Category Random/Rant

Keeping up with Halle

Brian Aaby 3 Comments

Halle, for her seventh birthday, was given six brand-new books from her Nonni and Poppi (her grandparents, Elisabeth’s folks).  Each of these books was about 75-80 pages in length (for 8 to 10 year olds).  She finished them in less than two hours.  All of them.  Two hours.  Are you serious?

 

Almost finished!

Almost finished!

For my 36th (wow, I’m 36), in December, I borrowed a book from our friends Duane and Sue.  It is probably 400 pages (don’t have it with me, otherwise I’d look), but I’m still not finished.  However, it is good.  I am a big John Grisham fan.

 

I grew up reading the sports page and not too many books.  In fact, it wasn’t until I was a couple years into marriage I remember truly reading a book just for pleasure (all other books, though some were enjoyable, were for classes).  

The Appeal, though very good, is not my favorite of the Grisham books, I look forward to reading Playing For Pizza and A Painted House, next (both Grisham novels).

I’m also going to read the next in the Bourne series (thanks mom).  So, you have any suggestions for other authors I might like, given I like Ludlum and Grisham?  I need suggestions if I want to keep reading at the same pace as my seven year old daughter!

Happy reading (might finish the Appeal tonight)!

Grace,

Brian

Another Update from Last Post

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

Had a great discussion with a friend about my last post.  We both could relate to the fear that a person would have in adding the software–causing others to think that the person adding it must have a problem.  The good news, you’re only asking two of your closest friends (who probably already know your heart anyway).

I really like what my friend’s church did in the wake of the Ted Haggard issue a few years ago.  The elders came to pastors and staff and asked each of them to put it on their computers.   They then went before their congregation and explained all the accountability tactics they have in place and I believe they even encouraged others to do the same!

This way, it is the elders asking, rather than a pastor volunteering it and having others assume he is a porn addict.

So, my hope is that people will take this seriously.  If you are “Joe” or “Sally” reader, not only can you add the software for yourself, but you could also suggest it to your elders that all staff computers have the software.  As you read in the stats yesterday, nearly 60% of Pastors think this is one of the biggest issues facing the church; we can’t keep ignoring it.

And to calm all fears; no, I am not working sales for X3, no financial kickback… oh yeah, it’s free anyway!

Grace,
Brian

Risky Breakfast in Bellevue

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

(UPDATED Thursday afternoon): I just returned from a breakfast in Bellevue.  Food was great; fellowship was great (sat with some good ministry friends) and the subject was pretty risky for this group!

Bellevue Christian hosted this Pastors/Ministry Breakfast and asked the founder (Craig) from XXXChurch to come and share about the ministry.  XXXchurch.com exists to help people who have, will have or deal with people who have a problem with internet pornography.  Which, according to statistics, almost every person reading this post has consumed it (intentionally or unintentionally) in some way or another (this is certainly not a accusation that you are dealing with a problem, however it is a plea for all of us to deal with THE PROBLEM).  

X3 is the accountability software they produced/distribute (free) at www.xxxchurch.com.  It is available in both mac and pc.  I was very impressed with the presentation and thankful that Craig and others are speaking honestly about an area that has really influenced (read: HURT) millions of lives/families.

Interesting story, a few years ago xxxchurch was asked to provide a cd of their software to all the participants at a large national conference.  They handed out 9000 copies of this software to pastors/leaders.  They had installed a tracking mechanism simply to count how many people registered out of the 9000.  83.  Craig said that hundreds of pastors/leaders had thanked them for the software, said things like, “this is sooo needed in our church,” etc. etc.  Hmmm?  Only 83/9000 used it.  

What is the problem? Well, the problem is that a Pastor, Leader, Youth Pastor, etc. might think that having the program means that others will believe they HAVE a problem.  Will pride be the reason a person doesn’t seek accountability?  Quick side note: This issue is not just a “male” issue either.  Experts predict that 40% of pornography is viewed by/purchased by females.

Here’s how it works: You have the software (download for free here) and you then ask two accountability partners to receive the report, via email, of any questionable web sites visited by the registered computer.  The two accountability friends would then be responsible to contact the person who may have surfed in dangerous waters.  So the problem (pride): If a person loads the software onto his/her computer it may be assumed that he/she has a problem rather than just assuming they want to live a pure life.  

