We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Box

Stephan Tchividjian
12 Sep 2023
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Box of mystery Years ago, when our children were younger, we used to schedule “mystery family vacations.” The idea was a brilliant one, I might add. The concept was simple. Lisa and I would devise a fun family vacation but keep it a secret. We would simply share with our children the date of departure, the date of return and provide them a packing list, inserted with a few decoys to throw them off. The first year our children complained that we were terrible parents trying our best to ruin their lives, (jury is still out on that one) but […]

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Ice Cream and Golf

Stephan Tchividjian
7 Aug 2023
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One of my daughters, when growing up, had a difficult time making decisions. I can remember distinctly the challenge we had as a family going to get ice cream. We quickly learned to order first because if we waited for her to decide, the chances of the ice cream shop closing its doors before we ordered became a real possibility. The ice cream choices when I was a child were simple… chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. However, then some old chap named Baskin and his wife named Robin (I may have made that up) decided to add many, many, many, many […]

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In-Betweens

Stephan Tchividjian
6 Jul 2023
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in-betweens

Sunsets make you think it’s the end of one thing and the beginning of another; it’s an in-between. I’ve been thinking of late about the in-betweens in our lives. The more I think about it the more I realize that our lives are littered with in-betweens. I also realize that there are different types of in-betweens, some more significant than others. Perhaps you have found yourself in an in-between. Have you ever been in-between a job, a career or a relationship?  Perhaps you have found yourself traveling and were in-between cities or even continents. In-betweens bring with them a whole […]

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Shiny Rocks

Stephan Tchividjian
8 Jun 2023
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A 1986 movie entitled, “The Mission” tells a story of violence, tragedy, sin, penance, forgiveness, conversion and restoration. In one iconic scene the character, mercenary and slaver Rodrigo Mendoza, played by Robert De Niro, must carry a large bag filled with weighted items wherever he went, to signify his sin and his punishment. The burden was excruciating, especially as they journeyed through the harsh rainforest and up the side of a slippery and ferocious waterfall. The climactic scene of the story is when Mendoza is released of his burdens and forgiven for his murderous behavior in view of his enemies by […]

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Gary

Stephan Tchividjian
3 May 2023
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There is a statement in the Bible that describes God as a guide who’s like a lamp or light on a darkened path.  The visual is powerful if you’ve ever found yourself in unfamiliar territory and needing to be guided.     Our guide Gary was our guide with 25 years of experience. He knew the path and how to safely lead us there. He hadn’t always been the guide, but had started as the guides helper, did that for five years, he reminds us.  Gary became our guide as we embarked on our river adventure.  Gary showed us to our raft, […]

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Put Me in Coach

Stephan Tchividjian
10 Apr 2023
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Have you ever coached a sport? Do you want to coach a sport? Has anyone ever coached you? Have you coached the coach (ouch)? Coaching is an interesting responsibility and carries with it some unique risks and rewards. Today you can find all kinds of coaches, such as business coaches, health coaches, life coaches, sports coaches, etc. A coach usually has the role of helping the one being coached to see or do things they may not be able to do on their own. We have all witnessed the local neighborhood sporting league. Imagine for a moment that you are […]

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Hopelossnot

Stephan Tchividjian
6 Mar 2023
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One of the most uncomfortable, disruptive and fearful experiences we may have is when we experience loss. One can experience loss in a variety of ways. For example, you may experience a sense of loss when you actually lose something that you need, your car keys, wallet or purse. However, these usually are temporary losses and solutions do exist, though they are often time consuming and expensive. Perhaps you have experienced loss in a more egregious manner, such as the loss of a friendship, a job you loved, an opportunity you nurtured, the death of a loved one or a […]

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Hero Maker

Stephan Tchividjian
10 Jan 2023
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hero maker

Recently I overheard someone say, “you are not a hero maker.” The comment immediately got my attention for many reasons. I was curious what a hero maker was and what it took to make one? I was also intrigued by what standards one was measured by to determine if he/she was a hero maker? I sensed there was something worthwhile hidden within the comment, perhaps a secret prize of some sort.   We all love heroes, and they do, indeed, come in all shapes and sizes. The most notorious heroes are those men and women that stand up for the […]

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I love you Bono

Stephan Tchividjian
13 Dec 2022
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I was introduced to the music of U2 back in high school, and I have remained a fan ever since. Bono, the lead singer has been open about his faith in Christ, and though unconventional in his expression, I don’t doubt it. Recently I had the opportunity, with Lisa, to see his one-person presentation entitled, “Stories of Surrender,” a two-hour depiction of his life story based on his recently published book by the same name. The experience was exceptional and profound. I was drawn into the experience and noted how he used emotion, intellect, cadence, art, movement, music and silence […]

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bono