Guatemala Photo Of The Day – Leanne

I love doing life with my wife.

Serving in Guatemala has brought us some of the greatest joy of our lives together.

When I look at this picture, I look forward to the adventure waiting in front of us.

Rediscovering Community When We Find Ourselves Feeling Lonely

When I started blogging nearly eight years ago, I didn’t know what I was getting into.  My friend, Frank Chiapperino, encouraged me to sign-up for my first blog and start writing.  And so, I did.  I wrote about my family.  I wrote about small group ministry.  And I wrote about things that stretched me.

As I continued the writing journey, I started connecting with people.  I met several people who started leaving comments on my blog, and I met other people as I ventured into the blog world to discover other writers and commenters from across the country and around the world.  Despite the lack of face time with these fellow members of the blog world, I could feel a sense of community developing.  We began encouraging each other and connecting on other platforms.  We started exchanging guest posts.  And we directed friends and followers to others in the online community.

I remember the sense of connection I felt with people from all over the world.  People like Larry Carter, Chad Jones, Joshua Rivers, Bill Grandi, and many, many others became friends.  I even remember feeling a sense of connection with more prominent bloggers like Michael Hyatt, Chris LoCurto, Jeff Goins, and Jon Acuff.

This continued for a while until it seemed like the community I was experienced was steamrolled by a massive drive to grow traffic, email lists, and followers.  I’ll admit I am guilty of this, and I’m sure many of my fellow blogging friends were too.  A few prominent bloggers like Michael Hyatt stopped accepting comments on their blogs.  Countless business and blogging coaches began advertising with more focus tips and tricks for growing email lists and income.  The blog world became less and less personal as it morphed into a business.  In addition to this, the blogging and podcasting world continued to fill up with more and more creators.  I kept subscribing to more blogs and more podcasts, and I slowly began to disconnect from the community I had come to love.

Am I connecting with any of you?

Monday night, I decided to try something a little different.  I decided to give Google Hangouts a try.  I went down my contact list and connected with a friend from Arizona, Chad Jones.  After a few minutes of passing text messages back and forth, we connected by video.  We had shared emails and comments before things became too busy for both of us, but this was the first time we connected face-to-face (through the computer).  We talked for several minutes about writing, about our families, and about our jobs.  We shared prayer requests before we signed off.  There was something restoring about this conversation.

After our video call ended, we continued the conversation on Twitter.  Here’s how it went:

Chad Jones ‏@randomlychad  Very cool catching up with @jonstolpe on @google #hangouts

Jon Stolpe ‏@jonstolpe  Right back at you @randomlychad It was a blast hanging with you @google #hangout

Chad Jones ‏@randomlychad  @jonstolpe Reminded me of why I got into blogging back in the day: the community. I think that’s part of what’s been missing.

Jon Stolpe ‏@randomlychad I think you are on to something. You and I can make a difference by making community happen. #LetsDoIt

Over the past few months, I have felt the loneliness that Dorothy Day talks about in the opening quote when it comes to the blogging community.  I know I could point fingers at those around me who seem to be falling off the map.  But I think a lot of the responsibility to experience this community rests on me.  I’m the one responsible for pursuing community.  I believe I was made to be in community, and you were too!

Pursuing and experiencing community requires commitment and intentional actions.  It means carving out time for others.  It means turning off the noise and pruning down the list of people we follow, so we can find meaningful connection.  The internet gives us the opportunity to connect with a global community.  This is a good thing, but let’s not forget to pursue depth in our relationships.

This is how we will conquer the loneliness that sometimes creeps into our lives.

Are you feeling lonely?  What’s missing from your life?  How are you experiencing meaningful connection and community in your life?  Tell me about it in the comments.

Guatemala Photo Of The Day – Spread The Happiness

Jose was pretty quiet most of the time we were building his house, but he was probably the one my wife enjoyed hanging around the most.

As he enjoyed our late morning break time, I snapped this picture.  The expression on his face is the definition of happy.  He’s happy we are there, and we are so happy to help Jose and his family.

Happiness is not guaranteed in life, but I think it might be something that is contagious.  We’re giving it to Jose, and he is giving it to us and to others.

You and I have the opportunity to be agents of happiness.  It starts with a simple smile or a word of kindness.  Take time today to spread the happiness!

Finding A Firm Foundation When Everything Seems To Be Shifting Around You

For years, there was a small, family owned lumber and hardware store in my hometown.  Whenever I needed something for a project at home, I would run over to the local hardware store to consult with the owner.  He and his co-workers were always helpful giving advice on how to tackle my issue at home.

