Deurty

Brad Z. has a growing and glowing web tv show called Church Media Design . He also has been recognized for his work on our IAMMARKED site at Church Relevance where it was added to the top 85 church web sites. Congrats to Brad and well done! sd To learn more about Brad go to: Vinmark Productions.

Read this article from CNN that reveals the plight of thousands of Ethiopian children. I have been reading Ethiopian news with some regularity and have a growing passion for this remarkable and legendary country. I hope to post news that I find interesting from time to time. It is in times like this that I pray the church (that I myself) would sacrificially serve and meet needs. Jesus commanded those of us who call ourselves Christians, in John 13, to love one another as He has loved us. Through this sacrificial love for one another the wider world begins to recognize us as followers of Jesus. It begins with love - love that is active - love that moves. Love is as love does. Is it in me? Lord may it be, sd

Hey. Here are a couple announcements from your Deurty friend. 1. I just started a NING page for Watermark. Check it out and feel free to join here. 2. Tomorrow is Thompson's birthday. (37) See his blog link to the right. 3. We are close to launching our adoption blog - I'll keep you in the loop. 4. I am very excited about our "Because of You" Celebration Sunday. June 8! 5. My wife made an amazing Meat Loaf tonight. She rocks! 6. I am looking for a good summer read - any suggestions? Killing me softly, sd

Vicki's grandfather passed away this weekend at the ripe old age of 103 and a half. He was born in 1904. Imagine what he saw in his life... He was too young for World War 1 and too old for World War 2. James Sergent was a great man of faith, family, and faithfulness. 103 sounds good to me, sd

My buddy Pete shredding the Anthem. sd

I wanted to share with you that Vicki and I are in the front-end of a process to adopt a child from Ethiopia. Where do I begin... Vicki has always been interested in adopting a child and I (being a fella) was a bit more practical and thought it was a great idea... for someone else. But, a few years ago we began to consider adoption on a deeper level. We checked into it a little bit, but then decided to try for another child. We had Willem. He rocks by the way. So, now fast forward a couple years to early 2007. I started to a more in-depth personal study on the good news = "The Kingdom of God." God's Word revealed to me how addicted I am to myself, comfort, control, and financial security. It also opened my heart to people who are hurting and in need of God's love and practical assistance. I also had a lot of opportunity to do a study on God's view of the poor, the widow, the stranger, and the orphan... I finally got around to preaching on the "Kingdo...

Deurty.com is what I've been working on lately. I am posting some past messages, articles, and highlights. I will be starting another blog down the road for another reason that I will share with you in the next week... We are doing a study on the cross of Jesus for the next four weeks. I have really enjoyed the study and have been moved. The weather has been amazing! sd

There was a report on the "Today" show about people having the same name as you and finding them on the web. Have you ever "googled" or "yahooed" your name? Do you pop up? How popular are you in the electronic listing? Anyways - I like to type in the name's of people I know under "images" in Google and see what my friend's namesakes look like. Here are some examples: Brad Zimmerman Steve Thompson Brett Jones With the web the world shrinks and we find out that we aren't the only person with our name. Someone else has the audacity to run around their town with your name! I found out that there were two other Steve Deurs in the Holland/Zeeland area when I was in college. I worked with one at a grocery store and I met another one at a camp. Strange. So - what comes up when you google your name? At least we still have our fingerprint, sd

Vacation is something I look forward to. I usually feel tired and in a rut by the time a vacation finally rolls around. So when the vacation begins I find that it takes me at least two-three days to totally wind down, get into a new state of mind, and let things go back home. When this happens it is like a band aid. I am cut up a bit - worn down - and scabbed up - vacation is placed neatly over my body and soul. For a little while I am aware of the band aid - it feels different - it smells different - I still feel a bit of pain under it - I am a man with a cut in need of a band aid. But over time I forget about the band aid. I adjust - it seems to be a part of me - natural - doing its healing work... THIS IS WHEN I EMERGE TRULY ON VACATION. BUT, then I return home. It takes two to three days for me to actually let a vacation work on me, but it seems like an hour after I return home - I am ripped out of the warm cozy womb of vacation and thrown into the cold world of reality - wher...

THE MONKEY IS OFF THE BACK OF THE DETROIT TIGERS! I resume my chocolate eating tomorrow at Cold Stone. Bless you boys - finally a win! Enjoying vacation, sd

Please disregard my last post as young and dumb idealism. After another absolutely ugly loss and an 0-6 record I, Steve Deur, hereby commit to fast from my favorite thing (chocolate) until they have a win. Every time I crave chocolate I will pray for the Tigers. This may be shallow and meaningless, but I have an ache in my tummy. It may be gas or it may be heart break. No choco till win! sd

When I was a kid I enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers play on television with my dad, my uncles, some cousins, and my grandpa Van Wieren. The game was filled with names like Trammell, Parish, and Morris. One other name always seemed to find its way to the end of the game when everything seemed to matter more. That name was Gibson. Kirk Gibson, or as my grandpa called him, "Big Boy." Big Boy always seemed to be up when they needed a hit most and the air inside the family room of my grand parent's home was electric and filled with anxious feelings. Often if it got too intense I think my grandpa actually turned off the television or walked away. I could here him saying things like, "it is over..." "here they go again." (I don't know if those were the words, but I remember the feeling. The idea was - "they will blow it or not come through... especially Big Boy." So just turn it off now and spare yourself the pain.) Anyways - I am a ...

1:05 pm - Monday. Opening Day of Detroit Tiger Baseball! Bless you boys, sd

Currently I am addicted to playing "Settlers of Catan." It is a board game that involves trading, expanding territory, and building up settlements. Anyways - I enjoy the idea of using the resources of the island of Catan for my own gain. (Just kidding - I am a good steward of the Catan resources like every good little Christian should be... but oh wait - this isn't real life! I forget because I am played a lot of Dungeons and Dragons as a kid and I think all this is real!) :) So anyways - I really like the game and recommend you try it or buy it or whatever. Here is a link to learn more... Settlers of Catan Here is how I feel while posting this. Have a great day and pray for sun and warmth! sd

Today is "good" Friday. God for your love I am thankful. While we were uninterested, uninspired, undecided, and unbelieving... Jesus died for us. Amen

We have hopped on another 24/7 prayer train this week leading up to Resurrection Sunday. To participate or check it out a bit go to: Shoreline Prays Check out the local article: Watermark in the news. I always enjoy the prayer times - they are moments when I actually stop to reflect... otherwise I find life to easily become a lot of flailing about with little understanding or direction. Have a great week! sd

I am enjoying reading through the book of Proverbs this month. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs and 31 days in March = one a day. If you want to get some wisdom for life - Proverbs is a great book to read. It is quick, concise, and helpful. Do you have a favorite Proverb that isn't actually a Proverb? You know... ones like: "Cleanliness is next to godliness." "If you don't have anything nice - don't say anything at all." "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Lay on us your best wisdom, sd

Style that goes a mile.

This Sunday we are checking the "Word on the Street" regarding money as well as looking at Proverbs dealing with riches. So, let me ask you... how much money would it take to make you feel happy/secure? I think people tend to throw out numbers like: $1,000,000, but I am curious what everyone thinks. Have you ever hoped to win the lotto and then realized you haven't ever played it? What? sd

Today i realized that I like New York City, but I despise New York City sport teams. I like Chicago and really enjoy spending time there, but I can't stand Chicago teams. I have great dislike for the city of Detroit, but love the sport teams. Go Tigers! sd