NCC Influencers

Last weekend, we shared the stories of three NCC Influencers through film. An athletic trainer who found himself working in the deaf community at Gallaudet University. An incredibly talented young lady who works as a professional friend to at risk kids in the overlooked and underserved Anacostia community in southeast Washington, DC. A highly educated journalist who started a street newspaper to employ the homeless community.

Check out their stories here.

If You Could Go to Any Concert...

In general, I hate icebreakers. But I've heard a few good ones that I use over and over. Today, I'd like to share with you my favorite icebreaker of all time. I stole it from Bill Search of Simple Small Groups fame, and I use every chance I get.

If you could attend any concert in the history of the world, what would it be?

Cultural Architects

I'm re-reading Erwin McManus' book Unstoppable Force in preparation for discussion group with our NCC Proteges tomorrow afternoon, and I'm reminded how much I love the ideas and challenges presented here. Sitting outside Ebenezers Coffeehouse and reading this:

"The spiritual leaders of the future will be more artistic than academic...they themselves will be cultural architects, blending engineer and artisan."

Man, that's my hope and prayer. As pastors, how can we intentionally discover, nurture, develop our engineering skills and our artistic gifts? And how do we create disciples that are both engineer and artist?

Influence: NCC Style

This week, we continue our Influence series at NCC, and I'm really excited about the format that the sermon will take. Instead of preaching a platform message, we will be letting the lives of NCCers preach the sermon.

I think a lot of times we view influence in terms of position, role, wealth, or special gifts and abilities. We think of influencers as people with high profiles- athletes, entertainers, politicians. But influence is more about sacrifice than popularity. More about the investment of ourselves than the investment of wealth. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Each man is a hero and an oracle to somebody."

This weekend, we are telling the stories, on film, of three "normal" NCCers who are wielding great influence in the lives of the people they intersect each day. An athletic trainer who found himself working in the deaf community at Gallaudet University. An incredibly talented young lady who works as a professional friend to at risk kids in the overlooked and underserved Anacostia community in southeast Washington, DC. A highly educated journalist who started a street newspaper to employ the homeless community.

I'm so honored to serve alongside these folks and count them among my friends.

Join The Story

three weeks.

passion. creation. murder. betrayal. hate. love. despair. hope. redemption. rescue.

The Story.

through the chronological story of the Bible in six hours in May. email to register.

Women's Retreats- Ugh

There are two words in the English language that I like and identify with- women and retreats. But when placed side by side and turned into the oft-dreaded experience of women's retreat, I begin to shudder. I'm not against women (obviously), and I'm not against retreating (though as a Southerner I prefer an advance, but that might sound cheesy). And I'm not against the concept of retreating with other women. I'm just against stereotypes and generalizations.

Let me back up. I'm becoming more and more convinced that my job is primarily about creating environments where connections and conversations can happen that lead to discipleship.

For a couple of years, Steph Modder and I have kicked around the idea of doing a women's retreat. In the beginning, I was motivated by a desire to create a women's retreat experience that would be loved by women who don't really like women's retreats. Hey- I love challenges. But I stopped the planning because I realized I needed a better primary motivation than that.

Now, I'm thinking that creating an environment for the women of NCC to connect might be something that is beneficial. Steph and I have timorously resurrected that conversation, and I'm just thinking out loud...wondering if it's worth pursuing...imagining what it would look like...ideas are welcomed...

Update: NCC Northeasters

We are changing the time for the NCC NE DC connection. The new time is Saturday, 7:30pm. Please update your calendars.

Details:

NCC NE DC
Opportunity for NCCers who live in NE DC to connect with one another.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
7:30pm
Zempel House at 15th and D Street NE. Contact me for details and directions.

A18: Neighborhoods Experiment Training

I'm so excited about our A18 Neighborhood Groups this summer! We are asking every small group to be based on a neighborhood-- a geographical neighborhood (where you live), a marketplace neighborhood (where you work), or an interest neighborhood (where you play). For six weeks, these groups will follow a sermon-based curriculum that focuses on discovering you are neighbors are, what it means to love them, and how we can show love and share the Gospel in a practical way.

We provided a training at our recent summit to cast the vision and give guidelines for leading these groups.


NCC's Spring Leadership Summit: Heather Zempel from National Community Church on Vimeo.

Experiments

We approach small groups with the idea that "Everything is an Experiment." I just ran across this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”

I like that.

NCC Artists and Northeasters

Two events scheduled for Emmaus House (the Zempel house) this week. If you fall into these categories, consider this your invitation. If you know someone who falls into these categories, please let them know.

NCC Artists Gathering
Opportunity for NCC artists to connect with one another and hear about upcoming arts events at NCC.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
7pm
Zempel House at 15th and D Street NE. Contact me for details and directions.

NCC NE DC
Opportunity for NCCers who live in NE DC to connect with one another.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
2pm
Zempel House at 15th and D Street NE. Contact me for details and directions.

Random Thoughts on Discipleship

Just a few random thoughts that are guiding the way I think about discipleship right now. I've probably alluded to them in various posts before, but it's helpful for me to gather them in one place.

• Discipleship is about the journey more than the destination.
• Discipleship is more about process than product.
• Discipleship is more about completing spiritual workouts than completing spiritual worksheets.
• Discipleship is more about relationships than program.
  
• Discipleship is a discovery process.
  
• Discipleship always includes relationships.
• Discipleship includes relational, experiential, intellectual, personal, and incarnational dimensions.
  

What is discipleship? How do we define it both as a noun and as a verb? How do we describe it? How do we help people become disciples. This is the last command Jesus gave to his followers and history is dependent on it. How can we create programs, structures, and systems that facilitate true discipleship and don't just give us some checklists that make our ministries easy to manage?

Moments

In the fractured fairy tale Into the Woods, composer Stephen Sondheim contemplates the structure of life and the value of its moments. If life is the sum total of significant moments, then this week was full of life. The longer I work in this role called "pastor," the more I am thankful for the moments of life that I get to participate in, and I think that makes me more aware of the moments I am privileged to be a part of in my every day, walking around, non-pastor life. Here are just a few:

• Two good friends-- tied together by common hearts and common passions-- are married.
• Drinking coffee with an old friend- a young lady once trapped in same sex attraction, now happily married and expecting her first child.
• Road trip- complete with walkie-talkies.
• Going to a CD release concert of a musician who was told three years ago by four doctors that she would never sing again. Hope grabbed her and it has now grabbed all those around her.
• Celebrating good job news with an NCCer.
  

Jesus was a master of recognizing, experiencing, and processing moments. Whether it was a woman gathering water at a well, or a woman caught in adultery, or a tax collector dangling from a tree limb, he made the moment count. How many moments do we pass every day without notice, without thankfulness, without learning. I'm trying to slow down to recognize, appreciate, and live in the moment.

Paul, Proteges, and Twitter

I'm communicating with my Discipleship Protege, Will Johnston, via Twitter. Two disclaimers-- One, Will is a part of the official NCC Protege Program; I don't just randomly assign protege status to people. That would be weird. Two, we actually communicate via Twitter all the time-- can I have a day off?, can you bring some Grater Things props to leadership retreat?, how was jury duty?, etc. Today, it is about lunch plans. So nothing new. But it struck me as funny that he is one floor below and Twitter has become our preferred means of communication.

Paul gave Timothy lots of instructions on how to interact with those he discipled- find faithful men, teach them, hold to sound doctrine, etc. Paul gave his young pastors lots of tips and tricks and advice for how to develop the young pastors in their care. I wonder what advice Paul would have given about utilizing Twitter? Facebook? Blogs? Would Paul have Twittered? Or preferred the personal touch of the handwritten letter or phone call? How would Paul have used social media?

I really wish I knew. Now, let's go get some french fries, Will.

Products, Process, and the Art of Discipleship

My wonderful husband Ryan and I often find ourselves in the middle on inane conversations. We don't fight. Ever. But we do experience great joy in debating significant things such as the pronunciations and proper uses of words. Yesterday, we landed in the age-old conversation, Art: Product or Process? (If you find yourself in similar quandaries, check out RegenerateCulture.com) Somehow, we both stepped into some strange alternate universe where Ryan embraced product while I embraced process. Like Dr. Frankenstein switched our brains or something. We are still chewing on both the topic itself and the phenomenon of our role-reversal, and we've got a 2.5 hour road trip tonight to keep masticating.

In the meantime, it's got me thinking about discipleship. Is discipleship about a product or a process? When I think of discipleship products, I think in terms of a curriculum to study, a set of classes to complete, a base of knowledge to impart, or a set of character values we hope to develop. It could be the end result of the person (fully devoted follower of Christ) or the resources we create to produce that kind of person. When I think about discipleship process, I think about relationships and journey. Two steps forward and one step back. Conversations, experiences, moments that shape us but we don't see it at the time. I think it's both.

