Karl and Sara meet the Maker…
The maker of Star Wars that is.
This is just a fast post from my palm – through fluke in the Force we got the BEST seat to see George without waiting in line!! More details later (and pictures) Oh, here he comes…. BYE!
Kidologist.com: Karl Bastian's Personal Site and Blog
Archive for April, 2005
SW Celebration DAY TWO
It is the morning after the day before today….
It was pouring rain all morning, so I skipped the costume and we headed down one hour after the doors opened and got in line with only about 50 people left and walked right in. Whew! It was a calculated risk, and paid off, considering yesterday the doors opened at noon and people were in line as early as 6-7am, and today the doors opened at 9am, so the line up started before the sun rose! We skipped the HOURS in line and got right in! Though, the ’store’ was already closed due to the people inside being enough to keep them busy until 8pm! Good thing we got that over with yesterday. Here are some highlights from the day… MUCH more to come in the Gallery after the convention is over.
My ‘hands free’ umbrella invention!
How to know when you are getting close…
General Grievous done shopping!
Even Imperial Guards need to use the cell phone once in awhile
And I thought my Star Destroyer was big! This 40,000+ piece lego Super Star Destroyer was amazing! Later, in the gallery, you will notice a small docking bay that inside has lego characters all watching “Lord of the Rings” – kinda funny.
Sara and her favorite Star Wars character!
Hangin’ with Rebel Pilots.
Sara caught inbetween two Masters dueling!
Is this to be her end?
Can you find the alien? (no, its not me!)
This guy knows how to get around!
Well, the fanatics were in line at midnight last night to see George Lucas this morning… only a few hundred out of thousands… and it is still raining. So we are waiting out the line and rain again, and about to leave…. and in full Jedi costume today, more pictures later!
May the Force be with you!
The Force is With Me!
Time for Star Wars Celebration III!
Right after I repair the shower myself in the hotel.
(The maintanence guy called off sick,
no doubt, he was sneaking off to the convention!)
Soon we were meeting Imperial Forces!
We left around 8 am and headed to the convention center in downtown Indy. Since we are official ‘fan club’ members, we have the opportunity to get in one hour early. (yeah, right!)
And posing for pictures with them.
The doors supposedly opened at noon (for fan club members) so we decided to get in line three hours early – and were already HUNDREDS (if not thousands) of people behind in a line that wrapped around the convention center, went up stairs, and finally went into a Disneyland on Steroids snaking pattern.
Met a few Rebels too!
The guy next to us, Ivan, knew more about Star Wars than George Lucas, so we definately learned a lot! It was fun to see all the costumed characters. Where is my costume? I decided not to wear it today so I could focus on learning the ‘lay of the land’ get the collectibles I’m after… I plan to wear it tomorrow.
My Clone?
This was the most creative costume!
Notice the shoes…
I guess he was a little short for a Sith Lord!
Fun to see all the different shirts.
Many young Jedi and many Game Boys!
(that’s how I passed hours too!)
Mini-Darth!
Finally, the Troopers let us in!
The line didn’t even move until 12:45pm and by 1:30pm (a hour and a half AFTER the ‘fan club gets in early’ time) we were inside, only to be in the Celebration Store line. Finally, around 12:30 pm Sara suggested I give her a list of what I wanted from the convention store and go check out some of the other stuff. (What a wife! WHAT a wife!!) Little did I know then that I would not see her again until after 6pm! I was not allowed back into the store room, even though my wife had not sat down, eaten, or ‘powered her nose’ since 8am!! In the end, she had been in line over 9 hours!I did get to go around the Exhibit Hall and see a show called the One Man Star Wars Trilogy, which was HYSTERICAL and worth the whole convention entrance fee! It was the best!
There are a TON more pictures, but I need to get to SLEEP… so pictures from inside and other adventures will be coming along later, and at the end of the week – a full gallery of all my pictures from the convention!
Heading home, the RCA Dome and Convention Center behind us!
Hangin’ with the Franks
Well, we have left the Franks behind us – always too short a visit, but we had a wonderful and relaxing time….
