Only the best... Biblical wine history part 1

It's amazing to me how much delicious historical detail there is about wine and ancient wine history in the Bible. There are over 500 references to wine and other viticultural descriptions throughout the old and new testaments. Most references refer to either wine itself or the vineyards where wine begins. However, there are discussions of the use of a wine-press, wine-skins, "fermented drinks." The Bible discusses wine-vats, wine jars (Jer40), grapes, and wine that is "well-refined" or aged long on the "lees" (Isaiah25) or wine that is young "left on it's dregs" (Jer48). It's clear that the 1st thing Noah cultivated when he and his family came out of the ark was a vineyard (Gen9). In future posts I will show that vineyards in biblical times were harvested for wine grapes & to a lesser degree vinegar made from sour wine. God even commanded his covenant people to observe special feast days (i.e. Deut 16:13-17) where grain was to be gathered and wine "from your winepress," that involved a great feast w/rejoicing that included men, women, widows, and foreigners as well. The biblical account of Jesus at the wedding of Cana in John's gospel (chap2) is a beautiful record of just how important wine was

in ancient & biblical times. It records for us today that over 2 millinia ago it was the practice

of an ancient palastine wedding to first, serve a large quantity of wine (120-180 gallons) and 2nd, to serve the quality or best wine first and after the tastes have become sufficiently dulled "cheaper wine" would be served. In this case Jesus' grand miracle turned water into quality wine or "choice wine" at the start of the wedding in order to demonstrate His divinity and provide a glorious blessing to all the guests. Later on in John's gospel (chap15) Jesus would relate ones true relationship to Him in viticultural terms when he declared, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit... As the Father loved Me, I also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love..." Abiding in Jesus is compared to the process by which a vine transfers nutrients to the fruit of the vine. In the vineyard this is called translocution. Perhaps we could abide in Him by enjoying the BEST wine?

How wine got me.

In 2004 I fell in love with a little region in California called the "Central Coast." My wife and I were mesmorized by the beautiful rolling hills, quaint cafes and old ranch houses. We purchased a lil beach cottage in Pismo Beach so we could enjoy the area more often. Little did I know know that just 5-min down our road was a wine appellation called the Edna Valley. At the time it was kind of our little secret place, there were no signs along the hwy, it became our little haven. I really found the Pinot Noir their to be beautifully delicate, complex and delicious. At the time I had no idea what Burgundy was or any other major wine region for that matter. I eventually branched out and discovered other amazing regions surrounding the central coast namely Santa Inez, Sta. Rita Hills, Monterey, and of course Napa and Sonoma. I had always been a beer and spirits connousieur from the time I was 19. Oops! sorry mom... I made my own home brew and tried every style in the world. Wine always seemed a bit complicated, snobish and expensive. Not to mention I never had tried much that appealed to me until I drove down that road in Pismo Beach. Since then the world of wine has opened up it's blessed doors to me.

I almost forgot abt this blog.

I am looking forward to doing some blogging on the subject of Wine. As I write this I am listening to a wine lecture at a 12-week Certified Sommelier preparatory course in San Jose, CA. In the past I have focused allot on brewing beer. I still love beer, ales, and the like- but my life/career path has now directed me into the wine industry. In the past 18 months I have transitioned into home wine making and now am focused on becoming a certified Sommelier (wine expert) & then a winemaker God willing.

Happy New Year!

I can't imagine that anything will be able to spoil this year for me, God has been pleased to bless me with our 1st Covenant child, currently at 20 weeks. This week at the ultrasound we learned that it appears to be a girl! God be praised! Due date is approx. May 28-June 1.

How to win an argument with your wife.

One of my favorite men's magazines that i tolerate is Men's Journal, i really appreciated there most recent issue on "how to win at everything." One of my favorites is "win an argument with your wife."

Winning an argument with your wife is like winning the war with Iraq: Once you win you're in even more trouble. And just to be clear, in 11 years of marriage i have never won an argument with my wife. But if you're still bent on trying with yours, here are five rules you should keep in mind:
1) Make sure you are 100 percent factually correct. Don't use any information from the CIA.
2) Keep repeating your basic message: "Honey, you're smart, you're beautiful, buth this one time, I'm right."
3) Don't point out that she is wrong; emphasize that you're right. Negative campaigning is for swift boat veterans.
4) Arguments with your wife, like elections, should focus on the future. Let's say there's a disagreement over where to go on vacation in 2005. She will bring up your behavior while you were dating in 1992. Don't respond! Once that happens you've lost - you won't remember anything and she will remember everything.
5) No yelling. If you want to yell and argue, get a job on Crossfire. The only differences is on Crossfire we never have make-up sex.

Gerstner the great

John H. Gerstner

The greatest Presbo of the 20th Century

Right now i am watching Dr. John H. Gerstners long video series, Handout Theology.
He makes exciting even the most mundane of theological truths. I know of no man who proclaimed & defended the Reformed faith so vigerously & persuasively than Gerstner the great. He was unstopable till the day he died in 1996. I plan on transfering all 20 or so video's into DVD very soon, i can't commend this series more to any Protestants that love the truth. However, be forwarned, Gerstner is not for the faint of heart or weak minded.

Veterans Day!

Thank God for the soldiers that have gone before us & spilled their blood for the cause of freedom in America.

terrorism- new and old

i'm reminded of that great sermon of Samuel Davies, "apostle of Virginia," entitled
The curse of cowardice, in 1758 to their militia taken from Jeremiah xLviii.10
cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully; and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.

Here is a little snippet...

But when, in this corrupt, disordered state of things, where the lusts of men are perpetually embroiling the world with wars and fighting's, throwing all in confusion; when ambition and avarice would rob us of our property, for which we have toiled, and on which we subist; when they would enslave the free-born mind, and compel us meanly to cringe to usurpation and arbitrary power; when they would tear from our eager grasp the most valuable blessing of heaven, i mean our religion; when they invade our country, formerly the region of tranquility, ravage our frontiers, butcher our fellow subjects, or confine them in a barbarous captivity in the dens of savages; when our earthly all is ready to be seized by rapacious hands, and even our eternal all is in danger by the loss of our religion: when this is the case, what is, then, the will of God? Must peace then be maintained, maintained with our perfidious and cruel invaders? maintained at the expense of property, liberty, life, and every thing dear and valuable? maintained, when it is in our power to vindicate our right, and do ourselves justice? Is the work of peace then our only business? No: in such a time, even the God of Peace proclaims by his providence, "To arms!"

brand new blogger

thought i would get into the mix, i hope i can find the time to devote on this blog... it could be fun????