I get concerned, however, when we jump too soon to product without focusing on process. I'm reminded of a google search that led someone to my blog a few years ago: "how to shorten the discipleship process." (really?) The word "process" is in there, but what the person is really concerned about is the product. How do I find the quickest means to the end? As though we could put the raw materials of humanity into a mechanized system and spit out perfectly formed disciples on the other end. Discipleship is about a completed workout; not a completed worksheet. It's about a journey, not a destination. It's about something we are always becoming present tense, not something we became past tense. It's about being in the process, not having arrived at the product.

And that's where we come to the frayed ends of my thoughts on this topic. More later, I'm sure.

Hope Force International

We've got a fantastic opportunity coming up during our May Term at NCC-- Hope Force International will be providing training in disaster relief from a Christian Worldview. Imagine having a small group of volunteers at your church that are ready to be mobilized and dispatched during national disasters- hurricanes, tornadoes, 911 events- to provide not only for the physical needs but the spiritual and emotional needs, as well. Imagine your church bringing the hope of Christ to those in need. This is a great discipleship opportunity as well as a way we can put Matthew 25 into practice.

On a personal level, my favorite part of the training is the leadership and character development training provided by my friend and mentor, Dave Buehring.

The upcoming training intensives will include 2 ½ days of basic training for domestic service with Hope Force International and two days at a later date with The Salvation Army. Both training components are prerequisites and represent the comprehensive training required to be considered a Hope Force Reservist – eligible for rapid deployment (within 24-48 hours) into a disaster event. The training consists of live speakers, as well as teaching filmed exclusively for HFI.

Part I of the training will take place at Ebenezers Coffeehouse on May 14 – 16.

• An overview of the grief and trauma cycle
• How to be an appropriate caregiver, and self-care for the crisis responder
• Identity in Christ – foundational for the Christian caregiver
• Maintaining healthy and cohesive relationships in the midst of crisis
• Core principles for effective ministry

The cost for is $175. All snacks, meals and materials included. You must register in advance to participate. For more information visit: http://www.hopeforce.org or to register contact HFI at info@hopeforce.org or (615) 371-1271 or Juliet Main at NCC.

Looking for a Few Good Proteges

It's application time for the 2009-2010 NCC Protege Program.

The Protégé Program is a year-long intensive spiritual growth, leadership development, and ministry immersion experience at National Community Church. As an NCC Protégé, you will be given the opportunity to learn from some of the most innovative thinkers and creators in ministry, participate in the day to day activities of church staff culture, stretch yourself as a leader, and lay a firm foundation for a life-long pursuit of the passion and vision that God has placed on your life.

NCC Proteges will choose one ministry area— discipleship, media, missions/outreach, children/youth, worship, coffeehouse ministry, college ministry, or church planter in residence—in which they will specifically focus their ministry efforts during the year and for which they will receive special training.

NCC Proteges will gain experience in the following areas:

• Attend Learning Labs- make new discoveries in leadership development, spiritual growth, and ministry methods from members of the NCC teaching team.
• Develop a Spiritual Growth Plan
• Develop a Leadership Development Plan
• Serve on the Alpha Team
• Lead small groups and ministries
• Participate in an NCC missions experience
• Serve at weekend worship gatherings, outreach projects and leadership development events
• Build community with fellow members of your Protégé class through weekly study, prayer, and reflection groups
• Be mentored by your ministry-focus department leader
• Attend leadership development conferences with the NCC team

The Protégé Program is a training and proving ground for emerging church leaders. During your Protégé year, you will accumulate valuable experience, mentors, and knowledge that will prepare you for stepping into the next phase of your God-given calling.

If you would like more information on becoming an NCC Protégé, check out our FAQ or send an email to me.

I love all of our Proteges, but I'm especially partial to those seeking to serve in the Discipleship department. Let me know if you are interested!

Good Friday Lectio Divina

Steph Modder and I created a Lectio Divina experience for our Good Friday service tonight. It's kinda an abbreviated Stations of the Cross...sorta. I thought I'd share what we put together in case you are looking for a devotional tool for today. Illustrations designed by awesome NCC artists Dylan and Abi Byrd. Check out their work here.

Song: True Love


Jesus is Condemned to Die
Very early in the morning the leading priests, other leaders, and teachers of religious law — the entire high council — met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?"Jesus replied, "Yes, it is as you say." Then the leading priests accused him of many crimes, and Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to say something? What about all these charges against you?" But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate's surprise. Now it was the governor's custom to release one prisoner each year at Passover time — anyone the people requested. One of the prisoners at that time was Barabbas, convicted along with others for murder during an insurrection. The mob began to crowd in toward Pilate, asking him to release a prisoner as usual. "Should I give you the King of the Jews?" Pilate asked. (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) But at this point the leading priests stirred up the mob to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. "But if I release Barabbas," Pilate asked them, "what should I do with this man you call the King of the Jews?" They shouted back, "Crucify him!" "Why?" Pilate demanded. "What crime has he committed?" But the crowd only roared the louder, "Crucify him!" So Pilate, anxious to please the crowd, released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to crucify him.
NLT (Mark 15:1-15)

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.
NLT (Isaiah 53:7)

• What events in your own life have you “blamed” on Jesus?
• Is there a time in your life when you were falsely accused? How can you follow Jesus example when you are falsely accused?

