Sunday, January 21 2024
"The Place to Start...Home"
DADS,
Proverbs 24:3-4: “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
As mentioned in last week, the word “prepare” means “to establish, fix, prepare, or apply.” It conveys the idea of deliberate effort over a prolonged period of time.
What are the things you need to #prepare at home? What needs deliberate effort to “fix” at “home?” (And I’m not talking about in the backyard or in the garage!)
I have shared with my wife numerous times, (to remind myself as well) with all the blessings, all the accolades I may have received, all the acknowledgements for things outside my home, it is only amplified and given true meaning because of her love and support.
"Meaningless and shallow" would be the gathering and collecting of things without having or at least striving to have my own house in order.
Purposeless! Meaningless!
As Solomon, who many would consider the wisest ever says in Ecclesiastes,“like chasing the wind."
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:34, “If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home - so that when you come together it will not be for judgment.”
DADs, if we are not taking care of our families first, feeding them physically, emotionally, and spiritually, then we are missing the boat, plane, taxi, Uber or whatever your choice of transportation is!
1 Timothy 5:8 - “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
How can we truly as the DAD, child, and disciple of God, really celebrate “success" at work, at play, or even at church if we deny our responsibilities at home?
Does this mean all things must be perfect? All things at home in order?
Does this mean we beat ourselves up knowing there are areas of our lives at home that need a greater “deliberate” effort?
No! But to be “intentional" is key as we #prepare our homes.
It is the striving for. The aiming for. The focused action of “establishing” family goals, as the DAD, bringing your house together, and “preparing” your home to a place where it is very clear God is at the center of it all!
To God be the glory!
Dads “get in the game”…
Today is game day…and so is every day…
God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!
Dr. Jeff Springer
Sunday, January 14 2024
COMING IN FEBRUARY
Suit Up will be offering a new format for the weekly blog. Each Sunday evening at 5pm CST you will receive an email with a a weekly challenge to help send you into the work week.
In the meantime, here is a refresher blog from January 2021 #Prepare Series.
Have a great Week!
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"It’s a Great Day to be Alive!"
Psalm 118:24
"This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
For years, my students heard me say “Its a great day to be alive!” The origin of this “mantra" began one hot August afternoon, on a long walk out to the practice fields for the second practice that day (in the midst of two-a-day practices for football season). The players were dragging, and so was this coach!
And then, from the rear one of my fellow coaches, (Coach Stephens), swiftly caught up and sprinted past us all, exclaiming along the way, “It's a great day for football gentlemen!”
Isn’t it funny, if we are paying attention, even the simplest statements at just the right moment, can challenge us and become a call to action?
As I quickly responded to the coach's exhortation, without thinking, I found myself picking up my pace and breaking into a trot to join him.
From that day forward, I enthusiastically reminded others, in my many roles; as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal, (adding my own version), that everyday is "a great day to be alive” to anyone that would listen! When I spoke at FCA or church, I always provided a little extra “intel” telling my audiences that my daily reminder of “Its a great day to be alive” was simply a paraphrase of Psalm 118:24,"This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
DADs, if we don’t allow ourselves to #prepare for our work with the appropriate mindset, then our work will soon cease to provide fulfillment. The joy of “doing" becomes a burden versus a blessing. When that happens our opportunities for positive impact is diminished.
So, DADs, I ask these questions in regards to your own work:
What needs your deliberate effort?
What do you need to do to #prepare today to help make it a better place, and to increase your sphere of influence?
When I was the principal, we started a tradition for seniors on their last day of school. A symbolic exercise representing both an end to one part of their lives, and a beginning to another called the “senior walk.” On that final day the seniors would gather in the commons, I would celebrate the legacy they were leaving, and I then shared the emotional story of walking my own daughter and son to the door on each of their last days of school, as both their parent and principal.
I explained with the gathered seniors that once they walked out the door, they could turn around and come right back in, but it would be somehow different. Walking out as a senior, they would then be returning as a graduate.
But before they each individually walked through the door, receiving a hug from me, I read to them from Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
DADs, what if we saw each day in our workplace as a gift and a ministry? What if we were more intentional to live and to share with others the blessings of each day, with the focus on those things “admirable” and “praiseworthy”. Therefore, in our own work, our mere presence would support others to #prepare to be the best versions of themselves?
DADs, maybe we should all stop counting down the days we have to work, and start to #prepare making every day at work count for ourselves, but more importantly for those that we serve and for those working beside us.
