Reports are rolling in by the basketful: Washington, New York, Wisconsin, Michigan — all the big apple-producing states are enjoying a bumper crop this year. And San Diego can take a bite out of this …
December 13, 2017
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Stories by Joseph O'Brien
More chef than mixologist
Rhyme & Verse — two poems by Jax NTP
let’s make a list of women in power now the trees are so still they are about to catch on fire we wake up for something to do someone to become the difference between aria …
December 13, 2017
Saw suffering Christians in Thailand
Membership: 400 Pastor: Tim Spivey Age: 41 Born: Long Beach Formation: Pepperdine University, Malibu; Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX Years in ministry: 20 San Diego Reader: What is your main concern as a member of …
December 6, 2017
Theodore Frelinghuysen — Bible salesman
The Bible has done it sir! Seal up this one Volume and in a half century all these hopes would wither and these prospects perish forever. These sacred temples would crumble or become the receptacles …
November 29, 2017
El Mezcalito — attempt to bring mescal into the fold
There are as many flavors to mescal as there are Ramirezes or Smiths in the San Diego County phone book — but only Del Maguey Vida Mescal is best suited for Puesto’s mescal cocktail, El …
November 22, 2017
God uses a clay pot such as I am
Membership: 120 Pastor: Ed Gonzalez Age: 40 Born: Bulacan, Philippines Formation: Febias College of Bible, Valenzuela, Philippines; The Master’s Seminary, Los Angeles Years Ordained: 13 San Diego Reader: How long do you spend writing your …
November 22, 2017
Albert Schweitzer — the mystical Lutheran
Affirmation of the world, which means affirmation of the will-to-live that manifests itself around me, is only possible if I devote myself to other life. From an inner necessity, I exert myself in producing values …
November 15, 2017
"It tastes like when I go surfing"
Located on the 101, within sniffing distance of the shore, Open House features practically every imaginable oceanic edible — including vegetables. So it was that this al fresco eatery’s general manager Matt Handy went deep …
November 8, 2017
Hitler bothers him
Membership: 100 families Pastor: David Madsen Age: 65 Born: La Junta, CO Formation: Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI; General Theological Seminary, New York City; New York Theological Seminary, New York City Years ordained: 9 San …
November 8, 2017
Guess who Impeachmint cocktail refers to
Since everything from scoops of ice cream to the NFL has become politicized, it was only a matter of time before San Diego’s cocktail scene stepped into the arena. Thus, Madison on Parks’ Impeachmint. Bar …
November 1, 2017
al-Ghazzali — the most influential Muslim after Muhammad
Now from the sciences I had labored at, and the paths I had traveled in my investigation of the revelational and rational sciences (that is, theology and philosophy), there had come to me a sure …
November 1, 2017
Left six-figure income and pushing paper around
Membership: 110 Pastor: Greg Stenzel Age: 58 Born: San Francisco Bay Area Formation: American Lutheran Theological Seminary, Minneapolis, MN (now at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN) Years Ordained: 14 San Diego Reader: What’s your …
October 25, 2017
Escaped moves by King Charles by fleeing to Paris
This is the principal service of God, there being nothing on earth which represents more perfectly the state of the blessed in Heaven, than to praise him with fervor and cheerfulness. For it is written: …
October 18, 2017
Mineral-driven tequila first, then ginger beer
Green Acre’s director of food and beverage Chris Simmons serves his Mexican Mule the same way as the Moscow Mule — in copper cups. While his variation on the vodka-cum-ginger-cum-lime original is served as cold …
October 11, 2017
Found church while USIU grad student
Point Loma's First Church of the Nazarene bloomed from a tent revival.
