6 Ways the Holy Spirit is Active in Our Lives

We have two wonderful teenagers.

They aren’t perfect, but they are still pretty great in our eyes.

Last week, they were both away in Tennessee at Milligan College to attend the CIY Move youth conference with the high school youth group from our church.  I know it was a life changing experience for both of our kids, and I’m excited to hear more stories about their adventures during this week.

In the middle of this past week, I received a phone call at 8:15PM from our son.  I could sense from his voice he was tired and a little emotional.  I asked him how he was doing, and he quickly responded by apologizing for not always talking nicely to Leanne and me.  Initially, I was taken back.  After all, Isaac is a pretty good kid.  He can be moody sometimes, and he could be more prompt in obeying his parents, but he’s generally a good kid.

I told him I appreciated his apology.  I told him he was a good kid.  And I reminded him a few times how much he his loved by us.

We exchanged a few more words before he informed me he needed to get back into the evening program.

This conversation has haunted me (in a good way) ever since.

Isaac was speaking to me out of a spirit of conviction.  It was obvious the Holy Spirit had spoken to him.  His confession was prompted by the Holy Spirit in his life.  I am so thankful he his open to God’s voice.

We don’t talk about the Holy Spirit very often, yet this is the gift we have been left by Jesus Christ when He left the earth.  The Holy Spirit is quite active in our lives, and I think it’s important to see how the Holy Spirit takes action today.

6 Ways the Holy Spirit is Active in Our Lives

1. The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s Word.  There are many times in my life when I have gone through challenges.  I am amazed when God’s Word comes to me during these times.  This isn’t by accident.  This is the Holy Spirit in my life.  Jesus tells us in John:  “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.“  John 14:2  I love the word advocate here.  We need an advocate for sure!
2. The Holy Spirit provides life.  Without the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are under the curse of the law.  Since we are all sinners, this means we are destined to punishment in hell.  But there is good news for those who make Christ the head of their lives.  Paul tells us in Romans:  “Those who belong to Christ Jesus are no longer under God’s sentence. I am now controlled by the law of the Holy Spirit. That law gives me life because of what Christ Jesus has done. It has set me free from the law of sin that brings death.”  Romans 8:1-2
3. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts.  This isn’t a general gift.  These are specific gifts just for you and just for me.  When we decide to follow Christ, we are promised gifts.  Paul shares about these gifts in his first letter to the Corinthians:  “There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given by the same Spirit.  There are different ways to serve. But they all come from the same Lord.  There are different ways to work. But the same God makes it possible for all of us to have all those different things.  The Holy Spirit is given to each of us in a special way. That is for the good of all. To some people the Spirit gives the message of wisdom. To others the same Spirit gives the message of knowledge.  To others the same Spirit gives faith. To others that one Spirit gives gifts of healing.  To others he gives the power to do miracles. To others he gives the ability to prophesy. To others he gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others he gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. And to still others he gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages.  All of the gifts are produced by one and the same Spirit.  He gives them to each person, just as he decides.”  I Corinthians 12:4-11  If you don’t know your gifts, talk to your pastor who can help you in discerning your gifts.  Then go find ways to use them.
4. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.  We don’t always know how to pray or how to respond.  God knew our ability to articulate our thoughts, feelings, and response to life would be impossible without the help of someone in our lives.  This is part of the reason He gave us the Holy Spirit.  Paul reminds us in Romans:  “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”  Romans 8:26-27
5. The Holy Spirit comforts us.  This doesn’t mean we won’t endure trials and tribulations.  We will.  In fact, these things will still cause us great sorrow and pain.  But God promises to be close to those who are brokenhearted.  This should be a comfort for us.  “The Lord is close to the brokenheartedand saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  Psalm 34:18
6. The Holy Spirit convicts us and ultimately convicts the world.  I think this is what my son was dealing with last week.  We need the Holy Spirit in our lives to help us see the areas of our life that need attention.  Jesus explains in John:  “When he [The Holy Spirit] comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.”  John 16:8

Does any of this resonate with you?  How have you seen the Holy Spirit in you life?  What else would you add to the list above?

Berry Nice!

One of the things I like most about this time of year is fresh picked berries. I just picked these black raspberries from our back yard. With a little more time and some long pants, I could pick a couple more containers of these.

What’s your favorite summertime produce?

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Ice Breaker – Childhood Sports

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.

(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas.  If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com.  If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)

Question:  What sports did you play as a child?  Which one was your favorite?  (If you didn’t play any sports, what activity or activities were you involved in as a child?)

