Month: October 2022

    As I think back, my parents encouraged me to be well rounded. For the most part, I really benefited from their encouragement. I played a lot of sports, though none with any great passion or expertise. In 7th grade, I was one of the shortest in my class, so it limited my ability to excel in school sports. By High School I was playing more individual sports, tennis and golf. We were fortunate to live on a lake and we owned a boat. Water Skiing was an activity I enjoyed with friends, and later in life, I discovered snow skiing, and you know it is a big part of our family. Sports were more for recreation, so when I didn’t excel, my parents encouraged my other strengths. It may be why I enjoyed playing guitar and singing. You didn’t have to be tall and athletic. I am amazed at how things work out. I secretly would have liked to have been a better athlete, but quite frankly, music and guitar would be the talent providing me the most joy and benefited me most in the ministry. At 5’7 1/2”, the NBA wasn’t going to come knocking on my door!
    When it came to education, my parents recognized I did better in Math and Science but struggled in subjects requiring more reading. They were great about encouraging and rewarding my math and science ability but were not overbearing about my limitations in other subjects. When I made an A in subjects like math, they were certainly pleased, but if I made a B or even a C, in subjects they knew were challenging they were still encouraging as long as they knew I was making an effort. They were also available to make sure I had the tools necessary to excel in any subject. One thing they didn’t tolerate was me just giving up and saying, “I am not good at it”, “I had a bad teacher’” or “I don’t like the subject.” Because of their influence, I am pretty well rounded. If I am in a discussion with someone and I don’t understand what they are doing, I just ask questions and like to learn new things.
    If I haven’t said it before in any of my notes, I don’t have a lot of regrets in my life. Of course, there are a few do overs I would like to have and some failures I would have liked to have avoided. As I look back, without some of those mistakes and failures I might not have taken the path for my life directing me to where I could fulfill my God given plan and potential. If there was a do over, I have wondered what my life would be like if my parents and family had not been so concerned about being well rounded and had really encouraged me to follow a path with a little more passion. My parents were pleased I could play the guitar and sing, but they didn’t encourage me to do it with passion. Even some of the athletic pursuits were not encouraged to pursue with passion. I doubt I was ever going to play sports professionally but would have liked a little more encouragement.
    There is no great remorse over any of these things, because at the end of the day my parents were supportive and probably realistic in their evaluation of my talents and therefore did help me reach a lot of my potential in life. With your mother, we did try to encourage her to pursue passions. Your father’s family did a great job, and he accomplished a lot in pursuing baseball.
    It is important to pursue your passion, but always have people around you to guide you to set realistic goals and help you make decisions based on their experience and expertise. This leads me to the talent which probably has defined me and has given me the most satisfaction.
    The summer after I had finished 7th grade, I was allowed to serve in our church’s Vacation Bible School. For the most part we were assistants to the adult leaders and did small jobs for them. The thing I loved most, was at the end of the morning the adult leaders would meet to plan for the next day and all of their children would be sent to our fellowship hall where a couple of my friends and I would lead recreation for about a half an hour. It was so cool to be entrusted with this task. As I look back, it was the first real step into taking on a task for which I was really responsible. This experience was my first time to actually lead something and to teach something. Of course, we were teaching and leading dodge ball, ring around the Rosie and duck duck goose. As simple as it sounds, it was a challenge. Tired 1st graders and rambunctious 6th graders (who were just a year younger) were our assignment. I am not sure if we were good at it or if the adults were just desperate. We were, however, asked back every year and I did this even into high school.
    In his letter to the Romans, Paul encourages followers of Jesus to use their God given gifts.
Romans 12 NASB 3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many parts in one body and all [f]the body’s parts do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. 6 However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, [g]in proportion to one’s faith; 7 if [h]service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching; 8 or the one who [i]exhorts, in the work of [j]exhortation; the one who gives, with [k]generosity; the one who [l]is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
    As an adult, those emerging gifts at VBS have been a big part of my life. Speaking God’s truth with faith, Serving, Teaching, Leadership and Mercy are God given gifts and talents I truly value.
    The gift or talent which gave me the most satisfaction was teaching. I always liked figuring out things, but the opportunity to teach and to explain something brought me a lot of Joy.
    It wasn’t really my plan, but my minor in college was education (there’s a story behind that). Right after I graduated, I didn’t have a lot planned and there were several teaching job openings. I taught 9th grade math for 3 semesters. Teaching in the public school was a great opportunity and it led me back into youth ministry. I remembered those days in VBS how happy I was teaching games and leading events. During my years a pastor, teaching the Bible and finding practical ways to apply God’s truth and the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection brought me the most satisfaction.

