Category Archives for "guest blogger"

Want To Be Happier? Me too! (@DBartosik)

Today, I’m honored to present guest blogger, David Bartosik. David recently connected with me through the Team Faith Builder Facebook Group. He is Pastor to Students at Richfield Community Church, and he blogs at dbartosik.com about awakening affections for God. You can link up with him on Facebook and Twitter.

David reached out to me on this guest post following my post last week about A Different Twist on Happiness. If you want to add to the conversation through a guest post on happiness (or any other stretching topic), leave me a comment so we can connect. Thanks!

Want to be happier? Me too!

Jon recently wrote a post that directed us to think about the concept of happiness.

7 years ago I was pushed to contemplate the same thing and it changed my life and I can never go back.

Pursuing our happiness and pursuing God are not contrary ideas.

The more you pursue your own happiness it should lead you to God and lead to a deeper, more profound happiness that is contagious and limitless.

1. God designed us to Pursue Happiness.

In every person is a desire to be happy. We buy stuff. We marry people. We do stuff. Every motive of every decision of every person is rooted in their desire to be Happy. This desire was God-given.

2. He is the ultimate source of Happiness.

So if so many people are pursuing happiness, why aren’t their more happy people? Suicide rates are up. Anti depressant medications top the chart of most filled prescriptions. Monogamous relationships are a thing of the past. If that statement is true why aren’t people who believe in God happier? If God is the ultimate source of happiness shouldn’t those that believe in him be the happiest people? Reason-Christians often get wrapped up in the gifts instead of the giver of the gifts. On Christmas are you happy for the new bike, the lawnmower, the Christmas feast, or are you happy in the person who gave it to you? It is a subtle idea that creates a world of difference. God says, pursue your happiness in the giver and the gifts will be even that much more special in view of who gave it. He himself is the ultimate gift. Ultimate happiness is found in HIM.

3. Pursue Him for the rest of your life.

This is the hard part. The first one is a picture of reality. It’s just how it is. The second idea is an awakening to that reality. This third point is a battle. It is one thing to recognize a reality but it is a completely different thing all together to want to and continually pursue that reality. It is a fight, but rather than an obligatory fight that is filled with sacrifice, it is actually a fight for a deeper happiness than I am experiencing.

No one would argue that this idea doesn’t exist in the foundation of our country.

LIFE. Guaranteed.

LIBERTY. Guaranteed.

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS? Well, good luck it’s a pursuit because this is not a guarantee. But what is guaranteed is you can pursue it.

As I observe our culture, it seems as if we’ve missed it. As Jon asked last week I don’t think the question “What makes you happy?” is illegitimate, but I would twist it a little further.

Is this an accurate view of how life should be lived? Why aren’t more people living it?

The Stretched Blog Visits I’m Just Thinkin’ (@ChrisVonada)

Today, I’m guest posting as part of The Network for Chris Vonada at his blog, I’m Just Thinkin’. In my post (When Words Sting), I share 5 suggestions for responding to insults. Here’s an excerpt to get you started.

When Words Sting

“If I get a 1,000 compliments and one insult, guess which one I listen to?

The insult, of course.

I have an unbelievable ability to ignore a swarm of positive words and camp out on the one negative.” Jon Acuff (http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/quit-giving-the-haters-phds/)

It’s probably happened to all of us at one time or another – someone says something to us that absolutely stings.

Maybe they call you names. Maybe they are just rude. Maybe they insult you.

Words can hurt!

Words can sting!

Words can leave a gash on our hearts!

So how can we respond when this happens? How can we move past the pain of words?

If you’re visiting from Chris’s blog, I’m glad you stopped by. I hope you’ll check things out and become a regular part of The Stretched Community. You can sign up to receive daily blog updates by adding your e-mail on the main page (I promise not to send you spam). To help you get a taste of my other writing, here are a few of my favorite posts:

How do you deal with words that sting? What step do you need to take today to get past wounds that have been caused by words?

