“The whole outlook of mankind might be changed if we could all believe that we dwell under a friendly sky and that the God of heaven, though exalted in power and majesty, is eager to be friends with us.”
— A.W. Tozer
Welcome to our blog page. The content here, up through the year 2022, was originally posted on my personal blog/website (chrisdeman.com). As God continues to lead us into different ways of being spiritually formed, our creative outlets have also transitioned. So, we’re simplifying into one web presence. We hope that you find encouragement, challenge, a bit of humor, and honest reflection on our experience with God in the commonplace.
Unicorns and a Teepee
The end of another spring break is upon us. True to form, we’ve had rain – and snow. Granted, we had some sun too. Temps have been mostly in the 40s, and finally above 50 today. The predicted high temp for the last day of break is 78. Figures.
Family Stew
I’m addicted. Katrina’s addicted. Our kids are addicted.
The Two-a-day Life
Two-a-days. Remember those? One day of athletic practice containing a double-dose of drills, conditioning, listening, learning, yelling, spitting, sweating, grass, dirt, bruises, throwing-up and being thrown-up on. Oh, yeah! Only the dreams of a championship trophy could sooth such practice field horrors.
Shhh...it's a Secret
Secrets. Everyone’s got at least one. Some secrets are fun, like a surprise party. Others exciting, like a pregnancy. Secrets can also be heavy as they weigh on our conscience, monopolize our thoughts and blur our focus.
Eating Words
I’m like a coconut. Outward presentation is a bit tough, abrasive and scratchy. But inside there’s a tender sweetness that can be quite refreshing. Really. I do have a soft side…
Great Frustrations
Nacho is our dog. He’s small in stature but large in personality. Some bark, some bite and lots of swagger. He’s endearing in a too-tart lemonade sort of way; you can only take so much of the little buddy.
Audacious Prayer
The Sears Catalog. I don’t know if they still print them, but those catalogs are enshrined in my childhood hall of fame. I spent hours each November and December pouring over the toy section. Paper and pencil on my right, catalog on my left. I flipped the pages back and forth…
Pennies for Glaciers
(Guest post by Katrina)
I am not ashamed to confess that this week, I hit an emotional crevasse.
Risky Business - Round 2
I got a nice surprise this week. More truthfully, it was partly nice and partly disturbing.
Risky Business
I’m a not a world traveler. Until recently, my wanderings outside U.S. borders amounted to a handful of excursions to (and through) Canada and one day in the Bahamas. In my opinion, neither of those qualifies as international travel for an American.
Infatuation
Valentine’s Day. Seven days. Men, order flowers – now!
A Rodent's Wrath
The Groundhog Day Dump. That’s the moniker given to this Midwest blizzard by a local weather man. I like it. Humor lightens the frustrations of days like this. Unfortunately, it doesn’t lighten the load of snow in my driveway.
Juice and Joy
I spent 24 hours last weekend with 11 other men. There was food, laughter, games and great spiritual conversation. It was a step out of the routine to take a step forward in our growth as Biblically Authentic Men (B.A.M!).
In Time-Out
Few of us have slow-paced, uneventful lives. When was the last time you heard this as part of a conversation: “Yep, the wife and I just can’t find enough to do. Really wish we could fill those huge chunks of free time in our schedule.”
Love, Truth and the No Man’s Land Between
(Guest post from Katrina)
I bought the world’s tiniest but most ah-mazing dot-to-dot book for our kids. They are handing that thing around like a pan of gold…