Walking along converted railways…
Enjoying the wildlife…
A little taste of home “East of Chicago”
They know how to make a guy feel welcome!
Their adorable little girl…
Of course, we spent a good amount of time “talkin’ ministry” and the Liberty Baptist photo gallery and interview summary will be posted later this week – but it was time to hit the road again for a very different type of stop… some of you will just have to bear with me for the next four days as I will be at the Star Wars Celebration III Convention in Indy.
Starting to see signs of like-minded friends…
Already making new friends…
And the convention hasn’t even started yet!
But I’ll keep you posted on the activities!
The "Marks" of Leadership
The ‘Marks’ of Leadership
My Visit with Pastor Kim Bobb
Grove City Church of the Nazarene
Grove City, OH
Spotlight on KidsMatter!
Kimborah Bobb grew up in the church where she now leads the children’s ministry full time. She earned a degree in marketing from Olivet Nazarene University and then returned to Grove City in search of a marketing/promotions job. But God had other plans. She ended up turning down a marketing job opportunity because she just felt God telling her that He had something different. The next thing she knew she was answering the phone and Mark Hale, the children’s pastor at her church, was on the other end and he was saying that God had brought her to mind as a possible candidate for an opening for Assistant Children’s Pastor. She took the job and two years later ended up being his replacement when he moved on to become a senior pastor elsewhere. She is now one of two full time children’s pastors (preschool and grade school) in addition to one part time children’s pastor (20 hours) and twenty part time staffers (10 hours) between preschool and grade school for Sunday morning/evening and Wednesday evening programs. It is a church of about 4000 with up to 500 kids on Sunday mornings. Kim is now in her fourth year leading this ministry.
The greatest interest to me during this visit (and throughout this sabbatical) is first, any advice I can gain in leadership principles, but also, how various ministries are attempting to ‘partner with parents’ in the spiritual development of their children.
Kim had much good to say about her previous mentor, Mark, so I asked her, from what she learned and observed from him, what she would say are the “Marks” of leadership she learned from him. Not only did this result in great conversation, but made me want to meet Mark someday!
The ‘Marks’ of Leadership
1. Make your people feel appreciated no matter what they do. Kim has a drawer filled with cards to send for various occasions and loves to plan fun events for her staff. Indeed, we went to the circus with 30 of them while on our visit!
2. Build relationships with the people around you. Kim said that people often ask her how she gets so many people into ministry (and keeps them). Her answer was that they have relationships with each other, they don’t just work together. Her motto is: ‘A staff that works hard together needs to play hard together.’
3. Shepherd your leaders. Know what’s going on in their lives. They need to know you care about them, not just their work. This was obvious as she introduced people to us and she knew a lot about them. It was also obvious from my other conversations that everybody loves Kim and feels like she knows them, even in a church of 4000 everyone I stopped and talked to answered, “Oh, yeah, I know Kim!”
4. Cast vision and carry the torch. It is the leaders job to see not only what ‘IS’- and how to improve it, but to also see what “ISN’T” – what COULD be done, and excite people to make it happen.
5. You must own your ministry. Be the one they go to first when there is a need or issue, whether it is good or bad. Kim said, “I want to celebrate with you, cry with you, struggle with you. We are in this together.”
PARTNERING WITH PARENTS
One of the highlights of Grove City Nazarene is the way they integrate the family into the overall body life of the church. But Kim explains that it had to be gradually implemented over time. They began with “Bring Your Dad/Mom to Kids Church” on Mother’s and Father’s day. Next they started to plan a family event once a quarter, whether it be a family skate night, movie night (with free popcorn!) or even a camp out at the church that filled the entire church with tents! One of the keys to these family events is that they always include a family devotional time where families spend some time alone together going through a guided conversation on the theme/subject of the event. Now they have a Family Worship Service alternating every six weeks – one in the adult service with kids, then one in Kid’s Church with parents. They strive to have something once a month for families. While families are busy, Kim has discovered that wholesome, fun and impactful family events will over time be chosen by families over the many other options available to families today.
