Vicki has been working just about everyday for the past few days and will continue to do so for the next week and a half... This means I have a fair bit of alone time with the kids in the evenings. This is fun, but requires a higher level of patience that I typically do not have laying around. Things are going smoothly and I am enjoying myself... so far. :) The weather rocks. I am starting a three week focus at the gatherings called, "DRIVEN." It is about God from the Bible. Should be fun. Jumping back and forth in the Bible is fun and cool how it fits together. I'll like it even if everyone is sleeping. (as long as they don't snore.) By the way - we are going to be having our sunday morning gathering gig at the waterfront stadium on july 3rd. come heckle. come moon us from your boat. just kidding... don't do it - you know who you are! har har har jar jar binks. what the? I just found out that a guy and his family that are a part of watermark used to...
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Right now I am outdoors, under the stars, next to the fire and I am saying hello to you. My wireless connection reaches me out here in my backyard. Tonight was the first campfire in the Deur weed field we call a backyard. Tonight the first smore was sacrificed for the atonement of all summer hot dogs. They faced the scorching fire. This Sunday we have some friends joining us for one of the gatherings. These friends are not usually doing the church thing - so it has made me again think about what they will experience and I wonder how they will feel. I guess that I would want them: 1. To deepen our friendship. 2. To experience God in some way. Sense God's love for them. 3. Feel loved and accepted by Watermarkers. 4. Have fun. People sometimes may think that inviting someone along to a gathering is a tactical move to get them to sign on to the church. But, for me, more and more it is about just inviting someone into my life. It is deepening a friendship. I would compare i...
Today is the fourth Wednesday of the month which means it was my Day Alone With God. I started today in Holland and later ended up at Rosy Mound Trails. I went to a few different spots and journaled, prayed and mostly read. I am reading a book entitled, "The Unnecessary Pastor." I have really enjoyed it and I have received a lot of encouragement and challenge from it. There was a moment in which I caught the scent of pine trees and moss in the summer heat. (at least I think that is what I smelled...) It totally brought me back to when I was in grade school and spent every day all day in the vast woods behind my house. It is amazing how powerful a scent is...I was seven again. I even climbed a tree. (I got off the designated path... I guess that is called sin.) :) Anyways - it was a soul enriching and meaningful time. Here are some photos of the park... What is everyone doing for Memorial Day? sd
So I took my day off today and saw Star Wars III. I really liked it and look forward to seeing "A New Hope" again as a result. There is something big and powerful about a sweeping story. I guess that is why people try to impose their view of history... control the story and you control the future. Kinda. At least if you can get your hands on the story and re-make it - then you can motivate people - change opinions - etc... Stories are freaking powerful. What stories influence and impact who we are? What story have we joined and live in? Why am I even talking about this? Anyways it was a good movie. But then again - I am a Sci-Fi Geek! :) May the deurt be with you, sd
looks like a good week ahead with the weather. I think I am going to have to take some time to walk the Rosy Mound Trails. I always get perspective and sense God in those times. Romans 1:12 says "From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God." I like this passage because it speaks of the experience I have when I am around a camp fire, or in the woods, or swimming in Lake Michigan at sunset, or... anytime in creation. Anyways - have an amazing day! sd PS - 24 is coming to a close next Minday night! Two hour wrap up!
This morning Sherrie shared stories about helping at a hospital in Kenya for one month. The stories again reminded me about what is important and how I complain about the dumbest things. Thanks God. I was reading and studying for our conversation series in June and one of the concepts I was reading about was about being thankful. In one of the Jewish feasts they would celebrate God's blessings and thank God for all He had given them. Part of the celebration was inviting the less fortunate to feast with you... the thought was - you are not truly thankful unless you invite those in need with what you have been given. It was a way to give God thanks. Anyways - we have been given soooo very much and I want to use our time, talents and treasure to invest in things that God is interested in... I will save a little to spend on Cold Stone. sd
The garage is clean. The gutters are cleaned out. The lawn is cut. The grill is ready for use. The fire pit is calling... I love it when things that I hate doing get done. The monkey is off my back. I threw that monkey down and danced on his head. (I did not harm any animals.) :) You are still in the running for America's next top model, sd
Last night I was in a group of people who went through something we call "Rapids III: Wired." This class exprience helps you discover your spiritual gifts, personality, passions, etc... Anyways - one of the questions was the classic, "If time, money and opportunity wasn't a factor what would you do?" It is an interesting question... (When you are in full time ministry with a "call" attached to your role - is it wrong to say anything but full time ministry?) :) I guess for me I would love to perform and create. Perform on stage - in comedy - maybe improv. Create and direct movies. Maybe I will make one of those horrible Christian movies talking about the end of the world and how you better get yourself ready or you are toast in hell! PREACH IT! What? Just kidding.... So... how about you? And - is money, time and opportunity really stopping us? Is it "The grass is always greener" situation? Are you sick of my questions? Are you ...
Being a pastor is at its heart being a servant in Jesus name. (Following His example.) But, I so often want to be at the center. I so often want to look out for myself first. I so often want to defend myself by cutting apart another. I so often want to control. I so often want my life to be MY life. I am glad no one is perfect, but I wish I could get myself to believe it...even others! :) I am learning to stay focused on Jesus - on His life - on His words - on Him... and then serving the best I can. I'll let God fill in the rest... (Notice I said "let?" Who is really in control.) Dog Gone it! Done dirt cheap, sd
I am waiting on line for the next available representative... I can't get through on a line to vote for my "american idol..." I can't get through when I call a radio station to be the ninth caller... I can't get through on a radio program... But, when I pray - the God of the Universe listens. Pretty cool. sd
Mother's Day has come and gone. It was a good day celebrating. My mom did a great job sharing in the gatherings. I was afraid she would tell the story of me as a young kid wetting my pants and trying to cover it up with dirt so no one would realize what I had done. So instead of a wet spot - there would be a mud spot. All because I was having too much fun in the woods and didn't want to take time to water some trees. Crazy. As a kid I actually thought my folks didn't notice. As a kid I thought I outsmarted my parents. But, as I get older, I realize that they knew and just let some things go. I think if my son wets his pants in a similar manner I will point and laugh at him in front of his peers. Just kidding. :) Have a swell day. sd
This week Sunday my mom is speaking at the gathering. She and my dad both work at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland and df marriage and family talks to other churches. My mom and dad had interesting journeys into full time ministry. My dad got into it after being a successful salesman. I am proud of them both for their faith, their marriage and their willingness to step out into the unknown following God. Anyways - I am glad she will be sharing with us. The band is going to play an intro. song. It will be a remake of "Stacy's mom." They changed some of the words, but it will go, "Stevie's mom has got it going on..." Funny. LOST is a great show. I love how they do the backstory! It made me realize again that I give more grace and understanding to people when I know their story. I just re-read some of "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" and there was a quote that said something like this, "When someone else fails we assume it is becau...