Mission Maker Suicide

Due to circumstances beyond my control, design and production of Mission Maker Magazine is 1 month behind schedule. I will be back to regular posting at the end of September. (That is if I haven't died due to lack of sleep.) ;)

I would definitely appreciate your prayers.

—b

Enjoy the Freshness...

...Celebrate the Difference

On Monday and Wednesday of this week, I did freelance work for Chef Tri Dey Mayer of Lemon Grass Kitchen. (For those of you who have been reading this blog for a while now, you may remember this post.)

Tri Dey is the lovely wife of the "CityView Report guy." She will be graduating from the culinary arts here really soon and has already been catering for a few years now. Anyway, she has wanted an updated logo. Pictured above is the result of our work together.

It's not that her last one was bad, (pictured on the left) but it's always fun to come up with something...well...fresh.
Eventually (probably sometime in December or January) she will have a website and will be making millions and millions of dollars and she'll be taking me with her. ;) Well, I don't know about the millions of dollars but I'm excited to see a website of her yumminess.

—b

ON A SIDE NOTE: I apologize for the inconsistancy of my posting. My goal is to post one a day, even if it is just the results of my quiet time, but recently I have been as John Mayer put it, "blogged out". Hopefully I'll get back on track soon. Thanks everyone for coming back. It's always fun to see the hit counter go up and comments on posts.


Thursday, August 24th 2006/Psalm chapters 96-101

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not fasten its grip on me.
—Psalm 101:3

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
Some great principles are crammed into this verse.

1. I won't tempt myself with situations that may cause me to sin
2. Hate the work (not the people) of those who revolt against God. (Note it said "hate" not "tolerate".)
3. Because that same work 0f #2 may tempt me and lead me to sin, I will stay away knowing it could "fasten its grip on me;" Hense #1
   

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Church of the Earth (Brothers of the Earth), Minneapolis

Our New Car!

Meet PHRED

The end of last week saw some interesting vehicle developements. Behold the end results...

Last Thursday I posted problems with our Jeep, Betty. She had some major oil leakage. After taking her to our regular mechanic (Master Automotive), we were told we had some spendy work that needed to be done. YEA! (No fault of Jiffy Lube...I guess.) Anyway, by the end of Thursday we had a few hundred less dollars in our pocket and a Jeep with ductape holding back the oil. (I'm assuming they put a new part on but who knows.)

With a sigh of relief that our car problems were over, we continued life as normal for the rest of the day.

The next morning was Bella's last day of womanhood. We finally got her spayed. Thankfully Erin had prepared for that expense, so no big deal. On our way out of the vet's office, we were greeted to Betty making a mess in the parking lot.

Hmmm...what did we just pay for again? Begin round two at Master Automotive.

I dropped Erin off at work and headed immediately over to Master. When I parked I noticed that Betty was still leaking. (I was relieved only because I had a fear of telling what had happend and then they weren't able to find anything.)

"It's probably just water", is what I was told after describing the leak to them. "After fixing the oil leak, we scrubbed down the engine." So I showed them were it was leaking. "Ah ha! See! Look, it's leaking!" (I didn't say that but I was thinking it.) Mr. Mechanic leaned down, dipped his finger in Betty's waste and declared, "Yep, it's water."

"Huh?" (Thank you Lord for this lesson in humility.)

"But it isn't because I scrubbed it down. Your water pump is leaking."

"D'oh!" (Thank you Lord for reminding me that we need you to provide everything.)

By the end of Friday, we our Jeep back and were Master Automotive's "Most Valuable Customer's of the Week." (I'm thinking of hanging the plaque in my cube.)

So how did we end up with PHRED?

Well, that same mechanic had a classic VW Beetle he was looking to part with. We have been looking for a car so my ears perked up. He told us it was the perfect vehicle and unlike all other cars, the classic Bug's actually increase in value instead of decreasing! Cool huh! He said it was worth about $42,000 but he would sell it for $17,000. By the end of 2007, he expects the value to rise to $48,000!

So without needing to look up the price on Kelly's Blue Book, we took it. It only has 212,000 miles on it and the only thing that needs to be replaced was the head gasket. It would take only $500 more dollars to fix it. So we are still in good shape.

...ok, so I'm lying to you right now. I may be a moron when it comes to cars but I'm not that stupid. ;) (I can only imagine Erin's dad quickly getting us on the phone asking if we can get our money back. Sorry Kevin.)

