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.)
May The Fourth is rapidly approaching which means my Mom will be celebrating another birthday and many will be celebrating Star Wars Day (May the Fourth be with you!). Today’s Ice Breaker is inspired by Star Wars and the recent announcement of the latest addition to the Star Wars saga coming in December. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, see the trailer below.)
My Answer: I’ve always liked Luke Skywalker. He’s not perfect, but he seems to represent what is right in this world. As for an upcoming movie, I looking forward to seeing the latest Star Wars movie in December and the upcoming Batman vs. Superman movie coming in March 2016.
Here are trailers to both movies:
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!
Over the holiday weekend, I rented the movie, Chef, from our local Redbox. My wife and I saw the movie over the summer on one of our weekly date nights, and it was a movie that brought a smile to my face. In fact, I remember smiling throughout most of the movie. I knew back in the summer this was a movie I had to see again. When it came out on DVD, I knew it was time for another viewing.
(Let me warn you though, Chef is rated ‘R’ for the use of profanity.)
There was a scene in the movie that really made me think as I watched it again last week. In the scene, Chef Casper’s son just burnt his first Cuban sandwich. He was getting ready to feed it to some nonpaying customers when his dad quickly pulled him aside to have this conversation (there is no profanity in this scene).
There was humility, passion, and a desire to leave a legacy rolled up in this scene, and I think it flowed throughout the movie. In this particular scene, I was reminded that we don’t always get it right. In fact, we screw up more than most of us would like to admit. Despite this, we still have a desire, passion, and even a responsibility to leave a legacy by doing the things we love.
Chef Casper could make a mean Cuban sandwich along with the rest of his culinary creations. This was the love of his life, and he wanted to share it with others – especially with his son.
I want my kids and others to enjoy the things that make my heart beat. I want them to be passionate about the things they love to do. For my daughter right now, it’s running. For my son, it’s making music. These are gifts to them and to those around them. I hope they will share these passions with the world around them. And I hope I can make the most of the opportunity to share my passions with them. This is a legacy worth leaving.
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: If you could be in the movie of your choice, what movie would you choose and what character would you play?
My Answer: First, I would go with Field of Dreams. This is my favorite movie of all-time. I love the story and how it encourages viewers to dream crazy dreams. If I were to choose a character from the movie to play, I would go with Archibald Graham. If you remember the story, he played baseball as a young man. He played in the minor leagues for most of his short career. When he finally got the call to play in the big leagues, he never had the opportunity for a plate appearance.
He ended up going into medicine, and he became a small-town family doctor. His dream of getting a big league hit never came to fruition. In the movie, he is given another shot had fulfilling this dream when a crazy farmer in Iowa (played by Kevin Costner) invites him to his field where “ghosts” from baseball past gather to play a game in a field surrounded by corn.
I don’t want to give the whole movie away for those who haven’t seen it yet, but there’s another point in the movie where Archie Graham has to make a decision about baseball and medicine. Through the decision, we discover an incredible love for others. This is the way I want to respond when presented with such a decision. For this reason, I think it would be a great experience to play his character in the move.
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!
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!
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.)
My Answer: I don’t watch that many movies these days, but I’m always looking for suggestions. Here are the last five songs I listened to:
I’m trusting many of you have seen more current movies. I would love to hear your list. Maybe it will lead to a date night movie with my wife or a fun movie outing with my son or daughter.
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!
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!
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about 3 Essentials for Finding Meaning in the Mundane. Shortly after writing this post, I watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty for the first time. In the movie, Walter Mitty (played by Ben Stiller) seems to be trapped in his own mundane world. His fear of failure along with his inability to connect with reality keeps him locked in a world of daydreams and unrealized adventure.
I loved the movie. I think it was inspiring, and I think it is a great reminder for all of us stuck in the ordinary. Here are a few things I took home from the movie:
I look forward to watching the movie again. It definitely found a place on my list of favorite movies.
“Whatever makes you happy!”
“I just want him to be happy!”
“Are you happy?”
We live in a culture that is focused on the pursuit of personal happiness. We go after the next big promotion, the next big toy, the next big experience, the next big relationship, and the next big investment thinking to ourselves “This will bring me happiness!” (Maybe it’s a big bowl of popcorn.)
My guess is these pursuits may bring us temporary happiness, but this feeling of euphoria eventually fades.
What if we thought about happiness from a different angle?