To God be the glory!
Dads “get in the game”…
Today is game day…and so is every day…
God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!
Dr. Jeff Springer
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Friday, December 29 2023
Let me be the first to say Happy New year DAD!
DADs, as we turn the calendar to 2024, I ask you, "Do you have a huddle?”
And if so, “Who is in your huddle?"
Is it filled with people of integrity holding you accountable or do you surround yourself with those that might lead you astray?
DADs, for your sake and for your family’s sake, again I ask, "Do you have a huddle?"
Most successful leaders will share, intentional men of substance include people in their huddle that will celebrate their walk with Christ and spiritual journey.
Even Jesus had a huddle. Jesus’ huddle was His disciples. All men with different backgrounds but all sharing in Christ’s mission.
John 6:3: So Jesus went up a mountain and sat down there with His disciples.
DADs, Jesus understood the importance of not only having a huddle, but also spending time with them as well.
If you don’t have a huddle ask God to give you one and then huddle up today.
In 2024 your huddle can keep you focused and remind you to press on towards the goals enlarging His territory and being the DAD God has called you to be!
DADs…“get in the game”…
Today is game day…and so is every day…
God gives you! So…C’mon men…Suit Up!
Dr. Jeff Springer
Friday, December 22 2023
Merry Christmas DAD!
As the madness of unwrapping and eating and family calms down, consider this:
there is nothing like the rush of finishing a race and cooling down after a great run. I like cooling down because it means that I am done with my workout. However, I think more than anything else it represents accomplishment.
When I am in the cooling down phase of a run or work out, I find myself reflecting on the work out itself. It never fails, the harder the workout, the better the feeling!
What I have found is the feeling of accomplishment carries over into other parts of my life. Physically working out helps me see the blessings of each day.
Even beyond a physical work out is the importance of spiritual fitness. Reaching the cooling down phase with God usually means that you have just experienced a mountain top or life changing experience and cooling down in the spiritual sense is the time to bow down and give thanks to God for the blessings of the day.
Romans 14:1
For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God.
When was the last time you found time to cool down and give praises to God?
DADs, as you find yourself between Christmas day and New Years, make time to "cool down”, giving thanks for the countless blessings you have already received and for all the plans God has in store for you in 2024!
DADs…“get in the game”
Today is game day…
and so is every day…
God gives you! So…
C’mon men…Suit Up!
Dr. Jeff Springer
Friday, December 15 2023
DADs,
The one thing I quickly learned the first 5K race I ever ran was that the adrenaline would kick in at the start of the race and as the runners all first took off.
I would find myself getting caught up in the others pace. Instead of trusting the pace that I had practiced for weeks during my work outs.
The funny thing that happened was that as I got back on my pace. I slowly but surely passed many of those that had sprinted past me at the start.
With God it is the same. To be in flow with God’s pace is so important and God’s pace is different for each of us.
With God it is not a sprint but a marathon.
1 Corinthians 9:24 - Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
What is important to God is not how we start the race, or even how fast our pace is, but that we are always moving forward. How we finish the race is what counts!
DADs, this Christmas season be sure to pace yourself and remember to "run in such a way as to get the prize."
DADs…“get in the game”…
Today is game day…and so is every day…
God gives you! So…C’mon men…Suit Up!
Suiting Up,
Dr. Jeff Springer
Friday, December 08 2023
DADs,
I want to remind you today that you are a masterpiece and you have immeasurable worth! Maybe, you don't feel that way today. I hope if you don't that will change after reading.
Dads you need affirmation!
Definition of AFFIRM - validate, confirm, and to approve!
I want to share three affirmations with every DAD today. God placed these in my heart to first speak them as I was writing my graduation speech for the class of 2013. There was a time that I shared these affirmations every single day.
Gentlemen, here is a secret about ladies. Women need to be affirmed, tell them daily they are precious, beautiful, and honored. I am still working on doing a better job with that after 40 years of marriage!
Men we need affirmation too. We need to know that we are good enough, that we have what it takes, and that we are essential!
DADS need affirmation.
Acknowledge the people today that cross your path, offer a high five and remind them, they are a Masterpiece!
Maybe it’s been awhile since you have been AFFIRMED. Today you will be.
Affirmation #1: You are valuable. No one is like you. He made you precious and unique. When life challenges you to give more effort than you think is possible, be reminded of this truth.
When you question your self-worth, remember, that you are PRICELESS, you are VALUABLE, because you are a child of God.
