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Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 6:51 am on April 27, 2024  

April 27, 2024 – The Coffee Shop Devotions: Let Me Be Brief about the Breve Coffee.

April 27, 2024 – The Coffee Shop Devotions: Let Me Be Brief about the Breve Coffee.

“Jesus wept.” John 11:35

What’s Breve coffee? Breve coffee, aka cafe breve or breve latte, is a drink of equal parts espresso and half and half. This tiny coffee drink is marketed to pack a big punch. It consists of a strong, bold espresso paired with half and half. It’s easy to make at home, using your favorite espresso and frothing method. I guess this would be a good drink if you are really in a hurry and do not have time to appreciate a latte or flat white. And this makes sense since we do not always have time to linger in the morning.

When it comes time for confirmands to memorize a scripture verse, the one most often taken is John 11:35… “Jesus wept.” It makes sense from the 12 year old mind and perspective. However, the older we get the more we may want to devote to our bible reading and memorization.

Memorizing scripture is a good practice, it is good for the mind, and it encourages bible reading. Of course if you can remember any part of the Lutheran liturgy then you have memorized some scripture. Why just recently, on April 7, we heard the reading from 1 John 1:8-9 which is almost word for word part of our confessional service.

Remember to read the bible often – but also to memorize scripture. It does the brain and your faith good.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 6:49 am on April 26, 2024  

April 26, 2024 – The Coffee Shop Devotions: Butterbeer Frappuccino

April 26, 2024 – The Coffee Shop Devotions: Butterbeer Frappuccino

“A man or a woman who is a medium or a spiritualist shall be put to death; they shall be stoned to death; their bloodguilt is upon them.” Leviticus 20:27

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

The bible does not have a lot of good to say about mediums, or sorcerers, or other conjurers. If someone dabbled in the paranormal they were shunned and probably worse, stoned to death. As such, someone like Harry Potter would have had a hard time fitting into the Old Testament community. But that was then. Here we have a drink offered by one of my favorite coffee establishments called the “Butterbeer Frappuccino”. Here is what I can deduce about Butterbeer in the Harry Potter universe: “Butterbeer was a popular wizarding beverage described as tasting “a little bit like less- sickly butterscotch”. It was served at numerous locations in the wizarding world and had a very slight alcoholic content. Students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would often buy it when visiting Hogsmeade.” (thank you internet)

The Butterbeer Frap is from the secret menu of my local coffee establishment and is for Harry Potter fans. It is comprised of remaking the Vanilla Crème Frappuccino with three pumps of caramel syrup and three pumps of toffee nut syrup. Ask for additional caramel drizzle on the inside of the cup or on top to make this secret drink even more decadent.

Okay, I am not a big Frappuccino fan. And this drink sounds just dreadful. But so does having a wizard or sorcerer whip up a spell that makes my hair fall out. I myself will stick to my espresso shots and read more from the book of Hebrews. All I need is more Jesus in my life. And Hebrews offers some great insight into running the race of faith. It is Jesus’ favorite book of the bible, after all (wink wink).

Pastor Dave