Sunday, August 14, 2011

AUGUST 2011 NEWSLETTER

Newsflash! My book, DISASTER: BETTING THE FARM ON GOD IN LIFE’S STORMS has finally been published. I got my first copy overnighted and the big print run should come next week. Two-hundred seventy-one pages! So many people are going through disasters…natural disasters and personal disasters…yet God often does His best work during these times. We can learn to live to the hilt God-sized adventures in our storms. You can view the book trailer (like a movie trailer) on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEoyY2CQyeA

Help me get the word out on how books can be ordered. I have decided all monies for the book will be donated to GRACE ADVENTURES. At this point books can be ordered in the following ways:

1.    If you are out of the area or local and want the book/books mailed to you - $20 will cover the book and shipping costs. Make the checks out to GRACE ADVENTURES and send the request to:  Michael Sprague, 701 Rue Marseille, Mandeville, LA  70471.

2.    If you are local you can pick up the book at a cost of $16.99. I’ll have books available at the house.

3.    In a few weeks the book will be at SIMPLE GOODNESS Christian Bookstore in Covington, LA. In a month or so it can be purchased through AMAZON.com and BARNES & NOBLE.com. I’ve been told AMAZON takes 60% off the top, so utilize the other options first. The book will be at all the big bookseller’s conventions in the fall so hopefully it will be picked up by some retailers.

4.    The book will be available for eBook publishing devices such as Kindle, B&N Nook, Microsoft and Sony e-reader, Mobi, Adobe Digital editions, etc. in about 5 weeks. More information to follow.

Please PRAY!!  I am trying to capitalize initially upon the 6th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on August 29th. Our nation and media will once again look back at what is happening to the beloved city of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Television and radio have to fill a lot of air-time in the days around August 29th. I want to be available to tell the fresh, inspirational story behind the story of Katrina and give hope to thousands. If you have contacts in radio or television please put in a good word for me and pass on the contact information!!!!

 

SEARCH MINISTRY PARTNERSHIP


Last week Donna and I had the deep privilege of attending the SEARCH MINISTRIES Leadership Staff Retreat. I have benefitted from SEARCH for almost 30 years now and I have faithfully used their resources throughout the years. SEARCH is one of the premiere outreach and discipleship ministries in the country. It was great being back together with my friends Larry Moody and Dave Krueger who lead the ministry. Donna and I are going to take the next step to partner closer with SEARCH and see where God leads. You can check out their website at

MINISTRY OBSERVATIONS

Many mission organizations rightly focus in on what are called “the unreached people groups.” Rightly so. However, my observations over the first seven months of Grace Adventures are that business and political groups are almost like an unreached people group. Leaders are tugged at by everyone, but who cares for them personally? Who pays attention to their souls? Everyone usually wants something from leaders. It goes with the territory. People have agendas, demands, and wants and often these yearnings are contradictory from person to person. Leaders are pulled in all directions and aren’t always well anchored. Here’s my commitment to leaders…to not want anything from them… no favors, no agendas...but only a heart to be a friend and help them meet Jesus in a deep and abiding way. During a recent meeting with a leader, he commented that in all his years of doing business in New Orleans, he had never met anyone for lunch who did not want something from him until that day. In fact, he was surprised when I asked him how I could serve him. The Jesus way opens doors and surprises with a different culture and aroma. The leader and I committed to get together and go through the Bible.

This is what I do day-by-day. Bible studies are going great and leader appointments are divine appointments. PRAY for a number of significant new appointments this week. I had good opportunities to preach and teach in Maryland last weekend. PRAY for Donna and me as we are still figuring out how to manage all the aspects of ministry and organization.

One unexpected ministry I have is to reach out to many Christ-followers, leaders, missionaries and pastors who have experienced woundedness by toxic religious experiences. This issue seems to be an epidemic. I have such a heart to care for wounded shepherds and see their heart for Jesus and His church be healed and restored. I never knew I would be a pastor to so many disenfranchised people. It is simply a huge mission field. It is good to remind people that ministry is not our life…Jesus is. It is the life of the “easy yoke” in the midst of a world that is messy.

Thank you for making the ministry possible for Donna and me. It is indeed a partnership with my friends to raise up more forever friends. AMEN!

