My Journey to Healing...Surprise Me God

My Journey to Healing...

"They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD."
Psalm 112:7 TNIV


Life is full of Surprises that are not what we anticipate...yet God is present in the unthinkable circumstances of our lives if we keep our eyes and ears of faith wide open. I will continue to pray the prayer, "Surprise Me God."

I will blog this journey on our website at www.princeofpeacechurch.org on the Senior Pastor's page.
I ask for your prayers for my family and me as we do this journey to healing.


April 27, 2008

On Thursday, after 3 days of tests at the Mayo Clinic it was determined that I have a Mantle Cell Lymphoma. I will be having surgery on Tuesday April 29th in Rochester. I would ask for your prayers as we begin the process of healing.


April 22, 2008

Friday I was diagnosised with a lymphoma and am in the process of determining what type and treatment. I am at the Mayo Clinic this week as necessary. I will keep you informed as I learn more. I ask for your prayers for my family and me as we do this new journey in our lives.

Pastor Tedd

Yeay God

So this is coming to and end. But its seriously been amazing.
I tried out for drum major tonight and I still have a TON of hw that I need to do really well with, but I'm really optomistic that God will help me.
I had another amazing step forward with relationships tonight. Eddy and I talked in the car on the way to my house and then I forgot my backpack at school so we had to drive all the way back (its like 15 min) and we really bonded, which is always an amazing thing to do with someone no matter how good of friends you are or how well you know them.
Well, I've got a lot of real chemical bonding to study for.
Wish me luck!!! (on drum major and all my tests)
God Bless,
Jackie

Struggling...

Lately it's been harder and harder for me to wake up and say those three little words: "Surprise Me, God". It may be because I physically have trouble dragging myself out of bed in the first place. Or it could be because I have so many other things on my mind that I just forget. But more than likely, I think I have gotten to the point where I don't feel like I'm worth surprising.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people complain, which is somewhat hypocritical because I do it too. For some reason, I have become ultra sensitive to everyone's constant negative attitudes and it's really bringing me down. I just don't think there is enough time in a day to do everything that we need to do. I'm sure many people would agree. Between my regular school classes and my handful of after school/before school activities and responsibilities, I'm starting to think that I can't keep up. And the ironic thing is that I brought it upon myself. I CHOSE to participate in everything and now I'm paying the consequences: little sleep, bad attitude, and overwhelming stress.

One thing that made me smile this last week happened on Tuesday in my English class. It is a very demanding college level course that challenges me more than any other class I've ever taken. Luckily, I adore my teacher. She's a St. Olaf alum and actually was confirmed at Prince of Peace, so naturally we got along right away. I must have had a sour expression on my face that day because she came up to me at the end of class and just asked how I was doing. I told her that I was running low on energy, time, and patience with my life.

"The most important thing is to learn how to say no to some things, take a step back and just BREATHE," she said.

Wow. Those words, though I've heard them before, were exactly what I needed at that time. I'm a natural at doing everything- that's how I've always been and how I think I always will be. But there are appropriate times to say 'no' and I am now more aware of that. 

As I sit here and attempt to play catch up with all my journal entries for that English class, I am reminded about the rain that we received tonight. Those tiny drops of water falling from the sky that wash everything clean spoke to me. It was really God talking to me, saying, "It's time to start over again; take a step back and just BREATHE!" So I think I'm going to try it. Step back. Breathe. Whew, I feel better already. :)

The talk with my teacher and the rain was just exactly the surprise that I needed when I was down the most. Thanks for the advice, God. Oh, and thanks for nature's version of a free car wash, too. That made my night.

Kayla Gronli

since feb.15 to march 12

hay you guys i know that i haven't bloged for a little while but i've been busy. since feb. 15 i've seen things that were good and bad surprises from God to me. this surprises have helped me in a way and some just hurt my heart cause a fellow boy scout lost his mother which happened to be my 7th grade mentor and a friend. God has also sent me warnings about my grades telling me to bring them before they hurt me. then there is this girl that comes into the picture and my world turns upside down for the both of us and she has brought me out of the gloomy days that i had and i brought her out of her bad days. it's like God had us meet so that we can be there to support each other when we need it most. ever since god sent her to me and sent me to her my life has changed and i've seen more things in life that i probally wouldn't have seen. so ya this 30 day faith journey had helped me more than i expected. also it helped me understand God more and i saw this in mentoring. to another surprise is that i thoguht that jackie would do most of the talking and teach me through her thoughts but i ended up doing most of the talking and speaking my mind to her which i taught myself about God and she just guided me. i thought that i going to be taught by jackie inside teaching myself. if i can do this again i would in a heart beat.

Thank you

Thank you for giving me this amazing opportunity to share my surprises with you all. I am amazed how the Holy Spirit worked through me to get a message out. I have never done anything like this...but would do it again in a heart beat! Gods blessings to you all as you celebrate our suprise party tonight. Happy Easter Gods blessings.....Peace Sue

Hopefully this can do this again!

Getting Ready for the Surprise Party

I can’t help myself…I enjoy keeping track of God surprises and sightings. It is life-giving ...hope-giving! The Israelites were very good at keeping track of God activity. As one reads the Psalms or Old Testament stories you become more and more aware of this activity of God in the lives of the Israelites. As I prepare for the Wednesday night Surprise Party/Mentoring Celebration/Lenten Service I wonder what Surprise sightings will we see? Surprise us God.

Last night was the final session of Alpha. White clothe table coverings, candles, people serving the meals to the tables filled with those who have been on the Alpha journey together. The cooks had been busy preparing another wonderful meal...the leadership team was busy getting ready for the night...table leaders were gathering with their groups...there was a sense of anticipation and joy. There were new friendships being forged. Laughter was heard with some poignant moments where new and old friends were walking very close in each others lives… tears had been shed for each other. Stephan C., our Alpha leader...the gentle shepherd for these sessions was quietly connecting and caring for his team.

I am always surprised how close we become when we spend time around a meal, sharing our lives with each other…it’s “late night” kitchen table talk time. Maybe you’ve had that late evening meal with new or old friends. As you sit around the table (which seems to be the best place to really visit…really!) the conversations grow deeper and richer…surprise. You see those friends in a different light after times like these. That is one of the Alpha surprises that God is intimately involved in as we share life together.

We wanted to capture some footage of the final Alpha night so Mary S ask one of our members, Shawn E., if he would help us. He graciously consented…even though it was his birthday! As folks gathered for the meal I had a chance to visit with Shawn for a couple minutes. One of the reasons he was willing to be a part of this night was that he had participated in one of the first Alpha series we had at Prince of Peace. He inquired about one of our members of his small group who he had lost track of and said something that I will never forget. “I enjoyed Alpha…but what I really liked was the small group time. They always seemed to be to short. I wished they would have been longer.” Surprise…life is “done” in small groups deeper and more fully. I’ve known and taught that truth for years but to randomly have Shawn share his feelings about the small group experience was an affirmation of what I have believed and experienced in my own life…Surprised again.

See you Wednesday night!
Pastor T

Retiree Speaks

OK, this is my second attempt to post to the Surprise Me God website. My first attempt about a week ago is out there in the blogisphere somewhere. So hopefully this one will work. The first time I went to the Surprise Me God site was to read what our granddaughter had written which Pastor Tedd had quoted in his sermon that Sunday. Well I not only read what our granddaughter had written, I read all the other postings since the inception of the website. I am impressed by the openness, thoughts and feelings expressed by members, the tugging at my heart strings and I can identify with the writer's struggles and insights as to how God Works in our lives. Pastor Tedd, I hope that there is some way this site can be continued because I feel it is very worthwhile. I especially enjoy Pastor Tedd's postings which are right from the heart. I'm now going back to read the other postings of the past week. Right now my biggest concern is the financial situation at POP and the $80,000 deficit, so Surprise Me God.
Ron Welde

30 days of Journey - Eyes wide open!

The past thirty days slipped by so quickly. I don't think I will stop for awhile. The little prayer Surprise Me God has been a strong reminder of how much I need God in my everyday, walk around world. I hear about coincidence, chance or fate in conversations. I have begun to introduce "surprise" into those conversations. It is interesting the looks one gets...Surprise what?

I am considering a personal blog for myself...I guess you might call it a "journal". I find that the recording of the day and its events has huge implications for my prayer life. I find the words of Scripture "...keep on being filled with the spirit..." come alive in a new and fresh way. Even in the midst of struggle and discouragement over the past 30 days...there were surprises. I found that my "physical and spiritual eyes" were opened wide in a new way. Thank you God.

I am looking forward to Wednesday night's Surprise Party/Mentoring Celebration/Lenten Service. I have enjoyed this journey and Lent has been a "transformation time" as it is intended to be in our lives. Praise God.

Pastor T

Wonderful Sunday

This Sunday when the sun is shining and a little chill is in the air...ok a lot of chill is in the air....It warms my heart to know that there are so many surprises under our roof at Prince of Peace. A special friend asking how I am doing and wants to wish my daughter Mary congrats in her new job here in Minneapolis. Two beautiful babies being baptised....and the calmness that over came them both as Pastor Ted, carried them and prayed for them....and also prayed for their families.
A warm smile, a special hello.....and a little razzing.....This is the place that God has started this special experiment, and I hope we will all continue asking God Surprise Me. It has really opened me up to observe more....be a little more patient....and just to be quiet, still and to know that God is in control. I have urged my friends to try this and to let me know what they discover.......the possibilities are endless.....Peace Sue

Roller coaster........