Hangin’ with Hoosiers…
Kim with Cali
Our time in Ohio was a ton of fun – Kim Bobb, her church, the circus, but the highlight was their little dog, Cali. (short for California) Besides being hypoallergenic, was a lot of fun. I even trained her to eat from a star wars light saber spoon…
Strong in the Force, this dog is.
Sara and I couldn’t decide who we would miss more… Kim or Cali?!
but we did have to finally hit the road,
But not without kissin’ the dog goodbye.
(YUCK!)
But soon we were back on the road and headed toward Hoosierland (Indiana for those of you in Rio Linda) We passed the golden, er, blueish Arches and headed West…
Pay no attention to the splatted bugs…
Once again we took in the scenic scenes of scenery.
Finally, (after an antique store stop, of course) we got to Sweetser, Indiana, home of Ryan Frank and Liberty Baptist Church, and had no trouble finding his house, since, after all, as he explained, it was the first house on the right…
On the right of what?!?!
I love what they’ve done with the lawn!!
New house and new baby… God is Good!
One thing I like about visiting the Franks is there is always a meal with extended family – something that seems to be fading in our culture, or at least in the city and ‘burbs.’ Ryan is a children’s pastor under his father-in-law who was a youth pastor under the father-in-law before him. Another pastor, Uncle Pete, is a pastor at the church too. We enjoyed exchanging ideas, and of course, Dad was put on the spot to offer his son-in-law a sabbatical! He offered Ryan a three hour sabbatical right after he gets his. More to come, keep in touch!
Three Ring Circus… and then the Circus!
Today I got to visit TWO ‘three ring’ circuses! The first was Grove City Nazarene:
RING ONE: The Adult Worship Center
The adult service was amazing. This Sunday was the most moving baptism service I have ever been in. By the end I was crying… the lady next to me asked if I had family being baptized and I sputtered “I’m from out of town, I don’t even know any of these people.” 
I’ll definately be filling my church staff in on how they did the service!
RING TWO: Club 345 (Grades 3-5) That’s Kim Bobb!
Kim Bobb and the Band were bobbin’ to familiar tunes… before a powerpoint lesson and skit followed by small groups. Of course, in the free time before hand, I had a chance to teach the kids the finer art of speed stacking…
Learning from the Master Stacker.
RING THREE: Pastor Gregg and Faith Factor! (Grades 1-2)
CHECK OUT THE GROVE CITY PHOTO GALLERY (3 PAGES!)
The Children’s Pastor is Pastor Kimborah Bobb. I had a great time talking with her about how Grove City integrates the family into the overall ministry of the church.
Kim Bobb and the Kids Matter logo.
It’s obvious at Grove City that kids DO matter!
Then it was off to the REAL three ring circus…
This guy could lead children’s church!!!!!
Clowning around in Ohio!!CIRCUS VIDEO: Spin Me Daddy
older daughter – younger daughter
(First clip: 4.4MB – Second clip: 3.2 MB)
(This was the best act – a dad spinning his daughters on his feet… I can’t wait to try this back home the next time I’m horsin’ around with kids!!)
VCBKIDS: Video Greeting From Pastor Karl!
(from the circus, 7.4MB QuickTime)
If you are in children’s ministry leadership, don’t skip the GROVE CITY PHOTO GALLERY, it is an amazing ministry, and the photos contain a ton of ideas… and stories for later.
Oh! HI! Oh!
Well, DAY TWO of our sabbatical is underway. After a healthy nutritious breakfast…
McBagel with Creme Cheese and Strawberry Jam!
We headed to Webb’s Antique Mall (who puts those travel magazines in the hotel rooms!?!?!?!?), which claims to be largest in Indiana…
Amazing… pay for old stuff, that costs
more now than when it was new!
While Sara shopped, I checked out the old cemetary next door and researched Steve Tanner’s roots. (and others, will be posted in the photo gallery to come!)
Tanner than whom? Not any more.
Next we decided to take in some of the local food to see how the natives eat here…
Nothing like trying new places…
Then, after taking in miles of the breath-taking Indiana landscape…
Glad I brought my camera!
