1-15-10 Surprise Me God - Day 6

Today's surprise moments were as much of reminders as they were surprises. I had just gotten home my trip to the Twin Cities, unpacked and checked my 33 emails for the day.

I decided to call Dave Oswald and see how he was doing. I think I surprised him, but he seemed to genuinely appreciate my phone call. He talked mostly. I listened mostly. Then we prayed, cried a little and then did the best thing we could do, leave things in God's hands. It was good to be a friend and be reminded I am blessed with awesome friends!

After the phone call, Suzy reminded me of my Johnny Corino's gift certificate from Christmas. Love this restaurant! So we surprised the girls and took them out for dinner.

Surprisingly, we hardly had to wait. In the little moment or two of waiting for a seat, I got a surprise text from my son Ben telling me he loves me. Those sorts of surprises never get old.

There are so many choices on the Corino's menu, but tonight I chose not to be surprised. I went with my old standard, Spicy Chicken Romano...sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, bow-tie pasta and chicken in a spicy cream sauce...mmm-mmmm-yummy! Maybe after the topsy-turvy week of Haiti news, I just needed something that felt like normal. Sometimes on a chaotic week, normal can feel surprisingly delicious. You are blessed...now go and be a blessing!

1-14-10 Surprise Me God - Day 5

Today's main surprise happened through God's word. A troubling Bible text for me and for many scholars has always been, Luke 13:1-9. http://bit.ly/6hOehX In it Jesus and his followers discuss why evil happens.

Even more difficult is Jesus telling a confusing parable of cutting down an unfruitful, 3 years unproductive fruit tree in response to their conversation on evil. Sometime our life and death questions provoke more questions with few answers.

You see I have been wondering what to say about Haiti. Today I heard Mike Housholder, pastor of Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines teach on this text. I never would have guessed this troubling text would ever be an aswer to any of my questions.

I realised this is a text for Rejoice! This is a text for all hurting over Haiti. Come Sunday to hear more....

The second surprise was nothing earth-shaking (maybe that is a bad choice of words...forgive me) My 2nd surprise was just a simple lunch date with my son. We ate at a new favorite restaurant of his. Nothing profound happened, but sometimes the best moments are not Hollywood-esque, but maybe some of our best moments are when two loved ones get together and share time together and enjoy each other's company. Thank you God for this simple surprise.

Well my friends, hug someone you love today...may you be surprised at how profound this simple act can be...Give 'em Heaven!

1-13-10 Surprise Me God - Day 4

Yesterday/This Morning...somewhere around O-Dark:30 I shared that my surprises had not been happening not till later in the day. Well, as soon as you start to put parameters around God, God laughs and changes the rules.

So today I am on my way to a continuing education event in the Twin Cities at the seminary from which I graduated, I am driving along, things are going smoothly...then...FOG. How inconvenient. So I ask, "What are you trying to tell me with this fog God?" God says, "Slow down...and...not just the car." I suppose that God is telling all of us, "slow down."

Afterward, after my lesson in slowing down, God gave me another surprise. Hoar Frost...what a beautiful site...for those who never have been to the midwest, Hoar Frost happens when all things meterological line up (usually after fog) God's landscape turns into a crystaline sea of twinkling light. Trees, fence posts, roof tops, etc...all reflecting the glory and light of God's creation. In a word, "BREATHTAKING!" Hmmm...lesson number 2...slow down...and then...expect a God surprise.

Last God surprise to report today...I was driving listening to the 4 EP (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) collection from Jon Foreman (from the band Switchfoot). Jon's stuff is truly inspired and as brilliant as Switchfoot's stuff is...Switchfoot songs tend to be more subtle in sharing the faith...not Jon's solo work...nothing subtle in these 4 EPs Many of the songs borrow a great deal directly from scripture. Nearing the end of the end of Jon's songs, my mind was already skipping ahead...thinking, "What will I listen to next on this trip to Minneapolis?" Then...Surprise! Jon's second to last song slays me... It is entitled, "House of God, Forever." Most of the song is a paraphrase from Psalm 23. Beautiful lyrics...the middle of the song set me sideways.

