I am the proud Poppa of an 8 year old gal who delights my heart.
Halle, you’re a wonderful little lady! You bring me great joy and are a blessing to our family! We all praise God for you!
We love you HG! Happy Birthday!
Celebrate with us and thank God for the blessing Halle is to our family (and to many others)!
Grace,
Brian
The apple bean doesn’t fall too far from the tree.
Grace,
Brian
If you have not read my previous post, do so, then return.
This might just be the guy I walked in on at Starbucks (a one minute video)…
Not the guy, but a nice effort on the prank!
Grace,
Brian
Some people like awkward.
I like awkward…most of the time.
However, I ran into a very awkward situation today, and I don’t know if I’m at fault or if the “other” is at fault?
I’m minding my own business at Starbucks. The time comes for me to go use the facilities. I walk across the lobby and enter the private bathroom. There is a guy already in said bathroom. Door left unlocked.
Awkward.
The look we exchanged was even more awkward.
I didn’t like this awkward.
I blame you Mr. I-Don’t-Care-If-You-Walk-In-On-Me-Guy!
Lock the door.
Grace,
Brian
Greg Stier, President of Dare 2 Share, a man for whom I have great respect, is branded “an evangelist.” While I have no doubt he has this gift, one of the things I really appreciate about him, as I have watched him over the last few years, is that He has a great love for the Word, the Church and ALL People. In Christendom we often see those who are more drawn to Discipleship and others who are more drawn to Evangelism. Where did this gap come from and why does this separation exist? It shouldn’t!
Greg, on his blog posted about this same subject. Check that out here.
After I read it, my blood was flowing a little faster, so I commented. My comments are posted here as a stand-alone blog (slightly edited so as to be a post, rather than a comment).
My hope and prayer is that each Youth Leader (and student) will truly understand that Evangelism and Discipleship are not meant to be divorced. For years many have separated something that has never been separated in Scripture! As we fall in love with the lost (evangelism) we need and fall deeper in love with the church (and discipleship). Youth Leaders (and unfortunately those who influence them) emphasize more Bible Study, better fellowship, longer worship and further-out missions and then wonder why these very students walk away from the church after high school.
Students who fall in love with the lost during middle-school and high school will carry that love onto their college campus or into their careers. If our emphasis continues to be to get Christian students to programs instead of to people, the trend will continue! The natural outflow of discipleship is living/sharing/breathing The Great Commission (THE Cause, as Greg and Dare 2 Share are rebranding it).
Youth Leaders (and I’d add Parents, Adults, Students) start modeling it! Not by just preaching about it, but by doing it yourself. If you don’t have non-Christian friends (your own age) that you are loving and sharing with, why do you expect your Christian students to fall in love with something you don’t even love? Talk about your failures (missed opportunities), praise God in your successes (the times you were faithful in sharing, leaving the results to the Spirit). Deeper love for the lost leads to deeper love and reliance upon Christ (and vice-versa!).
So, what do you think?
What do you want to do differently in your Discipleship/Evengelism?
Why do you think the gap has been created or exists?
I’d love to hear your rant!
Grace,
Brian
A very intriguing title huh?
Last night Elisabeth and I were talking about a few of the practical things we want/need. Sometimes we don’t have because we can’t afford. Other times we don’t have because we don’t ask (I think I’ve heard that one before…). So, the criteria for todays “Top 5” isn’t really a list of the big things we want/need (like a new roof or new fence), but the little practical things that we want/hope for and may get for free just because of the great readers out there who want to help us!
I somewhat joke, but I somewhat don’t. If you are gifted in an area that you could help us with one of these things, we’d be so excited (and thankful), and may even have you and your family over for dinner or something…
Without further ado, the list:
I don't know why Elisabeth wants it replaced?
Five: The Fan. We have a light fixture/fan hanging above our kitchen table that Elisabeth has despised since we moved in. Well, a couple years ago she purchased a nice replacement. It sits in our garage. An electrician I am not.
Four: QuickBooks or Quicken Tutorial. A CFO I am not… oh wait, I guess I am. I am often introduced as the “Founder and President of Youthmark.” Typically a joke occurs afterwards, “Yes, I am the CEO, CFO, but I am also the Custodian.” Okay, getting back to the matter at hand. I own a company, but I am not great at “the books” side of things yet. Anyone out there want to spend a couple hours giving me the quick tutorial on the ins and outs of some financial software? We’ll bust out the old-school monopoly and play with some of that money!
Three: Video Fun. I am not a filmmaker (I know, this surprises you). I am fully aware that better marketing for Youthmark will require having videos (online and to be sent out) and I even have the ideas for a couple videos I want produced. The problem, better marketing typically means more money. My hope is that I might find someone who has talent, passion, time and the equipment (I have a great camera, but we need great sound technologies too) to help me produce a couple videos to begin the process. It doesn’t hurt to ask right?
She's screaming!
Two: The SCREAMING, SCREECHING, WHINEY Avalon. A mechanic I am not. However, I have learned that aut0-shops like to have you pay WAY more than you need to for a job that takes the twist of a screw-driver. Elisabeth’s car apparently has a loose belt. I’m a car-idiot. Anyone know how to get a belt to not make the most obnoxious noise west of Dumb and Dummer stop? It really only makes it when the car is cold when you sit in a public parking lot where everyone around can see you clearly.
The shower-situation upstairs...