We finally got to Ohio!
Kim Bobb, here we come!
Kim and Nick Bobb in their new home.
And thier hypoallergenic dog, Cali.NOW WE ARE OFF TO HAVE SOME FUN, MORE LATER!
Tomorrow is Kim’s church, a volunteer gathering, and the CIRCUS!
Begun, This Sabbatical Has.
Well, the sabbatical is officially underway!
In fact, this post is being made from a hotel in Richmond, Indiana – and with my laptop online with my cell phone, due to some fancy third party software that makes my Treo600 take my Powerbook online at 100K – not bad for free unlimited Internet while traveling (anywhere there is cell reception, of course) But since most of you are bored already with this ‘tech talk’ on to our adventures….
First stop: Fridays with Sara’s parents in the South Burbs…
Next Stop: My older sister and her kids at Dairy Queen…(SEE MORE PICS FROM TODAY IN DAY ONE GALLERY)
Me and Pastor Dave Barber. (boss man)
I’d like to dedicate this first sabbatical post to my boss and pastor, Dave Barber. He’ll cringe for me saying it here (huuuummmmmble man of God that he is) but I am so grateful to be able to work with a pastor who truly seeks after God’s heart and who cares for his staff beyond just “job performance.” He really works hard to minister to us, encourage us, challenge us, and make sure we are doing well spiritually. While he is reluctant to accept any credit, I am thankful to him for this sabbatical – just another way he supports and blesses his staff.
SNEAK PEEK: Karl’s Novel
OK, as a little benefit to my ‘blog readers’ I’m going to give you little ’sneak peek’ of my novel which will be published ONLINE one chapter a week, starting NEXT week! (Will be announced via the Kidology Newsletter)
This novel is the result of several years of work and included the help of a few key friends who offered help on plot/writing/editing/etc. But the idea came to me after seeing the first Harry Potter movie – I loved the movie and even the moral lessons it contained, BUT did not like the foundation of witchcraft… then I included my own fascination with Star Wars and decided to isolate the elements of what makes GREAT stories that kids (and adults) love… the greatest ‘danger’ of Harry Potter is not so much in the reading of the books, but in the imitating of Harry and his friends, kids end up dabbling in witchcraft… whereas imitating Jedi is pretty harmless (No, Mom, I do not have to clean my room…. just won’t work! ) – but I began to think… THEN IT HIT ME – all the elements of Great Stories EXIST IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE – but we just don’t realize it, or appreciate then, precisely because they are real….what if there was a story that had all the elements of Great Stories (good vs. evil, and ancient tradition, a young hero mentored by a wise older sage, supernatural powers and miracles, great battles and mystery) but where if KIDS IMITATED the characters, they would actually be practising the Spiritual Disciplines! I wrote the middle chapter of the book that night and passed it around church, and the feedback was overwhelming positive, “Karl, you’ve got to finish this!” It took awhile, but with the help of some friends, it is finally ready to offer to you, my friends….
The Order of the Ancient
BOOK JACKET:
It is over 100 years in the future. There is One government. There is One church. And finally, after centuries of turmoil, the world is finally free of the one religion that caused all the problems… the Christians are no more. Truth has been traded in for prosperity. But there is a Remnant. They walk among us. They wield a great power. And slowly the tide of history is being drawn toward it’s ultimate conclusion. Indeed, Truth has not been eliminated, only purified and focused. These are the Chronicles of the Remnant.SCOPE and PURPOSE:
The primary purpose of this book is to give a new perspective on living as a Christian in today’s ever increasingly secular culture. While it is written for grade school kids, its perspective and message is ageless. It strives to create a new appreciation for the power of Scripture and prayer by moving them to a time when neither is prevalent and are not everyday occurrences taken for granted. It’s purpose is NOT to predict or lay out any ‘end times’ events or prophesies. These “Remnant” believers are in the same theological, biblical time period as we are – awaiting the second coming of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The only change is that both the freedom and complacency brought on the Church during the Age of Democracy is gone. The ‘Age of Democracy,’ whose keystone was Capitalism, brought great advances to the Church, but it also removed our sense of urgency, dumbed our belief in the supernatural interventions of our God, and reduced our eagerness for the return of the Messiah. But in the time of this story, with freedom removed, only genuine believers could persevere: they are The Remnant.
