Ice Breaker – 5 Books

Fridays are Ice Breaker days here on The Stretched Blog.  Before we get to this week’s question, I want to ask you to help me out by answering five questions related to short-term missions.  The survey was initially presented on the blog last week, but I understand some had trouble completing the survey on the blog.  After answering the Ice Breaker below, please click here to go directly to the survey.  It will only take a minute (I promise).

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.)

With the start of a new year comes a renewed desire to read some books.  I love hearing about books that other people are reading, and today’s question provides an opportunity to get up to speed on the latest reading trends or plans of The Stretched Community.

Question:  Name the five books you read most recently or the five books you plan to read in 2015.

My Answer:

1. Rich Kids: How to Raise Our Children to Be Happy and Successful in Life by Tom Corley (Read my review by clicking here.)
2. Redefine Rich: A New Perspective on the Good Life by Matt Ham
   
3. The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau
4. Moment Maker: You Can Live Your Life or It Will Live You by Carlos Whittaker
5. Fairness Is Overrated: And 51 Other Leadership Principles to Revolutionize Your Workplace by Tim Stevens

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!

As a reminder, please take a minute to fill out the short-term missions survey.  To get to the survey, click here.

Ice Breaker – Year of Stretch

Fridays are Ice Breaker days here on The Stretched Blog.  Before we get to this week’s question, I want to ask you to help me out by answering five questions related to short-term missions.  The survey was initially presented on the blog yesterday, but I understand some had trouble completing the survey on the blog.  After answering the Ice Breaker below, please click here to go directly to the survey.  It will only take a minute (I promise).

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.)

Many of us set goals for the new year.  Just over a week ago, you probably started or restarted some healthy routines.  Hopefully, you are still at it.  This week’s Ice Breaker question provides an opportunity to cast vision for your future.

Question:  What will it look like for you at the end of 2015 if you are really stretched this year?

My Answer:  I could go several different directions in answering this week’s question.  Looking ahead to the end of 2015, I will be stretched, and it will look something like this:  (1) I will have dunked a basketball again (see last week’s Ice Breaker), (2) I will have written my second book, and (3) I will have helped to build another house in Guatemala.

All three of these are major stretches for me.  I can barely touch the rim right now on a ten foot basket, and I’ll have to gain back nine inches or so to my vertical leaping ability.  After writing my first book last year, I now understand the work it takes to write a book.  This goal scares me, and I know it will be a stretch to complete this before the end of 2015.  Finally, I don’t currently have a trip planned to Guatemala, yet I believe God has given me a vision to impact others by building homes in Guatemala.  We’ll see what happens.

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!

As a reminder, please take a minute to fill out the short-term missions survey.  To get to the survey, click here.

Ice Breaker – New Year’s Goals

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’s Ice Breaker is inspired by the start of a new year.  Many of us set goals seeing January 1st as an opportunity for a fresh start.  Here’s an opportunity to share one of your goals with the Stretched Community.

Question:  What is one of your goals for the new year?

My Answer:  I set goals in many different categories – faith, family, fitness, fun, financial, marriage, missions, and writing/speaking.  I won’t go into all my goals for the new year.  Instead, I’ll share one of my goals for 2015.  My fitness goal for 2015 is to dunk a basketball by the end of the year.  About four years ago, I could still dunk a basketball.  A number of factors have prevented me from throwing it down like I used to.  I’m older.  I’m not as flexible.  I weigh a few more pounds.  I have been primarily working on my running instead of jumping.  I’m excited for this goal, because I think it will lead to a healthier me by the end of 2015.  I intend to lose some weight, gain flexibility, and strengthen my legs and core.  I’ll keep running, but I will be also focusing on doing the things necessary to dunk once more before the year is over.

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 – 2014 Highlights

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 is the last Ice Breaker of 2014.  Today’s Ice Breaker will return you to 2014.  Reflecting on the past year can be a great way to prepare for a new year.  I look forward to reading your answers.  At the end today’s post, I included a list of the Top 10 Ice Breakers from this past year.  If you have a moment, take a look back and enjoy.

