BCY Winter Retreat: Day 1

3 Mar ’12 By 7 Comments

20120303-075018.jpg

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Hopper

Our first night here at Believer’s Chapel Youth Winter Retreat was a wonderful success. My friend Joey Bolognone of the band Fazeshift lead a powerful and instructive worship set, after which my buddy (and Associate Pastor of Believer’s Chapel) Rich Ryfun introduced me as the weekend’s guest speaker.

I shared on the danger of being in places we shouldn’t be. But more specifically how it’s not the sin we’re committing that gets us in trouble, but first making the decision not to abide in environments we were born to be in. 2 Samuel 11:1 says that David should have been going off to war with his men in the spring, but instead sent someone else to do his work while he stayed home. This seemingly benign mistake caused him to undergo the greatest temptation of his adult life. (Ladies, some small advice: resist the temptation to take a bath on your roof. Help the brothers out).

On the flip side, young Joshua desired to seek the Lord like his leader Moses. But where Moses had to leave his face-to-face encounters with God, Joshua – afforded by his youth – was able to remain behind and seek God earnestly. He was in the right place at the right time, and it was this very foundation that built within him the integrity to lead a nation into freedom.

The presence of the Lord in the conference center was so strong afterward that we moved into a time of prayer and waiting on Jesus. It was a beautiful moment of allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to kids and increase his presence within them. By the time I looked at the clock it was nearly midnight.

Jennifer and I will both be sharing at different points today, as well as spending some crazy time with our kids enjoying all that Camp of the Woods has to offer, including tubing, swimming and rock climbing. I’m honored to be of use to the Lord, and to have opportunities to include our children in the adventures of serving God. ch:

Pin It
Email
Filed Under: culture, leadership, news, The Hopper Kids, travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Just Point and Click

2 Mar ’12 By 24 Comments

20120302-072351.jpg

Jennifer asked me to shoot a few pictures of her and Levi while it was snowing yesterday morning. She came downstairs in a beautiful black gown, and she asked me to wrap Levi up in one of her favorite blankets.

What happened next was magic.

With the snow gently falling, she and Levi posed in our front yard, supported in the background by a melancholy thicket of branches bowing under the weight of the heaven-sent dust.

All I had to do was depress the shutter.

Sometimes in life we get golden opportunities – opportunities where we couldn’t take a bad picture if we tried. But we must realize that our good fortune is actually the result of someone else’s preparation, talent, and natural gift.

Turns out Jennifer had been planning what she’d wanted for a while. She’d already thought through the wardrobe, the the need for light snow, and the locale. That combined with her natural beauty and Levi’s 10+ cuteness-factor made for a perfect storm.

Anything wonderful that befalls us is never an accident. Whether a job promotion, church growth, new friendships, a break in the monotony, or a new successful idea, we’re standing on the shoulders of others and recipients of the divine.

The sooner we realize life-gifts have very little to do with us and a whole lot more to do with others, the sooner we’ll start to trust God in his infinitely wise provision and enjoy the process of responding. Which usually is just depressing the shutter and looking on in awe. ch:

Cover design by Jennifer Hopper. Friend her on facebook.com/jenniferhopper to see the whole album.

Pin It
Email
Filed Under: culture, leadership, pictures, The Hopper Kids Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Legacy Watchers

1 Mar ’12 By 8 Comments

20120301-073954.jpg

All the boys came to snuggle in bed yesterday morning. Well, Levi didn’t have a choice as he’s got all the mobility of a large slug, and twice as much fluid excretion. But still, the important part is we were all together for this impromptu photo opp by Jennifer.

Life tends to sneak up on you. One minute I was trying to figure out what to do with all my creative energy as a late teen, the next I’m the father of a daughter and three sons. And now I recognize my greatest achievement – my greatest legacy – is seeing them on their way to run their own race for the Lord.

Everyone is a leader to someone. Maybe you’re not as charismatic as the next person, or maybe you don’t have a “weekly platform” that you think justifies your ability to speak into peoples’ lives.

Don’t be fooled.

Whether it’s a person looking across the gas pumps at you to see how you respond to the price of fuel, to the family sitting behind you in church watching the way you worship, to the little face beside you at dinner listening to the recap of your day, people are watching you.

Observing.

Learning.

The tone you set for life will become the resonance others tune themselves to. Do your best to stay sweet. ch:

Pin It
Email
Filed Under: leadership, The Hopper Kids Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Lessons from Coloring

29 Feb ’12 By 23 Comments

20120228-110108.jpg

Jennifer and I sat down and colored with all the kids last night. Hunkered over the dining room table, we all poured over some of our favorite cartoon characters. Mine was Captain Huggy Pants from PBS’ Word Girl.

Here are some things I learned:

• No colored pencil is off limits, even the ones in someone’s hand. Coloring is war.

• If you think you own your picture, you’re wrong. It’s open game, especially to anyone siting in the lap of the artist.

• Three-year-olds should not have open access to the electric pencil sharpener.

• Clothes are optional. Diapers are optimal.

• Lines are irrelevant in the context of artistic expression; color over them liberally.