Several years ago, the owners moved out.  They were forced out of business by the advent of the big box home improvement stores which attracted the younger home owners looking for the cheapest price.  It was a sad day when they locked the doors on the old lumber yard.  Our community lost something.  Over the past few years, the structure which housed the hardware store was demolished to make room for a future revitalization project.

The former owner of the former hardware store lives down the street from me.  I don’t see him very often, but I often think about him as I walk or drive by his house.

What is he doing?  What does he think of the changes to our small town?  How has he adapted to the changes?

The other day I stopped at one of the big box home improvement stores to check out material for a potential home project.  As I was approaching the store from the parking lot, I noticed a familiar face outside the entrance.  It was a store employee neatly putting something away.  It was my neighbor – the owner of the old neighborhood hardware store.

I stopped to talk to him for a few minutes before I went into the store.  I mentioned that I lived up the street from his house and that I was a customer at his old store.  I had the opportunity to hear about his career path since closing down the local lumber yard.

He plays the organ at a local church, and he decided to go back to work for one of the stores that drove him out of business.  As he explained it to me, he has learned to adapt.  He could have forever scorned the place that put himself out of business.  Instead, he chose to join them and use his talents to provide local customer service at a place not always known for customer service.  I got the sense that he decided to embrace the opportunity to bring salt and light into the big box store and where ever he landed.

I was impressed by his attitude.

So often, we put on a poor attitude when someone does something to “harm” us.  Regardless of the circumstances, we have a decision to make.  We can stay negative, sulking in defeat.  Or we can see the opportunity in our circumstances.

I was talking to a local pastor on Sunday night, and we were talking about the recent SCOTUS decision on same-sex marriage.  He provided some amazing insight.

He said we are rapidly approaching a time when we will be living in a secular society.  As he mentioned this, he smiled.  He went onto say how excited he was by this possibility.  When Christians live in a secular society, they will be forced to hash out their beliefs.  The early church was formed in a secular society, and it grew at an amazing pace.  Imagine what could happen if Christians get serious about their faith.  The ramifications could be huge for the Kingdom of God.

He chose to find the positive in the time of major shifts in our country’s culture.  I hadn’t thought about it like this before, but I like what he had to share.

Just like owner of the former hardware store, we can find the positive if we chose to look from the right perspective.

If you’ve gone through changes and you are struggling to come to terms with the adjustments you are facing, I’d encourage you to step back and take a look around you.  Consider how you can transform your mindset to see the positive in what is going on around you.  It’s there if you keep looking.

Finally, when all else fails, I would challenge you to look to the ROCK when everything else seems to be shifting around you.

Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  Psalm 62:6

How has a shift in your perspective changed things for you?  Tell me about it in the comments.

Guatemala Photo Of The Day – Casting A Shadow

We purchased several bottles of Coca-Cola (made with sugar cane – not corn syrup) and some other snacks for a late morning snack.  We found a shaded area where we could sit down and share the goodies with the family while we took a break.  As we watched the back weaving I mentioned yesterday, Betty brought out some of her products.  She knew we were potential purchasers, and she wanted to show off her talents.

As I look at this picture again, I notice the shadow being cast on the green wall by the flash of my camera.  Within a fraction of a second the shadow is gone.  It’s a brief moment in time, but Betty is leaving her mark.  She is leaving a mark that will last longer than the shadow on the wall.  She is impacted her kids.  She is impacting her extended family.  And she is impacting her community.

This picture reminds me that we all have the opportunity to leave our mark.  We are here in this life for a short time.  Relatively speaking, our life is like the shadow on the wall.  We are here, and we are gone in the blink of an eye.

This isn’t meant to be depressing.  It’s a challenge to make the most of the time you have.  Cast a shadow that makes a difference in the world.  Keep things in a proper perspective.

What legacy are you leaving?  How are you making the most of the time you have here?

Find out how you can make a difference in Guatemala by clicking here.

In Response To The SCOTUS Decision On Same-Sex Marriage

Stretch.  This is what I’ve been doing lately.

I told Leanne on Friday night that I might be done with Facebook for a while.

After Friday’s Supreme Court decision regarding same-sex marriage, Facebook blew up.  I have friends and family on both sides of the issue.  Some of the comments and headlines I read were well thought out and constructive, but generally speaking the tone seemed disrespectful and hopeless.  The name calling nearly put me over the edge.  In one of the comment threads someone referred to someone as a “F@#$ing Idiot.”

Many comments were made by people who would call themselves Christians.  This is what pains me.

