Back to Bethlehem

For the past 20 years, The Church at Rocky Peak in Chatsworth has been re-creating the humble village of Bethlehem.  The website says that there are over 100 characters involved and they really do a good job with their costumes.  These villagers are busy making mud bricks, basket weaving or cooking but are careful to greet you with a charming, “shalom!”  Before traveling back in time, you are given a few shekels to spend on things like barley bread, nuts, matzos, goat cheese and even jewelry.  There are a number of live animals on hand and a couple Roman Centurians running around mocking the villagers and giving visitors a hard time.  My favorite part is the Rabbi who sits in a special corner of the village and imparts fascinating facts about Jewish traditions and the first Christmas.  He even challenged visitors to some Bible trivia and gave out little scrolls with Bible verses as prizes.  Our kids really enjoy it.  This was the BBQ Family’s second year to visit and will probably make it a yearly tradition.

Rabbi Goldberg (I made up that name--sounds Jewish, doesn't it?) getting set to give away a scroll. The BBQthDirector's son, Jeremy (just to the right in black jacket), waits patiently.

The BBQthDirector's first born, J.J., spends a shekel on a matzo with some full-flavored goat cheese spread on top. The BBQ kids didn't like that too much.

Busted! The BBQ kids were caught trying to steal gold from some kings who claimed to be following a star. Don't worry, the BBQthDirector body slammed the village bouncer right after blinding him with his digital camera (a Roman Centurion ain't no match for a filipino ninja)!

Thank You, Bills!

Okay, sports fans, can you write it any better than this?  Thanks to some help from our friendly neighborhood Buffalo Bills, the AFC West Championship comes down to the very last game in America’s Finest City!  Is there anyone out there who doubts my math skills at this point?  It is clear that the Chargers are on an upward swing and the Broncos are going downhill fast!  For the Chargers to march into Tampa and bring the beat down on a strong Bucs team is huge.  Momentum is definitely on their side.

Now if there’s some way I can get my church to move this Sunday morning’s services to say… 7:00 am?

Praying for Yourself

I Chronicles 4:9-10  “(9) And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.  (10) And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”

The Chronicles are two books you normally wouldn’t recommend for someone to do devotions out of.  But with a good bunch of patience, you’ll find some tremendous Bible truths.  Right in the middle of a captivating list of baby name ideas (including winners such as Meonothai, Haashatari, and Idbash), the Holy Spirit decides to pause and spend just a bit more time on one Jabez.  It is clear that he was born into some negative circumstances.  We don’t know the details, but it is probably safe to assume that he didn’t have the best family situation.  His mother acknowledged their desperate situation by naming him “sorrowful”.  And, as generally happens out in the world, a less-than-ideal family will produce people with some issues.  A vicious cycle begins.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.  The cycle can be broken.

Jabez had some brothers that didn’t turn out so well.  But Jabez was “more honorable” than them.  Was it because he did well in school?  Maybe excelled in sports and got a scholarship to escape the ghetto?  No, it was a simple, yet powerful, prayer that would seem very selfish to the modern day Pharisee (look at verse 10 again).  Ever prayed like that?  A fervent, specific prayer for yourself?  Yes, pray for your family, church, and friends.  But you’ll be able to influence and be a blessing to them in a more powerful way if you have the hand of God on your life.  Even Paul admonished the leaders of the early church to “take heed therefore unto yourselves” (Acts 20:28).

No doubt, God was pleased with this “selfish” prayer.

NepomuceNews: Death By Chocolate

The BarBeQuethDirector and Brenna celebrated thirteen years of marriage yesterday!  We hung out in Old Town Pasadena and had a wonderful dinner at the BBQ Wife’s favorite restaurant P.F. Chang’s.  But the life changer came as we enjoyed (and that’s putting it mildly) dessert at Leonidas Chocolate Cafe.  We ordered a hot cocoa, mocha latte and an assortment of chocolates (the amounts are none of your business).  One sip of our drinks and we heard the angels singing.  One bite of our chocolates and I believe Michael the archangel put his head on my shoulder.  It was incredible!  Folks, these crazy people actually melt their high end Belgian chocolate into their drinks (no wasting time with any silly powders or syrups)!  You might think we’re exaggerating about how good a hot chocolate can be, but, trust me, it had a rich… complexity I can’t begin to describe.  Absolutely the best hot cocoa ever.  And the latte really puts the BBQthDirector’s usual coffee picks (Coffee Bean, Coffe Klatch) to shame.  If you love chocolate, you must come!  If you love coffee, you must come!  If you love both, think of it as a pilgrimage, and get here as soon as you can!

Fave Fives III

How about my Fave Five Sermons of all time?  The following are really special in different ways.  Maybe there was some incredible profundity that brought me to a “wow”, a simple directness that brought me to my knees, or an obvious spirit-led discernment of what’s needed in our day.  Thank God for old-fashioned Bible preaching!

1.  “Second Mile Christian” Dr. David Gibbs, Jr (Preached at the Liberty Baptist Church Men’s Fellowship in Newport Beach.  When a link comes up, I’ll update.  Probably the most convicting thought to ever hit me.  I was ready for the altar less than ten minutes into the sermon.)

2.  “Joseph at the End of His Life” Dr. Jim Shettler (Preached at the California Baptist Pastor’s Retreat in Pismo Beach.  Absolutely life changing!  Incredible thoughts on how Joseph got to the end of his life without bitterness.)

3.  “When It’s Almost Midnight (Part 2)” Pastor Brian Dunlop (Preached recently at Lighthouse Baptist Church of La Verne.  A fresh look at Israel fleeing Egypt’s bondage.  Find it here under the General section.)

4.  “More Precious Than Gold” Dr. David Gibbs, Jr (Preached at the North Valley Baptist Church Leadership Conference in Santa Clara.  One of the most encouraging messages you’ll ever hear.  Find it here on 9/14/06.)

4.  “How To Have a Christian Wedding” Pastor Brian Dunlop (This should be required listening for all couples!  We need a lot more preaching like this from our Fundamental pulpits.  Find it here under the General section.)

5.  “Christian Integrity” Dr. Lou Baldwin (Preached at the Lighthouse Baptist Church Fellowship Meeting.  A strong message delivered with such grace and compassion.  Dr. and Mrs. Baldwin are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met!)