    By the time you are able to read this and comprehend it, I hope you will remember the things I have taught you. For now, they are just simple things, like manners, using correct words, grammar, how to put things away, etc. I look forward to teaching you to snow ski, maybe help a little with golf (your dad and his father will probably be better for those lessons) and ultimately these notes will not just tell you about my life but will teach you some life lessons and especially about what life as a follower of Jesus is about!
    It is already obvious you have God given talents. Remember this, don’t judge your talent by how wealthy you become or home much fame you acquire. Judge your talent by how fulfilled you feel as you pursue it and is it bringing Glory to God!

Gee Sprague, October 20, 2022

Before I answer this personally, there is a lot I think is necessary to share as you grow to become a selfless person.

    First, you will learn, humans are selfish by nature. Whether you ascribe to the Biblical view of humanity or come to the realization on your own, most humans need to learn and practice selfless living. Left to our own devices, we all would prefer to have our needs, want and desires come first. It comes naturally. We don’t need any practice! Observe a child. One of their first words is “mine!”

    In your lifetime you will meet people who cover the whole spectrum, from completely
self-absorbed to selfless. Your grandmother Sandy is the most selfless person I have ever known. I can‘t think of a single example where she has actually put herself or her needs before the needs of anyone else. If the flight was going down, she would make sure everyone had their air masks on before her. It just comes naturally to her. It is in large part attributed to her faith in Jesus Christ and the love which is a result.

    On the other hand, I am not so selfless. It does not come easy to me and if it weren’t for Jesus, I would be pretty self-absorbed.

    Perhaps it goes back to my childhood. There are a couple stories told about me. I don’t really member the events, but they have been shared at family events for a long time and may have attributed to my selfish actions.

    My sister Sarah is three years older than me. She is probably tied with Sandy in the selfless category. When I was a toddler, if there was a toy she wanted with which I was playing, rather than just take it from me, she would find another to exchange. It was a very effective way to divert my attention, to keep the peace, and she got the toy. It did, however, empower my selfishness and I discovered it was not the way of the playground. As I got older, if I didn’t get my way, I became very angry.

    Another story describing my nature was during one of our family’s rituals. After our mother was finished with her errands, she would take us to get at treat. We were given a choice; we could have a soft drink or an ice cream. Sarah was in complete compliance and would order one or the other. I was known for stating I wanted both. As the story goes, the server looked at me and exclaimed, “He’s so cute, I will bring him both!” I think I got used to having my soft drink and ice cream too!

    Maybe I should blame Sarah and our sweet server for enabling me. Selfish people like to Blame others. I can be pretty good at Blame. We will save that for another note!

    Hopefully, the person you come to know over the years will not be the person I am describing.

    Here are a few lessons I learned along the way.

    After throwing temper tantrums and learning I wouldn’t always get what I wanted, I began to figure it out. Selfish people are not usually nice. After a while, people can only tolerate their behavior for a short time.

    As I grew older, the people I could tell who were really happy were not selfish. They actually put others before themselves. As hard as it was, I wanted to be like them!

Trying to act selfless is very hard. It was very easy to default to my selfish nature. It wasn’t until I understood a part of knowing Jesus is we need to be transformed. It was always going to be an act, but through New Birth in Jesus Christ, my selfless nature actually could be transformed and a new nature be born. Jesus describes it as being Born Again!

Jesus said, John 3 NASB Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to [a]Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these [b]signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born [c]again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The apostle Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 5:17NASB17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new [a]creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
He describes the new nature of Jesus.

He also wrote Philippians 2 NASB Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any [a]affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete [b]by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing [c]from [d]selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude [e]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be [f]grasped, 7 but [g]emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and [h]being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death [i]on a cross. 9 For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

    Jesus could have retained His place seated at the right hand of His Father God, but instead demonstrated the ultimate act of selflessness, by laying down His life for the sins of the world. It is certainly a hard act to follow

    Ultimately, I learned even when I tried to be selfless, I usually failed. As much I desired to get rid of my selfishness it always appeared.

What I needed is described by Paul in his letter to the church in Galatia. Galatians 2:20 NASB 20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and [a]the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

My whole life has been a process of dying to self in order for Jesus to live in me! It has been quite a journey and I pray you will pursue Jesus and this resurrection life.

Now to the question at hand. There is not one particular event I can point to as the most selfless thing. Being a good friend will require selflessness. Being married will require selflessness. I was not prepared, however, for how much selflessness would be demanded when you are a parent. Being a parent has placed the highest demand on my selfish nature. We all talk about unconditional love, but until I was a parent, I don’t think I ever felt the demand on life to be as great. I thought I loved my wife unconditionally, but there was usually something conditional.

