Ice Breaker – Songs On Your Playlist

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be inserting some of the top posts from the Stretched blog.  The post today (Ice Breaker – Songs On Your Playlist) originally appeared on the blog on March 23, 2012 and was the fourth most popular post of the year.  This post was one of many that confirmed by understanding that Jon Stolpe Stretched was not just a blog.  This post reminded me that Jon Stolpe Stretched is about The Stretched Community.  Ice Breakers have become a regular weekly part of The Stretched Blog.  I’m excited to repost this and get new feedback from you – The Stretched Community.  (Typically, the Ice Breaker posts appear on Friday – hence the introduction to this post.)

It’s Friday!  How did it come around again so quickly?

Friday means Ice Breaker time here on The Stretched Blog.  In case you’re new here or you forgot, ice breakers are questions used to help us get to know each other a little bit better.  Each week, I ask a question which I answer first.  After that everyone else answers the question by posting their answer in the comments.

Without further delay, here’s this week’s question:  If you could make a playlist of your favorite songs, what five songs would make the list?

My answer:

1. Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
2. Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas
3. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
4. Love Is The Seventh Wave by Sting
5. The Best Thing by Big Tent Revival

Each of these songs carries a memory of a time or place.  Leanne and I shared our first dance to Wonderful Tonight.  I remember listening to Sting’s song and playing hacky sack with my brother, Brian Willem, and Shane D’Entremont on the beach during a high school youth group camping trip.  And the Big Tent Revival song reminds me of Creation 97.  Leanne and I went to the music festival that year while she was five months pregnant with our daughter, Hannah.

Now it’s your turn.  What’s on your playlist?  I can’t wait to hear your answers!  Leave a comment by clicking here.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaMuBX4aMmw]

Norman Vincent Peale Quote

Never talk defeat. Use words like hope, belief, faith, victory.

Norman Vincent Peale

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Peace

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

These days it seems like we’re a far cry from true peace.  Our world is full of senseless violence.  People are fighting.  War wages in different places across the world.  Meanwhile in our homes, we run from one activity to the next leaving little opportunity to catch a breath.  Kids are bickering.  Parents are yelling.  We leave no chance for peace to permeate our lives.

If you come from a more traditional church background, you probably will be lighting the fourth candle on the church’s advent wreath.  Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent.  Many people around the world will be talking about peace.  Today’s verse above talks about an everlasting peace that will come when Christ, the Prince of Peace, returns to rule.  I long for that peace.  May you find a glimmer of peace this season as we anticipate Christ’s return.

Do you crave peace?  How will you pursue peace this week?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63u8T3abETo]

Today, I’m hooking up with The Sunday Community.  Hop on over here to see what I’m talking about.

Napolean Bonaparte Quote

A leader is a dealer in hope.

Napolean Bonaparte

Ice Breaker – It’s The End of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Each week on The Stretched Blog, we 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.

According to speculation and the Mayan calendar, the world is supposed to end today.  The Bible is pretty clear that no one knows when the end will occur, so I’m not real concerned about these predictions.  My hope is that I would be living my life with the same sense of purpose and urgency whether the world ends today, next week, next year, or a hundred years from now.  This week’s Stretched Ice Breaker is inspired by the speculation surrounding today – December 21, 2012.

Question:  How would you spend your time differently if you knew you had just 24 hours to live on this earth?  What would you eat?  With whom would you hang out?  Where would you go?

My Answer:  Like I said in my introduction, I hope my daily life is filled with the same sense of urgency and purpose regardless of my end date.  On the fun side of things though, I would probably eat a nice steak dinner with jumbo shrimp cocktail, buttered carrots with bacon, garlic mashed potatoes, and creme brulee for dessert.  I would certainly want to hang out with my family.  I would probably write a blog post about the importance of making Christ first in your life, about the importance of stretching, and about the importance of appreciating each moment and each person in your life.  I’d probably hang out at home or go for a walk on the Audubon trail near our house.  And I’d call my loved ones just to say”I love you.”

I don’t think I’ll have steak for dinner tonight, and I’ll be heading into the office today.  But I’ll still have an opportunity to live with this kind of intentionality.  Even if it’s the end of the world as I know it, I feel fine!

There you have it – my answer.  Now, it’s your turn.  Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment.  I look forward to reading your response!

