No, this is not our child. This precious one belongs to Paxton and Judy LeMoine. They are our good friends and neighbors just three blocks down Pierre Street. Jurnee is her name. Speaking of journeys, we are definitely on an exciting journey as we are expecting our first child! I practice holding Jurnee as much as possible so when December rolls around I'll be more than ready. We are excited for many of you to be a part of this journey with us.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
On a Journey with Jurnee!
No, this is not our child. This precious one belongs to Paxton and Judy LeMoine. They are our good friends and neighbors just three blocks down Pierre Street. Jurnee is her name. Speaking of journeys, we are definitely on an exciting journey as we are expecting our first child! I practice holding Jurnee as much as possible so when December rolls around I'll be more than ready. We are excited for many of you to be a part of this journey with us.
Monday, April 28, 2008
saving people from the fire
As I made the usual right-hand turn into our alley way with Jambo riding in my lap I noticed a blazing fire next to the shed of one of our neighbors. The flames were rising up to 8 feet high. No one was in sight. It was time for me to go into hero mode. I dialed 911. As I talked to the operator I simultaneously knocked on the front door of the home in question and was only greeted by their rodent-looking dog. After locating the garden hose and facet I sprung into action. Weaseling my way through the fence, stepping on nail-studded loose boards I systematically drenched the fire, procuring safety for hundreds if not thousands in our metropolis. Finally the firetruck arrived and those inside jumped to action. There was no heroic effort needed on their part by this time. They thanked me for serving Manhattan, KS that day. Don't consider me a hero folks. I was only doing my duty. The only regret I have is not taking more pictures to document a day in the life of Ben Deaver.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Spread of Coffee to the Christian World
Coffee had been a part of Arab culture for centuries but not so in the western European world. Venetian fleets sailed the known world trading spices, silks, and perfumes with the East. It is believed that coffee come to Venice from Constantinople as part of this trade. There was only one problem. When the drink reached Rome the priest attacked it and forbid it consumption.
The priests believed that the coffee was the drink of the devil. That Satan had invented the drink for the Moslem infidels as a substitute for the wine they were forbidden to drink. Since wine in the Western Christian world was sanctified by Christ and used in Holy communion, coffee must then be of the Anti-Christ. If a Christian drank this devil brew they would risk eternal damnation is how the argument went.
It wasn't until the late 1500's that Pope Clement VIII settled the dispute. He asked that the brew be brought before him. Intrigued by its powerful aroma, he sipped the coffee. It was delicious. The Pope blessed the coffee, and baptized it on the spot. He reasoned that banishing this drink from the Christian world would be a larger sin. With the Pope's blessing, imports of coffee to Italy and the Western world came flooding in paving the way for the first western coffee houses.
The English word "Coffee" comes from the Latin name of the genus Coffea. The genus Coffea is a member of the Rubiaceae family which has over 500 genera and 6,000 species that are largely tropical trees and shrubs. All species of Coffea are woody and range in size from small shrubs to trees over 30 feet tall. The species Coffea arabica gives us the arabica beans known the world over. Arabica beans are largely drunk on their own where as the Coffea robusta is usually a lower grade bean used primarily as a blend with arabica beans to make them go farther.
The priests believed that the coffee was the drink of the devil. That Satan had invented the drink for the Moslem infidels as a substitute for the wine they were forbidden to drink. Since wine in the Western Christian world was sanctified by Christ and used in Holy communion, coffee must then be of the Anti-Christ. If a Christian drank this devil brew they would risk eternal damnation is how the argument went.
It wasn't until the late 1500's that Pope Clement VIII settled the dispute. He asked that the brew be brought before him. Intrigued by its powerful aroma, he sipped the coffee. It was delicious. The Pope blessed the coffee, and baptized it on the spot. He reasoned that banishing this drink from the Christian world would be a larger sin. With the Pope's blessing, imports of coffee to Italy and the Western world came flooding in paving the way for the first western coffee houses.
The English word "Coffee" comes from the Latin name of the genus Coffea. The genus Coffea is a member of the Rubiaceae family which has over 500 genera and 6,000 species that are largely tropical trees and shrubs. All species of Coffea are woody and range in size from small shrubs to trees over 30 feet tall. The species Coffea arabica gives us the arabica beans known the world over. Arabica beans are largely drunk on their own where as the Coffea robusta is usually a lower grade bean used primarily as a blend with arabica beans to make them go farther.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Palm Sunday
On the original Palm Sunday (although I'm not certain it was a Sunday) Jesus entered Jerusalem to claim His crown as King of the Universe. Of course for Him this meant suffering and death. He then conquered death and ascended to sit down at the right hand of God. Our hero had to suffer. This is a theme that resonates deep in our hearts. Every hero faces great suffering. Every movie you watch and book you read involves the suffering hero. No one would be stirred by Maximus in "Gladiator" if faced no opposition. No one would give a rip if William Wallace in "Braveheart" had an easy street to procure freedom. So why should it strike us as odd that the greatest hero of all time, God Himself, should face the worst suffering of all time in the crucifixion? That is the King we follow, the King who suffered and conquered death and will return someday to conquer all His enemies. This King didn't suffer so that we wouldn't suffer but that we would suffer for the right things. We will not suffer for our own shortcomings but because of the shortcomings of others. We will face suffering so that in some small way we can be heroes to others. We will face suffering so that people will see the hero we follow as He truly is, the King.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
We were gonna head to Della Voce tonight on Poyntz Ave. until I was informed that there is a $75 pre-course charge per person for drinks and appetizers or something. So instead we are staying home and I'm cooking jumbo shrimp with sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and basil over whole wheat pasta; no big deal. Valentine's Day offers a great chance to reflect on how awesome my wife is. Maris and I have been married for 2 years and almost 3 months. Marriage just gets better and better. Can I get an "Amen!" fellas? Della Voce, by the way, is an awesome dining establishment. Just save some money before you go...
Monday, December 10, 2007
Rear-Ended!
A little whiplash never hurt anyone, right? I found a Chevy truck in my hatchback Sunday afternoon. Now we're rolling in a Sebring for a couple weeks. Funny thing is, it wasn't even weather-related. God will pull all sorts of stunts to develop our patience. Not sure if mine is fully developed yet. At least no one got hurt folks!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Pray for my Maris
Yesterday at about 11:00 am I took my beautiful wife to the emergency room. It was a bit scary as she was experiencing horrible pain for no apparent reason. At the ER she was checked out as thoroughly as any woman could be with the exception of a diagnostic laparoscopy. She has the privilege of experiencing the diagnostic laparoscopy this next Wednesday morning at 7:30 am. Please keep us in your prayers as we are waiting to see what exactly is going on.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
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