Deurty

I remember when night time would bring with it amazing games in our neighborhood. "Kick the can" was my favorite. Under the glow of street lights I would make a dash from the side of my house to the front of my house to "kick the can." (Usually a sand bucket for the beach or some sort of small plastic container.) The thrill of running out into the darkness without knowing if the person looking for you was near was exhilarating. "Flashlight Tag" was a lot of fun as well. We would run and hide and then the person 'it' would search for us sporting a flashlight. If they shined us - we were out. These are just a few of games we played. The interesting thing is that I felt larger than life - almost more alive - playing these games. The hiding, the running, the heavy breathing, the competition, the on the spot rule making, the friendships, the laughing, the anger, the cheating - all of it sending the sensation of life. I mourn the loss of games go...

They should change the name of "Podcasting" to "Sodcasting." As a kid my family put in some sod for our lawn. We rolled it line after line like laying carpet. Our lawn had a nice rich green look. So my idea of calling the podcasts - sodcasts comes from this idea of growth, life, roots and maturity, rolling out line by line of thoughts... It won't catch on, but I thought I'd throw it out there. I guess growth in our lives depends on our own desire to grow more than anything. No matter how good material or truth may be expounded upon - the receiver must receive, interpret, welcome, chew on it, make changes, etc... humility, I think, is at the center of any growth. Do we have something to learn from everyone? Even people we disagree with? Even people we despise? I find it easier to learn from people that have big reputations or that I agree with - rather than someone younger or someone I have never heard of... Anyways - if you want to hear long-wi...

I was wondering if I am someone who sees the glass "half-full" or "half-empty." These of course are the images that speak of being an optimist or a pessimist. I have always thought of myself as an optimist, but I think it might be situational. (In other words - it depends on the glass.) I think that with BIG picture issues (long range - dreams - hopes) I tend to be half-full. Filled with courage and passion. While with immediate issues I can tend to be half-empty. Filled with fear and anxiety. I guess that is my leaning and I think I do that to protect myself from disappointment. Can you relate? You know - saying you are not good at something (but secretly feeling like you are pretty good at it) so that if it doesn't go well the ego is protected somewhat... Would you say you are a half full or half empty kind of person? Whose opinion counts most in determining this question? My wife has one idea and others may think differently... What if you took the ...

I have a hangover from my nyquil. I'm stuffed up. So, I hit the Nyquil cups hard last night and slept like a baby with a horrible after taste in my mouth. I don't know how pastor's preach every week (some of them twice a Sunday). I have been doing every Sunday since the end of November and I'm whipped. I have more low key roles over the next two weeks so that should be helpful in recovering. I am planning on a new website that I hope to launch in the future: www.deurty.com. I would appreciate any input on what you'd like to see on that site if anything. Stay gold, sd

Beginning February 4th at midnight we are going to participate in a non-stop prayer vigil until March 4th. This is not associated with one church or denomination. It is simply a time to connect with God for an hour or more and to seek Him and His movements. If you like to pray or want to have a great spiritual experience I want to encourage you to sign up for an hour slot. Check out the link I have on the right or check out the "Shoreline Prayer Room" at: Shoreline Prays Website You can learn more at the site and sign up under the calendar link. If you are in the area... have a go. Also - this week we are beginning our vision (who we are becoming) series. For three weeks we will be identifying how we are "Marked" and how we want to be a blessing to the world around us. Anyways - snow is coming and I am dreading it. I never did get into snow sports - except for watching movies. :) Countdown to 24! sd

Right now I am listening to the rhythmic sounds of women working out on the other side of the wall next to my desk. I hear the machines pumping. The floor is vibrating. The sound of muffled music is present. An occasional laugh is heard. I work next to a "CURVES." Here I sit adding weight and there they go, on the other side of the thinnest wall, shedding pounds in an all women work out environment. I thought about pounding on the wall sometime just to see what they would do. Then I would act like they were crazy when they come next door to find out what is wrong. But, that would be wrong. Or better yet, I could just walk in with a sweatsuit and start working out - acting like I have every right to be there. Maybe I should dress up like a woman (Tootsie) to get access. Or maybe I have taken too much time out of my day to think about these things with you. :) 24 is back in action Sunday night and I am very excited. I haven't been this excited since holding an ...