Leap of Faith

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be inserting some of the top posts from the Stretched blog.  The post today (Leap of Faith) originally appeared on the blog on March 21, 2012 and was the fifth most popular post of the year.  In a way, this post was the jumping off point for some life changing decisions and experiences in my own life.  I’m excited to repost this and get new feedback from you – The Stretched Community.

I’ve been wrestling with a decision for a while now. The decision is a big deal for me. I see so many reasons to go a certain direction with the decision, but I grapple with my own fears and anxiety that would keep me from going in that direction.

I’ve talked with a few people about the decision. These are godly people whose wisdom and opinion I respect. Each of them have encouraged me to put aside my fears and to take a leap of faith.

What is faith?

Faith is trusting in things we can’t see, in things we can’t control, and in power beyond us. Faith is about dreaming big. Faith is believing that everything will be okay in the end even when we can’t see the way right in front of us. Faith is being able to put aside our fears – or maybe to face our fears – and trust that God will take care of things. Faith can help us break the paralysis of analysis inflicted by life’s anxieties. Faith is more than just words – it’s followed by actions.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

As I was thinking about faith and about my decision, this clip from Indian Jones and The Last Crusade came to mind. In the scene, Indiana Jones must get from one side of a chasm to the other side. When he arrives at the edge, there’s no apparent way to get across. Through his study of ancient literature and archaeology, Indiana Jones comes to the conclusion that the only way across the gaping pit is to take a step of faith. This is exactly how I feel as I head into my decision.

Isn’t this a great clip? You see, in life, we have decisions to make that require faith. Which college should I go to and what should my major be? Who should I marry? Where should I live? Where should I work? Where should I go to church? Should we have kids? You get the idea. Our lives are riddled with decisions that require faith. We have to trust that as we step into the great unknown, God will catch us. And that’s where I’m at with my decision.

Stay tuned for more details about my “big decision.”

What leap of faith do you need to take right now? What’s holding you back?

To read about my “big decision“, click here for a post that appeared on March 22, 2012.

One Word For 2012: Transformed – Part 2

 

At the beginning of the year, I selected a word to represent my year.  The word I chose as part of the One Word 365 Community was transformed.  Back in that post, I stated, “I want my life to be transformed by my relationship with God.”  I also explained that I expected transformation or growth in other areas of my life as well.

As I reflect on the past year, it’s interesting to see how I experienced transformation.  Yesterday, I posted highlights from the first half of 2012.  Here are some of the highlights from the second half of 2012:

At the end of June, I gave up caffeine.  After five months of nearly constant migraine headaches (Migraine Madness from February through June), one of my doctors suggested giving up caffeine.  After depending on it for so long as part of my morning ritual, I wasn’t sure how that would go over.  But I tried it anyhow.  To my amazement, the frequency of my migraines significantly decreased.  Since June, I’ve only had a few migraines compared to the countless migraines I had experienced up until that point.  Believe it or not, giving up caffeine was transformational for me this year.

In July, I found myself on the launch team for a new book by Jeff Goins.  Jeff’s book, Wrecked, was about what happens when a broken world slams into your comfortable life.  Being part of the launch team was a huge learning experience as I consider the possibility of one day writing and launching my own book.  And the book came at a perfect time as I prepared for my trip to Guatemala.  Wrecked helped to transform my mind as I prepared for my own wrecked experience.

At the end of July into August, I traveled to Guatemala with the high school youth group from our church.  I learned so many things through this experience.  And I posted so many thoughts and emotions as I processed this trip and as I returned to my realities at home.  I was reminded by this trip that I Am A Missionary.  And I was reassured that Community Can Change The World.  Since returning home on August 3rd, my heart still beats for the people of Xenacoj.  When I hear news of volcanoes and earthquakes in the country of Guatemala, my ears perk up.  I want to know how our friends are doing.  And I long to return to the town that is permanently etched on my heart.  With that in mind, my family is planning a return visit to Xenacoj, Guatemala this coming summer.  Details are still coming together, but I would covet your prayers and potentially your support as we pursue further transformation and STRETCHING in Xenacoj.

