Ice Breaker – Verse of the Day

Today’s question is simple.  For those of you who are new or who forgot, ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak.  I love hearing what other people have to say and how they think.  So for today, I’m excited to throw out another simple ice breaker question.  I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn.  Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy.  Thanks!

Question:  What is your favorite Bible verse?  Or what verse have you been hanging onto lately?

Simple question; simple answer.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.  Colossians 4:2-6

So there you have it, my answer to the question.  Now it’s your turn….I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

Ice Breaker – Leaving On A Jet Plane

It’s that time of the week again…time for an ice breaker question!  Last night, I flew home from the Chicago area where I was away on business most of the week.  Today’s question is about flying.  For those of you who are new or who forgot, ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak.  I love hearing what other people have to say and how they think.  So for today, I’m excited to throw out another simple ice breaker question.  I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn.  Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy.  Thanks!

Question:  Do you like to fly?  Why or why not?  When was the last time you took a plane to travel somewhere?  Where did you go?

My Answer:  Here you go….

I kind of answered part of this question already, but I’ll give you a little more detail.  Actually, I like to fly.  I am amazed at the brain power and inventive thought that goes into flying.  Think about it – several tons of metal, luggage, and people traveling 30,000 feet above the earth at amazing speeds.  It doesn’t sound possible when you think about it like this.

As I mentioned in the introduction, I flew this week to and from Chicago on a business trip.  The trip was good for learning about a new company initiative and helping to set the standard for applying this new initiative across our business.  But the trip was great for other reasons.  I was born in the Chicago area, and I lived there until I was eight.  I have family that still lives there.  I had the chance to spend an evening with my Grandma and my aunt and uncle.  I also spent and evening with my brother and his family.  What a blessing to merge business and family.

(By the way, thank you to Diane, Chad, and Kevin for filling in while I was away.  If you missed them, please go back the last three days and read their contributions to the Stretched community!)

So there you have it, my answer to the question.  Now it’s your turn….I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

Don’t forget to sign-up for the NEW Stretched Community.  Subscribe to the blog today!

Ice Breaker – I Have A Dream

It’s that time of the week again…time for an ice breaker question!  This week we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  We’ve all heard his famous “I Have A Dream” speech where King dreams out loud about a day when black men and white men will live together in harmony.  In keeping with this theme, today’s question deals with dreams.  For those of you who are new or who forgot, ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak.  I love hearing what other people have to say and how they think.  So for today, I’m excited to throw out another simple ice breaker question.  I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn.  Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy.  Thanks!

Question:  What’s your dream?  (You can take this in many different directions!)

My Answer:  Here you go….

As a child and teenager, I had many dreams.  I dreamed of writing plays and becoming an actor.  I dreamed of becoming a firefighter, a pharmacist, and a baseball player.  I dreamed of building a new Mt. Holly, NJ (my hometown growing up) where people got along and things worked more efficiently.  I dreamed of building my own house.  I dreamed of marrying a wonderful Christian woman.  Some of my dreams came true (like marrying a wonderful Christian woman), and many of my dreams never came to fruition.  As I’ve grown and my responsibilities have increased through marriage, parenting, and work, I honestly haven’t dreamed as much.  This question is definitely STRETCHING for me.

Last Sunday, I shared that I’ve been thinking about doing something bigger with my blog.  I truly believe that God can use The Stretched Blog for a much greater purpose.  I’m not sure exactly what that is yet, but I dream that The Stretched Blog and The Stretched Community would be able to build something that outlives us and that ultimately brings glory to God.  When this dream becomes clear, you can be sure that I’ll share it here.

So there you have it, my answer to the question.  Now it’s your turn….I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

Don’t forget to sign-up for the NEW Stretched Community.  Subscribe to the blog today!

Ice Breaker – Back to the Future

Like I explained yesterday, I’m planning to keep things going on the NEW Stretched Blog (jonstolpe.com), so it’s that time of the week again…time for an ice breaker question!  One of my favorite movies of all-time is Back to the Future.  I’ve always been intrigued with the possibility of time travel, so today’s question has to deal with time travel.  For those of you who are new or who forgot, ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak.  I love hearing what other people have to say and how they think.  So for today, I’m excited to throw out another simple ice breaker question.  I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn.  Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy.  Thanks!

