My Dad’s Morning Routine

This morning, I woke up in another part of the country to green grass, fully leaved trees, and warmer temperatures.  As I walked to the back door to get a glimpse of the sunshine, I saw my dad lying down on the back porch.

He laid there wearing his “exercise” clothes doing his daily calisthenics and having his daily time for prayer and meditation.  My dad could give you all the details of his routine which has been part of his daily morning ritual for the past several years.  (Here’s a link to his blog where he shares the details of his prayer time.)  The general gist of it includes stretching, abdominal exercises, and push ups.  Then it moves to a time of prayer when he faces different directions and prayers for his family, his church, his community, and the world.  My dad uses the Psalms as he moves through his exercises.  He has a method for reciting all 150 Psalms.  He used to do this when he went swimming.  Now, he recites the Psalms as he warms up on his mini-trampoline.

As I watch him out there practicing his sermon for Sunday and going through the rest of the routine.  I’m inspired.  I’m amused.  I’m intrigued.

Many of you may know that I’m a guy who thrives on routine, patterns, discipline, and schedule.  I can see where it came from.  My dad is a man of discipline.  My grandparents were both very disciplined.  My guess is that there was some type of routine in their families before them.

Okay, now the routine has gone a bit far.  My dad is singing.  If you’ve ever sat next to my dad in church, you know this isn’t a good thing.  Actually, it’s pretty neat to hear…in the privacy of my parents’ backyard, my dad finds oneness with God.  I’m certain that his singing is sweet, sweet music to the Creator.

As we prepare to visit my parents’ church tonight for their Maundy Thursday service (we don’t have this at our home church), I’m looking forward to a day together.  What a great way to start the day!

What’s something quirky about your parents?  What quirkiness or trait do you have that you can see came from your parents?

How Big Is Your God?

“My God is way bigger than me and my meager expectations.”

(My Facebook status 4/2/2012)

Yesterday, I posted on my blog about my upcoming missions trip to Guatemala with the high school youth group from our church.  As part of the post, I asked The Stretched Community to pray about the trip, and I asked for the community to consider supporting the trip financially.  I shared in the post how much money I needed to go on the trip, and I mentioned a STRETCH goal of $5,000 to help with a special project in Guatemala.  Honestly, it felt awkward asking for these things, and I didn’t know what to expect.

My post went live at 5 AM EST.

At 11 AM EST, I received an email from an old college friend indicating that he and his wife wanted to donate the entire amount – the cost of the trip plus $5,000!

That’s right.  In 6 hours, God provided for my “big ask.”

I was floored and flabbergasted.  I honestly didn’t know hot to respond.  This kind of stuff doesn’t happen everyday.

I really believed that $5,000 was a big STRETCH.  When I spoke with our high school youth pastor about the goal, he said okay, but he indicated that he didn’t think that was possible.  When I called him up yesterday afternoon to share the news, I think he nearly fell off his chair (I’m not sure if he was sitting or not).

I think sometimes we short sell God.  Our faith in God is puny.  It’s like saying, “God, give me a glass of water.”  When in reality, God can give us the whole ocean.  It’s like saying, “God, I need a few dollars.”  When in reality, God owns the mint where money is made.  It’s like saying, “God, help the Cubs win the World Series.”  Oh maybe, this doesn’t always work out.  Just kidding – of course.

You get the idea.  I’m discovering that God has way bigger plans and dreams for us than we realize.  We set the bar way too low when it comes to asking God the big questions and when it comes to believing what God can do in our lives.  We need to learn to have great expectations!

Throughout the day, I received other messages of encouragement with indications of additional support.  My shock continued throughout the day.

So where does that leave me?

I’m going back to the drawing board.  I’ll get back to you with more details on how The Stretched Community can join together to do something great in Guatemala.  Stay tuned for more details to follow.

In the meantime, how have you seen God respond to your “big ask” questions?  In what ways do you need to expand your thinking to get in line with a God-sized response?  How big is your God?

Guatemala – The Big Ask

Two weeks ago, I told you that I made a “Leap of Faith” decision to go to Guatemala this summer with my daughter and other teenagers and leaders from our church.  I’m starting to get excited about the trip, the opportunity to hang out with my daughter, and the chance to serve others in Guatemala.  This is a “leap of faith” decision for several health and logistics reasons, but it is also a “leap of faith” decision for financial reasons as well.  I’ll share more about that in a minute, but I wanted to share with you first about what we’ll be doing in Guatemala.  Check out this short video to get a small glimpse into how we’ll be serving this summer.

Sounds pretty amazing!  Right?