The Stretched Blog Visits The Daily ReTort

Today, I’m guest posting as part of The Network for Tor Constantino at his blog, The Daily ReTort. In my post (5 Reasons To Go On A Missions Trip With Your Family), I share some thoughts about faith, family, and missions. Here’s an excerpt to get you started.

5 Reasons To Go On A Missions Trip With Your Family

Early this month, our family traveled to Guatemala to serve the orphans and widows in and around the village of Santo Domingo Xenacoj.

Deciding to go in the first place was a pretty significant leap of faith.

As a father and husband, did I think we would be safe in a strange land removed from many of the luxuries we currently enjoy?

Did I really want to spend my vacation time working instead of relaxing somewhere?

How were we going to come up with the money necessary to make this trip a reality?

These were just some of the questions that troubled me for weeks as we processed this decision last fall.

Having arrived at the other side of this mission trip, I can tell you that we made it. We were safe. The vacation time from work was well spent. And God provided the funds for this trip in ways that far exceeded our greatest expectations. (Click here to keep reading.)

If you’re visiting from Tor’s blog, I’m glad you stopped by. I hope you’ll check things out and become a regular part of The Stretched Community. You can sign up to receive daily blog updates by adding your e-mail on the main page (I promise not to send you spam). To help you get a taste of my other writing, here are a few of my favorite posts:

You can also click here to link to more about my experiences in Guatemala.

Have you ever taken a mission trip with your family? If so, how did it impact your family? What’s holding you back from going on a mission trip?

Stretching Past “But I Was Born This Way” (Leah Adams)

Today, Leah Adams shares some thoughts that will stretch all of us. She is guest posting while I’m away in Guatemala this week. Leah writes regularly on her blog as part of The Point Ministries. Check out her links in her bio at the end of the post.

Have you ever used the words ‘but I was born this way’ as a way to excuse your behavior?

I have.

Recently I read an article that addressed this very thought pattern. About a year prior to reading the article, I had been in conversation with a couple of friends who told me they felt they, or a family member, had been born with homosexual tendencies. Fast forward a few months to when I read this article from pastor Brian Jones. I agree with much of Jones’ article. If a baby can be born with physical birth defects, it is plausible to think a baby can be born with emotional birth defects, such as the tendency toward homosexuality. We live in a fallen world and the area of sexuality is one where Satan is doing everything He can to destroy us.

The latest article I read, entitled “How Celibate Gay Christians Deal With Desire” was written by Stephanie Pappas, who is a senior writer for LiveScience.com. In the article Pappas referenced a small study undertaken by a sociologist at Hollins University in Virginia. In the study, the researcher named Creek, interviewed 5 individuals who self-identified as Christian and homosexual (4 men and 1 woman).

The results of the study were not what piqued my interest as much as the fact that, while these individuals did not deny their homosexual urges, they chose not to act on them. Each of them felt it would not be compatible with their faith in Jesus Christ and the biblical stance on homosexuality.

One portion of the story, in particular, is what caused me to think about how application could be made to all who name the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior, gay and straight. Allow me to quote it for you.

“‘Erin,’ a celibate lesbian, told Creek she found a connection with married couples in her Orthodox Church who also tried to lead chaste lives.

“‘Allen’ told a story of a straight Christian retreat administrator who stood up for him, pointing out that Christian straight men and Christian gay men have similar struggles.

“Every day, ‘Allen’ wakes up and looks around, and he sees guys he wants to have sex with — and he doesn’t have sex with them because he’s following Jesus,” the male administrator said. “And every day, I wake up, and I see girls I want to have sex with — and I don’t have sex with them because I’m following Jesus. So, we’re both not getting any because we’re following Jesus.”

