1. Drink what you like. I can list off the names of some of my favorite coffee brands to you, but that doesn't mean that you will like the same kinds of coffee as me.
2. Buy quality coffee. Sounds simple enough, but many people choose to buy whatever is the least expensive or whatever everybody else is buying. In essence, they are ignoring my rule #1. I prefer 100% arabica beans, to start. The Wal-Mart brand coffee is actually quite worth trying.
3. Keep your coffee fresh. Coffee is a food product. It doesn't need to be refrigerated, but it does need is to be kept out of open air. Oxygen is the #1 enemy of fresh coffee. That inviting coffee smell in every mall is the smell of coffee going stale in open bins.
4. Grind your coffee finely. This is more of a tip for coffee economics than preparation. The basic concept is maximizing the surface area of the coffee bean that will come into contact with the water.
5. Keep your coffee maker clean.I suggest cleaning your coffee maker at least once a month. To do this, run a mixture of one part white vinegar and five parts water through the machine. Then run clean water through the machine about five times to flush out the vinegar.
6. Use clean, cold water. Your coffee is about 95-99% water, depending on your preference. If your water tastes bad, your coffee will taste bad.
7. Your recipe, your rules. You will likely see a recipe on the side of your coffee package. You will also see one with the instructions to your coffee maker. Try each one. Then change it to your tastes. This is an extension of rule #1. Find what you like and stick with it, but don't be afraid to experiment a little.
8. Try other methods of preparation. If you use an automatic drip coffee maker, consider using either one with a cone-shaped filter or one that forces the water through the coffee grounds with pressurized water. To expensive? Consider a coffee press for around $20.
9. Don't let your coffee sit on a burner for too long. Believe it or not, it can burn while in it's liquid form. I suggest keeping your coffee on the burner no longer than 15 minutes after its brewed. After that time, either discard it or keep it hot in an insulated container.
10. Don't mess with it until you try it. Believe it or not, I don't always use cream in my coffee, despite my unhealthy fascination with the coffee swirls. Some coffees are too good to mix with anything, while others are enhanced by some cream and/or sugar. This goes back to our recurring theme in rule #1.

Yours in Christ,

---

I've heard people complain about being expected to give money to the church, then grudgingly give their "fair share." Take note that the Israelites were giving their offerings in a joyful manner that was meant to be a way to worship God. I believe that's all God expects of us. To contribute is good, but to do so in a worshipful manner is the true effect He's wanting of us. So the next time you're at church and the offering comes around, try whispering a word of thanks to the Lord when you give the offering you are presenting. I believe God would rather you gave a penny with a glad heart than a fortune begrudgingly.

Day 2

OK, the work is under way and some famous items are built in this day's reading. I just had a thought, though. Do you know who Deborah Lynn Scott is? Any ideas? OK, I won't keep you guessing. She was the Costume Designer for E.T., Titanic, and a few other movies you've probably heard of and she was found in the credits at the end of the movie. But I'll bet you a nickel you had no idea of that. That's because nobody reads the credits.

A movie is one thing, and I'd be proud to see my name in the credits as they streak up the screen at the speed of light. The Ark of the Covenant is another thing altogether, though. Bezalel and Oholiab are two of the craftsmen mentioned in the Bible. Their names aren't famous, but their work is more famous than any blockbuster ever seen in the theater. I warned you before that I may come up with a random thought here and there, didn't I?

Day 3

So how did the Israelites know if their work was done to God's expectations? God came down in a cloud and filled the tabernacle. How's that for an "attaboy?" I would have loved to have seen the artistry in the work. These were a people blessed by God, with specific instructions and who had generations of experience making many of the wonders of the Egyptians. I mentioned last week that if I could travel back in time it would be to this period of time, and this is one reason for this.

Day 4

The alter is annointed and gifts from all twelve tribes are given to dedicate it. And what gifts they were! When the gifts were fully collected on the twelfth day Moses once again spoke with God. This time the voice came from the cover of the Ark of the Covenant. Even though he had spoken with God for all of this time, it's a wonder he wasn't overwhelmed by it all!

Day 5

Do you recall the Levites that killed the idol-worshiping Israelites? Here's where you see how they were fully set apart from the rest of the population. They are declared the property of God. Of course, everything belongs to Him, but they were set apart to a higher degree. Similar to naming, when God declares you His, he'll watch out for you. That's true even today and knowing that God is watching your steps is a blessed thing indeed!

Another point in this is goes back to the Passover of the firstborn of the Israelites while the firstborn sons of the Egyptians were killed. This is mentioned by God in this reading. The firstborn were (are) God's, but the Levites became the atonement for this. That doesn't sound like such a blessing at a first glance, but who made the largest atonement in history? Jesus Christ. Perhaps accepting the punishment of others isn't as much of a burden as it is a blessing. Of course, try telling that to the animals who were to be sacrificed in the prescribed methods!

Day 6

The sin and guilt offerings are described in detail. Note that only an offering without a blemish may be used. God doesn't want our second-best. Only the best will do. That is why Jesus had to live a sin-free life and why our sins must be atoned for. Who do you know who is blameless? I can't think of anyone, either.

Next come other versions of offering. I've been wondering about something. Why doesn't God seem to like yeast? Was it around before sin entered our nature or did it come about with the thistles and weeds?

Day 7

More sacrifices are mentioned here as well as the reminder not to drink blood or eat fat. Hmm. I like my steak a little bit red in the middle. I don't like fat, but a little marbling in the meat is good. Also, many children go through a stage where they like to eat fat. I did once upon a time. Hmm.

Aaron and his sons are ordained to be priests of the Lord then in quite a ceremony, in just the manner that God had commanded. That spirit of submitting to God is really where the glory of these days' readings is coming from. The Israelites have done everything (after the golden calf incident) just as God commanded. In this period, beautiful works were made and the groundwork for a nation's culture was laid. The items that were made are legendary thousands of years later and the nation remains today.

Weekly Link http://www.spellcheck.net/ You may notice an occasional spelling error in my newsletter, but if you're the type to notice, you will have also noticed that the errors have recently been reduced. Why is this? I don't have a convenient way to spell check my newsletter, so I had to read it through and try to find errors before. Now I use spellcheck.net to check my newsletter, paragraphs at a time!

I hope you enjoyed this e-zine. If you know anyone else who would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this e-mail to them or direct them to http://www.coffeeswirls.com/weeklybible/
Thanks for sharing my goal of reading the Bible in its entirety this year!