Surprise me, God!
I am still praying that each morning. I may do so for well after these 30 days.
I was encouraged to continue to write this. I was mildly surprised that Terry was reading this, but he encouraged me to keep putting my thoughts down. I am not sure they will provide any help or encouragement to anyone else, but it does help me process the thoughts that go through my head.
Blogging kind of gives me that Kerouac style, stream of conciousness sort of writing where there are no page breaks. The joy of the blog/journal entry is that my thoughts don't need to be terribly cohesive. So, that said... I am sorry if this doesn't make much sense.
We are in the midst of our annual fundraiser today. Things are going fairly well, but I get caught in the trap of comparing it to past years.
Tonight I had a small group discussion about the direction our church is taking. We tend to focus on three areas. Areas that can be represented by 3 overlapping circles.
1 - Internal/Body Life
2 - Outward/Missional
3 - Upward/Worship
Lately, I have found myself leaning "upward". My faith life tends to be introspective. I am not as outreach oriented as I should be, and I am not as focused on the body as I should be.
Tonight's topic was about the Internal/Body aspects of our ministries. I was beginning to get frustrated with the amount of conversation about social events and the need to build strong relationships.
I have always felt the Body part of the church life was to help us be more effective Worshippers and more effective in outreach. But as I thought it through, and examined all the "one-another" verses, it became clear that there was a lot of focus on the "social" parts of the church life (Help one-another, pray for one another, be at peace with one another).
I had cornered the "Body Life" part of the church into one of support for the other two areas of the church. But it has its own purpose. I am not entirely certain what that is yet. It certainly helps with my worship and my outreach. It is clear that all 3 of these areas are dependent on the others. I should spend more time on the Body area of my Christian Life. That will no doubt bolster the other 2 areas.
Wow. That is hard to follow. But that is no surprise.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
"Surprise Me, God" Day
Today is "Surprise Me, God" day at KTIS.
It isn't completely 30 days through the experiment, but it is a good milestone as I continue this experiment.
I have found many of my musings need to be limited to my personal journal. Some things are just too personal to place here. So I hope that the inconsitency in my posting is not viewed as an inability to complete this task.
This is a big week.
We hold our primary fundraiser at work this week.
Additionally, my brother and his family are moving in with us this week.
They are packing up their apartment this week, and taking off for a church planting career in Poland.
I know I will miss them, but it hasn't quite hit me yet. I think I am putting too much faith in the technology that makes this world smaller. Skype webcams will certainly help my kids stay in touch with their cousins, but it won't quite be the same as a play-date.
I don't know for sure when their departure will hit me, but I suspect it will be Saturday at the airport.
I am proud of Dave.
It isn't completely 30 days through the experiment, but it is a good milestone as I continue this experiment.
I have found many of my musings need to be limited to my personal journal. Some things are just too personal to place here. So I hope that the inconsitency in my posting is not viewed as an inability to complete this task.
This is a big week.
We hold our primary fundraiser at work this week.
Additionally, my brother and his family are moving in with us this week.
They are packing up their apartment this week, and taking off for a church planting career in Poland.
I know I will miss them, but it hasn't quite hit me yet. I think I am putting too much faith in the technology that makes this world smaller. Skype webcams will certainly help my kids stay in touch with their cousins, but it won't quite be the same as a play-date.
I don't know for sure when their departure will hit me, but I suspect it will be Saturday at the airport.
I am proud of Dave.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Life Missions
My grandparents were career missionaries.
Yesterday, my parents officially became career missionaries as they were commissioned. That makes me an MK! (Surprise!).
It was a very special commisioning service. My brother and his wife were also commissioned for missions work at the same time. In addition to that, their youngest daughter was dedicated AND my wife was able to do the dedication (she is the Children's ministry assistant at our church).
We had a third family from church that was also commissioned as career missionaries during the same service. It is fun to see 3 families, from our church, giving their lives to God's service.
BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE...
The mother/wife of the third family was my mother's roommate many years ago in bording school. I don't know a lot about their relationship, but I do know my grandmother found it funny that they were both being commissioned on the same day.
To top it all off, the 3rd family has a son who is dating my sister.
Looking around the room on Sunday, I realized how blessed I am to have the Christian Heritage I have.
I also realized the severity of my responsibility to raise my girls to continue that heritage.
Yesterday, my parents officially became career missionaries as they were commissioned. That makes me an MK! (Surprise!).
