My husband and I are coffee lovers, and probably drink way more than we should, or maybe it is just me. When he is away from home, I can drink about a pot a day by myself. I even throw some hot tea into the equation every now and then, which I also have an affinity to, because of growing up in South Africa. Tea time, with delicious, steaming hot, milky tea, and scones, was a special time in our family. However, as a teenager, doing correspondence school at home during my high school years, my dad would bring me coffee in bed on chilly winter mornings. Thus, my love for coffee and my wonderful, sweet father as well. Since then, having lived in various parts of the world, finding that ‘Perfect Blend,’ is on the top of the list of priorities when moving to a new place, and once you go through the arduous task of finding it, coffee lovers know, they are committed to it.
Most folks usually do not like their coffee black, which has helped fuel the gourmet coffee business. Black coffee is an acquired taste, and one must abandon all thoughts of the sweet, milky deliciousness they are accustomed to, to embrace it. But for those who do not want that change, there is usually every choice available under the sun. So, the quest begins, and the hunt is on. Questions you ask yourself, do I want a light roast, medium or dark? Do I want sweet or bitter, real sugar or artificial, non- dairy creamer, milk, or flavored creamers, foam, or no foam? If I decide on flavored creamer, which one? Hazelnut, pecan, caramel, or French vanilla? There is something for everyone’s palette, and these are conclusions we ultimately must come to individually.
Coffee has become more than just a drink, but it has become an industry and a lifestyle of this society. There are new specialty coffee shops popping up everywhere, especially in cities where the work force is high. These are the ones who will be their potential clientele. However, Starbucks seems to have a corner on the market, and is constantly adding new selections to keep up with the demand of the politically correct day we live in. They must offer an all inclusive menu to show their commitment to diversity and so as not to exclude anyone. The menu is vast and can be confusing to those not familiar with it; however, there are those who can rattle the items off so quickly that it is like listening to a foreign language. Looking at the drink menu alone, they offer these categories: Oleate, Hot Coffees, Hot Teas, Hot Drinks, Frappuccino, Blended Beverages, Cold Coffees, Iced Teas, and Cold Drinks. Listed within these categories, they show one hundred seventy-seven beverage choices on their current menu. Alas, sadly we do not have a Starbucks in our small town. This of course is why many of the smaller establishments cannot compete with them. However, this also leaves us with one last question. Does the cost merit the product that we are getting? Can we afford it daily or just as a splurge? These are questions that each individual coffee lover must wrestle with privately, between themselves and their accountant. Then there is also the calorie count to consider.
Another type of blending trend that I have seen lately on social media, is the mixing of spices that are being touted as superfoods. These are said to assist in balancing hormones, allowing you to ditch all diets and still lose weight, all the while eating anything you want. I would call this a miracle if I could ever uncover the secret to the perfect blend and see results. However, as it is in most cases, you go down a bunny hole seeking that ‘perfect blend’ that they say they are going to disclose in just sixty seconds, only to still be watching their video and waiting for the answer forty-five minutes later and then low and behold, they are trying to sell you a pill! Though I know these are filled with gimmicks and just a sales pitch, it is infuriating to me, and yet even with this knowledge I still will find myself falling for it every now and then. The few tidbits that I have picked up from a few of the scattered clips are that these foods need to be blended in a specific proportion, they are fat burners when put together, these are items you can supposedly find readily in most pantries, and you must eat or drink these at a certain time of the day for them to be most beneficial. I am sure there has been a lot of study that has gone into finding the right formula, but most people are just trying to piggy back off the success of others. Of course, this is fine, it is Capitalism at its finest, but I do not like to be strung along. Let me know what you are selling right away, and then I can decide if I want to invest in your ‘perfect blend’ of spices, in pill form. Or let me know the specific spices you are referring to and the blend I need to use.
In the Old Testament we see two recipes that were given to the children of Israel by direct instructions from God to Moses. Firstly, a holy anointing oil that was to be used to anoint all things in the tabernacle as well as the priests, and secondly a perfumed incense that was to be burned before the Lord in the Holy Place on the ‘Alter of Incense.’ I am so glad that God does not play mind games with us. He did not with them, and neither does He with us. He is clear and concise with His instructions. Let us look not only at the recipes, but also at what God declares about them that are remarkably interesting.
Firstly, Exodus 30:22-33 “Moreover the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever touches them shall be holy. And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, this shall be a holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations. Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you. Whosoever compounds any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.”
Secondly, Exodus 30:34-38 “And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the Lord. Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.”
The first recipe for the holy anointing oil contains myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia and olive oil. Myrrh: is a resin that can assist with blood disorders, swelling, pain, ulcers, asthma, cold, cough, congestion, cancer, arthritis pain, syphilis, spasms, and inflammation, and is an antiseptic for the throat and mouth. It can also be used to flavor food and add fragrance to cosmetics and can repel mosquitoes and fleas when burned as incense. Cinnamon: has anti-inflammatory, bacterial, viral, fungal, and probiotic properties. It can help reduce blood sugar levels as well as blood pressure. Calamus: is used as a calming medicine or sedative increasing the sense of well-being. It can be used to treat skin diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and strokes. Cassia: can help control sugar levels, acts as an anti-depressant, and uplifts moods, relieves cold and flu symptoms, restores liver function, helps with weight loss and joint health. Olive oil: is a monounsaturated fat which helps decrease inflammation in the body. It is high in antioxidants which decrease the risk of diseases, including stroke and heart disease.
