Jon Stolpe

Author Archives: Jon Stolpe

Hitting The Right Stride

“The test of a man’s religious life and character is not what he does in the exceptional moments of life, but what he does in the ordinary times, when there is nothing tremendous or exciting on.”

Oswald Chambers

I am nearly six and a half feet tall (six feet five and three-quarters inches to be exact), and I have long legs. With long legs, comes a long stride. If I’m walking down the hall at my office, there are many of my co-workers who simply cannot keep up with me. Their legs are too short, and they cannot match my stride.

In Genesis 5, we meet Enoch. He is part of the genealogy between Adam and Noah. There is not a lot shared about him in the Bible. We know his father’s name is Jared. We know he had a son named Methuselah. And we know he lived 365 years. But this isn’t it. Enoch walked with God.

Does this mean Enoch had long legs and a huge stride? I doubt it. My guess is that Enoch was probably fairly short compared to today’s standards. Most likely, he had a complete, intimate focus and relationship with God. I get the feeling Enoch knew God. The Bible doesn’t give us any other details about his life. He didn’t invent the wheel. He didn’t rule the land. He didn’t do anything spectacular as far as we can tell, but he walked with God.

In today’s world, most of us have a thirst for adventure. We want to achieve greatness. We want to be well-known. This becomes our focus and even our god sometimes.

What if we changed our focus?

What if we really pursued a relationship with God?

At the end of my life, I would love to be remembered as a man who walked with God.

How about you?

How would your life be different if walking with God became your first priority?

How To Have The Best Dreams

Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.
James Dean

People are always talking and writing about dreams. I think it can be healthy to dream and to have big dreams for the future. But it can be discouraging when the dreams don’t come true. Maybe we don’t always have the best dreams.

What if I told you the secret to having the very best dreams?

A short-term missions trip can be the catalyst for developing a vision for the future.

Shortly after returning home from my last trip to Guatemala last summer, I took time to write down some of these visions or dreams in a post titled “Guatemala Dreams.” These visions and dreams are great, but they often fall to the wayside when we return to the pushes and pulls of everyday life off the mountain.

Keeping these dreams and visions alive can be a real challenge. I look at this list, and I remain hopeful that they will be realized over time.

And yet, I’m reminded that it is so important that these dreams are birthed out of a vision from God. Knowing God’s vision for me will only truly happen as I seek to know Him.

I still have these Guatemala Dreams, but I see how I must pursue Him first… then all these things will be added unto me….

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

And this is how you will have the best dreams!

What are you dreaming about? How do you know you are having the best dreams?

Ice Breaker – Bucket List

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.)

This week, our family said goodbye to my Grandma. In 94 years, she saw and did a lot of amazing things. I don’t know if she had a bucket list. Based on what I know, she was ready to leave this life. She was satisfied with what she had seen and accomplished during her lifetime. My Grandma’s passing was a reminder how quickly life passes. This week’s Ice Breaker question is inspired by this reminder.

Question: What is something on your bucket list? And what are you going to do to cross it off your list?

My Answer: I don’t have an official bucket list, but there are many things I’d like to see, experience, or accomplish before I “kick the bucket”.

I’d like to build 100 houses in Guatemala.
I’d like to write another book.
I’d like to be completely debt free including my house.
I’d like to celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary (and 60th, and…).
I’d like to visit Sweden in late June.

And this is just off the top of my head. In order to cross these items off my list, here are some of the things I’m doing:

I’ve built three so far, and I’m planning future trips to Guatemala to build the other 97 houses.
I’m writing content for the book every week. I’m working on a few ways to build my e-mail list in order to make my book project more attractive to a book publisher.
I’m living debt free besides the house. My wife and I are getting together weekly to go over our budget. And we’re planning ahead to reduce our mortgage significantly in the next four years.
My wife and I are practicing a weekly date night. We plan to get away at least two times a year just the two of us. I’m exercising five to six times a week to keep myself in decent shape to make it to this milestone.
I’m not sure about the Sweden thing yet, but we’ll have to start working on plan for this one.

As I think about this above list, I’m reminded of a verse from Proverbs:

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

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!

Knowing God So We Can Make Him Known

“We slander God by our very eagerness to work for Him without knowing Him.” Oswald Chambers

“To know Him, and to make Him known…”

We can’t do the second part very well without the first part. While I’m convinced God can use us despite our failings, I’m fairly confident He desires so much more.

A mission mindset starts with us going on a mission to know God. This isn’t a one time event. Knowing God is a daily pursuit.