I am reminded that we are all born with tendencies that the Scriptures clearly call sin. Allow me to use myself as an example. Humility has not always been high on my list of accomplishments. All too often I fail at having a humble attitude. In addition to being prideful, I also tend to be judgmental. My parents did not teach me those sinful traits. I was born with those tendencies. However, because I am a follower of Jesus Christ and have the Holy Spirit living in my heart, I can overcome the sins of pride and judging, and walk humbly before God and my fellow human beings. How?

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5: 24-25 (NKJV)

It is all about choosing to allow Jesus to control my actions and attitudes rather than acting on my natural tendencies. I cannot do it in my flesh. When I try to be humble or think I’ve accomplished humility, I fail miserably. I must turn over complete control of self to Christ and allow Him to live through me

Regardless of what natural desires, actions or attitudes you and I deal with, it is possible to make godly choices. Perhaps for you it isn’t homosexual desires, pride or judgmental attitudes. Perhaps you struggle with alcohol addiction, lying, gossip or being a workaholic. The key is making Jesus the Lord of your life and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your heart to change your desires, actions and attitudes into ones that are pleasing to God.

MEDITATION MOMENT: Where in your life are you using the old ‘but I was born this way’ excuse for not walking in holiness and obedience to Jesus Christ? I’d love for you to share your thoughts.

An anointed speaker and communicator, Leah lives in northern Georgia with her husband, Greg, who is also her dentist. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from Mercer University School of Pharmacy. Leah is a CLASS certified speaker and is the author of a Bible study for ladies entitled, From the Trash Pile to the Treasure Chest: Creating a Godly Legacy. She writes for Internet Café Devotions, CBN.com and Christianparenting.org. Visit Leah at her ministry website at www.leahadams.org. Find Leah on Facebook at Leah Colwell Adams and on Twitter (@PointMinistries).

The Sting of Stretching (@JosephLalonde)

I’m thankful today for Joe Lalonde. Joe is guest blogging today about a recent stretching experience in his life. His post is featured as part of The Network. Joe writes an excellent leadership blog. You can find more information about Joe along with the links to his blog in his bio which follows this post.

I’ve always been a fan of stretching. It’s helped me grow and reach my potential.

However, the last couple of weeks have tested my stretching limit.

Image by Mike Baird via Flickr

I’ve experienced so much stretching I don’t know how I’m coping with it.

Last month we had to make a tough choice and put one of our beloved dogs down. My dad was hospitalized after three visits to the emergency room.

It feels like life has been stretching and stretching me. And it’s been painful.

Tears seem to continuously stream from my eyes. Sleep comes but it is not restoring. And there’s such a heaviness on my heart.

There are times that stretching stings. It creates a pain that is almost unbearable.

And yet there can be awesome results from the stretching.

I’m becoming more attuned to feeling the pain of others: I try my best to understand how others are feeling but I can fall flat in this area. The stretching I experienced with my dog has opened up a new avenue of feelings that focuses on the loss others are feeling.

There’s now a connection that I’m able to share with those grieving over a major loss. It’s a blessing a curse.

I’ve become more open with my feelings: Realizing how fleeting our time on this earth can be, I’m stretched to share my feelings more. Especially with my wife.

Nightly I weep and nightly I try to pour out my feelings to my wife. I’m feeling more broken than ever but there’s also the feeling of openness.

I’m learning what’s really important: Losing my dog and almost losing my dad has given me a sense of urgency with how I should live my life. It needs to be lived with unction. With a passion that’s unrivaled.

It’s also showing me that I need to spend time with those that I love. And to show them that I love them and value their lives.

Don’t neglect this fact.

The stretching has been painful. Honestly, I don’t like it so much right now.

Yet it’s helping me to become a better man. A better son. A better husband.

I’m not sure if you’ve experienced stretching like this in the past. It’s so difficult I pray you don’t have to experience it as well.

The truth is, we will all have to experience loss and the threat of loss.

Still, I know you can survive the stretching and come out better. Don’t let the pain destroy you. Let it grow you.

