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.

For many, next weekend marks the beginning of summer.  People start traveling and taking time off from work to enjoy a break and to spend time with family and friends.  This week’s question will get you thinking about the summer ahead and will remind you of summer days of the past.

Question:  What are your vacation plans for this summer?  What’s one of the best vacations that you have ever experienced?

My Answer:  If you have been reading along for a little while, you’ll know our family is planning to go to Guatemala later this summer on a short-term missions trip to the village of Xenacoj.  Besides that, we are planning to take a swing through the Midwest (Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota) to visit my family who live in that area.  In between visits with family, we’re also hoping to hit one of the water parks in the Wisconsin Dells.

As for best vacations experienced, I would say that I really enjoyed the trip that Leanne and I took to France to celebrate our tenth anniversary.  We stayed in Paris for two days, the Louvre Valley for two days, the Bordeaux region for two days, near Marseilles for two days, and Lyon for two days.  It was wonderful to see the various sites of this beautiful country, and it was refreshing to spend uninterrupted time together with my bride.

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.)

Today, I’m guest posting as part of The Network for Joe Lalonde at his blog, Joseph Lalonde.  In my post (Leading From Our Hands And Our Knees), I share some thoughts about servant-based leadership.  Here’s an excerpt to get you started.

How are your hands and knees?

For so many, leadership is all about a position of authority. When most people think of leadership, they think of someone sitting in the plush corner office. They think of someone sitting on a throne. Or they think of someone who stands tall above everyone else.

Authority is an important aspect of leadership, but there is something else leaders should consider.

Leaders lead best when they lead from their hands and knees.

(Click here to read the rest of this post.)

If you’re visiting from Joe’s blog, I’m glad you stopped by.  I hope you’ll check things out and become a regular part of The Stretched Community.  You can sign up to receive daily blog updates by adding your e-mail on the main page (I promise not to send you spam).  To help you get a taste of my other writing, here are a few of my favorite posts:

• Leap of Faith
• Less Like Scars
• Ten Things Every Small Group Leader Should Know
• The Power of the Next Question
• How To Respond To The Election Results

How could servant-based leadership impact your leadership effectiveness? What is one thing you can do this week to lead from your hands and knees?

From a spectators standpoint, a track meet can seem like organized chaos.  There are athletes running on the track, walking in the stands, warming up in the parking lot, jumping, throwing, and socializing with other athletes.  If you attend enough meets, you begin to realize that there is a method and organization to the entire meet.

As a father, my favorite events are the one in which my kids are competing.  There nothing quite like cheering on your own kids.  Besides that, I especially love watching the relay races.  It’s fun to watch teammates cheering each other on, running as fast as possible, and passing the baton to their teammate.  A well polished relay team is so amazing to watch as the baton flows around the track from one athlete to the next to the next.

For those of you unfamiliar with relay racing at a typical track meet, the race is made of four legs each run by a different runner on the same team.  At the high school level, the typical relay races are the 4 x 100 (each runner runs one-quarter of the track), the 4 x 800 (each runner runs two laps of the track), and the 4 x 400 (each runner runs one lap of the track).

As I watched the relay races from the season, it was obvious which teams at practiced together and which teams needed a lot of work.  If I looked more closely at the relay race, I came up with 4 Lessons From The Relay Race that we can apply to everyday life:

1. It takes a team effort.  It’s highly unlikely that one runner running the whole race could beat a team of four who have fresh legs.  Runners have to work together.  Each person on the team plays a key role in the effort and success of the whole.  In life, it is somewhat similar.  You play an important role in the body of Christ.  The body will not operate properly without YOU!  Paul talks about this in his first letter to the Corinthians:  The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  I Corinthians 12:21-26
2. The baton pass is critical.  Races are won and lost based on the pass of the baton.  There is a transfer of momentum from one runner to the next.  If a runner drops the baton, the race is over.  Each runner must run all the way through the transfer zone in order to make the most of each exchange.  In life, we will have opportunities to receive the baton from those who run before us, and we will eventually have the opportunity to pass the baton to those coming behind us.  In family life, my parents and grandparents have done an incredible job passing the baton to me at appropriate times, and it’s my responsibility to do the same for my kids (and eventually grandkids).  At work, it’s the same.  And in our spiritual lives, it’s important to have mentors in our lives along with people who we can mentor.
3. Teammates cheer each other on.  Especially at the 4 x 400 relay race which typically ends each meet, the track is lined with teammates cheering as loud as they can for their fellow athletes.  The encouragement makes an incredible difference in the outcome of the race.  In life, we need to surround ourselves with others who can cheer us on.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Hebrews 10:24  We were not meant to run the race of life in isolation.  We were meant for community.
4. We need an anchor.  The 4th (and last) runner of each relay team is called the anchor.  This runner is typically the strongest, fastest runner on the team.  He is sometimes called upon to make up any difference left by the previous three runners.  It’s his job to leave it all on the track and to find any way possible to win.  We have an anchor – Jesus Christ.  He would go to any lengths to see us to the finish.  (In fact, He did this on the cross.)  Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:1-8

What lessons could you add to the list above?  How have you experienced these relay lessons in your own life?  What baton are you currently carrying?  How are you preparing to pass the baton?

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been answering questions that you posed to me in response to an Ice Breaker question.  Today’s question comes from TMZ (a Phillies fan who currently lives on the West Coast):

Who’s your favorite current Phillies player? Of all-time?

Okay, I’ll be honest.  I haven’t been following the Phillies as closely as I used to especially as they have fallen back into the middle of the pack.  I’m still a fan though.  And to answer TMZ’s question, I’d have to say that Chase Utley is my favorite current Phillies player.  His grit, determination, and pure hustle are a great example for other players to follow.

And my favorite Phillies player of all-time?  That’s easy.  Michael Jack Schmidt.  Schmidt played 3rd base for the Phillies when I moved to the Philadelphia area in 1980, and he is arguably the best 3rd baseman of all-time.  He certainly had his flaws as a sports personality in a tough town.  But he has stayed with the Phillies since his retirement as a coach and promoter.  I’d love to meet him at some point to talk about his faith, his family, and his career.  (Tim Gradoville, you were a close second place!)

There you have it, TMZ.  Who is your favorite Phillies player (past and present)?  If you’re not a Phillies fan, who is one of your favorite players and teams?

Coming off the trails for a lap around the field at The Thanksgiving Marathon

Yesterday, I ran in the first ever Servefest 5K.  It was a great event and a wonderful workout for my legs and lungs.  I’ve been running quite a bit these days, and the 5K was a great test to see how effective my training as been.  As I was out for my morning run this morning, I was thinking about the parallels between long distance training and life.  A couple of weeks ago, I posted some tips for those who are thinking about running a longer race for the first time.

As I was processing this post, I was thinking about things that inspire me in my running and in my life. For example, I’m inspired when I hear stories of people overcoming adversity to reach new heights. I think that’s why I like movies like Radio, Remember the Titans, and The Blind Side.

I’m also inspired by scripture. The scripture below is a great reminder to persevere and to keep the right focus.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3

It is so easy to give up and to lose perspective when we face the challenges of life. As with my tips a couple of weeks ago, here are six tips that I have found helpful in keeping my eyes on the prize.

1. Follow a plan. God’s Word should be the center of the plan. I have tried different methods for staying in God’s Word on my own, but I have found that existing plans are most helpful in keeping me on track. Two plans or programs that I have used recently to help me are YouVersion.com and The Daily Audio Bible.
2. Find some accountability. Get plugged into a small group or even a one-on-one relationship where you can be challenged with the tough questions like: ‘Have you spend time in God’s Word this week?’ and ‘Have you lived with integrity since we last met?’
3. Cross train and rest. There are some great resources out there to get the most out of your walk. I use several Bible-based blogs and books to give me a deeper perspective. Getting to church on a weekly basis is also important. This is a chance to be fed and to worship on a larger, corporate level. Also, take time to rest. We live very busy lives. We must take time to reflect and to rest.
4. Practice. Practice. Practice. Get out and live your life. Make a concerted effort to go about your daily activities in a way that would honor God.
5. Set goals but learn to be flexible with God’s direction. I’m a huge goal oriented person. Setting goals is a great way to keep focused. But we also need to be alert to the movement of the Spirit.
6. Have fun and a positive attitude. God doesn’t promise that this life will be easy, but we have a choice to make. We can have a poor attitude when it comes to life’s ups and downs, or we can choose to have a positive attitude.

