My Secret Weapon

On May 21 Donna and I celebrated our 30^th wedding anniversary. After three decades I still believe Donna is awesome. Donna has modeled a purity and simplicity of devotion to Jesus. She came to faith early in life and served God fervently as a child, teenager and young woman. She wanted to be a pastor’s wife starting at 9 years old. She is the most complete package of love I have ever seen. Donna excels at serving, mothering, teaching, listening, integrity, hard work and giving. Besides teaching children with special needs, she handles all of the administrative load for Grace Adventures. We’ve shared joys and weathered storms. We’ve dreamed dreams and entered the “Plan B’s.” God’s grace has always abounded.

I love the story told about Pete Flaherty, a county commissioner in Pittsburgh, and his wife, Nancy. They were standing on the sidewalk surveying a city construction project, when one of the laborers at the site called out to them. “Nancy, remember me?” he asked. “We used to date in high school.” Later Pete teased her. “Aren’t you glad you married me? Just think, if you had married him, you would be the wife of a construction worker.” Nancy looked at him and said, “No, if I would have married him, he would have been a county commissioner!”

I can relate to that story and shudder to think where I’d be without this woman. Donna is indeed my secret weapon in life and ministry.

Open Doors with Leaders

I continue to ask for prayer for open doors. If Paul had to ask for prayer for open doors … I far more (Colossians 4:2-6). I desire to be led by the Spirit and go where He leads humbly yet boldly. My message is not the therapeutic gospel, prosperity gospel, political gospel, self-salvation gospel or social gospel, but the gospel of grace in our Lord Jesus Christ. It was said of Francis of Assisi - he did not love humanity but men … he did not love Christianity but Christ … he did not fall in love with church; he fell in love with Jesus. His religion was not a thing like a theory but a thing like a love affair. This is what I desire and want others to experience.

On May 24 I was commissioned as the Honorary Chaplain for the Day with the Louisiana House of Representatives at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge and opened the session in prayer. What an honor and open door. I spent nearly 5 hours interacting with our elected leaders. I renewed some cherished friendships and connected with numbers of new leaders. Please pray for our leaders (1Timothy 2:1-2). They work tirelessly. So many commented to me how much they desire prayer because the job is so big and complicated. I told them I would pray and encourage others to pray for them. Would you pray right now for these leaders and your leaders?

 

Heart for the Harvest Seminar Training

 There are many people today who would like to know God in a personal way. Unfortunately few people actually know how to help their friends know God. For this reason I am currently training six different groups to relationally share their faith. This seminar teaches people, who are enjoying a relationship with God, how they can talk with their friends about having a relationship with God in a very real and relevant way.

The seminar is entitled: HEART FOR THE HARVEST or practically, "I Can Do It!"  If you would like this seminar done for your group, church or location, let me know. It can be done over 1-5 hours and is complete with multimedia, workbooks, discussion and PowerPoint. Also, the 12 “BIG” QUESTIONS apologetic training is available to groups, churches, and singles, college and high school groups as well. We are to be ready to share the hope that is in us (1Peter 3:15).

Prayer for upcoming opportunities:

1.   Preparation for fall Men’s Retreats

• Faith Community Church, Camden, Delaware, October 12-14
• Forcey Bible Church, Silver Spring, Maryland, October 19-21
• Burke Community Church, Burke, Virginia, November 2-4

2.   Praise for speaking opportunities with the Rotary Club, Dental group, weddings, memorial service, Urban Impact, preaching at Victory Bible Church, Louisiana Legislature, Bible studies, and six current Heart for the Harvest 5-week seminars. Pray for transformation, good contacts and follow-up. Pray for new open doors in the community particularly in uncharted, pioneering spaces.

3.   Pray God’s grace and provision for the family and friends of Bruce Cucchiara and for his murderer to be found.

4.   Praise God for many opportunities to encourage pastors who are on the frontlines of the battle.

5.   Pray for Donna, Jonathan and Patricia for refreshment amidst busy schedules.

6.   Pray that I reflect well on Isa. 31:1, 3   “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the Lord!...The Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit.”

7.   Praise for Urban Impact and Castle Rock Church getting into their new renovated facility in Central City. We have been working on this for years. It is a reality!!!

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

How a Murder Hit Me

My world got rocked last week when my buddy Bruce Cucchiara was senselessly murdered in New Orleans.  Wow ...  this one hurts. Bruce and I met every Wednesday at his office with a group of spiritual investigators who were kicking the tires of the faith to see if the claims of Christ were true. Bruce concluded Jesus was who He said He was and his entire life was radically changed by amazing grace. Bruce had a Saul-to-Paul kind of transformation and he wanted all to know God in a personal way. Bruce is already missed. At the memorial service I shared four of Bruce’s Spiritual “aha” discoveries:

Bruce Cucchiara
1954-2012

#1 Life Is Short, Hell Is Hot and Eternity Is Long - Bruce understood the brevity of life. It is motivating when the reality sinks in that we will live a whole lot longer on the other side than on this side.