Sitting back and reflecting on the week....Yes it has been five whole days since I blogged....I can't believe how fast the week went, but anyway...I have been on an emotional rollercoaster. Big, news and great surprise when our daughter Mary, called and said she has accepted a job here in Minneapolis. WOW.....I never expected it to happen this fast. My emotions overflowed with joy as I anticipate spending fun times with her and watching her continue to suceed in life. Then the difficulty set in as I can feel through her voice, the obvious, how difficult it will be for her to leave what has become her home state of South Dakota, and all the wonderful people who have touched her life over the past 6 years. I as a parent want to make it as easy as possible. But when your children have become adults, this is not possible. God has given me the forsight to sit back, pray, pray and pray some more to be here for her when she asks, and not try to fix it.... God has given my husband the kind and gentle words to help me to understand where our role as parents lyes. So as I pray surprise me God.... I have been asking God to guide me, more than surprise me....during this transition time for our family. I know God will surprise us with many wonderful times, and he will guide Mary into wonderful things here in Minnesota. Peace, Sue

Friday Prompting

Today as I was going one place to another I had this prompting…an overwhelming sense that I should stop to see a friend of mine. We were a part of a prayer group for several years while I was serving another congregation. I struggled with whether or not I had enough time or if he might be in his office but something drew me to stop.

I was greeted by one of his co-workers with great big hug. I guess it was worth stopping just for the hug but when Tim came around the corner it was a reunion. We hugged and began talking about families. His folks have had health issues like mine so we had some poignant moments talking about the changes in their lives and ours.

I asked Tim if he had seen our friend Chuck who was also a part of our little group. Tim indicated that they were supposed to get together last Friday for lunch and prayer but Chuck was called into work and could not meet. I grab my cell phone and dialed Chuck’s phone. He answered immediately. I asked him where he was and to our surprise he was just a couple minutes away from Tim’s office. He said, “I’ll be there right away!”

We had a great lunch and a time of prayer together just like old times. It was so rich a time. I never expected this wonderful surprise. God was all over this time and meeting together. If I had not acted on this “prompting” to stop I would have missed the highlight of my day. God pulled us together to share some time again in prayer and conversation. Relationships are core to the journey of life. I have been blessed to make many acquaintances but these two men have my heart and trust. We would drop everything for each other if one had a need or emergency. We are “friends forever” in Christ.

Thank you Jesus for stirring in my heart to stop and “smell the roses” of life with my friends, Tim and Chuck. Thanks for giving me sensitivity today to your presence in my life.

Pastor T

The Sign

The day after we started Surprise Me God, my father was diagnosed with terminal melona cancer. Not a good surprise. I've struggled with our project. This is a time in my life when I've thought: "Enough with the surprises God. We need to have a good chat and I'm going to tell you how it will work." I realize this is against our project plan, but I've been feeling a little cheated lately.

There was a rumor about the hospice we chose for Dad: as a patient nears the end, the deer come in from the woods and look in the windows. It was “The Sign”.

I thought this was an urban legend. The deer showed up every night, around dusk, to eat from the feeders on the property. Although Dad enjoyed this nightly ritual, I couldn’t help but think we had been duped.

Monday came, and we all sensed Dad’s time with us was nearing an end. We gathered together in Dad’s room and tried to think of anything other than what was happening. That afternoon was sunny with blue skies. Around noon, we sensed a shadow at the window. A huge buck was staring in at us. Twice he wandered over, never to eat, only to look in. He tipped his head to us, showing that he had recently shed his crown of antlers.

Those who knew Dad knew he had a thing for deer watching. Our cabin journal contains many entries detailing how many deer were spotted during a visit. He always got a kick out of seeing a huge buck wandering solo. Later that day, we located the antlers on the hospice property.

What a great gift to have this majestic animal give us the signal that it was time for Dad to leave. I'm glad that I could see this surprise. Thank you God.

Jill Schuerman

Blue Like Jazz

Last night at Revolution we began reading the book Blue Like Jazz.

At first I just liked it because I thought it was funny and good, but the more we read the more desire I had to continue reading.
This will seem like a tangent, but it comes back around so just bare with me.
Lately I've been having a lot of problems with society and humanity at whole. On Tuesday I was waiting to go into the lunch room, but no one was moving. Pretty soon I saw the school cop go running and I was hearing rumors spreading down the line that someone was choking, having a seizer, or something to that effect. So I finally get up the ramp into the lunch room and she is laying in the middle of the ramp. Death is always something I've had a really hard time dealing with and this girl laying on the floor happened to be my friend Dezi. At this point she was purpleish, cunvulsing, and looked practically dead. We were redirected by some teacher to go like 20 steps outside and then back through different doors so we could obviously walk around her becuase by this time the teachers had gotten out a defibralater and were taking her pulse. I get outside (its not even that cold) and the girl behind me starts complaining about how stupid this is and how cold she is. I couldn't believe it. I mean seriously, if that was your best friend laying there dying on the ground how would you feel? Not that it should make a difference, becuase you should have the common decency to not only care about yourself.
So I'm already frustrated about that and then when I'm walking up the stairs to my next class I hear the guys behind me loudly stating how much they hate gay people. Honestly now. This is like my third time having to hear someone talk about it so loud that everyone has to listen just this quarter. Some of my best friends are gay and I take it very seriously/personally.
These are just some of the things that make me so angry; at high school and at life. I mean honestly, especially in high school, everyone is so self centered. Like, what can the world do for me today? How does this directly effect me? No one ever takes a step back to realize the actions they take effect other people or that the things that happen are part of a greater picture and don't just involve them. This isn't even religious, its just inconsiderate society. And I'd like to think that its just high school, but I also realize that some people will never get their thinking and reasoning levels to that mature point. I think this is why in the past year or so high school has been so frustrating for me; I just want people to mature I guess.
Okay, so moving on: When I got home last night from Revolution I sat down and read chapter one again because we had skipped some things and then continued to chapter two. This is where God comes in. Completely on a tangent, Don starts talking about how its easy to scrutenize humanity, but what it comes down to is taking responsibility for youself first and formost. That really made me think, like, am I really modeling all the things I expect out of other people? Not that I haven't always tried to be the best model I can be, but it definately put things into perspective. Who am I to be so judgemental? Isn't that part of exactly what I'm criticizing? Tollerance and understanding. I'm really doing the best I can though. Doing peer mediations at school really helps me work on my communication, patience, understanding, and helps me expand and develope my thinking and reasoning. Through other people's flaws I not only try to give them the tools it will take to improve their lives, but I leave with some new tools of my own.
Anyways, I guess the biggest thing is just striving to be your best.
Jackie Winters

Wednesday Lenten Service…Surprise

Some of you were there tonight for our mentoring and Lenten worship. It was a rich night of beautiful music (thank you Jessica!), humor, a neat sing-along sermon by Pastor Jim and a huge God surprise. We had discussed at staff this morning about the Mission Jamaica Team leaving Saturday and that we had not done a send off on Sunday. Phyllis suggested we consider doing the send off tonight at our Lenten service. We decided we would see who might be there and pray we would. We were not sure what it would entail until we were sure the team would be available.

When we started checking at supper it was evident that a significant portion of the team would be at worship. As we arrived at the time for the closing prayer I invited the team to come forward and as many folks from the congregation who wanted to lay hands on them as we prayed to come forward too. With the team facing the church family and 20-30 (women, men, youth, children) gathered around to lay hands on the Mission Jamaica team, we prayed. We prayed for the team and for others in our congregation that had asked for prayer too. With hands still laid on the team we joined together and prayed the Lord’s Prayer. It was a powerful moment as God surprised me and a few others I think. There was this undenyable sense of God’s presence. I found it difficult to pray the prayer as my emotions whelmed up inside of me. The mental picture of the whole church family standing and facing the team with so many hands laid on them in prayer was overwhelming. It was a huge God moment in my time here as a part of the Prince of Peace family. When I arrived home later this evening I had an email from one of the team expressing some of the same thoughts…

I want to quote just a bit of the message from Jennifer’s email….

“What power there was, I could really feel the hand of the Lord on me and the MJ team. I was telling Andrew (our oldest) in the car on the way home how cool it was. I was saying that saying the Lord's prayer up there with everyone laying hands on us was so moving, it was like God reaching down and touching us himself.”

This has been one of the most memorable and life-changing Lents that I have observed in my life. Another surprise that only God could engineer.

Pastor T

God is at meetings?!