Our mission first and foremost is the make sure there is nothing between us and God. Only then will be able to serve Him and make Him known. Along this journey, there will be times when we must fully rely on the strength of Christ. This will happen when we’ve done the upfront work to know Him.

How are you getting to know God these days?

Dive down into this deeper by checking out Mark 9:14-32.

A Tribute To Grandma

On Monday, we said goodbye to my Grandma. During the funeral service on Monday afternoon, I had the opportunity to share some thoughts about her. Here they are:

As grandchildren, I’m sure we all have known the special touch of our grandparents. Each one of us (seven in all) was always made to feel special whenever we were around. (I was special, because I was born on Grandpa’s birthday.) What a blessing!

I’m fairly certain we all have very special memories of Grandma. She was certainly an amazing lady, and I’ll remember many things about her, but one thing stands out the most when I think about her special qualities.

Grandma was a woman of prayer.

When I was a young kid, I remember special times of prayer at the meal table. Grandpa might read from a devotional. We would look at a missionary card to learn more about a missionary or an unreached people group. And then, Grandma would pray. Her prayers were always soft-spoken. It was obvious to me that Grandma knew God, and she was simply having a conversation with Him.

When I was in college, Grandma and Grandpa were visiting our home in New Jersey. I was out late with friends while they were there one night. When I pulled in the driveway, the house was dark. My bedroom was in the basement of my parent’s split-level house, and Grandma and Grandpa slept in the basement family room during their visits. I unlocked the door and quietly walked down the steps. As I approached the bottom step, I heard voices. At first, I thought Grandma and Grandpa were talking to each other. Then I realized they were talking to God. I sat down on the bottom step and listened as they continued the conversation. Together they prayed for Norm and Candy (my parents), Max and Elaine (my aunt and uncle), Lauren (my cousin), Jon, Jane (my cousin), David (my brother), Tom (my cousin), Helen (my cousin), and Erik (my brother). They prayed specifically for each of us mentioning specific concerns and even praying for our future spouses. They especially prayed that we would have a relationship with Jesus. This wasn’t an unusual occurrence. It was clear to me they prayed for us every night.

After Grandpa passed away seven and a half years ago, I had a few opportunities to visit with Grandma. These were always such special visits. After talking together for a while about my family, the Cubs, the Bears, our extended family, and about other details, we would always pray together before we said goodbye.

Last summer during my last two visits with Grandma, It was clear that her memory was starting to fail her. During my first visit in June, we talked for ten to fifteen minutes before she asked “What was your name again?” In July, she knew my name, but she couldn’t remember Leanne’s name. You could tell this was frustrating to Grandma who was always the smartest in the family. After spending a couple of hours together, we gathered in Grandma’s room to pray and say goodbye. I prayed, and as I said Amen, Grandma picked up the conversation with God.

In her final year, I understand it became more challenging for her to hold her thoughts together as she prayed. I’m sure this was a sign she was ready to go home to heaven soon. Nonetheless, Grandma would look up at the cork board hanging above her bed. It was here she displayed her family tree which included her two children and their spouses, her seven grandchildren, and her fifteen great-grandchildren. Even when she couldn’t hold her head up, she would pray for us as she looked up at her pictures.

Grandma will be missed by all of us. We will miss the conversations, the Swedish pancakes, and the Swedish meatballs. And I will miss hearing Grandma talking with her friend, Jesus. I’m so thankful for the faith legacy left by Grandma.

It was sad to say goodbye to Grandma this week, but it was great to be with family. And it was a privilege to celebrate the life of a saint – my Grandma.

How do you (or how will you) remember your grandparents?

From The Mountain To The Valley – Life After Short-Term Missions

A short-term missions trip can provide a real mountain-top experience. On a short-term missions trip, there is often a feeling of euphoria in getting to experience something different and so satisfying. Who doesn’t want this feeling?

There is so much good that can happen as a result of a short-term missions trip (see 3 Changes That Happen When You Go On A Short-Term Mission Trip), but we must be careful.

We were not made to live on the mountain top. We were made to live and exist in the village or valley at the bottom of the mountain.

We can experience God’s glory on the mountain top – while we are on a short-term missions trip, but this isn’t where we live for His glory. We live for God’s glory in the humility of home. This is where the rubber meets the road when it comes to having a mission mindset. It’s almost easier to serve God in the streets of a short-term missions trip that on the street where we live.

Choose to live for His glory today, right where you are!

How do you serve God when you get home?

9 Questions Worth Pondering – Goal, Calling, Purpose

What is your goal?