Question:  If you could go back in time (or forward), what time period would you like to experience?

My Answer:  Here you go….

I would only use this time machine if I knew for certain that I could return to right now.  I’m so thankful for where God has me right now.  So assuming this was secured, I would choose to go back to the 1950s.  This is the time period in which my parents grew up.  It would be interesting to see what they experienced.  What were the fads and trends?  What pressures were they up against as kids?  The cars were pretty cool back then.  It just seems like a more simple time frame.  The technology that we now experience wasn’t there which could be seen as a blessing or a curse.  They didn’t have the same distractions that we experience in 2012, but they also didn’t get to experience so many of the luxuries that we now take for granted.

On a personal note, I’d love to meet some family members who passed away before I was born.  I’d especially like to meet my great grandparents.

So there you have it, my answer to the question.  Now it’s your turn….I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

Don’t forget to sign-up for the NEW Stretched Community.  Subscribe to the blog today!

Ice Breaker – My First Car

It’s that time of the week again…time for an ice breaker question!  Since it’s the first ice breaker of the year, I thought I would ask a question about firsts.  For those of you who are new or who forgot, ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak.  I love hearing what other people have to say and how they think.  So for today, I’m excited to throw out another simple ice breaker question.  I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn.  Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy.  Thanks!

Question:  What was (or is) your first car?

My Answer:  Here you go….

My answer will be pretty simple.  My first car was a 1974 Chevy Nova.  It was midnight blue with a white hard top.  It had a straight six cylinder engine in it, and I could stand next to the engine if I lifted the hood.  The Nova had four doors and a JVC stereo that I installed.  The ceiling fabric was falling down, so I used push pins to hold it up.  It had an Oakley sticker in the back window.  The Nova felt like it was floating when I drove down the highway.  I’ll always have fond memories of the Nova.

So there you have it, my answer to the question.  Now it’s your turn….I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

Ice Breaker – Resolutions

Okay, here it is!  The last ice breaker question of 2011!  I started these ice breaker questions a couple of months ago, and I’ve been amazed at the popularity and response.  The Ice Breaker question a few weeks ago about Christmas movies is one of the top posts all-time on The Stretched Blog.  For those of you who are new or who forgot, ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak.  I love hearing what other people have to say and how they think.  So for today, I’m excited to throw out another simple New Year’s themed ice breaker question.  I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn.  Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy.  Thanks!

Question:  Do you make New Year’s resolutions?  If so, what’s one of your New Year’s resolutions? If not, why?

My Answer:  Here you go….

If you’ve been reading for a while, you may have noticed or you may have heard me share that I’m a goal oriented person.  I love to set goals and to see where they take me.  So…it shouldn’t be a surprise that I like the opportunity to set new goals for the year ahead.  I usually set personal fitness goals, spiritual growth goals, leadership goals, church goals, marriage goals, family goals, financial goals, and personal growth goals.  I’ll share a goal from my personal growth area.  I’d like to read at least one book per month in 2012.  For the avid readers out there, this doesn’t sound very challenging.  But I’m not the average avid reader, I’m pretty slow and deliberate with my reading.  So reading one book per month will be a decent challenge.  I am currently reading The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, and I think I may finish this before the new year, so this doesn’t count.  I’m looking to focus my reading in a few areas:  small groups, leadership, and spiritual growth.  I couple books that I’m looking forward to reading this year are:  Community Is Messy (a soon to be released book by Heather Zempel), Community:  Taking Your Small Group Off Of Life Support by Brad House, and EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey.

So there you have it, my answer to the question.  Now it’s your turn….I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

Ice Breaker – Favorite Toy

It’s that time of the week again…one more ice breaker question before Christmas!  I’m going to stay with a Christmas related question again for one more week.  For those of you who are new or who forgot, ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak.  I love hearing what other people have to say and how they think.  So for today, I’m excited to throw out another simple ice breaker question.  I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn.  Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy.  Thanks!

Question:  What was one of your favorite toys as a child?

My Answer:  Here you go….