September brought further transformation to my life as I saw my oldest child start high school.  I’m not sure how that happened so fast, but I’m thankful for the transition Hannah has made.  She has taught us many things and allowed us to experience many new adventures through her advancement to this level.  In particular, her involvement with the cross-country team and the high school youth group have been transformational in my life.  Her cross-country experience renewed my love for running.  After a challenging year with migraines and general busyness, my running consistency had dropped off significantly.  Seeing Hannah run and enjoy the experience reminded me of the importance of running in my own life.  I’m not sure what the new year brings, but I’m going in with several weeks of consistency and an excitement for what is ahead.  The high school youth group (RIOT) is also a place where I’ve experienced transformation this year.  Since returning from Guatemala, I’ve missed very few Sunday nights of RIOT.  These students continue to STRETCH me.  Youth ministry has provided an opportunity for me to Pay It Forward.

In late October, I experienced a transformational week when my family helped to clean out a woman’s home in our area.  The woman would be considered a hoarder, and cleaning out her home was no small task.  Working at her home four out of seven days including the first and last day gave me a much clearer picture of what transformation looks like.  We started with a house that was literally filled with stuff – two to four feet high across the entire floor – and a woman who was obviously broken.  At the end of the week, we had the entire main floor clean, we put a significant dent in her front yard which had been unkept for years, and we began to see a new person emerging.  Now, this woman has become part of our H.O.P.E. group that meets twice a month.  She has a new excitement for living, and she’s even been inviting people into her home for coffee.  While this week was clearly life changing for this woman, it was also transformational for every person who stepped foot in and around her home that week.  Through this week of Servefest, I was reminded to Store Up Things That Matter.

November and December have brought smaller transformational experiences for which I am thankful.  And as we head into the last two weeks of the year, I am aware of continued opportunities to be transformed.  TRANSFORMED was a good word for this year.  I don’t know what 2013 brings, but I’m sure transformation will continue.

How have you been transformed by 2012?  Did you have a word for 2012?  If you had to choose a word for 2013, what would it be?  Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.  Thanks!

One Word For 2012: Tranformed – Reflection Part 1

At the beginning of the year, I selected a word to represent my year.  The word I chose as part of the One Word 365 Community was transformed.  Back in that post, I stated, “I want my life to be transformed by my relationship with God.”  I also explained that I expected transformation or growth in other areas of my life as well.

As I reflect on the past year, it’s interesting to see how I experienced transformation.  Here are some of the highlights:

In January, I had the blessing of going out to Buffalo Grove, IL for a company meeting.  This meeting and trip was transformational for a couple of reasons.  For one, it was the first long distance, multiple-night trip I had taken alone since my wife’s illness in 2010.  This was a big step of faith that led to other bigger leaps of faith later in the year.  The trip also gave me an opportunity to see my Grandma.  My post, Say What You Need To Say, captures the transformation thoughts of this visit.

In February, Leanne and I attended a FamilyLife Weekend To Remember Marriage Conference in Hershey, PA.  This conference was a great opportunity to recharge, refocus, and reconnect our marriage.  I think we both experienced transformation through this time together.  My post, Ten Reasons To Attend FamilyLife Weekend To Remember, provides additional thoughts on this wonderful growth experience.  If you’re interested in going to one of these conferences this coming year, you can get a special discount through The Stretched Blog.  Click here for details.

In March, I was transformed through a big decision that required a leap of faith.  The decision was whether or not to go to Guatemala or not.  I wrestled a lot with fear as I made this decision.  I’m so thankful for family, friends, and God’s Word that encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone to later experience a life on a whole different level.

The Guatemala trip was a huge part of my transformation in 2012.  In April, I was transformed by the generosity of The Stretched Community and the amazing provision of a God who loves us and wants the best for us.  Early in April, I made a Big Ask as I asked The Stretched Community to join me in helping to raise funds for the trip and to Build Something Bigger as a blogging community.  Within hours, I found out part of the answer to this question:  How Big Is Your God?  God provided for my trip and much of the money for a house we build in Guatemala within six hours of asking the question.  (Later, the blogging community closed the gap and completely paid for a new house in Guatemala!)

In May and June, I started teaching my first Foundations Class at our church.  This class stretched and transformed me as I led a group of people through the Five Gs.  We talked about Grace, Growth, Groups, Gifts, and Giving.  While the experience was meant to help the students, I think it  also played a big role in my own growth this year.  I just finished up teaching my second round of this class.  While the class and the experience was different this time, I can still say that I was transformed through the experience to facilitate.