All of our other car fun is true though. Unfortunately. But luckily we still have our wits about us.

—b


Monday, August 21st 2006/Psalm chapters 81-87

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
"But My people did not listen to My voice,
And Israel did not obey Me.
So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart,
To walk in their own devices.
Oh that My people would listen to Me,
That Israel would walk in My ways!"
—Psalm 81:11-13

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
Obviously the Lord is speaking of Israel, but the same principle applies to us. The Lord is not going to make us do His will. It is in our own best interests but He isn't going to force us to do anything. Having said that, if we continue to disobey Him, He will not stand in our way and we will find out the hard way why we are not to disobey Him.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Church of the Deep Ecology, Minneapolis

Jiffy Lube vs. Jeep

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

Yesterday morning I got an oil change. (Exciting huh?) Well, that's what I thought until after work when Erin noticed the Jeep peeing oil all over the garage. Were not not talking a little either.

After putting a couple of buckets to catch what was left, I called Jiffy Lube and told them what had happened and asked them if they noticed anything concerning leaking oil when I brought it in. "Nothing major."

Hmmm...

So I drove it back and had them take a look at it. It was two younger guys and they determined that it was leaking oil. (They honestly told me that. I thought it was kind of funny.) Anyway they topped it off and told me they couldn't do anything more for me.

So after a quick trip to Target to pick up some cat litter to soak up Jeep urine, I headed for freelance (which I was already running an hour and 15 minutes late). When I got there, guess what, yep, Betty (my Jeep's name) couldn't hold her bladder any longer.

With freelance being cancelled, I pulled back into the driveway and popped the hood. This time I noticed the oil cap was missing. With it being 8:15, I figured I'd get Jiffy Lube's answering machine. Nope, they were still there. Two minutes later I pulled in there garage and they gave me a new oil cap. But that's all they gave me. I asked more questions as to what could have happened, and they started talking to me in "car code". I gathered they didn't know.

So here we are. 9:14 and I'm about to head over to Master Automotive for them to take a look at Betty's irritable bowl syndrome. Hopefully it will be a quick, cheap fix. We'll see. In any case, the Lord will provide whatever funds or help needed to get through this speed bump.

...to be continued.

(Isn't it funny how "God's Message for Me Today" really is God's message for me today?)

—b


Thursday, August 17th 2006/Psalm chapters 65-68

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
Bless our God, O peoples,
And sound His praise abroad,
Who keeps us in life
And does not allow our feet to slip.
For You have tried us, O God;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
You brought us into the net;
You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.
You made men ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water,
Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.
—Psalm 65:8-12

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
God is going to test us. No so He knows how much we love Him, but so we know how much we love Him. This passage compares our trials to refining metal. The Lord will continually refine us through hardships so that more and more of our impurities may be removed. In the end, the Lord will lead us through and we will be much stronger (faith wise) having gone through our refining process.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Church of All Worlds, Minneapolis

Psalm chapters 56-64

Wednesday, August 16th 2006/Psalm chapters 56-64

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
So I will sing praise to Your name forever,
That I may pay my vows day by day.
—Psalm 60:8

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
"...pay my vows day by day."—The vow to praise.

How many times do we praise the Lord after He has answered a prayer? Do we even think about thatnking Him? Far too often I am guilty of not thanking my heavenly Father for an answered prayer.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Children of the Wiccan Council, Lakeville

An Anna-bug Weekend

Weekend Theme: Anna and Bugs!

It has been a long time since Anna had been over. It's not for a lack of wanting to see her but for a lack of opportunity. We definitely missed her.

Friday we picked her up from daycare and, of course, one of the first questions is "Where's Bella?" And we used our default answer, "In her kennel sleeping." Like clockwork. It's kinda fun knowing some things haven't changed.

That night Anna and Bella were inseperable. From going on walks, to playing with Bella's toys, and even Bella sleeping next to her young babysitter. Bella did really well with all of Anna's love.

Saturday (after playing with Bella in the park) we headed out to the movie "Ant Bully." It was one of those that I really didn't want to see. I'm usually attracted the Pixar-type movies but this one didn't appeal to me. Maybe that's why I ended up liking it so much. I was really suprised. A great cast of actors/voices, story, funny, and, a lot of action. What impressed me even more was that it was done using Texas Instruments: DLP technology. Wow. I think the famous THX has met it's match.