It was a very special commisioning service. My brother and his wife were also commissioned for missions work at the same time. In addition to that, their youngest daughter was dedicated AND my wife was able to do the dedication (she is the Children's ministry assistant at our church).
We had a third family from church that was also commissioned as career missionaries during the same service. It is fun to see 3 families, from our church, giving their lives to God's service.
BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE...
The mother/wife of the third family was my mother's roommate many years ago in bording school. I don't know a lot about their relationship, but I do know my grandmother found it funny that they were both being commissioned on the same day.
To top it all off, the 3rd family has a son who is dating my sister.
Looking around the room on Sunday, I realized how blessed I am to have the Christian Heritage I have.
I also realized the severity of my responsibility to raise my girls to continue that heritage.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Day 7
I just started day 8.
Last night I was reading Psalms 52-53. David sure seemed to be dealing with a lot of stuff. And most of it BEFORE he became king.
Psalm 52 saw David lamenting an injustice. It is a great model I should remember when I complain.
Too often I just have to tell someone how aweful life is, or how poor someone has been to me. Then it just stops there. There is really no resolution to my thoughts.
David ends this passage reminding us that, although evil seems to prosper, his hope is still in God.
"In your name I will hope, for your name is good."
Other than that, yesterday was pretty straight forward. I still find myself straining to see God in everything (sometimes, it is so clear, I really don't need to strain).
Here goes day 8...
Surprise me, God!
Last night I was reading Psalms 52-53. David sure seemed to be dealing with a lot of stuff. And most of it BEFORE he became king.
Psalm 52 saw David lamenting an injustice. It is a great model I should remember when I complain.
Too often I just have to tell someone how aweful life is, or how poor someone has been to me. Then it just stops there. There is really no resolution to my thoughts.
David ends this passage reminding us that, although evil seems to prosper, his hope is still in God.
"In your name I will hope, for your name is good."
Other than that, yesterday was pretty straight forward. I still find myself straining to see God in everything (sometimes, it is so clear, I really don't need to strain).
Here goes day 8...
Surprise me, God!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Day 5
A full day, but I still found myself looking for God.
Work and the first PTA meeting of the year kept me moving.
Oh, and the Vikings won. I am surprised by that, but I won't count that as one of the experiment's surprises.
Work and the first PTA meeting of the year kept me moving.
Oh, and the Vikings won. I am surprised by that, but I won't count that as one of the experiment's surprises.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Day 3 & 4
I need to make this one short, since the kids are upstairs making a mess, but day 3 was probably my most surprising yet.
Jesus came so that I may have life, and have it more abuntantly.
I think I know what that means now.
More life means more of the highs in life. However, it also means more of the lows.
I had an early morning surprise. I had done some pro-bono work for the family of an ailing man. I was shocked to receive an honorarium for the work.
As greatful as I was, I didn't want to give people the wrong idea by posting that as today's surprise (I prayed for a surprise, and God gave me money).
Later in the day, however, I was surprised by a meeting that took me from the highs, to the lows. It was one of those meetings I entered fully believing I could predict what would transpire.
I couldn't have.
I would have gladly sacrificed the "High" for the day to not have experienced the "low".
When I returned to the office after the meeting, I received an e-mail from someone whose life had been changed by a part of our ministry. It wasn't addressed to me at all, I just happened to get it. It really helped me focus on why I do what I do.
The biggest surprise of the day came as I read the name. It was gentleman who had a leadership role in my life when I was in 6th grade. God knows what he is doing.
Here is what I am noticing as I do this.
I am constantly journaling in my head. EVERYTHING I observe, God is getting credit for. Things that used to just be happenstance, I am attributing to God.
Perhaps that is the value in this project. God is opening my eyes to be able to see Him every day.
Tonight (Sunday... day 5) is the first night for this year's youth group. There couldn't POSSIBLY be any surprises there, could there?
Jesus came so that I may have life, and have it more abuntantly.
I think I know what that means now.
More life means more of the highs in life. However, it also means more of the lows.
I had an early morning surprise. I had done some pro-bono work for the family of an ailing man. I was shocked to receive an honorarium for the work.
As greatful as I was, I didn't want to give people the wrong idea by posting that as today's surprise (I prayed for a surprise, and God gave me money).
Later in the day, however, I was surprised by a meeting that took me from the highs, to the lows. It was one of those meetings I entered fully believing I could predict what would transpire.
I couldn't have.
