Week in Review has moved…

In case you missed it, The Stretched Blog moved over to a new platform this week.  The January 14, 2012 Week in Review post if over there.  Go check it out!

My Grandpa

Grandpa and The Stolpe Boys

When I get to this time of year, I often think about my Grandpa Stolpe.  (I’ll tell you why tomorrow.)  My Grandpa passed away a few years ago, and he is missed by his whole family.  Grandpa has two kids, seven grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.  I’m sure each one of us would have a different perspective on our grandfather, and I wanted to share a little bit about my take on the man my cousin calls Big Grey.

Grandpa was first and foremost a follower of Christ.  He lived it.  He breathed it.  He provided a clear example that Christ should come first in our lives.  I remember Grandpa leading us in prayer and Bible reading when we sat down for breakfast when we were there for a visit.  He was always involved at church.  And he had a huge heart for missions and bringing God’s love to everyone around the world.  As we sat down for breakfast, I remember Grandma and Grandpa praying specifically for missionaries around the world.

Grandpa was a killer croquet player.  Whenever we went over to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, the croquet set would come out of the garage and the croquet match to end all croquet matches would begin.  Grandpa knew the rules like the back of his hand, and he was always quick to teach us the correct way to play the game.  After Grandpa beat the rest of us around the croquet course, he would go back and knock out the older cousins so the younger grandchildren could win.

Grandpa had a great sense of humor.  Some of my cousins and siblings might argue with me on this, but this is something I carry with me.  Grandpa had a desire to make everyone laugh.  He always had a corny joke or response that broke the ice and made you chuckle.  For example, when the cantaloupe came out, he would say, “I can’t elope.  I’m already married to Grandma.”  Or if we had nectarines, he would say “I don’t neck with Irene; I neck with Grandma.”  I’m proud to say that I picked up some of that humor.

Grandpa was Swedish.  Grandpa knew how to speak Swedish.  He shared the Swedish traditions with our family – especially the Christmas Swedish traditions.  I big part of celebrating Christmas is eating the Swedish food.  I attribute this to my Grandma and Grandpa.  At Grandpa’s funeral, they even sang a Swedish hymn.

Grandpa was an incredible example.  After his faith, his marriage was always his top priority.  He and Grandma were a team.  They complimented each other well.  They put each other first before their own interests and needs.  Grandpa would do anything for Grandma.  After his faith and Grandma, family was a top priority.  He would do anything for all of us.  He always wanted the best for each one of us.  He and Grandma prayed consistently for each one of us.  Grandpa had a special relationship with each of us.  When we showed up for a visit, he showed us off like we were movie stars.

I share about my Grandpa to brag, to share, and to remember.

Who in your life to you want to remember and why?

Jimmy Buffett, Taffy, and Church Searches – Stretching Through Blogging Blunders

Today, I have the privilege of presenting Larry “The Deuce” Carter.  Larry and I recently became friends thanks to the wonders of the on-line blog world.  Larry puts out some pretty thought-provoking posts at his blog, Deuceology, and his comments at Jon Stolpe Stretched and on other blogs always make you think and usually make you laugh.  Today, Larry shares how he is currently being stretched.  Please join in the conversation here and also hook up with Larry on his blog and via Twitter.

(I’m always looking for guest bloggers who are interested in sharing their “Stretch” stories with the Stretched Community.  If you’re interested in writing a guest post, leave a comment, so I can hook up with you.)

I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into when I answered the call to guest-post for Jon. I hadn’t followed him long enough to pick up on the stretched motif of his blog. But when he told me that I should discuss being stretched, I didn’t have to think long before I came up with an idea since I’m in the process of being stretched right now.

I have my own blog over at http://deuceology.wordpress.com. Without going into tremendous detail, I wrote some things that I shouldn’t have written. Some of these things were disrespectful of some people who I have known for several years. Some difficulty ensued which resulted in my family and I leaving my church.

There you have it. I said the wrong things in my blog. I left my church. Guess who’s to blame? Oh, I would love to blame someone else, but just like Jimmy Buffett realized in Margaritaville, it’s my fault and no one else’s.

So, how has that stretched me?

Well, it certainly has matured me in my blogging. Despite being forty-three years old, I can still be a bit childish on occasion.  I certainly proved that.  So, I was stretched and learned a great lesson about blogging.  It’s made me a better blogger.  It’s helped me in the direction of my blog.  I’ve so many lessons about blogging through this that I would never have learned.  However, that probably isn’t the best way I’m being stretched right now.