Following the end of the movie, it was time to say goodbye. We all had a lot of fun. Even Bella.

Sunday, Erin and I picked up J-Bone for some food and shopping and, of course, one of the first questions is "Where's Bella?" (No he didn't really say that, I was just trying to keep you on your toes.) But he did want to go to Best Buy.

So after the boys found their DVD's (I picked up the classic "Ladybugs") our tummies were making funny noices so we ended up at Champ's sports bar and grill for some fine dining.

Up next came car shopping. Erin has been looking at cars for a while now. After a bunch of research and recommendations, the top 3 choices are ones that I would have never guessed: Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, and the Honda Civic. All foreign cars. That is a stretch for me. But if I'm going to listen to the reports, that's what we got. Anyway, we are still in the beginning stages, but I'd like to think we are getting closer to finding the right car for us.

That night, we kept it low key as I was needing some rest and Erin watched some TV and did some cleaning. I think those are my favorite nights.

—b


Monday, August 14th 2006/Psalm chapters 46-50

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
"For every beast of the forest is Mine,
The cattle on a thousand hills."
I know every bird of the mountains,
And everything that moves in the field is Mine.
If I were hungry I would not tell you,
For the world is Mine, and all it contains."
—Psalm 50:10–12

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
It's God's. Everything we have. Everything we work for. It's God's. Out life, well, that's God's too. We have to remember that we are just passing through our life here on earth. And instead of trying to accumulate stuff while we're here, we should store up treasures that will actually last — those in heaven.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Celtic Youth Circle, Anoka

MySpace Me

professional, arn't i.

Yestday was spent setting up STEM's other designers new iMac. As you can probably guess, it came with a web-cam built in. I had some with it's different filters. (By the way, the photos are on my MySpace page.)

Anyway, this weekend Erin and I are watching Anna. (Or should I say Anna is watching Bella.) Bella is very good with Anna. I think half the time Bella is being awkwardly carried around.

Well, I'm going to have to end it hear since Anna is demanding my attention right now.

—b



Saturday, August 12th 2006/Psalm chapters 36-41

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
For my iniquities are gone over my head;
As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.
My wounds grow foul and fester
Because of my folly.
—Psalm 38:4 and 5

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
It is far too easy to end up way over our head in trouble. It always starts out as a "small" sin but we keep feeding it and before we know it, we can't get out of the hole we dug for ourselves. Pslam 38 is all about that. The last two verses of 38 consists of the psalmnist desperately crying out for help from the Lord.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Celtic Goddess, Bloomington

Mission Maker Teaser

SIDE A
[chant] We have Spirit yes we do!
We have Spirit how 'bout you!

SIDE B
[chant] We have Spirit yes we do!
We have Spirit how 'bout you!

BOTH SIDES
[chant] We have more!
We have more!
We have more!

So which Country has the most Christians? It's gotta be the United States right? Nope. It's Africa. 48,260 new Christians everyday! Everyday! That's 18,000 more people than my hometown of Moorhead that are going to go to heaven. Everyday! In fact, North America is 5th.

Hmmm...not so Christian now are we?

Anyway, that is just a glimpse of the info that the lead article this year will contain. What the graphic designers (me and Dena) challenge is, is to display the info so that people will actually want to read it. I am one of those people who sees a page with graphs, charts, and numbers and I will turn it not giving it the time of day.

So how do you make statistics interesting?

Well, if you ask Barry Bonds, Floyd Landis, or Hulk Hogan, use steroids. But since we don't have access to the magazine version of the drug, we have to use our creativity. Hopefully God will give us some amazingly effective ideas and concepts. Only time will tell how it turns out. I'm interested in what the feedback will be.

Anyway, I'm currently engrossed in Mission Maker and hopefully it won't turn into a tremendous burden. My biggest challege is not design and art direction, but rather giving it up to God. I always want to do it my self and when that happens, it will never reach it's full potential.

