Friday Randomness

On By Tim ValentinoIn Friday Fun2 Comments

“The conscious water saw its master and blushed.”
–  Alexander Pope (on Jesus turning the water into wine)

I think it’s one of the most beautiful sentences in the English language.

A new way to have breakfast in bed:

And since I’m a pastor, I have to say, “My yolk is over easy, and my bedding is white.” (cf. Matthew 11:30)

I saw an interesting bumper sticker this week that had a Philadelphia Phillies logo on it.

Yes, and given all that did not happen during the off-season by way of trades, I think my team needs a lot of prayer.

A new mom managed to capture that precious moment when her twins discovered each other for the first time.

Twins discovering each other for the first time
byu/rgatoNacho inMadeMeSmile

Double the cuteness!

I never learned about this creature in school. It’s a red-lipped batfish (Ogcocephalus darwini), a fish of unusual morphology.

These oddballs can be found around the Galápagos Islands and off the coast of Ecuador and neighboring regions. It always looks ready for a date.

Rest in peace, Scott Adams.

(With apologies to James Gleick and his thoughts on chaos theory.)

Pride and Prejudice meets the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator:

For the record, I’m an INTJ. (In Star Wars, I’m Darth Sidious, so I’m going with Jane Austen on this one.)

It might be time for a new headshot and pencil sketch. My face is a bit thinner now, and there’s a slight bit of graying at the temples, though not a lot.

Maybe I’ll ask the photog at Drew’s wedding to snap a new one. What do you think?

Do I get any points for not mentioning Samuel and Levi in this post?

Uhm … oops.

Three Duck Quacks in a Row

On By Tim ValentinoIn General2 Comments

French is my second language, and I find it much easier to read and speak than to hear. That’s because all the silent letters make any words spoken quickly hard to discern if it’s not your native tongue. There are too many options to sort through quickly in your mind.

When I was in Paris several years ago, it was much easier to read signs and menus, and even order food and taxi cabs, than to comprehend what people were saying in the Métro. (It really is true, though, that French people appreciate when Americans try to speak the language. They just smile politely when you butcher it.)

The other challenge « en français » is that the plethora of short vowels and nasal sounds makes the language hard to sing. As my lyric-soprano wife likes to say, “There’s just no way to make ‘/ɛ̃/’ sound pretty.” Ditto, /ɑ̃/, /ɔ̃/, and /œ̃/. (If you don’t know the international phonetic alphabet, just blow your nose to imitate a duck, and you’ll approximate those sounds.)

The saving grace in French music—particularly classical songs and opera—is that short vowels can be lengthened, emphasized, and given specific rhythmic weight to fit the musical phrasing. Additionally, for two back-to-back nasal sounds, the first syllable can be lengthened, and the second can stay short, as in the famous Christmas carol:

“Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant”
(“He Is Born, the Divine Child”)

The ending syllable in “divin” normally would be short and nasal, but that would give you three duck quacks in a row (i.e., “in,” “en,” and “fant”). Therefore, French music allows the singer to pronounce the word “divin” as “diveen” to minimize the quacking.

Merci beaucoup.

All that said, I was captivated by the beauty and passion of “Maison” (“Home”) as sung by “Lucie,” a 15-year-old year old French singer who gained popularity for her performances on The Voice Kids France. It was written and composed by the aptly named Emilio Piano, whose score is exquisite. Below is the approximate English translation, though I may have missed an idiom or two. C’est la vie.

Enjoy!

Home

Where do we go?
When we no longer have a home?
Flowers grow from under the concrete
Mom, tell me
Where do we go?

Will we really know one day?
Or are we just faking it, all the time?
Where does our heart go when it gets lost?
In its doubts and winters?
Why is every day the same?
Will we end up seeing what we have put together?
Mom, tell me

Over yonder
From the storm, there is
Love, love, love
When heaven opens up
Everything becomes calm again
And all is well

Where does it go?
Happiness, that fragile thread,
When it wobbles and breaks?
Mom, tell me
Where does it go?

Why does the world seem so big,
When we become just a bit bigger than before?
What happens to dreams that are lost?
And memories that we forget?
Will I always have questions?
Maybe I’ll make them into songs.
Mom, tell me

Over yonder
From the storm, there is
Love, love, love
When heaven opens up
Everything becomes calm again
And all is well

‘The Pendragon Cycle’ Launches

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The Pendragon Cycle is a historical fantasy series by American writer Stephen R. Lawhead. Comprising seven books published from 1987 to 1999, including a prequel from 2025, the saga reimagines the Arthurian legend, blending myth and magic with historical elements of post-Roman Britain. It focuses on the charmed lives of Taliesin, Merlin, and Arthur, exploring themes of good vs. evil, overcoming leadership challenges, and a sense of destiny pondered by the characters as they navigate a world of chaos, curses, and war. 