How else am I being stretched? Well, I’m about to begin a search for a new church. While a bit exciting, I also face it with a bit of trepidation. New church. New pastor. New people. It may be enjoyable, but it certainly isn’t comfortable.  Despite my failure, God is going to use this failure in my life to put me in a new place to worship and serve Him.

There you have it. I’ve been stretched like taffy and foresee it continuing for a while.  Would you pray with me as I begin this new phase of my life?

How have you been stretched through mistakes in blogging?  How about during a church search?

Spur One Another On – Are You Being Spurred?

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:23-25

What do these words mean to you?

Last night, I met with my MEAT group.  I honestly felt like I was called out on the carpet for a few things that I had mentioned to another person in the group.  I’m not sure if it felt right to be singled out for my comments, but I will say that it permitted conversation within the group that spurred me on – and hopefully spurred others on in the group.

When we think of what it means to be in fellowship with one another, we all come into the discussion with different ideas from our past experiences, from our education, and from our own expectations.  I’ve been doing small group stuff for a while now, and even though I’m extremely open to what could be considered a small group, I still have my own preconceived ideas for what life in a small group looks like.  I don’t always get it right.

Last night, I was definitely spurred on.  I think the conversation last night spurred others on as well.  I think it provided encouragement, support, and accountability.  Being part of a group where this type of conversation can take place is important.  It’s important for testing and growing our faith.  It’s important for support.  Many of these guys were here for me as my family went through challenging times over the past year.  It’s also important for uplifting the soul.  We laugh a lot at our weekly MEAT meetings, and laughter can be such great medicine for the soul.

Are you part of a group like this?

What are the key ingredients for a small group?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

A Rock Is A Good Place To Kiss

As I was thinking about today’s post, I was reminded of a reason to celebrate at this time of year!  On October 10, 1993, Leanne and I shared our first kiss on a rock along the river at McConnell’s Mills a park a little south of Grove City.  I still remember this day like it was yesterday….

Leanne and I picked up sandwiches at Subway when we left campus after church on this particular Sunday.  I think I had a cold cut trio sandwich, and Leanne may have had the same.  We parked in the upper portion of the park and walked down to the covered bridge near the old mill.  From there we walked along a path by the river until we discovered a perfect rock.  Here we sat and ate our lunch, we enjoyed each others company and conversation, and then it happened!  We shared our first kiss – my first kiss!  I was blown away!  The rest of the day gets a little more blurry….

When we arrived back at campus, I dropped Leanne off at her dorm.  It was an awkward goodbye.  Do we share another kiss?  When will we see each other next?  So many new questions.  From there, I walked back to my dorm room, it was a little crazy back in Lincoln.  My room was filled with my roommates and friends watching Sunday afternoon football.  I wasn’t quite ready for the crowd.  I just wanted to lay down on my bed and process what had just happened.  A couple of my friends picked up on the glow that must have been coming from my face.

That night at Hicks Dining Hall, I remember running into one of Leanne’s friends as I carried my tray to the salad bar.  Her friend must have thought I was pretty clumsy as I dropped my tray all over the floor at the dining hall.  I think my nerves were on the edge as I was still processing the days’ big event.  At any rate, Leanne’s friend still speaks with me, so it must not have left too much of an impression.

To make the story a little more amusing, Leanne and I went back to the same rock when year later when I returned to campus for a visit.  1994 was a bit colder than 1993, and the water was higher, so we couldn’t sit right on the same rock as we shared our Subway sandwiches.  As our time together was drawing to a close, I thought it would be a good idea to climb down to the rock where we shared the actual kiss.  Little did I know that the rock was now covered in a slippery moss.  As I stepped onto the rock, my feet began to slide and before I knew it, I was up to my shoulders in freezing cold river water.  Talk about embarrassing!  As Leanne helped me out of the water and we walked back up to the car, we laughed as we shared a new humorous memory connected with our special place.

I’m so thankful for these memories and the chance to celebrate the good that God has done in our relationship.  As we approach this special milestone in our relationship, I praise God for allowing our lives to intersect and become one.  God is good!

Okay, time for you to share a special or embarrassing moment.  Come on!  Let us celebrate and laugh with you.

Magic Boy and Super Sitter

It’s hard to believe how quickly our kids grow.  This picture was taken the first day of school (this year), and I think they’ve grown another few inches since then.  A couple of weeks ago, we took the kids with us to visit Grove City College for Homecoming and Leanne’s 15th Class Reunion.  Leanne and I felt especially “older” as our kids were clearly the oldest kids among Leanne’s classmates.