—b


Thursday, August 10th 2006/Psalm chapters 26-31

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones,
And give thanks to His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
—Psalm 30:4 and 5

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
We all have our "good days" and "bad days" and sometimes those days (good and bad) can stretch into weeks or even longer. If you happen to be on a "bad day" stretch, just remember each new morning brings a renewed hope. A hope that God has heard our cries and will lift whatever burden may have been upon us. So persevere through those "bad days" knowing you have justified hope in the Lord.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Celestial Order of the Temple of Olympus, Minneapolis

Spuddogs—Season 4

SPUDDOGS4

With the NFL season nearly upon us, it's time to start gearing up for the annual Eidsmoe/Johnson rivalry.

Each year, the Eidsmoe's and Johnson's compete in a free-for-all to see who can correctly "predict" the outcome of the most NFL regular season games. It has been really fun even for those who aren't interested in football. Just participating in something together has been a great conversation piece and a good way to get bragging rights (or lose them).

The winner receives a traveling trophy call the JETT (Johnson Eidsmoe Traveling Trophy). It's a miniature football helmet on a plaque with their name engraved. They also autograph the helmet along with the year they won. (I'd show you a picture but I haven't won it yet.) :(

The first three winners have been Kevin, Leif, and Bruce. Our list of competitors include Kevin, De, Josh, Bruce, Deb, Leif, Cyri, Erin, and myself. This year I'm hoping to wrangle Emily and Danae into the group since they are holding us back and we can't really have fun until they join...But I'm not going to result to peer pressure. ;)

Anyway it's fun to know that every year people are looking forward to it. So even if our respective teams (Vikings and Packers) have a down season, we can still control our own destiny and have no one to blame but ourselves if we lose.

—b

Here is the answer to the last regular post. I've heard some of you have found all 21. Good. Next time I'll make it harder for all of you smarty-pants'!

P.S. Happy Birthday Dad!



Tuesday, August 8th 2006/Psalm chapters 11-18

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt;
There is no one who does good, not even one.
—Psalm 14:3

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Paul echos this point in Romans 3:23. The psalmist even goes on to say in Psalm 16:2, "I have no good besides You." We must put all of our hope and faith in God. People will always let us down because no one is perfect. Husbands, wives, friends, and family. God is good, we are not.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Camelot of the Star of the North Coven, Minneapolis

Urban Mpls. Day 5

(Sorry, it's scrambled.)

Urban Mpls. Day 4

Urban Mpls. Day 3

Urban Mpls. Day 2

Urban Mpls. Day 1

Golfing Minneapolis

(click to enlarge)

Fore!..err...21!

With STEM's golfing fundraiser taking place on Saturday and that same day, Erin and I will be leading a week-long urban Minneapolis mission trip, I thought it would be fun to combine the two. So if you are bored, see if you can find the 21 golf balls in the picture. I will reveal where they are when we return on Friday, August 4th.

Also, be sure to stop back during the upcoming week. Even though I won't be able to update the blog traditionally, I will attempt to phone-in and audio blog to let you know what we did on our mission trip each day.

—b


Friday, July 28th 2006/Job chapters 15-18

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
"They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity,
And their mind prepares deception."
—Job 15:35

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
I will just copy what it says in my study Bible since I couldn't add to their statement. "Once initiated, sinful thoughts develop quickly into evil acts." Tht says it all.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Avalonline, Minneapolis

Courting Erin, Episode II

July 12, 2003, Erin and I became one.

An Adventure 3 Years in the Making: Episode II

Wednesday, July 26th, 2006 at 6:00pm, Chili's restaurant, 2 couples (Chris and Aletha Wachter and Bernt and Erin Eidsmoe) reunite after a 3 years absence. Will this reunion result in the excitement as the first meeting? Only time tell.

What am I talking about? A new movie? The reconciliation of Abba? Nope, something bigger. The first time these two couples connected, Erin and I met and eventually got married. And after our meeting with them at Chili’s last night, we are excited to see what the future holds as the four of reunite.

5 years ago, this September, the courtship of an unbreakable unity began. Erin Michelle Johnson and Bernt Bruce Eidsmoe met.

(...Continued from yesterday.)

Episode II Fall, 2001
I knew I liked Chris Wachter from day one. A great guy who loves the Lord. He is one of those Christians that reflects Christ like the "Bat Signal." There's no way anyone could miss it. So it didn't take long (probably the first day) that we found out about each other's relationship with Christ.