Jesus Carries His Cross
So they took Jesus and led him away. Carrying the cross by himself, Jesus went to the place called Skull Hill (in Hebrew, Golgotha).
NLT (John 19:16b-17)

Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.”
NLT (Luke 9:23-24)

• What cross has Jesus asked you to carry?

Song: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus


Jesus is Crucified
And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means Skull Hill). They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it. Then they nailed him to the cross. They gambled for his clothes, throwing dice to decide who would get them. It was nine o'clock in the morning when the crucifixion took place.
NLT (Mark 15:22-25)

My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count every bone in my body. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my clothes among themselves and throw dice for my garments.
NLT (Psalm 22:14-18)

Song: Were You There?- Verses 1 and 2


Jesus Forgives
Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched, and the leaders laughed and scoffed. "He saved others," they said, "let him save himself if he is really God's Chosen One, the Messiah." The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" A signboard was nailed to the cross above him with these words: "This is the King of the Jews." One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself — and us, too, while you're at it!" But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."
NLT (Luke 23:34-43)

• In what area of your life do you need Jesus to forgive you?
• Who do you need to forgive?

Jesus Dies
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
NLT (Matthew 27:45-46)

Then Jesus shouted, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" And with those words he breathed his last.
NLT (Luke 23:46)

Song: How Deep the Father’s Love


Jesus is Buried
As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who was one of Jesus' followers, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance as he left. Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting nearby watching.
NLT (Matthew 27:57-61)

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55; Hosea 13:14)

• What do you need to bury in your own life?

Song: Were You There?- Verse 3
Song: Lead Me to the Cross
Song: Beautiful Scandalous Night

Jesus Wants the Rose

I was first introduced to Matt Chandler at the 2008 Catalyst Conference. And wow. I've been listening to him ever since. This is good stuff:

God: To Be Heard and Not Seen?

I'm reading Al Mohler's He is Not Silent as part of my personal growth goals. Trying to strengthen my communication gift. He makes a statement that sparked a lot of scribbling in the margins of my book. Here is what he said, without giving much Biblical support for it:

Movies move us by the skillful manipulation of emotion, driven by sound track and manipulated by skillful directing techniques. This is exactly where the preacher must not go. The power of the Word of God, spoke through the human voice, is seen in the Bible's unique power to penetrate all dimensions of the human personality. As God made clear, even in the Ten Commandments, He has chosen to be heard and not seen. The use of visual technologies threatens to confused this basic fact of Biblical faith.

Now, before I go on my tirade about this...because I truly respect Dr. Mohler and acknowledge that his spiritual understanding and maturity far exceeds my own, can someone help me get this from a Biblical perspective? I see God communicating through visual means over and over in Scripture- the Tabernacle, the Passover Seder, the cloud by day and fire by night, the ripping of the veil in the Temple, the Revelation to John. Even the Incarnation itself demonstrates God meeting our need to see him. I mean, I know the Incarnation is about much more than that, but I believe God appearing in human form was partially about letting us see Him (John 1:14, John 9:37, John 14:9). And Scripture talks so much about the Body of Christ and community of believers and that being a way for us to share our faith (John 13:35, John 17)-- that evangelism is not just about the words we say but the pictures of Christ that we show.

So yeah-- anybody out there who agrees with Dr. Mohler on this and can help me understand better?

regenerateCulture.com

This is my favorite blog post in a long time. To introduce you to my new favorite website, regenerateCulture.com. My amazing husband, the talented, witty (and patient) Ryan Zempel, has been talking about doing this for at least 4 years. And he's finally done it!

For a little "why" behind the "what," I'm re-posting here:

As you may have guessed from the banner, I’m kind of keen on the many definitions of “regenerate.” Not to mention the whole yin/yang thing (minus the implied heresy) it has going on with “degenerate.”

For the past several decades (well, okay, probably all of recorded history, but work with me here…), many good-hearted people (and maybe some not-so-good-hearted) have spent far too much time decrying “degenerate” art and far too little time celebrating “regenerate” art. The word “regenerate” is a verb, an adjective, and a noun. As a verb, it means “to reform spiritually or morally.” As an adjective, it means “spiritually or morally revitalized,” as well as “restored; refreshed; renewed.” As a noun, it refers to “one who is spiritually reborn or reformed.”