Question: What have you learned from the sting of the stretch? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

This is a guest post by Joseph Lalonde. He is a youth leader at Oak Crest Church of God and leadership blogger at JMLalonde.com. Joseph shares leadership tools and encourages you to become a better leader. Connect with him on Twitter or at his blog.

Call Me Gumby (Carol Peterson)

Today, Carol Peterson shares her STRETCH thoughts while I’m on vacation. Carol is guest blogging as part of The Network. For more information about Carol, check out her bio at the end of the post. After you read her post and add your comment, I hope you’ll go check out her blog!

CALL ME GUMBY

Toward the end of June I dropped Jon a line and told him I’d write something “stretchy” for this site. Instantly, a big green Gumby with my face on it appeared in my head.

Gumby—that guy from the 60s made of green rubber. Pull his leg and it bounces back in place. He’s flexible. He stretches to the fullest and then springs into shape even if things get a little too stretchy. Because Gumby teaches us that we can stretch. And even if life gets twisted, we’ll still be alright in the end.

But Gumby is not like Mr. Fantastic of Marvel comic book fame. No, Gumby, is the nerdy, folksy guy we loved before we knew about super heroes. He’s a regular guy. A t-shirt sold online has Gumby’s picture on it saying: The original Mr. Nice Guy.

Because, have you ever seen Gumby when he’s not smiling? And waving?

Gumby makes me want to be a nice guy, too. I can’t be the original Mr. Nice Guy because Jesus claimed that role before the beginning of time. But I can try to be Christ-like. And sometimes that means—like Gumby—I smile and wave at people to give them a cheery hello and a “have a nice day.” Really—have a NICE day. And is there anything I can do to help make it nicer?

It also means being green. Not green as in environmentally responsible, although that’s good, too. But green, as in fresh and full of life. Living life to the fullest and keeping the smile on my face while doing it. Having a childlike freshness to my faith. And sharing that faith with others.

So today as I think about what it means to be stretched, I have decided I want to live like Gumby—flexible, friendly and green. I hope next time you see me; you’ll smile, wave and call me Gumby. I’d like to call you Gumby, too.

In what way do you need to be more like Gumby today?

BIO

Carol Peterson’s mission in writing is to educate, entertain, and inspire. Her published books provide busy teachers with creative ways to help assure compliance with curriculum standards. Her first self-published book helps folks study the Bible, because the Bible is even better when you know what it says. Her blog From Carol’s Quill (http://carolpetersonauthor.com/) encourages faith in Jesus.

How To Respond When You Are Stretched To The Limit (Zak Schmoll)

Today, I present guest blogger and extraordinary young man, Zak Schmoll. Zak is blogging his way through the Bible one chapter at a time, and he offered to share his stretch thoughts while I’m on vacation this week. For more about Zak, check out his bio at the end of the post. In the meantime, enjoy!

How To Respond When You Are Stretched To The Limit

Image by Hulagway (via Flickr)

I think that Jon’s blog title pretty much sums up the life of one of my favorite biblical characters, and that is why I decided to send this guest post into him.

Job was certainly a man who was stretched to the limit.

Of course, most of us know the story. He was a wealthy man with a great family. He was very successful by the standards of the world, and he was a man who followed after God.

You might say, “It was pretty easy for him to follow God. After all, look at how good he had it. It is easy to follow God when life is going good.” In fact, that is pretty much what Satan said in Job 1:9-10.

God obviously was not intimidated or worried. He told Satan that he could do whatever he wanted to Job besides killing him. It doesn’t seem like it took Satan very long to start trying to knock away all of the things that he thought made Job want to follow God. His land was overrun, his children died and his entire source of income (his crops) went away. His wife thought he was pretty much crazy, and he was virtually left all alone outside of his friends who didn’t think any more of him than his wife did.

I would say he was pretty much stretched to his limits.

However, there are a few important things to remember in this situation. I think these points can apply when we feel like we are being pushed to the limit as well.

