Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, June 18, 2023
As a father, here are some lessons I hope to pass down to my sons:
Integrity: Always strive to be a person of integrity. Let your actions align with your values, and be honest and ethical in all aspects of your life.
Respect: Treat others with respect and dignity, regardless of their background, beliefs, or social status. Respect yourself and your worth as well.
Responsibility: Take responsibility for your actions and choices. Understand that your decisions have consequences, and learn from your mistakes. Be accountable for your commitments and obligations.
Perseverance: Life is filled with challenges and setbacks. Develop the strength to persevere and overcome obstacles.
Empathy and Compassion: Cultivate empathy and compassion towards others. Try to understand their perspectives, show kindness, and offer support when needed. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's life.
Continuous Learning: Never stop learning and growing. Be curious about the world, seek knowledge, and pursue personal and intellectual development.
Emotional Intelligence: Develop your emotional intelligence by understanding and managing your own emotions, as well as recognizing and empathizing with the emotions of others. This skill will help you navigate relationships and communicate effectively.
Independence and Self-Reliance: Learn to be independent and self-reliant. Take initiative, make your own decisions, and learn to solve problems on your own. However, remember that asking for help is essential when needed.
Gratitude: Cultivate a sense of gratitude for the blessings in your life, big and small. Appreciate the people, experiences, and opportunities that come your way, and express your gratitude to others.
Well-being: Prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Take care of your health, nurture your relationships, and find time for activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Stay in love with God: Read the bible. Say your prayers. Make attending worship a weekly discipline.
Family and Relationships: Cherish and prioritize your relationships. Invest time and effort into nurturing and maintaining strong connections.
Work Ethic: Success comes through dedication. Cultivate a strong work ethic, be disciplined, and strive for excellence in everything you do. Remember, achievements are earned, not handed out.
Hard Work: Success doesn't come easily. Embrace hard work.
Jamey
(Together, What If is a conversation between Michelle Alexander, Ginnie Highsmith, and Jamey Prickett from Gainesville First UMC, Gainesville, Georgia)
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Scripture References: Exodus 3: 7 - 10; Amos 5: 21 - 24; Luke 4: 14 - 30; Luke 18: 1 - 8
The vision: Together, what if we strived to live our lives in such a way where fairness and equality were the goals, and we focused on healing and restoring the broken parts of our society that causes harm to others?
Meme of the Week
Dad Jokes:
Why don't ants get sick? They have ant- i-bodies. (Thank you, Linda Berbert!)
Can you laugh out loud in Hawaii? No, just aloha! (Thanks to David Stovall!)
Sally Darden shared this article with me this week on the scientific benefit of dad jokes. Click here to read it. It is really interesting.
Wisdom Nugget: If your goal does not have a plan/system, it is a dream.
A Question to Consider (conversation starters): If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?
Photo Taken By Me
Articles worth reading, videos worth watching, and/or podcasts worth listening to
Youtube: The Surprising Power of Talking to Strangers | Cynthia Cheng | TEDxTinHauWomen
Youtube: SUSSEX@60: Why you should talk to strangers by Dr Gillian Sandstrom
7 Ways to Get Better at Small Talk—And Why You Should
Instagram Video: Baby twin boys reaction to Whitney Houston song
Podcast: NPR: The Freedom of Speech (What exactly is free speech, and how has the answer to that question changed in the history of the U.S.?)
Podcast: Part 1: The Viability Line (The viability line was at the core of Roe v. Wade, and it’s been entrenched in the abortion rights movement ever since. But no one seems to remember how this idea made its way into the abortion debate in the first place.)
Solve Problems Before They Happen by Developing an “Inner Sense of Captaincy”
Youtube: 'Pebble Peterson' 2022 (artwork using pebbles - really cool!)
Hillsong was extraordinary. That’s the problem.
Every self-help book ever, boiled down to 11 simple rules
Leadership Lesson
Preventing a Problem VS Solving a Problem.
Leadership is needed in both. However, preventing a problem focuses on taking proactive measures to avoid a problem from occurring in the first place. It involves identifying potential risks or challenges and implementing strategies to mitigate or eliminate them. Preventing problems can save time and resources and minimize negative consequences.
Solving a problem focuses on addressing an existing problem or challenge after it has occurred. It involves identifying the root cause of the problem, analyzing the situation, and implementing appropriate solutions.
This video illustrates both:
What’s Cookin’?
Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese (click to see recipe)
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
A lot can come of a few extra meals. For our foster families, having a prepared meal delivered means less stress and more focus on a child in need.
On Thursday, July 27, the Foster Care Ministry at Gainesville First is hosting a Back-to-School Bash for Hall County foster families. Along with providing back-to-school supplies, we would like to offer frozen casseroles for families in the area.
What if you got your children and grandchildren, borrowed neighbor children, and put together casseroles while explaining who they are for and offering a prayer for foster children in our community?
Get family and friends together and host a casserole-making party!
Here is what we are asking:
1. Bring a ready-made casserole to be put in the church freezer
2. Pray for foster children and families in our community.
Email Misty Leach at mleach@gfumc.com to let her know you are doing a casserole and if you have any questions.
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church
Sunday, June 25 / 4pm / Sanctuary / Free admission
The Chancel Choir and Believers Concert Band combine to present a stirring tribute to our country’s cultural heritage and freedom. Program highlights include renditions of well-known patriotic songs and a tribute to first responders and those who have served in our nation’s Armed Forces. Childcare available by reservation.
Things to Do in North Georgia
Let the City of Gainesville, Georgia whisk you away to the historic square in Downtown Gainesville via the Gainesville Trolley.
Find additional details, including accessibility and capacity information, routes and maps, here: gainesvilletrolley.com
Weekly Blessing and/or Quotes
“Do unto those downstream as you would have those upstream do unto you.” ― Wendell Berry
Speaking of Wendell Berry, beginning on July 16th, I am doing a message series at Gainesville First United Methodist Church, where we will be exploring how the writings of Wendell Berry, C.S. Lewis, and Flannery O’Connor intersect with scripture. The stories they write introduce us to worlds influenced by the gospel. In the sharing of their stories, we discover how our own imagination is shaped by the gospel.
I would love to have your feedback. Do you have a meme, dad joke, question to ponder, or wisdom nugget worth sharing? Have you come across an interesting article, podcast, or video that you found meaningful? Is there a quote or blessing that you are currently holding onto? If so, please share it. Let’s make this a community space where we connect with one another.
If you find encouragement in this newsletter, I would love for you to take the opportunity to share it with others. Thank you for reading.