Luke 12:6-7 - "6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."
Ephesians 1:5-6 - "He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us within the Beloved".
WE ARE FAVORED!
“Favored” - regarded or treated with preference or partiality; enjoying special advantages; privileged:
I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was in 4th grade at recess playing kickball and I was the last one picked! I still remember that feeling. Why? Something changed in 5th grade, I moved to Texas. I was the new kid but something changed! I got faster. I became the favorite. SOON AFTER, I WAS NEVER PICKED LAST!
19 years ago, when we first moved to Magnolia it was all new, new jobs, new schools, long drive every day. I was at the Magnolia high school, Kay worked at the junior high, two schedules, two cars, daughter with me, son with the wife. My wife came home one day and said she saw my son eating at the lunch table by himself! It broke my heart and it breaks my heart every time I see kids alone still today.
Here is the Good news. You are in! You are always on Gods team, never the last one picked, always in His starting line up, always measuring up, always fast enough, always smart enough, precious and beautiful. You are always invited to His table! DADS, you NEVER EAT ALONE!
God knows every hair on your head and he knew you before you were even born. You are valuable!
Affirmation #2 - You are complete - You are not lacking anything. You are good enough and you have what it takes. So many times, over my 34 years in education I have had students in my office that feel like they have been discarded, discounted, and unworthy of success or recognition, because they do not see their completeness.
Three years ago, a college football player went missing. Six foot eight, 280 pounds of fun-loving young man. Everybody loved him, but because of his feeling of being inadequate he took his own life. His body was found in a dumpster. It was later discovered he text his mom at 1 AM saying, "I am sorry that I am such an embarrassment."
Definition of complete…*HAVING ALL THE NECESSARY PARTS; NOT LACKING ANYTHING; NOT LIMITED IN ANY WAY!
Genesis 1:31 "And God, saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good."
Colossians 2:10 "...and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."
We often measure our completeness by what the world tells us is complete. A new car, new job, new wife, new family, many friends and popularity. This is the world’s definition. God has a different definition and God has a better plan. He has given you what you need. The world will tell you something else, but you were designed by Him. My passion as a coach, teacher, principal, men’s minister, and the founder of Suit Up Ministries is to help others maximize their completeness. Your job is to simply accept your completeness in Christ and to utilize it! To maximize it.
WE WILL NEVER MEASURE UP TO THE WORLDS STANDARDS!
You are NOT an embarrassment…You are valuable...you are complete…
Affirmation #3- You are loved!
Romans 8:35-39 - "Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? In all these things, we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!"
John 3:16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."
I love football. In football, the ball does not always bounce in a predictable way. In life, it’s the same way. No matter how the ball bounces, God loves you. He created you and He loves you! I hope you have heard these words; "I love you". I hope you have shared those words with others. Speak those words into other’s lives. Live those words into other’s lives with your actions. You are NOT an embarrassment.
You are valuable...you are complete...you are loved.
Live today with confidence, knowing that God loves you and He paid the ultimate price for you.
My challenge today to you is when you write a note to your loved ones tell them how precious they are. Let’s change lives starting today.
Let’s prepare our hearts STARTING TODAY!
DADS...You are a masterpiece and you have unlimited immeasurable worth.
You matter and your wife and your children need you!
To God be the glory.
Suiting Up,
Dr. Jeff Springer
Friday, December 01 2023
DADs,
Paul writes in I Corinthians 1:26 , “For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.”
Paul commands the Corinthians to consider or contemplate their calling. The word “calling” refers to their position in the world when they first believed in Christ. This issue of calling is important to Paul. He believes that in order to become a Christian you must respond to God’s call.
Likewise, if you are a Christian today, it is because you have answered God’s call.
DADS, have you forgotten your calling?
Memory can be a blessing or a curse. In our spiritual life, it can be very healthy to remember what life was like before we met Jesus. If you remember where you started, you’ll appreciate much more the grace God that has offered you to where you are today.
Do you remember where you came from?
Do you recall what you were doing when God saved you from yourself?
A preacher I listened to recently told a story about how he met with an 8-year-old boy in his congregation to talk to him about his . He asked him how he became a Christian. He told him that God called him. He said, “Excuse me?” The preacher was used to hearing a lot of things, but this isn’t one of them. As he probed further it became clear that, like Samuel, this little 8-year-old boy heard the Lord calling him. Because of God’s call, this young boy believed in the One who was calling him.