I can think of several of my favorite toys growing up like Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars, Legos, Lincoln Logs, and Tinker Toys.  To be honest, I still love playing with these things.  But there’s one toy I wish I still had – The Green Machine.  For those of you who didn’t grow up in the late 70s and early 80s, The Green Machine was the Michael Jordan of Big Wheels.  The Green Machine had two handles that you used to steer the back two wheels, and it was longer and lower to the ground than the typical Big Wheel.  I still remember riding my Green Machine down the street and picking up as much speed as possible.  When I reached top speed.  I would push one of the handles forward and pull the other handle back.  This would throw The Green Machine into an incredible spin as the plastic wheels slid across the pavement.  My understanding is that they actually make an adult size version of this classic.  Maybe next Christmas…!

So there you have it, my answer to the question.  Now it’s your turn….I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

My Treasure & My Heart

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Matthew 6:21

Where is my treasure?

Where is my heart?

I have lots of interests.  I spend my time on lots of things.  I work.  I read.  I blog.  I run.  I watch television.  I eat.  I sleep – some.

Do I devote the same amount of time, energy, and attention to the people and the things that mean the most to me?  This is the question that stretches me.  My God, my wife, and my kids deserve my focus.

This doesn’t mean that I can’t have interests and hobbies.  But I must always keep these things in check.

Stretch on…!

How about you?  Do you know where your priorities should be?  How do they match up with reality?

(Please add your comment, and remember to come back tomorrow for a great guest post by Jonathan Pearson!)

Ice Breaker – On The 13th Day Of Christmas What Gift Are You Hoping to Get

It’s that time of the week again…time for an ice breaker question!  I’m going to stay with a Christmas related question again this week.  For those of you who are new or who forgot, ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak.  I love hearing what other people have to say and how they think.  So for today, I’m excited to throw out another simple ice breaker question.  I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn.  Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy.  Thanks!

Question:  On the 13th day of Christmas what gift are you hoping to get from your true love?  Or what gift can I, The Stretched Blogger, give you?

My Answer:  Here you go….

I know it’s much better to give than to receive.  In fact, I much prefer the giving part to the receiving part, but I had to ask the question anyway.  I’m not sure how anyone could need or want anything after getting a partridge in a pear tree, two turtle doves, three french hens, four calling birds,….  But maybe all these things left you wanting just a little more.

From a blogging perspective, I’m thinking that this would be a great year to get my own domain name and to start self hosting.  But I think I will probably take care of that myself.  What I’d really like to get this year are some other things that might take my blogging to another level.  Here’s a list of possibilities:  a new Standard Theme blog layout, a new laptop (maybe even an Apple), guest bloggers, opportunities to guest post, ideas and inspirations, a few advertisers, new readers, and lots of comments to extend the Stretched Community.

Besides this, I really have everything I could ever want or need.  I have an awesome family.  And I have some incredible friends – including the Stretched Community.  What more could I ask for?

So there you have it, my answer to the question.  Now it’s your turn….I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

On Fire

Last night, I was challenged with a question about my faith.  The question went something like this:  What does it take to live our lives fully on fire for God?  What does that look like?  I’m not 100% on where the question was coming from, but it left me to ponder my own walk and my typical desire to find a formula for everything.  After all, I’m an engineer!

When I briefly searched the Bible this morning, I could find very few references to our passion for following God and the term fire.  Most of the fire references talk about God’s wrath towards people who stray from Him.  There are also a few references proclaiming that God is a consuming fire.

So maybe the question should have been “What does it look like when we are living our lives fully passionate for God?”  Or simply, “What does it really look like to be a fully devoted follower of Christ?”

I can name a few things that seem to make sense like reading the Bible, serving others, going to church, tithing, and sharing my faith, but it seems like I’m trying to follow a formula.

I shared with my friends that I don’t feel like the intensity of my fire for God is constant.  There are times when it burns brightly and more intense, and there are times when it appears to be a small candle.  I feel like life circumstances can sometimes diminish our flames as we struggle to find hope for the day ahead.  On the other hand, there are clearly times when I feel a burning passion and connection with God.

What this leads me to believe is that our faith cannot simply be about our feelings.  Our feelings and passions will go up and down.  We’re like that.  We need to be doing the necessary things to feed our minds, so that when our feelings leave us in the dumps we will still know that God is God.

And so, I’m still pondering these questions from last night.  Thank you for letting me wrestle and stretch out loud.

What do you think?  What do you do with these questions?