The Lombardi Spot

Matthew and Claire Dancing

Matthew and Claire got down and funky on the dance floor. For the first time ever, the video camera failed to capture sound; of course, it would have to happen during a wedding. Matthew and Claire were dancing to “She’s a Brick House” by the Commodore’s, so I put the original recording in the backround; what you don’t hear is everyone in the backround cheering them on. We didn’t teach Matthew any of the following moves, they are all inventions of his own. Claire plays the role of back up dancer, running large circles, moving her arms to the music. Later, Matthew paid the price from all his hard dancing with aching feet. Let’s just say that he’s not eager to get dress up in a Tux anytime soon.

Clos La Chance Fountain

My brother’s wedding on Saturday was a very elegant event at the Clos La Chance winery. Matthew and Claire were dressed for the occasion. I didn’t take any photos of the event because there were already two photographers buzzing around; for once I wanted to be in the photos instead of behind a camera. The photographers photos will be ready in 30 days or more, so much patience is needed to endure the waiting period. Meanwhile, here’s some video of Matthew and Claire playing at a fountain. We pulled them away shortly after this video was taken because their outfits were quickly becoming wet.

Kai’s Birthday

Claire had a very hard time walking around the jump house with all the kids tossing her around. She had a moment alone in the jump house and was able to enjoy it a little more.

Matthew found a use for the jump house screen that I hadn’t yet seen. Of course, I don’t spend much time around jump houses, but this looked awfully strange to me.

Matthew gave Kai his first John Deere die cast tractor. Now they have matching tractors.

The Pope Tells Africans Condoms Increase HIV Problem

Perhaps the pope simply put his foot in his mouth, but either way, the statement doesn’t sound like one of wisdom. “You can’t resolve it with the distribution of condoms,“ the pope told reporters aboard the plane heading to Yaounde. “On the contrary, it increases the problem.“ From what I understand, the condom completely stops the transmission of the HIV virus to the other person. Of course, abstinence is the best way and I that’s what the pope wants, but to go so far to say that using condoms increases the HIV problem? That’s just complete contrary to the truth. Even the nurses and people in the churches there in Africa that serve the African are not liking what the pope is saying. And furthermore, if the people who are having unsafe sex are unmarried, and having sex with multiple partners, they are also likely unrepentant, unbelievers who are not interested in satisfying the religious dogma of the Roman Catholic Church. For them, the pope should be more concerned for them coming to faith and repentance rather than propagating nonsense that condoms worsen the spread of HIV. In my opinion, the Roman Catholic Church would not provide them true faith and more likely worsen their spiritual matter. They need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ without the baggage of traditions and nonsensical sayings of popes. They’ll need to go to a protestant church for that. And I might add that they should go to one that hasn’t diluted or marketed the gospel. But in any case, the Roman Catholic Church and their pope make physical (HIV) and spiritual health worse. Click here to read the entire new article

Church History

Lately I’ve been learning church history at West Hills Community Church. Phil Starke is teaching it and using the book “The Story of Christianity’ by Justo Gonzalez. Now we are going through the Reformation period and learning about the various religious figures as they interact with political rulers and common people of the times. I often think of History as boring, but lately I find it’s really facinating to learn about a world and time that is so much different from our own. It’s something like watching an old film with all the old cars and old fashioned clothing. There’s something of a nostalgic curiosity that keeps my interest. It something like people watching. As the people walk by, your imagination is awakened to wonder what it must have been like for them. It’s also like hearing the news of some big event that has happened on the other side of the world, except it’s in another time. And for Christians, it is valuable to learn about the people who have come before us and have understanding and a perspective on where we are today. I’ve been taking notes, and I picked one to share because it was news to me. We often think of the Jews as mainly being persecuted by the Nazi’s, but I rarely associate the Jews with being persecuted by Christians, yet I’m learning more and more that history tells exactly this story. The following talks about the acts of Queen Isabelle of Spain 1492. 200,000 Spainiards of the Jewish faith were thus condemned to exile – which many times led to death, capture by pirates, and other misfortunes. (Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity v2, 113) In my Pastoral ministry class our pastor Mike Burchfield also echoed the reality that many Jews will think of Christians as hypocritical or at least naive of the history of the Christian church as they try to share the gospel of Jesus with Jews. During the persecution of Jews by the Nazi’s, the Lutheran Church of Germany had officially sanctioned and supported the murderous work of Hitler and his murder of the Jews. For the Jew, in the back of their mind, they may associate Christianity with acts of persecution against Jews which have been proven to be murderous evils. Consider, if Jesus Christ is Savior, then church history doesn’t give a helpful testimony of Christianity saving the Jews. But thankfully, history has also shown that these evils come from people who have a very questionable and I would say complete lack of authentic faith in Christ. For by their fruit you will know them, and certainly these people like Hitler and Queen Isabella seemed to have more interest in their own political agenda’s and struggles for power rather than an interest in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Unclaimed Baggage

