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!

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