Yesterday I had a meeting with a guy who is our main speaker at the metro-wide 30 hour famine... of which I am a planning team member (you know, in all my free time). I was a little annoyed about the meeting because it wasn't that much stuff to talk about, but it required more than email or a phone call. The guy who is speaking is a friend from a few years ago, and so it was good to see him on one hand, but on the other, it took time out of a busy schedule. SO... needless to say my attitude was not that great to start it off. Here's the surprise: not only was it so so so good to see him again, and our conversation confirmed that he was the right choice for speaker, BUT the heart of this guy changes you... just sitting and talking with him changes my heart. That's how amazing he is. I am giving you all this background because I don't want to take any credit for the things I'm about to write, God used my friend to speak straight into my heart, and that's who gets the credit. GO JESUS.
We were talking about the message of Jesus, and how it would have the same effect today as it did when Jesus walked the earth. Jesus had this tendency of turning the culture upside-down and totally freaking everyone out. My friend said that we live in a time where everything is about what it can do to me, and even the most well intended people, if honest, would say the same is true about church. We think that we go to church to receive something, so that we can go out and give something. This is a great intention, he said, but it's not what Jesus would say or do. Jesus said we give to receive... not the other way around. So instead of coming to church with the intention of receiving something, we should go into church thinking about what we can give by being there. Can you imagine this flip? And it's not that going to church to be filled in order to go out and give is a bad thing, it's just not what Jesus had in mind for the church. It is in giving that we receive. It is in pouring out that we are filled up.
WHOA. I had to take a minute when I got in my car and let this settle because it's a big one. It seems really obvious, but when I thought about it, it's not that simple in practice. How often do I go to church to fill up my emptying heart? How often do I look at the worship and the prayers and the messages as things that give me something? What would it look like for me to really give in church, instead of take? What would it look like in friendships, in community, in my marriage, if I gave first... instead of receive first?
I dont have the answers to any of those questions, but man - this was a HUGE surprise that God threw at me today. I really felt like God was looking in my heart and saying "no no natalia dear, you've got it all wrong!" So thanks God, for speaking right to me through my meeting. What a great surprise.

natalia

Tuesday March 4th

We all continue to struggle with what is a God Surprise. I had a full day with prep time for upcoming messages, special lunch meeting with Terry Esau (he IS the “real deal”…cool!), coordinating ministry one-on-one with staff (I am always amazed by their vision and passion for our church family), meeting with a new family who is having a baby baptized (a rich time to experience God’s drawing us together through the promises of Baptism and I get the privilege of meeting these new “babies” of our church family…and do we have “babies”…Wow!!) and then regular on-going leadership meetings (what a “heart” the leadership teams have for God and our church family!!).

In and through the day, God was there…oh there were times I wondered what or where or why…but God was there. God was holding, lifting, pulling, stretching, healing, clarifying, challenging, encouraging, forgiving, renewing…(just to name a few instances that I was aware of but there surely was more)

Now I must admit I am a bit of a “mystic” so if this seems a bit to much I ask you to understand that I tend to see or be looking for God in everything...the good, the bad and the “ugly”. One of the comments Terry made a lunch that resonated with me about praying the prayer “Surprise Me, God” is the increased appetite created for being aware of God’s presence in all things. If I could just rest in that truth…not try to manage that truth. God is the actor who is making it all possible as life continues to be so daily. God will work in spite of what the outward circumstances appear to be or what we seem to see. God’s message of mercy, love, grace and transformation in the person of Jesus is still as powerful today as it was 2000+ years ago and that message is what changes individuals, families, churches, governments, nations and worlds. God surprises are there for the seeing if we ask for eyes to see and ears to hear. Surprise me, God…Surprise us, God”.

Pastor T

A Blessing In Diguise.

I suppose this proves that I need to just go all in with God.
Don't question; just roll with the punches.
I'm starting to see the blessings that became of my little mishap. I think in the end it was for the better.
Ah. Relationships. People. Ugh. Complicated.
All I can do is assume there is a greater plan its all playing into.
God, I am your disciple. Use me as you wish.
Jackie Winters

Little Surprises are the way God works

It's interesting to read all these posts and notice how often people expect or hope for big things, and often God surprises them with little things... I love that this is how God works. We want the lightening bolt, and God gives us a light bulb. :)
Yesterday I was pretty crabby. I shouldn't have been, I had a great weekend with my husband and spent part of Sunday with two of our best friends, but somehow I woke up and put on my good ol cranky pants. On Monday nights I have yoga, and I usually go with one of my best friends - Amy (same one I ate brunch with on Sunday) but she told me Sunday that she couldn't come along this week. Grrrr... not only was I crabby but I was going to have to get my OWN butt in gear enough to go by myself! I got in to work, and there was a lovely little email from Aim saying her meeting changed and she was going to come after all!! YEY! Yet still, I kept my crabby pants on for most of the day. ... Until yoga. There is something about taking time for yourself, breathing deeply, and getting an amazing workout that is so calming, and dare I say it - crabby pants removing. I know it's not a big thing, but it was a really great little thing that made my night and honestly, made my day too.
Thanks God - for reminding me to breathe and to take time to appreciate the life you have given me.

Natalia

Day 25 Sunday and Sunny

My Sundays start real early…it was 4 am and focusing on the morning message as I click on Surprise Me Blog to see if any entries were made. Well Surprise…there was the prefect illustration for the morning message from Ms Cheree. It grabbed my heart and I knew it had to be a God thing at that time in the morning…so I used it in the message and I believe it was as much of a God Surprise for others as it was for me. Thank God…and Dad (Bruce), Sue (Mom) and Ms Cheree.

As I pulled up to church at 6:20 am the worship center lights were on…Surprise…Kirk was busy getting things ready for morning media. I had a couple video clips to show and Kirk was again faithfully setting it up for others to enjoy. God is working over time in a bunch of our young women and men like Cheree and Kirk. What gifts!

I opened my office to find some mail on my desk that included a slip of paper that was from last Wednesday’s Staff meeting devotions. Katie had devotions and had asked if we each would write one affirmation for each of the other staff members. She would collect and then put on individual sheets for each staff to enjoy. (I am embarrassed to admit that I didn’t get it done before I left for a few days…and now I regret it. Sorry faithful co-workers in the Kingdom…I am in debt to each of you for your faithful and enduring ministry to our church family!) My sheet was on my desk. I think that each one who made an affirmation were more than generous in their affirmation. But I felt cared for and encouraged. Thanks to each and Katie for taking us there with her devotion.)

I made it through the morning without coughing on to many folks. I hope I didn’t pass on this “bug”. When I made it home I hit the bed and slept for 2 hours. The phone ran and it was some friends wanting to know if we would do “coffee” tonight. Surprise…I love coffee…I love to go out with friends and share our lives together. It was the end of another good day. I was still tired so off to bed…thanking God for all the God activity in my day and my church family.

Pastor T

God, You Made My Day

On Saturday, March 2nd I took the third part of my certification test to be a QuickBooks Pro Advisor. When I was done and clicked all done I could not believe my eyes at the score I received. It said Congratulations, your score is 97%. And I just said Praise The Lord! I had spent many hours studying for this Certification and then to get a 97% on the last part was unbievable.

Doug Lindberg

Like everyone else who uses this blog, I too have been waking up each morning and praying "Surprise me, God". And also like the other bloggers, I have been answered by little things. Like today for example, I pulled into the parking lot of Super Target ready for a seven hour shift and realized I didn't have a quarter for the portable lockers to secure my valuables in for the day. This sounds strange, but I prayed "Surprise me, God" and, lo and behold, I found a stray quarter sitting inside the first locker I opened. Or a couple weeks ago when I was having an especially rough week, a very special friend of mine gave me a CD that they burned for me just because they were thinking about me.

I feel a bit shallow for not accepting these surprises as legitimate, but I supposed (again, like everyone else) that a bigger surprise was heading my way. There are plenty of other events in my life that could use surprising, yet God has chosen the little, somewhat insignificant details to make special. As a high school senior who is worried about financing a college education next year, I have REALLY been praying "Surprise me, God (with some extra scholarship money so I can go to St. Olaf)". Yet, I'm not sitting here writing this after receiving thousands of dollars towards my higher education; today I found a quarter- that's 1/4 of a dollar- and I have to say it made my day.

I suppose my biggest revelation over the last couple of weeks is that we can't sit around guessing what our surprise will be. After all, doesn't that take the fun out of the surprise? Like Pastor Luke preached about a few Wednesdays ago, God WANTS to surprise us. Personally, I think he likes to see the expressions on our faces and the turning of our hearts toward Him when we truly receive a gift that we were not expecting. :)

That's about it for my deep thinking. Time to write the rest of that English paper!

Kayla Gronli

Waiting

Anticipating a surprise...... One of our children is expecting some major job change news, wheather it be good or not so good, I find myself having butterflies in anticipation. I ask myself is this right??? Or Am I trying to control the outcome and not let God plan for her? I have asked God to guide her and her decisions, but I hope for an outcome that is better for me....to have her closer. I miss her and want to be able to do more things with her. But I feel I am being the guide not the guided.! So as I have said this prayer so many times.....I still struggle to accept that God has total control over my life. He only knows where she is suppose to be and where her place is in this world. I struggle with the selfishness of it all....on my part. God continues to test me, through this experiement. He is trying to teach me patience and trust. I will continue to pray also for guidance, as God WILL continue to surprise me with many things..... To God be the Glory.....for the things he has done. Peace Sue

ok, here it goes...

Ok this is my first time writing because I have only been doing what I'll call a "challenge" for about ten days. I'm not sure exactly how to look for these surprises because I am not sure what my surprises are suppose to look like or what I am suppose to do with them (if that makes any sense at all).