Quick Facts (provided by xxxchurch):

·         53% of Christian men consume pornography

·         57% of pastors call pornography the most sexually damaging issue for their congregations

·         69% of pastors started looking at porn out of curiosity

·         World wide porn industry is: $57 billion; feeding the population of Sudan for a year: $15 billion.

·         Porn revenue is larger than all combined revenues of all professional football, baseball and basketball franchises

·         Worldwide visitors to pornographic web sites: 72 million annually

·         90% of 8-16 year olds have viewed porn online (most while doing homework)

·         Experts believe that a porn addiction may be harder to break than a heroin addiction

So… here’s the risk:  Will you do it? I am going to.  My wife and another best friend will soon be asked (by x3 software) to be my accountability, NOT because I have a problem, but because I want to strive for holiness in all aspects of my life.  Anyone else going to risk?

Grace,
Brian

Adrenaline Rush

Brian Aaby 3 Comments

 

December 12, 2006: I received my video ipod from my generous gifting in-laws.

 

 

addiction? yes.

addiction? yes.

January 27, 2007: I open the ipod box and start to figure out how the whole itunes purchasing works.  I had been told that 24, the TV series, was very good, so, I thought this could be my first purchase.  I risked, and purchased all of season 1 (they were in season 6 at the time).  I think I made the purchase at about 11:00 PM and had a flight the next morning with Brad and Schlaud (two friends doing a scout trip with me for a mission).

 

January 28, 2007: “Ding” the airplane bell rang, indicating it was now safe to turn on portable electronics.  I pulled out the ipod, plugged in the ear buds and began episode one, season one of 24.  Within 15 minutes I turned to Schlaud and said, “I’m hooked.”

April 14, 2007: I was completely caught up with 24 and ready to watch the last 4-5 episodes of season 6.  I wasn’t lying when I said I was hooked.  Many a night I found myself going to bed at 11:00 and watching not one, not two, but sometimes three episodes of 24.  

S0, the writers strike of 2008 had me extremely bummed out about 24 (thus we’ve had a year and a half hiatus from 24).

 

Go Jack!

Go Jack!

January 11 and 12, 2009: It’s back and as good as ever.  Ahhh, the adrenaline is flowing and I am very, very happy to have this little indulgence.  I don’t mind you confronting me about idols, adrenaline addiction, etc.; but please don’t call to do so on Mondays between 9:00 and 10:00 PM.

I’m going dark!

Grace,
Brian

P.S. I have Wescott to thank for the addiction, he pushed it on me!

Weekend Agenda

Brian Aaby 2 Comments

Ahhh, the weekend! Hope yours is filled with rest, fun, relaxation, accomplishments and more.  Here’s what’s happening for me/us:

  • Kentridge High Basketball Game (contact work for where I lead Young Life), the whole fam is going!
  • Out with some former BPPC students to Applebees for late-night appetizers
  • Visit Lake Retreat Camp to check out stage-set up for upcoming Spring Retreat (my brother is leading program for a church so my dad and I are heading out for a quick scout/visit)
  • Hang time with the family
  • Elisabeth going to a movie with Jen, Eric and I will hang out with my kids!
  • B-day party for a new friend of ours from Faith (our new church)
  • Church
  • Halle’s 7th B-Day (Sunday) and party with family!
  • 24 (Sunday night debut of season 7)

Have a great weekend!

Grace,
Brian

Proud Family/Friend

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

For the last few months one of my best friends, Anthony, and my father-in-law, Andy, have been hard at work on a pretty phenomenal event.  Legacy Ministries is hosting an event entitled, From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Bible in America.  In short, this two-month exhibit celebrates the Scriptures and its history.  Anthony is the executive director at Legacy and my father-in-law serves on the board of directors; the two of them, in many ways, put the right people together to put this event together!    Check out what the Phoenix Fox affiliate had to say about it!

I’ll see if I can get the video embedded into here, but for now, click here to get directly to the video.

Hope many of my old neighbors in PHX get to check this out.  I am hoping to swing a trip down south just to see it!

Grace,
Brian

Words

Brian Aaby 5 Comments

I wanted to take a quick break today and blog; but really couldn’t think of what I wanted to post.  I have a few ideas that I want to pursue, but these ideas would be longer entries.  So, I thought a fun entry, from time to time would be something you could participate in as well.  What three words describe your day?  It could cause intrigue, follow-up or confusion!  So, here is my attempt:

1.Network

2.Creating

3.Expectation

How about your three words?

