Core Focus was great. Jim Cymbala was the speaker via video. All I can say is: PRAY.
Two gatherings went awesome again - praise God. Good job to N8 Dogg on the message.
sd
Posts
I heard a little Erwin McManus Q & A session where he describes "Postmodern churches" as a movement that is led by "angry church-going white kids." I thought this was brilliant! I am trying to piece together an article called, "emerging arrogance" which deals with the attitudes of those in the "emerging church" movement toward other churches and leaders. Another great point that McManus makes is that if your movement's primary drive is anger and you are defined by what you are not - then the movement will not live - afterall - God's kingdom runs on love and what we are called to be.
So - before we make our lists of what we aren't - let's define ourselves by God's Word and who we are to be. That sounds refreshing. It just isn't as fun as getting together with younger pastors and doing behind the scenes gossip on how our leaders just don't get it.
Blah blah blah Steve. :)
Countdown to NZ. Working on ...
Well my talk at Spring Arbor University went well. I really enjoy speaking to college aged students. They were very much into it and I had a blast. I was able to see Mike "Dontrell" Willis and some of my old "real." students. Did a quick A & W run with some of them.
One cool note. It looks like we may be able to use some offices for free for a period of time. I'll let you know more later. I don't see this as solving the need for a "hub," but it is a start to improving efficiency and communication.
On a sad note - some friends in our life group lost a cousin and friend. He was in his thirties with two kids and a wife. Very sad. There is nothing in this world that shakes you to your foundation like a death of a loved one. Everything else falls away and a heavy blanket covers every day life. Anyways - lift up this family that lost their dad and husband. Thanks.
Ronny, Bobby, Ricky and Mike,
sd
I went to the Gideon Pastor's Appreciation banquet. It was nice to get together with area pastors.
Speaking tomorrow morning at Spring Arbor University's chapel. I ask for your prayers. It is a weird thing to go back to where a lot of things started, including the original Watermark dream (when it was just a seed.) It has been over ten years since I graduated.
Time to go into the hot tub.
Eternity is now,
sd
I am beginning the amazing journey of preparing for New Zealand. There is a lot to do:
1. Figure out what to pack and pack it
2. Prepare messages for a variety of environments
3. Bring additional resources for anything that may pop up
4. Make sure everything is taken care of back here for while I'm away
5. Organize my prayer team
6. And other stuff that I can't even think about until I've gotten to the day!!!!! :)
Wednesday I get to speak at Spring Arbor University. Going back to my roots.
Go cougars,
sd
Here is a picture of my newest nephew: Hudson. He reside near Marion, IN where his daddy is a prof. at Indiana Wesleyan University. Congrats again to Brian and Jody and looking forward to seeing the little man.
Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by little things that you know you should be doing, but you can't even hardly remember these little things because you feel bombarded by them. It feels like I grab an idea I should be doing, but before I can think it through - it is gone. Kind of like on the tip of your mind. Anyways - it'll all work out - it always does.
I have a wedding today in Shelbyville and then tomorrow is two gatherings with the Watermark crew! If you can make it - please come and hang with us! 9:30 and 11:00 am. That would be cool.
Uncle steve,
sd
I am an uncle once again! Hudson Nelson Fry is in the house. I hope to see him before I fly out to New Zealand, but we'll see.
I wish I had something cool to say. But, I am feeling less and less like I have something to say.
So, let me write out a quote from a unique Bible paraphrase called, "the word on the street."
"See, right on cue, with precision timing, when we were flailing around totally helpless, Jesus died for the messed up. How often does someone die for someone else? It's not daily news, is it?! Alright, for a really happening guy, maybe some would die. It does happen. But get your head round this: God proved his love to us, 'cos it was when we were totally messed up that Jesus died for us." - Romans 5:6-8
please, please, please let me get what i want,
sd
My sister is gearing up to have her second child. His name will be Hudson and he will be a stud. Just waiting... Any time...
Had life group tonight. Great time with great friends! Visited a young man in prison today.
I am still plugging away on the message. I will have to finish up tomorrow. I also have a wedding on Saturday - so it will be a busy weekend.
911's a joke, :)
sd
How did I live to be thirty three years old without ever getting a flu shot?
The television makes it sound like the flu vacine shortage will produce millions of deaths! Be afraid! Stay in doors! Rush to your doctors and demand a shot or face death!
Seriously - I think it would be great if we all had a shot to prevent getting the flu. I hate the flu. I hate puking. I know it stinks, but can we tone down the fear? Can we see through the media's need for a story and puffing up of the story?
In protest of how this is being handled - I will dunk myself in a vat of germs. What?
Maybe I'll take time and pray for protective healing from God for me and measure it with the flu shot gang. Any takers? :)
Having a little fun so chill,
sd
ps - final debate is done. I will not make a comment on it.
I need prayer for God's clear guidance and insight. The message that I was going to prepare is not the right one for this week. The cool thing is that I sense God in this... The bad thing is that I am scratching my head on what to teach.
Anyways - Say a prayer for God's Words and message to be clearly articulated.
Thanks!
sd
Vicki has landed home. She had a great conference and I think it was a refresher for her. Awesome!
I handled the kids with ease... with the help of Chucky Cheese, reading books, cinnamon rolls, going to the zoo with my dad and hitting Wendy's for lunch. A guy like me needs to get out of the house when I have the kids on my own. Playing barbies in the basement is like a death sentence. :)
I had a great time with the kids and I love them so much. I appreciated my dad hanging with me - he is a guy I respect and love. He knows how to have a little sarcastic fun with me. The dude can show.
Gotta close out some items for tomorrow. IF YOU ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TOMORROW - COME CELEBRATE OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY AS A CHURCH! 10 am @ Grand Haven High School. More details: www.iamwatermark.com
Had a little article in the paper regarding our anniversary. Cool. The Onpoint gang put together a little ad we ran as well.
Keep your eyes peeled on the watermark web site. ...
My wife is at a Beth Moore women's conference with my mom. They are overnight in GR and I am doing the Mr. Mom thing today and tomorrow.
I went to a family birthday party at Chuckie Cheese. That pizza is like cardboard with cheese on it. The ticket games provide you an opportunity to win fabulous $.15 prizes and only have to pay $10 to earn enough tickets to win it! Crazy! The ticket games are an addicting element that I believe resembles child gambling. We need to start a kid's version of "ticket game anonymous."
"My name is Billy Thomas and I can't stop playing skeeball for tickets."
"Hi Billy."
Just about to watch the debate. By the way I have my ballot (since I'll be in NZ during the election) - so I'll be voting tomorrow. Then I can focus all my energy to convince others to vote for "2 for 2!" What?
The Watermark Web site is being updated so keep your eyes open. Thanks to OPMG (onpoint). Need a...
TODAY IS MY TEN YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!
I have an unbelievable, awesome, amazing, gifted, beautiful wife!
Thank you God for my honey...
I have a few big speaking events coming up.
October 17 - I speak at Watermark for our first week in two gatherings.
October 20 - I speak at Spring Arbor University for chapel. This is where I went to school.
October 30 - I speak to the leaders of The Wesleyan Church in New Zealand. I also do a seminar.
So, I am asking you to please take a second while reading this and pray that God would guide the preparation and give creativity and insight. Thanks!!!! I really need it.
Reading, "Seizing Your Divine Moment" again, by Erwin R. McManus. Good book. We are reading it with a leadership life group that meets 2/month. Today, I said this comment (with sarcasm) and it hit me on how I don't want to live: "I really want to die someday and have people say that I 'was careful and played it safe,' at my memorial ...
I thought this photo was interesting because of the sharp contrast of religion and politics.
If I could have a presidential candidate talk and give a speech at Watermark - I would decline.
Yes, come and participate. Yes, let us pray for you and your family. But, no on the stump speech please - no matter your political persuasion.
Could that be turning the house of prayer into the den of the money changers? Anyways - I thought it was a powerful picture that brings up different questions for me as a follower of Jesus.
For example: Am I so consumed with this presidential race that my focus is on the man and not the one whose name is in the background? Am I putting my trust in politics first and not in the truth of the line on the screen? Is the screen declaring something that is not being lived out in that photo or in my life?
Jesus Christ, only, always,
sd
My friend, accountability partner and fan of Spinal Tap - Dave Drury has a blog: Double D and a place for his writings David Drury . Check it out on the left under blogs and study, growth and conversation. Also look into Emergent Wesleyan . I am going to be contributing to this.
Just got out of the hot tub... oh baby.
sd
Well the birthday was a good one. Thanks to all who gave me love.
We are gearing up for one year of Watermark public gatherings. This Sunday will be our first birthday. We are planning on hearing stories, having cake, watching videos from the past and looking ahead to what God has for us.
We made political yard signs entitled with the "2 for 2" logo and they have the www.iamwatermark.com address on the top and bottom. We gave out fifty and now I see them in different yards and people are trying to figure out what it is about. Fun!
I have been enjoying reading a bit of "The Word on the Street" by Rob Lacey. It is a rough paraphrase of parts of the Bible. Just an interesting way to discover some of the passages I have read time after time.
There is no "I" in team, but there are two in KIWI.
sd
We have been calling my son, "The path of destruction" or "the symphony of destruction." Don't worry we don't say it to his face even though he wouldn't understand as an eighteen month old. The dude is relentless. He climbs, he smashes, he destroys, he bucks and grabs.. BUT, he also is the cutest little cuddliest monster ever.
He smashs his head into the wall one moment crying and the next moment he is laughing at something. My son is living life to the full from what I can tell. He takes risks. He explores. He has a focus on one thing that is unbelievable.
CAN YOU FEEL THE SPIRITUAL TAKE-AWAY COMING?
I guess I want to live life full on like him. How did I get so reserved and careful? He just jumps in. I have a lot to learn from my son. And he has a lot to learn about not playing with a barbie radio!
Wrapped up the message last night late. God help! :)
Tomorrow I turn 33.
sd
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