My word for this year is: "COURAGE." God told Joshua: "This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9 Courage to do the right thing. Courage to speak the truth. Courage to forgive. Courage to follow wherever God leads. Courage to put self aside. Courage to seek justice for the down-trodden. Courage to lead. Courage to be. Andy Stanley observes, "Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the willingness to strap on your fear and move ahead." So 2007 is the year of COURAGE. Welcome to the jungle, sd

I am not going to take the time today to adequately communicate about our family friend Jim Fuller. Jim passed away last week. He was dealing with ALS. Jim was a great mentor, friend, and supporter of Vicki and I. He was a very dear friend of my father and mother. At Jim's funeral my dad asked those who were under forty years old to stand if Jim invested in them. I stood and looked around and saw countless people - it was amazing. He was heavily invested in people all over the world. I was reminded again that the greatest fruit of a life is a life that loves and serves and gives and invests in others. Jim certainly did that and the fruit was obvious. It was a great challenge to have life mean more than getting all we want and making ourselves the center of the universe. I thank God for Jim and the LEGACY he leaves. Shoot a prayer for wife Sharon and daughter Kym. Puts things in perspective, sd

Christmas 1996 was my loneliest Christmas. Vicki and I lived in Sydney, Australia for two years - from 1995-1997. It was THE shaping experience of our marriage and ministry. But, thanks to a trip to a buffet, (Sizzler for my aussie friends), I came down with horrible food poisoning. It wasn't so much the food that made me sick - it was what someone had left on the food if you get my drift. So a couple days before Christmas I started releasing the contents of my stomach to the toilet. For days it went on until I was quite dehydrated. Christmas fell in the middle of this experience and I found myself lying alone on the bathroom floor on hot and sunny Australian Christmas day. I ventured out briefly to visit dear friends who became family to us, but the day was essentially spent alone. There were moments my wife came in to feed me water from a spoon. Thanks honey. I have always enjoyed having family and friends around me. I have been blessed to be surrounded or connected in mea...

On Monday we enjoyed a staff training time with Dr. Peter Newhouse. We walked through handling conflict and how to speak the truth to others. I was challenged again by the importance of following Biblical wisdom on dealing with issues of relational hurt and distance. The point of processing the issue personally first is important. I think it is so easy to feel something and when hurt we want instant support - so we jump on the phone and call that one person... the spouse, the parent, the friend...to spill our disappointment in someone. After processing the issue personally we next should go to God in prayer. Pete mentioned that as followers of Jesus we should be going to God before going to others. This is vital because it puts us in a position of humility and asking for a wider scope of understanding than just our feelings. Then - in accordance to Scripture - we go directly to that person and not everywhere else. I am an avoider by nature. I let everything run off my back and i...

Thanks for those who gave good fiction book ideas... please continue to weigh in on your favorites. I would also like to get your opinion and experience over this holiday season. I've heard that the holidays are a very difficult and lonely time for many people. In your opinion - or from experience - why is the Christmas season a lonely, empty, and difficult time for people? I really value your input and perspective - it will help shape a discussion that I'm leading in a couple weeks. Remember to also stop by: Our new site! sd

I would like to read a great fiction book over the holidays, but I need a recomendation. I really enjoy supernatural/sci-fi stuff, but I am open to other ideas... no chickflick books. :) ANY THOUGHTS? What is the best fiction book you've read in the last year? Leave a comment with your answer... thanks for helping get me educated. sd