My Answer:  I played “T-Ball” for a couple of seasons when I lived in Wheaton, Illinois.  I also did gymnastics for a year or two when I was young.  I don’t remember it being competitive gymnastics, but it was pretty fun to jump off the springboard onto the mats.  I played four seasons of soccer when I lived in Mt. Holly, NJ.  And I played basketball in junior high for the school team (the Lumberton Wildcats).  If you extend my childhood into high school, I ran cross-country for a season, and I ran winter track for a season.

My favorite of all these sports was probably basketball.  I wasn’t very tall in junior high, but I enjoyed learning the game.  The first two years, I played guard, and I played small forward in eighth grade.  I wish I had kept up with the sport.  I didn’t play in high school as the competition was too steep, but I picked it up again in college playing for several intramural teams.  My senior year at Grove City College, I actually dunked the ball in a game (which was definitely one of my all-time sports highlights).

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!

On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field is now available on Amazon in paperback and for Kindle.  Click the link below to get your copy today.

As a reminder, I am offering a FREE pdf copy of the interior of the book to subscribers of The Stretched Newsletter.  Head over to the main page of the blog and sign up on the right hand menu bar to get your copy today for FREE!

Shut It Off – A Reminder to Find Times of Quiet in Your Day

It has been a while since I featured a video blog post.  Today seemed like a good time to bring it back.  I share some thoughts following my morning run.

It’s true.  We don’t take time to shut off the noise in our lives, yet this is such an important discipline.  It’s important to practice the discipline of quietness, solitude, and listening.

I hope you’ll be encouraged today to take time to turn off the radio, take off the headphones, put down the lid on the laptop, and listen to the quiet.

When was the last time you shut off the noise?  What did that look like for you?  And why would you encourage others to practice the discipline of quietness?

If it’s been a while, what is one thing you can do TODAY to carve out a time of quietness?

Ten Things Every Leader Should Know

I am a student of leadership.  I want to be the best leader I can be.  As a result, I read books about leadership; I read blogs about leadership; and listen to podcasts about leadership.  I have a lot to learn still about leadership.  But there are several things about leadership I’ve picked up so far.  Here’s my list:

Ten Things Every Leader Should Know

1. Leaders read.  Leaders keep learning.  One of the best ways to learn is to read.  There are many great leadership books and blogs out worth reading.  I have a leadership library on my desk which is a great resource and reminder.  If you want to lead well, read well.
2. Leaders serve.  Leadership doesn’t mean you should stay in your plush office expecting to be served.  Leaders get in the trenches, and they lead by example.  Great organizations serve others.  This happens when leaders lead by example.
3. Leaders encourage.  Solid leadership is marked by encouragement.  Leaders are the biggest cheerleaders for those in their organizations.  This means helping others see a vision for the future.
4. Leaders give credit.  The best leaders give credit where credit is due.  Successes come because people worked hard.  Leaders give credit to those who deserve it.
5. Leaders take blame.  When something goes wrong, leaders step up and take the blame.  They don’t look around trying to pin the blame on someone else.  They take responsibility for the failures of an organization.
6. Leaders appreciate.  And they express the appreciation in their words – written and orally.  If you are a leader, you need to join the Thank You Revolution.  You have the power to shape the culture of your organization by expressing gratitude.
7. Leaders lead regardless of title.  You don’t have to be president, king, or CEO to lead.  You don’t have to be a supervisor, manager, or director.  If you are a leader, you lead.  It doesn’t matter what position you hold or what people call you.  Don’t wait for the next promotion.
8. Leaders recognize their roots.  Someone believed in you somewhere along the line.  They mentored you.  They encouraged you.  They provided an example worth following.  Leaders remember those who paved the way for them.
9. Leaders never fully arrive.  A leader still has things to learn.  A leader still has room to grow.  A leader cannot rest on his laurels.  Otherwise, he is destined for downfall.
10. Leaders pave the way for the next leaders.  At some point, leaders retire or leave organizations for another reason.  Leaders mentor up and coming leaders.  Leaders leave things in good shape for future leaders.

What others things should leaders know?  How have you seen the above characteristics in leaders around you?

Summertime Blogging – Request For Guest Bloggers

The summer months are a time for vacations and day trips.  I am thankful for this season when things relax a little.

I have seen fellow bloggers handle their vacations in different ways:

• Some bloggers take off the whole summer.  Summer blog reader traffic is typically lower, and many bloggers use this time to be refreshed and to accumulate new ideas for the fall.
• Some bloggers take off for a week or two while they are on vacation.  Michael Hyatt takes off for a month each summer.  He generally does not post during this time with the exception of a few guest posts.  Again, this in an opportunity to recharge.
• Some bloggers write in advance and schedule posts to go live while they are away.  This can lead to a little craziness trying to write and schedule content ahead of time, but it helps keep the blog community active even when the blogger is away.
• Some bloggers simply become more inconsistent with their posting schedule during the summer.  When the fall comes, they become motivated again to be more consistent, and they resume a normal writing/posting routine.