Grace,
Brian

A Smattering Of Fun/Work

Brian Aaby 2 Comments

What day is it?  

For some reason the days leading in and following Christmas always seem to throw my internal calendar into a thick haze.  I think it is that Christmas and New Years feel like a weekend day no-matter-what.  Then throw in an actual weekend and then you’re really messed up.  On top of that, as a Youth Pastor, we would throw in the occasional all day event or overnighter and I’d be thrown off even more.  

This year, though not a Youth Pastor, was no different.  In many ways I felt like I got a lot done for Youthmark (especially in the last days before Christmas), but in other ways I feel like I now need to hit it hard because of the lack of productivity lately.  

It was a great Holiday Season, really a smattering (in a good way) of family, friends, work and ministry.  Though each felt a little short changed and rushed, as I look back, the amount of time with each was a created a nicely put together puzzle.

A few of the highlights:

Ministry: Able to share at Calvary Chapel South on a Sunday morning, speak at Highlands Community Church Winter Camp and then, today, speak at a parent meeting back at Calvary Chapel South.  Oh, and I had a great Reunion with my old Lifeboat guys as well!

Family: Too many, bound to miss some, but having E’s folks in town is always nice; the Aaby extended family Christmas went really well; our immediate family loved doing Advent Sundays together and of course Christmas morning is the highlight of the time with them.

Work: Though ministry and work can sometimes be confused, I will say completing the Youthmark Mission Venture Leaders Guide was a huge highlight, especially getting them out on time, before Christmas!

Friends: Of course taking 4th place last night at the hearts tourney was pretty sweet, but it was equally as cool hanging out with the friends there.  On top of that we were able to spend time with many out-of-town folk who were back home for the Holidays.  I learned Farkle (or Farkel depending on who you ask).

Though there are more highlights, I need to leave for church, busy/fun day ahead, continuing the smattering for the next couple days as I have set aside times for friends, work, games, ministry and family!

Grace,

Brian

I Heart Hearts

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

 

Tourney #2 Tonight!

Tourney #2 Tonight!

For the last 0h-so-many years I have participated in a Hearts (card game) tournament.  My friend, Frank, had been hosting it at his Lake Tapps home location.  He was probably a good 7-9 years into hosting the tournament when Boeing up and moved him to California (for some reason the 25 or so guys who participate didn’t want to commute for a tourney?). 

 

At the time of his move we decided it could be a good thing to keep it going and I would host it (Frank would come home for Thanksgiving to see his extended family anyway).  Frank was not long for California (I think he may have only been in CA for one or two holiday seasons?).  Anyway, he returned to the NW and we like the tournaments enough that I kept hosting one and he added a second tourney (he is now up north in the Everett area).   So, now twice a year around the holidays (T-Giving and Christmas) we participate/host two tournaments.  

We are moving my tourney to my dad’s house this year (something about an 8-month old and sleep?).  They are always a lot of fun.  I just hope the move offsite (away from my house) allows me to play better than I have for the last 3-4 years.  If you’re good at hearts, live in the greater Seattle area, you’re a man (sorry, we’re not Politically Correct yet), and you are free tonight (Saturday), hit me up with an email, we’ll get you in.

Here’s to Shootin’-the-Moon!

Grace,
Brian

Reunited

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

Though the roads were slick, the temperatures cool and there was way too much on the proverbial plate, I took the time to be reunited with my old Lifeboat (small group) guys last night!  It was so great to see all the guys, only one of our regulars was not able to make it.

Last night was all about the silly things… food and White Elephants; it would be great if the guys could get together one more time over their break so we can have a real “Lifeboat” time (Bible Study, Prayer, Sharing etc.).  We started at Azteca and made our way back to Micah’s house for not one, but two rounds, of White Elephant gifts.  I walked away with a Calendar and a DVD.  Couldn’t be happier, both gifts are actually re-giftable as real gifts (yes, I believe in the occasional re-gift). 

Because I had to get up at 0-dark-thirty, I bailed as close to 9:00 PM as possible to brave the frozen roads.  I, for one, can say that the reunion was sweet, lots of fun, great food and a real passion to see the guys continue to grow in the Lord!

Grace,
Brian