Good Friday

“Christ has not only spoken to us by his life but has also spoken for us by his death.”

Soren Kierkegaard

Today Christians around the world will be taking time to remember the crucifiction of Jesus Christ.  Many people refer to this day as Good Friday.  Crucifiction doesn’t sound all that “Good” to me.  It involves being tied or nailed to a set of wooden timbers until you die.  Without going into a lot of detail here, it safe to say that crucifiction is horrific.

And yet, there is something amazingly “Good” about Jesus’ crucifiction over 2000 years ago.  His crucifiction paved the way for our atonement – our forgiveness of sins.  He sacrificed His life so we wouldn’t be subjects to the full penalty of our sin.

We sometimes forget that we are sin, and our sin separates us from God.  God is holy.  Our dirtiness (or sinfulness) must be cleansed in order for us to stand before our holy God.  Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross redeemed and restored us and allows us to stand before God.  That is truly “Good.”  And it’s the reason we should celebrate not just today but every day.

May you have a great Good Friday!

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.  Ephesians 1:7

Ice Breaker – Jelly Beans

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.)

Question:  What is your favorite flavor/color jelly bean?

My Answer:  Black.  I like the flavor of black licorice.

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!

Ice Breaker – Easter

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.)

Question:  What is one of your favorite things about Easter?

My Answer:  Besides the obvious spiritual answer, I like black jelly beans.  I don’t eat jelly beans very often, but Easter often provides the excuse or opportunity to eat at least a few black jelly beans (and marshmallow peeps).

There are several other things I really enjoy about the Easter season.  For me, Easter signals the official start of spring.  Easter means brunch or dinner with family and friends.  It means Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.  It means a sunrise service.

And Easter is a reminder of the ultimate gift I’ve been given.

Happy Easter!

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!

Also don’t forget to sign up for the Stretched newsletter.  Check out this post to find out how to sign up.  Subscribers will get a special deal on the upcoming release of On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field.

4 more days until the release of On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field!

It’s Friday But Sunday’s Coming

It’s Good Friday.  I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to skip the Stretched Ice Breaker this week.

Today is a day when many of us remember the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for you and for me.  I always looked forward to celebrating Easter – with the Sunrise Service, the Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday Easter services, and Easter lunch.  It was always a fun day to celebrate Christ’s resurrection.  Growing up, I typically went to church on Good Friday.  For me, this was the service that really set the tone for me to celebrate Easter on Sunday.  Remembering the sacrifice that Christ made for me is such an important reminder, and it’s such an important message to share with others.

As I was thinking about Good Friday and Easter Sunday, I couldn’t help but think of a message I’ve heard from Tony Campolo.  Here’s a clip of the message:

When you think of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, what comes to mind?  Share one of your Easter memories.in the comments.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from The Stretched Blogger!

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,  but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.  It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.  But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.  Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.  Luke 24:1-12

Ice Breaker – Easter Candy

It’s time for the weekly Stretched Ice Breaker!

Every Friday here on The Stretched Blog, I ask a question which helps us get to know each other.  I’ll answer first.  Then you join the conversation by leaving your answer in the comments section.

This week, my kids helped me with the ice breaker question.  I think you’ll find it fun and entertaining.  Here goes….

Question:  What is your favorite Easter candy?

My Answer:  I have to go with stale Peeps.  You know what I’m talking about.  They’re the sugar-coated, bite-size marshmallow treats that look like little bunnies or baby chicks.  I love to open them up on Easter morning and let them sit for a day or two until the outer coating hardens up.  There’s nothing quite like two-day old Peeps.  (Interesting fact, Peeps are manufactured just north of The Stretched Blogger up in the Allentown/Bethlehem, PA area.)

My second place Easter candy – black jelly beans.  You either love them or you hate them. I love them!

Okay.  Now it’s your turn.  Let’s hear your answer to today’s Stretched Ice Breaker.  Have a great weekend!