#2 Dead Men Can’t Throw Life Preservers - Bruce understood that Christianity stands or falls upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The evidence for the resurrection was so overwhelming that Bruce was compelled to follow this One who conquered death and offers life … even eternal life.

#3 God Doesn’t Grade on the Curve - Word out on the street is that human beings in-full or in-part are responsible to save themselves. Bruce was shocked to discover the Bible doesn’t teach one gets to Heaven by good works. He discovered the GRACE plan as opposed to the human achievement plan. The JESUS plus nothing plan.

#4 Intellectual Ascent To Jesus Is Not Enough - Bruce discovered it wasn’t enough to know a few facts about Jesus. One has to make a faith decision to trust Jesus alone for salvation and the gift of eternal life. Bruce made that decision. For him, to live is Christ and to die was gain.

This week showed me once again that life is fragile and the issues of heaven and hell hang in the balance. Decisions about death need to be made in life. Like Bruce, I want all my friends, family and this world to have peace with God and have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. GRACE ADVENTURES is committed to ASKING QUESTIONS, EXPLORING ANSWERS and EQUIPPING ADULTS.

New Training and Resources 

This past month I received a week of training from SEARCH MINISTRY. Larry Moody and his staff provided cutting-edge equipping and have graciously allowed me to use their excellent training and outreach materials for ministry in New Orleans. The following activities and presentations are now available to help people find honest answers to tough questions and investigate the claims of Jesus.

Open Forum

The Open Forum is a gathering of friends for the purpose of interacting on significant life and God issues. Normally, it takes place in a home or a convenient daytime location for business and professional people and lasts for four weeks where the guests enjoy eating, meeting each other, laughing and sharing their thoughts. There is an authentic, stimulating discussion about basic life issues, not a Bible study, lecture series, or theological debate.  The objective is to create a safe atmosphere where  people can examine their philosophy of life. Many people have never carefully evaluated their beliefs or been able to have open dialogue with others on the subject. The Open Forum provides a comfortable environment for just this kind of meaningful interaction. And since the Forum is "open," you pick the topics of conversation! If you are interested in attending or hosting an Open Forum, please call Michael Sprague at 985 502 4265.

Foundations
To help friends get started with God, we often begin with the Foundations study. Foundations is a study intended for small groups or one-on-one discipleship. Chapters include:

·   How to Begin a Relationship with God

·   How to Grow in your Relationship with God

·   How to Communicate with God through Prayer

·   How to Listen to God through Bible Reading and Study

·   How to Tell Others about our Relationship to God

The Big Questions Class

This is a 12-week course dedicated to directly answering Christianity’s toughest criticisms – Is there a God? Is the Bible reliable? Is Jesus the Son of God? Will God judge those who have never heard about Christ?  Why are there so many hypocrites?  Why the innocent suffer?  Do miracles really occur?  Isn’t Christianity just a psychological crutch?  What does it mean to believe?  Can anyone be sure of heaven?  How good do you have to be to get to heaven?  Isn’t going to heaven by faith too simple?

Heart for the Harvest

There are many people today who would like to know God in a personal way. Unfortunately there are few that are able to help their friends know God. This seminar trains people how they can talk with their friends about having a relationship with God in a very real and relevant way.

Small Groups

In today's hectic world, people need a place where others know more about them than just their name.  Small groups are a place where you can build meaningful friendships with others, while learning more about God and yourself.

A small group is a gathering of 5-20 people who meet on a regular basis, with the common purpose of discovering and growing in their spiritual walk with God. If you are interested in joining a small group, let me know.

Praise and Prayer Requests

·         Give thanks for men who are taking up their cross and following Jesus.

·         Pray for speaking opportunities this month with the Rotary Club, Dental Group, Heart for the   Harvest Seminar and a wedding.

·        Pray for the establishment of a key new small group with community leaders.

·        Thanks for an abundance of open doors of ministry in this community. God’s floodgates are open and people are thirsty. People are more interested in spiritual things than we think.

·        Pray for boldness, wisdom and spiritual sensitivity. Spiritual skepticism is on the rise. Nearly one in four Americans under thirty now describe their religion as “atheist,” “agnostic,” or “nothing in particular.

·        Pray for Donna as well as Jonathan and Patricia.

