A new book

This is a new chapter.  Or maybe a new book altogether.  This conversation has been silent for a long, often disorienting period.  I need to pick it back up as a simple discipline of humility, a practice in seeing the transforming work of my walk with God.  Hopefully, this will give you some space to ponder and walk in worship.  Like all reasonable people, let's start with a cup of coffee.

Practically Speaking: Morning Rhythms

Confession: I'm a coffee-holic (shocking, I know). I have an espresso machine (Krupps 865), standard coffee machine, two french presses, one stove top coffee maker, instant Starbucks coffee (just in case), and can make a mean cup of drip coffee through a funnel. When camping, I'm as careful to plan my morning coffee routine as I am to pack my tent. Secretly, I scorn those who cannot man up enough to drink coffee strong and straight up black. Coffee is serious business. I've never given up coffee for Lent, and 2012 is not the year either.

All this nerdy confession points to the sweet bit of Sabbath I've found along the way. In my world, recovering from a heavy night of sleep requires a moment of numb, motionless rest first thing out of bed. If I'm not careful, I get stuck in this moment. 

In my early morning weakness, I'm learning to have my coffee machine pre-measured and raring to go in the morning. Slothing through the kitchen generally requires a mere flip of the switch, relieving the stress of decision making. Who knew that planning ahead--even laying out my favorite coffee mug--gives me a moment of relief first thing in the morning? Watching that dark drip reminds me of God's provision, how His love pours and provides and energizes. That's usually a deep enough thought to begin the day.

And, if I pair coffee and scripture, I'm more likely to begin my day with total refreshment, without sacrificing either, or adding to any stress. My mini-Sabbath is doubly refreshing and centering. What's your morning rhythm?

Practically Speaking: Land of a Thousand Hills

Every once in awhile, God gives us something big to do.  Every day, God gives us something small to do.

This is a great video introduction to my favorite coffee, Land of a Thousand Hills Not only is this coffee ministry a beautiful reconciliation project in Rwanda, but it has now expanded as a restoration project in Haiti.  Drink coffee, do good.  As if I needed an excuse to drink good coffee.

Tips for cleaning espresso machine

Meet my new KARM find (love me some KARM...but that's another story: Link to stores), Krupps 865 dual coffee, espresso, and cappucino machine. Previously loved in this hard-water land of East TN, it needed a good decalcifying. I knew this because a serving of espresso took longer to brew than I spent in my morning shower. A few tips for your espresso machine:

1. Use one part water, one part distilled white vinegar, filling glass carafe to line 4. Pour into espresso machine water tank. 
2. Screw lid on tightly.
3. Screw frother closed.
4. Fill coffee basket up to level 2. Feel free to use cheap coffee, espresso ground fine.
5. Run cycle. Consider placing towel at the base of machine. My machine was forceful in loosening build-up, and thus sputtered a good bit of mess.
6. Discard vinegar coffee. 
7. Use all water, fill glass carafe to line 4. Pour into espresso machine water tank.
8. Repeat steps 2-6.
9. Repeat steps 2-6 a second time.
10. Wipe down and wash exterior of machine. 

Now you're good to go! While vinegar is very strong as it perks in the espresso machine, it is also thorough. The smell will rinse easily away. Once all steam has evaporated, you will no longer smell the vinegar.

Its a new day....

Just made my first espresso, and not only found it to be much stronger than anything at any coffee shop I've visited at any time, I have also found it to be just the nudge to spout brilliant observations on the world around me. Better look out.