maggie brown's wedding

Maggie and her parents, the Browns, waiting for her grand entrance.

Maggie and new husband makin' out!

Amy and Maggie.

So, Maggie's now married. This marks the first marriage of any student which Amy or I discipled at ncc. Maggie married just two weeks after she turned 18, just two months after graduating high school. He is in the Air Force, and he helps guard missile silos in Montana (side note: the Spanish word montaña translates mountain in English). Don't know how things will go, since we've not really been around her for the last year and a half or so, and we definitely do not know him, but we wish them the best of the LORD's blessings for their new family.

a game of settlers

Settlers of Catan has got to be my favorite board game of all time, maybe my favorite game overall. I got invited over to Justin Kary's folks' house last night for a game, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. First, I got to hang out with Justin and Tim (Davis) who were my guys in discipleship in the student ministries at ncc until Tim graduated last year and Justin this. This game turned into a 3.5 hour game. I didn't get home until almost 10pm and I had left around 4:15pm (I'm sorry, Amy). We had a great time playing and goofing around. I would love to have times like that with any of my guys, I mean, the men-who've-now-graduated-high-school (too long of a title?). And, yes, I won (w00t!). It was a long game, slow at times, but the wit around the table kept things interesting. I very much enjoyed myself in their company. If you've never seen Settlers, then below is just a visual taste of the game for you to take in. Maybe you and I should play some time (btw, Amy normally beats me).

These are resource cards that help you build items to increase your points which helps you win.

These are Development Cards from the original game. They are also used with the first expansion to the game, Sea Fairers, but not the third, Cities & Knights.
The Longest Road is used in all three expansions. If you have the longest road, you get two victory points toward your normal goal of 13. The most common ways to get victory points are through building settlements and cities.
This card displays all of the building costs for the original game. There are different things to build on top of these once you reach the Cities & Knights expansion (which is what Justin, Tim, their friend Nathan and I played).
This is Sea Fairers, an expansion to Settlers which includes more water hexes and shipping lanes to add to the Longest Road.

superhero rumble

Talk about an epic battle!

Those DP cans are deadly.

Bat-Girl is ready for anything.

In the end, Dr. Pepper invited Bat-Girl to a nice dinner together in the cafeteria.

dr pepper

I was asked to put a few of the "Dr. Pepper" pictures up, so I decided to put a few select ones up that show off the outfit that Amy and I put together for me for sc07 Chasing Heroes Friday. What do you think?

Chaz Oltman, Mike Chase, and I all looked fantastic, I must say. ;-)

Steven "Bomber" looked great.

We didn't think about it until the day of, but Amy could have gone as Diet Dr. Pepper and rocked the house. That would have been sweet, or nutra-sweet, at least. ;-)

sc07

I know it's been awhile since I posted last, but we've been at camp for the student ministries at ncc. sc07 (summer camp 2007) was incredible: heart change; great, freeing worship; good lessons; and awesome games. But best of all, we did it all to the glory of God. I've got over 500 pics that we took, but I won't be putting all of them up on this blog, though I plan to put a few select ones up. It was a great 5 days at PLNU (Point Loma Nazarene University) in San Diego, CA. It was at least 30 degrees cooler in SD than it was in Phx when we returned. Believe me, I love Phx and don't want to move away from my desert home, but it was quite nice to have a respite spiritually at camp and physically with the weather and beautiful ocean. I hope to get mon Amy's opinion on things up here, as well, but we are still trying to get back in the grove of life. We've had family here, as well. Misty & Melissa Sides, Amy's first cousins, have been staying with the Ogles for the last few weeks. It has been great to see them again and to be able to disciple Misty even more. She's got a desire for growth, and that's exciting. They leave today, so life might get back to normal soon, but it was a great time together, and Misty joined us at camp, too. Melissa will be with us next year, you can count on that. Overall, these last few weeks have been a blessing. Praise our God, for He is good.

nfhs commencement speech

The following is my speech for the Northwest Family High School commencement which took place tonight, Friday, May 11, 2007.