Even though I walk
Throught the Valley
Of Death and Dying
I Will Not Fear
'Cause You Are with Me
You Are with Me

You see while I am listening with one side of my brain...and...I have been praying over the tragedy in Haiti, especially my friend Dave Oswald with the other side of my brain....then...BLAM...It hits me...both sides of my brain collide...these lyrics from this song are for Dave (and all the others who soon will be heading down to Haiti) God will literally be with Dave and all the others, be "with" them as they "walk through the Valley of Death and Dying."

Thanks God for helping me make a little sense of the present chaos...not that I have it all figured out...but it surpises me and helps me to be reminded that you will go with us even through our "valleys of death and dying."

My closing words today are borrowed from another great song writer, Bruce Cockburn's "Lovers in a Dangerous Time."

These fragile bodies of touch and taste
This vibrant skin -- this hair like lace
Spirits open to the thrust of grace
Never a breath you can afford to waste
When you're lovers in a dangerous time

When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime
But nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight
Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight
When you're loves in a dangerous time

Kick at the darkness with me my friends until it bleeds daylight. Help us Lord Jesus...

Surprise Me God - Day 3

OK God, there were several surpises today. I will go in chronological order, not in order of severity.

First why do most of your surprises happen latter in the day? You seem to work best when we focus on you less. You are an allusive God.

So my first surprise didn't happen until later in the day, just before noon time. I went to the Sioux Fall Area ELCA monthly meeting. Great people, but usually boring meetings. Today was different. Larry Olson of Dakota Road was there leading worship and sharing his story. Wow thanks for that surprise. Larry is an annointed, inspired worship leader that can bless both the traditionally oriented and contemporary alike. One of Larry's new songs was based on Psalm 65:9. "The river of God is full of water...." God filled my water tank with Larry today.

Second, I was on the way to visit a friend out the country, but ran into the ditch near his house. Thankfully Randy was there and pulled me out. Thanks God for the surprise that I am not all powerful and than I need others and that I am blessed with good friends.

Third is the most difficult surprise. I did not need this surprise. HAITI Why God do you in all your power allow things like eathquakes happen? I am struggling with this one, probably will be for quite a while. But it is a reminder to praise and ask for your grace not just on the mountaintop, but also in the valley. Help me God. Help my friends like Dave, Tammy, Ashley, Aaron, Darrel, etc. But most of all help our friends the Haitian people. May you work miracles amidst this tragedy

1-11-10 Day 2 Surprise Me God

Today started off a "back to normal life" day. My girls all got back from their weekend trip to the Twin Cities. Everything was back to normal, except for the "Surprise Me God" thing. But the morning seemed, "same old, same old," but it was really nice to have "same old, same old," having everyone home was a wonderful non-surprise.

The morning sort of purred along. Monday's for pastors are sort of our weekend. (at least it is part of a day off...other than loading the vodcast from the previous day's sermon.

However, I got a call from my new friend Leif. He called and invited me once again to his Bible Study. I tried to go 2 or 3 times before, but schedule, life and snow got in the way. But today finally worked out.

What a wonderful surprise! Leif and his friends were serious about studying the Word. They came with their sleeves rolled up, ready to learn, study, pray, share and experience God. Awesome stuff. I thoroughly enjoyed. What a nice surprise. Thanks God.

Later on, I had been playing telephone tag with my friends Dave and Tammy about hearing their "Surprise Me God" stories from Haiti. (I will not give too much away, because I videoed it and you should see it in worship soon) But wow...some great surprises!

Lastly, the night was about to end, I was thinking about going to the club and run on the treadmill. I love to sweat (so I can eat more food) but jogging is kind of boring to me, then I get a phone call from Leif. You still thinking about cross-country skiing...oh yeah...I forgot we had talked about that...Heck yeah...I would much rather exercise outside than inside. What a great night, more great conversations.

Wow thanks for the surprises...bring some more tomorrow! Give 'em Heaven!

Surprise Me God: Week 1 - Day 1

Day 1 - 1-10-10
Today, as we concluded our teaching series on Galatians, we introduced our new series, "Surprise Me God." We asked everyone to start each day of the next 30 with simple 3 word prayer, "Surprise Me God."

So today we, as a worshipping community, started with that simple 3 word prayer..."Surprise Me God."

