Todd Stocker

A Spacious Place

Last month, Kellie and I hopped in our car, traveled across four states, and landed in Denver, Colorado. Several wonderful events were on our calendar: our son’s band played to a sold-out crowd at Red Rocks Amphitheater, our niece confirmed her baptismal faith in Jesus, and our immediate family took advantage of the time togetherContinueContinue reading “A Spacious Place”

Think About It: “You Are In A Pivot”

Everyone makes pivots in their lives. I do. You do. A pivot is an intentional change that leads…

The Invention Of You

You are an amazing invention. Of all of the billions of people who have lived in the past, live now, and might yet live, there is only one model, one serial number, and one SKU of you. Simply by that fact, you are important to the world. If you didn’t exist, the entirety of historyContinueContinue reading “The Invention Of You”

Makenzie’s Last Harmonys

If you know me well, you know first that my oldest daughter, Makenzie, died in a car accident in 2009. Today, she would’ve celebrated 31 years of earthly life. Part of who we are as a family is the gift of music. We exercised that gift all of the time, even casually. In celebration ofContinueContinue reading “Makenzie’s Last Harmonys”

How To Beat Procrastination

Recently I re-read Eat That Frog, a book about overcoming procrastination by Brian Tracy. One of the many stories that I recite is the story of adventurers trying to cross the Sahara Desert. The text below outlines how Brian applies it to procrastination.

Evil Creeps

I woke this morning to the news that Russia has seized Ukraine’s (and the world’s) largest nuclear plant. Slowly, Putin’s forces are creeping across the country, devouring everything in his attempt to regain what he feels is land belonging to the former USSR.

A Story of the First Advent Wreath

Each Advent season, we light the Advent wreath. But do you know it’s origins? Here’s a story, based on the true events.

Start Early

If you study the “greats” in most areas of life, you’ll find that one of their daily practices was to start early. There are many from all walks of life: the music industry, retail, fashion, CEO of the home, and ministry. Here is a shortlist, and I chose the business world arena: CEO at GeneralContinueContinue reading “Start Early”

9/11 Remembering Toward Unity

Twenty years is a long and short time. Long for those who don’t pause to reflect, and short for those who do. If you were alive then, you can remember where you were when it all happened on 9/11. I gathered with others around a little TV in my office, stunned and bewildered at theContinueContinue reading “9/11 Remembering Toward Unity”

Serving Toward Success

Other than in the restaurant space, we rarely use the word “Servant.” How can that mindset catapult our success?

Love The Ebb And Flow

Lounging at the river is always life-giving to me. The rhythmic thump of the small waves on the shore almost put me to sleep. I’m sure you can hear them through these words. The river has ebb and flow, the recurrent or rhythmical pattern of coming and going or decline and regrowth. Ebb and flowContinueContinue reading “Love The Ebb And Flow”

Service At Panera Bread

Have you ever been served distinctively by someone outside of your home? It doesn’t have to be a big, momentous occasion. It doesn’t have to lead to your whole world changing in an instant. But you notice it. You feel it. You feel happier for it. Yesterday, I was at a local Panera Bread company,ContinueContinue reading “Service At Panera Bread”

Is Death A Part Of Life?

They say, “death is a part of life.” Sounds good, but I don’t believe it to be true. Death is death. It takes away. It leaves a whole. It rips people from your life that otherwise would continue to complete it. Death was not in the original plan. I would rephrase that statement to read,ContinueContinue reading “Is Death A Part Of Life?”