Paul spoke of David, in Acts 13. Paul told of how the LORD “testified concerning [David]: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do’”(v22). Just a bit further down the chapter, Paul makes another comment about David: “…David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, [then he died]” (v36). What will be said about you, graduates?

David faced adversity. So have you.

Andrew, you were born with a condition that many people do not live long with, and yet the LORD has seen fit that you serve Him and for Him to keep you growing strong and maturing into the caring, compassionate, and trustworthy man you are today. Andrew, I’ve personally seen you show love for others as you pray for them in discipleship or as you play with and care for young children or as you welcome someone into student ministries or even befriend someone who might not be very lovable in other’s eyes. You bless me in how you love the LORD and respond to others.

Sarah, you continue to have physical struggles that debilitate you, take you in and out of the hospital, and yet the LORD has seen fit that you serve Him and for Him to give you an incredible heart for others that brings joy to so many whose lives you impact. This is seen in how you are always ready to engage someone in conversation (which Amy would attest to as being completely different from just a few years ago), how your perspective on the pain you’re in now will allow you to comfort others in the future, and how you seek out passages of Scripture that both comfort and challenge you, such as “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (ii cor 4.16). For me, Sarah, you are a shining light of what dependence on the LORD should be.

Bethany, I don’t know you as well, but you’ve had insecurity and timidity in relationships and yet the LORD has seen fit that you serve Him and for Him to grow you, mature you, and as this past year progressed, you have, and I quote, “really blossomed…both academically as well as in the way [you interact] with [your] friends.” I’ve been told that you are a very humble girl who is talented, but you don’t necessarily see it. You’d rather be behind the scenes, and you accomplish this even at such a small school by being behind the camera, which is continually rolling, and you’ve always got that cute and funny smile. You work hard until you master whatever you are doing. Bethany, you are a diamond in the rough which God is making into a shining jewel for Himself.

All three of you have faced, are facing, and will face adversity, still the LORD has been faithful, has brought others around you, and has worked in your lives, just like He did with David.

So, how will you continue to serve God’s purpose in your generation before you die? What will be your legacy? Will you do everything that the LORD wants you to? Keep this in mind as you make decisions of schooling, family, and career. In the book of James it says, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the LORD’s will, we will live and do this or that’” (ch4, vv13-15). Is it wrong for you to make plans for your future? Not at all. The idea here is that when you make those plans, remember who’s in control of it all. Remember who it is all about.

Your challenge, graduates, is to make your life all about Him and not about you. It is to do the LORD’s will with your life, loving Him and loving others. It is for you to do all the LORD would have you do. Are you a man or woman after God’s own heart? Will it be said of you, Bethany “served God’s purpose in her own generation,” Sarah “served God’s purpose in her own generation,” and Andrew “served God’s purpose in his own generation”? From what I know about the three of you, that is your desire, so live it. God’s greatest blessings be on you, graduates.

quote

"Not about how to do church, but how to be the Church."
~Jamie Self (ncc sm pastor)

the best part

I must say, the best part of the Suns 129 - 127 victory was being able to cheer the Suns on with my guys. My discipleship group has been together since they were in 7th grade, and I joined them as a leader the second semester of their 7th grade year. This is my sixth year with them, and they are a great bunch of guys. We poked fun at each other, each one pretty much getting his own turn, but we laughed and screamed and had a blast cheering our Suns on to this great win. We were hosted by the Tolmachoffs, and they provided pizza and the HD experience that this game deserved. What a blast we had together! We all jumped up and yelled when Nash hit that three at the end of regulation to tie. We high-fived and grunted together. Guys, if you're reading this, I love you all. You're an incredible blessing to me, and, no, not just because you like the Suns, also. I've been extremely privileged to be your d-group leader for all this time, and I am looking forward to the impact the Lord will have in and through your lives throughout the rest of this year and the many to come. I am proud to call you my friends. Serve Him with all your heart. He deserves our all. It's all for His glory: live like it.

two weeks in review

It's been a while since I have written anything on here. Adam told me to write again and I said I would if he made a decision about dinner and my parents coming over here. He did so I am keeping up my end of the bargain. So a lot of things have happened since I wrote last, but it kind of feels redundant to talk about them because Adam already has...but he said I should do it anyway because I am different than he is so I will do it anyway. It seems like a really long time ago but High School winter camp was 2 weeks ago. Camp was really awesome this year, God answered prayer in a big way (He is a big God, right?). We have been praying for a while that God would change lives and save people at this camp, and He did! We had 15 students baptized when we came home on Sunday night. Some of them were saved at camp and some of hem rededicated their lives. It was such a great thing to come home and not be done. It was the first time that we have done a session on Sunday evening with the whole church. I really think it was good for the students and the parents, so everyone was on the same page and conversations could stem from the shared experience. It was a very good weekend, it was fun too. The dumb games and the hoedown. One of my girls had a cold while at camp an she decided that it would be nice thing to share it with me so I got it when we go home. Wow, it seems like a long time ago...moving on...So valentines day was this month. I got some flowers for me from Adam, they were very nice (thanks babe). And he gave me a very nice card and a sucker (thanks to one of his students, it was good too). Valentines day is nice but its really not that big of a deal. Its not like I don't know Adam loves me, he doesn't have o get me extra things on specific day to tell me that. I think that its just a scam from retailers to get people to spend more money. Ok, that was way too much time on that subject. So the family all came into town on Wednesday of last week. Beth, Joe, and Jon stayed with us and Vaughn and Kathy stayed at Irene's. It was a nice weekend with them here. Thursday night was here with Kathy's family, it was fun, always entertaining. Friday was pretty much all day wedding stuff. I took Charles and Allison's wedding that night, and was doing prep and pictures the majority of the day. It wore me out but I was really glad that I was able to do the wedding. I think the pictures turned out well, I hope the newlyweds agree, but if they don't they actually get a chance to retake their wedding pictures in May. Saturday was a fun day at the park. We took a large group photo of everyone while the out of towners were in town. Then we played games and hung out the rest of the evening. Sunday was church and Grandma Van's 100 birthday get together. We were late or both of the above events. We were going to go to HS group on Sunday morning but we didn't make it out of bed in time so we just went for second hour service. And we went home to let Aidan (and me) take a quick nap before Grandma's. We didn't quite make it in time for that either...which was kind of sad because they were going to have Adam do the opening prayer or lead some of the singing. Oh well, not a big deal. Grandma Van's party was really nice. She is pretty amazing, and hat is reflected in all the people that she has touched over her century of being alive. It was really nice to hear the stories that were remembered, and sing together thinking of all the she is going to join soon. It was kind of sad too, I am never too sure why believers cry at things like this but we do. I just pray that the nonbelievers that were there were touched by the love of Christ and the witness of Grandma Van. Monday was the trip of a lifetime to he Grand Canyon. It was the longest trip to the canyon I have ever made. It was cold, there was snow, there were cars and there was lots of parking. I think that's a pretty good summary of the day. I am not really sure how God intended to show His glory through that day but I am sure that he did somehow...I will get back to you on that one. On Tuesday I made a run to the airport and had a few other things hat needed to be done. Tuesday night was when everything caught u to me, I was (still am) sick through all of this. I don't think that all of the running around helped, but that ok, that's what the weekend was all about. So Tuesday night was the first night I didn't have something going on and I was very tired. I am still trying to heal from this cold...wouldn't you think that 2 weeks would be enough to feel better-good grief. And now Aidan is sick too. He made it for so long but then he got the flu. He had a fever and no appetite and threw up...a lot. I don't do so well with puke, it usually makes me puke too, but I made it through without throwing up. Aidan is now doing better but not 100%. He is such a good kid, he has only been kind of whiny and slightly more cuddly since he has been sick. I had a tea party this morning, but no one showed up except for my mom. That's ok I guess, I had some outside orders before the party and hope to get some more tomorrow. I felt kind of bad but Kelsey said she didn't care and got to do everything anyway to help train a new person. i guess that's all to talk about for now...I am going to have to write more often if I don't want this to take so long every time...

forty and thirteen

"Clear the bench, we're up by 25!" Now, I didn't get to see the game, but I could just imagine this statement being made during the Suns (40 - 13) routing of the Clipper Nation (25 - 29) in LA last night, 115 - 90. Talk about a much needed blowout to show Nash was back. He earned himself a double double with 13 points and 12 assists. Marion brought his own flare with 31 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Stoudemire had 22 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Pat Burke ended up with 7 points and 10 rebounds. Another returning player for the Suns was Kurt Thomas, who played 27 minutes, who earned only 4 points but got 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Everyone on the roster (minus Diaw) played, and all but two of them scored. This was a nice welcome back party for Thomas and Nash. Time to start dominating again, boys! We're still 4 games behind Dallas (44 - 9) at this point, but we can make that up in a flash if they'd simply lose a couple games. The Suns take on the absolutely terrible Celtics (13 - 39) tonight at home in Phoenix starting at 7pm AZ time. I think I'm gunna get with the senior men from the sm@ncc and watch the domination happen. Sounds like fun to me! GO SUNS!

killer jackalope

Look out, Kha! That's the giant, killer jackalope of Bison Ranch!

winterrupt 07

Winterrupt 07 was ncc's winter camp which just took place this weekend, February 9-11. We were up at Bison Ranch, about 3 1/2 hours from Phoenix. What an incredible weekend! Chris Mueller spoke 4 times (3 Sat and 1 Sunday morning). We talked about unraveling ourselves and our view of being "religious." Getting rid of religion and having sound doctrine, meaning truth lived out, was huge. We had a lot of students that were convicted that their lifestyles don't reflect God's control and ultimate position. We had a few students accept Christ and were saved (as far as we know, since we can't see the heart, but God does), and we had 15 baptisms when we got home Sunday night. Praise and worship was great, and the band did a wonderful job. The planning was superb, as well, and the weekend went off without much of a hitch. The "dad's crew" was awesome, and the staff did a great job. Camelback Bible Church brought along their junior highers, as well, and I believe that they had a great time, too. God answered a ton of prayers this weekend. His name is to be greatly praised! All glory unto His name alone!

friday night gift

My mom gave us permission to use 30 of their dollars for recreation/dinner together on our night away from Aidan. Aidan was staying with his grandparents (Ogles) so they could test run him staying the night with them this next weekend because Amy and I are going to Winterrupt (sm@ncc winter camp 07) for the weekend and childcare would not be provided for him. They are doing us a huge favor, and we got to use the test run to enjoy having no responsibilities. We got a little dressed up (a nice shirt and jeans for me equals a little dressy), dropped Aidan off, and then went to see if the dollar theatre had Eragon yet. They didn't. So we went to blockbuster to see if there were any movies we would like to purchase/rent. There weren't. We then went to Quizno's Subs and got dinner for $24 (yikes). It was great (we'd never go there unless on someone else's money, heh). We came home, watched half of Ocean's Twelve, then we went to the "build-your-own" sundae place just south of our house on 51st Ave. Man, were those 24 ounces expensive: just under $10 for just two bowls of ice cream with a few toppings (I would have topped the $30 limit, so I paid for that). We could have gone to Cold Stone for that much and had much better ice cream. It was good to try it, though, and Amy was on an ice cream kick, so that satisfied her craving (she's now on a doughnut kick, to which I said "no"). We came back home and enjoyed the ice cream (somewhat) and finished the movie. It was a great evening provided by both sets of (grand)parents. We are very grateful for the Ogles taking care of Aidan, and very grateful to the Van Liews for providing the money for a really good dinner (we love Quizno's, we just can't do it normally). We love you all.

resolved

I believe I have mentioned Resolved before: it's the group of college age and up who desire a deeper growth and greater impact in the local body and the local community. I have been asked to be in the Resolved leadership, and part of my role would be to define my role, since there will be little direction from Jamie Self (studentministries pastor at ncc) because he wants to get a group of people together that love the Lord and will take initiative in creating ministries and loving people for the Kingdom and for His name's sake. What a great goal! Amy and I are talking about being finished with the high school group and moving solely into Resolved at the end of the summer. It would free up more time during the week, and we'd have the opportunity to be with more people our age. Peers...that would be nice. To God be the glory. May it be done in such a way that there could be no other explaination than God did it.

znotaboutme

Yesterday, I taught at ncc again in the studentministries. I spoke on James 5.13-18. I will teach again on this coming Sunday, and will be closing up a 12 week stand in James with ch5 vv19-20. For any of the sm@ncc's messages from any of our teachers, please feel free to visit www.znotaboutme.com and click on "messages" at the top. You can listen online, or download them for later listening pleasure. I felt that the Lord used me, and that there was no way that it could have totally been me. I'm sure that my sinfulness got in the way somewhere, but the Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness , and relenting of evil (Joel 2.13). How great is our God, and greatly to be praised! It can't be about me. It must be about Him. He is glorified as His character is shown off to the world around us. It is our job to be like Him in order to show others even a slight glimpse of who He is. He has radically changed my heart, and He will do the same for you. Leave me a comment if you want to talk about it, and I'll get back to you. He alone is worthy.

justin unger

Now, you might have heard of Across the Sky, the Christian Conteporary music group; they broke up a while ago. Man, you're out of the loop. Heh heh. Anyway, the point to bringing that up is that Justin Unger, one of the forementioned group, went to NCC with me and was in my studentministries. We even played/sang together in the studentministries worship band, back in the day. Justin did not inform me, however, that Falon (his wife), Carson (his son), and he had returned to AZ and are now a part of The Heights Church in Prescott. Justin, excuse me...Pastor Justin (I'll never get used to that), is now the co-worship leader at The Heights. If you'd like to know more about Justin and his family, I would suggest visiting his "official website." It's nice to know that Justin brought his family back to AZ after being in TN for so long. Below is a picture of Justin and his son, Carson.

teaching

I, an arrogant man, was given the opportunity to teach on arrogance and dependence today in sm@ncc. Does our God have a good sense of humor? I think so. If you'd like to hear the lessons that have been taught lately by all of the teachers in sm@ncc, head over to www.znotaboutme.com and click on 'messages.' To download, right click and select 'save target as...'. To God be glory, and Him alone.

sm@ncc

I teach at Northwest Community Church in the StudentMinistries. I taught three times this October. I'd like to share with you the messages that the Lord laid on my heart as the sm@ncc was headed through James. Head over to www.znotaboutme.com and click on 'messages' at the top of the page. You can find what I've taught, as well as the other teachers from our StudentMinistryStaff. Another site you might want to visit, maybe even for sermons, would be www.nccphx.org, which is the site for NCC. The messages from our main services are available on that site, and you can find information about our church and the ministries taking place there. Are you involving yourself for the purpose of loving other people? Don't forget:

Love God, Love Others

discipleship

Amy and I have been leading our respective discipleship groups since these young adults were in 7th grade. They are now seniors in high school, and looking at what the Lord has for them in the future. I must say that I am proud of my guys. They've been an extremely important part of my life for the past 6 years, and I can't thank them enough for all that they've taught me when I've been the one that was supposed to be teaching them. I'm looking forward to what the Lord is going to be doing in each of their lives over the course of the next few years. I am asking that my great God would do some great things in their lives and through their lives, and I believe He will.

Pray Large, Pray Specific