This is exactly what God does. He calls men, women, and children to Himself.
DADS…God is calling you to be the DAD!
A DAD for the Lord!
How do we “practice” this calling?
In Ephesians 4:2 we receive great instructions...
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
DADS are His representatives, to be the light here on earth
How do we demonstrate this calling? Practice this calling?
What is the natural outcry or fruit of the spirit? Service.
Our acts of service that are within the calling are those things that unite us.
Our acts of service that are within the calling allow us to see the different gifts we each bring to the table to further His Kingdom.
What often gets in the way of acknowledging other’s gifts and keeps us from service is the “danger of the single story.” The single story creates stereotypes, preconceived ideas based on our premise.
Paul continues in Ephesians 4:3-4 "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Paul again was being proactive. He is saying…these are the things that we must do as Christians so that we remain united in this body.
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;"
DADS heeding this calling can be evident in your “Daily-Active-Devotion” to your kids and family.
I Corinthians 15:58 - NIV
"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
Dr. Jeff Springer
Friday, November 24 2023
DADs,
Waking up early and testing positive the Sunday before Thanksgiving does not present the most hopeful view of my current world.
Especially when thanksgiving, which is my favorite day of the year and usually filled with family, friends, food and football, takes a slight detour.
A literal time out in the game!
This unscheduled “pause” however reminded me of the scripture found in Matthew 6:10: “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Maybe the pauses in our lives, either caused by our self or outside variables, are possible opportunities to reflect upon all the things that we already have and not just for the things we desire to experience?
DADs, not every holiday can be the perfect view of looking in the window and seeing family members around the table, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. That’s just another hallmark movie or holiday marketing.
But many times it’s just looking at your wife who’s also tested positive for Covid and instead of having a household of people, you realize how greatly blessed at that moment you are to have each other for another day!
DADs, “pauses” like this in our lives that are unplanned and not on our calendar, happen because we are called to re-focus on what matters most. Time with our are precious children and just being present. Like being the DAD!
On days like this, when Thanksgiving turns out, not exactly the way you planned, know that God can use every circumstance if we choose to see through different lenses of the struggle.
HOPE is this Dads…
no matter our circumstances…no matter our situation…God is in control.
And, like the hymn of promise, reminds us
“In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity, In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.”
- The Hymn of Promise
Happy Thanksgiving my brothers! It’s a great Day to be alive!
Today is game day and so is every day God’s gives us, so come on dad’s get off the bench and get in the game. SUIT UP!
Dr. Jeff Springer
Friday, November 17 2023
DADs,
Recently I heard a motivational speaker ask the question; “What do you do with your 24?”
The speaker was referring to the number of hours each of us have every day.
I thought to myself, what a simple but powerful question.
If I take inventory of just the past week, it is easy to see that I have wasted a lot of the time God has given me. Often times taking each day for granted.
In one of my favorite scriptures, Psalm 118:24, David teaches, “This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it”
Way too often as men and DADs we forge forward to the future without being present today. If we are truly going to maximize our brief time here on earth, then we must consider every 24 God gives us!
One of the ways we can honor our 24 is to love our family by NOT over scheduling our calendar with stuff, leading us to miss opportunities to fully live and be the man God has called us to be.
Hebrews 3:13 - But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
DADs, let’s start each day remembering those God has placed into our lives, to be their cheerleader, and to practice our compassion each day.
Today…do NOT simply count days…Today...make your 24 count!
Suiting Up!
Dr. Jeff Springer
Friday, November 10 2023
DADs,
There is nothing like the rush of finishing a race and cooling down after a great run. Maybe I like cooling down because it means that I am done with my workout. I think more than anything else it represents accomplishment.
When I am in the cooling down phase of a run or work out, I find myself reflecting on the work out itself. It never fails, the harder the workout, the better the feeling!
What I have found is that the feeling of accomplishment carries over into other parts of my life. Physically working out helps me see the blessings of each day.
Even beyond a physical work out is the importance of spiritual fitness. Reaching the cooling down phase with God usually means that you have just experienced a mountain top or life changing experience. Cooling down in the spiritual sense is the time to bow down and give thanks to God for the blessings of the day.
Romans 14:1: For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God.
When was the last time you found time to cool down and give praises to God?
DADs, make time to "cool down” daily, giving thanks for the countless blessings you have already received and for all the plans God has in store for you in 2024!
Suiting Up!
Dr. Jeff Springer
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