Day 21-30 Easter

This 30-day experiment has been great. God has been full of surprises every day, every moment. Like I said earlier, it doesn't matter if I pray the prayer or not. The prayer "surprise me, God" doesn't make God go, "O, yeah, I think I'll surprise Mark today". God has surprises everywhere, everyday, every moment. The prayer is for me to remind me to look for them.
Our experiment has ended with Easter Sunday - the greatest surprise of them all! Jesus rising from the dead. That must have really shocked everyone - the disciples, the Pharisees, the Jews, the Romans, everyone. But why were the disciples and Pharisees shocked? If they new the scriptures, they would have known this would happen. And Jesus kept trying to tell them. How often am I like this. God is telling me what I need to know, or do, or see, or understand, and I am so slow to learn it. Then I am shocked by what happens - sometimes good, sometimes bad. God help me to listen, to understand, and live with the confidence that You want to fill my life with good things and great surprises. But help me to always remember that some of the best things and greatest surpises come at the end of something very difficult - like the road you took to the cross. Thank you for loving me that much.
M

Day 16-20

Surprise Me, God.

One of the lessons of this experiment so far has been that maybe God wants to use us to surprise others. It's like the movie "Bruce Almighty" where Jim Carey encourages everyone to "be the miracle". I like that. Isn't that what we're supposed to do everyday? Be the miracle? Be the hands and feet of Christ to others? Serve them, reach out to people in need. Be the Miracle.

This last week was full of surprises.

Work surprises - good and difficult. Challenges are hard to go through but they always teach you something and are occassions for growth.

Saturday, spent the day at the Science Museum with James and Gracie. Once again my kids surprise me. To watch them soak in a demonstration about "matter" or touch slime, or snakes, or alligators. Then to watch them take in the "Magic of Flight" movie in the omni theater.

They are amazing little sponges - soaking in everything around them. Help me be like that God. Thanks for these treasures in my life!

Sunday night had a great, long conversation with my wife about life, love, future, stuff, hearing from God. I am continually surprised and thankful that I have been given such an amazing wife and friend.

Help me be a better dad and husband.

Help me surprise my family everyday.

Days 9-15

Surprises of the week:
A date with my daughter on Friday for breakfast at the Countryside Cafe that was too amazing for words.
A conference at ITeams on Saturday with a guest speaker from Costa Rica named Woody who encouraged us to "jump". Moved me deeply.
A special time on Saturday after the conference with Naini's family - picking up her furniture to deliver on Monday to recently arrived Somali refugees. Naini passed away on Feb. 27th. Naini is a Christian and the rest of her family are Hindu. Amazing how Naini's life continues to bless and help others after her death. She donated her organs and other parts of her body to others around the state and country and now her furniture is going to help these refugees. Her family is wonderful and they want to get involved helping serve others through the meals ministry and furniture delivery ministry at Northwood.

Sunday - a beautiful, sunny Sunday. Hopefully winter is coming to an end! James and I went to Lake Calhoun with our bikes - rode around the lake and had a picnic dinner together. I have an amazing son. His passion, creativity and personality stun me.

Then delivered the furniture Monday evening to two Somali families. Both were very appreciative and the second man Hamza even wants to help us on our next delivery run. That would mean we could have a Muslim, Hindu and Christians all delivering furniture to refugees in the Twin Cities. God is up to something here.

Surprise Me, God!

Day 8

I love this picture from Yahoo the other day. This is what the surprise experiment is about. Seeing God in every little thing and taking the time to get down on our knees or our face and look for it.
A few surprises from the day:
Realizing how God weaves together our worship at Northwood every Sunday. I do my part to prepare, but it's tiny compared to what God does. I picked a song "You Alone" not realizing that a line in the chorus was straight from the verse for the day. "why do you call me good...no one is good except God alone." song - "You alone are Father and You alone are good".
Then choosing a special song for this coming Sunday, I pick one out and call Stephanie to let her know and she says that's really interesting because she was going to call me about the same exact song. Surprise.
Then tonight my wife told me how our daughter Gracie is collecting pictures she has drawn to give to her grandpa Jim when she sees him in heaven. It's obvious why Jesus loved the kids. Their faith is so far beyond mine.
Thanks God for the surprises of the day.
I think this prayer is for me not You. You send the surprises every day whether I pray the prayer or not. The prayer helps me look for them.

