Mark Spruill – Page 20 – Various stuff from the life of J. Mark Spruill

Springtime Blessings

Mar 272012

In the springtime, I become more aware of my physical state. I get outside more. I work in the yard, walk, ride the bike more. The activity highlights my physical shortcomings. I used to be in better shape. As I age, things are wearing out. My body (and mind) just doesn’t work as well as it once did. But I’ll have no pity party in the springtime. I can still see the trees pop to life. I can see and smell the flowers. My legs can sustain me for a walk in the woods. I can still hear the birds singing their song. I am not as good as I used to be, but I am so much better than I could be. In the springtime, I realize anew the wonders of God’s creation, and how truly blessed I am to live, experience, and be a part of it.

My Way and the Highway

Consider This, Misc. 4 Responses »

Mar 182012

Our dog Charlie died. It is a sad time at the Spruill house, but I knew it was coming. He wouldn’t stay in the fence. He wouldn’t stay on the run. He escaped from most any collar. If he pushed his way out the door, he would take off running, ignoring our calls and whistles. He seemed to enjoy being defiant and running away.

We would call for him, but he wouldn’t come. He would run all over the neighborhood. On more than one occasion, we chased him through the neighbors’ yards, trying to get him to come home. We would run after him and he would take off when he saw us coming. He was about the least obedient dog I have ever owned. And I knew that someday, it would get him killed. Two nights ago, he escaped out of the house and ran off. It was dark, so Tammy couldn’t see well enough to even attempt to find him. Nor could the driver see soon enough to avoid him when he dashed across the highway.

Obedience would have saved his life. Staying within the boundaries would have saved his life. All the fences, chains, collars and schemes we worked to try to keep him safe certainly did prolong his life. But in the end, he kept insisting on having it his way, and it caught up to him. It always does.

God, if there are dogs in Heaven, let Charlie be there. But just so I don’t meet him there too soon, please, keep the fences high, help me stay obedient, and don’t give up on me, no matter how dark it gets.

Weather

Misc. 1 Response »

Mar 032012

Storms ravaged the Midwest and South yesterday. While it was happening, I was in a jet airplane, flying in the clear skies, high over the top of the raging storms below. But eventually, we had to come down through the cloudy mess and rough winds. It was hard to see. As we landed, snow, rain, wind and clouds buffeted the plane and hid the runway.

Now I am living in the bad weather. This afternoon, God willing, I will go back up through the clouds as the plane takes me a different direction. Perhaps I will see sunshine again. Perhaps I will go back to storms. Either way, it’s all part of the journey. There is nothing for it, but to have faith in The Pilot, and ride.

A List of Things to Take to a Funeral

Misc. 1 Response »

Mar 012012

Today I am making a list of things to take to a funeral. All of the things on the list are for friends and relatives; people still alive on this Earth. The person who has passed on is with Jesus, and I am sure, has all she will ever need.

Haiti Words

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Feb 242012

I have returned home after a wonderful youth retreat in Haiti. Below are some words to describe what was there.

Haiti 2012

Heat
Mud huts
Rice patties
Mosquitoes
Tents
2 showers
2 toilets
150 teens
Friends
Smiles
Laughter
Singing
God

Mine!

Consider This 2 Responses »

Feb 102012

On most Wednesday mornings I drag myself out of bed a little earlier than usual so I can meet with two or three other guys from church. We sip coffee, discuss a book we are reading, talk about our lives, and pray for each other. The other day, we started talking about jealousy. If jealousy is a bad thing, then why does the bible say God is a jealous God?

I remember when I was in college, dating my wife. We hadn’t been together very long, and she had a guy back home that wouldn’t give up. Even while I was dating her, he would send her flowers. I think he even asked her to marry him. It made me jealous. Who did he think he was, trying to steal my girl? She’s MINE! A few months later, she went home for the summer. The guy had given up. I was glad. Even so, Tammy called one day to ask if I cared that she go out with a guy she was friends with. It wasn’t a “date.” Just two friends going to hang out together. I told her . . . Yes . . . I mind. She didn’t go. I was glad. And still jealous.

So what does it mean when God is jealous? I think it means something different than when we are. I was jealous for some of the right reasons and perhaps a few wrong ones. I loved Tammy. I didn’t want to lose her. I didn’t want anyone else to have her. I wanted what was best for her, but I also wanted to hang on to what I thought was best for me. I was jealous because I didn’t want her to give to someone else the attention that I thought belonged to me. I didn’t want to lose what was MINE. I cared for myself, and my “possession.” My jealousy has a since of selfishness in it. My jealousy has me claiming as mine, another person. Tammy is not mine. She belongs to God.

God is jealous for all the right reasons. He is jealous when other things pull us away from Him. He is jealous when we put other things above Him, not because He has some sort of ego, but because He loves us and wants what is best for us. He loves us so dearly that He jealously looks after us. When evil would try to stake a claim on us, He scoops us to Himself, jealously guarding His prized possession. When Satan sends his evil on the attack, my Lord whose name is Jealous sweeps his arms around me and declares “MINE!” He is jealous because we really are His. And because what is best for us, is Him.

. . . for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God . . .
– Exodus 34:14

Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?
– James 4:5

I was better, but I got over it.

Misc. 7 Responses »

Jan 312012

This week’s challenge was a doctor visit. It was embarrassing, humiliating, and painful. I’m a big baby. It’s no wonder I don’t go often. Maybe once every year or two, or three. I go for a general physical check-up about once every decade. This week was the decade, and after the experience I had, I’m thinking about switching to once per century.

It just seems a little odd to go to a doctor when you are not sick. I suppose the reason for going is on the off chance that you might be sick and just don’t know it. Maybe I have high cholesterol. Maybe I have a heart problem. Maybe my blood pressure is too high or the blood tests will show the signs of some exotic disease. After all, why should I be fat and happy until I die when there is a chance they could find something wrong so I can worry myself to the grave?

I haven’t got the results of all my tests back, but I hope the doctor follows my orders. I told him if I’m dying, don’t tell me. If I’m not dying, then there’s nothing to tell. So, either way, I shouldn’t hear from him. You know, maybe even once per century is starting to sound like one check-up too many.

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
– Matthew 9:12

OK, so maybe this scripture is a little out of context, but on a spiritual level, the Great Physician definitely did some surgery on me through this experience. Ignoring a problem might not be good for the physical condition. I know it’s not good for a spiritual one.

The Heirloom

Misc. 2 Responses »

Jan 202012

Something that was lost has been found.
Tears of joy stream down a smiling face.
A heart that was so heavy now leaps to the sky.
The grief of loss becomes the joy of possession.
For Tammy, it was a thing, precious to her heart.
For God, it’s me and you.

“And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
– Luke 15:9-10 NKJV

50% Off

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Jan 052012

It’s only been about two weeks since Christmas and signs have already popped up everywhere. “Christmas sale – Half off!” “50% off all Christmas items.” I wonder if that goes for the manger scenes and the Christ child too? I know a lot of people that would never pay full price, but they are quite happy to buy into half price Christianity.

Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to my family.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
-Luke 9:61-62 NET Bible

Year After Year

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Dec 312011

It’s the last day of the year, and there is not much I can do to change or improve on what has been done in 2011. It is what it is, unless . . . Maybe I could still learn some lessons from 2011? Maybe there is still some good use for 2011 long after January 1, 2012 has come and gone? Maybe I could spend 2012 comparing it to 2011 and doing some things differently? Do some things better? Maybe I could still use 2011 as a learning experience for 2012? But will I? Maybe it’s just easier to forget 2011 . . .

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