·        Pray that I practice John 15:5 for apart from God I can do nothing of real value.

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

When You Feel Like a Failure or a Loser

By now you have heard me say that GRACE ADVENTURES exists to reach Political, Business and Spiritual leaders for CHRIST. The last few newsletters have emphasized the political thrust. This month I will touch on caring for pastors and missionaries. I care for spiritual leaders. However, many people don’t realize the price leaders pay to carry out their callings. Who shepherds the shepherds? Where can missionaries unload when times are tough?

Consider these statistics:

·         40% of pastors in North America considered leaving the ministry in the past three months.

·         For every 20 pastors who go into the ministry, only one retires from the ministry.

·         1,500 pastors leave ministry for good every month due to burnout, conflict or moral failure.

Why are there so many third degree ministry burns and relational smoke inhalation? I count it a privilege to reach out to numbers of pastors and missionaries, especially those going through trying circumstances and even disasters. These leaders need encouragement to stay in the game. They are not crazy to carry out their calling.

A Failure Conference?

Last month I spent two unique days at an Epic Fail Pastor’s Conference. Who would ever host a FAILURE conference … right? Yet, aren’t most people desperate to talk about their failure? Don’t most need a new theology and definition of success and failure? Isn’t there a need to process fear of failure and a place to let go of being super pastor, superman, and super leader? Shouldn’t conferences stop worshipping at the throne of the world’s definition of success and up the ante on simple devotion and faithfulness to Jesus? So the Epic Fail Conference was … no frills or thrills. Just sacred space ... The undeniable presence of Jesus … Raw stories … Failure experts … and much grace and truth.

The host site was initially going to be the eerie, closed down prison where the film, Shawshank Redemption, was filmed (somewhat fitting, don’t you think). In the end we met in a former church that failed and was bought by the town Bingo enterprise. The cross and steeple were removed and Bingo packed the place. Recently an African American pastor started praying for this building. In fact, he bought it. After scrubbing cigarette smoke off the walls and restoring the cross to prominence, he reopened the church. The house that failed and had Jesus stripped away was restored to a place of hope and inspiration. The winds of the Spirit started to blow again and God saved and restored the lives of people once again. The geographic location of Epic Fail spoke volumes as to what God is up to in leader’s lives. Dry bones can come back to life. Many opened up veins and bled into the microphones.

Stumbling friends of Jesus grieved, but found healing, hope, restoration and intimacy with God. New definitions of ministry success emerge, replacing buildings, bodies and budget size with faithfulness. Vulnerability and brokenness that many regard as weakness get redefined as healthy, courageous and human. Shame from failure can get put off and minds can be renewed in resurrection life.

At the end of the two days this prayer was prayed over us: May all your expectations be frustrated. May all your plans be thwarted. May all your desires be withered into nothingness that you may experience the powerlessness and poverty of a child and sing and dance in the love of the Father, the Son and the Spirit. Amen.

I concluded the Epic Fail gathering was a success and life transformative. I’m thinking about sponsoring an EPIC FAIL PEOPLE’S retreat in the fall or spring. Any interest? Is this crazy or needed? What do you think, my friends? Do you know any failure experts that have experienced the grace of God, or need too?

It took a few days to get Israel out of Egypt but many years to get Egypt out of Israel. How many people today are captive to some real or imagined failure? It is often easier to release a person from prison than from the prison mindset. The message of GRACE ADVENTURES is that redemption is available through Jesus Christ who says that we can know the truth and the truth will set us free.

Please Pray:

 

·         For the wounded pastors and missionaries I meet with who need grace and encouragement.

·         For many upcoming speaking opportunities.

·         For our state leaders who are in session.  Pray for good contacts with key leaders.

·         Wisdom as I consider putting together my own Epic Fail Retreat in our area to encourage people to experience freedom and redemption.

·         For Donna who carries a huge load in ministry and our lives.

·         That Jesus – the courageous, gracious, truth-filled Jesus of the Bible, is lifted up and people are drawn to Him.

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

It's Really Happening

Michael & US Senator David Vitter

The mission of GRACE ADVENTURES is to reach out to political, business and spiritual leaders, one leader at a time. As much as possible, I am trying to meet with leaders outside of the conventional church arenas. Pastor types have that covered. I’m trusting God for the highways and byways. Unpioneered ground. I want to meet with the seeker, the confused, the left-out, at times the notorious, the up-and-outer, and the influencers … the leaders who most overlook. The open doors are incredible. I’ve spoken to a wide range of professional societies including lawyers, doctors, state representatives, dentists, writers, business and community leaders. The mission to reach leaders is happening especially in two areas:

1.   Discovering Amazing Grace

There is something about GRACE that when you finally get it … it is truly AMAZING. I’m running in mostly non-churchy circles where people have heard about performance, earning, competing and striving. Many know the world works this way and think that God works this way, too. Leaders are hearing, often for the first time, about grace. When the light bulb turns on … it is awesome to behold. Many say, “I’ve never heard that before.” The spiritual buzz I get from seeing this happen never gets old, never is stale. NEVER.