I try to keep the blog going, even while I am away.  Sometimes a re-post popular blog posts from the past.  This provides newer readers the opportunity to catch up on some of my older content.  My preference though is to feature guest bloggers during my vacation time.  This gives me the opportunity to introduce my blogging community to others around the blog world.  It provides fresh perspectives on life’s stretching experiences.  And it keeps my readers engaged as guest bloggers participate in the dialogue that goes on in the comments.

This summer, I am heading back to Guatemala, and I am looking for guest bloggers to help fill the gap while I am away.  Specifically, I need guest bloggers for July 21-25 and July 28th.  If you would be interested in helping out during this time (or at another time), please leave a comment or reach out to me at jon@jonstolpe.com, so we can connect.  (For more about guest posting, click here.)

You have a stretching story worth sharing.  Your stretch story could be the catalyst for significant encouragement for the Stretched Community.  And I’d love to share it here!

If you are a blogger, how do you handle your blog when you are away?

Do you have any vacation plans this summer?

Rio’s First Puppy Club Meeting

He was very excited when he arrived, but the excitement caught up to Rio by the end of the meeting.

What excitement did you experience today?

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In the Middle of Crisis – Find Your Way to God’s Heart

Four years ago, our family faced a significant health crisis which resulted in my wife’s hospitalization.  This was a time which rocked our family’s world.

I remember going through all kinds of thoughts and feelings during this time.  I wondered how this crisis would impact our family and our marriage.  I questioned God – why would he let this happen.  I felt loneliness even as family members and friends wrapped their arms around our family.  There were times of hopelessness, but there were also moments and days of hope.

I recall praying that Leanne would know my love and commitment for her as she struggled to find wellness, and I prayed that she would look to God’s heart for clarity and comfort when everything around her didn’t seem to make sense.  (In a way, this was a prayer I needed as well through this time, and I’m thankful for many who were lifting me up during this crazy time.)  I had a strong feeling God would work the rest of the healing process out.

There are times in our lives when we will face times of crisis.  There will be many times when life doesn’t make sense.

It’s times like this when we need to remember God is simply calling us to find a way to His heart.  He is there for us during the peaks and valleys of life.  He’s with us in the mundane middle.  He is our Rock, our Fortress, our Refuge, and our Redeemer.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  Psalm 18:2

I have no idea what you may be going through.  You may be riding high on the good waves of life, or you may be trudging through the muddy trenches.  I pray you would look to God’s heart for clarity and comfort.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

This song by Phil Collins spoke to me as I contemplated this post.  It’s not a “Christian” song in itself, and the theology may not line up exactly, but it reminded me how God wants us to be connected to Him through the ups and downs of life.

How have you handled a crisis in your life?  What helped you get through the crisis?  If you are in the middle of a crisis right now, what gives you hope?

Beach Day

Leanne and I took a day trip to Ocean Grove, NJ. The sun is out. The air has the scent of ocean water. And the water is a little cold which is typical for June at the Jersey Shore. After an 8 mile run on the boardwalk through Bradley Beach, Avon by the Sea, Belmar, and Spring Lake, it’s nice to relax by the ocean.

When was your last visit to the beach? Where did you go? What do you like best about the beach?

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Ice Breaker – Last 5 Books You Read

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.

(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas.  If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com.  If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)

Question:  What are the last five books you read?

My Answer:  Reading is one of the best ways to stretch yourself.  I have learned a lot from other authors about life and leadership.  Here are the five books I have been reading most recently:

1. Next Up: 8 Shifts Great Young Leaders Make by Jonathan Pearson (You can read review by clicking here.)
2. Buy This Land by Chi-Dooh Li (I’m actually reading this in preparation for my trip to Guatemala this summer.)
3. Actually, Clams Are Miserable: Deconstructing 101 Ridiculous Clichés by Bryan Allain
4. Ten Commandments for Creatives: A Creativity Road Map by Andrew Zahn
5. Becoming a LifeChanger: Move Away from Ordinary by Tammy Helfrich

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!

On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field is now available on Amazon in paperback and for Kindle.  Click the link below to get your copy today.

As a reminder, I am offering a FREE pdf copy of the interior of the book to subscribers of The Stretched Newsletter.  Head over to the main page of the blog and sign up on the right hand menu bar to get your copy today for FREE!