Recently the Daily Wire dropped the first two episodes of its ambitious adaptation. Part Braveheart and part Lord of the Rings, it is quite well done for the budget it had. The cinematography is exquisite, the costumes are spectacular, and the music is beautiful. Even the acting is quite good, which is no small accomplishment since it’s not easy for a conservative media company to book top-tier names from the Hollywood “liberati.” Still, the cast members they were able to land are all solid so far. The green screen and CGI are adequate, though not always compelling. Some sequences are better than others, but the pacing and storytelling techniques more than make up for such hiccups.

Daily Wire co-founder Jeremy Boreing created, produced, and directed the project. He is to be commended for including historic references to the expansion and influence of the Christian faith throughout the realm during this period, a worldwide movement displacing much of the Druidism and Celtic spirituality that existed beforehand. Too many productions of the Arthurian legend leave that key component out of the story.

If traditionalists want to influence the culture, they need to create good art, not just conservative commentary. And this is good art. I’m looking forward to episode 3, which is due out next week.

Post-Holiday Update

On By Tim ValentinoIn General1 Comment

My apologies for such a long hiatus. Life has been full and meaningful since posting three weeks ago. I just needed that “long winter’s nap” to recover from everything. 🙂 But I’ve missed you! Anyway, our Christmas Eve candlelight service was rich and wonderful, not to mention well attended. Samuel and Levi practiced their parts (singing “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World” while standing next to me with lit candles), and they nailed it.

After worship, we watched—at Drew’s request—the first part of Jesus of Nazareth, focusing on the Gospel Infancy Narratives. Peter Ustinov hits it out of the park as Herod the Great. Olivia Hussey (what a name for someone playing the blessed virgin Mary!) is likewise stellar in her role as the mother of Christ. In fact, except for a few duds along the way, this epic film from the mid-80s is very well cast and perfectly set. I have the script almost memorized.

Our Christmas Day celebration was magical, too, especially with the boys growing in their awareness of what the fuss is really all about. After verifying that Jesus was in the manger, and singing “Happy Birthday” to him, we read together from Matthew 2 and then opened our gifts. Christmas dinner followed, and then the kids were off to their next stop.

The next day we traveled to Delaware and spent half a week with Sonya’s siblings and their families. The food and desserts we enjoyed were amazing, but my stomach (thankfully) can’t hold what it used to, and it (unthankfully) lets me know that in various ways! It’s great to be down 65 lbs., but I’d still like to go 15 more. That might require getting back in the pool. We’ll see.

On Sunday, January 4, we hosted an Epiphany party at our house for neighbors, friends, and church members. That, too, was well attended, and it was fun to connect with all who came. I get a little sad when all the festivities are over, but there’s much to look forward to in the coming year. Leading the list is Andrew’s wedding in May. In addition to planning on all the arrangements, he and An are looking for a house close to where they work.

Right now, Sight & Sound is in their “changeover” period, which means long and strange hours as they get ready for their new show (Joshua). It’s a massive effort to coordinate all aspects of a major theater production. The new cast rehearses during the day, which pushes the tech team to have to work second- and third-shift hours. But I’m already getting hints that it’s going to be amazing.

Additionally, their film, A Great Awakening, is set to release in theaters on Easter weekend. Andrew has a small role in it, and Sonya is an extra—a townsperson attending Whitefield’s revival service. With multiple takes for that scene, she says she got saved seven times during the filming. 🙂

Yesterday we celebrated Micah’s birthday here at our house, complete with a big dinner from Tosco’s. His boys love him to pieces, as do we. He’s such a good husband and father, and he just got elected (unanimously) to be a deacon at his church. He’s also a big cheese where he works, and they love the value he brings to the practice.

My own research and writing efforts have included a massive study on the Trinity, along with my doctoral dissertation on the torn veil in the temple. Both are going well, albeit slower than I would like. The outside teaching and speaking calendar is also coming into view, and it looks like the year ahead will be full and inspirational. I suppose my main prayer request would be for good health, energy, and focus to accomplish it all. There’s a lot of noise in the world right now, and it’s all too easy to be sucked into the vortex of its never-ending brokenness.

Until the warm weather returns, I’ll be inside the house building forts with Samuel and Levi. They recently discovered the magic of creating their little man caves, and I’m here for it.