One: The Faucet. We’re certainly not a Bed-n-Breakfast, but we do have our fair-share of house guests. A recent dilemma has arisen. Our main-hall bathroom (where our kids and guests bathe) has a faulty (stripped) faucet. When we turn the thing on we have no idea what temperature the water will be. Turn to the left and it may get hotter… but it could turn to freezing cold. Turn it to the right and your water pressure could go down to a trickle or you could feel like you’re being pounded by Snoqualmie Falls. Not good. I’m not a plumber, I don’t even play one on TV. However, I don’t want to hire a plumber for a job that maybe, someone else could do for a meal on us?
So, there ya go, the top 5 practical things I want for free (at least I think they are practical).
We’re now taking applications!
Grace,
Brian
A recent pic from our church
Great times yesterday being able to deliver God’s Word to the flock at Faith. For those interested, you can click here to get to the sermon. I commented to a few people that I really enjoyed being able to preach and really discovered that I had missed it more than I had thought. Though I have had the opportunity to speak quite a bit (camps, retreats, youth group, Youthmark, etc.) in the last year and a half, it had been since August of 2008 that I had preached in a Sunday Morning service (shortly after starting Youthmark I went back to Boulevard Park to preach).
My wife said of yesterday, “that may have been among the best, if not the best sermon you’ve done.” Wow, that made my day! Such encouraging words!
Ultimately a sermon is only “the best” if the recipients and the deliverer have gleaned from God’s Word, allowed the Spirit to convict/move and then they all become doers of it. So, no Monday Morning Quarterback here, it’s time to go live it out instead of just analyzing it!
Grace,
Brian
The iPod.
The iPhone.
iTunes.
iEtc. (okay, made that one up)…
We live in a high-paced, selfish society. A culture that typically puts “i” first. Well, tomorrow “i” have the opportunity to present a message entitled, “Engaging the iCulture.” My hope is to put Christ first in everything that is said. The passage is 2 Cor. 5:17-21.
If you live in the greater “East Hill” area (Kent/Renton/Maple Valley/Auburn) and don’t have a church you call “home,” I’d love to have you come check out Faith tomorrow. Services at 9 and 10:45.
Regardless of your attendance… if you are in Christ, you are new Creation called to be an ambassador of/for Christ, called to reach this iCulture! Let’s do it! Amen?
Grace,
Brian
These usually produce some hilarity, so let’s see what happens as we begin 2010!
You’ll need to have a piece of paper or an open word document. First, go through the numbered list below and give your creative words for each specific word-type (just like Mad-Libs). Then, after you have created your list, copy the story below and add your words that correspond with the numbers in the story (erase the numbers obviously).
Insert this in as a “comment” and it’ll post. Be patient if it doesn’t post as a comment right away, in some cases I’ll need to approve you as a commenter. After some time I’ll list those cracked me up the most and then pick a winner based off those. The winner gets a great White-Elephant gift to give away next year.
DO NOT READ THE STORY FIRST!!! Fill in these words first (note: it is usually obvious to read the ones that people read ahead first).
1. adjective
2. measurement of time
3. verb ending in “ing”
4. Plural noun
5. past tense verb
6. A number
7. a number
8. verb ending with “ing”
9. Noun
10. verb
11. noun
12. adjective
13. a number
14. adjective
15. a place
16. a food
17. a liquid
18. body part
19. A common friend you and I might have (or a famous person if you can’t think of a common friend)
20. plural noun
Brian’s New Year Resolutions, 2010.
I cannot believe another (1) year has come to an end. It seems like it was just a (2) or two ago I was making my 2009 resolution to stop (3). Well, 12 (4) have in fact (5) by and it is now time for me to commit to my 2010 New Year Resolutions.
I came into the year weighing (6) pounds. My goal is to lose at least (7) pounds. I plan to do this by (8) right and getting plenty of cardio-(9). My favorite kind of cardio exercise is to (10) my (11). If my (12) math is correct, I should end the year weighing in at (13) pounds.
The exercise will often depend upon the (14) (15)weather. However, what I can control is what I eat. So no more (16) for me. Well, maybe once or twice this year, but only if I can drink (17) with it!
So, that’s my resolution! What about you? Rumor has it that you were going to give up cracking your (18). I know that (19) has been a horrible influence on you, I mean, with his/her habit of smoking (20) and all! Well, I hope it works!
******************
Okay, can’t wait to read these things! Check back often!
Grace,
Brian
********In the Running*********
The following folk are in the running because of the entire Aab-Lib, however, I did list one line that cracked me up the most…
“Rumor has it that you were going to give up cracking your eye. I know that Elisabeth has been a horrible influence on you, I mean, with her habit of smoking children and all! Well, I hope it works!” ~Jessica
“My favorite kind of cardio exercise is to squat my cough drop.” ~Brad Hostak
“My favorite kind of cardio exercise is to barter my cubicle…. (and) …Aaron Bauer has been a horrible influence on you, I mean, with his habit of smoking candelabras” ~the wifey
“The exercise will often depend upon the Ferocious Black Lake weather…(and)… but only if I can drink Tears with it!” ~Richard Judd
“I cannot believe another SEXY year has come to an end” ~Jason
“I plan to do this by Hockey Pucking right” ~Aaron
********** THE WINNER **********
“My favorite kind of cardio exercise is to squat my cough drop.” ~Brad Hostak
I cannot wait to start squatting my cough drop! Congrats Brad, great Aab-lib! Next time I see you, you shall get your great White Elephant gift! Be afraid excited!
BRIANAABY.COM 