There are sooo many dead leaders running. Great people, yet running on fumes. People empty, yet thirsty. Sometimes leaders are looking in all the wrong places to quench their thirst. When they encounter the ONE who offers living water … it is a new life … a new energy … a new destiny.

                                                                                                     

2.   Discovering a New Calling

Recently I said to a businessman, “Most of the people in the Bible that God used were not pastor types or priests, but business people, farmers, soldiers, government workers, fisherman, IRS guys, etc. You are called to be on the frontlines. You are commissioned.” Stunned. Dazed. He never heard that before, but the light bulb was being lit. I’m seeing this week after week. Leaders are getting it. Fishing or whatever may be an occupation, but the people business is to be our preoccupation.

Acts 1:1 speaks of the things Jesus began to do and teach … implying that there is an unfinished work of Jesus … something He started but didn’t finish. This is not the work of redemption. That’s done. Complete. However, the work of discipleship was started and still needs to be finished. God asks us to partner with Him in the UNFINISHED work of discipleship. If Michelangelo finished his sculpture and said to me, “Done, except Michael, here is the chisel, just chip in the nose.” No way, I would ruin the whole thing. If Rembrandt said, “I’ve finished the portrait … Michael, take the brush and paint in the eyes.” No way. I’d ruin it. Yet, God asks us to partner with Him in discipleship and help Him complete the Commission. I say to leaders, “Why can’t the next five years be our very best run? Can’t we run the race with a sprint and hit the tape one day with gusto? Why should we hobble to the finish line? Why go out with a whimper?” Leaders are getting it and being unleashed. Imagine a full-fledged partnership of envisioned, humble business, spiritual and political leaders who are about the Great Commission and Great Commandments.

Prayer

1.   Pray for the small groups and speaking opportunities that are coming up. Check out the list at Grace Adventures. Three men’s retreats are already scheduled for the fall and two more are possible.

2.   Our state political leaders are in session for the next couple of months. Pray for open doors in Baton Rouge.

3.   Pray for my dad who is recovering from an automobile accident.

4.   Pray I will be bold, courageous and discern what God is doing. Pray this ministry is carried forth by the work of the Spirit and not built upon ego, competition or what can be explained by human ingenuity.

5.   Pray for Donna who carries a huge load in the ministry and in life.

6.   Pray that Jesus, the real Jesus of the Bible, is lifted up and people are drawn to HIM!!

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

P.S.  Pray for our leaders.  Leaders I meet with tell me, “You are the first person who has ever prayed with me or asked me how my family is doing.”

Pinching Myself in 2012

“Devote yourself to prayer … praying … that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ.” (Colossians 4:2-3)

Some of you are PRAYING BIG on our behalf, because God has opened up incredible doors this month. I began the New Year committed to visiting our state leaders, praying with them and offering the opportunity to start a small group Bible study if they were interested. Here’s how I start, “I don’t want one penny from you, I don’t want any favors, I’m not here to tell you how to vote, I don’t have an agenda, and I don’t want to be another pain in your backside.” I tell the leader about Grace Adventures and my conviction that every leader needs to connect to Jesus Christ, the wisdom of the Scriptures, and have a supportive group of friends because if they don’t, leaders often turn into the people they don’t want to be by little rationalizations and slippage. If they don’t have a group, I offer to facilitate one for them. From here I will see what doors God opens. I thank God for:

1.   An opportunity to speak at a retreat for many of our newly elected state officials. When I looked at the invitation, I saw that the speakers listed for the retreat were Gov. Bobby Jindal, Mayor Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans, the head of the New Orleans Hornets and a Senate leader and me. I was pinching myself. Only God. I had an hour to speak to thirty-three of our 105 state representatives about creating space for God and tending to their souls. I used King Solomon as our political case study.

2.   I contacted the Chaplain of the Louisiana House of Representatives about doing an internship with him when the March-May session is in full session in Baton Rouge. He will take my name to the Speaker to inquire about the possibility. PRAY.