    Being a parent requires the ultimate demand to love unconditionally, to be totally selfless.
By the time you are reading this, you will probably not be able to fully appreciate what I am writing. You are still on the receiving side of love. I do, however, hope these words will build in you a vision of who God wants you to become. Write these scriptures and put them in a place you can see on a daily basis. Start practicing now; get ready for the day when you will be on the giving end!

Gee Sprague, October 17, 2022

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by Gee Sprague on October 07, 2022.

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Notes to my Grandchildren 15 Which fads did you embrace while growing up?
    Fads are fun! In my lifetime I have seen and followed many fads: from Bell Bottoms to Leisure suits; Double Breasted, Single to three button suits; wide ties, narrow ties; paisley to polka dots, penny loafers to cowboy boots; moustaches, goatees, beards, sideburns, clean shaven, just to name a few!
    The fad or fashion I followed most was probably my hair. In the early 1960’s the musicians of my time made long hair and facial hair the fad and fashion. As a young teenager and a guitarist, I wanted to look like my favorite band members. Through the course of my life my hair has been many different lengths, highlighted and I hate to admit even artificially curled (not my best look!). Sadly, as I entered my 50’s I had increasingly less hair and what was originally brown, now was white! That is how you will remember me! Here’s a few examples of your grandmother’s and my hair over the years.

College Years 1973

1981 1985

1990

    Each generation tends to embrace a sense of what is acceptable. I was a pretty good kid and really didn’t cause my parents a lot of trouble. The length of my hair was probably the biggest cause of disagreements leading to some pretty heated arguments. My parents wanted it trim and neat; I wanted it long and shaggy. Eventually they won! In college, their influence was not as persuasive. A whole semester could go by without a haircut and by then I think my parents figured it was a losing battle, more people were wearing their hair longer and it was becoming the norm.
    In our arguments, I would try to use Biblical examples. There was the story of Samson whose strength was associated with his long hair. Of course Jesus had long hair! They didn’t buy into my Biblical arguments. They were right! Let me warn you about using the Bible to justify your behavior. Be Careful!!!! None of those examples were really great justifications. People love to use the Bible to justify their actions both good and bad. Once again, Be Careful! In the case of Samson, there is so much more to the story than justifying a teenagers desire to fit in! God did not send His only Son into the world to die so teenagers could follow any fad and fashion. Jesus died so we could have life and life abundant.
    My parents were a bit over protective and worried about the fads of my day. As a parent, I tried to be less concerned about your mother. There were some arguments about choice of style and what was appropriate, but I think we had a healthier way of communicating. You should ask her.
    Here’s an example which might show the difference and how things have changed. When I was a teenager in the 60’s and early 70’s very few girls had pierced ears. It was not commonly accepted at the time. I am pretty sure my sister didn’t have pierced ears until she was out of high school, maybe even college. Your grandmother’s age group most girls had pierced their ears by the time they were in middle school. When she and I started dating the new thing was to have a second piercing in at least one ear. I remember discussing this with her in the late 70’s whether or not it was appropriate behavior. To this day she still has only one piercing per ear. Your mother had her ears pierced in elementary school and she had Harper’s ears pierced before she was even 6 months old. Guess who took your mother to have a second piercing when she was in middle school. Me! Our discussion 40 plus years ago about second piercings was no longer an issue.
    By the time you are reading this, much of what I am saying will seem be irrelevant but let me offer a bit of guide when following fads. Here are a few lessons I would like to share about fads.

    Try not to follow a fad which can’t be un-followed easily. Movie Stars, Professional Athletes, politicians, social media influencers have a short life cycle. Don’t bet the farm on any of these.
Following Jesus is not a fad! “Hebrews 13:8 NRSV 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
    Try not to follow a fad which is permanent until you are certain you want to have it represent you the rest of your life. Ask yourself, is what I am doing really an improvement on how God created me. “Genesis 1:27 NRSV 27 So God created humans[a] in his image, in the image of God he created them; [b]male and female he created them.” It is hard to improve on God’s creation, so be careful!

    Don’t think your generation is the first to try something new and different. “Ecclesiastes 1:9 NRSV 9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.”

    Be careful not to judge others! This one can be really hard, especially as you get older and start to form your own opinions. This is definitely the stage of my life. It will be hard not to judge the fad someone else is following. All people struggle with those who look and value different things. We are entitled to our opinions, and there will be fads and fashion statements that will always challenge your values. Be careful, however, to always value who a person is, and not just how they look. Religious, people have a tendency to do this. It is an easy trap into which a person falls, especially when we embrace Biblical Values. Here’s what Jesus had to say to a group of overly religious people. “Matthew 23 NRSV 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and of the plate, [e] so that the outside also may become clean.” Over the years I have become much less judgmental of the appearance of other people (I still have some growing to do). Some of it relates to how people viewed me with long hair. I certainly have my biases and so will you. Some of which we are entitled. I hope, however, you will consider the things I have written as a guide. In the end, our outward appearance really doesn’t matter. God knows our heart! Work on having a pure heart and what is on the outside will never really matter!