JULY 2011 NEWSLETTER

WEDDING BLISS

There is now one more Mrs. Sprague in the world!  On June 11th I had the privilege of presenting my son, Jonathan, and Patricia…husband and wife.  The wedding took place outdoors in Mesquite, Texas on the Florence Ranch Homestead that Patricia’s great, great, great grandfather built in 1871 when he founded the city.  It was a spectacular day, filled with the goodness of God, family and friends.

I had done many a wedding, but never one for a son.  This one had to be special.  I knew a fellow pastor who officiated at his child’s wedding.  You know the line in the movie’s where they say, “If there is anyone who has an objection why this ceremony shouldn’t happen, let him speak now or forever hold their peace?”  You rarely hear that in weddings today, but this pastor had a plant in the audience.  When he said, “Speak now or forever hold your peace” his plant stood up and said, “Actually, I’m Laura’s parole officer and I have an objection.”  I decided Patricia would kill me if I did this, soooo I went with Plan B.  When we got to the devotional part of the service, as the father of the groom and the pastor, I said to Patricia, “Patricia, I have one thing to say to you, with God’s help you be the very best friend and wife you can be to Jonathan.  Now Jonathan, I have a bunch of stuff for you!”  Then I pulled a scroll from my pocket and let it unwind and roll all the way to the ground and beyond with a long list of counsel.  (You should have seen his face.)

No, Jonathan didn’t need any more sermons from me.  He heard enough in his life.  He’s all grown up and I’m so proud of the man he has become and is becoming.  We gave him roots and we give him wings.   When Jonathan was growing up, I’d often put him to bed and told him on a thousand evenings, “Jonathan, if we could line up all the little boys and all the little girls in the whole world and I got to pick out just one little boy…I’d pick you out every time!!”  And if I had to pick out one little girl, I’d pick out Patricia every time.  Patricia is wonderfully sharp, bright, and beautiful with a heart of compassion.

Oh yes, I did have to share one piece of wedding advice.  It came from John 2 from the wedding at Cana that Jesus attended.  Remember they ran out of wine.  This would be the social and etiquette faux pas of the season.  Mary came to Jesus and as only mothers can do, she told Jesus to do something.  Mary came to Jesus and as only mothers can do she told Jesus to do something.  Jesus knew that his time had not yet come.  Mary was persistent.  She huddled with the servants and said, “Do whatever he tells you to do!!”  That was my only advice for Jonathan and Patricia to have a successful marriage.  “Do whatever Jesus tells you to do!!”

It was the grandest of days for us.  We prayed for over 24 years for this one.  The memories will always be cherished.

MINISTRY TO LEADERS

The ministry continues to blossom and multiply.  There are Bible studies on every day except Saturday and on some of the days there are multiple studies.  It is absolutely thrilling to see leaders get into the Bible for the very first time.  I see a spiritual hunger and know that is certainly from God.  I yearn for these leaders to know Jesus more and make Him known.
One-on-one appointments are especially important to get to know leaders and drill deeper into discipleship, outreach and friendship.  Not many people are aware of the extent of the demands, challenges and burdens that leaders carry.  This month I am especially sensitive to the load of spiritual leaders who often endure a lot of junk but persevere in their callings.  Pray for my appointments this month with new political leaders and pastors as I invite them to greater relationship and connectedness.

SUMMER BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

1.    Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (Author of Seabiscuit), 2010.  Spectacular!! The powerful survival epic of Louis Zamperini…Olympic hero, and WWII hero and POW.  A page turner, or in my case, the perfect book on tape to drive over a thousand miles to a wedding and back.  A man’s man book about courage, perseverance and ultimately amazing grace.  This is scheduled to be made into a major motion picture, hopefully while ninety-one year old Louis is still alive.

2.    Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet and Spy by Eric Metaxas, 2010.  The definitive Bonhoeffer biography.  If you want to understand the coast of discipleship, read this one.  Against the backdrop of WWII, the German pastor takes on two devils:  Hitler and “cheap grace.”

3.    Radical by David Platt, 2010.  Platt powerfully calls Christ-followers to surrender the American Dream if necessary in order to embrace the bigger dream of the GREAT COMMISSION.  This book will give you an “ouch” and an “Amen” for sure.  That is what powerful and Radical books do.

4.    MY BOOK!!!!!  Coming SOON.  It is at the publishers now.  I hope to have it out by August 1st in time for the 6th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.  If you are aware of a potential preaching, retreat or speaking opportunity after the book is published, let me know.  I could use your help in getting the word out.