Ice Breaker – Black Friday
It’s that time of the weekend…time for an ice breaker question! For those of you who are new or who forgot, ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak. I love hearing what other people have to say and how they think. So for today, I’m throwing out another simple ice breaker question. I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn. Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy. Thanks!
Question: Today is traditionally known as Black Friday – when retail companies go in the ‘black’. Do you participate in the Black Friday madness? Are you an early bird shopper? What’s the hot item on your shopping list this year?
My Answer: Here you go….
Honestly, I’m not a big shopper. I don’t like the crowded stores. I’m pretty skeptical about the “deals”. Are they really deals anyway? As far as getting up early, I get up early to run and blog – but not to shop. As for the hot item on my list this year, how about the Red Rider BB gun? Just kidding of course.
This year, we’re driving back from New York City where we spent a few days with our family – taking in the sights and sounds and running the Thanksgiving Marathon. I’m looking forward to kicking off the Christmas season with some good food, some holiday music, and plenty of time with my family.
So there you have it, my answer to the question. Now it’s your turn….
A Quick Marathon Update
Happy Thanksgiving!
I’ll provide a more detailed update when I get home, but I thought you might enjoy hearing that I did receive the 12 inch fork finisher’s medal for finishing today’s Thanksgiving Marathon! I finished the very hilly trail course in a time of 4 hours 1 minute. I can’t complain.
Hope you’re doing well today. What’s your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
(My 1st post from my Blackberry.)
Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m so thankful for today! There are so many reasons give thanks. Our family has a tradition of using a table-cloth every year for Thanksgiving. Each year, we trace our hand prints on the table-cloth, and we write something we’re thankful for in each finger. So here are my five things this year:
1. Leanne – I am so thankful for her restored health. I’m so thankful for her friendship and love. She’s such an incredible mom and wife.
2. Hannah – I blogged about her Monday. It’s amazing to see how she is growing up.
3. Isaac – I’m proud of him too! He is kind, sensitive, and extremely talented. He makes us laugh, and he keeps us on our toes.
4. Blogging – This has been a big year for me when it comes to blogging. I have really enjoyed this outlet. And I’m especially thankful for all the friends I’ve met through the blogging community.
5. Job – I don’t want to take this for granted. I love what I do (most days). I love the fact that I can help people succeed.
If all goes well, I’m running the Thanksgiving Marathon today (I’ll report more on that later). Honestly, running could probably be another thankful point, but I’d have to grow a sixth finger on my hand. I’m looking forward to returning home tomorrow and enjoying our Thanksgiving feast on Saturday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
What are you thankful for this year?
Tomorrow Is Marathon Day
Tomorrow I’m running the Thanksgiving Marathon. I’m ready. I’m excited. And yes, I’m a little nervous. Training for marathon is a long process. I started training back in May or June. It has taken a lot of time and a lot of hard work to get to this point. I’ve logged miles on local streets and trails. I’ve run on trails in Canada. I’ve run the streets of Cape Cod, and I’ve run around Gifford Pinchot State Park. I’ve even run on the boardwalk along the New Jersey shore. I’ve run in the rain, in the heat, in the light, in the dark, and in the freezing cold. I’ve run when I wanted to and when I didn’t want to run. Tomorrow’s race will be the longest run of my training season. And as tough as it sounds, I”m picturing it more as a celebration of the journey. I don’t know for sure what tomorrow has in store, but I’m thankful for this chance to remember that life is a journey and a marathon – it’s not a sprint. Life takes work, and it’s not always easy. So tomorrow I’ll celebrate running, and I’ll celebrate life.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
What have you worked hard for in your life? How has life been like a marathon for you? What keeps you going when you don’t feel like you can keep going?
I Need A Break
Have you ever come to a point where you know you need a few days off?
The time has come for me. I’m taking a couple of days off from work, and I’m heading to NYC with my family for some time away together. The Stretched blog will continue, so don’t go away. It should be great to have some rest and recharge for the final sprint to the end of 2011.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
So seriously, do you need a break? When will you stop to take a breath?
It’s The Weekend! And What A Week It Was!
Wow! That seemed like one crazy and busy week. In real life, I literally had something going on every night of the week. Monday was my wife’s birthday which we celebrated at On The Border. Tuesday night, we volunteered with our H.O.P.E. group at our local nursing home. Wednesday night, I met with my M.E.A.T. group. Thursday night was an Awards Dinner for work. And last night was Isaac’s first basketball practice and Hannah’s sleepover birthday party. The weekend has several things going on, but I’m still hoping to catch some relaxation time.