I was a noob (rookie) in my walk with the Lord and I'm sure it showed. I found out about the church he attended. Hope Community Church on the U of M campus. Whoa! What did you say! (That Bat Signal just nailed me like I was wearing infrared goggles.) (Like I said in the previous post, I was going to church but 100% of my heart was obviously not on finding the Lord.) All I heard was Christian college girls!

That week, I was the latest attendee of Hope Community Church. Much to my surprise, I really liked the church! And I didn't meet my future wife that Sunday either. This was a winner! I was honestly excited about going to church. (A first in my life.)

The best way to get involved in church (and meet more girls I might add) is to join a small Bible study group. That September, I met my future wife!

I had given a girl a ride to Bible study (see, I told ya chicks dig Jeeps.) ;) and we walked up the apartment building stairs. As I opened the door, there she was. The cutest girl in the room was sitting on the couch. I knew I just HAD to sit next to her. I quickly found her name. Erin.

After Chris introduced me to everyone, including what would turn out to be his future wife Aletha, we started out the night with a game of "spoons". A fun game but to be good at it, you have to be aggressive. And with just meeting everyone for the first time, I didn't want to show off my stuff. ;)

Round 1 of Spoons, Erin got eliminated from the game.
(Hmmm...)
Round 2 of Spoons, I got eliminated from the game.
(Coincidence? I'll let you decide.)

With both of us out of the game and everyone else deeply engrossed in strategy, she had no choice but to talk to me. (Pretty sneeky huh?) Anyway, at the end of the night, Erin and I already had our first nicknames given to us...Bert and Ernie.

Fast forward a couple of years, and the same Bert and Ernie who got eliminated from spoons, got married and Chris and Aletha were in the wedding party.

So what does all of that have to do with meeting Chris and Aletha at Chili's a few nights ago?

Well, not much really, but I just thought it would be fun to tell of how Erin and I met. But, having said that, Chris has now graduated from seminary and with that same church (Hope Community) serving as a "sister" church, he will be pastoring a brand new church plant. Week #1 for the new "Hiawatha" church (it's off of Hiawatha Ave.) will be the first Sunday in September. Erin and I will be there.

Will this also be our new church family? We don't know. But God used Chris and Aletha in the past to introduce Erin and I so who knows. Maybe God has brought Chris and Aletha back into our lives for increasing our courtship. Not the courtship between Erin and me, but between us and God!

MY UPDATED CHECKLIST
Step #1: Commit my life to Christ. Check
Step #2: Get a Jeep. Check (After all, chicks dig guys with Jeeps right?)
Step #3: Get the girl. Check
Step #4: Get a house. Check
Step #5: Get a dog. Check
Step #6: Ummm...Well God, you have given me more than I will ever deserve. I think my attitude should have been, "Lord, teach me to give to you."

—b

Courting Erin, Episode I

Chris and Aletha Wachter at our wedding on July 12, 2003

An Adventure 3 Years in the Making: Episode I

Wednesday, July 26th, 2006 at 6:00pm, Chili's restaurant, 2 couples (Chris and Aletha Wachter and Bernt and Erin Eidsmoe) reunite after a 3 years absence. Will this reunion result in the excitement as the first meeting? Only time tell.

What am I talking about? A new movie? The reconciliation of Abba? Nope, something bigger. The first time these two couples connected, Erin and I met and eventually got married. And after our meeting with them at Chili’s last night, we are excited to see what the future holds as the four of reunite.

5 years ago, this September, the courtship of an unbreakable unity began. Erin Michelle Johnson and Bernt Bruce Eidsmoe met.

Episode I Summer, 2000
I had recently recommitted my life to the Lord. Sure, I had accepted the Lord as my Savior in a prayer with my mom at the age of 5. I knew it was something special, but it wasn’t until I had turned 22 that I started to take it seriously. So after repenting and committing the rest of my life to the Lord, I knew that it was time to start going to church. Voluntarily I might add.

Yea! I’m a good Christian now! I said I’m sorry and now I’m going to church. I can’t achieve anything higher in my walk with the Lord. (I hope my sarcasm came through as thick as I was intending.)

The only thing about me going to church was that I had ulterior motives. GIRLS! (Mom and dad would be so proud.) Don’t get me wrong, I really did want to grow with Christ, I was just hoping for a little icing on the cake. (OK, so the cake I wanted was a frozen Dairy Queen cake that was topped with Recess Pieces and Cadbury Eggs.) I wanted it all. The easy Christian life, the brand new beautiful bride, and a Jeep, and a dog, and a house, and...and...and. You get the picture.

