Nostalgia collage
I began attempting to select my next story to tell and had trouble prioritizing my favorite Marty Miller memory (MMM). Here are a few of my best, your assignment is to share one or two of yours.
1. It was a cool, wintry day and Jr. High Sunday School was meeting. Marty was describing to us–I know Becky and Cheryl were there, not sure who else–how viscous and disgusting was the phlegm he’d developed due to a cold he had. In order to demonstrate, he hocked a giant loogie on a 3X5 card and wiggled it around for us to see. It still makes me throw up a little in my mouth.
2. I don’t remember what I was complaining about as Marty and I were chatting on the basketball courts at Angeles Crest before packing up into the brown van (SAINTS ALIVE!!!) for the drive home. But in his uniquely sensitive and compassionate way, he responded to my whining by putting me in a headlock and giving me a noogie.
3. That time he did a flip in his intro the year he was dean for Winter Camp at ACCC.
4. The day we found out his middle name was Tams.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Now it’s your turn. If you’re too young to remember Marty, borrow a memory from your mom or sister or whoever, or just make one up. It’ll probably be true.
September 15th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
1. “More Love, More Power” – The reason that song is banned is due to Marty recreating a CIY moment singing that praise song in the shower, and consequently chasing us boys around in the nude while singing it.
2. Jumping around at Winter Camp, when he was Dean.
3. Yelling at Scott and I, telling us how we were getting a little “clickish” and telling us how rape was a serious crime.
September 16th, 2007 at 8:53 am
My favorite memory of Marty is when he asked Melissa Ruiterman and I to move some meat from the refrigerator to the freezer. We said no problem, and started to move the black trash bag, the meat was in, to the freezer. Marty said no take the meat out of the bag. When I opened the bag there was a tail and I screamed really loud and dropped the bag. I am pretty sure Marty and Scott Martin laughed louder than I screamed. The tail was a stuffed animal bobcat. Marty was very proud of himself and said I had the best reaction.
September 16th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Paul. Blog that memory you shared with me. It’s too foul. I can’t bring myself to type it.
September 16th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
marty was a giant douche.
September 17th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
LOL!!! Amy’s responses never cease to make me laugh out loud.
About the “Marty Memories,” I had actually completed my run in the youth group when Marty came along (so none there to speak of,) but wasn’t he the one responsible for “rolling the stone” into the baptistry during Amen one year?
September 18th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Then there was the time where He and my Dad got together at the Luau and they “Cut” Marty’s tongue with the scissors.
Amy, I understand your feelings towards Marty. I think our class (97 woo woo) had him at the Peak time, even though it was towards the end of his career as a youth pastor. I know that once he knew he was planting the Rancho Coucamunga church, the youth ministry fell, as Marty was a lame duck so to speak. I think my sister’s class and beyond took a huge spiritual hit, as I look at all those of that class and see where they are on a spiritual basis.
Luckily, we had Doug and Georgia Aldridge, who were amazing in restoring what was what I feel was a bit of religical backsliding due to Marty’s lack of shepherding of the young flock. I am thankful too that Doug moved up to Pastor.
But at the same time, Marty was instrumental in the creation of the Burn, and an official youth group. Church dynamics were in change post Max York and James ________ at Downey. And he kept us alive and growing through the pastoral rock skipping that was happening with John Richardson, David Rutherford and Gordon Venturella. Marty, along with the shepherding of Mark Schoch, Milt Holecek, Gary and Joan Martin, Jenny, the Kottmans (dare I mention them) were all influential in shaping us today, which I believe was mostly positive. They helped build a foundation, and through God’s grace we have grown from it.
Over the last few years, when I see Marty and Kerinda, I really want to share with them what the Lord has been doing in my life. Every time I talk with Marty, it appears as if he does not really care so much. There were times after talking to him I felt so hurt and disappointed.
I am so glad I have someone like Doug and Georgia to talk to, who are always excited to hear what God is doing in my life. They truly showed God’s love.
I would love to talk with Marty again, and have another chat with him, now that it has been 10+ years. Lord only knows if I will have that chance.
jason
September 18th, 2007 at 9:33 am
And you cannot forget the time Marty let us do “American Gladiators.” Those were the days!!! Bring back cool youth group fun.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Paul wouldn’t type this, so I’m doing it. But it’s the first Marty memory he recalled.
One time Marty was giving a sermon and somebody in the back was talking–probably Jason and Scott. So Marty yells at them, “Hey! Why don’t you guys stop…jacking off back there!!!” A hush fell over the crowd. Then Marty realized he had just accidentally sexually harassed us all and started laughing.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:07 am
I think he meant “jacking around” poor guy.
The best time I had with Marty was when he and Kerinda took me out to lunch along with a certain 15 year old Charlton (I was 18) and it wasn’t Nathan or Andrew. I think Christine Martin and Dominick were there too . The Burn Band was forming and so was my friendship with my future wife. Later that week Marty asked me into his office and had me sign the “I won’t kiss girls from church” packet. Somehow I managed to hold off almost 4 years before I broke the contract.
Thanks Millers.
June 12th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I was doing a search to find out what ever became of Marty and Kerinda after they got burned by SCEA. This link popped up and I followed it. I remember or can recognize most of the names.
It’s unfortunate to discover some were hurt by Marty. DFCC was one of my first real internships in youth ministry and Marty gave me space to learn how to lead by allowing me to help run The Burn Band (or was it Digital Hymnal?)
Anyway, Paul, I did a whois? lookup and saw this was your site. I hope you and the rest of the gang here are doing well. Peace be with you.