Question:  What was one of your highlights from this past year?  How were you stretched in 2014?

My Answer:  Our family had many highlights in 2014.  Here is a short list:

Jon

• Self-published first book (On Track: Life Lessons from the Track & Field)
• Joined local Toastmasters club
• Traveled to Guatemala with family to build two more houses in the village of Santo Domingo Xenacoj
• Continued blog writing (jonstolpe.com)

Leanne

• Earned life coaching certification and started life coaching (leannestolpe.com)
• Started second year as preschool teacher at Trinity Country Nursery School
• Continued to learn Spanish through online program and private teacher
• Puppy-raiser “walker” for Rio (Hannah’s Seeing Eye Puppy)
• Led H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everywhere) family-based service group

Hannah (17)

• Earned Pennsylvania Driver’s License in June
• Attended CIY (Christ in Youth conference in TN)
• Purchased first car (yellow Chevy Aveo)
• Earned All-Conference Cross Country Honors this fall
• Visited three colleges (Grove City College, Eastern University, and Messiah College)
• Raising Seeing Eye Puppy – Rio

Isaac (14)

• Started high school this year as a Freshman at Perkiomen Valley High School
• Completed first season in Marching Band (trumpet)
• Performed at Penn State Univ. in state honors piano recital
• Raised Seeing Eye Guide Dog (Cody) who is now working in VA
• Attended Boy Scout Camp at Hawk Mountain in PA
• Attended 1st CIY with Hannah in TN

Here are the top 10 Ice Breakers from 2014:

1. Ice Breaker – Homecoming
2. Ice Breaker – Bucket List
3. Ice Breaker – Contest
4. Ice Breaker – Yacht
5. Ice Breaker – What’s In Your Box?
6. Ice Breaker – Billy Crystal (You Look Marvelous)
7. Ice Breaker – Winter Olympics
8. Ice Breaker – I Have A Dream
9. Ice Breaker – 2014 Fitness Goals
10. Ice Breaker – Last 5 Books You Read

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 – Favorite Concert

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.)

I recently started listening to the Starve the Doubts podcast with Jared Easley.  At the beginning of each episode, he asks guest to tell the audience about their favorite concert.  Today’s Ice Breaker is inspired by Jared Easley.

Question:  What is your favorite concert that you attended?

My Answer:  My kids actually had their winter concert at the high school last night.  Isaac played his trumpet in the band, and Hannah played the violin in the orchestra.  Any concert featuring my kids is my favorite.

Besides this, I haven’t been to many concerts recently.  One of my favorite concert moments was the first band I heard at Creation ’97 in Mt. Union, PA.  Leanne and I went when Leanne was expecting our daughter.  After we set up our tent and our campsite, we walked over to the main stage area.  Big Tent Revival was on stage playing to the audience.  There was something so uplifting and powerful about this that I will remember, and this is why it is my favorite concert event.

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 – Peacemaker

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 past Sunday was the second Sunday of Advent.  Many churches around the world celebrated Advent by lighting this second candle.  The second candle represents PEACE.  This provides the inspiration for today’s Ice Breaker.  Be sure to read a few more comments after my answer to today’s question.  Then leave your answer in the comment.

Question:  Where do you need to make peace in your home, at your job, or in another area of your life?

My Answer:  This has the potential to be one of the deeper ice breaker questions.  In fact, it’s probably way past the threshold of breaking the ice.  I feel like I try to be a peacemaker in my home, but I could do a better job making peace by going to bat more often for my wife as she interacts with our kids.  We have entered the stage of parenthood where our kids are teenagers, and they are smarter than we are (at least that’s what they think).  Sometimes, my kids don’t follow through when they are asked by my wife to do things.  I could do a better job of backing her.

At my job, I feel like I am often called upon to be the peacemaker between my project managers and their customers when an impasse develops related to scope of work.  I like this aspect of my job as it often seems like I get to come in and save the day for one side or the other.

