April 9, 2024 – The Coffee Shop Devotions: Cappuccino – The Nectar of the gods

“…Like heat in drought, You subdue the uproar of aliens; Like heat by the shadow of a cloud, the song of the ruthless is silenced. The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, And refined, aged wine. And on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples, Even the veil which is stretched over all nations.…” Isaiah 25:5-7

“Dark, rich espresso lies in wait under a smoothed and stretched layer of thick foam…” – this is how one coffee shop describes the Cappuccino. It is an Italian coffee drink that is traditionally prepared with espresso, hot milk and steamed milk foam. The Cappuccino is typically smaller in volume than a caffè latte, with a thicker layer of foam on top. The name comes from the Capuchin friars, referring to the color of their habits, and in this context referring to the color of the beverage when milk is added in small portion to dark, brewed coffee, mostly espresso. The physical appearance of a modern cappuccino with espresso créma and steamed milk is a result of a long evolution of the drink. I call the Cappuccino the nectar of the gods, with a small “G” god as a way to poke fun at how some people view coffee beverages in their lives. Yes, this pastor loves his coffee, but he usually sticks to traditional espresso and hot water – with a lot of half-and-half. But in all of creation, with the number of things we humans have discovered, it is amazing to me how something like coffee would have first been discovered – and then how popular it has become.

There are several accounts of the discovery of coffee. My favorite but most likely apocryphal is the account of a 9th-century Ethiopian goat-herder named Kaldi, who, noticing the energizing effects when his flock nibbled on the bright red berries of a certain bush, chewed on the fruit himself. His exhilaration prompted him to bring the berries to a monk in a nearby monastery. But the monk disapproved of their use and threw them into the fire, from which an enticing aroma billowed, causing other monks to come and investigate. The roasted beans were quickly raked from the embers, ground up, and dissolved in hot water, yielding the world’s first cup of coffee. Since this story is not known to have appeared in writing before 1671, 800 years after it supposedly happened, it is not believed to be more than a fun story. What I do believe is, like a lot of discoveries, it was a series of accidents and coincidences that began the journey of this rich, enticing beverage.

Just like the story of coffee, the story of the Heavenly Banquet that all believers await one day, has at its roots the promise from G-d brought to us from the reports of the prophets. And, we need not discover it – it is promised by G-d. What we need to realize is that G-d searches each one of us out to discover our fears and concerns – and reminds us that everything is in G-d’s hands.

So, rest and sip your warm, rich, coffee beverage – there is nothing we need to do to get G-d’s attention or do so G-d discovers us. G-d has it all under control. All we need to discover is the depth of Grace G-d has for each one of us. That my friends, is one Venti cup of Cappuccino love.

Pastor Dave

April 8, 2024 – The Coffee Shop Devotions: Coffee Brings People Together

“That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Genesis 32:22-28

I always enjoy a good cup of coffee. I have become very fond of a Cafe Americano. Now, the origin of the Americano is interesting as told to me by a barista many years ago. The classic definition of the “Cafe Americano (shortened from Italian: caffè Americano or American Spanish: café Americano, literally American coffee) is a style of coffee prepared by brewing espresso with added hot water, giving it a similar strength to, but different flavor from, drip coffee. The strength of an Americano varies with the number of shots of espresso and the amount of water added.” There is a popular, but unconfirmed, belief that the name Cafe Americano has its origins in World War II when American G.I.s in Italy would dilute espresso with hot water. This allowed them to drink coffee that was more similar to the coffee they were accustomed to drinking at home — thus the name “Americano”. It was named after soldiers who were struggling to not only stay alive, but maintain some attachment to home.

Sometimes a name has more meaning than “we don’t know what else to call you.” The story of Jacob is a good example. It isn’t as if Jacob is unknown within his family and community. He is a man with a reputation for being cunning, if not shrewd. And so, when G-d changes his name, it carries more importance than “another name to remember.” This name speaks to his character, if not his origin — Jacob, or Israel, is a man who struggles his entire life.

Tell me, or think about this: what you are struggling with today? Over the years, I have found myself struggling with people who lack good communication skills. It seems to be endemic in my family, my church life, and my community. We have so many tools today to communicate with one another, and yet it seems people are talking past one another — or refuse to listen to one another. I guess we could all be renamed Israel since we all struggle with humans — especially we struggle with what it means to be American and who fits that name any more.

I have come to believe that all of us should force ourselves to sit at a table with those whom we struggle, pour some Cafe Americanos, and allow each other to speak and especially to listen to one another. If we don’t struggle to understand one another, then this life will continue to be more of a struggle than it needs to be.

Pastor Dave