• When in doubt, scream. People will pay attention to you.

I plan on implementing some of the wise things I learned from my kids in my next staff meeting. ch:

Pin It
Email
Filed Under: culture, leadership, The Hopper Kids Tagged With: , , , , ,

Despite the Pain

27 Feb ’12 By 16 Comments


Judah is 2.5-years old. And he loves swimming.

Correction.

He’s obsessed with jumping off the diving board.

Still he puzzles me. After his life-preserver sends him rocketing back to the surface, he looks as though he’s drowning. He nearly rips his eyes out of their sockets, gasps for air, and smears snot across his cheeks. To any first time observer, Judah has just taken his first and last plunge. Yet as soon as he pull himself up the ladder and touches the deck, he’s making a B-line for the diving board, shamelessly cutting in line. To the front.

Female life guards everywhere are smitten with his dimples, and 4-year-olds who turn back from the edge only to allow him through are in awe of his capacity for bravery.

Me? I’m just shocked that something so visibly strenuous on him is something he so adores doing.

And I wonder: do I embrace painful adventures the same way? Does the sense and thrill of the new and the daring outweigh the discomfort that sometimes results?

Some things are worth doing even if they hurt. Worse, however, are endeavors we fail to engage in because of the discomfort we think we are going to endure. Unless we try, we’ll never know, and that is far worse a consequence than I care to live with.

The key to living large is embracing the painful and the pleasurable with gusto. Without it we may miss some of the most precious experiences known to man. The greatest adventurers I know exchange pain for the pursuit of life.

Since pain is something we can grow to ignore, it’d be a shame to let it – or even the thought of it – hold us back. Especially from something a wonderful as diving boards. ch:

Pin It
Email
Filed Under: leadership, The Hopper Kids Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Breaking the Rules

20 Feb ’12 By 12 Comments

20120220-074540.jpg

The idea of “attending camp” has many memorable associations for me. Maybe it does for you too. Namely because you get to do things at camp you don’t get to at home.

Staying up late around a camp fire.

Running when you should be walking.

Wearing the same clothes for days on end and skipping the shower because you’re justified by all the swimming you do.

You get to break the rules.

Judah went with me through the breakfast buffet line at Watson yesterday, and what was the only thing he wanted?

A chocolate cupcake.

(Still not sure why they were set out in the first place. Guessing the kitchen staff believes in “attending camp” too).

So as a good dad I only had one choice to make: how many cupcakes should he have?

(Don’t worry moms – I only let him have one).

Sometimes it’s OK to break the rules. The spirit of boundaries is to help self-govern safety and promote life. But life can also be found in the joy of getting the privilege to do things “once in a while.” Certainly this isn’t license to commit sin, but it is permission to have fun with the people and things you love.

So in the midst of your normal routine today, look for a rule to break for your own sake. And when in doubt, have a cupcake for breakfast. ch:

Pin It
Email
Filed Under: culture, leadership, The Hopper Kids Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Watson 2012

19 Feb ’12 By 40 Comments

20120219-074617.jpg

Our final night at “Watson” – as it’s lovingly referred to by all those who attend – was both a joyous and spiritually provoking night.

Fewer audiences are as loud as those who come to Watson. The term “sheer worshipful pandemonium” comes to mind (see video). I love it.

And fewer audiences are as sincere.

Last night I changed gears about an hour before I was to speak. One of the mom’s was very humble but very bold and asked if I share Jennifer’s and my engagement story. It was during worship that the Lord made it clear that mom was spot on: God was eager for his kids to hear about singleness of heart and the perseverance it takes to truly seek God for his heartbeat.

After the meeting was over I spent another three hours praying for teens who’s lives needed a touch from the Lord. So many of the were set free; soul ties broken, deliverance, salvation, encouragement, it was glorious.

By the time I made it back to our room, my kiddos were down for the count (especially little Judah who spent two hours leaping into the deep end of the pool no fewer than 90 times).

This was a beautiful weekend all around. From spending some much needed time together as a family to watching the Holy Spirit move powerfully in the lives of those willing to be touched by his love, I chalk Watson 2012 up as a glorious success.

To all those who made it out, thank you for making some great memories with us. ch:

Pin It
Email
Filed Under: leadership, The Hopper Kids, travel Tagged With: , ,

Don’t Delay Destiny

18 Feb ’12 By 6 Comments

20120218-074451.jpg

Last night was our first meeting here at Watson Homestead in Painted Post, NY for the Southern Tier Youth Baptist Association’s annual Winter Retreat. Aside from two breaks, Jennifer and I have been coming to lead worship and speak for about nine years.

I was younger then, and had no kids. But this time around we decided we’d make it a family getaway. And I’m loving it.

Camping out in the same hotel room.

Eating meals in the cafeteria together.

Worshipping together.

And even ministering to people together.

Last night Eva and Luik had no problem jumping into the fray and praying for some teens during a time of altar-ministry. As their dad I was so encouraged.

Many times we see what we want to become “one day,” but often don’t take practical steps toward it. My kids’ prayers may not have been the most intellectually sound prayers, but they were sincere.