I often keep my thoughts to myself when it comes to some of the controversial social issues where there is conflict.  In some cases, this happens because I am not fully informed, and in other cases, it is simply to avoid further conflict.  More than anything, my responsibility as a Christ follower is to point people to the ultimate peacemaker.  When I speak up, I want to make sure this is where I’m directing people.

Many think of Advent as being a time to get ready for Christmas.  I guess it is to some degree.  We set up our nativity, our tree, and other decorations during this time.  But Advent was not really meant to focus on Christmas.  It is a tradition created to help us think about Christ coming again.  He is often referred to as the Prince of Peace – the ultimate peacemaker.

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 – Holiday Hope

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 past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent.  Many churches around the world celebrated Advent by lighting this first candle.  The first candle represents HOPE.  This provides the inspiration for today’s Ice Breaker.  Be sure to read a few more comments after my answer to today’s question.  Then leave your answer in the comment.

Question:  What are you hoping for this Christmas season?

My Answer:  I’m hoping for a Red Rider BB Gun.  Just kidding.  I’m hoping for some time off from work when I can rest, relax, recharge, and spend time with my family.  This is actually on my agenda for the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.  I value this time as it is often the time that I recalibrate myself before heading into the new year.

Many think of Advent as being a time to get ready for Christmas.  I guess it is to some degree.  We set up our nativity, our tree, and other decorations during this time.  But Advent was not really meant to focus on Christmas.  It is a tradition created to help us think about Christ coming again.  This is the reason for our HOPE.

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 – Bumper Sticker

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.)

As I was driving earlier this week, I observed the cars around me.  Bumper stickers used to be glued to many cars.  Now, people use magnets.  In my Toastmasters meeting this week, someone asked a question about bumper stickers, and it seemed like the perfect question to use for this week’s Stretched Ice Breaker.  (Thanks, Becky!)

Question:  If you were going to put a bumper sticker on your car, what would it say?

My Answer:  Here you go…

If you’ve been reading here for any length of time, you know the village of Xenacoj in Guatemala holds a special place in my heart.  My bumper sticker design would make people think twice about my favorite Guatemalan village, and it would remind me of the special people who touched my heart.  I don’t know when I’m going back yet, but it has to be sometime, because that is where my heart is.

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 – What’s In Your Box?

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.)

I was talking to a friend the other day about the Pilgrims on the Mayflower.  Apparently, the Pilgrims were permitted to bring a footlocker-sized box aboard the ship to store their possessions as they made the move from Europe to America.  They were on the boat for quite a while, so I’m guessing the possessions in their box became pretty precious.  Today’s question is all about your box.

Question:  If you were going on a long journey and could only take a footlocker-sized box, what would you put in the box?

My Answer:  Assuming my clothing and toiletries were all taken care of, I’d probably include the following:

• My Bible
• Several journals
• Several pens
• A photo of my family
• A collection of my favorite books
• My iPad and charger (you never know, they could have WiFi and power where I’m going)
• A handful of my favorite CDs and a CD player (or some type of mp player with the songs already loaded)

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 – Ask Me Anything

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.)

I’m leading the discussion for a men’s small group this morning.  An ice breaker is always a good way to start these types of discussions.  One of the things I like to do in small groups is an activity called The Hot Seat.  I’m not sure I’ll use it today, since the group is still very new.  I like using The Hot Seat to take groups to a whole new level of intimacy and transparency.  For this activity, one person is put on “the hot seat” for a set period of time.  While they are on “the hot seat”, anyone can ask them anything.  I always have a rule that the person on “the hot seat” can plead the fifth to avoid answering a question that goes too far beyond their comfort zone.  This activity has led to some amazing disclosures and tremendous connections in the groups I’ve led.  For today’s Ice Breaker, I’m putting myself on “the hot seat.”  I’ll do my best to answer the questions in the comments or in a separate post.  Here goes….

Question:  What do you want to ask me?

My Answer:  Are you ready for this type of challenge?  I mean, your readers could ask you anything.

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!