by Jeff | Feb 28, 2016
Who’s on this episode?
Jeff Strommen @jstrommen | Dave Wager @wagerdaw | Jason Kemper @kempster220
You are who you surround yourself with. In other words, who you hang with will determine who you become. This is the first part in the Building A True Community series.
The Book of Malachi is full of examples of what a troubled community looks like. Today, we see many examples of broken communities. People steal, kill and destroy all around us. Is there any hope of restoration in our communities and families? What will it take to get back to normal?
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Show Notes
Coming soon…
Thanks for listening. If you like it, share it! Feel free to leave some thoughts in the comments. -J
by Jeff | Nov 22, 2015
On this episode
Jeff Strommen @jstrommen | Dave Wager @wagerdaw
It happened again.
I heard something today and immediately knew that it had to be posted on Twitter. The likes and retweets affirmed my view and self-worth. And then I saw it: the annoying reply from those pesky Twitter trolls trying to steal my limelight. No way. I’ll show them.
New tweet. “Keep looking at me! I’ve got something important to say!”
Don’t worry. I know I’m not the only one. In a time where relationships and conversations have been pushed to social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine… (whew!), words have become cheap – essentially losing their effectiveness. It’s like someone handed out bullhorns and whistles at the DMV. There’s lots of noise, but what’s the point?
Jeff and Dave are back with some perspective on how to engage a world that creates noise, but goes nowhere. Check it out…
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Show Notes
Coming soon!
by Jeff | Aug 9, 2015
Helping others get out of their fear-induced shells can be difficult work. This week, Jeff and Dave talk about tackling rejection. We’ve all been left out or betrayed by ones closest to us. The typical response to rejection is by withdrawing into our shell to keep us from further hurt. It’s the same thing turtles do when a threat is present. Anyone who’s done this knows you can only stay in your shell for so long before it becomes dangerous to our health. At some point we have to get out of our shell. But how? Who will accept me for me?
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The Notes
Are you needed or wanted? Find out on the previous episode.
There are times when everybody feels rejected. There are times we are rejected for whatever reason. But if you’re going into your shell, go in there to think. Don’t go in there to stay. -DW
Those who stay in their shell too long will begin to live in a pretend world. A pretend world makes you a slave to your feelings, to other people, and ultimately to emotional disorder. Instead, think about what makes you inherently you. Think about those around you who you know love you. Think about Scripture and how God sees you.
If you are going through life hoping and praying that someone would need you, I think you’re hoping and praying to stay sick because I don’t think that’s gonna happen in a realistic world. And if it does, then what you’ve done is surrounded yourself with people around you that are codependent on you, and that isn’t healthy. -DW
If you have tied your performance to being needed, since there is no way for you to be needed, you get frustrated and eventually you admit to yourself that you’re not needed. And since you’ve spent your whole life trying to be needed, you end up in a state of mind you can’t get out of on your own. You’ve created a paradox and a conflict within the core of your being that must be resolved.
[Tweet “When you take on God’s characteristics of being needed, you end up miserable. @wagerdaw #HNRTB”]
I’m not getting rid of you, Ancient Lawnmower. I’m taking care of you, man. We’re gonna go through this together. -DW
We can choose to keep “upgrading friends” and trading in bosses and BFFs our whole life and still end up miserable. The key is to be patient with people, but we don’t have to be tolerant of actions that are rude, disrespectful or just plain evil. Sometimes, the answer is to stay and fight for a relationship. I think that too often we run when a relationship gets difficult. We hide when we should really lean in and listen.
by Jeff | Jul 12, 2015
Young Americans today are showing charity like never before. Yes, you read that right. A recent survey found that 84 percent of Millennials gave to a charitable organization in 2014. (source) More than 3 out of every 4 who made a donation gave on their own and not through their company by payroll deduction or other means. What does it mean to show charity? Is charity just about dollars and cents? Jeff and DW offer their take on this ever-important virtue.
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The Notes
How much do people give in my community? Find out here.
What are some ways you can show charity? Share in the comments below.
by Jeff | Jun 7, 2015
Jeff and DW have spent countless hours training for their respective sports. Jeff spent years playing soccer. Dave worked in the trenches on his football team at Wheaton College. If you grew up around athletes or any sports in general, it’s not hard to see a bunch of egocentric people seeking their own glory around every corner. As a Christian, we’re taught to be humble. But is it really possible to be an elite athlete and be humble? What would that look like?
This week’s episode features two special guests: Jeff and Nancy Swider-Peltz. Check out their bios after the break.
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The Notes
Jeff Peltz
Jeff is an Assistant Football Coach (Defensive Line) and Spiritual Coordinator at Wheaton College (Thunder). Last year, they went 11-1 – best record since 2003, and appeared in their first playoff game since 2010. A 1981 Wheaton graduate, Jeff has coached the Wheaton defensive line for 33 years. He has coached nine All-Americans and over 46 All-Conference players in his tenure, most recently including NFL star, Andy Studebaker. Peltz became Wheaton’s career sack leader with 37 and set the former single-season sacks record of 14 in 1978, a record which stood until 1995. He captained the 1980 football team and earned All-CCIW Second Team honors in 1979 and 1980. In 2003, he was inducted into Wheaton’s “Hall of Honor” as a player.
Jeff has a heart for ministry and also serves as the Spiritual Coordinator for the football program. He is in charge of organizing player small groups, team chapels, and also organizes the Wheaton Football Missions trips that take place over spring break.
Nancy Swider-Peltz
Nancy Swider-Peltz, Sr. is the first four-time U.S. Winter Olympian. She’s a two-time World Record holder and has competed in 8 Olympic Trials. She’s in the National Speedskating Hall of Fame. After her first Olympic team in 1976 at 19, Nancy set her first World Record in the 3000m that same year, and secured a second in the 10,000m in 1980! Nancy made the 1980, 1984 and 1988 Olympic Teams and participated in four more Olympic Trials – 1992, 1994, 1998 and 2002 – for a total of 8 Olympic Trials in 4 decades. At the 2002 Olympic Trials, at the age of 45, she was paired with her daughter Nancy Jr., age 14. That same year she set four personal bests and currently holds five age-group World Records.
Nancy has coached five skaters to Olympic Teams since 1988 and has been the head coach of the Park Ridge Speedskating Club since 1985. (source)
Nancy Sr. was an FCA board member and has spoken at several FCA events throughout her career. Nancy Sr. was an FCA board member and has spoken at several FCA events throughout her career. She continues to emphasize to her children the importance of not only using their platform, but to first make sure their platforms are built on a solid foundation.
Keep up with Nancy Jr and Jeffrey Jr on their journey to Pyeongchang 2018 at teamswiderpeltz.com and follow them on social media.
https://instagram.com/p/3hcGy_ke2a