Step #1: Commit my life to Christ. Check
Step #2: Get a Jeep. Check (After all, chicks dig guys with Jeeps right?)
Step #3: Get the girl.

Hmmm...now I just needed to find a church that had lots of college aged girls. So how can I find that out? LEIF! My brother Leif was in college at the time and according to his reliable scouting report, the Northwestern College chicks went to the church home of Pastor John Piper, aka Bethlehem Baptist.

Well, a disappointing search revealed one thing to me about Bethlehem Baptist. Most of the “girls” were in there ‘40s. I was more likely to find a divorced soccer mom than a future Mrs. Eidsmoe. As the wise saying of Homer J. Simpson goes, D’oh!

Now what?

I didn’t know what to do. I really liked John Piper’s teaching but I knew that it wasn’t going to be a long-term church family for me. Because I didn’t know where else to go, I stayed there. At that time I wasn’t looking for God’s direction and I didn’t receive any flashing lights or neon signs telling me which church to go to. So I stayed put.

At the time I was working for Alan Furst, Inc. as a graphic designer. We needed help. It was just Alan and I and we had more work than we could handle. The answer for us came in the form of a young man named Chris Wachter.

As it turns out, God used Chris to answer more than just the "Help Wanted" ads.

...Episode 2 tomorrow.

—b



Thursday, July 27th 2006/Job chapters 10-14

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
"O that you would be completely silent,
And that it would become your wisdom!"
—Job 13:5

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
Immediately following the tragic events in Job's life, three of his friends sat with him, completely silent for an entire week. And after his friends incorrect advise, Job wishes they would remain silent.

How many times have I done this? I try and help and "fix things" with words, and I only seem to make things worse. My lesson here is that when someone is hurting, I need to just shut up and show them I care.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Avalon on Camelot, Woodbury

Job chapters 1-3

Tuesday, July 25th 2006/Job chapters 1-3

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!" But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
—Job 2:9 and 10

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
It is so easy to accept the blessings in life. But when adversity hits, we all to often quickly blame God and ask why? When times are good, do we thank God? When something goes your way, even something that seems insignificant, do you give credit to your heavenly Father?

When times are tough do we thank God? When life becomes difficult we need to remember that God blesses those who persevere under trial. (James 1:12) We need to look to the Lord in every situation asking for wisdom knowing God is always in control and knows how each situation will pan out.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Aurum Solis, the Order of the Sacred Word, St. Paul

Double Feature Sunday

Relaxing with "B" Movies

While still shell-shocked after the loss of the iPod, Erin and I needed to hide away. We took refuge in what both of us love to do, watch movies. Sunday happened to be a double feature.

Movie #1 was Camp Cucamonga (sounds like Coo-ca-mong-ga)
It was a made for TV movie that debued in 1990. Staring a then unknown Jennifer Anniston, Cliff Claven...err... John Ratzenberger as well as teens from "Full House", "Family Matters", and "The Wonder Years" just to name a few.

Basically a "B" movie but both Erin and I loved watching it when it came out 16 years ago. Obviously we didn't know each other then and we both thought it was funny each one of us remembered it. It is one of those movies where you can pretty much only find it online.

Movie #2 was Head Over Heels
This one stars Freddie Prinze Jr. and Monica Potter. A higher quality production than Cucamonga but, strangely, not nessasarily as well known. A fun mystery/drama would be the best way to describe it. Erin attaches memories of watching it with little sister Danae.

Supper consisted of grilled steaks and baked potatoes. Yum! A perfectly lazy dinner to go with our perfectly lazy day. We both needed it. And with another mission trip less than a week away, we took full advantage and did not feel guilty about being sluggards. ;)

—b



Monday, July 24th 2006/Proverbs chapters 29-31

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
A man's pride will bring him low,
But a humble spirit will obtain honor.
—Proverbs 29:23

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
Time and time again, Biblical wisdom goes against wordly "wisdom". In society, we are taught that we need to "fight our way to the top", or brag about our accomplishments and then we will get honor. Sorry, but God says otherwise. Those who have a "humble spirit will obtain honor." I would much rather have everlasting honor from God than temporary honor from people.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Aquarius Dawning (Wiccan-Aquarian), Minneapolis