WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT

The Realm is a mid-week stopping point -- An opportunity to step on the brakes and gather with an inclusive body of people seeking community, wisdom, and truth. To flip open the gas lid and be filled with a broader, deeper knowledge of scripture; to take the passenger seat and observe, or grab the stick shift and lead; to pull over, reflect, unwind, break away from the busyness…

And discover that you’re not alone.

Monday, June 30, 2008

JULY 3rd THE REALM IS AT DRAKE PARK!

Sup yall,
So on July 3rd the realm is doing something special at Drake Park. Meet at the Mirror Pond parking lot behind pizza mondo downtown... However, its at 7:30 this time so be please be there AT 7:30.
Just bring some shoes and be ready to have a chat...
If you need assistance with anything, call Lance at 541 420 4006.
Dope!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The uptight Seattleite reviews Bend's coffee

This week I am reviewing Dilusso's coffee on the corner of Franklin and Bond downtown Bend.

Dilusso's claims to be primarily a bakery and a coffee shop on the side. They sell Be-Bop coffee which is a local roaster. DSC_1087

The store is really big inside, with plenty of indoor and some outdoor seating. It was somewhat empty when I was there at about 2p.m. on a Wednesday after noon.I am guessing the local hipsters hadn't gotten out of bed yet.

Onto the coffee.

First, I got a double short cappuccino, but they didn't have an 8oz size, so I got a double tall (12oz). About the whole name/size chatter: people get really frustrated because a certain coffee company that also happens to run the world has this cute little "Short, Tall, Grande, Venti" sizing method. What these people don't understand is that those are, and have always been the traditional sizing methods when serving espresso drinks, Starbucks isn't that creative...

The cappuccino... It took my barista two tries to get the right amount of foam, which is nice to see. I would much rather the barista admit failure once, than serve me a bad beverage. I could even tell by the sound of the milk being steamed that this wouldn't be the best drink I have ever tasted. When served, the foam had a few stray coffee grounds on top, never an appealing treat. The foam had those huge bubbles they teach you not to make on the first day of barista school, which apparently my friend was only in his first few hours.

For being not very well made, the drink actually tasted pretty good. Had the foam been free-poured rather than scooped on, I think it would have been much better, but I still enjoyed it.

In a cappuccino, the espresso is so watered-down with milk that you can't really taste it well enough to review it. Since this was the case, I decided to also get a doppio espresso (two shots of espresso in a small cup). They must not sell many of these, because they didn't have any ceramic espresso cups, only small mugs, which was awkward but fine.

The pull was about 21 seconds, which is pretty standard at a place like this. Some shops will have a finer grind, and a shorter pull, or a coarser grind and a longer pull. It all depends on the barista (if they care that much) and the type of coffee being used. DSC_1094

The coffee had a slight taste of manure, which is really common in organic coffee's (because they use manure, rather than chemicals when growing the coffee). This sounds disgusting, but really isn't bad. It is hard to explain, but the actual manure isn't in the coffee bean at all, but it leaves a slight flavor/scent behind. It would be like growing wine grapes near an orange farm, the wine will have a slight hint of an orange flavor, even though there is no orange in the wine. Same idea.

The espresso was of the correct size, which I was happy to find. Many shops around Bend seem to give huge espresso's, which may seem like a bonus, but it really just drowns out the flavor.

 

I was very pleasantly surprised with the flavor of the espresso, and would absolutely get it again if I found myself at Dilusso's. I don't know if I would go out of my way to go back, but I certainly wouldn't mind stopping in if I found myself with some free time, and no other place to go.

 

Overall, I would rate Dilussio's Cafe and Bakery 3.5 beans out of 5.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The Evolution of a Ministry


Once you’ve been to the Realm, you’ll pick up pretty quick that it’s an effective ministry. God uses Thursday nights to connect people with friends, dig into the bible, and have authentic music worship. God moves at the Realm; it’s a fact.
One of the best parts about God moving is the change we undergo. The Lord puts things on our hearts, pokes and prods, molds and reforms to help us move in his direction; and He is doing this in the Realm right now… He is putting it on our hearts to reach out and touch the community. Not in a way that is offensive or political… nothing like that. It’s something deeper… love. Making real relationships and doing life with people within the community of Bend, Oregon.
The Realm is a place to not just be poured into but also to pour out.
God is moving, we are evolving, and everyone is pumped for it…
Seat belts folks
-Lance
(a Realm Leader, Antioch Church Intern and grand master in Ju-Jitsu)
(me in scottland!)

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

PAUL WRIGHT at the KILNS COLLEGE!

Hey everyone,
This Sunday we've got an awesome thing going down at the Kilns. Paul Wright, whos got an awesome Reggae band, is playing for only $5.00! There is going to be beverages and food inside.
So yall should stop on by! THANKS GUYS and SEE YOU SUNDAY!