Maybe not surpizingly, God did surprise me in our worship. First, as I was preaching, microphones were flying, Lutherans were laughing in worship, and the seats were close to full on a day where the temperature was below zero. Wow, thanks for a nice beginning surprise!

Second, as final song was playing, we sang, "God is Good, All the Time." The background video was from two year's ago Men's Retreat organized by former Rejoicer, Brian Bernhard. Sadly Brian died unexpectedly last year. Our loss, heaven's gain. One of Brian's favorite things to say was, "God is Good All the Time!" It gave me a smile and a reminder of Hebrews 12:1. Hebrews 12 reminds us that a great cloud of witnesses cheer us on from heavens. Today I, along with many, could feel the angels and Brian along with all the other saints cheering us on from Heaven.

After worship, we had Rejoice's First Annual Meeting. Quite frankly, many pastors wince a little at the thought of anual meetings. At best, most are boring. At worst, too many can be divisive and ugly. In fact, I have been in a few doozies of anual meetings myself.

Gratefuly, today's anual meeting was neither boring, nor divisive. That should be surprise enough. But to add to the surprises, there were awesome hopes and dreams shared, great questions asked and so many reasons to be excited about the upcoming year.

My favorite piece from a very positive anual meeting were the closing words by Dave Oswald. Dave shared how last year's $500 Outreach Budget served over 20,000 people. How does human logic explain that? This can only be attributed to God. Thank you lord for that wonderful surprise of what You can do when we just join together with what you are already doing. Awesome!

Now it is up to you my friends and fellow Rejoicers, click the "Comment" button below to share your "Surprises." God is Good All the Time. Give 'em Heaven!

2009 Habitat 500 Ride

Day 1 Saturday, July 11, 2009 - Arrival
Megan and I arrived in Faribault, MN. We met some friends from last year's ride. What great people! Tim D. (this is the guy the actually bikes across the entire USA) arrived from Colorado (Megan and Me 0 miles...Tim D. already 1200) It is more than humbling to do this ride with such giants. Even so, this ride is not about the riders, but the people with inadequate housing. On the way to Faribault (our first evening's lodging), Megan noticed a Habitat for Humanity House. It was a great reminder of why we do this ride. It was also great to reacquaint myself with and introduce Megan to the "Ride Support Team." What an awesome group of servants. As a side note. It was too bad that we did not have video of me relearning how to put up my sister's tent. Thank you guy next to me with a hammer...boy was the ground hard! Back to the ride, I am so excited to share this year's ride with my wonderful daughter Megan. It is fun to introduce her to all of these awesome servants. I think she can already see why I love this week: great people, great experience and an even greater cause! Thank you to all you friends and family who made this week possible with your generous donations. Thank you and God bless you all!


Day 2 Sunday, July 12 Faribault to Rochester
First day riding. Perfect Day! 80 degrees and next no wind. Partly cloudy, rolling hills with smooth roads. What a dream! Megan did great! We did not ride super fast (14 mph average, finishing in the middle of the pack) A great start. Thanks for the prayers. Keep them coming! P.S. Thanks to our friends Paul and Jill from Rochester, MN (it was great to spend at least one night of the ride in a real bed!)

Day 3 Monday July 13 Rochester to Rushford
Today was an up and down day...that is we went up some hills and down some hills. The first half of the day we had to climb two very large hills between Rochester and Fountain, MN. After Fountain, we jumped on the Root River Trail. (the RR Trail is one of the former railroad lines converted to bike trail) The RRT was simply gorgeous. It winds its way through Minnesota's "No Drift Zone." That is, a place where ancient glaciers did not drift across the land like most of MN and the Dakotas, but left the ground hilly/semi-mountainous in SE MN, SW WI and NE IA. From Fountain to Lanesboro we rode downhill for literally 15 miles. I have not gone down hill for that long since my days in California in the mountains. I kept giggling to myself thinking, "maybe this is what it will be like in Heaven." Our final destination was Rushford, MN where we treated like kings and queens by the loving people of Rushford. Some of you may remember Rushford being in the news 2-3 years ago for a devastating flood...it was an Aberdeen, SD sort of flood. (citywide) After dinner, one of the of the residents shared her story about the flood and about how the whole community rallied around the town's flood victims. Tomorrow we will be working on one of those houses that is in the process of being refurbished. Please keep the prayers coming. Tomorrow we will ride up what some are calling "the mountain." (as if there are mountains in MN...but it is a 2 mile curving uphill climb @ a 6-8 percent grade Tour de France stuff) So keep praying, we feel your prayers and we need them! Give 'em Heaven!