I would have gladly sacrificed the "High" for the day to not have experienced the "low".
When I returned to the office after the meeting, I received an e-mail from someone whose life had been changed by a part of our ministry. It wasn't addressed to me at all, I just happened to get it. It really helped me focus on why I do what I do.
The biggest surprise of the day came as I read the name. It was gentleman who had a leadership role in my life when I was in 6th grade. God knows what he is doing.
Here is what I am noticing as I do this.
I am constantly journaling in my head. EVERYTHING I observe, God is getting credit for. Things that used to just be happenstance, I am attributing to God.
Perhaps that is the value in this project. God is opening my eyes to be able to see Him every day.
Tonight (Sunday... day 5) is the first night for this year's youth group. There couldn't POSSIBLY be any surprises there, could there?
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Day 2 - I don't have time for this
Quick addendum to the earlier post, and perhaps a request for prayer.
It was very clear to me, as I started this, that it couldn't happen at a worse time of the year.
We are in one of our busiest seasons at work.
The "Back to School" time is one of the busiest at home.
We haven't had a night as a family all week.
It isn't that I don't have time to say a 3 word prayer.
I can even find time to write. (see, twice in one day).
I just don't have time for God to surprise me.
It is a good thing God doesn't need to wait for things to be convenient.
I wonder if Mary thought "God, could you wait a few more months? I am pledged to be married, and this would be a whole lot easier after that."
It was very clear to me, as I started this, that it couldn't happen at a worse time of the year.
We are in one of our busiest seasons at work.
The "Back to School" time is one of the busiest at home.
We haven't had a night as a family all week.
It isn't that I don't have time to say a 3 word prayer.
I can even find time to write. (see, twice in one day).
I just don't have time for God to surprise me.
It is a good thing God doesn't need to wait for things to be convenient.
I wonder if Mary thought "God, could you wait a few more months? I am pledged to be married, and this would be a whole lot easier after that."
Day 2 - My Teeth Hurt
Not quite as early a morning today as yesterday. I had an 8am dentist appointment, so there was no point in waking up early for work.
I was tempted to avoid asking God for his surprises until AFTER the dental appointment, but thought that may be messing with the system a little too much.
I got to the dental office about 10 minutes ahead of schedule, which allowed me to get 3 of the 4 passages in today's Bible reading schedule complete. Not a new task necessarily tied to this experiment, but I thought that if I am to watch for God to work in my life, I had better be in touch with Him so I don't miss it.
My wife ("The Pretty One") and I started reading through Terry's book last night. Actually, I started, and had to share Chapter 1 with her. Then we had to keep going. She laughed and cried simultaneously throughout the first few chapters. We finally began to fall asleep on chapter 4 (Don't worry Terry... it wasn't you... it was 11pm, and I had been awake for 19 hours).
I think we will enjoy reading this one together.
I just need to keep reminding myself that these daily posts don't have to be nearly as well written as Terry's.
***
No major surprises at the dentist. I did have a new hygienist this morning, and it turns out she just got back from the LifeLight festival in Sioux Falls. We spent time comparing notes on Christian Music Festivals in the midwest. She asked about pricing and lodging at some of them, and I had to confess that my attendance at these events is far from typical. My employer usually finds a hotel for me, and I am usually able to escape the hot crowds to a backstage, air-conditioned trailer.
One of these years I need to shell out the cash, pitch the tent and enjoy one of these like most people.
I am not a big fan of big crowds, and am less of a fan of humid Minnesota summer weekends. But I am a fan of worship and I always imagine that I am getting a glimpse of what Heaven will be like, when I am among a large crowd of worshippers. (Just a little more humid and with more mosquitoes.
Sorry... a bit of a tangent there.
Anyways, we spent about 4-5 minutes talking, then she got to work on my teeth.
I was much quieter from then on.
No surprises there. Just the typical "Try and floss a little more", and the beautiful sound of the dentist saying "Well, no cavities".
Phew... I am just left with a sore jaw from the cleaning.
***
From there, I was off to the coffee shop. I like to spend a few hours on Thursday doing some of my office work in the coffee shop.
I actually find I can get a LOT more work done there. People can't knock on my door, or call me (I picked one with lousy cell phone service). I can always ignore the e-mail for a while.
That time was followed by a few hours in the office.