October 11, 2017
Shakespeare of the Arabic language
Praise be to Allah, the exalted of names, the praised for His bounties, the abundant in gifts, the called upon for the rescinding of calamity; —king of the nations, restorer of rotten bones, honorer of …
October 4, 2017
It hurt too much to live
Membership: 4000 Pastor (student ministries): Jason David Sluyter Age: 29 Born: Flagstaff, AZ Formation: Point Loma Nazarene University Years Ordained: 7 San Diego Reader: What’s your main concern as a member of the clergy, especially …
September 27, 2017
Benjamin Franklin's notion of good works
I can only show my Gratitude for those Mercies from God, by a Readiness to help his other Children and my Brethren. For I do not think that Thanks, and Compliments, tho’ repeated Weekly, can …
September 20, 2017
Martin Camps — from seminarian to Beat poet
Giraffe in Juarez There’s a giraffe in the central park of Ciudad Juárez. Simple as that: a towering, Upper-Case and lonely giraffe. I studied her as she gazed at the sun sinking behind the hill …
September 20, 2017
Never opened a Bible till my 40s
Membership: 25 Pastor: Rigoberto Gonzalez Age: 55 Born: Sonora, Mexico Formation: Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO Years Ordained: 6 San Diego Reader: How long do you spend writing your sermon? Pastor Rigoberto Gonzalez: I’d say …
September 13, 2017
Mansur al-Hallaj — Sufi mystic
I entered unannounced into Hallaj’s room one day (says Ibn Fatik); someone had been in before me. Hallaj was in prayer, and his brow pressed to the ground, he was saying: O Thou Whose closeness …
September 6, 2017
Sycamore Den's bartender apologizes profusely
The Stalk Market is Sycamore Den’s newest cocktail, and according to Sycamore bartender Jesse Ross, this liquor-based commodity’s success stems from a portfolio of ingredients — including acid phosphate, the same ingredient soda jerks used …
August 30, 2017
Orthodox priests attracted attention in Coronado
Membership: 670 families Pastor: Father Bratso Krsic Age: 46 Born: Crnojevic, Serbia Formation: The Holy Three Hierarchs Seminary, Southern Croatia (five-year high school); St. Sava Serbian Orthodox School of Theology, Libertyville, IL; Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, …
August 30, 2017
Breakfast Republic wakes up the sleepy sipper
Whiskey isn’t just for breakfast anymore; however, the amber-hued wake-up call remains an institutional fixture in the land of Breakfast Republic. According to Brock Harold, bar manager at Breakfast Republic’s Ocean Beach location, the Whiskey …
August 16, 2017
Some don’t want to think about the reality of hell
Membership: 800 Pastor: Tony Miller Age: 54 Born: Beaver, OK Formation: Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID; Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO; Trevecca Nazarene, Nashville, TN Years Ordained: 28 San Diego Reader: What is your …
August 16, 2017
The Koran
“The Opening” In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate Praise be to God, the Lord of the Universe, the Merciful, the Compassionate, the Authority on Judgment Day. It is You whom we worship …
August 9, 2017
Park Hill — a church on Fir Street planted from Portland
Membership: 125 Pastor: Evan Wickham Age: 36 Born: San Diego Formation: Western Seminary, Portland, OR Years Ordained: 15 San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject on which to preach? Pastor Evan Wickham: God is …
August 2, 2017
"He doth not only prescribe the medicine...."
Almighty God, the great and omnipotent physician of our souls, is so passionately charitable, that he undertakes the cure himself; he visiteth in person the patient, affording him his corporeal presence in our assumed nature; …
July 26, 2017
Named after a Prohibition rum-runner
As beverage curator for Proof, the port of call for cocktails at the Hake in La Jolla, Joan Villanueva was inspired by his love for Grand Marnier to take his cocktail craft to sea. With …
July 26, 2017
You’ll find Grace Bible Church at Balboa Park on Saturday afternoons
Membership: 125 Pastor: Curt Arend Age: 54 Born: Cincinnati, OH Formation: Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies-Westminster Theological Seminary, San Diego; Institute of Biblical Counseling and Discipleship, San Diego Years Ordained: 17 San Diego Reader: What’s …
July 19, 2017
Immortality in the Rg Veda
The Man has a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet. He pervades the earth everywhere and extends beyond for ten fingers’ breadth. The Man himself is all this, whatever has been and whatever …
July 12, 2017
We are forming teams of Paracletes to help homeless
Living Water Church of the Nazarene Contact: 403 13th St #100, downtown San Diego; 619-942-3692; livingwaternazarene.com Membership: 45 Pastor: Chris Nafis Age: 33 Born: Santa Monica Formation: Azusa Pacific University, Azusa; Duke Divinity School, Durham, …
July 5, 2017
Paradise Point/Tidal’s potentially therapeutic cocktail, the Black & White
