Jon Stolpe
Jon Stolpe
Small Group Commercial
I’ve been working with a team of great people to rethink, redefine, and relaunch the small group ministry at our church. I’m extremely excited about the whole thing. As we head toward our launch in January, we are planning on a big push from the stage the month of December. Maybe one of our commercials will look something like this:
What do you think? Will a commercial like this attract people in my church to sign up for a small group?
Joke of the Day
For those of you who don’t know me, I’m proud to say that I inherited my Grandpa Stolpe’s humor. So when I hear (what I believe is) a good joke, I can’t help but tuck it away for future use. Here’s one I heard from one of my co-workers today:
What do you call a hot dog with nothing in the middle?
Give up?
Answer: A “Hollow-Weiner”
What a great joke!
Until the next post, keep laughing…
Better Than This
From some of my reading this morning…
Psalm 84:1-12
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! 2 My
soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my
heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even the
sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where
she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King
and my God. 4 Happy are those who live in your house, ever
singing your praise. (Selah) 5 Happy are those whose strength
is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they
go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from
strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of
Jacob! (Selah) 9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of
your anointed. 10 For a day in your courts is better than a
thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house
of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the Lord
God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good
thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12
O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.
Is it clear enough, that being with God in heaven is way, way, way,… better than whatever we have going on right now or than whatever we are looking forward to in the future.
Just a thought…
Malchus Miracle
This morning I was reading in John 18 when I came to this verse:
10 Then Simon Peter, who had a
sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his
right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus.
sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his
right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus.
I’ve read this passage and verse many times before, but for some reason today, I was struck my John’s inclusion of the name of the high priest’s servant. Malchus is not mentioned anywhere else by name in the Bible. The fact that John included his name seems to imply that John may have known Malchus. I wonder if they became friends after this meeting in the garden. I have to imagine that Malchus’ perspective on Jesus and his followers changed significantly after this event.
I wonder if he held bitterness towards Peter for whacking off his ear. (I think Peter’s actions reflect the damage that can be done by Christians when they react without thinking things through. I’m sure Peter’s intentions were good, but ….) It’s interesting to realize that despite Peter’s actions, Malchus may actually have come to know Christ in a new way. After all, he may never have had the first hand experience of Christ’s miraculous healing (of his ear) if it were not for Peter’s hasty action. Looking at it from this perspective, it’s comforting to know that God can take my best intentions gone wrong and still allow life change to happen.
Just some thoughts…
I’m Still Alive
I apologize for the long delay in updating the blog. It’s certainly not for lack of things to write about. As we’ve started the new year, it has been filled with lots of new excitement along with new struggles. I hope to return to writing about them soon. In the meantime, I just wanted to let you know that things are going mostly well.
In brief, the kids love their new teachers, Isaac just started Cub Scouts (which has been a huge highlight), I’m still working on the saxophone, my running has also picked up some with nearly 32 miles logged this month (including an 8.23 trail run this morning), Leanne is “adjusting” to her new role as director of Providence Christian preschool, and fall is rapidly approaching.
Like I said, I’ll write more later.
Hope this finds you well.
Until the next post…
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending my second ever Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park. Not only was it a chance to cheer on my favorite baseball team and to watch Brett Myers through a complete game shutout, but it was a great chance to catch up with some of my friends from high school (B, Mazzuco (post high school friend), the Braunster, T, and Kosydar). Paul (the Braunster) got the ball rolling on the idea when he realized that he would be in town for some sort of Chemistry convention. It really worked out quite well as we all converged at the corner of Pattison Avenue and Citizens Bank Way. A bonus was that it was Chase Utley bobblehead night.
In the aftermath of Jimmy Rollin‘s comments about Philly fans on one of the late night talk shows, the stands were full of BOOs whenever Jimmy came to the plate or did something in the field. We had fun turning this into an opportunity to BOO WILLEM – an inside joke, but one that will last forever. These are the kinds of memories that we’ll be talking about for years. I’m looking forward to making this a tradition (hint, hint).
(One more thing, I took the subway from Fern Rock to Pattison Ave., and it is the way to go. I’ll certainly consider this mode of transportation again. You can’t beat $2.90 for a round trip fare along with free parking!)
Until the next post, LET’S GO PHILLIES!!!
Prayer Thoughts
A long time ago, I learned an acronym that can be used to organize our prayers. A.C.T.S. The “A” stands for acknowledge – expressing how great God is and who he is. The “C” stands for confession – Lord forgive me for…. The “T” stands for thanksgiving – thank you for blessing me…. And the “S” stands for supplication – God, please help so and so….