Our last trip to Alabama I think Walmart was the first most frequently visited store, and then Unclaimed Baggage was probably the second most visited store. All it takes is to find one good item, real cheap and it’s enough motivation to keep you going back. The first trip I found a package of that was stuffed with stationary that looked promising. I couldn’t see all that was in there, but for a couple dollars, I figured it was worth it. After purchasing it, the inside contained way more than I expected. There were postcards from Jerusalem, bookmarks with an illustration of the last supper, and many other goodies. It was probably well over $20 worth of various items jammed into a bag and sold for just a couple dollars! I was on an unclaimed baggage high! The next time we went I found some Felco pruners for only a few dollars. These are special Swiss made pruners that normally sell new for $50! They work great and I use them today. Ah, the good memories of Unclaimed Baggage. Sure, sometimes you don’t find a thing and it’s just a building full of junk, but then there’s those days that it seems like you found the best deal on the planet. The kids liked rummaging through the stuff too. In the photo above, Jenn and Matthew are trying on some masks we found.

At Jared’s in Alabama

Yeah, it’s been a while since our trip to Alabama Dec 2008, but what the heck. There’s some photos I haven’t blogged on and so better late than never. We visited Jared a couple times, he has done some excellent work on making his home warm and comfy. I wish we were able to spend more time there, but the way things worked out we spent much more time hanging out at Moma Lynn’s. Jared is such a good uncle. Matthew loves to spend time with him and I think Jared might like Matthew a bit too. This fun little toy is sorta like a home version of those rides you see at the supermarkets and malls, except that it’s free, and your kid has to do the work of making it move up and down. It saves your quarters and get’s your kids tired! Brilliant.

Life with a Bible Blog

I stumbled across this cool blog that features various photos of Bibles. Check it out Click here to visit the “Life with a Bible” blog

1599 Geneva Bible

Many years ago I had became very interested in the Geneva Bible. It’s actually the first Bible translation that includes study notes from early reformers like John Calvin. It’s quite a landmark Bible of it’s time and it’s actually the Bible that was first brought with the Pilgrims when they settled in the U.S. The original is very difficult to read, I have a facsimile reproduction that’s tremendously huge, and very difficult to read the old english lettering and characters and the typography is aged. Now there’s a Geneva Bible that has had all the text updated to modern lettering while retaining all the original words. I haven’t seen it in person but the price is definitely good for such an important Bible in the history of the church. I still enjoy taking out the behemoth version that I own and reading it every once in a while. Currently the Monegism Bookstore has it on sale. Click Here for the 1599 Geneva Bible There’s also a review of the Geneva Bible here at the BIble Design And Binding blog I also found a cheaper hardback version at the Westminster Bookstore. Click Here

The Grandparents Mafia

My parents have tried long and hard to resolve their identities as they enter those golden years. They drive around in a new Corvette with no room for kids. They hang out a place called “The Moose Lodge”. And now they have changed the way they dress. Yes, it is a little embarrassing to be seen in public. Especially when my dad pulls the trigger on that toy gun and it makes a fake machine gun sound.. Everyone looks! The truth is, they won an award for best couple or something at a Halloween costume contest. Click here to see all the mafia photos.