As most bartenders will say, when it comes to mixing drinks, not everything is black and white. But restaurant manager of Paradise Point’s Tidal Restaurant, Mike Perez says at least one cocktail on Tidal’s menu …
June 28, 2017
Kernel, Kumquats, Fig Grove
Kernel When I discovered people eat apricot kernels, use them in amaretto and biscotti and apricot jam, part of me was glad to learn the world is more edible than I had known, but another …
June 28, 2017
Pastor Clarke was teaching 4-year-olds about God by age 16
Membership: 700 Pastor: Eric Clarke Age: 58 Born: Long Beach Formation: Eastern Oregon State College, Portland, OR; Western Seminary, Portland, OR; Masters International University of Divinity, Evansville, IN Years Ordained: 10 San Diego Reader: What …
June 21, 2017
A moonshine cocktail that pairs well with steak
Farmer’s Table bar manager Preston Cobb says the establishment’s Blackberry basil lemonade, served up in a Mason jar, fits in at the organic eatery as well as stanchions in a milking parlor or feed troughs …
June 14, 2017
For missionaries, ministers...also candlestick makers
New Life Presbyterian Church of La Mesa Membership: 437 Pastor: Brian Tallman Age: 39 Born: San Diego Formation: Southern California Bible College, El Cajon; the Masters Seminary, Sun Valley; Bethel Seminary, San Diego Years Ordained: …
June 7, 2017
Next stop won’t necessarily include brimstone or clouds
Resurrection Lutheran Church of Coronado Membership: 75–100 Pastor: Brian Oltman Age: 59 Born: Glencoe, MN Formation: St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN; Golden Valley Lutheran, Minneapolis, MN; Antioch University, L.A.; Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, IA; …
May 24, 2017
I was popular in school and played sports, but I felt so isolated
Denomination: Pentecostal Membership: 400 Pastor: Marc Stevenson Age: 45 Born: Anaheim Formation: Christian Life College, Stockton; Urshan Seminary, St. Louis, MO. Years Ordained: 15 San Diego Reader: How long do you spend writing your sermon? …
May 10, 2017
Reply to Missionary Cram of the Boston Missionary School
Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, …
May 3, 2017
God’s in the water at Tourmaline also
Membership: 270 Pastor: David Nagler Age: 52 Born: Anaheim Formation: Humbolt State University, Arcata; University of Redlands, Redlands; Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley Years Ordained: 24 San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite subject on which …
April 26, 2017
God's love is far bigger than pastor Iona Dickinson can understand
A heart for justice for all people in University City.
April 12, 2017
Fat-wash did the trick for Patio on Goldfinch’s Sheer Determination
Brandon Curry, bar manager at the Patio on Goldfinch, presumed that the rollercoaster ride that was Super Bowl XLI would end with the Atlanta Falcons joining the New York Giants (who did it twice) as …
March 29, 2017
Pastor Parcel is concerned about the state of our nation
First United Methodist Church Membership: 650 Pastor: Brian T. Parcel Age: 42 Born: Taft Formation: Louisiana, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA; Claremont School of Theology Years Ordained: 16 San Diego Reader: How long do you …
March 29, 2017
Top of the Hyatt’s Strawberry Rhubarb Gimlet
The strawberry-rhubarb gimlet is the result of a quest to find the perfect San Diego winter cocktail, says Andrew Guerrera, Top of the Hyatt’s assistant food and beverage manager. “And since we are in San …
March 22, 2017
Elvin Harrison’s service to the church began at age five
Community Congregational Church of Pacific Beach Membership: 40 Pastor: Elvin Harrison Age: 53 Born: El Centro Formation: Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX; Howard University, Washington DC Years Ordained: 26 San Diego Reader: What’s your main …
March 15, 2017
Carnitas’ Snack Shack's Hot & Buttered has a latte feel
While winter has been more wet than cold around San Diego these days, Carnitas’ Snack Shack’s Hot and Buttered — a new take on hot buttered rum punch — serves as an effective stay against …
March 8, 2017
Pastor Sam Nunez warns that Jesus is coming soon. "Be ready."
Fallbrook Seventh Day Adventists Membership: 499 Pastor: Sam Nunez Age: 43 Born: Philadelphia, PA Formation: Seminar Schloss Bogenhofen, Austria; Institute Adventist Collonges Sous Saleve, France; Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI Years Ordained: 11 San Diego …
March 1, 2017
Travel light and fast to heaven
Riverview Church Membership: 900 Pastor: Mel Svendsen Age: 59 Born: Brooklyn, NY Formation: Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Chicago; Northeastern Bible College, Essex Fells, NJ Years Ordained: 35 San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite subject on …
February 1, 2017
A lot of people who assume they’re going to heaven are not
Generation Church Contact: 1106 Whaley St., Oceanside; 760-439-8411; gotogeneration.com Membership: 110 Pastor: Jared Osselaer Age: 41 Born: Tacoma, WA Formation: U.S. Navy (bodyguard for Navy chaplains), Golden Gate University-Gateway Seminary (attending) Years Ordained: 4 San …
January 18, 2017