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