I think it can be healthy to have conversations about a variety of topics including the conversations regarding around topics like racism, sexual identity, and marriage equality.  I think it’s important to dialogue to answer questions like these:

• What is sin?
• What is truth?
• What is grace?
• What is love?
• How would Christ respond?
• And how should we respond?

One of my daily prayers is this:  “Help me to represent Christ well in what I do, what I think, and what I say.”

When I signed up for Facebook, I certainly never imagined the kind of conversations and the mudslinging that happens on this and other social media platforms.

While I’m not saying we should forever remain silent on these questions and issues, I think it would be valuable to step back and think before we talk or type.  James says in James 1:19:

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

All of the comments on social media haven’t been destructive.  Here are a few I found over the past few days along with a few quotes that give me hope:

• “Don’t write off America or put your hope in her.  Anchor your life in the eternal Word and Kingdom of Christ.” (@JohnGMcGowan via Twitter)
• “Christians verbally attacking each other on social media is the best way to spread a message of grace.” #ThingsJesusNeverSaid (@JonAcuff)
• “Any time you have an opportunity to make yourself seem impressive, be quiet.” (Isaac Hunter quote shared on the latest Relevant Podcast episode)
• “Hey Christians, calm down. Our faith and our God is the same tomorrow as he was yesterday. Love God and love others. Nothing has changed at all.”  (Nate Riedy via Facebook)
• “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”  (Abraham Lincoln)
• “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”  (Martin Luther King Jr.)
• “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.“  (Paul in I Thessalonians 5:10-11)

This is my challenge (and hopefully yours as well) – Build each other up.  Show love.  Teach truth.  Point people to Christ in everything we do.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

Guatemala Photo Of The Day – Weaving Something Beautiful

This woman was part of Betty’s family.  She seemed to be respected as a grandmother, but I’m not sure exactly what her relationship was to Betty and her family.

In this picture, she is back weaving.  This is a skill learned by girls in the community, and it continues on throughout life as a way for women to contribute to the family income.  The woman in this photo is making a scarf or table runner.  As you can see, the colors are brilliant.  With each pass of the thread, a beautiful work begins to take shape.

She is weaving a piece of fabric, but she is also weaving a beautiful story.  Her face shows a path taken – one which has not always been easy, and yet it is about surviving amidst the hardships of life.  I recall seeing her as we worked on Betty’s house that this woman was always busy – washing dishes, back weaving, and cooking tortillas.  She is setting the tone for Betty and her young children.  The story she is weaving is an example to keep working hard and to keep contributing to what is going on around you.

What story are you weaving with your life?  How are you making a difference today?  And what legacy are you leaving for those behind you?

Find out how you can make a difference in Guatemala by clicking here.

Guatemala Photo Of The Day – Polite Or Pissed Off?

As I look at this picture, it looks like German and Betty are pretending to be happy about the progress of the house.  Maybe they are just being polite.

El Abuelo’s face seems to be telling a different story.  He looks a little pissed off and disappointed by the poor workmanship of the back wall.  He knew we could do better, and he was right.  Shortly after this picture was taken, we began the painful task of tearing down the back wall of Betty’s house.

Let’s see if El Abuelo changes his face.

Find out how you can make a difference in Guatemala by clicking here.

Ice Breaker – Take A Hike

Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas.  If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com.  If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)

Tonight, we are dropping off my son with a bunch of other Boy Scouts, and we won’t see him for two weeks.  He flies into Denver tomorrow where he will get used to the altitude by going white water rafting and visiting a few other spots.  Then he will be heading to Philmont, the largest scout reservation in the world, where he will be hiking ~80 miles over the course of ten days with other boys from his crew.  From what we have heard, this will be a life changing experience for him.  This week’s Ice Breaker is inspired by my son’s upcoming adventure.

Question:  What is the longest distance you have ever walked or run?

My Answer:  I’ve run three marathons, and all three included a little bit of walking to go with lots of running.  A marathon is 26.2 miles.  This is probably the longest I have gone on foot in one shot.  If you add up miles over a few days, I think I did 35-45 miles on the Appalachian Trail over the course of three days when I was in high school.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!

Guatemala Photo Of The Day – Determination Matters

Who needs a fancy fiberglass or aluminum extension ladder when you have this adequate handmade wooden ladder?  This was a key tool for our building project especially as we approached the top of the structure.

We didn’t have all the fancy power tools which would have accelerated this project, but we managed with a few hammers and a hand saw.

Tools make a difference, but determination matters more than tools.  With determination, you can find ways to get around the problems that arise.

Find out how you can make a difference in Guatemala by clicking here.