Here’s where the big ask comes in.  I need your support to make this happen.  First and foremost, I need your prayers.  Pray for safety at home, in travel, and on the ground in Guatemala.  Pray for effectiveness in the ministry that we will have with the people of Guatemala.  Pray for God to move in my life and in the lives of those on our team as we take this adventure.  Second, I’d like to ask you to consider how you might be able to support this trip.  I need to raise $1,300 to make this trip possible.  This will pay for my airfare, food, and lodging.  While this may seem like a big goal, I know it’s possible through God.  In fact, I’d like to add a STRETCH goal to this.  I’d like to see if together The Stretched Community can raise an additional $5,000 to support a special project down in Guatemala.  I’ll have more details about that in the coming weeks, but I thought I should throw it out there.  This is part of the STRETCHING experience.

So how can you help?

Consider advertising here on The Stretched Blog.  All proceeds for advertising will be used to fund this trip and for this special STRETCH project.  You can click on the Advertise Here links on the main page, or contact me about doing something different.  You can also click on the Google AdSense links and Amazon Associate links that can be found on the main page.  Every dollar earned through these programs will go to the trip and the STRETCH project.  I guess another way is to consider donating to the project.  I haven’t quite figured out how to make this work yet, but I’d certainly welcome any cash gifts that would make this trip possible.  (Drop me a comment if you’ve got any ideas or want to pass along any donations.)  In the coming days, I’ll add some time of goal thermometer on the main page to help you keep track of where we stand with the goal.

I know it’s a big ask.  Honestly, it’s a bit awkward to even ask.  But I know that with faith like a mustard seed there are mountains that can be moved.  And so I throw it out there to the Stretched Community.

One more thing, pass this along to your family and friends who you think would be interested in making a difference for the people of Guatemala.  Thanks!

What’s the hardest question you’ve ever asked?

March 2012 Top Posts and Top Commenters

March has come and gone.

As usual, I like to look back to see what happened on The Stretched Blog this month.

It was a pretty good month.  Overall traffic, was just under last month’s traffic.  And the comments were the highest so far.  Here’s a review of the top 10 posts from this month:

1.  Ten Things Every Small Group Leader Should Know (March 7, 2012) * Re-Post

2.  End Of An Era – An End To Suburban Chicken Farming (March 14, 2012)

3.  Help Me Write My First Book (March 8, 2012)

4.  Leap of Faith Continued (The Decision) (March 22, 2012 – highest traffic day this month)

5.  Leap of Faith (March 21, 2012)

6.  Migraine Madness (March 13, 2012)

7.  Book Review: How Do You Kill 11 Million People? (March 5, 2012)

8.  Ice Breaker – Songs On Your Playlist (March 23, 2012)

9.  Continue To Learn (March 20, 2012)

10. Back To The Basics – Guest Post From Joe Lalonde (March 6, 2012)

And the top 3 commenters for this month:

1.  Tom Neal (30)

2.  Joe Lalonde (24)

3.  Larry Carter (20)

One of the things that excited me most about the comments this month was the huge number of new commenters.  Your comments make The Stretched Community so great!  Please keep commenting.

Thank you!

So how was your month?  What was your most popular post?  What was your favorite post on your blog or here?

Happy April Fool’s Day!

Whenever April 1st rolls around, I immediately think of elementary school, my brother, and contact lenses.  How do these three things go together?  It’s all part of the greatest April Fool’s Day prank that a 3rd grader has ever pulled off.  I’d like to say that the prank was my idea (which it was), but nobody could pull this off quite like my brother who was in 3rd grade at the time.  Here’s how his day went.

In the morning when my brother arrived at school, he began telling his teacher and his classmates that he had just gotten contact lenses.  This may seem a little early for a boy in 3rd grade, but they believed him.  This went on all morning until my brother’s class went to the gym/cafeteria for lunch.  As his classmates were eating lunch, my brother told his classmates and his lunch room aid that he couldn’t find his one of his contacts.  My class 5th grade class was already in the lunch room, so I had the opportunity to see his entire class on their hands and knees under the lunch table trying to find a contact.  If I remember correctly, my brother was even in tears as his class left the cafeteria for recess.

Apparently, the weather must not have been great, because he had indoor recess in his classroom where the charade continued tears and searching included.  My brother pulled it off until the end of recess when he approached his lunch aide to let her know that it was April Fool’s Day.

My brother was sent to the principal’s office where the principal smiled and laughed at such a great April Fool’s Day prank.  Only my brother!

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  Proverbs 17:22

Happy April Fool’s Day!

How do you celebrate this “holiday”?  What’s the greatest April Fool’s Day prank you’ve experienced or pulled off?

3 Thumbs Up!

Today, I’m highlighted three things that get my thumbs up as I head into this weekend.

First thumb up:  The 9 Thumbs Podcast.  The idea for this post came from the three guys (Rob Stennett, Jason Boyett, and Matthew Paul Turner) who put out this new podcast.  Each episode, the three hosts talk about nine things that are getting their thumbs up.  So far, they’ve released two episodes.  The podcast is funny and informative.  They talk about movies, TV shows, podcasts, people, inventions, and all kinds of other stuff.  It’s worth checking out.  You can find them over at iTunes where you can download the podcast for free.

Stennett, Boyett, and Turner from 9Thumbs.com

Second thumb up:  The Grand Theater.  I blogged about this place several months ago.  After a visit to The Grand last night with my wife and son, I’m convinced that this “old-time” theater located in East Greenville, PA is a true diamond in the rough.  The movie and snack prices are still reasonable.  The movies are great (last night we saw The Lorax).  What more could you ask for?  If you live in the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania area, I highly recommend you take a trip to The Grand, you won’t be sorry.

The Grand from a visit a few months ago

Third thumb up:  Shawn Smucker’s blog.  I just stumbled upon this blog this week thanks to some reviews for his new e-book, Building A Life Out Of Words.  I’m still figuring him and his blog out, but so far it’s a thumbs up for me.  Go check out at shawnsmucker.com.

Shawn Smucker from shawnsmucker.com

You’ve just read my first 3 Thumbs Up! post.  What do you think?  What would you give a thumbs up to this week?

Ice Breaker – Easter Candy

It’s time for the weekly Stretched Ice Breaker!

Every Friday here on The Stretched Blog, I ask a question which helps us get to know each other.  I’ll answer first.  Then you join the conversation by leaving your answer in the comments section.

This week, my kids helped me with the ice breaker question.  I think you’ll find it fun and entertaining.  Here goes….

Question:  What is your favorite Easter candy?

My Answer:  I have to go with stale Peeps.  You know what I’m talking about.  They’re the sugar-coated, bite-size marshmallow treats that look like little bunnies or baby chicks.  I love to open them up on Easter morning and let them sit for a day or two until the outer coating hardens up.  There’s nothing quite like two-day old Peeps.  (Interesting fact, Peeps are manufactured just north of The Stretched Blogger up in the Allentown/Bethlehem, PA area.)

My second place Easter candy – black jelly beans.  You either love them or you hate them. I love them!

Okay.  Now it’s your turn.  Let’s hear your answer to today’s Stretched Ice Breaker.  Have a great weekend!

Blank Page Pondering

When Stress and Anxiety Levels Overtake Me

There are times when stress and anxiety overtake me.

Yesterday was an incredibly busy and fairly stress day.  I gave a job offer/promotion to one person on my team, and I had to tell four other people that they didn’t get the job.  I had several people asking me for help in getting resources that were limited at the moment.  And I had to do an exit interview for one of my indirect reports who decided they wanted to end their employment sooner than agreed.  Meanwhile, I was straining to catch up on emails and to-do-list items that continue to build up.  Honestly, I could feel the stress building up as the day progressed.

When time like this come I cherish scripture that reminds me to give my worry and anxiety to God.  Here are a few of the verses I go back to at times like this:

“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

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  I Peter 5:7

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.  Psalm 94:19

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.  Proverbs 12:25

As I reflect on my day, I lean on these verses as timely reminders to relax and to trust God for wisdom, authority, strength, and peace.

And now, I’m ready for a new day!

How do you deal with stress?  What helps you when your anxiety levels begin to elevate?

Why Do I Write?

Why do I write?

This is a great question.

I’ve always had a stronger pull towards math and science.  This drove me to become an engineer.

But I must have had some writing pulsing through my veins along the way.  I made it through four years of high school honors English although this was a struggle for me as I fought to keep up with my creative and competitive classmates.  I still remember the crushing blow of my first (and only) “D” in my second marking period of honors English with Mr. Minnear.  I finished the class with a “B” thanks to lots of effort and some help from my father who majored in English literature during his undergraduate studies.

Strangely enough, I’ve been drawn to writing over the last few years.  If I’m honest, I must confess that I want to be noticed through my writing – to one day write a book and to be known as a writer.  But writing is so much more than that for me.  Writing is an outlet – a place to process my joys, my struggles, my ups and downs, my faith, my thoughts, and even the mundane aspects of life.  Through my writing, I hope to stretch myself and to stretch others along the way.  My writing helps me keep track of life as it moves along at an ever quickening pace.

This is all part of it, but there is something more.

Why do I write?

I write to honor God.  I write to bring God glory.  I write to grow closer to God.

This is why I write.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:17

Why do you write?