If you’re anything like me, you’ve wondered about life on Pluto or somewhere far, far away. You have maybe wondered if there’s really life after death and talked about the possibilities while at a slumber party. And speaking of parties, t0night’s conversation centers around what we do about today. Why don’t we worry about life before death as much as we do about in the outer galaxies or beyond the grave?
I thought this was an interesting post. Not everything that HONY puts out is something I agree with, but I thought the dialogue was interesting. For the most part, few people I’ve met in life actually have a problem with prayer. Some think it works. Others think it’s just wishful thinking that can help you get through your day or a difficult point in life. For many Christians, prayer is a very daily and very personal thing. And yet, I think it’s one of the most misunderstood parts of the Christian faith, along with the Spirit. But that’s for another day.
Prayer isn’t so much about whether “it works” or not. It’s about aligning ourselves with God’s will. And sometimes, His will leads us through discomfort and pain, instead of sunshine and bliss. And when we understand that God is God and He is sovereign, it puts us at ease. He sees the bigger picture. When you spend time in prayer with God, it bends you to Him and it’s a beautiful thing.
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.
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.
Jeff shares a story of a senior player cleaning the cleats of the player who took his spot on the line. #HNRTB#teamswiderpeltz#humility
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.
Merry Christmas from Jeff, DW, Jason and the crew of HopeNet Radio! At the core of Christmas is this thing called joy. Yet, why do so many people act joyless during Christmastime? This week’s episode is all about experiencing true joy this year. Joy is an attitude that constantly needs maintenance.
Unilateral listening is all about hearing what you want to hear without actually listening to the other person. We’ve all done it. Someone is talking to you about something and all you can think of is what you’re going to say next. You’re not actually listening. You’re just thinking…
It’s All About Me
Self-explanatory. The truth is that it’s not all about you. But you already knew that…
The Rules Don’t Apply
Nothing frustrates leaders more than having someone under them acting in a way in which they think they can do or say what they want when they want. This generally doesn’t end well for the person who is stuck in this mindset.
Turning Concerns into Criticisms
This one can be tricky. See if you can catch the difference between the two:
Concerns are statements that focus on the qualities which are arising in the relationship which we don’t like or find harmful. “When you promise to take out the trash and then don’t do so, it makes it hard for me to trust you and I don’t feel supported in caring for this household.”
Criticisms are statements that focus on the choices the other is making which we don’t like. “When you don’t take out the trash as you said you would you are being immature, selfish, and lazy.”
Blaming Outcomes on Anyone Other Than You
The other is like it…
Blaming Others for How I Feel
Until you begin to take responsibility for your shortcomings and mistakes, you will constantly be miserable. Blame-shifting is not fair to yourself or to others.
Each of these attitudes robs us of our joy. It’s so, so, so easy to fall into them because by nature we’re selfish. You and I want it to be about us all the time. Joy comes when we take focus off of me and puts it on God.
Next week, we’ll spend more time on the adjustments we must make to be joyful.
Check this out!
With all the negative news about police officers lately, we thought this was a great story that will warm your heart. This is truly what living joyfully is all about.
Thank you so much for being part of this journey with Dave and me! We’ve had some fun with this Thanksliving series and hope that you have been thinking about what it would take for you to live thankfully every day.
Joining Jeff & DW on the show is Jason, Terra Kay, and Mike Ott. Tell us what the best part of Thanksgiving was for you on the Tweetback! This week on HopeNet Radio, we’re discussing the effects of thanksliving – kindness through acts of service. We believe that living thankfully results in acting thankful toward others. It seems like every other day, I see things like the Pay It Forward movement trending on Facebook or Twitter. (There’s even a Pay It Forward Day!)
T.H.A.N.K.S. This month, Jeff & DW will break down this word and help you live a life that’s thankful every day. The series is called “Thanksliving.” We’ve got the “A” for you this week!
Today’s generation, being so consumer-driven and consumer-minded, has created a thankless culture where the small things become even more insignificant as we search for the bigger, better, faster things. Consumers care less about the ‘why’ and more about the ‘what.’ It takes diligence to remain thankful in all circumstances.
A- Attitude: Your attitude is your way of thinking. Changing an attitude isn’t just snapping out of a bad mood. It’s transforming your thought patterns. It takes work! Check out 1 Peter 4:1-2 NLT | ESV
[Tweet “You must arm yourselves with the same attitude of Christ. #1Peter4 #HNRTB”]
[Tweet “Live a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Spirit. #Romans14 #HNRTB”]
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