Jon Stolpe
Jon Stolpe
Now Who Do I Cheer For?
If you picked up the sports page this morning or tuned into Sportcenter, you may have observed that my two favorite baseball teams (the Phillies and the Cubs) were eliminated from playoff contention last night. What a bummer!
This leaves me with an interesting dilemma. Who should I cheer for now to win the World Series? I can’t cheer from the Rockies or the Diamondbacks since they just beat my two favorite teams. I’m not really a Yankees fan. After all, they have an unfair advantage with all that money they spend on their players. It doesn’t look good for the Angels who are down two games to the Red Sox. So I’m left with the Indians or the Red Sox. Tough decision.
Maybe, I should just get ready for the NBA season. It should be starting soon. Let’s go Sixers (and Bulls)!
Until the next post…
Iron Valley Golf Course
Yesterday, I traveled with 12 of my fellow Siemens colleagues to Lebanon in central PA for a day of golf at Iron Valley Golf Course. The day was gorgeous (it actually was hot in the afternoon). The course was spectacular (very hilly with some great views). And the company was fun. These were all guys from my department – fitters, technicians, engineers, specialists, and managers. My golf game was okay for not playing much over the past few years; I shot over par – let’s just put it that way. Bottom line is that I had a blast hanging out with guys from work outside of work. I hope to attend next year’s golf event!
Until the next post…
Parenting Discussion Group – TEAMWORK
Tuesday night, we had our third night of our parenting discussion group, and we discussed the topic of teamwork. Just like for a championship sports team (it’s not looking good for the Phillies), teamwork is essential for a successful family.
So how does this look? I think Solomon put it well in Ecclesiastes Chapter 4:
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If they fall down, they can help each other up. But pity those who fall and have no one to help them up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Teamwork is great when you do it together. Teamwork is best when God is on your team.
Until the next post…
Worth Celebrating
Sunday afternoon, I was hooting and hollering in the family room as I celebrated the Phillies game and National League Eastern Division Championship. Monday, I was reading in Psalms and I was reminded about what is really worth celebrating. Here’s the passage below.
Psalm 97:1-12
1 GOD rules: there’s something to shout over! On the double,
mainlands and islands–celebrate! 2 Bright clouds and storm
clouds circle ’round him; Right and justice anchor his rule. 3
Fire blazes out before him, Flaming high up the craggy
mountains. 4 His lightnings light up the world; Earth,
wide-eyed, trembles in fear. 5 The mountains take one look at
GOD And melt, melt like wax before earth’s Lord. 6 The heavens
announce that he’ll set everything right, And everyone will see
it happen–glorious! 7 All who serve handcrafted gods will be
sorry– And they were so proud of their ragamuffin gods! On your
knees, all you gods–worship him!
8 And Zion, you listen and take heart! Daughters of Zion, sing
your hearts out: GOD has done it all, has set everything right.
9 You, GOD, are High God of the cosmos, Far, far higher than any
of the gods. 10 GOD loves all who hate evil, And those who love
him he keeps safe, Snatches them from the grip of the wicked.
11 Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people,
Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil. 12 So, God’s people,
shout praise to GOD, Give thanks to our Holy God!
Kind of puts things in perspective. Doesn’t it?
Until the next post…
Going All The Way
In the wake of our parenting discussion group, Leanne and I have been approached about considering a marriage group. Whoa! That’s humbling. God has been good to us in our marriage, and I think much of that has to do with the marriages of our parents for which we are so grateful. Having said that, I know that we have also traveled through our own rocky times. Nothing marriage ending thankfully. But certainly challenging.
I recently came across the attached resource which I am hoping to read for my own sake. Going All They Way is a new book that was recommended through connections to Vince Antonucci’s blog. If you’re interested in learning more about this book, click here. Who knows? Maybe we would use it for a marriage discussion group in the future.
Until the next post…
NL East Champs
Can you believe it? The Phillies are the winners of the National League Eastern Division. Wow, was it exciting at our house yesterday. Even the kids and the dog were getting into the celebration as the Mets fell apart and the Phillies hammered the Nationals. The whole team played a role in this victory. Jimmy Rollins was unbelievable on the base paths with two stolen bases and his 20th triple of the season. Ryan Howard added another home run and three more RBIs to his league leading collection. Local talent, Jamie Moyer, pitched 5 1/3 innings of 1 run baseball. Carlos Ruiz took one for the team when he went to first after getting beaned. J.C. Romero pitched two solid innings in relief. I could go on. More than anything, the fans at the stadium were so energetic. It’s great to see meaningful baseball back in town.
Obviously, I’m excited. It will be interesting to see what happens in the first round of the playoffs. If things go right, the Phillies may be playing the Cubs (my second favorite team) for a chance to go to the World Series. We’ll have to wait and see!
Until the next post….
ourrottensexlife.com
Check out this link for an upcoming series at our church. This is not your father’s Oldsmobile – as they say.
Until the next post….
Phillies Phever
Can you believe it? The Phillies are in sole possession of first place in the National League East Division. With two games to go. This Phillies can clinch with two wins or one win and a Mets loss or two Mets losses.
I’ve been a Phillies fan since I moved to the Philadelphia area in 1980 and the Phillies won there last World Series. Since 1980 (besides 1983 and 1993) the Phillies haven’t given us much to cheer about. Well, I am hopeful that this is about to change.
The excitement in our area is unbelievable. I hear everyone talking about the Phils. In fact, more people are talking about the Phillies right now than the ever popular Philadelphia Eagles.
What makes this even better is that the Mets are imploding. They were seven games ahead of the Phillies just two or three weeks ago, and they are now a game behind the Fightin‘ Phillies.
Let’s see what happens today and tomorrow. Catch the Phever!
Until the next post…
Supernanny Bloopers
If you’ve been following along, you know that Leanne and I have been using clips from Supernanny to spark conversations with other parents. Here’s a video clip that won’t make it to our weekly meetings.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8Bx5UHILkE]
Making Room for Life
I just finished reading some of the updates from my friend Frank who is at this year’s Willow Creek Small Groups Conference. Honestly, I’m a little bummed, because I’m not there this year. This conference is an awesome opportunity to be challenged and charged up for small group ministry and for personal growth.
A few year’s ago, Randy Frazee gave one of the talks during the conference. He spoke about the importance of Making Room for Life. His talk (and book) gave great thoughts on making and keeping priorities, doing life with those in your neighborhood, and keeping a reasonable and healthy schedule. I have given this book away to several friends and relatives, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who feels like life is getting away from them.
Next year, hopefully, I will be giving you updates from the conference.
Until the next post…