One of the cool things about our visit was how our friends’ kids were attracted to our kids.  When we were walking over to line up for the parade, one of our friends’ kids ran up to Isaac and said, “Hey Magic Boy, do a magic trick!”  And he was completely serious.  He had been to our home a month or two prior to homecoming and remembered Isaac doing magic tricks for the kids.  Leanne and I often remark to each other how much of a performer our son can be.  He loves to put on shows for people.  He is the first to jump on the piano or to take out his trumpet when guests come over.  We sometimes wonder what Isaac will do when he grows up.  Perhaps, he’ll be the ring master for a circus, a musician, or a preacher or worship leader.  It’s fun to imagine as we watch our son bloom.

At Grove City, most of the kids were attracted to Hannah.  And many of the parents were putting bids on Hannah to come to their homes over the summer to watch their kids.  Hannah is a leader and a care-giver.  She knows how to take charge and how to have compassion.  She had the opportunity to hold a baby, and it was fun to watch her as the baby fell asleep in her arms.  She also was the leader for the preschoolers and elementary kids as they made up games and did crafts together.  Leanne and I often say that Hannah will have an interesting future.  Will she be a teacher, a missionary, a mom, or president of some organization?  Like her brother, it’s fun to watch as our daughter matures and becomes a young lady.

As we watch our kids grow, we have come to know and realize that time goes so quickly.  Each moment is precious as they fly by before our eyes.  It’s for this reason that I often say that Paul’s call in Colossians to “make the most of every opportunity” was about sharing our faith, but it’s also a great reminder to take advantage of the time we have with our kids.  Walking around Grove City College a couple of weeks ago with our kids was a huge reminder that our kids will be venturing to college before we know it.  We need to make the most of these days we have with “Magic Boy” and “Super Sitter.”

What characteristics and gifts to you see developing in your children?  What are you doing to make the most of the opportunities you have with your children?

H.O.P.E. – Helping Other People Everywhere

We’re getting ready to kick-off the second year of our service group.  Our daughter, Hannah, came up with a new name for the group – H.O.P.E. which stands for Helping Other People Everywhere.  The group is designed for adults and kids elementary school age and older, and the group gets together twice a month to serve other people in practical ways, to fellowship with each other, and to have a great time.

Generally, we meet the first and third Tuesday evenings of the month.  On the first Tuesday of the month, we get together for a potluck style dinner.  At this meeting, we will usually participate in a small craft or project that benefits different causes.  Last year, we made cards for soldiers, filled eggs for Easter, and made crafts for hospice patients.  During this meeting, we will usually spend a few minutes discussing why we serve.  On the third Tuesday of the month, we go out and serve off-site.  Last year, we served in soup kitchens, nursing homes, Cradles to Crayons, Open Door Ministry Thrift Store, and Philabundance.

Our first meeting is coming up next week.  H.O.P.E. will meet at our house at 6:30PM on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.  We’re looking forward to starting up again, and we’d love to see new faces.  If you’re interested, drop me a comment, so we can get back to you.  This is a great group for families, couples, or singles who are looking for ways to connect with others and for ways to help other people.

When was the last time that you stopped to help someone else?  How did it go?

What kinds of projects would you like to get involved with that help others and show God’s love in practical ways?

5 at Five

Five at five in the pouring rain

I hit the road and I feel no pain.

The lightning brightens up the sky,

I’m lost in my thoughts as my feet do fly.

Running brings me great relief,

I clear my head as I grit my teeth.

My body groans as I roll out of bed,

But it springs to life once the shoes do tread.

My morning run gives me time to ponder,

As I collect my thoughts and allow some to wander.

I’m thankful for these five at five,

When my soul wakes up and I feel alive.

I really appreciated my run this morning.  As I prepare for my day and for the 1st ever Perk Trail Half, these are just some of my thoughts.

Are you a runner?  What do you do on your runs?  What do you think about while you’re pounding the pavement?

Race to Remember – Perk Trail Half Marathon – September 11, 2011

So…I have an idea.  Are you ready?

Early this summer, I was inspired by an article in Runner’s World to follow a half marathon training program.  I did some research, and I discovered that there was a half marathon being run on September 10th in Bird in Hand which isn’t too far from here (relatively speaking).  I counted back and figured out when to start the training schedule in order to be ready for the race.  I never signed up for the race as I wasn’t sure our family schedule would permit me to race on that day.  As it turns out, September 10th didn’t work out.  I’ve known this for a while, but I’ve continued to follow the training program.  It’s been great for me!  I have rebuilt my endurance and some of my “speed.”