This was just some of the transformation I experienced during the first six months of 2012.  Come back tomorrow as I recap the growth I experienced in the second half of 2012.

How have you been transformed by 2012?  Did you have a word for 2012?  Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.  Thanks!

In The Wake Of The Newtown, CT Tragedy – Turning To The Psalms

In life, we experience many ups and downs.  While yesterday was a day to focus on an uncontrollable and everlasting joy (see my advent post from yesterday), it’s also been a weekend of such sadness following the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.

I can only imagine the despair that must be in the hearts of those in the community and in the homes of those who lost loved ones.  I’m sure I cannot fully relate to their sadness.  Having said that, I’ve experienced my own ups and downs.  One place that I’ve found solace is the Psalms.  In the Psalms, the writers express joy, happiness, exaltation, hope, and utter despair.  As we all process this week and life in general, I’m thankful God’s Word.  The Psalm below speaks to the emotions of this weekend.

God, you’re my last chance of the day.
    I spend the night on my knees before you.
Put me on your salvation agenda;
    take notes on the trouble I’m in.
I’ve had my fill of trouble;
    I’m camped on the edge of hell.
I’m written off as a lost cause,
    one more statistic, a hopeless case.
Abandoned as already dead,
    one more body in a stack of corpses,
And not so much as a gravestone—
    I’m a black hole in oblivion.
You’ve dropped me into a bottomless pit,
    sunk me in a pitch-black abyss.
I’m battered senseless by your rage,
    relentlessly pounded by your waves of anger.
You turned my friends against me,
    made me horrible to them.
I’m caught in a maze and can’t find my way out,
    blinded by tears of pain and frustration.

I call to you, God; all day I call.
    I wring my hands, I plead for help.
Are the dead a live audience for your miracles?
    Do ghosts ever join the choirs that praise you?
Does your love make any difference in a graveyard?
    Is your faithful presence noticed in the corridors of hell?
Are your marvelous wonders ever seen in the dark,
    your righteous ways noticed in the Land of No Memory?

I’m standing my ground, God, shouting for help,
    at my prayers every morning, on my knees each daybreak.
Why, God, do you turn a deaf ear?
    Why do you make yourself scarce?
For as long as I remember I’ve been hurting;
    I’ve taken the worst you can hand out, and I’ve had it.
Your wildfire anger has blazed through my life;
    I’m bleeding, black-and-blue.
You’ve attacked me fiercely from every side,
    raining down blows till I’m nearly dead.
You made lover and neighbor alike dump me;
    the only friend I have left is Darkness.

Psalm 88 (The Message)

 

Third Sunday of Advent: Joy

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 5:11

This is a picture of JOY.  Not what you expected?  Let me explain.

This is a picture of our Seeing Eye dog, Irwin.  We are fostering him until he goes to school in another month or two.  This picture was taken after we first got him about a year ago when he was seven weeks old.  Everyone is pretty happy and joyful when Irwin arrived.  But there was another type of “joy” we experienced as he became part of family.

Whenever I came home from work for the first few months, Irwin would run to the door to greet me.  He was always so excited that he would lose control and pee on the floor and sometimes on me.  I’m not sure if animals experience true “joy”, but it seems to me our puppy was experiencing uncontrollable happiness whenever I returned.  I don’t know that we’ll pee ourselves, but I have to believe we will experience an uncontrollable joy when Christ returns.

If you come from a more traditional church background, you probably will be lighting the third candle on the church’s advent wreath.  Today is the third Sunday of Advent.  Many people around the world will be talking about joy.  Today’s verse above talks about an everlasting joy that comes to those who take refuge in God.  When we sing Joy To The World at Christmas time, it’s not about the joy of a new puppy or a new baby. Christmas is about a joy that can only come through a Savior.  May you know joy this season in a new way as we anticipate Christ’s return.

How have you experienced joy this week?

Today, I’m hooking up with The Sunday Community and Fresh Brewed Sundays.  Hop on over here and here to see what I’m talking about.

(To set your mind at ease, Irwin doesn’t pee on me anymore.  We think he’s going to be a great Seeing Eye Guide Dog.)