Be well.

‘Smores are yummy. And messy.
Less on the face means more in the belly!
My helpers to clear the snow.
I wonder where Andrew gets his silliness from.
Every year Micah defiles our Nativity scene. This year it was a Crystal Cave sign.
Something for everyone.
By the chimney with care.
Ready to feast.
The stuff we shouldn’t eat.
Getting ready for the kids to stop by on Christmas morning.
The ceramic tree and the gumdrop tree.
Lyrics we were singing to my mom when she went to be with Jesus.
Two of my gifts opening a gift.
An elf from the North Pole.
Microphones for the boys.
Inside the latest fort.
It’s more like a Bedouin tent.
More ‘smores.
Happy birthday, Micah!
Speaking of mid-80s, here’s a schmaltzy one from that period. Anyway, it’s nice to be back.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7:00 p.m.

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Local friends, the Christmas Eve candlelight service at Christ Community Church (Myerstown, PA) is one of the highlights of our church calendar. Our theme this year is “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” from Luke 15:11-24. The service will be held at 7:00 p.m. and will feature traditional Christmas carols, a brass ensemble, a holiday message, and the lighting of candles during “Silent Night.” 

A nursery will be provided. Plates for a benevolence offering will be available at the back of the sanctuary to help needy families in our community. Invite a friend to come find hope and encouragement in the good news of Jesus Christ at Christ Community Church. 

Join us online or in person.

CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH
121 S. College Street (Route 501)
Myerstown, PA 17067
(717) 866-5353

Located 1 mile south of Route 422

A Place to Hope. A Place to Heal.

From Granny Flat to Primary Bedroom

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O.k., here it is—a video walk-through of our new primary bedroom. Sorry my voice is so scratchy. I must have uncorked the sermon pretty good yesterday. LOL. Anyway, this was the major home improvement project in 2025, converting my mother-in-law’s little apartment (a.k.a. the granny flat) to our primary bedroom. I especially like the batten board accent wall. And I had to show you the “round-and-round tree,” as the boys call it. They think it’s magical, just like I did when I was a little boy. Enjoy!

Never without Hope

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It was a sad weekend in our neck of the woods. First, we got news that one of our parishioners, who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, will need a second (and more aggressive) round of chemotherapy to reach remission before her care team will do any bone marrow treatments. We feel horrible on her behalf, but we are not without hope.

Second, a parishioner from a previous church had her ashes spread on Saturday. Her husband and sons are in deep grief for this wife and mother who died all too young. “For dust you are, and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3:19). She knew Christ as her Lord and Savior, so here again, we are not without hope.

Finally, we got news yesterday that my sister-in-law had to put her dog Buddy down. We would dog sit him whenever she and her husband went on vacation. Rescued out of a horrible situation nine years ago, Buddy was the kindest, most chill creature we’ve ever known. Yet even here we are not without hope. Apparently, all dogs go to heaven. (Except for Puffy, the demon-possessed Pomeranian.)

All this came on the heels of a hellish news week, one featuring terrorism and death around the world and here at home. Again. (And some of it was done in the name of the twisting of one of the world’s major religions.) Who cannot sympathize with the ancient lament, “How long, O Lord?”

But through all the hard times of life, God cares for his people. That’s why he came to us on that first Christmas. God in Christ didn’t avoid the miseries of this world. Rather, he entered into those miseries, experienced them firsthand, and then swallowed them up. He’s coming again someday to make all things new. In the meantime, we can count on his lavishing love to carry us through the hard times.

Bethany told me a while back that she won’t be able to attend a Christmas Eve service when I’m gone. I said to my precious little girl, “You need to be brave and go light those candles like you always do. The light they hold represents all that gives us hope beyond the grave.”

Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Christmas Eve—and all that it represents—is everything. Everything.

Have a good cry if you need to when life is hard. “Blessed are those who mourn,” said Jesus. He should know. Christ had tears streaming down his own cheeks on more than one occasion, too. He was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” So you’re in good company if you “lose it” once in a while. It’s o.k. to not be o.k. for a season. After all, it’s only a season. “Joy comes in the morning.”

So, dare to cling to hope. And let Hope himself cling to you. The Christmas manger leads to an empty tomb. It’s still a Christ-kissed earth that we live on, so we are never without hope.

Neither Ginger Nor Bread in These Houses

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Wednesdays are the best. And today was the best of the best, as we made our annual gingerbread houses with the boys. I say “gingerbread,” but there’s neither ginger nor bread in these constructions. I say “house,” too, but Samuel made a police station, and Levi made the garage for the police station. We also added some snowmen made from marshmallows.