With as much enthusiasm as I can muster (which can actually be quite a lot, when backed by copious amounts of sugar), I endorse all forms of the word “regenerate” (I endorse the liberal use of parenthetical comments, as well, but that isn’t as blogworthy).

The arts have tremendous power to shape the culture and simply criticizing “degenerate” art gets us nowhere. Instead, we need to pay heed to two quotes of debatable origin. “Criticize by creating” is good advice, regardless of whether or not Michelangelo was the one who first said it. Similarly, “Give me the songs of a nation, and it matters not who writes its laws” may or may not originate with Damon of Athens, but rings true regardless here in the nation’s capital. I firmly believe that by fostering redemptive art, regenerate artists can bring about a morally and spiritually revitalized culture.

So, whilst making my own feeble attempts to engage in artistic endeavors bringing renewal to my own little corner (“in my own little chair…”) of the world, this here website is where I more broadly engage in lofty attempts to reform the culture, celebrate signs of cultural revitalization, and praise and encourage the regenerates in our midst.

Go team.

Hope's Got Me

For those of you who do not know Steph Modder, well, let me just be blunt. Your life is incomplete. Steph has served as our worship coordinator at National Community Church for years. Before that, she served faithfully as a worship leader in our small groups. What I love most about Steph is that she is the real deal. Authentic, transparent, loves Jesus, honest about everything.

A couple of years ago, doctors discovered a tumor in her throat and the prognosis was not good- they would have to sever her vocal nerves to remove it. Only one doctor dared to believe he could do it without damaging her voice.

Devastated that she could lose her identity and her most precious and valued means of worshiping, Steph began to reimagine what her life, relationship with God, and worship could look like if the surgery damaged her voice forever. Steph took two months off to record a CD. She penned a song, "Hope's Got Me" that became an anthem for our most recent Baptism by the Bay. And it wrecks me every time I hear it.

Miraculously, Steph came out of that surgery with no damage to her voice, and many of us continue to thank God for that often. Go check out her website and download the song, "Hope's Got Me. "

"Oh Crap!" Moments

I've said "Oh crap" out loud in a live, darkened theatre twice in my life. The first time, I said it in the middle of Act 3, Scene 5 of August: Osage County. The second time I said it was yesterday, in the middle of the new production, Irena's Vow. (Others exclaimed in shock in both moments, as well, so I was not being totally disruptive). They were the plot twists that separate the great from the mediocre in the craft of theatrical storytelling.

Too often, Christians tell stories that are at flat, two-dimensional, and appropriate for all audiences. We've removed the "oh crap" moments in return for material that earns positive entertainment ratings from Focus on the Family. And we've therefore removed ourselves from the frontlines of cultural influence.

I've got to give two thumbs way up for Irena's Vow. Based on the real-life story of Irena Gut Opdyke, the play tells the story of a Polish Catholic who daringly hid 13 Jews in the house of her employer, a prominent German officer in occupied Poland. It is the story of goodness that is told well.

Here are just a few things I loved about it.

First, there is a deeply religious leading character on Broadway. And deeply religious in the best of ways. That is amazing in and of itself.

Second, this is the story of real life; not the story of whitewashed situations. The characters are forced to make decisions that are not entirely black and white, and the audience is left to decide for themselves how God might judge their actions...or whether or not that's a judgment we should even be making.

Third, there is a strong pro-life message that comes from deep faith in God but doesn't sound preachy.

Fourth, the leading character believes with all her heart that it is possible to hear clearly the voice of God. And that we should act on what we hear.

After the curtain call, the audience was surprised to see the the real-life daughter of Irena Updike walk on the stage to take questions from audience members. For whatever its worth, she told more stories of redemption and hope that could not fit into the 90 minutes of a Broadway show. But those 90 minutes were a window that allowed people to catch a glimpse of the heart of God.

What are we doing with our 90 minutes every Sunday? What views of God are our windows showing? Where are the "oh crap" moments? Scripture is full of them and we must expose them. Once we do, we might actually become the salt and light in a broken culture that Jesus challenged us to be.

Fat Cows

One of my favorite verses is Amos 4:1, "Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, 'bring me another drink.'"

So yeah, what follows is a stern rebuke from the shepherd prophet, but there are a couple of things here that make me stop to laugh. I envision this weird sort of role reversal-- with the women lounging on the Lazy Boys watching the Home and Garden Network while yelling at their husbands to bring them another Miller Lite. And did Amos really call them "fat cows?" That's hilarious!