When you reach the end of your life, what do you want to have accomplished?

What’s your calling?

What is God compelling you to do with your life?

How are you responding to this calling?

What is your purpose?

What is God doing in your life?

Is it painful?

What does it look like to be “made perfect in Christ”?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on one, some, or all of these questions. Leave your response in the comments.

For more thoughts on these questions, check out these passages: Mark 10:17-31, I Corinthians 9, and Colossians 1:24-29.

Ice Breaker – Homecoming

(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.)

Question: When was the last time you celebrated a homecoming?

My Answer: This week, I am celebrating two homecomings. On Saturday, I’ll be at Grove City College to celebrate homecoming and my 20th college reunion. It should be a fun time catching up with great friends, and visiting the campus where I met my wife.

On Sunday and Monday, I’ll be in Wheaton, IL to celebrate my Grandma’s homecoming. She passed away this past Tuesday, and our family is gathering to celebrate her life. It will be a very quick visit, but it should be a wonderful time to celebrate Grandma and to catch up with my family. (To read more about my remarkable Grandma, check out these two posts: Say What You Need To Say and Stretching To The Finish.)

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!

No Excuses!

He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.
Benjamin Franklin

If God is calling you, you must go.

We make up so many excuses. “I have this activity planned.” “I can’t miss this or that.” The reality is this: our priorities are out of whack! (Yes, “out of whack” is a theological term.)

Having a mission mindset requires us to respond to the urgency of God’s call. We must learn to deal with our perceived “inconvenience.” And we must understand that following through with a mission mindset requires sacrifice.

I confess that I haven’t always appreciated this requirement for serving God and serving others. I have seen it played out in my own experience as I’ve watched my parents move around the country seemingly tearing our family apart geographically leaving me in Pennsylvania, my brother in Milwaukee, my other brother in Dallas, and my grandparents in the Midwest. It’s not always “fun” or “convenient” to be so spread apart, yet I understand it’s part of following Christ.

I want to respond well when I hear the all of God. I want to go where God sends me. No excuses!

Are you listening to the call of God in your life? What’s He saying? What step do you need to take to respond to His call?

(To be challenged further on this subject, read Luke 9:57-62.)

September 2014 – Top Posts & Commenters PLUS BOOK GIVEAWAY

the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

Here are the highlights from September 2014. Thanks to everyone who read along and commented. Your readership and participation in the daily discussions are what make The Stretched Community. Thank you!

Overall, traffic was way up from August (36.36%). Traffic was up 4.07% compared to a year ago. The top 10 posts included one post from 2012 and one post from 2013. The end of the month brought a post that nearly tripled the next highest post for the month. If you missed any of these posts, I hope you’ll go and check them out now by clicking below. The posts with the most engagement were two which made the top 10 list below – In Response To The American Dream and 5 Keys To Establishing A Routine That Works.

Top 10 Commenters:

David Stolpe (39)
Larry Carter (26)
Steve Y (16)
Heidi Bender (8)
Leah Adams (8)
Dania Shah (6)
Carol Peterson (5)
Dan Erickson (5)
Jon Stallings (5)
Lulu (5)

As promised at the beginning of the month, I have randomly chosen someone from the top commenters list to receive a copy of On Track: Life Lessons from the Track & Field by ME! The winner of this book is…(drum roll)…Carol Peterson. Congrats to Carol!

For the month of October, I’ll be giving away another copy of On Track: Life Lessons from the Track & Field by ME! This month, the winner will be chosen randomly from the top 10 commenters.

Thanks to each and everyone for reading and for commenting. I’m looking forward to October with The Stretched Community! The month of October will include more STRETCHING posts. More than likely, I will continue to focus on having a mission mindset in many of the upcoming posts.

If you’re interested in guest posting here, leave a comment to connect with me.

How was your month? If you’re a blogger share a link to your top post in the comments? What was your favorite Stretched post this month? How were you STRETCHED in September?

In case you’re interested, here are a few other interesting stats about September (based on Google Analytics):

Users – Increased 21.62%
Sessions – Increased 52.22%
Pageviews – Increased 48.02%
Pages Per Session – Decreased 3.56%
Average Session Duration – Increased 37.21%
Bounce Rate –Decreased 5.04%
New Sessions – Decreased 14.54%

On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field is now available on Amazon in paperback and for Kindle. Click the link below to get your copy today.

As a reminder, I am offering a FREE pdf copy of the interior of the book to subscribers of The Stretched Newsletter. Head over to the main page of the blog and sign up on the right hand menu bar to get your copy today for FREE!

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