God was always right there. In the beginning of the book, we know that God allowed this to happen. It is hard to understand why, and I cannot say that I have a perfect answer. However, I can say that Job was not abandoned. In fact, an interesting proof of this comes from the fact that God told Satan that he was not allowed to kill Job. The final verse of the book has Job dying long after that period of tribulation ended. It all happened in God’s time. He truly held his life in His hands. God never stopped caring or watching the situation even if we don’t understand His actions or lack thereof.
Job understood what was important. He did not sin in this entire process according to Job 1:22. It doesn’t mean that he did not question God, and it certainly does not mean that he was not upset over the loss of everything. He never lost perspective on the fact that God was ultimately in control. In Job 1:21 he came out and said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away.” This is a point that people like to slam Christianity on. They always say how it is impossible for a loving God to allow terrible things that happen. Job may not have understood what God was doing, and we might not understand why he allowed all of these problems, but what we do know is that God is good. Job also knew that. That is important.
Finally, we know that Job’s friends spent most of the book trying to question him. Like the people I mentioned in the previous point, they didn’t understand what God was doing. Job was not pressured by his friends though. He remained faithful, and he persevered. This is why we hear about Job all the way in the book of James. We remember him for his perseverance, and that is a trait that we all need to develop at some point.

Job was a man who was stretched to the limit. He had everything taken away from him, and he was pretty much scorned by his friends. He could have easily given up and denied the existence of God. After all, if there was truly a powerful God, why on earth was he allowing all this stuff to happen?

However, he persevered, and I believe that he is one of the best models of how to live for God in tough times. We might question, and we might ask God why. However, I think that we can learn a lot about living like Job when we are pushed to the edge.

Question to ponder:

Why does God allow hard times to come into our lives?

Biography:

Zak Schmoll just graduated from the University of Vermont with a double major in Accounting and Statistics. On July 23, 2012, he went on a mission to write about one chapter of the Bible every day from start to finish. You can follow his progress at http://achapterperday.wordpress.com/.

The Truth About Unconditional Love (Catherine Lee Daugherty)

Today, I’m honored to present guest blogger, Catherine Lee Daugherty. In her post, she shares a story that will give us all a glimpse into the unconditional love that our Father has for each one of us. You can find the link to Catherine’s blog at the end of her post. Thank you, Carol, for sharing your stretch story with The Stretched Community while I am on vacation this week.

The Truth About Unconditional Love

Image by Vinoth Chandar (via Flickr – Creative Commons)

Can anything good come from divorce? With divorce rates between 40% to 50% nearly everyone in the United States has been touched by divorce either directly or indirectly. When I was an 18 year-old, know-it-all, woman of the world, I got married. Fourteen years and two children later, I got a divorce. Still thinking I knew it all, this just made sense. After all, surely God wanted me happy, didn’t He?

Through many events where the devil held my hand while raining down fire in my life, my Heavenly Father never gave up on me. He must have seen some hope for me to make better choices while pruning and shaping my heart and my soul.

There are many casualties in a divorce. The children are the obvious ones, but the pain goes beyond to the parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, friends, cousins, and in my case, my mother-in-law.

My mother-in-law was 73 years old when her son and I divorced. It is hard to know how to handle this part of the split. Am I no longer her daughter-in-law? Does she loath the ground I walk on? What about my boys, her grandchildren? What do we do with the love we shared?

My sweet mother-in-law, Mom Anderson is now 98 years old. In the 25 years that have passed she never quit praying for me. She never said one harsh word to me. She sent Christmas cards and thinking of you cards. She would quietly say to me “You are the mother of my grandchildren, I will always love you. I am praying for you.”

Wow, where did she learn that kind of unconditional love? I know she has read her Bible more times than the number of years I have been alive. But to be the recipient of God’s love put into practice is more humbling than I can even explain.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” Isaiah 49:15-16 ESV

On a recent trip to visit her, I asked her, “Mom, what do you attribute your long life to?” She didn’t pause for even a moment before she said, “Never stop serving the Lord.”