    Finally, enjoy the fad while it lasts! There are things you will want to do as a teenager that will seem pretty silly when you are in your 20’s. It will apply to almost every decade of your life! This goes back to my previous point about embracing things that are permanent. “Isaiah 40:8 NRSV 8 The grass withers; the flower fades,]][a] but the word of our God will stand forever.” Seek the things which are eternal!

On a final note, remember my obsession with long hair. This last photo was taken in October 2022 as we celebrated her 3rd birthday at Disney World.

October 2022 Disney World for Harper’s 3rd birthday.

God’s Word is true! “The grass withers; the flower fades, the hair thins, hairlines recede, tattoos will fade, piercings will seal, the clothes you wore in high school will seem silly when you start your career, the arguments you had with your parents over the fads of your day, will be the arguments you will have with your children. God’s Word, Faith and Trust in His Son Jesus Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit are the only things that matter for eternity!

Gee Sprague, October 07, 2022

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    This is a great question and I hope my answer will help guide and direct your life, which is the purpose of a motto! Quite frankly, I don’t remember having a motto or let’s say having one statement guiding my life until I was about 22 years old. My parents instilled in me a lot of values and positive thoughts about how to live my life and to grow to become a loving, kind and productive human being. There was, however, no one statement which was my focus on a daily basis until later in life.

    One of the great mottos which comes from the Old Testament is Deuteronomy 6 NRSV 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. [a] 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. My family lived by this and I was taught this! What also makes this important are the verses which follow.. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem[b] on your forehead, 9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. God’s Word encourages us to keep this motto in our hearts, speak it to our family and friends, make it our first thought when we wake in the morning and our last thought before falling asleep at night. It should be written down in clear sight to see throughout the day to remind us! This scripture has always been a guiding statement for my life, and I would hope it will become a part of who you are! I did, however, discover another scripture in my early 20s which would become my motto, my purpose statement!

    By now, you have probably come to the understanding how my faith in God’s Word and in Jesus as the Son of God has been the main influence in my life. It was not always! As a child and into my early adult years, my faith in the Bible and Jesus were always a part of my life, but there were other interests. By the time I had graduated from college my faith was best described by the title of a popular song by the Doobie Brothers: Jesus is just alright by me! Following Jesus was up there with a lot of other great options!

    Gotta Love the 70’s!
    After graduating from college and now supporting myself, I began to find a lot of things I had been seeking really weren’t bringing me a joy or fulfillment. On the outside, everything in my life was great! I had accomplished some pretty big goals and though I wasn’t wealthy, I had more than enough money to do the things I enjoyed. Most humans enjoy being the center of their universe and I was certainly doing my best to rule my little world! It wasn’t like I was miserable, but I knew deep down there might be more to a fulfilled life than what I was pursuing.

    During this time, some college acquaintances invited me to come and be a part of a group of friends who were studying the Bible together. These weren’t my closest friends from college, but they were people I always liked and felt were genuine. I began meeting with them. At first, I thought I was going to know all the answers. I had a minor in religion and had completed a semester in Old Testament and a semester in New Testament. I thought I was an expert! It didn’t take long before I realized there was a big difference between them and me. I knew the book. They knew the author. When I read the Bible, it was like a textbook. When they read it, it was like a letter from a wise and loving friend.

    At this time, I was teaching 9th grade math. I was also singing in a restaurant in Lakeland and filling in at other venues when I could. I was the proverbial big fish in a little pond, but it provided extra money and was a part of my social life. When the group met, they always sang a few songs. I thought for sure they would ask me to help with the music, but they already had some pretty talented people leading. It was awkward, because they were singing some new and great songs about their faith which I didn’t know. It was good for me to sit on the side lines and just listen.

    There was a song they would sing which really caught my attention based on Matthew 6: 33 But seek first the kingdom of God[a] and his[b] righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. NRSV I was familiar with the scripture, but somehow singing it brought out a feeling in me I hadn’t felt in a long time!

    Over the course of several months, this verse began to really impact me. As I look back now, over 47 years later, this is probably the verse which has been my motto. Embracing it has affected all the decisions of my life. To be honest, I have made a few decisions when I didn’t embrace this motto which probably didn’t turn out so well. It really is simple. Is what I am doing seeking God’s Kingdom first or am I just seeking what is best for me. Quite frankly, seeking God’s Kingdom first has prevented a lot of bad decisions in my life.

    If you chose to be the center of your universe, your life will always be small. If, however, you choose to let God be the center you will be a part of an amazing kingdom which goes beyond even what we can see in this life.

Gee Sprague, October 05, 2022