August 6th, 2026
by Casey Stanfill
by Casey Stanfill
The Power of Christ and Coffee
Anyone who knows me knows that I love coffee. At just about every social gathering, I find myself gravitating towards the coffee maker. Over the years, I’ve dived deeper and deeper into the coffee world to the point where I use a French press instead of a Keurig and buy fresh, specialty coffee from Vantage Coffee Roasters (right here in Union City) instead of the grocery store. I even discovered an audiobook called A Short History of Coffee by Gordon Kerr.
In this book, I read about coffee’s African roots. According to legend, a farmer in Ethiopia discovered that his goats were unusually hyper after eating a particular berry, which contained what we now call a coffee bean.
Over time, it was turned into a beverage and became widely associated with Islamic rituals and social events. Because of this, there was a mass controversy among Roman Catholics in the 16th century as to whether Christians should be allowed to drink coffee. Catholic clergy had a very superstitious outlook, calling it “the devil’s drink,” and claiming that Muslims- because they could not partake in the Lord’s Supper- were using it to replace wine. Hearing these concerns, Pope Clement VIII requested a sample be brought to him. According to legend, upon tasting it, Clement stated:
“Why, this Satan's drink is so delicious that it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it. We shall fool Satan by baptizing it and making it a truly Christian beverage!”
Although skepticism of the papacy was growing after the Protestant Reformation, there is no denying that, without this interaction, we may not be drinking coffee in the foyer together on Sunday mornings!
I find it fascinating the role that coffee plays in society. First of all, coffee is a remedy. In the same way that Paul encouraged Timothy to use remedies for his stomach issues (1 Timothy 5:23), coffee serves as a remedy to give us energy and focus to get through the day. This ‘boost’ is certainly a necessity for me with a newborn at home!
But more importantly, coffee allows us to connect with others. My father and I grab coffee (also from Vantage) every Wednesday after lunch. We share coffee at our staff meetings. Our “Young Dads Support Group” shares coffee when we meet. Of course, our church shares coffee in the foyer every Sunday as we gather on the Lord’s Day.
Whether it’s for sustenance or fellowship, coffee is just one example of the countless things that God works our good (Romans 8:28).
So, as 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, whether we eat donuts or drink coffee, or whatever we do, may we do all to the glory of God. I look forward to sharing many more cups of coffee with you all!
To God be the Glory,
Bro. Casey Stanfill
Anyone who knows me knows that I love coffee. At just about every social gathering, I find myself gravitating towards the coffee maker. Over the years, I’ve dived deeper and deeper into the coffee world to the point where I use a French press instead of a Keurig and buy fresh, specialty coffee from Vantage Coffee Roasters (right here in Union City) instead of the grocery store. I even discovered an audiobook called A Short History of Coffee by Gordon Kerr.
In this book, I read about coffee’s African roots. According to legend, a farmer in Ethiopia discovered that his goats were unusually hyper after eating a particular berry, which contained what we now call a coffee bean.
Over time, it was turned into a beverage and became widely associated with Islamic rituals and social events. Because of this, there was a mass controversy among Roman Catholics in the 16th century as to whether Christians should be allowed to drink coffee. Catholic clergy had a very superstitious outlook, calling it “the devil’s drink,” and claiming that Muslims- because they could not partake in the Lord’s Supper- were using it to replace wine. Hearing these concerns, Pope Clement VIII requested a sample be brought to him. According to legend, upon tasting it, Clement stated:
“Why, this Satan's drink is so delicious that it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it. We shall fool Satan by baptizing it and making it a truly Christian beverage!”
Although skepticism of the papacy was growing after the Protestant Reformation, there is no denying that, without this interaction, we may not be drinking coffee in the foyer together on Sunday mornings!
I find it fascinating the role that coffee plays in society. First of all, coffee is a remedy. In the same way that Paul encouraged Timothy to use remedies for his stomach issues (1 Timothy 5:23), coffee serves as a remedy to give us energy and focus to get through the day. This ‘boost’ is certainly a necessity for me with a newborn at home!
But more importantly, coffee allows us to connect with others. My father and I grab coffee (also from Vantage) every Wednesday after lunch. We share coffee at our staff meetings. Our “Young Dads Support Group” shares coffee when we meet. Of course, our church shares coffee in the foyer every Sunday as we gather on the Lord’s Day.
Whether it’s for sustenance or fellowship, coffee is just one example of the countless things that God works our good (Romans 8:28).
So, as 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, whether we eat donuts or drink coffee, or whatever we do, may we do all to the glory of God. I look forward to sharing many more cups of coffee with you all!
To God be the Glory,
Bro. Casey Stanfill
Posted in Articles
Recent
Archive
2026
February
March
April
Forging the Family Man: Psalm 112Perspectives of the Empty TombThe Days Following the ResurrectionA Journey to Joy – Lessons from John PiperOur Eternal GodJ.S. Bach, Luther, and the PsalmsThe Lord of The Longbeards – Proverbs 12:27The Winds of CompromiseRock N Roll, Rock of AgesWhen Sin Becomes Abomination
May
July
2025
July
January 6, 2025January 13, 2025March 31, 2025June 30, 2025June 23, 2025June 16, 2025June 9, 2025May 26, 2025May 19. 2025May 5, 2025April 28, 2025April 14, 2025April 7, 2025March 24, 2025March 17, 2025March 10, 2025March 3, 2025February 24, 2025February 17, 2025February 10. 2025February 3, 2025January 27, 2025January 20,2025July 7, 2025July 14, 2025July 21, 2025
No Comments