Some of you might know that my dad, Bruce, died of brain cancer last April. I can't believe it's almost been a year. (PS and by the way, BIG thanks and shout outs go to all of the POP supporters)

My mom and I just got back from a amazing mother/daughter date to the movies. I have a history of constantly forcing her to listen to songs that I believe to be wicked awesome. However, tonight she decided to turn the tables and reflect the music back to me. A select few of you will remember that my dad used to sing at the 11 o'clock service in the Sonrise band. Overtime, they so intelligantly decided to record some of their talent. A year or two later my dad had made me a mix of some of my favortie songs. Tonight, my mom pulled it out to reveal to me a song she had discovered earlier on this week called Will You Love Jesus More.

This song talks about turning your eyes on Jesus even when the ones you love have gone to be with him in heaven. It's hard for me to listen to recordings of my dad... and I'm not going to lie, I didn't make it through the whole song, but this was... well... a surprise.

Thanks God... and Dad.

*Cheree Johnson

Day 24 (Catching up on 10 days)

I’m back…it has been a full 10 days. When we left I managed to take a “good” Minnesota Cold with me which still lingers in the back of my head…cough…hack…when will it end? It is the "gift" that keeps on giving.

Lois and I spent a few days away as a couple that were fun and refueling for our relationship. We spent it with friends, which is a double whammy for us “relational junkies”. I was surprised by how much I missed Lois when she left after a couple days. When we see each other everyday we tend to take each other for granted but when away... I “see” better…if you know what I mean. It must be a bit like the way a spouse feels when the love of their life dies. There is an emptiness and loneliness that enters your life that wasn’t there before…for me I can come home to Lois but for the one who has experienced the loss of that special someone I think I might have caught a glimpse of their lonely place…grieving place. God is always teaching or shaping me even when I don’t want to be taught and shaped…

I spent the past week being taught and "caught" again. I love to learn. I love to be caught by God’s presence and power through speakers, singers, old friends and new acquaintances as we lived out a week together. Two friends were at the conference that I had not expected to see which surprised me. Tom is a pastor in Iowa that I had the privilege of preaching at his ordination some years ago. The other, “Flip”, is a long time friend and pastor who is wired to “go…go…go!!!” His energy is contagious (…so was I…hack!! I thought I would leave my cold at the conference but….) We worshiped together, took classes together…shared our family stories. It was a special surprise that was encouraging. We needed each other. We forget about the many times we hear the “negatives of life”. These are special times to share the joys and sorrows that have made us who we are…not something extra ordinary but ordinary men, husbands, fathers and pastors who are doing life together even for a short few days. I think God loves to put these serendipitous moments in our lives as “food for the journey” ahead.

Coming home I met an elderly couple from Minneapolis. They were returning after 3 weeks away and wondered if it (the weather) had improved. We were delayed for over an hour due to weather in Minneapolis…they had their answer. We could have been irritated about the delay…I admit that I was a little anxious…I wanted to get home...but they just laughed and smiled as if this was extra time to enjoy each other and those around them. I wish I was more like them, God... I coughed a bit more and relaxed as we hit the tarmac at 1:05 am in the morning…got to bed at 2:30 am…cough…hack…cough…oh well. As I laid in bed trying to get to sleep the events of the week and the “challenges” of the days ahead crept in…the more I tried to sleep, the more my mind spun. Surprise me, God...give me rest! Finally sleep.

Surprise…an extra day in the year…Leap Day!

See you in church…
(cough…hack…I hope not!)
Pastor T

Big Ol' Slap In the Face

So, I finally got what I had been hoping for.
Its kind of ironic, really.
I had been hoping for a big surprise because I wasn't really noticing the little things.
And it turned out to be what seems a big old irony filled slap in the face from God. Like ha, you thought that I would actually let things work out for you.
I'd go into it, but I really can't.
But at current, I can't get over this. Its all I can think about and it SUCKS!!
Yeah, thanks a bunch God...
I feel guilty for sounding so bitter and resentful towards God, but that's how I really feel.
Anyways, until next time,
Jackie Winters

To my surprise

The last few days has been a challenge. By continueing to say the prayer, surprise me God, I felt as if everything God was going to do was great, as usual. Well...SURPRISE.....just when you think all is going good, a curve ball comes your way, and you are forced to search inside for patience and guidance, that only God can give. I ask if this is why God surprises us not only with all the great things and people in my life, but with the many things that keep me grounded and focused, to know truly what is important, and that is Gods unconditional love for me.
There have also been so many people who have surprised me by talking about their faith and the difficulty they have had in their lives...while having their teeth cleaned......God only knows how we touch on these subjects. And yes I do understand most of what people say even while cleaning thier teeth. It is truly a language of its own. :) I will continue to trust that God will not surprise me with anything I can't handle.....To God be the glory! Peace Sue

Why senior high kids are cool

Last night my surprise was more of a proud mom moment than an actual surprise. We had our usual lent service, and two of my senior high students had roles. Steph Manthey gave her "surprise me moment" of the week and did a great job. Up until 30 minutes before the service I didn't have anyone to do the moment, and not only stepped up to the plate, but hit it out of the ballpark. Nice work Steph!
Then, the proud mom moment #2, when Val Krych got up to sing her solo during the offering. Not only did she do a great job, but 13 (actual count, thanks Mary) of our senior high students took a break from cleaning the kitchen from the supper to come and stand in the back of the sanctuary to hear her sing. I have never been involved in a group that is so supportive of each other, in good times and in bad times.
I really, really hope you all get a chance to hang out with them sometime. They are really amazing people... and I am lucky to know each one of them.

Soo....

Its been a lot harder to remember to say it every morning that I had expected.
I've started to let the idea of everyday surprises slip away amidst my busy life.
I feel like I'm losing my drive and commitment to this.
None the less, there have still been everyday ups and downs.
Please God, help me pay more attention. That's my goal for now, and to appreciate the small surprises.
That's all for now.
Jackie Winters

4 surprises to start week 4

It's been awhile since I've blogged, and there were a lot of surprises that I should have been blogging about ... good and bad, big and small... so I start out with an apology for not being better this weekend.

Surprise 1: I'm still sick. I think that the theme of my Lent this year is sickness. I've literally been sick for a little over three weeks, and I went back to the doctor on Friday and not only did my sinus infection not get better at all, it turned into the beginnings of bronchitus and and an ear infection. I can't wait until God surprises me with hearing in my right ear... it's been weeks! I guess God is trying to tell me something, like, um, I don't know... SLOW DOWN. So I tried to do just that this weekend. Except I cleaned the house on Saturday, and made dinner for four, and hosted a small gathering on Sunday night. I am NOT good at this whole taking it easy thing.

Surprise 2: Mark. Some of you students might know him as uncle mark. He's one of my husband's best friends, and he was visiting this weekend. I hope that when he moves back, some of you get the chance to meet him. He is one of the most thoughtful and kind and wonderful people I know and I always feel lucky to have been in his presence, even if it's only for a day or two. He lives in WI, serving at a Boy's Ranch ... a last resort rehab center for rough and tumble guys before they go to jail or juvie. It's a rough mission and he's about ready to take a break and I think he is going to move back to MN!! Lucky for me and Sam, we have this house that is all empty and now mark can help us fill it!! YEY.

Surprise 3: Bruce, Matt and Laura. I got an email Saturday morning letting me know that Laura Jaeger (wife of Bruce, mom of 9th grader Matthew) died after a long struggle with illness. This surprise was a little tougher to take - and I am struggling with how to comfort yet another student who has lost a parent this year. It never seems good, right or fair to see a student grieve the loss of a parent who died too soon, and too young, and this time is no different. I trust that God is present for the Jaegers, but I pray that God will surprise them with an abundance of grace, comfort and love in the days and weeks and months to come. Please keep them all in your prayers.

Surprise 4. Lespers. My husband and his friends have done their version of "vespers" (a big time worship done at Bethel College on Sunday nights) for a long time... they have less people, less instruments, etc, so they call it "lespers." Most of this crew has long since moved away to WI or other places, and it's been tougher to bring them all back together, but last night was a start. People arrived late, from all over (even hours away) and we lit candles and pulled out shakers and four guitars and ten voices and worshipped together for almost two hours. It was exactly what I needed after being sick so long, and always being a part of the planning for worship... it's tough when you lead worship, so much of your worship is caught up in making sure others can worship... it was much needed to just sit and sing, rock out the egg shaker, and praise our amazing and wonderful God of constant surprises.