Day 4 Rushford to Rushford (a loop through the no-drift zone)
Megan and I survived "the hill/mountain." We went up slow and steady, certainly not at Lance Armstrong speed, but we did make it to the top without stopping. After today's ride, Megan and I went over to the Habitat for Humanity home in Rushford and helped shingle the roof. After working on the home, we were treated once again by the beautiful people of Rushford for an evening BBQ, with bluegrass music, corn on the cob and lots of great deserts. The new home owner addressed the crowd with tears of gratitude in her eyes for her new home...and...new bikes provided for her whole family from the H500 riders. It was a very touching evening. Tomorrow is the 100 mile ride, so we will definitely need your prayers tomorrow...so keep the prayers coming! Give 'em Heaven!

Day 5 Rushford to Grand Meadow
Today was the 100 mile day. It was both beautiful and challenging. The first 60 miles were along a different section of the Root River Trail that was again beautiful. The last 40 miles were a 40 mile gradual uphill climb into 20-25 mph wind...brutal! Megan learned the biking art of "drafting" (out of necesity) and we completed the ride with teamwork and tenacity. You all should be very proud of Megan. She did great! Tomorrow Austin MN and the "Spam Museum" (no foolin') and then later Albert Lea. Keep the prayers coming. Give 'em Heaven!

Day 6 Grand Meadow to Albert Lea
Today's ride was a lot like a ride out in the country around Sioux Falls...uphill both ways into the wind. But seriously, we again battled 20-30 mph wind the whole 80 miles through corn fields and soy bean fields offering little to no wind break. Only on the last 5 miles did we turn back west to come back to Albert Lea and finally the wind was at our back. After a much needed shower, we rode over to First Lutheran: Albert Lea for a huge, wonderful potluck. God bless the Lutherans! It was feast...and...yes there was tater-tot casserole and green jello, plus thankfully no lutefiske. Tomorrow we ride from Albert Lea to Lake Crystal (10 miles west of Mankato). The weather calls for surprize "stong winds" again, plus cold! Keep the prayers coming! Give 'em Heaven!

Day 7 Albert Lea to Lake Crystal
Although today was not the longest day of the week, it sure felt like it! Many 10-15 year Habitat 500 riders said that today was in the top 1 to 2 hardest rides in memory. Brian from Sheboygan, WI said, "Tim, I have been doing this ride for 8 years now and this year's ride is the hardest ride that I have ever done!" So I am very proud to share that Megan completed the hardest 440 miles in recent memory. Megan and I definitely want to thank you for your prayers along the way, we have so needed every prayer! We have been totally tested this week physically, mentally and even spiritually. Keep the prayers coming. Tomorrow our trek finally turns west and we should finally have the wind at our back for part of the ride. Give 'em Heaven!

Day 8 Lake Crystal back to Faribault
The Finish Line! Today we travelled from Lake Crystal back to Faribault where we started. Gratefully the wind was either diminished or at our side and/or on some rare occassions even at our backs. Thankfully today was an easier ride because our spirits and our legs were nearly broken by the last 3 1/2 days of brutal headwinds. Maybe I should say today was less difficult rather than easier. Today we had our steepest climb of the entire ride. We turned into a hill near Mankato that was 1/2 mile up at a 13 percent grade...eek! In addition, the trail from Mankato to Faribault was a bit bumpy. This did not help that our backsides were quite sore from 6 days of steady riding...and my 44 year old wrists, neck and back was in pain after every bump. Nonetheless today was shorter (68 miles) and the wind was diminished (compared to the previous 3 days). The highlight of the day was coasting across the finish line holding the hand of my awesome daughter above our heads in victory/accomplishment. Great memories! I could not be prouder of my daughter than I am right now. Megan is definitely a loving, strong woman with a wonderful heart and determined, unbreakable spirit. Praise God for this Vision Quest of sorts. And praise God for each of you and your prayers! We could not have done it without your prayers! Our love to you all! Give 'em Heaven!