My Psalm

God, You are my God.

I come to You with all that I am.

I bring my pride.  I bring my apprehension.

I bring my anxiety.  I bring my desperation.

I lay all these and more at Your feet.

Take these things that weigh me down.

Take these things that cause butterflies to circle endlessly in my stomach.

Take these thoughts and cares and worries.

I come to You for relief.

Thanks!

Thanks for caring for me.

Thanks for uplifting my soul.

Thanks for giving me strength.

Thanks for giving me courage.

Thanks for giving me peace.

These things could only come from You.

God, You are my God.

I come to You with all I am.

Make me what You want me to be.

The Lost Coin – The Lost Landscaping Plan

Leanne and I have been looking for a landscaping plan that we had designed for us five years ago.  Sometime last summer, it went missing.  We have been looking all over the place, but we can’t seem to find it.  I’m sure it’s somewhere, but I have no idea where it could be.  If you find it, or if you know someone who will do a new plan for us (for free) let me know.

While I’m onto the whole parable thing (see my previous post), I thought I’d go down a more humorous path to let you in on a little bit of the Stolpe house and how it relates to another parable found in Luke 15.  In The Parable of the Lost Coin, Jesus tells the story of a woman who loses a coin in her house.  She searches and cleans and searches some more – until finally she finds her lost coin.  When she finds it, she celebrates.

In our house, we have lost something (like the landscaping plan mentioned above) every once in a while.  At one point, we lost Isaac’s new bag of Nerf Gun darts.  Obviously, he was upset.  We searched all over the house without any glimpse of this bag.  We searched in his room, we searched in the garage, we searched in the shed, and we searched in the basement.  Nothing, Nada, Zilch.  We couldn’t find Isaac’s treasured possession for months.  Funny how things show up all the sudden.  A couple of months ago, I was bringing up some lumber from our basement to our shed to construct our cold frame when I discovered the bag of darts laying beneath the pile of two by fours in the basement.  When I brought them upstairs to show Isaac, you would have thought that I found the holy grail.  He was so excited.  His bag of Nerf darts which were lost had now been found!

I think that’s a very mild version of how God feels when we return to Him.  When we’re lost and going down life’s roads without reference to God, it’s like we’re a lost coin or a lost bag of Nerf darts.  But when we return to God – when we put Him first in our lives, there’s so much excitement, joy, and celebration.

So how about you?  Are you a lost coin?  Or is there unbelievable celebration going on because you are found?

Now, if I could just find our landscaping plan!

The Prodigal Son – The Older Son

The painting above by Rembrandt depicts the story of The Prodigal Son.  In the forefront, you see the lost son being embraced by the loving father.  And I’m guessing that the middle figure in the back behind the father is the older son.  Here are some of my thoughts about this story.

A couple of weeks ago at my men’s group, we were discussing different parables that we liked and disliked.  We talked about different ones and what they meant.  One of the parables we talked about more extensively was The Parable of the Lost Son (or The Prodigal Son).  This story told by Jesus in Luke 15 is an amazing story about a runaway son who finds redemption, about a loving father who grants forgiveness, and about an older son who is conflicted by the happenings surrounding his brother and his father.

I love this story and I dislike the story all at the same time.  I love that we all are offered forgiveness and grace.  We have all screwed up, and our Father runs to us with open arms as we return to Him.  I identify with the older son who seems to have done everything correctly, but who sometimes feels lost in the shadows as those around me celebrate the stories of people who have “returned home” following a path of drunkenness, debauchery, and destruction.  I know this sounds selfish and shortsighted, and it is.  But it’s also an honest response.  I am so thankful for my upbringing, my early found faith, and my journey.  And I really don’t want any turmoil or trouble in my life that could come as a result of straying from God.  But there are times where I feel overlooked or undervalued because I don’t have a more colorful story of how I was lost but found Christ.

Just a window into my thoughts – enough whining!  Whether you relate to the younger son or the older son, we can all be thankful for God’s grace and forgiveness.  We can all experience redemption.  And I think this is why I ultimately love this story.  It convicts me of my own selfishness and jealousy, and it offers a clear hope for me.  You see, I believe the Father would do anything for both of the sons.  He loves both of them lavishly and completely.  God, my Father, loves me despite my junk.

Do you believe that?  How do you relate to this story?

