Why The Biggest Hurt Can Become Your Biggest Gift { A Real Life Invite }
Hey, Bonnie, what a cool blog! I love your fun way with words and your earnestness in seeking God!
Thanks, Tenny! What an encouragement. Your passion for God is unmistakable through your art and your friendship.
Bonnie,
What a beautiful site with such a meaningful purpose.
God Bless
I have just found you because of (in)courage…I am excited to continue to read your blog!!! Congratulations on following your inner child dreams….they were put there for a reason!
Hello! I found your blog through (in)courage, and I’m so glad that I stopped by! Your words and your faith are inspiring.
I’ve just discovered your blog, and I am hooked (how apropos that your blog likens you to purveyor of what has become a daily routine for most people)! I find your blog down to earth, and like a heart-seeking missile; profound in its simplicity. I think that its great to be able to help people see things from a new perspective, and you definitely have a God given ability. I pray that God will continue to bless you, and I am so glad to have found your blog! Keep up the good work.
Love your blog! Wonderfully written and so true, what you’ve shared really resonates with me! Just discovered your blog thru in(courage) 30 day challenge, it’s been really a highlight to read each day’s new featured blogger. Something is brewing in me, to consider starting a blog too, but really praying about what the Lord would have me share. Thanks for your inspiration!
Really enjoying your blog this morning! I have found great and relevant encouragement here.
Continue!
Hello Faith Barista. I think the positive messages you send are very encouraging.
Keep on posting. The world needs more messages like this. Thanks for sharing your personal testimonies. You have given me inspiration.
Hi there, I’ve just found your blog through incourage and I really like your style and what you stand for. It’s so inspiring to come across people who are really living out their lives for God and really passionate about him. I love your idea that we are on mission in the everyday. That’s how I see things too but it’s good to have somebody spell it out. I look forward to reading more! Blessings,
Hi Bonnie and all who may read… This is a first for me! Twitter..blog.. etc. but I want to encourage and inspire others also as the Lord rebuilds and re-presents me in my community, in this fallen world…to represent Him, others who may need a ‘refreshing’, perhaps another…and yet another! Wednesday 22nd December whilst waiting for a bus I felt I must pop in to my favourite little op-shop; I browsed, saw no more ‘things’ that struck me greatly until I walked over to the bookshelf and put my hand directly on a distinctly small ‘Red’ book by Rick Warren titled ‘The Purpose of Christmas”; As I opened the cover ‘hurriedly’ so to speak… the Lord had me speak out the words on my heart which were the first words in print… If you feel that Christmas has become nothing more than a source of emotional and financial stress… If somewhere along the line you lost “The Reason for the Season”… You need to read this powerful little book! I began to read on literally and instantly ‘refreshed’ once again, ‘restored’ by His Grace and Mercy yet again, remembering the ‘power’ that is within me… and the scripture memory placed on my heart to Peter, and to us was… “On this Rock I will build my Church and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18) and (Jude 1:20-23) refers to us remaining in God’s love and building one another up in the Faith… a wonderful read… however you ‘know’ Him, God through His Son literally walks with us every step of the way when we receive Him to ourselves whether we sense His presence or not. Whatever I feel that I lost or never had or will ever have, He has so restored to me in the person that he is re-creating…and using to touch lives I never could of imagined in the smallest and most menial ways…everyday! May the Lord Bless You and Yours now and until He comes! and cause you never to stray from Him though many distractions and temptations will most certainly come. Have a wonderful Christmas Time with whomever you share the days remembering that God’s purpose in coming to the World in Christ was to give Hope, to Redeem… to cause Celebration, to give Salvation, and bring about Reconciliation which is what God gave to us all!
So glad I found your blog….love it!
I love you blog. Thank you!
Hi Bonnie,
I found your blog link from (in)courage. I am really encouraged by your posts and thanks for sharing.
I am a newbie in this blogging world and I hope one day I could share more of my faith to my readers, as you do. This is what they call, “be blessed to be blessing to others”, right?
I moved here in States after my husband and I got married 3 years ago and we are hoping, praying and preparing to go back to my home country to do some ministry among the people soon! I am pretty sure that your blog will be a good company and encouragement for me while on the field
to live the life that reflect Christ and God’s love.
Be blessed!
Beautiful blog and a great way of explaining who you are in Christ.
Many blessings,
Jan
Jan Cox´s last [type] ..SIMPLY SATURDAY – Every Day
I found your site through (in) courage. Your stories are inspiring and they make me think. Keep up the great work
Hello Bonnie,
This is great site! I ran across Faith Barista on Facebook, actually looking for something other than what I found. Then I saw an article and I think it was the article on the 10 tips on writing with a fall picture. I, too, enjoy writing and I was encouraged by the information. But, most intriguing was your declaration – that is being a Christian writer who loves and serves Jesus. Whoo! hoo!
I am looking forward to reading your articles/blogs et al as we ‘press towards the mark’ together for His Glory. Any tips you can send my way is a welcome.
Thank you, Marva
Your blog is a new blessing in my life. Walked with the Lord for a long time, but lately we have experienced the biggest strain on our faith. You know the kind that makes you step back and see if we really do trust God?
Maybe you have been there…we always thought we knew all the verses to get us through, but as of late, economy , loss of income, ect…that is where the faith meets the hard spots. Finding your blog is a blessing.
Hi Bonnie,
I sure am enjoying reading your blog! I love how you bring it all together with barista and faith. It’s been so inspiring as I’ve found many wonderful blogs that lift up and glorify God!
Dayna
Dayna´s last [type] ..My Hope Is Found: Inspiring Music by Owl City
Love your blog and your encouragement and your family is adorable. May God bless you in all that you do.
Just opened my blog up after a two year ‘private journey’ hope it’s ok to share.
http://www.sharono-somethingtothinkabout.com/
Hi Bonnie, I found you through your post at (in)courage. I am so glad I did!
I was just asking myself if I am doing God’s calling, if I am living His purpose, if I need to do more (church ministries, mission etc).
“Living God’s calling by walking in faith everyday…” I needed this.
Thank you so much!
Charina @ Pondered Thoughts´s last [type] ..{seeking His purpose}