I’ll be honest I do an okay part at the T, and I do a great part at the S, and sometimes I hit the C. But if I’m completely honest, I most often miss the A. I was reminded of this today when I was reading in 1 Chronicles 29. Look at David’s prayer; his prayer is full of praise for God.
From 1 Chronicles 29:
10 Then David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly; David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might; and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name. 14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to make this freewill offering? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are aliens and transients before you, as were all our ancestors; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. 16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17 I know, my God, that you search the heart, and take pleasure in uprightness; in the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.”
See what I mean. I’m guessing the reason that this comes so hard for many of us is that we are so self centered – instead of God centered. I’m thankful for God’s patience in my slow and erratic growth pattern. I’m also thankful for reminders from the Word that help to transform my thoughts, my actions, and my heart.
Until the next post…
A Day at Ocean Grove and Other Reflections
I’m fairly certain that I blogged about our visit to Ocean Grove last year about this time, but it merits repeating – Ocean Grove is a great place to go if you’re looking for a quick day trip to the Jersey shore.
We spent the day there yesterday in what has become our favorite Jersey shore place to be. As I floating out past the breakers with Hannah, I was reminded of my countless visits to the shore as a youth. I was very blessed to grow up 45 minutes to an hour from another one of Jersey’s treasures – Island Beach State Park. Especially when I was in college during the summer, my friends from Mt. Holly would all load up in the Braun family van with our chairs, blankets, food, and volleyball net. The beauty of Island Beach State Park was that it cost $6 (or $7) per car, so we were often paying less than $1 per person to get on the beach. Usually we’d get there between 8 and 9 AM, so we could set up our volleyball net. A typical beach day would include several games of volleyball, a catch with the softball with Brian Willem, some form of football, ride waving, sitting around talking, long walks on the beach, and constant snacking on whatever food we brought. Usually, we would pack everything up around 2 or 3PM, so we could head back to the Mt. Holly area to get cleaned up before enjoying a barbecue or a night out at the movies. These memories were a big part of my youth.
At any rate, now I’ve got by own beach bums. I’ve never seen a kid who likes sand more than Hannah. And it was truly a joy to see Isaac floating in the waves on top of his buggie board. I can’t wait for our next visit to Ocean Grove.
Until the next post…
No TV For A Month – Day 15 Update
Can you believe it? I'm just about half of the way through this thing!
After reading in one of my runner's magazines, I found out that the Olympic marathon is going to be August 23rd at 7:30PM. I was thinking about watching it, but I later realized that I already have a previously scheduled commitment that will prevent this. It's looking more and more probable that I will actually make it.
This morning as I was catching up on my blog reading, I was intrigued by Sean Healy's recent blog post about this very subject. Sean (as mentioned before) is the only other person who is in on the challenge with me (as far as I know). It is really interesting to read about the reaction he is getting to this challenge. People are considering him quite strange at his place of work – or maybe I should say "more strange than they already thought." Sean is a good friend, and I can resonate with most of what he says. I have certainly received a few strange questions about why in the world I would give up the TV for a whole month.
Honestly, it has given me a chance to explain my reasons. Here's what I typically tell people. "First, this was a stupid decision. Who in the world would ever pick the month of the Olympics to stop watching TV? Second and now that I've gotten that out of the way, I needed a chance to realign my priorities. I think the television had taken too much of a primary role in my life, and that's scary! So far this challenge has given me more opportunities to spend time with my wife and kids – taking walks in the neighborhood or on the trail, running 5Ks, and just talking. This challenge has also given me more opportunity to read, paint, and to focus on things that should mean more to me."
So what does this mean for me and the TV when August is over? That's a good question. I'm not sure yet. I want to make sure my priorities are in the right place (although I'm sure that will always be a wrestling match). I do agree with Sean's post that the TV provides a common ground in our culture to start conversation. It has been more of a challenge this month to have some of those "water cooler" type conversations, because I don't know every juicy detail about how the Phillies gave up another game, how Michael Phelps broke another record, how some gymnast fell of the balance beam, or how the Eagles second team should be playing instead of the first team. Hopefully, come September, I will be more balanced in my approach to TV.
Until the next post…
Legs for Lindsey
Tomorrow night, I’ll being running with Hannah in the 3rd Annual Legs for Lindsey 5K in Evansburg State Park – Collegeville, PA.
The race is a fundraiser for the Sebastian Riding Association, a non-profit, therapeutic riding program located in Evansburg State Park, and it’s also an event to honor Lindsey Anne Hannebury who was one of the riders at Sebastian. For more information about the race click here. Maybe we’ll see you there.
Until the next post…