3.   I met with a mayor and he desires for me to help him put together a prayer breakfast.

4.   Donna and I participated in the National Prayer Breakfast this past week. What an honor. Jesus is doing things behind the scenes that you would never read about in the paper. On Wednesday night, we had the privilege of having a meal and praying with our United States Senator Vitter. Thursday we got to visit the office of our United States Congressman Steve Scalise and pray with him. Only God. Pray for our leaders. The Bible calls us to do this in 1Timothy 2:1-4. Beyond this, the halls of power are amongst the loneliest anywhere. These leaders have families and needs like all of us. Pray for revival, renewal and 2 Chronicles 7:14. It was fun in Washington to get to meet others like RG3 (Robert Griffin, III, the Baylor Heisman trophy winner in college football), Anne Graham Lotz, political leaders, and to be near the President.

5.   I continue to lead the many weekly Bible studies, meetings with community and business leaders, and encourage missionaries and pastors. Interesting speaking engagements have come like speaking to the literary society, legal society, Impact University, two men’s breakfasts and a men’s retreat. My book DISASTER: Betting the Farm on God in Life’s Storms is opening doors as well.

As you can tell…it has been quite a month. I am still pinching myself. God is good. My desire is to lift Jesus up and see leaders drawn to HIM. I desire to communicate REAL FAITH and not PHONY RELIGIOSITY. I want people to personally know the REAL JESUS. The One who was so compelling and dangerous they had to kill Him. The One who was scandalous, who said outrageous things, who was accused of nearly everything, who was railed against and is the enemy of dead religion. The One who died on old timber 2000 years ago in an obscure part of the world and has impacted everyone’s destiny. The One who is still available for all to know.

How can you pray for us? Pray the Colossians passage at the top of the letter. Pray our ministry will be successful like the rabbit on the left. There is weariness when we slip into performance driven, formula-style, man-centered cravings for success. There is freedom and fruitfulness in abiding in Jesus and letting Him bring real fruit that abides. Jesus is the Adventure, the Life and the Way!!!

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

P.S. I thank God for every one of you. You are partners in ministry and my friends. There is much delight Donna and I experience because of you!!!!!

Check the Grace Adventures website at www.graceadventures.info for current speaking opportunities and Bible studies.

 

Speaking at the Southern Christian Writers Guild

Speaking to the Southern Christian Writers Guild-Part 1&2

2012 Grace Adventures Commission

Scripture COMMISSIONS us to reach leaders with the GOSPEL of GRACE.

• “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear my name before the Gentiles and KINGS and the sons of Israel.” Acts 9:15
• “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers and petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for Kings and all who are in authority…who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  I Timothy 2:1-4
• The Book of Acts-The Ethiopian Eunuch-Treasurer ; Cornelius- the Centurion; Blastus- the King’s Chamberlain; Sergius Paulus-the Roman Provincial Governor; The Philippian Jailer; Dionynius- The Areopagate Judge; Publius-The Governor of Malta; Caesar’s Household.

This ministry to leaders is at the heart of our mission and purpose. GRACE ADVENTURES is intentional about reaching out to political, business and spiritual leaders. Spiritually malnourished leaders will not produce strong communities or a strong nation. The Word of God must go out if we are going to produce strong leaders. Nehemiah’s need Ezra’s to rebuild the foundations in our great land.

2012 Prayer Requests

• Pray for a speaking opportunity at a retreat for incoming state legislators (January 20-21). The topic is Pitfalls of Leadership. I have 50 minutes to address this significant topic for our new government leaders. The other speakers are Governor Jindal, Mayor Landrieu of New Orleans, the leader of the Senate and the head of the Hornets.
• Pray for the opportunity to help lead the Louisiana delegation to the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC on February 2.
• Pray for a wonderful opportunity to return to Forcey Bible Church on February 4^th to speak at their men’s breakfast. All are welcome. Call the church at 301-622-220 to reserve a spot.
• Pray for a new opportunity to speak to January 14th to the Southern Christian Writer’s Guild.
• Praise for continued opportunity to partner with SEARCH ministries.
• Pray boldly with holy anticipation for open doors for new Bible study and conversation with leaders in the area. You never know how God is going to answer, but the promise is He will answer. If God could make an ancient P.O.W. named Daniel Prime Minister of the country that took him prisoner…then God can give favor today.

Thank You Partners

Grace Adventures is almost one year old. I have seen that when God closes a door, He is able to open a bigger and better door. I am going places and meeting people and I say-ONLY GOD. You, too, are on the front lines of life and have been given a Great Commission. These are great days to live, and there are so many people to reach. Don’t give up. Persevere. Every seed sowed counts. God will use you. If there is any way I can partner with you, pray for you, help equip you, suggest materials, speak to your group or church, etc. just let me know!!! Let’s go for it in 2012. 

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael