Jackie Francois

Coffee shops are my home away from home. Since I am self-employed, my favorite place to “work” is the coffee shop. These are my favorites of the ones i knew of and frequented in 2009. (if you have any suggestions of other cool coffee shops in SoCal, email me at jackiefrancois@gmail.com)

Best Atmosphere – Coffee Shops in “Houses”

Pannikin Coffee & Tea, Encinitas (San Diego), CA Pannikin’s Website

Cafe Veronese, Fullerton (Orange County), CA Cafe Veronese’s Website

Aroma Cafe, Studio City (Los Angeles), CA Aroma Cafe’s Website

Living Room Cafe, Old Town (San Diego), CA Living Room Cafe’s Website

Best Espresso

Kaffa Coffee, Orange (Orange County), CA Pannikin’s Website
the only coffee shop i’ve found in SoCal that does “coffee art” when you get a latte…so good!

Zanzibar Cafe, Pacific Beach (San Diego), CA Zanzibar Cafe’s Website

Best Food

Breakfast: Rialto Cafe, Fullerton (Orange County), CA Rialto Cafe’s Website
try their quiche. it’s different daily and always amazing

Lunch: Zanzibar Cafe, Pacific Beach (San Diego), CA Zanzibar Cafe’s Website
try the black bean & chicken quesadilla. delicious!

Dinner: Aroma Cafe, Studio City (Los Angeles), CA Aroma Cafe’s Website
try one of their amazing burgers. or desserts. or anything else that looks delectable.

Best View…The Beach

Full of Beans, Ventura (Ventura County), CA Full of Bean’s Website

Newbreak Coffee, Ocean Beach (San Diego), CA Newbreak Coffee’s Website

Goldfish Point Cafe, La Jolla (San Diego), CA Goldfish Point Cafe’s Website

Best Interior Design

Monkey Business Cafe, Fullerton (Orange County), CA Monkey Business Cafe’s Website

Gypsy Den, Santa Ana (Orange County), CA Gypsy Den’s Website

Cafe Veronese, Fullerton (Orange County), CA Cafe Veronese’s Website

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

A yoke has a place for two to carry a load. Jesus calls us to come and share His yoke with him. So we take off the yoke of this world—a yoke that weighs heavily on us with immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed, anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language (Col 3:5, 8)—and we “put on” the yoke of “heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Col 3:12). In calling us to share this yoke, Jesus beckons us to share in His joys; share in His love; share in His sufferings; share in His sacrifice.

It is not easy, but it is worth it, for He is with us every step of the way to help us find rest. In the race toward the “goal, the prize of God’s upward calling in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14), we will “run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” Whether we are surging forward in our faith—on fire for God and praying without ceasing—or slowing up a bit, experiencing a “dark night of the soul,” God is there and has been there. For “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin” (Heb 4:15). Jesus has been tempted by the Devil, threatened, hated, abandoned by friends, tortured, mocked, scourged, beaten, and spat upon. Do we not also experience these in daily life, albeit, to a lesser extent? Our father has abandoned or abused us, our mother is constantly critical, our spouse or friends disappoint us, our enemies mock us for our faith, and we are tempted by our insecurities, pride or lust.

Thus, having a sympathetic, compassionate Savior, we “confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help” (Heb 4:16). We do not go at it alone, but we humbly admit that we are burdened—overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, troubled, worried—at the big or small tasks of daily life. And, the Good News is, once we “hope in the LORD,” our strength will be renewed and we will “soar as with eagles’ wings.”

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” – Matthew 11:28-30