Day 4-7

Interesting week of Surprises. It's been a beautiful one with the new snow and sunny days. I think seeing/experiencing God in creation is my favorite way to worship Him. Always surprised by beauty.
Had a fun Saturday speaking at a worship retreat for Valley Free church in Chaska. Enjoyed meeting all these new friends and really enjoyed just worshipping together and their questions. Surprised by how refreshing it was just to talk again about worship and remind myself why it's so important to make it my #1 priority, every day in the way I live my life. The frustrating surprise about the day continues to be my voice problems. This has been going on for over a year now and I keep asking God to heal it and I'm gonna be like the persistent widow on this thing. I believe God can and will heal me. It's not happening quickly though. And I feel that at this point in my life I've got more to say than ever and I can't say it. What are you trying to teach me God? To shut up and listen more? Most of the time that my voice doesnt' work it's about my pride and feeling like I sound silly or people feel sorry for me - or I'm just plain frustrated that I can't communicate clearly.
I know alot of family and friends are praying about this and maybe God will surprise me by healing this during this surprise me experiment!
Today at church went really well, and I'm surprised and encouraged by what I see God doing all around us.
Surprised by 2 shows we saw this weekend - "The Cubicle" and "Walter Wading" down at the Loring. God is doing cool things through a new theater and dance company that Corey and Betsy Mills have started called SPARK and the Cubicle is from Jeremiah Gamble and Corey. Both are great examples of creative ways to reach the world with the truths of Jesus without being religious and preachy. I'm looking forward to seeing how we can bring these shows to Maple Grove and invite our neighbors to see them.
That's all for now...

Day 3

Surprises:
Early morning walk around the lake - cold. Tried to say hi and engage people I passed but no one really wanted to talk. Just wanted to keep moving to stay warm.
My daughter Gracie - Her smiles and kisses always surprise me.
My wife Kathy - she's so much fun to live with. Funny, creative, smart. She's working on new antique/crafty things to sell and I'm impressed and surprised by her ideas today. If one doesn't work she moves on to the next one.
Work - Surprising conversation with a friend from CA. Deep stuff going on in his life, tough stuff. But he surprises me with his faith, patience and maturity. Also, he easily forgive those who have hurt and wronged him. I'm learning some lessons from him.
Practice - I'm thankful for great musicians to play and sing with.
Tonight, another snow storm rolling in. Surprise.

Day 2

Today was an amazingly beautiful day. A perfectly sunny day after a snow storm. Everything sparkles and it's so bright that not even sunglasses can really cut it. Kinda like when they couldn't look at Moses because he was shinning so bright after being with God up on the mountain. Maybe today is just a little glimpse of how bright God's glory shines.
Work was great today. Started with coffee with Tim who is giving his faith story this Sunday. He's been through so much and yet God has brought him through, and his desire to obey God in every detail of his life is more than inspiring.
Then a surprise lunch with Brian and Julie to "bond". I'm so thankful for the team I work with. They are a gift from God. And the blue cheese dressing at Ruby Tuesday is always surprising and perky.
Afternoon staff meeting. It's always good to pray together.
I'm thankful and surprised by God at how he has answered prayers in a huge way and led Brian and his family to Northwood. Brian is encouraging, patient, wise and great with people. I could go on...God is using him to rebuild my hope and renew my passion. Thanks God.
Tonight after dinner I took my kids to Krispy Kreme. The definite highlight of an already great day was seeing my kids dancing to the music together in the middle of the restaurant. James is an amazing dancer. I'm not just talking a kid dancing. I mean, he's got the moves. He studies old movies, dance moves, grooves, he's into it. And then he and Gracie get this swing dance thing going, he twirls Gracie around, dips her, the whole thing.
I'm so proud of my kids. And they teach me not to worry about what people think. Just enjoy, have fun, don't be in a rush, dance, let go, smile, laugh, be silly, and do it in public. Who cares. I just sat there and smiled and soaked it all in.
I can learn alot from my kids. God help me to come to You like a child.