With eyes open,
Natalia

Wonderful filled days

Today I was blessed to attend church with my whole family. What a joy God has given me to continue to be part of thier lives as they venture onto new and exciting things. I must back track, to the beginning of the weekend. I forgot how busy we can be when all togehter. I was up for anything, but a lacrosse game in Stillwater, at 11:00 pm? sure.....I think so.....why not..........by 9 pm my eyes were already heavy and ready for bed. What have I done, by agreeing to go with to watch, and much less to drive...I can't even see the TV at 9pm...? So I thought I would rest for a few minutes....45 minutes later it was time to go. Splashing water on my face helped to wake me up a little. I knew something would help. SO off we went. To arrive for the 11:00 game which didn't start until 11:45......and yes they are two hour games. So I found my surprise me God moment in the patience I needed...and just took a deep breath and tried to make the most of it. Thier was no way to leave being we had to give a player a ride home. Did I mention that it was being played in a dome blowing cold air.....two hours? My bones were even cold.! God gave me the patience to know that I was their for a reason. I enjoyed the game, and yes we finally arrived home at 2:50 am. I haven't seen that time for years. I enjoyed the bonding experience with my girls....we laughed, we shivered, and we talked. God surprised me with this experience that we will talk about for years. Or at least I will....I made it! The weekend continued with lots of laughs, food and yes even a family nap.! I wasn't the only one exhausted. God has truly blessed me with this loving family, and the surprises I hope will continue to come as they experience and share with Jim and I. Peace Sue

Guatemala Surprise

I recently had a surprise much different from those I have experienced this Lent. This summer I had an opportunity to go with the P.O.P. youth group to Guatemala. It was an amazing experience that opened my eyes and my heart in more ways than one. When I was facebook stalking photos the other day I came across the photos from the Gustavus J-term trip to Guatemala a girl on my floor had been on. One of the pictures was of the mission we worked at in San Lucas Toliman. I went to her room and talked to her about what they did there. They only stayed in San Lucas two days, but they met Father Greg, and toured the women's center, the medical center, and the school the mission sponsors. She asked about the work we did there and I asked if she remembered the red stripe running around the bottom of the women's center and she did! We painted the bottom foot of the building and rooms red and it really made that building stand out as a place of change and not just a structure. I love that even though that red stripe isn't the most important thing of the building or the women's center project, it is part of something greater. It is part of a women's center that is going to help and empower countless people. I also love the fact that we were a part of that our work there is being recognized (and remembered) by others who have the opportunity to go there. It was one cool Guatemala surprise.

-kate

SURPRISE!

Unfortunately not all surprises are good. On Thursday I was surprised with a small cough, which eventually turned into a sinus infection last night. Ugh! Oh well, maybe with this sinus infection, God is trying to tell me something.
~Haley

Day 15-16

Tonight we are spending time with some long-time dear friends (that doesn't mean that they are old!) in a time-share that they recently purchased. It is their first time in their new time-share and they wanted to share it with Lois and me. Terry E. wrote that many if not all of his surprises were around relationships...God or people. How true...Surprise. These dear friends surprised us with this wonderful time away with them. On top of it all I became aware that they had WiFi...it is little mystical like God...it's there even if you don't see it...Surprise...all you do is open the connection and bingo...you are in touch. Reminds me of this 3-word prayer and God surprises.

On the way here we had a few moments with 3 businessmen from Florida. They had been in MN to set up 85 new Firehouse Sub Stores...they had come to the airport early to try to catch an earlier flight. But only two of the three could go and so two of them started down the ramp to the plane as the third headed back to wait for their original flight later in the pm. When the other two got half way down the ramp they turned around to re-join their friend. They just could leave him by himself. I was surprised how open they were about their decision. They were truly good friends who cared for one another not just good businessmen who worked together. I was reminded of how God just could not leave us alone so he sent Jesus and later the Holy Spirit to be with us. In a few moments we had made new friends and knew more about them than most others we rub shoulders with each day...surprise. Spending time with those around us is so important and it is the place where most of our God sightings take place...so again tomorrow morning I will pray...Surprise Me, God...and keep my eyes, ears and heart open for God's hand in my life.
Pastor T

Surprises Surprises...

So I realized today that I haven't blogged in a while. I've been crazy busy, and doing the prayer every morning is a lot harder to remember then I thought it would be. Still, every now and then I realize my surprise for the day. As far as I can tell, most of mine are still coming through through relationships. Steph, Jenna, and I went out for my birthday. Sam, Eddy, and I are all hanging out, and I'm getting back in touch with people I had lost it with.
My bad surprise:
When my honors chemistry teacher passed around a grade sheet I was bombarded with a whopping 63%. I've never been failing, anything, ever, in my whole life, so that was like my wake - up call that I can't check out of the school year yet and I really need to buckle down. So, its "hell week" for the musical because it starts this Friday and we have rehearsal every night. With that, I'm trying to stay on top of my classes and chemistry is really hard. I suppose there was a glimmer of light through the F though because I'm getting back into academic shape mentally (lols).
Well that's about it I think.
Plus I really need to start my homework before rehearsal starts.
Always ready,
Surprise me God.
Jackie Winters

Missed opportunities

It's a surprise that this is my first ever blog.
It's not a surprise that I have procrastinated and waited 2 weeks.
It's a surprise that I run my life so much for my own agenda and schedule that I'm missing opportunities. But why should I be surprised, this is normal for me.
Earlier this week at work, I took my usual mid day walk up and down the halls of our large campus. I saw a woman leaving our building very slowly and in obvious pain. She was carrying a large and heavy back pack. So did I offer to help her? No. Why? Well I was too busy walking, and talking on my cell phone of course! C'mon, I'm a busy person, right? Too busy? Does that sound familiar? Disconnected from the world around us with our electronics, does that sound familiar? I went on my way and then realized what an opportunity that I had just missed. An opportunity for a small act of kindness, set before me by God. A "hello, can I help you?" or "Here, let me carry that for you, it looks like you could use a little help." Perhaps followed by a "God Bless you and have a great day!" But no, I had to finish my walk & my cell phone conversation. Selfish? You, bet. I'm the Pharisee and the Levite that passed by on the other side of the road. We can't physically see God, right? Wrong! Jesus tells us that we see him, whenever we feed the hungry or help the poor. Or help our fellow human beings and all of God's creation in any way. Maybe just a kind word will change somebody's day. Missed opportunities. Wow. Thank you, Jesus for the wake up call.
Jeff

Catch up Time

Where do I begin......The last few days has been a blurr but great. Enjoying special time with my husband on Monday, furniture shopping....but just the two of us with no schedule, no expectations of time, time to keep connected. Then off to ALPHA. Jim and I were both sceptical of this bible study... 10 weeks? Every Monday? but the draw for Jim at first, was the fact that our friend Luke would be providing the food.....that was the first decieding factor. The surprise of all of this, yes, the food is great, but we have really enjoyed Alpha. Our small group has been so great. We have non members, new faces and very familiar faces,and adults of all ages. I am so touched by the warmth and love that has been created with in this group. We all feel so comportable with each other, even though we bring different ideas and thoughts to the table. We have cried with each other and laughed also sat in silence as we ponder what God is trying to tell us. I am so thanksful to the Alpha team for making this possible. Jim and I have been in the same small group and it has been great to spend time in the word with him. Even though the concept of Alpha is to get back to the simple topics, who is Jesus...how do we pray?.....every person should experience this. It has helped me to simplify my journey with Jesus. The simple fact that he loves ME....he died for ME.....he continues to forgive ME.... he keep surprising ME..... WOW....keep asking, surprise me God.... Peace Sue

Day 14

The morning was interrupted by phone calls to Medicare to help resolve a reimbursement problem for my Father. I anticipated long wait times and less than helpful service reps when I started the process. I made 2 calls, one to Deb and another to Christina. Both could not have been more helpful or understanding. I was humbled and surprised that this process didn't take all morning. In fact when I requested that a certain process be terminated in the billing cycles for my Father, Christina said she would be able to correct it. Low and behold she said the following, "I appears that the crossover has been terminated on 2/12/08." Say what? Yes, it's all taken care of...Surprise. Now I don't know where Deb and Christina are in their lives but they were wonderful servant hearted people ready to help solve our problem. I strive to live in that way but find myself coming up short many times. It was a gentle reminder of how we should work together to make this a better world for others. God’s working on me all the time.

We had Council tonight and dealt with the on going ministry of leadership of our church family. I was impressed with the heart of these women and men for their church family and the world around us. They are going to be a very good leadership team. God was working in the group as we discussed issues and made plans for the future. They are sincere and faithful Christ followers wanting the best for the whole family. I sensed that they didn't want to leave anyone out of the realm of the ministry we offer. They problem solved by getting on the solution side quickly. I was blessed by the whole night even though it was hard work. God is working in and through each of the team and we will be well served in 2008.

Pastor T

Persistent Surprise

This has been one crappy Lent, in case that hasn't come across in my pessimistic blogs. I am constantly overwhelmed with classes and I haven't even finished two weeks of this new semester, I am running worse in track than I did my first year in high school, and I now have the stomach flu. But that doesn't matter to God, cause lets face it in the grand scheme of things what does it matter if I lose a few hours of sleep or lose a few lunches (I won't go into any more detail - don't worry). And in this grand scheme of things God doesn't care that I am a blip, a speck, a nothing in this immense eternity, He cares about me and He has been very persistent throughout this crappy Lent to show me, how much He cares. Today was Tuesday and therefore we had Proclaim, the student led worship service, and Chaplin Brian spoke and gave communion. That could have been the surprise, but I guess I needed more. Before communion we got into groups and held hands and prayed the Lord's prayer. I got out "Our Father" when I realized I hadn't said the Lord's prayer in over two months, then I realized that I hadn't had communion in over two months, then I realized how hungry I was. The Lord's prayer has never been so hard to say, and has never seemed so heavy. Every word had weight, every word had meaning, had a promise, had a consequence. I was taken aback by this because I know the Lord's prayer, I've been saying it since Sunday school and two months, two months were what I needed to realize its power. Two months of questioning and feeling lost to realize that the bread, the body, the wine, and the blood are what I need to survive. So this maybe the crappiest Lent I've ever been through, maybe it will be the crappiest Lent of my life, but that doesn't stop God. He's darn persistent, and He won't stop showing me all the ways I need Him, not even when this Lent is over, not even when I stop asking for surprises because God is consistently and persistently a surprise.

-Kate

TEST!!!!