Our kitchen is trashed right now. And it’s the loveliest room in the house. I’ll let the “houses” harden and then take some pics later. But below are a couple snaps of the artists at work. And some old guy I don’t recognize anymore.

Serenity

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There’s a holy peace and tranquility on Sunday mornings at 4:30 a.m. before the flurry of activity needed to pull off Sunday school and corporate worship. I enjoy it immensely. Above is the classic tree in our family room. We have another one in the living room, covered in random ornaments that were made and collected over the years. They tell more of the family story.

Then there’s the aluminum tree made in the 1960s that I inherited from my parents. That one is located in our primary bedroom. It could survive a nuclear blast. Samuel and Levi call it “the round-and-round tree” because it has a gold base that rotates it clockwise, along with a color wheel that throws light on it. Gaudy though it is, they love it, as do I. That tree is the family story, at least on my side. I grew up with it, so it has a kind of magic to me.

Since the boys love trains, I added an N-gauge train around the base this year. I may have to do a brief video of the aluminum tree, as I never shared pictures of our renovated “granny flat” from after my mother-in-law passed away almost two years ago. But duty calls, so, more later.

Four Already

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Samuel turned four on Monday, and we had a wonderful celebration with him Sunday after church. First, his family and closest friends gathered at Ballocity at the Works entertainment complex in Wyomissing, where the kids exhausted themselves playing in the indoor jungle gym. There were lots of rosy cheeks and tousled hair by the end of our time there. We then drove to his house in Womelsdorf where we enjoyed cake and ice cream, and Samuel got to open his presents. It was heartwarming to watch him share his new toys with his brother and friends.

It was a police officer-themed event, as Samuel is enjoying lights, sirens, and catching bad guys these days. On Monday, his actual birthday, we joined him for lunch at the restaurant of his choosing—Chik-fil-A. They had an indoor playground there, too, which may have been a bigger draw for him than the waffle fries.

I love this little guy so much. In fact, one of the biggest joys in my life these days is to hear him (and his brother) call me “Papa.” He is light years beyond “precious” to my heart. Below are some shots from the day, along with a few other miscellaneous pics from last week.

A day to celebrate Officer Samuel.
“I get the first piece of cake, but who’s going to cut it?”
The cake was … arresting.
Tons o’ fun at Ballocity.
“Here I come!”
Making Thanksgiving cookies–turkeys with orange sprinkles.
After 27 years, we had to get a new tractor. Levi already had his John Deere and wanted to compare.

‘Torn Veil in the Temple’: My Dissertation Title, Thesis, and Outline

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The title of my second doctoral dissertation is “Torn Veil in the Temple: God’s Commentary on the Death of His Son and Epicenter of His New Creation in Christ.” My thesis is as follows:

“The torn veil in the temple is God’s commentary on the death of his Son and the epicenter of his new creation in Christ. It is visual theology from heaven signaling the start of the promised new covenant era through a dramatic display of divine vandalism. The paradoxical result of this token judgment on the temple is universal access to God’s relational presence and the restoration of Edenic shalom for those who embrace the Son, as the cherubim guarding the tree of life have been dismissed from their post. Humanity can walk with God again freely, undefiled by the ravages of guilt, shame, and despair. Because the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom at the precise moment of Jesus’s death on the cross—the world’s final purification offering—one may be confident that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.”

Though I’ve never met him, I’d like to offer a word of thanks to Dr. Daniel M. Gurtner, whose work on this subject has inspired my own. In his dissertation, Gurtner suggests no less than ten areas of additional research for helping the church better understand what the torn veil signifies. He wants to “prompt scholars to rearrange the pieces of this puzzle in a different yet coherent manner.”

My dissertation seeks to build on his estimable work and rearrange some of the pieces. In short, it seeks to create a biblical theology of the veil using a historical-contextual approach. It’s truly a labor of love on a topic that has tantalized me more than any other since I first met Jesus Christ by faith back when I was a freshman swimmer at West Virginia University.

More to come later. (At this rate, much later, though I’m working on it!) Anyway, here is the outline:

Torn Veil in the Temple Table of ContentsDownload
Artistic conception of the original tabernacle veil according to Exodus 26:31–33 (Courtesy of Andrew Valentino)

Next Up: Thanksgiving and Christmess

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You may have heard of that tea called “Sleepytime,” the caffeine-free herbal blend by Celestial Seasonings designed to help folks relax and unwind before bedtime. Well, I must have been drinking a new flavor this week called “Weepytime,” as the tears have begun to flow a little more freely these days. How come?

The temperatures outside are plunging, and the turkey inside awaits a good smoking. The leaves on the ground are rustling around and painting the landscape with perfection. Tthe holly berries out back have erupted, stippling their way across the massive green backdrop that pricks all who come near. That can only mean Thanksgiving is close at hand—the wonderful American holiday in November where we push the pause button on life and celebrate the goodness of God to us. “Count your many blessings, name them ton by ton.”

My sister has been safely resting in Jesus for a year now, and that touches the heart. So does the thought of receiving a new daughter-in-law next year. Samuel and Levi, of course, continue to delight my soul, as do the growth and expanded ministries of our church, which is motivated to follow hard after Jesus. (God gave us a Christian preschool out of the blue this year after a time of fasting and prayer.) There’s been good progress on a massive dissertation, which is turning out to be my life’s work and the best of all I know about God and his ways from Scripture. Food, clothing, shelter, family—the list of things for which I can be thankful is long and lovely.

But the floodgates opened in earnest a few days ago when I unpacked our new Nativity scene. I’ve been wanting to get a replacement for several years now because the one we’ve been using is a bit too antiseptic for my taste. The new one is much more rustic and realistic. It’s earthy and crude, which I like because the first Christmas was really a Christmess.

God came down. All the way down. And landed in a manger—right on top of cow spit and barnyard bacteria. Right on top of King Herod’s royal bombast and bluster, thus inflaming his rage and insecurities. Yes, Jesus came a long way to save us. Two thousand years ago, the eternal Son of God stepped across the stars of the universe to become a zygote in the womb of Mary, a teenage girl from a tiny town no one esteemed. And then he was born like one of us. Did he suck his thumb that first night in the feeding trough?

The Prince of Peace came in peace. Nothing is more disarming and unthreatening than a baby. But how is this possible? This is Almighty God we’re talking about here. The one who fills the universe is now filling his diaper? I still can’t fully get my mind around the incarnation. No worries, though; it has captured my heart and unleashed my imagination, and that’s good enough for me. It reduces me to a puddle every single year, whether I want it to or not. I suspect that’s because I believe it with the totality of my being.

We won’t display the new Nativity scene until the last dish is dried from the Thanksgiving feast. After all, we’re not decoration heretics. But even then, it won’t contain the newborn Christ until Christmas morning. Advent comes first, and we’re taking Samuel and Levi on an Advent-ure of anticipation, helping them learn to wait for the good things God has for them. (That’s a good lesson for big kids, too.) So, every time we walk past the crèche, we look for baby Jesus and say, “He’s not here yet, but he’s coming.”

Yes, he’s coming again, friends. Jesus is coming back to the planet he made and the people he loves. That, too, is a good lesson for big kids. Are you ready?

The local Home Depot has a series of workshops for the little ones.
Samuel is focused on the task at hand.
Brothers at the Pretzel Hut on Papa-Gaga Day.
Levi snuggling in his pizza blanket.
Samuel loves his daddy’s hat.
Levi loves going down the slide backwards.
Samuel’s love of books has begun.
Love and cuddles from mama.
The boys love the indoor playground at Ephrata Community Church.
“And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall” (Malachi 4:2b).
Levi going all the way to the top for the big slide.
Playing is hard work.
The trees at our church have been stunning this fall.
Not one but two “burning bushes” off the church parking lot.
The tree-lined walkway out the front of the church.
The shifting sounds of fall to winter.

Brothers!

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They get along so well. Most of the time.

A recent snap.

Noticeable changes even from May.

Levi thinks this hat is hilarious.

💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙

It’s too early to know for sure, but my guess is that Samuel is going to be the scholar/musician, and Levi is going to be the class clown/linebacker. Time will tell.

💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙

And, just because it’s so soothing…

Time Keeps on Slippin’…

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Samuel is turning four in three weeks, and oh what a blessing he’s been to my heart. The joy has been non-stop since his birth. And yet, there’s been a slight pinch in my soul recently that I’m trying to process. “Samuel Sandwiches” are no longer a thing, and after a recent tickle fight and attempted game of “This little piggy went to market,” Samuel informed me that he doesn’t want to do “baby things” anymore.

All righty, then, Mr. Samuel. Message received. You’re growing up, and I need to let that happen. Thankfully, he still lets me cuddle with him as he’s falling asleep during pizza-movie night, but I’m sure the days of that great delight are numbered, too. Still, I will love him without measure every stage of his journey while I’m on this planet—just the way he needs to be loved. That, too, is part of the joy. And it makes me have to grow up, too.