Deurty

The Tigers game on Thursday was great. I was able to take my family which was special. I especially cherished having my kids participate in something that always was precious to me as a kid. They won! We had amazing seats and I'll post some pics soon. Tomorrow looks like it is going to be beautiful. We are at the Waterfront Stadium in downtown Grand Haven at 10 am. You are invited. Justin Schaap, our new worship leader, will be leading our band. If you are interested in keeping up with the conversation over the summer you can visit: Watermark Podcast. Thankful, sd

The Takas family goes to Johannesburg and as soon as they arrive the city is hit with snow. The place of gold is covered in white stuff! This is the first time since 1981 according to reports. Welcome to winter in June! Pray that Mike and Carol won't be kicked out of the country for bringing Michigan weather with them. To keep up with the Takas family you can visit their site at: Takas Fam Reminds me of waking up in Israel to big snow! Ahhhh sd

"It is in the nature of pastoral work to walk into an alien world, put our feet on the pavement, and embrace the locale. Pastoral work is geographical as much as it is theological. Pastors don't send memos, don't send generic messages, don't work from a distance: locale is part of it. It is the nature of pastoral work to be on site, working things out in the particular soil of a particular parish." - Eugene Peterson from Under the Unpredictable Plant. Location, location, location. sd

I came across some old movies of fellow bloggers that I forgot were around and thought I'd share them with you for old times sake... Thompson Jones Smith "I Am" annimation Enjoy, sd

This Sunday looks like another amazing day to gather outdoors. Last weekend we had a great time seeing people on the lawn. It was a laid back atmosphere with a lot of connecting. This Sunday we are back at Mulligan's Hollow at 10 am. Come on out and join us for the fun. If you want a calendar of where we are at you can visit our site: Watermark Web Site. Today I get to spend some time with my Rabbi - Pete Yo. :) Sizzle, sd

During my trip to NYC with my dad I had the opportunity to read a whole book in Central Park. Wow - a whole book. (Hooked on phonics worked for me.) The book I read was, "Under the Unpredictable Plant" by Eugene Peterson. I chose this book because it is one of his books that deals with 'being' a pastor. The book revolves around the story of Jonah. He does a masterful job teasing the story and bringing out gems. Anyways, I wanted to submit a quote from the book for your consideration. "We cannot nurture the life of the Spirit in a parishioner while holding a stopwatch. We cannot apply time management techniques to the development of souls." (p.164) I find that I am an impatient person. When it comes to working with people I tend to think about sprints instead of marathons. I like to see change and I like to see it fast. If someone isn't getting with the program (my program) I wonder what the problem is. (Maybe it's me or maybe life and spir...

Hey, This past spring break I stopped in at the Watermark Church in Tampa. I really enjoyed worshipping there. One guy that was very welcoming was the worship leader. His name, I believe, was Tommy. Anyways, he writes his own worship music and Watermark uses it to express their heart to God at their gatherings. I noticed they made a music video around a song he played on the morning I was there. I really enjoy it and recommend it to you. So, because he gave me hospitality and he is a brother in Yeshua :) I'll throw this your way for a watch and a listen. See you on the lawn tomorrow at 10 am! Happy Father's Day, sd

This weekend we are gathering at Mulligan's Hollow at 10 am. My biggest fear is that rain will hit and that we'll have to scramble to find the best "plan b" location. (We may do the YMCA or the High School in case of rain in case you are wondering.) But, looking at this forecast gives me some peace. If it rains I pray it will quit by 7 am Sunday morning. It looks like it is going to be hot and sunny so bring your sun tan lotion and a lawn chair. See you there in the sun - Lord and Craig James willing. :) "The lawn is where I meet God." - Thomas Zoily sdul

Congrats to Justin Verlander for throwing a no-no last night against the Brew crew. Epic! He was throwing serious gas into the ninth inning! I gots da Tiger fever (like I always have, but at least now I don't get sick.) Way to go JV. Now if we could take that performance on to the softball field, sd

This Sunday, June 17th, we are moving from Grand Haven High School to Mulligan's Hollow behind the Tri-Cities YMCA in Grand Haven. We are gathering at 10 am. You are all welcome to come and join us. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. The kids can play on the Imagination Station for part of the time. Soak it up baby, sd For more details or directions of this summer's locations click here: Watermark Church.

Isaiah 63:9 "In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old. " Deuteronomy 1:30-31 "The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place." In Scripture, God is described as the Creator of the world. He is called the "Father" of Israel and later by followers of Jesus. (Following redemptive moves by God: for example: the Exodus from Egypt and the work of Jesus on the Cross.) The image of God as Father is an amazing picture. (Unless your own father was a scoundral and that idea is a hard pill to swallow.) God is called the Father of the fatherless. In Isaiah you hear God cal...