Ice Breaker – Haircut/Hairdo

Image by VerseVend (via Flickr – Creative Commons)

Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

Question: Describe your weirdest, wildest, or craziest haircut or hairdo.

My Answer: As a young kid, I was a toe-head – meaning my hair was blond. As I got older, my hair turned more of a dirty blond and then brown. Now, it’s starting to turn a little grey in spots. My sophomore or junior year in high school (or both), I used Sun-In to bleach my hair blond. At the time, I had an eighties feathered haircut with a part right down the middle. I thought I was pretty cool at the time.

Towards the end of high school, I transitioned to a buzz cut or flat top. This was by far the easiest haircut. There was virtually no work to it except to get it cut often enough to keep it tight.

Honestly, I was the most conservative of my brothers when it comes to haircuts. I’m not complaining, but I can guarantee they have better stories for this question.

Here’s a picture of me during my flat top days.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep STRETCHING!

Also don’t forget to sign up for the weekly Stretched newsletter. Check out this post to find out how to sign up.

Thank You – #7

Thank You No. 7

Today, I’m thankful for ice cream.

It seems pretty trivial and perhaps gluttonous, but it’s one of those simple pleasures I really appreciate. I don’t eat as much as I used to as I’m trying to maintain healthy eating habits. But it will still always be one of my favorite edible treats. There’s nothing quite like a dish of cotton candy ice cream or peanut butter swirl ice cream to cure whatever ails you.

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

Why are you thankful today?

Christmas For Thousands

What do you want for Christmas?

A new laptop? A book? A new outfit? Jewelry?

Seriously, what do you want for Christmas?

In the United States, Christmas is so focused on materialism. Stores are already playing Christmas music. Christmas displays were setup in most stores the day after Halloween. I’m sure the commercials on television are advertising the things you MUST have.

What if you decided to make Christmas more about giving than receiving? What would happen if you found ways to make Christmas really special for those who have nothing?

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35

Here’s one suggestion for making this happen. For $5, you can make Christmas super special for a young child in Xenacoj (in Guatemala) or in one of the nearby villages. $5 goes a long way in Guatemala. Based on our experience, you can be sure that $5 will be stretched as far as possible to provide the best Christmas for these kids. Without your generosity, most of these children will not have a gift to open for Christmas.

While we were in Guatemala this summer, we worked directly with GO! Ministries. Each year, GO! Ministries collects gifts and purchases gifts with donations, so they can distribute gifts to the children of Xenacoj. Over the past several years, Christmas for Thousands has grown. It has provided for the orphans and poor children in the area. And it has opened the door for GO! Ministries to share the gospel with families in these communities throughout the year.

Check out this video to get a little glimpse into Christmas For Thousands. Then consider how you might be able to help out. For more information click here.

How do you make Christmas more about giving than receiving?

Thank You – #6

Thank You No. 6

Today, I am thankful for modern-day medicine.

No matter where you stand on the whole healthcare debate going on in the United States right now, you have to admit we have unbelievable modern medicine in our country. Just yesterday, my father in law had both of his knees replaced. Imagine trying to pull that off 50 years ago. Researchers have discovered new ways to fight elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure. Doctors have perfected techniques to successfully transplant organs, appendages, and even faces. It’s really amazing when you think about it.

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:11-13

Why are you thankful today?

5 Ways to Keep Your Love Life Going Strong

On Monday night, Leanne and I were out for our weekly date night. (Last week, I shared 7 Ways To Help Your Marriage Today. #3 on the list was “practice a regular date night.” I’m so thankful we’ve made this a priority. I know we’re sometimes tired at the end of a busy day, but it helps to keep us connected.) We stopped at a local corner restaurant where we enjoyed dessert and great conversation. We were the only couple there when we first walked in to the seating area. Then two other couples sat down at separate tables.

As Leanne and I were talking, one of the men stood up and turned to face the rest of us in the restaurant. He asked for our attention and proceeded to tell everyone the following: “My wife and I have been together for 13 years today. Our kids are up the street with the sitter, and we’re out to celebrate.”

I think he shared a couple of other words I don’t quite remember. I don’t know what his wife thought of his speech, but it was obvious he was still head over heels for his wife.

We congratulated them and challenged them to stay strong and in love. Then we proceeded to our own conversation and delicious dessert.

It would be easy to let this moment pass by without record. After all, it was a few short seconds in the middle of our date. But I think it’s important to remember this experience. It stretched me in a good way.

Leanne and I have been married for 17 1/2 years. We are very comfortable with each other. And sometimes, I think we get to comfortable. I want my wife to know I’m just as head over heels for her now as I was the day we first met. I want her to know how much I love her even if it means being a little goofy and sappy from time to time.

5 Ways to Keep Your Love Life Going Strong

A simple gift goes a long way. I’ll confess I’ve become too relaxed in this department. I used to send Leanne flowers all the time. This is something I need to do more often. For Leanne, flowers show her I care. Find out what gift has this impact on your spouse.
Go above and beyond in helping around the house. Again, I could work on this. It’s easy to come home exhausted after a busy day of work. I don’t need to finish the basement every night or paint a room every night, but there are plenty of little things I could tackle that would make a difference and show her how much I care.
Keep hugs and kisses going. Physical intimacy doesn’t have to end after the initial years of marriage. Hugs and kisses when departing and when arriving home and in-between are part of staying close and connected.
Encourage your spouse with your words. I’ve seen too many couples who bash each other in private and in front of other people. Television only amplifies and encourages this type of behavior. We need to become our spouses biggest fan. Words shared verbally and in writing can be the life blood of a thriving marriage. Leanne does a great job in this department!
Just spend time together. It seems so simple, yet we live in a busy world. We are running from one thing to the next. I’m taking Isaac to one activity while Leanne takes Hannah to another activity. Our weekly date night is one way we intentionally spend time together.

If any of these ideas sound helpful, I’d recommend you check out The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman. This book provides practical encouragement for keeping your love life going strong.

How do you keep your love life going strong?

(Please note: There are affiliate links in this post. Should you purchase The 5 Love Languages by clicking one of these links, I receive a small percentage of the purchase. These funds are used to support The Stretched Blog and to extend ministry and missions to Guatemala. Thank you!)

Thank You – #5

Thank You No. 5

Today, I’m thankful for running.

Last night on my way home from work, I stopped at a local park to run a few miles. There is something refreshing and mind-clearing about a crisp November run as the sun goes down. Running has become a source of renewal for me. This year, I’ve run 1,169.33 miles so far which puts me on track for 1,385 miles for the year. Each of these miles represents an opportunity to stretch.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

Why are you thankful today?

Silence Is Golden

Is it just me, or does the world seem noisier than ever before?

There are so many things tugging to get our attention. We are distracted by all the noise. Everyone is saying “Look at me”. We throw up status updates on social media and even on blogs hoping to be heard. In most cases, we are simply adding to the noise and chaos.

In the midst of it all, we complain. “God’s not speaking to me.”

Do you think this is really true?

Or do you think it’s possible that we are doing a terrible job listening?

Maybe it’s time we turn off some of the noise.

Maybe it’s time we start being more intentional with our times of solitude.

Maybe, just maybe, we need to pursue silence. In pursuing silence, we might just start hearing God’s voice which has been speaking all along.

I don’t know about you, but I want to listen to the Voice that really matters. I want to pursue a silence that is truly golden – a silence filled with God’s voice.

What are you doing to hear the voice of God in your life? Is your life full of noise? What is one thing you can do this week to remove the noise?

Thank You – #4

Thank You No. 4

Today, I’m thankful for home.

Home means many things to many people. It’s a place of protection – a place of refuge – a place of warmth – a place of familiarity. After being away for a couple of nights this weekend, I was glad to come home to my family, to my comfortable bed, and to the comforts I’ve grown accustomed to.

Coming back home, I also realize it’s temporary. The roof, the floor, the walls – it’s all temporary, Yet I have an eternal home that waits for me. It will be far better than I could ever imagine. It will be way better than the home I live in here on earth. I’m thankful for this home!

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Why are you thankful today?

October 2013 – Top Posts and Commenters

Here are the highlights from October 2013. Thanks to everyone who read along and commented. Your readership and participation in the daily discussions are what make The Stretched Community. Thank you! Overall, traffic was up from September (5.31%). Traffic was up 44.70% compared to a year ago. The top 10 posts again included two posts from 2012 and one post from previous months in 2013. If you missed any of these posts, I hope you’ll go and check them out now by clicking below. The post with the most engagement was #6 from the list below (The Power of A Positive Attitude).

Top 10 Commenters:

David Paul Stolpe (51)

As promised at the beginning of the month, I have randomly chosen someone from the top 10 commenters list to receive a copy of The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing [A Spiritual Memoir] by Jeff Goins. The winner of this book is…(drum roll)…David Stolpe. Congrats to David!

For the month of November, I’ll be giving away a copy of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars. This month, the winner will be chosen randomly from the top 10 commenters.

Thanks to each and everyone for reading and for commenting. I’m looking forward to November with The Stretched Community! The month of November will include a couple of book reviews, more reflection on my Guatemala trip, and opportunities to express gratitude. If you’re interested in guest posting here, leave a comment to connect with me. November should be another great month!

How was your month? If you’re a blogger share a link to your top post in the comments? What was your favorite Stretched post this month? How were you STRETCHED in October?

In case you’re interested, here are a few other interesting stats about October (based on Google Analytics):

Visits – Increased 7.93%
Unique Visitors – Increased 7.26%
Pageviews – Increased 3.93%
Pages Per Visit – Decreased 1.24%
Average Visit Duration – Stayed the same
Bounce Rate – Increased 3.74%
New Visits – Decreased 0.83%

Thank You – #3

Thank You No. 3

Today, I’m thankful for music.

This afternoon, Isaac is playing at a piano recital in Chestnut Hill. This is a special event for which he had to audition. He will be playing a piece by one of Bach’s sons. Isaac has an incredible ear for music. Sometimes, I take music for granted. It often speaks to us and for us when words won’t suffice. It lifts us up when we need a boost, and it helps us process times when we’re down, confused, or angry. Music is like God’s paintbrush for our ears.

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. Psalm 96:1-3

Why are you thankful today?

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Thank You No. 7

Thank You No. 6

5 Ways to Keep Your Love Life Going Strong

(Please note: There are affiliate links in this post. Should you purchase The 5 Love Languages by clicking one of these links, I receive a small percentage of the purchase. These funds are used to support The Stretched Blog and to extend ministry and missions to Guatemala. Thank you!)

Thank You No. 5

Thank You No. 4

Top 10 Posts:

Top 10 Commenters:

Thank You No. 3