At 98 years old she is such an inspiration to me. She shows me undeserving, unmerited love and forgiveness. I thank God for her life!

If I knew how to work Photoshop better, I would have replaced this striped shirt and thinned down my thighs. But Mom Anderson had fallen the night before and sported a couple black eyes and she wasn’t bothered in the least when I wanted a picture. She is still teaching me what is truly important in life.

Who is the one in your life offering you undeserved love and grace?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

P.S. Thank you Jon for allowing me the privilege of sharing with your readers. My usual blogging is done at www.praycookblog.com. Since my website is about food for the soul and the body, I think it is only fair I share the potato soup recipe Mom Anderson taught me how to make during my first year of marriage, some 39 years ago. I still think of her every time I make potato soup. I have tweaked the recipe through the years but she is the one who taught me to make it first!

http://praycookblog.com/2012/01/12/my-favorite-two-cheese-potato-soup/

One-On-One Meetings – A Powerful Leadership Tool

Today, I’m visiting Matt McWilliams for a post about the power of one-on-one meetings. Here’s an excerpt from my post:

Several months ago, Matt encouraged his readers to establish and maintain weekly one-on-one meetings with their direct reports. At the time, I was contemplating what I could do to connect with my team on a deeper level.

As an operations manager in the construction industry, I’m challenged to balance my time as I’m responsible to make sure my group is operating as planned. I meet with my team members monthly on an individual basis to review their projects to review their projects from a financial, resource, risk, and customer perspective. These monthly meetings, which typically last about an hour, provide a pretty good snapshot of things from a business perspective, but they don’t provide a lot of time for diving deeper personally.

I’m also responsible for participating in other department and company meetings. Again, these meetings are important for certain aspects of our business success, but they typically don’t provide opportunity for connecting on a more personal level.

I’ve heard it said that “It’s business, it’s NOT personal.” Well, I disagree. As a Christian leader in the workforce, I have a responsibility (and privilege) to represent Christ well. For me, this means our relationships in the business world are meant to be personal.

How can we take time to connect with our team members with all the different demands on our time?

You can click here to read the rest of the post. While you’re there, check out Matt’s blog. He writes a lot of practical posts about life and leadership.

If you’re visiting from Matt’s blog, I’m glad you stopped by. I hope you’ll check things out and become a regular part of The Stretched Community. You can sign up to receive daily blog updates by adding your e-mail on the main page (I promise not to send you spam). To help you get a taste of my other writing, here are a few of my favorite posts:

The Stretched Blog Visits Lynn Mosher – Out of Control

Today, I’m guest posting as part of The Network for Lynn Mosher at her blog, Lynn Mosher – Devotionals That Encourage. In my post (Out of Control: Faith Lessons From Flight), I share some thoughts about letting go and enjoying the ride. Here’s an excerpt to get you started.

This week, I’m traveling for business to the Chicago area. Last Monday, I took a flight from the Philadelphia International Airport to Chicago O’Hare Airport. I have always enjoyed flying, but I have to admit it’s become a little more challenging to fly as I’ve gotten older. I don’t like the turbulence, and I don’t enjoy the butterflies in my stomach I used to like.

While the plane was coming in for its landing, I was sitting in the back seat of the plane looking out the window. My natural tendency was to grab onto the arms of the seat and to force my feet into the pretend brake. But something made me change my mind and loosen up the tension flowing through my body.
(Click here to read the rest of this post.)

If you’re visiting from Lynn’s blog, I’m glad you stopped by. I hope you’ll check things out and become a regular part of The Stretched Community. You can sign up to receive daily blog updates by adding your e-mail on the main page (I promise not to send you spam). To help you get a taste of my other writing, here are a few of my favorite posts:

What are you holding onto too tightly? How could loosening your grip and giving up control make your flight/life more enjoyable?

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