SNEAK PEEK TO THE OPENING OF THE BOOK: (what I wrote that first night which became the very center of the novel)The Prologue
Out of breath, he ducked into a corner, but not quite out of sight. Anyone who walked by would see him, and that just could not happen. Directly across from him was the doorway he had worked so hard to get to. Before he could open it, he had to cross the hallway where several guards was stationed not more than fifty feet from his present position. The door was only feet away, but it might as well have been a mile with those guards standing so close. He looked at the sign on the door, “RESTRICTED” and realized that once he entered that door the stakes would suddenly get higher. He was already in great danger. It was a miracle that he had gotten this far without capture, but the mission was of the utmost importance. The future of the Remnant depended upon it. It was warm in the hall, and he had relaxed his guard for a moment to catch his breath. He felt a chill go up his back as a draft from a vent below his feet sent a burst of cold air up inside the cloak that covered his youthful looking face.
He heard footsteps, and then voices. They were coming his way. There was no way he could go back the way he had come, not after… His thoughts were interrupted as the voices suddenly got louder. They must have rounded a corner and joined the guards down the hall. Now they were coming toward him!
Just months ago he would have panicked, but not now. He was a Disciple of the Redeemer, a Member of the Order of the Ancient. He knew who was ultimately in charge here. Besides, he’d had so many close calls in just the past forty minutes he knew that if the Master had allowed him to get this far, He would certainly deliver him again. The question was not ‘if’ but only ‘how’.
His Mentor was always saying to ‘look up’. While this was usually meant figuratively, he looked up and offered another intercession. Then he saw it. Recessed into the ceiling, across the hallway between him and the guards was a blast door. If it could be lowered it would block off the guards and hide him as he crossed over into the room that waited beyond the restricted door.
He bowed his head, closed his eyes, and extended his arm up toward the blast door. With his palm outstretched and his fingers slightly curled, he concentrated. He had to summon enough Faith. He interceded for the power in the way of his Mentor. He had never moved anything this large before, but if a mustard seed could move a mountain, he only needed a few molecules of faith. He took a deep breath, and interceded for the strength he needed. He could feel his spirit buoyed by the many that were interceding for him at that very moment. But nothing happened.
The voices got louder. A drop of sweat formed on his forehead. Was that doubt creeping up? Or fear? He could not allow his spirit to be distracted. He focused harder, but the blast door would not move. Then, in his mind he saw a number, 2911. What was that? He tried to ignore it and focus on the blast door. But it would not go away. Was it a reference to the Book of Books? He had only seconds before he would be discovered. But the number burned on the inside of his eyelids. He opened his eyes and saw the unmoving blast door. He knew that sometimes the Counselor chose to say ‘no’. After all, the Power belongs to the Sovereign, not His followers. He could only connect to it, not command it. He was wondering what use he would be to the Sovereign if he was captured, when he noticed a keypad on the wall right next to him. Time seemed to stop as he lowered his hand to the keyboard. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see the guards appearing before him. They were looking at each other as his fingers typed 2911 into the keypad instinctively. The guards heads started to turn toward him as the blast door suddenly came surging down and sealed into the floor with a loud sucking sound and deep thud. Josiah rushed across the hall and using the key card he had been given by Jeremiah, he entered the Restricted Archive room. It was dark. He reached over to the wall and passed his hand over where the infrared light sensor should be and instantly the room was flooded with light. He was startled by the light, but as his eyes adjusted, his heart suddenly sank. In the middle of the room stood a cylinder pedestal with an enclosed glass case. Inside the glass, levitating and rotating slowly was the object of his mission! But throughout the room, in every conceivable place stood an armed guard pointing his weapon at him. A tall gaunt man with a wickedly evil smile stood in the back of the room with an obvious satisfaction. It was a trap and he had taken the bait.
Your feedback is greatly desired!