It was also an exciting week for the blog. Monday’s post finished off the blog spotlight with the letters T through Z. Tuesday was an inspiring post about the Black and White notebooks that my daughter’s friends keep. Wednesday’s post examined some of my thoughts about Joe Paterno and grace. And I continued on Thursday by thinking out loud about grace and me. Friday finished things off with a fun Ice Breaker about our encounters with famous people.
I just wanted to thank each of you for your contribution to the blog through comments. It’s a real blessing to get your ideas and thoughts through this Stretched Community! I just wanted to remind you all to take the take to Subscribe to the blog, so you can have Stretched delivered daily to your e-mail inbox. Also, don’t forget to stop by the Jon Stolpe Stretched Facebook fan page. Become a fan to keep up with some additional Stretched stuff. Thanks!
How about you? How was your week? If you’re a blogger what happened over your way this week? Did you read any great blog posts this week? Share with the rest of us!
Ice Breaker – Encounters with Famous People
After the last few posts, we need to lighten it up a bit. It’s that time of the week…time for an ice breaker question! For those of you who are new or who forgot, ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak. I love hearing what other people have to say and how they think. So for today, I’m throwing out another simple ice breaker question. I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn. Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy. Thanks!
Question: Who is the most famous you have run into face to face? Tell us about the experience.
My Answer: Here you go….
I know I’ve run into a few ‘famous’ people, but the only one that comes to mind today is Garrison Keillor. He is the host of A Prairie Home Companion, a weekly radio show that airs on NPR. I grew up listening to the show with my parents every Saturday night. I think they especially found the show amusing because of the shows focus on Minnesota/mid-west humor.
A few years ago, my wife and I were celebrating one of our anniversaries with a get away weekend to Ocean Grove (I’ve blogged about OG before). This beach town is known for its Assembly Hall which hosts weekly concerts and events. The weekend we were down there, A Prairie Home Companion was doing their weekly radio show from the Assembly Hall. Naturally, I was curious to see what was going on, so my wife and I grabbed some ice cream and took a stroll around the Hall.
To my amazement, we ran into Garrison Keillor. We said hello, and I asked if I could shake his hand. As I went to shake his hand I had ice cream dripping from my hand. I’m not sure if I licked it off or wiped in on my shorts, but it didn’t matter at the moment since I was meeting the man whom I grew up with every Saturday night in our kitchen or living room. My parents would be jealous for sure. Mr. Keillor, in his red running shoes, jeans, and blue blazer, had to be caught off card by this fan who was covered in ice cream. But he didn’t miss a beat. He was as friendly as could be expected. I told him that my parents had introduced me to him on the radio, and we wished him well for the evening’s show.
As my wife and I walked away, we couldn’t help but chuckle at the awkwardness of the meeting. We still talk about it when we head over to Ocean Grove for our summer time visits to the Jersey shore.
So there you have it, my answer to the question. Now it’s your turn….
Me and Grace: Is There Any Chance They Go Together?
Who would you give a second chance?
Yesterday, I posted about Joe Paterno, and I wrestled out loud about whether or not he deserves a second chance and about whether or not he deserves grace. There was really an interesting discussion that happened through the comments of the blog. As I thought more about the issue, the post, and the comments, I kept coming back to the same thing: What about grace and me? Do they go together?
I’m not in the national spotlight like Joe Paterno. I haven’t been involved in something so devastating and dark. But here’s the deal. When it comes to God’s holiness, I fall way short of the mark. I sin. My thoughts aren’t always the best and neither are my actions. I wrong others and God through my attitudes, my lack of response, and my general failures to get it right. So if I’m honest, I have to ask if there’s grace for me? Just like Joe Paterno, I need grace.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23
Do I deserve grace? Does Joe Paterno deserve grace? I think the answer is actually no. Grace is not earned or deserved. Grace is given. It’s an undeserved gift. So when I ask the question “does Joe Paterno or Jon Stolpe deserve grace?” what I’m really trying to say is “would you be willing to give me (or Joe) a second chance despite my failings?”
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
So what about you? How does grace fit into your story? Have you ever received grace from someone? Have you had the chance to give someone a second chance?
Paterno and Grace: Is There Any Chance They Go Together?