Go to: www.iammarked.com to check out Watermark's new website. Thanks Steve

I dropped $10 on tokens (got a special deal of 80 tokens!) at Chuck E. Cheese. I had "guy time" with Harrison last night at the mouse house. While I was there I noticed something interesting. First of all, there is very little available for grown ups to do. However, the point is to have fun with your kid and do kiddie stuff - so that shouldn't be a problem. Some kids really get into playing games to win tickets so that you buy junkie toys. But, I noticed two men last night who didn't appear to be with any kids. (If they brought their kid - they must have been in hiding from the giant Chuck E. Cheese guy.) These two fellas were on ticket rich machines and working them like nickel slots in Vegas. They were intently playing by themselves and the machines were spitting out tickets in a mad frenzy! Chuck E. Cheese is secretly owned by Donald Trump for the purpose of getting kids addicted to gambling so that he can make money in the future off of his casino. If put...

Well Sunday evening I finally got the flu. For about 30 hours I was in the fetal position except for my trips to the bathroom. I take health soooooooo for granted. So for thanksgiving this year I want to focus a bit on giving God thanks for health. Why does chicken noodle seem so good when you're sick and so boring when you're healthy? (in my humble opinion) sd

For over twenty four hours we experienced the joy of kids being sick. I went all pentecostal and told the sickness not to touch me. Thank you God I didn't get it... or did I? Now you are infected! :) Anyways - I am hurt about the whole Ted Haggard saga. Another reminder that no person is "untouchable" and all of us need grace and forgiveness. I hope people offer love and truth in the way of Jesus in this time to all involved. I am reminded to guard my heart and keep it tied to God. Falling leaves are the devil, sd

They lost. They didn't just lose... they looked lost. But, thanks again to the Detroit Tigers for an outstanding season with more ups and downs than an inning with Todd Jones on the mound. (You know I love you though Todd.) It was fun and we will soak in the great accomplishment... And then - somebody better get on the horn and get a couple of big bats for the love!!!!!! I planted Tulips again today. It is my way of telling the oncoming winter that it will die as it runs into spring. It also brings me back to my first job at Veldeer Tulip Farm. I sorted Tulip bulbs and pulled out the damaged nasty ones for just over $3/hour. ("Tulip" is capitalized by Americans of Dutch descent.) I also had the opportunity to mow our lawn again (which had tons of leaves on it) instead of raking... Hopefully the mulched leaves will blow into our unsuspecting neighbor's lawn. Just kidding. Kinda. :) Gotta jet. Tonight is daylight savings, but I call it depression savings, bec...

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Come on fellas - have fun playing again! It's been a great season - enjoy the moment - have fun! Come on Steve - have fun watching again! It's been a great season - enjoy the moment - have fun! Hmmmm. AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! sd

Last night was a tough night to be a Tigers fan. The errors, the poor swings, the wild pitching, and the deflated emotion all created a night filled with yelling at the television and probably caring too much about baseball. I am not typically a very emotional person. I have talked about this before, but in 1987 I cried and was heartbroken at the Tigers losing to the Twins and their stupid "homer hankies" (which makes me dislike the whole towel waving thing now.) Following the game - I again reminded myself that this has been an awesome year and not to get to worked up over a loss - but I do care (maybe too much) and getting to sleep was not an option. I say all this to share my emotion - so that I can watch tonights game with a clear head and again remember that it is only a game! Not to mention that I am not even playing for the love!!!! :) I won't give up on the Tigers, but last night was hard. Someone help Pudge find his swing - someone help me find a life. :) sd

Well, Mike Illich, saved some prized World Series Tickets for fans who missed out on the first push to get them... Nice guy huh? Until you recognize that to get one of these very expensive tickets you have to also buy Red Wing tickets! AHHHHH! Why is it always about the Red Wings! It is his team, but that kind of thing leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth and those who I've talked to about it. But, I am willing to over look it and even buy a Little Caesars Pizza because the team of my youth is in the BIG GAME BABY! By the way - I love Jesus too. sd