As I’ve approached this upcoming weekend, I was determined to continue my training and find a way to run 13.1 miles.  Last week, I dawned on my that September 11th will be an interesting day to run a half marathon – especially on the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001.  So here’s where my idea come in.

I’m planning to run 13.1 miles (half marathon distance) this Sunday on the Perkiomen Trail where I’ve done most of my training runs.  If you’re interested (let me know), my plan is to start the “race” at mile marker 11 which is located behind Tailwinds Bike Shop in Schwenksville, PA.  I’ll run south through Collegeville, PA to mile marker 4.5 which is located at Yerkes Road.  I’ll turn around and come back with the finish past mile marker 11 at the Schwenksville Fire Department.  My thought is to have a moment of silence before the start of the “race” to remember those impacted by the events which transpired 10 years ago.

I’ve also been thinking about dedicating each mile to thinking and praying for different people (and things)…Mile 1: Spouses of those who lost their lives on September 11th…Mile 2: Children of those who lost their lives on September 11th…Mile 3: Firefighters…Mile 4: Policemen…Mile 5: Service men and women…Mile 6: Leaders in our country…Mile 7: Leaders around the world…Mile 8: Leaders in our community…Mile 9: People who work in New York City…Mile 10 People who work in Washington, D.C….Mile 11: Churches and Aid Organizations…Mile 12: Our Enemies…Mile 13: Peace.

I’ve run the idea past a few people, and I’ve heard that some people might be interested in running a 5K (3.1 miles) instead.  That’s definitely a great idea.  It would mean started and finishing at the same points mentioned above, but the turnaround point would be mile marker 9.5 which is just south of the walking bridge past Plank Road Park.

As you may remember, I’m a big numbers guy, so here are some numbers to remember for the run this Sunday.

5 - 5K if you’re interested

7 – 7AM this is the start time – be there 10-15 minutes early if you’re planning to run

9 – September

11 – 11th

13 – 13.1 miles (Perk Trail Half Marathon)

So what do you think?  Are you in?  If not, I understand.  Maybe you can take some time to remember those impacted by September 11th.  Maybe you’ll stop by the trail and cheer on me (and any other runners).  If you’re planning to run or cheer, drop me a comment.

For now, there won’t be any timekeepers, race T-shirts (although the idea crossed my mind), winners or losers, or aid stations.  It’s for fun, and I think it will be a Race to Remember.

What will you be doing to remember September 11th?

Stretch A Little, Give A Lot

Today, Michael Grasso is my guest blogger.  I met Mike at my men’s group (M.E.A.T. – Men Eating and Talking) last week, and we quickly discovered that we shared a passion for blogging.  Mike writes some great stuff, so please check him out at his blog.  Mike shares his stretching thoughts below.

America = Greedy, money-grubbing, materialistic, sinners.

Ok now that I have your attention let’s talk. There are over 250 verses in the Bible about money, some good some bad. What I want to encourage you to do is give a lot, even if it means you have to stretch a little. The first 10% goes to God. There is no question there, some will say God asks us for too much. Uh, hello didn’t you just pray for a plasma screen TV. Who is asking much of whom? We often need to take a step back and dwell on what we ask of God. We ask for healing, we ask for strength, we ask for love, we ask for forgiveness. To me 10% is a good deal for all that I am getting for it. Can you truly put a price on love or forgiveness? Think about it this way, everything you have is God’s, so that 10% was His to begin with. Do you truly think that if Jesus Christ was walking down the street today and found $20 on the ground that He would just put it in his pocket and be happy that lunch is on someone else? Jesus would use that $20 to bless someone.

I strongly encourage you to try this, take a bill that you feel you can truly give and not foreclose on your house. Set it aside in your wallet/purse and pray, tell God that you set this aside to bless someone, God will guide you. You may be out at lunch, grocery shopping, picking the kids up from ball practice, whatever it may be God will place someone in your path to bless. I know you probably think that I am crazy, asking who does this kind of stuff, Christians do. Christ followers need to be seen as givers. Again think about what Jesus gave us. Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Let’s not want, but want to give.

Blessing is like a viral infection, in a good way. When you take a moment to bless someone, they may take a moment to bless another and so on. This of course only works if you get the ball rolling. So keep that 10% going to God, but I ask you to stretch, and bless someone this week.

Are you willing to take the blessing challenge? If you do please share your blessing story.

(If you’re interested in sharing your stretch stories as a guest blogger, please leave me a comment.  I love to hear and share your stories.)