It’s amazing how these things line up with the tips from my earlier post.

So what inspires you in running and in life? What other tips would you add to the list above?

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.

This week’s question is inspired by my mom.  Sunday is Mother’s Day.  We all have something in common.  We all have a mom.  Here’s an opportunity to share something special about your mom.

Question:  What is one thing you appreciate about your mom?

My Answer:  There are many things I appreciate about my mom.  She’s an amazing cook.  She’s such a friendly and caring person.  And she’s a great Scrabble player.  These are all great things about my mom.  But the thing I think I appreciate the most about my mom is her faith.  She has an incredible faith in Christ.  She knows that she can take everything to God in prayer.  My dad who is a pastor will tell you that besides Christ, Mom is his bedrock.  Happy Mother’s Day!  I love you.

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.)

On Tuesday, I talked about four lessons from the starting blocks.  Today, I continue a new track and field series with four lessons from the hurdles.  This year, Isaac ran the hurdles.  It was fun watching him learn the ropes of the hurdles, and it will be interesting to see what happens as his track career continues.  At the high school level, one of Hannah’s track teammates is one of the best hurdlers in the state of Pennsylvania.  It was amazing to watch him compete in the hurdles at each meet.  There was a grace and elegance to the way he approached each hurdle.  He relentlessly attacked each hurdles until he reached the finish line victorious in each of the races I saw.

With that in mind, I’d like to suggest four things we can learn from the hurdles.

1. Hurdles happen.  In the 110 meter hurdles, men have to jump over 42 inch hurdles.  When a runner leaves the starting block, he knows that there will be a hurdle.  Life is full of hurdles.  You and I will face hurdles.  We are not promised a clear path to the finish line.  As a matter of fact, hurdles add challenge to the race of life that could otherwise be flat and boring.  A true hurdler embraces the trial that each hurdle represents.  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4
2. It’s all about rhythm.  A hurdler learns to take the same number of steps between each hurdle.  It’s almost as though, he could run the race blindfolded.  Developing regular disciplines and routines can be helpful as we face the trials and challenges of life.  Spending time in God’s Word on a regular basis, praying, and spending time with other believers can be so beneficial in helping us when the challenges come.  The prophet Isaiah writes about the importance of seeking God regularly in the morning:  All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God.  For only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right.  Isaiah 26:9
3. There will be another hurdle.  In the 110 meter hurdles, there are actually ten hurdles.  A runner gets over a hurdle, and there’s the promise of another hurdle.  In life it’s the same, we typically face more than one hurdle in life.  The cool thing is that God can use each and every hurdle we face for good.  The apostle Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans:  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28
4. Keep going.  A hurdler cannot stop between hurdles.  He has to keep going.  When life seems too challenging, we need to rely on the strength of God.  Don’t give up.  Know that there is hope.  It starts with the next step.  One step at a time.  Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:28-31

What lessons could you add to the list above?  What hurdles have you faced in life?  What have you learned through these challenges?

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been answering questions that you posed to me in response to an Ice Breaker question.  Today’s question comes from Lulu:

If you could have a dinner party with characters from the Bible – which 3 would you invite? (Old or New Testament and not our Savior – as He is there anyways…ha ha.)

Thanks for the question, Lulu!  Here’s my answer.  David, Daniel, and Peter.  All three of these characters from the Bible were leaders and were remembered for their faith.  I consider David to be one of the original bloggers.  I’d love to tap into his creative mind.  I’d also love to meet the man who was known to be after God’s own heart.  Daniel also had tremendous faith.  I would tap into his inspirational story and learn more about his willingness to take a stand against what was against his beliefs.  And Peter was a bit crazy, but his faith is remarkable.  Anyone who would willingly get out of a boat in the middle of a storm and attempt to walk on water would be worth listening having at a dinner party.

And that’s my answer!