After the work day, we had a Baby shower for a co-worker of mine, and his wife. It was a co-ed shower (upon re-reading this entry, I see now that that is a pretty lousy term , but I will leave it there because it is bound to get some Google traffic) and I was asked to do the devotional. I have 3 daughters, and his is to be a daughter, so I shared a bit of the metaphorical relationship between a father and child that God gives to his relationship to us.
Working at a radio station, I feel a bit odd leading a talk in a room full of career communicators, but all in all it went well. It gave me a chance to spend some time thinking about how God views me as His child.
All in all, no surprises today that "knocked my socks off", and really nothing to make today's entry anything that will stand well on its own. Perhaps this entry is only a small part of God's work of art. Like looking at the small tiles of a mosaic that, on their own, are just chips of broken pottery.
What I have noticed today is that I am WATCHING for God. I am trying to see Him in the everday life.
I think I saw Him at the dentist office today.
I think I saw Him at the coffee shop today.
I think God stopped by the office today.
I saw God celebrate my new life as I celebrated another new life.
I was tempted to avoid asking God for his surprises until AFTER the dental appointment, but thought that may be messing with the system a little too much.
I got to the dental office about 10 minutes ahead of schedule, which allowed me to get 3 of the 4 passages in today's Bible reading schedule complete. Not a new task necessarily tied to this experiment, but I thought that if I am to watch for God to work in my life, I had better be in touch with Him so I don't miss it.
My wife ("The Pretty One") and I started reading through Terry's book last night. Actually, I started, and had to share Chapter 1 with her. Then we had to keep going. She laughed and cried simultaneously throughout the first few chapters. We finally began to fall asleep on chapter 4 (Don't worry Terry... it wasn't you... it was 11pm, and I had been awake for 19 hours).
I think we will enjoy reading this one together.
I just need to keep reminding myself that these daily posts don't have to be nearly as well written as Terry's.
***
No major surprises at the dentist. I did have a new hygienist this morning, and it turns out she just got back from the LifeLight festival in Sioux Falls. We spent time comparing notes on Christian Music Festivals in the midwest. She asked about pricing and lodging at some of them, and I had to confess that my attendance at these events is far from typical. My employer usually finds a hotel for me, and I am usually able to escape the hot crowds to a backstage, air-conditioned trailer.
One of these years I need to shell out the cash, pitch the tent and enjoy one of these like most people.
I am not a big fan of big crowds, and am less of a fan of humid Minnesota summer weekends. But I am a fan of worship and I always imagine that I am getting a glimpse of what Heaven will be like, when I am among a large crowd of worshippers. (Just a little more humid and with more mosquitoes.
Sorry... a bit of a tangent there.
Anyways, we spent about 4-5 minutes talking, then she got to work on my teeth.
I was much quieter from then on.
No surprises there. Just the typical "Try and floss a little more", and the beautiful sound of the dentist saying "Well, no cavities".
Phew... I am just left with a sore jaw from the cleaning.
***
From there, I was off to the coffee shop. I like to spend a few hours on Thursday doing some of my office work in the coffee shop.
I actually find I can get a LOT more work done there. People can't knock on my door, or call me (I picked one with lousy cell phone service). I can always ignore the e-mail for a while.
That time was followed by a few hours in the office.
After the work day, we had a Baby shower for a co-worker of mine, and his wife. It was a co-ed shower (upon re-reading this entry, I see now that that is a pretty lousy term , but I will leave it there because it is bound to get some Google traffic) and I was asked to do the devotional. I have 3 daughters, and his is to be a daughter, so I shared a bit of the metaphorical relationship between a father and child that God gives to his relationship to us.
Working at a radio station, I feel a bit odd leading a talk in a room full of career communicators, but all in all it went well. It gave me a chance to spend some time thinking about how God views me as His child.
All in all, no surprises today that "knocked my socks off", and really nothing to make today's entry anything that will stand well on its own. Perhaps this entry is only a small part of God's work of art. Like looking at the small tiles of a mosaic that, on their own, are just chips of broken pottery.
What I have noticed today is that I am WATCHING for God. I am trying to see Him in the everday life.
I think I saw Him at the dentist office today.
I think I saw Him at the coffee shop today.
I think God stopped by the office today.
I saw God celebrate my new life as I celebrated another new life.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Starting on an early note
So, if this goes anywhere, this is day one of my participation in this "Faith Experiment".
The first question I need to answer is "Why Bother".
I seem to detest the "Self Help" movements. I don't want God's surpises to simply be amazing things that happen in my life.
I DON'T want this to make me a better person.