In science, we are learning about the periodic table and all the elements. We also have to know all the elements and their symbols(not all at once, but in three different "stages.") Our last test of 34 elements was probably the hardest of them all. Even though I felt prepared, I did not feel prepared enough. But, "SURPRISE!" I did a lot better than I thought I did.
~Haley

Day 13

The day started out going to a medical appointment to see a new doc who seems to be the "gentle healer" we were waiting on. Peace about where we will go next was a great gift. God's in this one.

Later I had the privilege of spending an hour with one of our leaders who has "God working all over him"...what a gift. We so fortunate to have such Christ centered leaders around us! Even in the stress of leadership we get glimpses of God's hand pushing or pulling on others to be all that they can be in Christ. What surprises they bring to us as they follow the call to follow and serve.

Mom called with concerns about a letter from one of the health care providers and was wondering what should she do. After sorting out the details of what it said I assured that I would take care of it in the morning and she did not have to worry. It takes a lot of time but to hear the peace in her voice at the end is satisfying. We were cared for by them many years ago and now the roles change. A quick prayer for patience in order to help her....and God shows up again to bless us both.

Keeping the eyes and ears of my heart open for more God Surprises...
Pastor T

Subzero surprises

Today was our Skiing Adventure at Afton Alps... and boy was it cold!!! But it was a great day and - SURPRISE!! - no one broke anything. We had 34 students, mostly junior high boys, and managed to make it through 7 hours of skiing and snowboarding with not one injury. Amazing.

After Afton I met Pr Jim at a restaurant for a board meeting of a group called HMCHA (said him-cha, stands for holistic ministry for children in the horn of Africa). Yeah, it's a mouthful, but boy is it an amazing organization. I feel like a HUGE surprise me moment came from this meeting... they are based in Ethiopia, which is where Sam's dad is from. Sam and I have wanted to find a connection for Ethiopia for awhile, and it has been crazy how this organization has sort of fallen out of nowhere into my focus. It could be no one but God that put it there. I hope that not only Sam and I become sponsors of this organization, but in my dream world and what I think God is calling me to - is to bring HMCHA and POP together to bring clean water and education and basic needs to the people of Ethiopia. I get so excited just thinking about what we could do in Africa and I can hardly stand still.... eeeeee!!! I know this connection was brought by God - and I only hope that I can do this surprise justice by responding the way God is asking me to respond.
Stay warm!

Natalia

February 17th 2008

When doing some reading today I came across a daily devotion that inspired me...written by Billy Graham.
Those who sumbit to the will of God do not fight back at life. They learn the secret of yieding-of relinquishing and abandoning-their own lives and wills to Christ. And then He gives back to them a life that is far richer and fuller than anything they could ever have imagined.!
This reading really struck me as relevant to the experiment " Surprise me God", because I feel that by asking God to surprise me everyday, I give him the will to shape and mold my life, as he sees fit. By being surprised and aware of all the things happening to me, it is so fulfilling to know that God continues to surround me and sends goodness and surprises in to my life. Some of the surprises aren't as greatly appreciated.....but understood. Some of the surprises...are simple and touch my heart.
To those of you that watched extreme home makeover on Sunday night, I was so taken by the family they helped. They have a 19 year old son, who is completely blind and in a wheelchair, but very talented musically and vocally. He said I do not want people to look at my disabilities, I want them to look at my abilities instead. This courage and bravery when faced with such challenges.....WOW....this is a God sighting. I was surprised how emotional I became while watching this story. God touches our hearts by teaching us how difficult life can get, but also showing us how to over come adversity and trust! Peace Sue

feb.17

as we were leaveing it was hard to say good-bye until the next time we meet again all because of how well we bonded together like a family which surprised me cause i usally don't feel that
-brian willms

feb.16

as my group and i join another group i bonded so quickly to my surprise that it felt like i've known them for several years
-brian willms

Days 11-12

I worshiped in multiple settings and churches this week/weekend. I am again surprised how different they all are; yet how similar they are. When Jesus is the center of worship it all holds together to Surprise us with His presence. Surprised how left out I felt when I was not invited to commune on Sat. night...was I to go away hungry?
Lord, let us not send folks away hungering for your presence.

Surprised by grace again today in morning worship. Surprised by being reminded of the truth of God loving us enough to say "No"... tonight. Blessed and Surprised when Luke said something like this tonight at Selah, "Change is inevitable...Change is always a surprise."....oh how true.

How true. Whether we like it or not, "Change Happens". I can approach it as an interruption or an opportunity. My first reflexive reaction is to resist it. I am so Scandinavian...uff da! My wife will attest to this truth...Surprise!

It has been a series of days that seem to blending together in a blur. Yet God has held me during this time. I am grateful for God's presence and strength when my own is spent. I am surprised how after a huge week and weekend how drained I am. How can this be? So many good things were experienced through God working in and around the days? "How can this be?" (I am so "opened up" ..."laid open" by this question from the Mary and Nicodemus' stories)...Surprise me God!

Surprise, again... you are human. Get some rest and tomorrow remember to pray...Surprise me, God...even if it is not on my schedule for the day. Give me strength for Your tomorrow.
Pastor T

feb. 15

i went to a boy scout camp and got ready to face the cold but to my surprise, before we left only 5 people from my goup including me went to the camp

WI surprises yet again!

It was my second weekend in a row being in WI and yet again I was surprised. Maybe there is something to that state after all. :)

Katie, Craig, Sam and I all went to WI to take a breather from life and the craziness of work and for me and Sam, grad school. We have our thesis papers to write in the next two months and are looking out at them looming and kind of saw this as a last hurrah before we really get down to buisness. Well there were a LOT of surprises... first - although most of you know that Katie and I are essentially the same person, we discovered that Sam and Craig are really similar as well! :) It was funny watching all four of us interact. When we got to WI it was snowing pretty hard, and we had to park the truck and load all of our gear onto two 4-wheelers and drive a little ways into the woods to the Rykal cabin. WOW. Rustic is was. There is no electricity, no running water, an outhouse, and NO HEAT. Keep in mind it was bearly 0 when we arrived, and the cabin was not much warmer. So we huddled together in front of the fireplace while it slowly heated the cabin to a balmy 40. By the time we went to bed it was 55 ... WOO HOOO!!! But when we woke in the morning, it was a toasty 70 in the house and even more lovely and sunny outside.
We slept in, hung out inside and then decided to take a 4wheel ride around the woods and trails... well that ride was a little more than we bargained for when we got stuck and had to push the atv's out of the snow, uphill, and hike part of the way. It was rough in deep snow, but eventually we got back to the groomed trails and were on our way. No matter how tired we were from pushing or hiking, there were beautiful surprises in nature everywhere we looked. What a gorgeous place they have ... quiet ... just God and us. I really felt like God was everywhere this weekend - and it was an amazing feeling. Somehow God just feels more present in the north woods than in the middle of minneapolis, and I don't know why... but I like it.

Thanks God, for the amazing weekend. And thanks for Katie and Craig and their little cabin in the woods... we are so blessed.
[
Natalia

surprise!

i wanted to write about how surprised mary must have been when the angel came to her telling her that she was going to have a son. This would be a surprise that i don't think i would handle very well. But, Mary believed the angel and was excited to be helping God. If that surprise came to me i think i would have not believed the angel. But Mary accepted the surprise as it came and did not complain. So my goal this week is to take any surprises God gives me. Good or bad, and make the best of them.
~Kelsey Kimball

struggling to blogg

I have sat at my computer several times in the last few days, thinking that I wanted to share certain things in my blogg, but when I began to write, it surprised me how hard it was to put down in words. As I continue to pray, Surprise me God, I continue to find repeition in the message God is giving me. To simplify my life and enjoy the small things and blessings that happen on a daily basis. Also to do kind things that surprises others.
I still think that God surprises us with joy in our hearts as we pray Surprise me God on a daily basis. It is a surrender of sorts to give God the will to do as he sees fit. The peace that I feel since doing this is amazing....and comforting. I will continue to look for the big and small surprises each and every day....Peace Sue

Day 10

It is late again as I write. It was a very good day. I had the privilege of training Parish Nurses again today and speak with the pastors who were going to serve with the PN's. I helped lead and dedicate the PN's where I had a chance to bring in our Surprise me, God journey as part of the sermon. I am a huge believer and supporter of the parish nurse ministry. They are a great gift to the church which is always surprised by what the PN's are able to do to build up the body of Christ.

Reconnecting with the PN training team that has worked together now for more than a decade is very rich. We love to be together and pray for each other. We are aging...Surprise! More health issues and other issues each year but the spirit of the team is as young as ever. I love you guys!

I was invited to a Tae Kwon Do demonstration at church tonight by John and Julia C. I brought the video camera and captured some precious moments of these young kids. They know more than 20+ Bible verses and oh what moves they have mastered. I was impressed with their discipline and desire to work hard for John and Julia. Smiles were abundant on the kid's faces and parent's as well. I was amazed (surprised!) at how they had advanced since they began in late Sept 07. One Mom said it was so great to have her boys practicing their drills and running around the house quoting Bible verses they had memorized as a part of the training. Wow!

Insight from the day: We are able...because God is able to do all things through those who love him.