Now, it’s your turn.  Answer my Lulu’s question:  If you could have a dinner party with characters from the Bible – which 3 would you invite?

Both of my kids are finishing up their spring track and field season.  Hannah is running in her first year of high school where she is competing in the 800, the 1600, the 4×400 relay, and the 4×800 relay.  And Isaac is running in his first year of middle school track where he is competing in the long jump, the hurdles, and the 200.

It has been such a blast to be a parent during these past couple of months.  I love the opportunity to go to their meets, to cheer them on, and to observe all the different events that seem to be happening at once.

I ran one season of winter track and a season of spring track when I was in high school.  In both cases I ran the longer distances.  I never had the opportunity or need to use starting blocks as they are typically used for the shorter sprint races like the 100, the 200, and the 400.

It’s been interesting to observe the sprinters as they prepare for their races.  They setup their starting blocks just right, so they’re ready for the race.  They jump up and down and do a couple of quick trials to practice accelerating out of their blocks.  They listen intently to the instructions of the starter.  They get ready.  They get set.  And they listen for the sound of the starting gun.  They are completely still.   And they’re alert.  All this happens before the race even starts.

I think we can learn a lot from the starting blocks.  Here are 4 thoughts or lessons that come to my mind:

1. Prepare.  A runner doesn’t typically step up to the starting line without preparing.  They practice for hours to get ready for this moment.  Then they put on the right clothes and tie their shoes just right.  They warm up.  And they make sure everything is set up just right.  In life, we have the opportunity to prepare for the race that we are running by putting on the full armor of God.  In Ephesians 6, Paul gives us an idea of what this looks like:  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.  Ephesians 6:10-20

2. Listen.  It is essential for a runner to listen to the instructions of the starter.  The starter gives the runner specific information that helps the runner start the race and run the race successfully.  Failure to follow these instructions can result in disqualification from the race.  Similarly, we must listen to our Instructor – God and His Word.  The Bible gives us clear instructions for how we should live our lives.  It’s important that we follow God’s voice – his instructions – so we are not disqualified.  “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”  John 10:27-30
3. Be Still.  When a sprinter finally settles into his or her starting blocks.  They have to be completely still.  If they are talking or moving, they will distract other runners, they won’t be ready for the starting gun, and they will be disqualified from the race.  In the race of life, we need to be still.  We get moving at such a high rate of speed as we move from one activity to the next and from one thought to the next.  We miss out on the glory of the presence of God because we are too preoccupied with ourselves.  Before we run the race of life, we need to know who is in charge.  “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:10
4. Be Alert.  A runner is alert and ready to go at any moment.  They are ready to bounce like a cheetah as soon as they hear the noise of the starting gun.  They don’t know exactly when the gun will sound, but they are ready.  In the race of life, we are called to be alert and to be ready at all times.  We are called to be prepared in season and out of season, and we are called to make the most of each and every opportunity.  Jesus reminds us in Mark 13, that we need to be alert at all times:  “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”  Mark 13:33

That’s all I’ve got.  Time to head out for my morning run!

What else can you add to this list?  When was the last time you ran a race?  How did you get ready for the race?

I’m excited to announce the release of a new book by Sundi Jo Graham.  Dear Dad is a memoir written by Sundi Jo which retells her story of losing control, fighting to regain control, and discovering the blessing of giving up control.  It is a letter to her Dad.

Dear Dad is transparent and raw.  It is real and unfiltered.  And it ultimately offers hope for anyone who has endured pain and hardship.

Honestly, I couldn’t put Dear Dad down once I started reading it.  Sundi Jo does an amazing job sharing her story.  She draws you in immediately.  As I read the story of her healing process, I found myself cheering for Sundi Jo and excited to see how the story ends.

Tomorrow is officially the release day for Dear Dad.  The book is available in paperback and Kindle.  If you order the book this week, you can get six free gifts worth over $65.  Click here to learn more.

Dear Dad definitely has my recommendation.  I received the book for free as part of the Dear Dad Launch Team.  I was not required to provide a positive review.  Dear Dad is one of my favorite books so far this year.  Order your copy today!

What would you say to your Dad today if you could say anything?