I DON'T want this to give me a better life
I DON'T want God to do things in my life for experience sake.
I DON'T want to have items that simply make for a more intersting testimony.
All I want is for God to make me into a better digit, organ or whatever I am, in HIS body. That needs to be my only focus. Not that my life would be turned around, but that HIS body would be strenghtened.
*****
So this is where it all begins.
I am certain that, in God's providence, it is no coincidence that Terry came to speak to our staff about the "Surprise Me" experiment on a day that I had to wake up exceptionally early.
Now that the school year has started, things 2 & 3 need to be picked up at 3 on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. That means, I need to leave work at 2:30 on those days.
Last year, I would make up the time by working a couple extra hours on Thursday. Today, I tried something a little different.
I work at a place where people often get to work before 5am. I have often had to get there before 5am. So why, I wondered, can't I get there at 6am 2 days a week.
I set the alarm for 4:30 this morning.
Normally, the snooze button gets a work out as I tend to wait until the last possible moment to start my day. Today, I was wide awake at 4:29. I beat my alarm to the day.
It takes me about 30 minutes to be ready to head out the door. That allowed me a little time to reintroduce myself to morning devotions.
It was wonderful! I brewed the coffee, showered, dressed and sat in the livingroom and read the Bible. What a treat!
I should admit that, I had actually forgotten about today's meeting and the experiment while I undertook this return to God's word. I remembered the project when it came time to pray.
I was actually excited to realize that I had mistakenly read yesterday's scheduled reading. That meant I could start all over again and read TODAY's scheduled reading. I was actually disappointed when it was all over. I literally hungered to keep going. I am actually looking forward to tomorrows reading! I have never had this much desire or excitement over reading the Bible before.
I am not exactly sure where it came from. I haven't attended any conferences, read any inspirational books, or been challenged by another brother or sister.
This just came upon me today and I am excited to keep going! I have always found prayer and bible reading to be necessary disciplines of the Christian life. For some reason, today, they were more than that. They feel like a privilege.
When the time came for me to go to work, I prayed a quick prayer some of my collegues have been challenged to pray:
"Surpise me, God".
He beat me to it this morning.
The first question I need to answer is "Why Bother".
I seem to detest the "Self Help" movements. I don't want God's surpises to simply be amazing things that happen in my life.
I DON'T want this to make me a better person.
I DON'T want this to give me a better life
I DON'T want God to do things in my life for experience sake.
I DON'T want to have items that simply make for a more intersting testimony.
All I want is for God to make me into a better digit, organ or whatever I am, in HIS body. That needs to be my only focus. Not that my life would be turned around, but that HIS body would be strenghtened.
*****
So this is where it all begins.
I am certain that, in God's providence, it is no coincidence that Terry came to speak to our staff about the "Surprise Me" experiment on a day that I had to wake up exceptionally early.
Now that the school year has started, things 2 & 3 need to be picked up at 3 on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. That means, I need to leave work at 2:30 on those days.
Last year, I would make up the time by working a couple extra hours on Thursday. Today, I tried something a little different.
I work at a place where people often get to work before 5am. I have often had to get there before 5am. So why, I wondered, can't I get there at 6am 2 days a week.
I set the alarm for 4:30 this morning.
Normally, the snooze button gets a work out as I tend to wait until the last possible moment to start my day. Today, I was wide awake at 4:29. I beat my alarm to the day.
It takes me about 30 minutes to be ready to head out the door. That allowed me a little time to reintroduce myself to morning devotions.
It was wonderful! I brewed the coffee, showered, dressed and sat in the livingroom and read the Bible. What a treat!
I should admit that, I had actually forgotten about today's meeting and the experiment while I undertook this return to God's word. I remembered the project when it came time to pray.
I was actually excited to realize that I had mistakenly read yesterday's scheduled reading. That meant I could start all over again and read TODAY's scheduled reading. I was actually disappointed when it was all over. I literally hungered to keep going. I am actually looking forward to tomorrows reading! I have never had this much desire or excitement over reading the Bible before.
I am not exactly sure where it came from. I haven't attended any conferences, read any inspirational books, or been challenged by another brother or sister.
This just came upon me today and I am excited to keep going! I have always found prayer and bible reading to be necessary disciplines of the Christian life. For some reason, today, they were more than that. They feel like a privilege.
When the time came for me to go to work, I prayed a quick prayer some of my collegues have been challenged to pray:
"Surpise me, God".
He beat me to it this morning.
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