MathMan'sRuminations

Tuesday October 10

2006-10-10T15:07:00.000-07:00

I have been remiss in blogging lately. I am somewhat discouraged to see the lack of response from the fpu community with the Surprise Me experiment. Maybe that is why I have been lackluster in my own involvement.

Be that as it may, God is truly faithful and has been able to surprise me with blessings upon blessings.

Hang on Rose is calling me, another blessing.
...
I am back sort of. Well it seems as though the difficulties we have been having at home with the shopping center right behind us, continue. The managers of the stores are really understanding but the property managers, who are out of town, are indifferent to the needs of the community. But God is faithful, in that we are developing some real allies in the people of the store owner/managers, a fairly powerful ally at that.

Each day though this week has had a surprise from God. Earlier last week, my wife had lost an earring (something to do with poor backings etc. I am from the era where men don't wear earrings so i don't have direct knowledge) it was a new gift from her birthday in August, she was pretty disappointed to lose it. She had gone most of the day wearing the earrings and couldn't imagine where she might have lost it. Then two days later up it pops in the middle of the carpet. She was very happy and surprised. A blessing of no small measure really.

Church on Sunday had its moments of both pleasant and unpleasant surprise. Worship, which I was able to assist in was sweet. However on the same day an occurrence happened that while surprising was quite unpleasant. I have wondered for a long time if the size of my church is a detriment or blessing. You see we have about 1000-1200 adults who meet in two services in the morning, the early service is more heavily attended while the second is about 60% the size of the first. I have been a member of this church for more than 20 years, my wife closer to 30 years. During the morning worship a man who is considered a pillar of our body leans over to introduce himself to us, well we have known him for most of his 15 to 20 years of fellowship here at our church, we have been to his home, prayed with him for various things, shared communion together but here he is leaning over to say, "Hi my name is>>>>>. Who are you and how long have you been here?" Things like that could make people, who may not feel too secure in their relationship with God, wonder what this whole "not foresaking the gathering together..." admonition of Paul is all about.
I have to add that while God knew this was going to happen and that we would be made to feel invisible at some level, He had a plan to redeem it the whole time. Because shortly after that a dear brother and good friend walked right up and casually asked how things were going for us and then when we related this story to him, he took the time to listen, care, and pray with us. Thank you Jesus for always holding onto us all.

I have to say that reading Terry's book does make the case for the author's lifestyle. I mean really, work a few hours here and there, meet with some friends for lunch, go for a bike ride, meet some other friends for dinner, take the dog for a walk, spend some time chatting with your wife or daughters, write a blog late at night. Yeah maybe that writing thing isn't so bad after all. (Terry if you do read this, please know my tongue is firmly planted well into my cheek. I know it isn't all gravy) Like the life of a math professor is so hard.

Wed. 10-4

2006-10-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

No posting yesterday as it was rose and my anniversary. We spent the afternoon together, didn't get to eat as nice a dinner as we had hoped (life goes on with all its responsibilities despite our celebrating) Jesus did have a few surprises for me though during the day. In spite of the fact that our expectations were to have a quiet dinner at Claim Jumper and that didn't work out, we were both ok with how it did, neither of us were really disappointed. Twenty five years together will teach you to roll with the punches i suppose. We will be celebrating later in the week and again later in the month we will be going away for the weekend together. Now that was a surprise i was able to be a part of.
Rose and I haven't had the chance to get away together alone for more than a single night in many many years. and even those single nights alone are very few and far between. Well I have been able to arrange, completely behind her back mind you, a three night stay at a location I will not disclose here(she may read this you know). She was surprised when I told her that we were going to get to do it, surprised that I was able to ensure that the weekend remained free of other committments and equally surprised that she won't have to do too much in the way of preparation except packing. Thanks to our new neighbors, the Jensens, and our oldest daughter Jocelyn for graciously agreeing to be of assistance in the time we are gone, so rose will be less anxious and can relax on the warm beaches of... ah ah ahhhh i aint gonna tell you anymore.

Well today is wed. and as such it is one of those days where my classes run together at lunch time and that makes me hungry. At any rate my classes were fun today.

2006-10-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

I am hoping that soon I will get this surprisemegod.com thing worked out, right now I am not able to view any one elses blogs from fpu. This will get taken care of soon I believe.

Today's weather again was a major surprise for me. Didn't expect to have two days in a row that would turn out this cool and grey already in October. Makes you wonder what will happen this winter I suppose.

Can I just say that tomorrow is Willy's last day as the center of information around campus. It will be difficult to find anything out now, as he has always been for free access of information and that with a good laugh too. Willy you will be missed around here, I hope God just surprises your socks right off with the blessings He can pour out on you. God bless you friend.

Not much surprising so far today though, I got a little caught up in the business of teaching today, not a surprise at all for me, ask my wife. I am hoping for more attentive eyes and ears during this month.

Surprise Day 1

2006-10-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

Well I prayed those three words that I hope turn out to be just a rich source of joy for us all this morning. Then promptly went to church not really expecting much to happen, but lo and behold, Jesus and my pastor had something else in mind. We had a rich time of worship singing, which is life to me, followed by a brief sermon on the sacrament of communion. Now that may not seem like much for some folk but you have to realize that I attend a Foursquare Gospel church where the term "sacrament" is by itself nearly anathema because of its ties to legalism and formalism. So a sermon on a sacrament was in itself a great surprise. Then further to my surprise the pastor did not shy away from more traditional titles for this sacrament, Mass, Eucharist etc. as is our wont we spent a bit of time in word study on each of those familiar but nearly cliche terms. Again a source of surprise, thank you very much Jesus!
As if this were not enough, the pastor shortened his sermon(does that qualify as a surprise or a miracle? :-) ), and gave time during the service for some real contemplation and thought while the whole pastoral staff were stationed around the sanctuary waiting to serve each person individually the cup and cracker. While they were serving they were also to be praying for specific "words" from God for those they served. Now again it is important to note that I attend a Foursquare church, where it isn't a strange idea for someone to listen to the Holy Spirit to give some one else a word of encouragement, admonishment or guidance etc. My point is this that the pastoral staff member who served me the elements today gave me a word that was a total surprise, not one I would have ever expected to hear, but yet gave me such thrill to hear. I don't feel as though I can share the contents of that word but suffice it to say I will be waiting expectantly to see its fruition.

The rest of this day was somewhat typical for a Sunday at my home, came home from churhc, cooked brunch, attempted to rest some, then I changed the oil in my daughter's car while she was up at Keola. I guess she didn't go for the extra credit swim, bummer that would have been a great story.
After that we all went to dinner.
I have to say that today's weather was also a big surprise, I am awfully glad not to be a raisin farmer today though, and hope for those who are that we get a good drying wind in the next few days.

I have to say that I am enjoying Terry's book, but wonder if some of its appeal to me is also on a life-style level. The thought of setting my own schedule, eating lunch at sidewalk cafe's with my daughter's or friends daily, and following that all up with a good bit of hard exercise sounds very appealing, but not very likely given my circumstances.

Well maybe God has a surprise in store for me through my sleep tonight. I am looking forward to it since I missed my traditional sunday afternoon snooze.

Blessings on all who may read this

First Post

2006-09-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to start the experiment tomorrow. Can't wait to see what God has in store for this month!