Our sincere attempts mean more to shaping our future than our wishful thinking.

Don’t just dream about what you want to become, ask God for the next step and be faithful to engage in that process with a bold and humble heart.

Sleeves up! ch:

Pin It
Email
Filed Under: leadership, The Hopper Kids, travel Tagged With: , , , , ,

Responding Authentically

15 Feb ’12 By 10 Comments

My sister and brother-in-law sent a Valentine’s Day picture greeting to my kids yesterday:

20120215-013513.jpg

The kids responded in kind:

20120215-013506.jpg

Knowing your audience is key when communicating.

Being authentic is key when responding.

ch:

Pin It
Email
Filed Under: business, culture, leadership, The Hopper Kids Tagged With: , , ,

Moving Creations from Deadly to Divine

24 Jan ’12 By 13 Comments

20120124-011939.jpg

Sometimes our greatest ideas can turn out to be lethal creations if left in their infant stages. Thus the importance of surrounded ourselves with people who can point out the dangers we often miss.

Three tips on the process of prepping for criticism:

1.) Map everything to its fullest as you see it in your head: Often we don’t get good input on a plan because we inadvertently leave out components we think are irrelevant. Sometimes the most fringe idea can make or break a project, and to the experienced eye, the most mundane things can sometimes be the most poignant, not the obvious.

2.) Give wiser, more experienced people 100% carte blanche: Nothing’s worse than having someone submit an idea that they’ve already made up their mind about. “So are you telling me or asking me?” is something we often say around our office. Make sure that people know they can have it it. Doing so will produce better ideas than you ever could have come up with on your own.

3.) Divorce yourself from your work in terms of self-adulation: No true artist, inventor, or producer can or should divorce themselves emotionally from what they’re making – doing so trumps the entire impetus of the creative process. But realizing your personal value is not bound in your ideas will go a long way in accepting critical feedback that’s essential to your project’s success. People that never finish are most often tying their self-worth to their ideas instead of who they are in Jesus. As a result thy are easily offended when hearing criticism, never realizing they’re killing their project by not receiving.

Don’t despise critique. Welcoming outside input is most often the greatest key to success (and keeps eyes from getting gouged out). ch:

Pin It
Email
Filed Under: business, culture, leadership, The Hopper Kids Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Commercial Value

16 Jan ’12 By 19 Comments

In order to combat the onslaught of self-narcissistic gluttony that constantly assaults those living in these great United States, we talk to our kids often about children who live in the rest of the world without the comforts and blessings we have. When we tuck our kids in at night we pray for children without moms and dads – without houses or food or schools.

In the midst of watching some TV last night, a 3rd world assistance commercial came on. I noticed Eva seemed particularly concerned. But I didn’t say anything, wondering if she’d bring it up later. Some more humorous ads passed before our show came back on, including Terry Crews’ Old Spice commercial (in which his “mind gets blown”).

Finally at dinner Eva brought up the ad she’d seen.

“Daddy, did you see that commercial with those little kids?” she asked.

“Yes, Eva, I did,” I replied.

But before I could go anywhere else with the conversation, Luik added, “Daddy, did you see that commercial with guy’s head exploded?”

And there goes the mood. Jenny and I completely lost it.

Boys will be boys.

The worst part is I thought the commercial was hilarious too. He’s so my son.

As a closing comment, it’s worth noting that Luik is extremely grateful to live in the US. Just the other day he walked in the kitchen and asked, “Daddy, can I go to America someday?” (I think he’s been watching a little too much Fievel Goes West).

“Want to know a secret, Luik?” I knelt down close to him.

“Sure.”

“You live in America.”

His jaw dropped and he literally couldn’t talk. ch:

20120115-110809.jpg

Pin It
Email
Filed Under: culture, hopper clan, The Hopper Kids Tagged With: , , , , , ,

For Those Who’re Watching

2 Jan ’12 By 18 Comments

Yesterday Judah and I worshipped together during third service at New Life. He’s often distracted by his older brother and sister, but since they were en route from Rochester with their mom, Judah’s singular focus was pretty neat to watch.

He would look up at me and do what I was doing.

It started with clapping.

Then some hopping.

Soon he was squinting his eyes, looking up at me to see what hand I was raising. I couldn’t figure out why he was squinting – honestly, it was super cute – until I realized I was squinting.

I couldn’t stand it any more and knelt down to hug him and tell him how good of a little worshipper he was being.

If you’ve felt convicted lately about not doing something you know you should be, please consider this: our deliberate efforts are often more about someone else’s gateway to success than our own.

While your actions may very well benefit you in some meaningful ways – financial, emotional, physical, or spiritual – they probably will benefit someone else far more profoundly.

So whether it’s the way you worship in church to that book you’ve always been getting around to writing to that exercise routine you’ve been delaying to that friend you’ve always said you’ll visit, do the people watching you a favor and start.

The best motivation is realizing some things we can’t do for ourselves. We can only do them for others. ch:

20120101-111634.jpg

Pin It
Email
Filed Under: #heavenmeetsearth, culture, leadership, The Hopper Kids, worship Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »