Of Bees And Bee Stings

Last night, our family dedicated a couple of hours to weeding the herb garden and the flower beds.  While we were weeding in the front yard, I had an encounter with a nest of ground bees.

We were making great progress, and I was working on an area that is notorious for being hard to weed.  There is an area of ground cover juniper.  In this area grass grows up between the juniper branches and needles.  It takes a pair of gloves to get through the needles, and I have to get down on my knees when weeding this area.  I was about half way through this area, and I was excited to see that this area was getting cleaned up.  As I started to get a large hand full of weeds, I felt something buzzing around my head.  At first, I tried to brush it away, but I quickly stopped when I realized that there was a pinching feeling through my gloves.  Suddenly, I realized that I was being stung by a bee and there were several other bees swarming around me.  I quickly stood up and threw off my gloves making sure there were no other bees around me.  Remarkably, I was only stung once.

I’m guessing, my hand will be hurting and itching later today.

The bee sting got me thinking some key “Be” verses from the Bible that merit some extra reflection.

• 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
• Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.  Mark 13:33
• Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  I Corinthians 16:13
• Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  I Peter 5:8-9
• Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32
• Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12

I’m sure this is just a start.  What other “Be” verses can you add to the list above?  When was the last time you were stung by a bee?

To Bee Or Not To Bee – Thoughts From An Encounter With Bees

Over the weekend, I was doing some odds and ends around the house when I had an encounter with a nest of ground bees.

I had just put up some fall decorations on our front porch when I noticed some weeds in the landscape in front of the porch.  Naturally, I knelt down and start pulling weeds.  As I started to get a large hand full of weeds, I felt something sharp and almost thorny at my wrist.  At first, I kept going, but I quickly stopped when I realized that this pinching feeling wasn’t going away.  Suddenly, I realized that I was being stung by a bee and there were tons of other bees swarming around me.  I quickly dropped my handful of weeds and ran into the front yard trying to get away from the swarm of bees.  Remarkably, I was only stung once.

Two days later, my wrist still hurts and itches.

The bee sting got me thinking some key “Be” verses from the Bible that merit some extra reflection.

• 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
• Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.  Mark 13:33
• Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  I Corinthians 16:13
• Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  I Peter 5:8-9
• Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32
• Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12

I’m sure this is just a start.  What other “Be” verses can you add to the list above?  When was the last time you were stung by a bee?

You Are Here

I took this picture last year 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 my 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?

Ice Breaker – Verse of the Day

Today’s question is simple.  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 excited to throw 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:  What is your favorite Bible verse?  Or what verse have you been hanging onto lately?

Simple question; simple answer.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.  Colossians 4:2-6

So there you have it, my answer to the question.  Now it’s your turn….I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

My Treasure & My Heart

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Matthew 6:21

Where is my treasure?

Where is my heart?

I have lots of interests.  I spend my time on lots of things.  I work.  I read.  I blog.  I run.  I watch television.  I eat.  I sleep – some.

Do I devote the same amount of time, energy, and attention to the people and the things that mean the most to me?  This is the question that stretches me.  My God, my wife, and my kids deserve my focus.

This doesn’t mean that I can’t have interests and hobbies.  But I must always keep these things in check.

Stretch on…!

How about you?  Do you know where your priorities should be?  How do they match up with reality?

(Please add your comment, and remember to come back tomorrow for a great guest post by Jonathan Pearson!)

The Stretched Blog Visits The Handwritten

Today, I have the honor of guest posting over at The Handwritten.  The Handwritten is a blog by my friend Michael Perkins.  Michael is a creative pastor, blogger, husband, and dad.  Everyday, Michael posts a handwritten thought.  I love his creativity and honesty, and I consistently am challenged by these thoughts.  Please check out his blog and my guest post which is titled Stop & Start.  Then do me a favor and leave a comment.  Thanks!

Michael Perkins from The Handwritten

(Regarding guest posting, I love opportunities to guest post as it provides another opportunity to “stretch” me, so contact me through the comments if this is something that interests you.  And I love to share others stretch stories and guest posts, so let me know if that’s something that interests you as well.)

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?

Running Over Mountains

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.  I Corinthians 9:24-27

I love running analogies!  As a runner (I think I can say that), I especially resonate with a few of the scriptures that tie running or other sports to living our faith.  The scripture above is definitely one of my favorites.

From yesterday’s post, you’ll remember that I ran over 20 miles on Saturday morning.  I ran the Perkiomen Trail from Green Lane to Oaks, and I finished up my run at the parking lot by Pawlings Road.  If you’re not familiar with the trail, there is a “mountain” in the middle of the trail.  Seriously, Spring Mountain (our local ski “resort”) is 7.5 miles south of Green Lane.  Skiers in our area joke around that it should be called Spring Bump, because it’s not that big compared to some of the ski mountains just an hour or two away in the Poconos.  But I can tell you, that whether it’s a bump, a hill, or a mountain, it’s not easy to run up Spring Mountain.  But it is possible.  I did it Saturday in the middle of my long run.

How did I do it?  That’s a good question.  First, I knew it was coming.  I’ve run every part of this trail several times.  I knew that this obstacle was inevitable.  Second, I stayed focused on one step at a time.  I literally shortened by stride, put my head down, and concentrated on the next step.  Third, I remembered that there was more to come.  I still had 13 miles to run.  I couldn’t let my mind and body give in now.  Fourth, I thought about the prize waiting for me at the end.  Leanne was scheduled to pick me up at 10 AM.  I had to keep going in order to reach my bride.  Finally, I remembered that this run was necessary to prepare me for my upcoming marathon.  How would I survive the marathon if I gave in now.

I think Paul’s running analogy is so appropriate to life (and ties into my running experience this weekend).  First, Paul talks about the importance of going into strict training.  I think this means studying God’s word and finding how it applies to our lives.  Second, Paul seems to point to the necessity for strategy in living out our faith.  Living our faith aimlessly isn’t fruitful.  Third, Paul realized that more was expected of him.  Training wasn’t the end, there was more to come.  There was more preaching and sharing that lied ahead.  Fourth, Paul clearly had the end in mind as he trained to share his faith with others.  He clearly pursued that through his life.  And finally, he knew it would be hard, he knew it would take effort and hard work, and he kept going.

This speaks to me.  I want to run the race of life in such a way that honors God and brings Him glory.

As for my running, my body is still recovering from Saturday, but I’m happy to say that I got back to running this morning.  Just a few more weeks until the marathon!

How’s your training going?  What are you doing to prepare for “the race”?

What Are We Doing Here?

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  I Corinthians 10:31

I’m always blown away by the conversations that emerge from my weekly MEAT (Men Eating And Talking) Meeting.  And last night was no different.  The conversation at the table in the diner went deep quickly.  Without going into all the detail, the conversation eventually centered on the chief purpose of man.  What are we here for?  Why do we exist?  How does God fit into this?  How about Jesus?  Are we doing what we’re supposed to be doing?  These are all fairly deep questions.

As we talked, I was reminded of the verse above and something I’ve heard my dad tell several times before.  I wish I could find the reference, but the general gist is that whether we lead a big company, preach at a church, pick up trash, or clean bathrooms, we should do everything for the glory of God.

Stop and think about that for a minute.

The first question in the Westminster Shorter Catechism applies to this conversation:

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, [a] and to enjoy him for ever. [b]

[a]. Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; I Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev. 4:11

[b]. Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4

And so, MEAT once again left me with plenty to chew on.  I’m looking forward to next week, when the conversation will continue.

What are you facing in the day ahead?  How are you framing your activities for the day?  How would things change if you really did everything for God’s glory?

Hope, Compassion, Love, and Faithfulness – Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!  I cannot believe that we are here at the last day of October.  (I also cannot believe that we had snow this weekend, but that’s another story.)  As I look back on the past month, I am thankful for God’s faithfulness and steadfast love.  As I recall, I started this month with feelings of anxiety and anticipation as we continued through a season of difficult memories.  Last year, Leanne came home from the hospital on October 1st and began extended care at a day program.  As we went through October last year, we were definitely trying to find a rock to stand on – some sort of normal – some type of answer that everything would be okay.

So as we started this October, things had been moving along pretty well.  We had started to hit a “normal” stride.  There was nothing to say that was going to change.  But I still carried some memories of last year.  As October has revealed itself each day, I have been relieved and renewed to see God’s faithfulness.  We’ve had a lot of things to be thankful for this month like:  a family trip to the Apple Farm/Pumpkin Patch, spectating at several of Hannah’s cross-country meets, enjoying food and friends at our 1st ever Chilifest, having the opportunity to serve at the Norristown Community House and Cradles to Crayons, and having the opportunity to share at a Group Leader Meeting.

While I’ve been processing these thoughts these days, it was appropriate that one of my readings from this weekend came from the book of Lamentations.  In this passage, I am reminded of hope, never-ending compassion, unfailing love, and enduring faithfulness that comes from God.  This is a great way to leave the month of October!

Yet this I call to mind 
   and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, 
   for his compassions never fail. 
They are new every morning; 
   great is your faithfulness. 
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; 
   therefore I will wait for him.”

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, 
   to the one who seeks him; 
it is good to wait quietly 
   for the salvation of the LORD. 
It is good for a man to bear the yoke 
   while he is young.

Let him sit alone in silence, 
   for the LORD has laid it on him. 
Let him bury his face in the dust— 
   there may yet be hope. 
Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, 
   and let him be filled with disgrace.

For no one is cast off 
   by the Lord forever. 
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, 
   so great is his unfailing love. 
For he does not willingly bring affliction 
   or grief to anyone.

Lamentations 3:21-33

How have you experienced God’s hope, never-ending compassion, unfailing love, and enduring faithfulness this month?