Month August 2008

A Lot of Hurt Going Around

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

Elisabeth and I were chatting online today (no, not in the same house, though we have done that before) and it seems like a lot of our friends and family are going through a season of suffering.  It is interesting, because simultaneously I see and hear of great things happening in the lives of our family and friends at the same time.  

Our friends, Dave and Deanne, are moving from CA to the NW to be chuch-plant missionaries (they are going to coach new pastors who are planting the much needed churches in the NW).  Friends, Byron and Shannon, just got married this last week.  We have other friends getting married soon, some having babies soon, and others starting a new venture.  I have family members who have just returned from missions; got accepted to a new exciting opportunity; and ones who just expanded their family.  Very cool stuff!

But the suffering in the lives of others we are close to still exists in big ways.  We have a friend who just lost a baby niece.  Another who had a grandmother just die.  I have a friend from a previous church who is struggling with her mom’s cancer.  Just today a good friend of ours let us know about a significant mass on his liver.  Just prior to that email, I received an instant message from a young man saying that his cousin had just died this morning.  Very tough stuff.

I do not know why the Lord works in His mysterious ways.  But I do know He has provided examples for us as to how we are to respond.  I am drawn to the ends of chapters one and two of Job.  I hope these passages can encourage you to stay strong in your sorrows and celebrate the gifts He continues to bestow upon us.

Job 1:20-22: At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Job 2:9-10 His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

I have a heavy heart for those suffering; however, I am choosing to praise God for the great things He is doing in the trials and in the triumphs.  They often go hand-in-hand.

Grace,
Brian

Balancing Act

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

One of my favorite park activities growing up was the teeter totter… I had friends that were bigger than me, and could keep me in the “up” position because of their weight.  And I had a brother who was smaller than me who I could cause to crash by jumping off (yes, I could be can be a punk at times).  The art of the teeter-totter is when you found the person who weighed the same and you could maintain that perfect balance.

It’s been awhile since I have written specifically about Youthmark.  I want to keep my blog balanced between family, spirituality, Youthmark and perhaps a little humor from time to time.  To be honest, I think my family, my faith and Youthmark will actually provide most of the humor! 

This last week was a mix of joy and struggle.  There were times I felt balanced, times I know I let the totter crash and other times I felt I was being lifted high (supported, yet vulnerable).  I was under the self-imposed gun of getting the things done for Youthmark that needed to get done before my Lifeboat trip; yet my week was also consumed with getting ready to preach at Boulevard Park (which was a lot of fun to do this morning, great to see so many loving faces).  I am beginning to understand that balance of the time it will take for certain aspects of my job.  However, I have little-clue right now what it is going to take to keep the balance of perspective and control.

I want to be a person who is seeking help where help is needed; but I also don’t want to be ruled by the help or opinion of others.  Balance is needed.

I am working on an informational brochure, so-to-speak, for the mission side of Youthmark.  To begin I have been writing copy (the written material) for the piece.  On top of that I am gathering ideas for the icons, logos, pictures, etc. As the project comes to the point where it is time to put ideas to action (as in produce the brochure) I find myself in need of help in some areas, but wanting/needing to keep things the way I originally intended as well.  How much control am I willing to yield?

I am young in the business side of things.  I am not skilled in many areas of the “industry” but I also want things done a certain way–with my heart, my passion and my vision.  The contrast is between being confident/driven and arrogant/domineering.  I want the first, and I abhor the second.  I want to be a learner who applies not a self-driven stubborn man who thinks he can do it on his own.

I am thankful for those the Lord has provided me as “help.”  Your influence, your expertise and your experience is invaluable to me.  I can’t wait to have your marks on these Youthmark projects.

However, I am also driven by my vision for things being done a certain way.  I pray I may find the balance. May I be a person who listens to critique, advice and encouragement.  And may I be a person who can apply those if applicable or graciously not apply those same critiques or advice if it stands in contrast to what my intention for any particular project is calling me to do.  I had much smarter/experienced people helping me this week–yet some of their advice/opinions clashed with each other or my ideas.  Fortunately for me, these friends are all humble people who love and support the Aabys and Youthmark.  I thank God for their help and encouragement; I am learning much from them.

Ahh, balance.  May I find that sweet spot in the middle.  May I trust all those that are on the other end of the totter.  May they trust me as well.  

I have to remember, as a child I liked the teeter totter.  Perhaps I can learn to like this adult teeter totter as well?

Grace,
Brian

Looking Forward… Discipleship

Brian Aaby 2 Comments

A week or two ago I started a new series on this blog (who am I kidding? everything I do right now on this blog is “new”).  I called it, “Looking Forward.”  This series will be a semi-regular post.  Today, I am using my Discipleship Relationships as the subject for this LF (and for fun I added some real and funny links).

In the next…

…hour I look forward to finishing the menu/grocery list and some final details for my upcoming trip with my Lifeboat (small group of guys I discipled for the last 4 years at BPPC).  

…day I am looking forward to shooting the guys an email reminding them of the money they owe me, the last minute details, the money they owe me, the packing list, and the money they owe me (I have paid for everything upfront, so, yeah, reimbursements are needed… ha).

…week I look forward to spending several days with these young men that mean a lot to me.  We are heading to Phoenix, AZ for a “last hoorah.”  Micah Egger and I have been co-leading this group for four years and for the last three we have talked, as a group, about doing something special at the end of their senior year.  The guys wanted guaranteed hot weather for a reasonable price.  So we’re renting a house, van and doing most of our meals at the house (to save money on going out).  Here is the itinerary for our trip:

Tuesday: Fly in, shop, pool time, “Lifeboat” time (we’re going to continue our study time, we finished Acts, but we’re going to do some review and concentrate on a few key things to launch into life).

Wednesday: AZ Diamondbacks game by day, pool time and Lifeboat

Thursday: EARLY wake up (5:00 AM), drive to the Grand Canyon (spend several hours there), then come down a back way to Sedona and Slide Rock.  Dinner out.

Friday: Relax day, pool, area mall, movies, some of our guys will have some friends visit (as will I, I used to pastor in Phoenix). Lifeboat at night.

Saturday: Some site-seeing and then the big thing on the agenda is a big “Last Supper” (Lifeboat) as a group.

Sunday: Church, lunch out and flight home.

Please pray the guys going:  Brian, Micah, Steve, Tim, Brandon, Alex, Ricky, Dylan, Frankie and John D. (and while you’re at it, pray for the few guys that couldn’t make it, we are sad: Nick, Josh, Jesse and John F.)

2008 Guys Lifeboat

2008 Guys Lifeboat

 

…month I am looking forward to renewing my one-on-one discipleship with Ricky Judd and seeing our guys get involved in their ministries at their churches and at their schools.  Several of the guys are staying local and will be involved at BPPC and other local churches.  So I will get to stay in close contact with them.

…year I am excited to see where God leads us (my family) in terms of a church.  I am most looking forward to getting involved with a small group of young men to disciple again.  My “C-Group” from First EPC and my “Lifeboat” at BPPC have been the highlights of my 16 year career as a Youth Pastor and I can’t wait to do a small group as a volunteer like all my wonderful lay staff members have done with me for years… these are the true heroes in youth ministry!

Father, I am so thankful for the years of youth ministry you have given me and specifically for the two small groups I have been privileged to lead, with the likes of Peter Beringer (FEPC) and Micah Egger (BPPC).  I pray you will continue to use me in shaping the lives of young men!

Grace,
Brian