The second recipe for perfumed incense contains Stacte, Onycha, Galbanum and Frankincense. Stacte: is an aromatic gum that comes from the Storax tree used in perfumes. Onycha: is an oil extracted from the Styrax Benzion tree. It improves blood circulation and brain health and aids digestion. It has anti-anxiety and anti-microbial benefits, and fights against overpowering odors. Galbanum: is an oil from the Ferula Gummosa plant that has a spicy, woody aroma. It has decongestant, detoxicants, anti-arthritic, rheumatic, spasmodic and circulatory properties. It is also useful as an insecticide. Frankincense: is an aromatic resin from the Boswellia species and is used in perfumes and incense. It reduces joint inflammation and arthritis, improves digestion, and promotes respiratory and oral health. It has antioxidant and anticancer properties, and increases relaxation, mental clarity, focus and sleep.
These two recipes had all the properties that were needed in the tabernacle and the Holy Place. This was a place surrounded by death, because of the number of sacrifices that were offered there daily, which in turn drew flies and other insects as well as foul odors and disease. These were to assist in warding these off and promote a healthier and more pleasant environment for the priests who were ministering before the Lord, both day and night. These ‘perfect blends’ were to be mixed professionally, by an apothecary, using God’s specifically chosen ingredients, in specific measurements. However, though the recipe was published and on the ‘social media’ of the day, they came with strict warnings. They were never to be replicated, put on any person, whether Israelite or stranger, to anoint themselves, for the purpose of ointment or to try to smell like them, ever. Because they were the perfect blend, they were dedicated exclusively to the Lord as Holy and for the ministry. The first was for the benefit of the people and the second was for God’s pleasure.
There are two beautiful, correlating analogies that we see found in the New Testament. Firstly, the Spirit of God, is compared to the Holy Anointing oil from the Old Testament, that we now have complete access to. It not only brings healing to our body, mind, and soul, it has preventative properties as well. It gives us the ability to be holy as instructed in Leviticus 11:44, “For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy.” And 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 John 2:27-28 says, “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says, “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
Secondly, the prayers of the saints are compared to the sweet smelling incense that was offered unto God on the altar of incense, 24/7. They are not discarded but stored in vials by God for his pleasure. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.” Ephesians 5:1-5-2 admonishes us, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.” Revelation 8:3-4 tells us, “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.”
Incorporating these into our lives brings participation and interaction between us and God, which make a Perfect Blend. Two main ingredients we must have in our walk with the Lord are holiness and temperance. Hebrews 12:14 says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” This verse throws a little peace into the mix as well, which is a byproduct of the Holy Ghost along with an extensive list of benefits. Holiness that comes from His Holy Spirit living within us is spiritual, pure, sweet, medicinal, cleansing, purifying, and the ingredient that will protect us from all the ‘death’ around us in this untoward generation that Peter preached about on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:38-40, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” There is an inward transformation that takes place when we apply this recipe to our lives. This represents our relationship with God.
Secondly, we need temperance. Galatians 5:22-23 states, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” This fruity concoction is needed in generous doses with temperance being the grand finale. The fruit is all from the same source, the Holy Spirit as is holiness. The Holy Ghost becomes our tempering agent, which serves as a counterbalance to our own lustful nature and keeps us in check. However, this recipe represents our relationship with others. The dictionary definition of temperance is: “moderation in action, thought, or feeling, restraint, habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions.” How we conduct ourselves in word, attitude, and actions will be what those around us will notice and it will dictate as to whether they want to participate in the type of relationship we have with God or not. Are you a sweet smelling savor to God and others, or is your attitude stinky? Moderation and modesty are synonyms of temperance, as are self-control, sobriety, and balance.
Temperance should accompany us in our journey of this life no matter where we are or what we are doing, it is not something we can lay aside and only use for a rainy day. Philippians 4:5 says, “Let your moderation be known unto all men.” Titus 1:8 tells bishops how they should conduct themselves, “a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate.” Titus 2:2-8 says, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women, likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”
One thing we must avoid in our Christian walk is trying to make up our own recipes and ignoring the instructions in the word of God that have already been given to us. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 tells us, “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” As we read in Titus 2:8, “Having…Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” We can see temperance woven through these instructions.
At Christmastime last year, I thought I would surprise my kids with one of their favorite childhood treats, No Bake Cookies. I have made them dozens of times, but not in recent years. I looked up the recipe and thought I had followed it carefully. Sadly, the cookies did not harden and were almost too sticky to pick up, though the flavor was there, something had gone awry. I tried googling it and the consensus was that either I had not boiled the sugar long enough, or I had boiled the sugar too long. A no-answer, answer. If I am going to want to truly find the answer, I will have to take the time to figure out the combination of ingredients versus instructions that make the ‘perfect no-bake cookies. I feel that it will be worth it now that we have grandchildren to pass our favorites down to. This is the same in our walk with the Lord. Our kids and grandchildren should be able to see that we have the ‘Perfect Blend’ in our lives, allowing the Holy Ghost to give us a sweet smelling attitude, as well as temper us, in all that we do. Running hot one day and cold the next, portraying a spiritually bipolar lifestyle is not the recipe we want to pass on.
Romans 12:2 admonishes, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Though we may not always get it right, Philippians 3:14-15 says, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” James 1:4 gives us this advice, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” When you find that gourmet, Perfect Blend of holiness and temperance in your walk with the Lord, commit to it and stick to it! Let it be your ‘go to.’ The cost merits the product that we are getting.