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!

thirty-nine and twelve

The Bulls (29 - 23) just totally outplayed the Suns (39 - 12). Again Steve Nash-less, the Suns also missed out on the assistance of Boris Diaw because of a back muscle strain. Again, Marion and Amaré both earned double doubles (respectively 11 pts, 13 reb; 26 pts, 10 reb). The Suns had two players reach 26 points each, but the Bulls had three players with 27, 29, and again 29 points. The Bulls beat the Suns in Phoenix, 116 - 103. The Suns had a surge in the third quarter to get up by 5, but with so few people in the line-up, they lost their stamina in the fourth, and lost by 13 points. The Suns have one more game before the All-Star break, against the Supersonics (19 - 32) in Seattle. GO SUNS!

thirty-nine and eleven

Well, last Friday, Joe Johnson's team showed that Steve Nash is a necessary component to this Suns (39 - 11) team. Stat and Matrix both had double doubles (29 pts, 13 rbs; 11 pts, 11 rbs; respectively), but they both also fouled out. Diaw didn't put up the kind of numbers we'd expect from him, but he has an injured back now. The Suns were down by 2 after the first quarter, by 4 at the half, were back up by 1 at the end of the third, but let the Hawks (19 - 30) get 40 points in the fourth quarter to their 30, losing the game by 9, 120 - 111. Joe Johnson got 32 points to lead all scorers. The Suns moved on to match up with the Bulls on Sunday. GO SUNS!

dvusd teacher inservice

Jim Kern, a motivational speaker brought in to speak to the DVUSD high school staff who gathered at Sandra Day O'Connor High School, asked the group to share who made them feel safe and secure every time they were with them.

• Most answered a parent
• Some said a grandparent
• No one said a youth leader (from church, etc.)
• Only two answered a teacher

Jim was a good speaker, fluent in how to communicate well with groups and get people comfortable enough to work with him. He seemed to be a Christian, from all of the prayer he mentioned and church stuff. The above list made my heart sink, not that most people said their parents made them feel safe (I did, as well), that's great, but that no one said that a youth leader had done that for them. Is the Church today loving the lost? How great it is that the Lord might use even me in the position of the last two spots up there. May He alone receive glory and honor.

thirty-nine and ten

The Blazers (20 - 30) put up a fight tonight against the Nashless Suns (39 - 10, still half a game behind Dallas, 39 - 9, who squeaked out a win against Minnesota back on Saturday). Randolph only missed three out of 15 shots. The Blazers came back to tie the game toward the end of regulation after a big-time three-pointer, even had a chance to win, though Outlaw missed an open lay-up, but they pushed the game into overtime tied at 96. The Suns ended up dominating the overtime period, 13 - 6. The Suns won it 109 - 102. It was a tough battle without Nash, but they fought hard and pulled it out in the end. Stat almost had another double double, just one rebound short, but scored 36 points. Marion only had 12 points but earned a double double with 13 rebounds. Barbosa had a great overall game with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, and only 3 turnovers. Diaw ended up fouling out in the OT with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block. Pat Burke got to play in the first quarter, which was fun to watch. He got an offensive rebound, which he followed with a monster jam. Quite impressive from the Irishman for the 5 minutes that he played. Overall, it was a great game. Suns move on back home to take on the Atlanta Hawks (18 - 29) with Joe Johnson on Friday, 7pm AZ time. GO SUNS!