Keeping my eyes, ears and heart open for God Surprises...
Pastor T

Valentines Surprises

It seems like it shouldn't be surprising to be surprised on Valentines day, but I was. Sam and I have been together for 4 Valentines days and we have really tried not to fall into the materialism buy-lots-of-junk-for-too-much-money trap, so I wasn't really expecting anything... even moreso because we're both in grad school and both getting set to write our thesis papers and so our evenings are mostly spent studying in different rooms. So imagine my surprise when Sam comes home and we make dinner together, eat at the table with candles, and then get in the car and head to my gym for couples yoga. I know, I know, some of you are thinking it's so cheesy, but it was amazing. It was like a workout and quality time all in one! I know it was not something that Sam would really want to do, so it was awesome that he thought of it and knew I would like it.
What a great surprise! :) A free evening of uninterrupted time with my husband... surprises don't get better than that!

Natalia

feb.14

to my surprise thinking that wouldn't get at at soccer practice tonight i found out that i ended up getting some bit of a type of a road rash sliding in on the indoor soccer turf
-brian Willms

Day 9 Valentines-Connections-Parish Nurses

It was a three-fold day and more of surprises. Being aware of God activity in and around me is renewing. I love the spontaneous conversations that are popping up...like: "my Surprise today was..." or was I ever surprised today when...". It just seems contagious. God sightings are there if I have eyes to see...

So I prayed "again" today: Surprise me, God.

I had made arrangements to have flowers and a “Teddy” bear that I chose from our local florist to be ready at 7:30am so I could take it to Lois' room at school and surprise her...well it really surprises the kids more than Lois...but what really surprised me was the reactions. The kids went "O a Bear!" Lois was pleased too...but the other teachers or parents in the hallway said "O flowers"..."Ahhhh" But what really surprised me was my reaction. I like making Lois happy and I know that this would be the case however I was surprised how uncomfortable I was carrying the flowers in the hall and with the reaction of others...I was some how really self conscious and felt awkward. I wonder if… again it was the all about me thing...it derails my relationship with God so many times it must be the same with even myself and Lois. I want to show my joy and love for Lois and “I” kept getting in the way...I guess that is how “I” treat God many times...Sorry God...I know. It's not “all” about me! Thank you for loving me… in spite of me.

A year ago one of our young men died from injuries in a car accident. I had the family on my mind and in prayers so I sent them an email telling them Lois and I were with them. I then headed off to our local high school where our Lindsay taught the last few years of her life. I was to invite the kids from the Connections program that Lindsay had taught in, to apply for the scholarships in her memory. I was surprised again how close the grief is below the surface of our lives but seeing the faces of these kids was a huge lift for me today. I was anxious about being there but the welcome and response was a huge surprise. God wrapped God's arms around me through the teachers, students and administrators I came in contact with this morning. My grief and missing our Lindsay was shared by others but it was also lifted from me as I saw the fruit of their endeavors as educators. I was overwhelmed again...Surprise!...by my gratitude for the teachers of this world. Where would we be without their endless sacrifice and love for our children? Thank you God!

Finally this evening after a quick candlelight dinner at home with "My Valentine" I headed to the seminary to lead a Service of the Word for Healing for the Parish Nurse's in training this week. I am always surprised at how God is working in the nurses of this world of the "hidden church" in our health care facilities. God sightings are all over them as they struggle with the call to Parish Nursing. The mystery of the Call of Christ to "come follow me" is being heard by many and when they come for training it is always surprising.

As this cross section of folks respond like Mary the mother of Jesus..."I am the Lord's servant...Let it be to me according to your will" ...we as a team have the privilege of seeing some powerful God sightings as we anoint and pray over many of these parish nurses in training. It is a Valentine from God to the team who are leading this training for the week… Surprise!

Happy Valentines!
Jesus, keep my eyes and heart open for Your Surprises.
Pastor T

Happy Valentines Day!!
Today it was a great day for me, but i didn't find a girlfriend, but that is ok. Anyways today I recieved this card from someone, and it was signed with no ones name on it. Maybe it is somone that likes me but i just thought that I would share this with everyone that God really can suprise you with almost anything!
Andrew Hauck

A Traffic Surprise

Posted by Tom Heinrich 2/14
So yesterday I'm headed home, up Winnetka Avenue, and I'm the first one in line to make the right at the light. I guess I must have been thinking really hard about something or whatever, but there I'm sitting, at the light. The guy in the truck behind me starts layin on his horn and giving me the universal "hello". I think I maybe was stopped at the light 4 seconds. This guy is furious. So much anger and energy and temper. He's screaming inside his cab, honest.

I calmly smiled, waved (politely), and rounded the right. I knew I better pull to the side of the road, this guy was coming around quick. Sure enough ~ he spins his tires, continues to honk and waves back at me (not politely) as he speeds past like a thunder bolt. He rushes to drive 200 feet, stops, and waits again to make a left into his apartment building. (I waved again as I pulled past, I just couldn't help myself.)

The God surprise for me? It was how such anger and madness and agression had no effect on my day! In fact, it lightened my day because I had a good laugh! I'm still finding joy in this gentlemen's over-reaction to my denying him 4 seconds of his life at a stoplight.

Finding calmness in a crazy world is a wonderful surprise. Thank you God. Peace ~ Tom

PS, God could you please bring peace to the nice man who lives near 36th and Winetka and drives a black Chevy truck? Thanks!

Happy Valentines day....

This day and every day I am surprised by the love that God has for me.! He surrounds me with his love each and every minute, of my life. I haven't always been aware of this magnificent

love, which saddens me, but I think it is those times of being unaware that make me appreciate his love that much more.

It continues to be the simple things in my life, that truly amaze and surprise me. A clerk at Cub wishing me a early Happy Birthday? He took the time to really notice the date on my drivers license, and gave me a big smile.

God continues to guide me and joyously continues with many gifts, especially loving friends and loving family. Take time to enjoy every minute of every day Peace Sue

Day 8 Thank you for Terry and Mary E.

This will be short...Terry Esau....What a huge surprise! God all over him...using his words and heart to open our eyes even wider!
So cool that Mary, Terry’s wife, was with us tonight too.
God surprises all around us and having folks talk a new language that anticipates God sightings is awesome.
Young and old alike are looking for God activity in their lives.
Join the journey...pray the prayer...Surprise me, God!
Pastor T

feb.13

alright today i found out the girl at school that i flirt with even though i flirt with alot of girls but one of them likes me which shocked me
i guess God really knows how to surprise me

feb.12

a girl at school that i flirt with flirted with me back today and that scared me

On Saturday, I was at stages and recently people have been talking about this girl in our cast and how she is so mean. (I am not going to say anynames of anyone because they would not want me to.) Well, that morning I had prayed "Surprise Me God". I was in the dressing room, and all of a sudden she turns to me and starts talking to me about her mothers immune system has gone in reverse. If she gets a cold, she will die. I realized that the reason that she was so mean was to cover up the hurt that is underneath. Now that she has told me, she has not been so hostile, and has opened up to alot of the other cast members. I hope that her mother will get better! :) Spencer

Like a lot of people, not much has happened so far, but I did get a nice surprise yesterday in the mail. I recieved a certificate from my school stating that I am a student of the month! I know it's not all that exciting, but it is a big confidence booster. And it does go to show that all your hard work, time and engery is well appreciated.
~Haley

I'm not sure I like this surprise...

As many of you know- I had a ridiculous cold last week, and I thought it was getting better but yesterday I woke up with it a lot worse and I knew it was no longer just a cold. So today I went to minute clinic and SURPRISE!!! I have a sinus infection and the beginnings of bronchitus. Joy of Joys to be sick on Wednesdays....

But here's the thing about being sick... it forces you to slow down. I don't know about any of you - but slowing down is NOT something I am good at... and it really only happens when I'm sick, and even then it's tough to do. Wednesdays are simply not a day where slowing down is a possibility around here. But I know that God is telling me to take it easy, so I'm going to try my best to slow down. Slowing down might be hard, but it also makes it easier to notice all the ways where God is working, because I'm actually taking time to look around, not be running around. So even though this surprise kind of stinks, I'm looking forward to the surprises I see when I'm moving a little slower.