Last night, Leanne and I saw a new movie featuring Joe Boyd and Rebecca St. James, A Strange Brand Of Happy. Before you get all excited, it wasn’t my favorite movie, but I did enjoy the date night experience with my wife (who loved the movie). I won’t go into a major review here – that’s not the point of this post. The movie did get me thinking about happiness.
Did you ever think that we might make God happy?
I’m not sure if I ever thought about it this way before.
Imagine with me for a minute that you are a parent (that’s not too difficult for many of us). How do your kids bring you happiness? For me, I’m happy when I see them using their gifts and talents. For example, I’m happy when I watch Hannah run. I’m happy when I see her using her unbelievable Spanish skills. I’m happy when see her heart pouring out into her actions. I’m happy when I hear Isaac playing the piano or trumpet. I’m happy when I see him caring for others. I’m happy when he just wants to be around me.
The movie suggests that we make God happy, and I think I get it. When we are using our gifts and talents, we make God happy. When we are operating in our area of passion, we make God happy. When we just want to be around Him, we make God happy. Maybe this is the kind of happiness we should be pursuing.
What do you think? What makes you happy? What are you doing today that brings God happiness?
This past weekend, Isaac and I went to the Movie Tavern to enjoy dinner and Man of Steel, the latest take on Superman. We had a great night. This was definitely a great father-son movie, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
The storyline in the movie draws many parallels to the story of Christ. For example, Superman is sent to earth as an infant with a mission. He didn’t quite fit in as a child – he was clearly different. He possessed power beyond earthly imagination. He didn’t reveal his identity until the time was right. And he saved the earth from an evil enemy.
As we left the movie, Isaac and I had great conversations about the movie and about Christ. We talked about our favorite scenes from the movie, and we imagined what it might be like to have superpowers like Superman. And we shared with each other how the movie reminded us of God’s love for us.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
It’s amazing how the secular entertainment world can promote worthwhile discussion between a father and a son.
What secular movie, song, or book has promoted worthwhile conversation between you and a friend or loved one?
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 going to try vlogging again for this week’s ice breaker question. I’ll be leaving my response on video. Here goes….
Question: Tell us about a book or movie that you recently read or watched and would recommend to the Stretched Community.
My Answer: You’ll have to watch the video below.
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!
Over the weekend, our family sat down together to watch a movie. There are times when it seems like we are running so quickly from one event or activity to the next. It was so nice just to be still together in our own home for a couple of hours. Leanne and Isaac picked out the movie from one of our local Redbox kiosks. It seems like I am more and more out of the loop on the whole movie scene, so it’s no surprise that I had never heard of the movie they picked out – The Impossible.
The movie portrays the true story of a family caught in the ravages of a large tsunami that hit southeast Asia in 2004. They family who is vacationing along the coast is separated and swept away when the giant wave decimates the resort where they were staying. (Spoiler alert!) Most of the movie is spent telling the story of their search for one another and of their eventual reunion.
Most of the movie is pretty graphic as it shows the tsunami along with the injuries that occurred as a result. When Leanne told me what the movie was about, I was honestly not sure I wanted to see it. Who wants to watch destruction?
I’m glad I stuck around to the end. The movie was pretty powerful. In fact, there were a couple of moments that brought tears to my eyes. Along with the tears, the movie brought a few thoughts to my head that have been rolling around for a few days.
The circumstances of life can sometimes seem impossible. We face trials of many kinds, and we can easily get caught up in our tunnel-visioned, self-focused reality. It’s important to remember that we have a Father who loves us through thick and thin. And it’s important to live our lives in a way that honors Him. Believe it or not, The Impossible reminded me of this.
What are you facing today that is IMPOSSIBLE? How does it help to know that there is a God who relentlessly pursues you?
Did you watch The Academy Awards last night?. Other than a few minutes, I didn’t watch. Our family watched The Amazing Race, and I had to get some sleep in preparation for a busy week. I did see a few movies this year – Lincoln, Les Miserables, The Hobbit, and The Amazing Spiderman. I enjoyed each of these for several reasons. Since I’m not up on most of the movies from this year, I thought it would be fun to come up with my own Stretched Oscars which pay tribute to my favorite movies. Here are my winners (from my favorite movies):
There are several other categories, but I can’t imagine that most people know or even care about them.
Who would get your lifetime Oscar awards? Did you watch The Academy Awards last night? What was your favorite movie from this past year?