Pile of Rocks

I’ve recently been thinking about blogging.  For me it often feels like when I get a chance to blog, I’m not inspired.  And when I’m inspired to blog, I don’t have time for writing.  I’m sure many bloggers and writers can relate to this paradox.  To be honest, I feel like I’ve bounced between these two ends of the spectrum – especially this past year.  I think this is the reason many “successful” bloggers are those who find the discipline to be consistent.  I guess I just haven’t hit my stride yet in this area.  I thrive on routine.  For example, I’ve been running just about every day for the past four months (and it’s paid off with a weight loss of ~27 pounds).  I have found a way to stay in God’s word on a daily basis.  This morning, my reading in Joshua 4 reminded me of an important aspect to my blogging.

¹ When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, ² “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, ³ and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”

⁴ So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, ⁵ and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, ⁶ to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ ⁷ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

⁸ So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the LORD had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. ⁹ Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.

In a way, my blog is like the pile of rocks that the Israelites left on the bank of the Jordan.  Blogging reminds me of God’s faithfulness through the ups and downs of life.  It allows me to celebrate and remember life’s milestones.  It gives me a chance to reflect on life.  Maybe one day, it will be an opportunity to share with my children and grandchildren how God was working in this man’s life.

So why do you blog?  Why do you read this blog?

Metal Toes

I took this picture inside the pedestal museum at the base of the Statue of Liberty when our family visited there for President’s Day last month.

Sometimes I wish I had metal toes.  This seems like a crazy wish, but let me explain.

I like to run.  Or maybe I should say, I like to eat, so I need to run to keep my net calories in check.

For whatever reason, God gave me soft feet and fragile toes.  My second toe on each foot is a little longer than my big toes, so these toes tend to take a beating as I ramp up my mileage.  Inevitably, my toe nails turn black and blue and then my toe nail falls off.  It’s quite a “fun” process.

So I’m thinking that if I had metal toes like the ones shown above, I wouldn’t have to deal with the whole black and blue/nail loss thing.

How about you?  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14

On The Right Track

I took this picture before the start of Isaac’s last Pinewood Derby.  It was a fun morning, and Isaac took 3rd place overall to our surprise.

I like this picture.  It kind of reminds me of the importance of being on the right track.  It is so easy to get on the wrong track through the distractions of life.  We often let the busyness of life steer us of course and away from where our focus should rest.  Whether we get caught up in work or we get sidelined by some sort of defeat or setback or we get distracted by some sort of hobby, we all can find ourselves on the wrong track.

I think the author of Hebrews had this in mind when he wrote the first three verses of Hebrews 12.

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.

By keeping our focus on Jesus, we are sure to be on the right track.

You Are Here

I took this picture a couple of months ago while on a Cub Scout field trip to the Franklin Institute.  This sign was located in a stairwell between exhibits.  I just thought it was funny.  What can I say?  This is my humor, and you’re stuck with it if you’re still reading by blog.

As I think about the sign, “You Are Here,” I think it’s a good reminder for me.  Sometimes, it can be easy to get stuck in our past –  where we dwell on either our victories or defeats.  Let’s face it, we often like the way things were just because that’s what we’re used to.  Does that make sense?

On the other hand, sometimes, it can be easy to get caught up in the worries (and hopes) of the future.  I think it’s good to have hopes and dreams and to go after them.  But sometimes, we deal with anxiety because we’re so focused on what might happen in the future.  We are crippled by questions which have answers that are out of our control.

As I think about this, two passages come to mind:

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:10

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:25-34

These offer great reminders to rejoice in today – this moment in time when the past is in the past, and God holds the future in His hands.

I am here.  Where are you?

Filled Up With Bread

This morning on my way to the office, I was listening to a podcast from Mosaic, out in southern California.  In the podcast, Hank Fortener, was speaking about Jesus being the Bread of Life (found in John 6:35 – Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”).

Hank shared the following:

“You see.  I think there are these times in our lives where you go through these spaces where you feel like you’re spread out.  Spread thin.  Where you wonder if you’ll ever get back to normal.  Will I ever get back to better?  Will I ever get to good?  Will I ever be at awesome?  Will I ever get to the amazing part?  You see this is the part where Jesus says, ‘This is where I step in.’  Because one of God’s sweet spots is His ability to meet us at our weakest.  One of His sweet spots is His ability to be more powerful than our temporary circumstances.  So when Jesus says, ‘I am the bread of life,’ He’s saying that ‘no matter what you’ve done up to this point, no matter what you’ve experienced up until this point, it’s still going to perish.  You’re still going to die.  But I can give you something that gives you life – that fills you so full that you can barely breath.’”

As I listened to these words, I could relate.  Over the past year, I have wondered if things would ever return to normal.  I have wondered if things would ever get back to better.  I have wondered if I would ever get to the amazing part.

But I have also experienced relief – despite the chaos around me.  I have experienced healing – despite unanswered questions.  I have experienced a peace that comes from knowing that ultimately everything will be okay – despite the fact that life often seems to be swirling around me.  I believe this comes from knowing and depending on my “Bread of Life” – Jesus Christ.

Do you know Him?  Are you hungry?  Are you unfulfilled?  Are you thirsty for more?

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  John 6:35

What’s On My Night Stand? (What Am I Reading Right Now?)

As a kid, I was never a huge reader.  I mean, I could read, but it wasn’t my first choice for spending my free time.  Over the past few years, I’ve actually learned to enjoy reading some when I have some down time.  (You may have figured that out with some of my previous book review blog posts.)

At any rate, I thought I’d give you a glimpse into what I’ve been reading lately.

For fun, I’ve been reading John Grisham‘s latest suspense, The Confession.  I won’t give it away, but the general story is about an innocent man who’s about to be executed for a crime he didn’t commit while the real killer comes forward to confess his actions.  I’ve read several Grisham books, and this one as always has kept me on the edge of my seat.  I’m about half way through, so I’m excited to see how it ends.

For personal growth and challenge, I’ve been reading two books by Dave Ramsey, The Total Money Makeover and The Money Answer Book.  In both these books, Ramsey shares tips for helping people to “live like nobody else now, so you can live like nobody else” in the future.  He shares financial tips that he says came from this Bible and from your grandmother.  He dispels the myths about debt and get rich quick schemes.  Both of these books are great tools for anyone who is trying to figure out how to handle their money, how to get rid of debt, and how to save for the future.

Finally, I’m reading a book by Randy Alcorn, If God is Good.  This book addresses questions that many have about evil and suffering in the world.  “If God is good, how could He allow evil and suffering?”  This book is pretty deep, and it’s been a challenge to make consistent progress in this book.  I think it’s extremely relevant to anyone – especially those who have experienced pain in their lives caused by evil or suffering.  I have found the book helpful as I am sorting through my own thoughts, feelings, doubts, and experiences.  I am convinced that God is good, but Alcorn’s book has been helpful in my processing.

Oh yeah, I usually have a few Runner’s World magazines by the bedside as well for quick reference and lighter reading.

So…what are you reading?

2011 – New Volunteer Opportunity – Welcome Center

Over the past year, I’ve been struggling to figure out where I fit in at our church.  For a long time, I was active in grouplife leadership at our church.  Events a couple of years ago (that I really don’t want to rehash) left me somewhat scarred and feeling out in the cold related to this ministry area.  Grouplife remains a huge passion of mine, but it’s been a challenge to jump back in after a couple of years.  Some of the challenge stems from other commitments at home and at work.  Recently, family circumstances have left me hesitant to jump back in full force.  But mostly, I believe it’s been my pride that has kept me out of the game.

Leanne has been encouraging me to find an area where I can serve.  I’ve looked at the volunteer opportunities that appear in our weekly church program, but nothing really jumped out at me and said, “This is for you!”  Leanne and our kids have been serving regularly in our children’s ministry.  On these days, I often find myself hanging out in the lobby while they are serving.  Pretty lame, huh?  Well, as it turns out, there is a ministry opportunity for people who like to hang out in the lobby.  Starting next week, I’ll be serving at our Welcome Center.  It’s an opportunity to help people who have questions about our church, and it’s an opportunity to point people towards avenues that will help them get plugged into our church.

I’m excited.  I know this may not seem like a huge deal, but I believe it’s a positive step forward for the new year.

If you’re in the lobby on the 4th Sunday of the month be sure to stop by and say hello.  I’ll be the tall guy over at the Welcome Center.

(By the way, I have been so excited to see what has been happening with Grouplife at our church over the past year.)