Natalia

I have thought about the last several days and how God continues to surprise me, yes me!
The first surprise i recieved and I was shocked, is during our dinner at Alpha,Monday night. One of the women in our group shared with me that I inspired her to read the Bible! ?? Me ?? I was shocked and confused, because I do not remember what I said that made a profound inpact on her. I feel elated after I had time to let it sink in. Another member of our team said that he also went looking for a study Bible because he was also excited to try something like I had.? I am totally convinced that the Holy Spirit gave me the right words that night and showed my friends in my group my love of God, and my interest in the Bible that I was using. ( Study Bible)
In continueing my surprises I recieved an Email from my daughter Mary. It was a great devotion for today the second Wednesday of lent. I am not surprised by my daughters faith, but I continue to be surprised in all that she continues to do, in her walk with God.
She joined a church in Sioux Falls,where she knew no one. She now after just a short time, is a youth group mentor, a cookie server, a greeter, and a babysitter in the nursery. WOW. The Holy Spirit is directing and guiding her to serve and continue to grow in her faith. Continue to be surprsied every day! Peace Sue

New Surprise

Yesterday I was shown the immense kindness strangers can have. I think that we get so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget to give as well. I know that on a daily basis my opinion that people are just self-obsorbed jerks is reinforced. Thinking this, we (or at least I) tend to overlook how good humanity can really be. If you give people a chance to give, they can be quite generous.
So, yesterday morning I woke up, unable to breathe, throat incredibly sore, head throbbing, nose running, and completely exhausted. I got up and got ready anyways and lo and behold, my ride's car breaks down in my driveway and we are late for school with an unexcused absense because apparently car trouble in negative weather isn't excusable. After a long challenging day of school I have to go to work. wooohooo... It had been a very long night and I would have liked nothing more than to leave when a customer came in. Honestly, I thought he was kind of weird and creepy so I just took care of him quickly and as unintrusivly as I could. Well, when I told him his total he gave me the money with five extra dollars, so, I handed it back to him. I never get tips at my work. The most I've ever gotten was like months ago and it was a dollar. So anyways, the guy goes, "You can't take tips?" and I hopped on that ball pretty fast with a "Well, sure I can," (even though I'm not supposed to). Long story short, I wasn't even that nice to this guy, and he gave me a five dollar tip. It really made my night and it made me think about how people can be really generous. But it also made me think, "How did this make me feel?" and how easy way that? You could easily change people's days, weeks, months, years, if we were only a little less selfish and a little nicer.
That is now one of my goals. Not only to be nicer (which I already try really hard to do), but to be a little more selfless. Its a big thing to strive for, but I know I've got God on my side.
Until next time:
Suprise me god!

Jackie Winters

Day 7 Uff Da!

We are fearfully and wonderfully made as Psalm 139 reminds us... when our body rebels and we ache or whatever it always seem to surprise us. Why now? Why this? So it was late this afternoon...surprise! You're human...slow down.

So I am getting ready close the day remembering how I might have seen God sightings/Surprises today. I am going to give thanks for what I believe to be just such events:
Judy C just 2 weeks post op standing and smiling in the worship center...wow!
Two emails about Breanna telling of unfortunate events yet going to be ok...Thank you, Jesus.
Jan's praise report!
An Exec Team that can get things done without the ailing pastor present.
Staff that care about others and hug them when they come in to the office to say hello.
A loving wife, who is a precious gift to me. (I definitely married up!)
Wonderful kids who are trying to find a time to get together to celebrate Valentine's Day around Dad's schedule.
A report of illness in another's family that seems impossible and breaks everyone's heart yet they are rallying around to help. (God draws us together often through adversity. God strengthens us as we live through adversity.)

Some one has said that the bad thing about life is that it is so daily...
Yet it is in the "daily-ness" of our lives God makes God's heart and character known to us.
Keep your eyes on the "daily-ness"...there are God Surprises waiting to be discovered.
Pastor T

Surprise

I feel like everytime I turn back to God after an absence from Him and His word He provides me with exactly what I need. Tonight I went to the first Bible study of the new semester and we talked about temptation. I've really been struggling with some temptations and recently identified a major one in my life, and I've been working at eliminating it from my routine. I love that of all the things that could have been chosen for discussion we talked about temptation. It really reinforced for me the fact that God reaches out to us in so many ways. As we dove into the passage about Jesus being tempted by the devil, everything we discussed seemed to click. I felt open and alive in a way I haven't felt in a while. It was amazing. It reminded me why I come back to God, and why I should never leave. My surprise this Lent is the opportunity to grow in my relationship with God, to grow in my relationship with myself, and to become more of the person I was designed to be. And yes coming to this point was hard, but it allowed me to come back broken and in need of what only God can provide. It allowed me to once again feel His grace fill me and lift me up. It allowed me to be humbled by His power. It allowed me to realize I am only a child in His holy hands. You really surprised me God, and though this has been hard and will continue to be tough, I thank You for surprising me with You.

-Kate

Day 6 of the Journey

"Monday! Monday!" ....Mama Cass used to wail out over the radio...it just seemed to be that way this morning. Mondays seem to be difficult days for many of us. Just getting started again after Sunday's activity seems to be a challenge. Looking for God sightings early in the AM seems to be avoiding me but the devotional for the day and reading of Day 6 in Surprise Me challenges me about "ME". When it all becomes about "ME", it is a definite "de-railer" for the day and the journey. Terry recalls his challenge of "I's" and "I" bristle a bit because it sounds familiar...Surprise!!!

I am again met with stories of Surprises from staff and others during the day...it's just on our minds...COOL!

I am standing in the CLC as the Alpha meal is happening and one of our team members comes to me and asks if anyone in the church might be interested in reading and discussing Bonhoeffer with them. Surprise...
(John Matthews must have put him up to it...naw...)
I said that I was sure he would have folks who would be interested and we could help him get connected with others who are interested..Keep your eyes open and you will see God working in and around all of us!

An invite to Friday night Tae Kwon Do...the kids want to show off their newly learned skills and knowledge...God Sighting time!...I can hardly wait. Have to get someone to come with me to video them so we can share the God Surprise with others!

Not a bad Monday after all.
Pastor T

Day 6?

Is it day 6 already? It seems like we've only just begun our journey. I haven't had any huge surprises yet, but that's to be expected. I did have a pleasant surprise today, though. I had an interview at 1 with Luke H. from Camp Wapo. Since I normally eat lunch with my friends around 12:30, I was either going to have to eat quickly or go by myself earlier. To my surprise, my buddy got back from class at 12 and we were all able to go early. I ate a relaxed lunch, got ready, and headed off to class. Without having to rush, I was a little more relaxed going into the interview and it went great!

Thanks God! I can't wait to see what else he has in store for me!

-Coder

Day 5 Sunday seems to be a day of....Surprise!

Sunday always seems to be a day of God Surprises. When God's people gather, God is very active. From the morning services till it's time for bed there are little surprises along the way.

First Surprise was Breanna L. home from Iraq for a couple weeks...all smiles! We prayed for safety and protection. Then she is in the hallway all bundled up in warm clothes...a bit of a contrast to Iraq. Forgot how beautiful she is!

The surprises in the story of Mary and the angel in Luke 1 are many. My favorite is when the angel says..."For nothing will be impossible with God." What a surprise...the emphasis on..."with God", it reminded me that God is active and able to help us in any situation...nothing is impossible with God! Surprise.

Lois and I had a wonderful lunch with a dear friend and we shared God Surprises all through lunch. It doesn't get any better than that! God always surprises me with the richness of friendships in my life.

Late this afternoon the phone rang and the message was..."The Eagle has landed!" It was my sister and her son, Brad, the Marine had returned home from Iraq too! Safe and sound! It was a "double day" of thanksgiving and joy.

It has been a good day.
I am weary tonight. Keep your eyes open for God sightings!
Pastor T

Happy Sunday......After listening to Pastor Ted this morning.....I realized that I am not completely looking for all the surprises God sends or gives to me. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to help a co-worker in need of a babysitter. Her family is all out of town and her husband is ill in the hospital. So after calling her with concern, she seemed shaken.....and I told her if she needed any help, I would love to do it. I really had so many plans to complete my basement clean up project, take a nap, and eat..... :) so when she called a little while after we had talked I dropped my special projects and Jim and I headed over to her house. I never gave it another thought, or thought about how I was missing out on my own time. I felt at peace that this is where God needed me to be. He suprised me with helping my special friend. I felt so good, because I knew she felt better knowing her husband was doing better, and she was able to relax a alittle. Plus, spending time with a busy 4 year old is very energizing, seeing the simple world that God has created for us through little eyes.....WOW. I am excited to keep looking for those small simple surprises God has for ME! Peace Sue

Relationships

So, so far most of my suprises have been through relationships. Which I think is cool because lately I'd been having some problems with that. I've bonded with Sam and Eddy a lot which is really cool because they are deffinately two people I can just hang out with and do nothing and have fun. I also went to Leah's. That was kind of a big thing becuase we got in a big fight last year and it hasn't really been the same. We really bonded again the other night, just telling eachother everything that is going on in our lives. I suppose suprises coming through my relationships is a good way to recieve it. But who knows? I still feel like I'm overlooking some day to day things.
I'll keep an eye out, and in the mean time, I'm always ready for it God.

Jackie

Surprises in Wisconsin???!

Sam and I went to visit my sister and family in Wisconsin this weekend. It was a short visit... we left on Friday afternoon and are back late Saturday night (or Sunday morning). Sam and I have always enjoyed our times with Kira and Kevin, but we tend to have pretty interesting spiritual and theological discussions. Frustrating for me was the lack of personal faith for them - they believed in Jesus and God and went to church, but their words seemed to come from what they heard from their friends and the church, (who's theology is very different from Lutheran) and not what they had read or thought themselves. Inevitably some of our conversations would get heated, because we didn't agree on some major cultural contention points... but this weekend something new happened. They have really been seeking Christ in new ways. Ways that were surprising them in how much they weren't really following things God was calling them to... like love, no matter who or what. It was SUCH a surprise. We had amazing conversations about what it means to be a follower of Christ, instead of what this guy said or this person told them. It was AMAZING and completely unexpected. Not only was it great to hear them talk about this newly discovered Jesus following, but to WATCH them was even better. They treated each other differently. They had conversations knowing that they didn't have to be right... it was new and wonderful and I left feeling so happy about where God has taken and is taking them. Their renewed energy for really and truly following Jesus was inspiring... I only hope that this surprise of theirs wore off on me just a little.
Thanks G0d - this was a surprise that I didn't even know I was hoping for...

Natalia