One of the blogs that should have made my spotlight list was the People Of The Second Chance Blog. This blog focuses on overthrowing judgement and liberating love. Over the past several months, they have featured pictures like the one shown above of various criminals, thugs, and misfits who have killed, raped, and committed various sins. The question always asked with these pictures is the same: “Who would you give a second chance?” The blog asks readers to post their comments but to also post their thoughts on their own blogs. When the opportunity to comment and blog about Joe Paterno came up, I thought it would give me a chance to “stretch” my own mind and heart a bit. So here goes…
First, you should know that I live in Pennsylvania, and I am a Penn State alum. While I didn’t graduate from the main campus, I’m still a Penn State and JoePa fan. So as the news broke a couple of weeks ago about the child sex abuse allegations and the apparent cover-up, I was deeply saddened. Is it really possible that Joe Paterno knew what was going on and didn’t say anything? Is this how it’s going to end for a man who has meant so much to so many players, students, and fans?
I haven’t read many of the reports or seen many of the TV interviews, but I’ve heard enough from the water-cooler conversations at the office and the passing radio reports that there was obviously inappropriate activities happening up in Happy Valley. And Paterno even admitted that he should have done more to speak up and stop what was going on. So why didn’t he speak up? Was he protecting his friend? Was he protecting his football program? Was he protecting Penn State? Was he protecting his own name?
The Bible says that a good name is worth more than any riches (A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1). In a week’s time, a name that was synonymous with greatness, values, and winning has been all but destroyed. Paterno was fired for his lack of action. He’s been all over the newspapers, internet, and television where he’s been labeled a hypocrite. He was removed from a list of names in line to receive a prestigious award from President Obama. And I heard yesterday that his name was removed from a championship trophy.
The morning after Paterno was fired, I talked with my son about the importance of standing up and speaking out when things happen around us that are wrong. Whether or not you’re a kid in sixth grade or a nationally known football coach, it can be hard to speak up. But these recent events are a great reminder that we can’t just sit on the side lines and pretend that things around us are always perfect.
So I guess this brings me to the question on the poster. Do you think Joe Paterno deserves a second chance? Do you think there’s room for grace in the middle of these awful allegations? I guess I fall on both sides of this thing. On the one hand, our actions (or lack of action) have consequences. There’s no getting around this. If the allegations prove true, many kids lives were forever blemished. You cannot overlook this. Having said that, I believe that there is still time for Paterno to make the most of this situation. First, he can come clean on whatever else he may know related to these allegations. And second he can do whatever he can to make things right – especially for the families of those who were most closely impacted. So yes, I believe that there is hope, grace, and second chances for Paterno.
What do you think? Have you ever been guilty of failing to speak up? Does Paterno deserve a second chance? Drop a comment here and be sure to stop over at the POTSC blog to add your input to the conversation.
Black and White
The other night, my wife and I work driving our daughter and three of her friends to a girls only event at our church. As we picked up each girl, it was funny how the car became more noisy. As we made our way to our destination, my wife and I listened as the four girls laughed, giggled, and discussed things from hair to birthday parties to the school play. We couldn’t help but eavesdrop when one of our daughter’s friends started sharing about The Black Notebook and The White Notebook. I didn’t catch all the “rules” about these two notebooks, but I did catch the general idea.
Each year, you start with two notebooks – one is white, and the other is black. In the white book, you write all the good things – things that happened to you that were good, good thoughts or ideas, and things you want to remember. And in the black book, you write all the bad things – things that didn’t go your way, bad thoughts or ideas, and things you don’t necessarily want to remember. As the year goes on, the pages of each notebook fills up with good and bad stuff. Throughout the year, you refer to the white notebook when you’re having a bad day – when you need a lift. And you generally keep the black notebook closed unless you’re adding something to it. At the end of the year, you burn the black notebook, and you keep the white notebook for future reference. And of course, you get two new notebooks to start the next year!
Seems kind of interesting. I think this is part of the reason that I blog and journal. I want to record my thoughts and ideas – especially the good ones. I think it’s helpful to see how God is working in my life. I think it’s an interesting exercise to burn the “black” books in our lives. I think it can be very healthy to put aside the things that drag us down and to focus on the future and the things that uplift us.
It’s amazing what you pick up when you listen to your kids and their friends!
What you have your kids taught you? How do you handle your thoughts and ideas? Do you journal or blog about the good and the bad?