Thinking and Seeing for Better Being
Daily writing promptDescribe a man who has positively impacted your life.View all responses The Janitor Who Taught Me How to Listen If you were looking for one of the men who quietly shaped my life,you would not find him on a stage. You would find him unlocking doors,emptying garbage cans,caring for the grounds. I met... Continue Reading →
If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why? Choosing Paul, Learning from Saul, and Letting Christ Live Where It Matters Most I used to treat the question, “Which historical figure would you like to meet?”, like party trivia. Pick your favorite:Jesus (gold-star answer),Lincoln (safe),Rumi (mystic points),Van Gogh (artistic flex),or Da... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat makes a good neighbor?View all responses What makes a good neighbor when the world has no borders left? Jesus was asked, “Who is my neighbor?”He answered with a story that crossed every line — a Samaritan binding wounds while the religious walked by.Neighborliness, it seems, is not about location. It is about... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat's something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail.View all responses On Failure, Faith, and the God Who Gardens Our Losses The question sounds so clean, so full of promise:What would you attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail? It rolls off the tongue like courage, like freedom.But turn... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat would you do if you lost all your possessions?View all responses On Losing Grip, Finding What’s Left, and the Mess That Spills Out Once, not so long ago, I was poor enough that homelessness felt like it was pacing my porch. Creditors pounded as if they owned the hinges. Payday loans—devil’s candy—offered... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat does your ideal home look like?View all responses Grace in the Mess When I think of an ideal home, I imagine order, silence, everything in its place. But this summer, our dishwasher broke. In the busyness of life, repair slipped down the list, and so my hands found the water again. Morning... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat brings you peace?View all responses A Word to IbaYour words about unsung songs and the ache of becoming—they’ve stayed with me.They echo in the spaces between these lines.You’ve reminded me: peace does not come from perfection, but from presence.And I want you to know—You are not alone. None of us are. When... Continue Reading →
What's the story behind your nickname? A count without a castle, learning to tend what matters They asked about nicknames. But some names are not just playful—they’re formative, false, or even holy. Sometimes names are less about thrones and more about thresholds. My name is Dean Graf. Dean means wooded valley.Graf means count—a land steward.... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptHow would you describe yourself to someone who can't see you?View all responses The WordPress prompt was:How would you describe yourself to someone who can’t see you? I didn’t answer right away.The question cut deep—past the easy stuff like job titles, appearances, or roles.It asked for something real.Something forming.Something still in process. And... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptHow important is spirituality in your life?View all responses When Thirst Is the Way Back Home How important is spirituality in my life?It’s not a podcast I play when I need to feel inspired.Not a Sunday box to check.Not a tool I keep on the shelf, waiting for things to fall apart. It’s... Continue Reading →
Forming 2.0 