PARACLETOS BLOG
Casual Special Edition Friday
I am out of town this week to attend the wedding of our oldest grandson. Rather than skip this week’s Casual Friday, I put together a special edition focused on events—both training opportunities for you, and refreshing opportunities for those missionaries you love....
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Jumpstart: Be Careful What You Ask For
Be careful what you ask for.It is far too easy to ask for too little, and nearly impossible to ask for too much.
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Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
In like a lion, out like a lion? Half way through March and unpredictable volatility is the norm. Sounds a bit like life on the mission field. There are some things you can do to help your friends cope with the ups and downs. The following resources will get you...
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Casual Mid-March Friday
March seems to be the month of successive snow storms. Most of them of little consequence; just enough to keep the plows in business and the motorists on edge. The needs that missionaries have for encouragement and care can be like that. Not often dramatic; more often...
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Jumpstart: What do you truly value?
Consider your actions.Do your goals and your values match up?
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Casual In-Like-a-Lion Friday
March—comin’ in like a lion in these parts. That means we can look forward to a calm exit, right? Yeah, sure. Fortunately, the issues that missionaries face are somewhat more predictable than the weather. You can be prepared to come alongside of them in helpful ways...
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Jumpstart: Do the next best thing
There comes a time in life when most of us wish we could start over.Since that isn't possible, do the next best thing.
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Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
I’m beginning to wonder what we brought back with us from the frozen tundra known as Minneapolis. With temps below zero, and wind chills much lower than that, you would think viruses would all be dead. Well….Irene and I have both come home sick. Doing a lot of...
read more Jumpstart: A prayer for you
A prayer for you today.May the Father, in his infinite wisdom, tenderness, and mercy, grace you with this reality.
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Casual Valentine’s Week Friday
Seems like everyone is talking about love this week. Is there some holiday going on? Anyway, it’s a good week to be loving on missionaries, as is every week. You don’t need candy or flowers (but hey, no one said you can’t), but these resources will enable you to show...
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Jumpstart: Don’t limit yourself
What dream of yours are you thinking is impossible?What if you changed your opinion?
read more Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
Well, we missed the recent polar vortex by being in southern California when it hit Indiana. Looks like we’ll make up for that today. Wherever you are as you read this, I hope you are comfortable and healthy. Take some time to peruse this newest batch of missionary...
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Jumpstart: Making the impossible possible
What if sharing my dream makes people believe the impossible is possible? (Bernadette Jiwa) What dream are you sharing?
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Casual Frozen Friday
I am writing this week from the enviable location of southern California—blissfully unaffected by the polar vortex that is currently affecting so much of the U.S., including our home in SE Indiana. It is interesting to watch the precautions, the preparations, and the...
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Jumpstart: Average Loves Company
If you're afraid that people will laugh, go ahead and quit.But if you prefer to have the last laugh, tough it out.It's your choice.
read more Casual Dead of Winter Friday
So I think this article deserves to take precedence over everything else in this week’s edition of Casual Friday. Not every missionary works in a dangerous place. Not every missionary comes back broken beyond repair. But most do encounter danger and hardships of a...
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Jumpstart: What are you waiting for?
You made the decision, but you wonder about the tenacity it will take to carry through on it.It is God who is at work in you, to will and to do of his good pleasure.He's got this. It's time to launch.
read more Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
Snow, ice, more snow, more ice…it’s been an interesting week in our neck of the woods. Great opportunity to scour the internet for resources like these that will enhance your missionary care efforts. LIFE ON THE FIELDThere are two primary paradigms within which we can...
read more Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
I can’t believe myself. Here we are, not even two weeks into January, and I already feel like the year is slipping away from me. Every feel that way? When we are on the mission field, we often felt like there was never enough time to accomplish all the urgent things...
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Jumpstart: What do you see?
What do you see on the horizon?In the coming year, what will you do with the abundance that God desires to lavish on you?You are limited only by your willingness to appropriate the limitless love of the Father.
read more First Casual Friday of 2019
Hard to believe, isn’t it? Another new year. We are almost two decades into this century already. Doubtless there will be many surprises in the days ahead—some good, many not so much. But one thing will remain the same: the need that missionaries have for your...
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Jumpstart: Ridiculous goals
As you start thinking ahead to the new year, as you begin planning what you'd like to attempt, don't settle for anything ridiculously low.
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Jumpstart: Pay attention
What could be more delightful than the Christmas season? What could be more healing than the delightful gift we have received?
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Casual End of the Year Friday
Here we are at the end of 2018—already! Hard to believe, isn’t it? I suspect that your calendar looks about as full as mine these days, so I won’t overload this final edition of Casual Friday for the year. As you celebrate the Incarnation, as you enjoy the Advent...
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Jumpstart: Immanuel
Of course this is the time of year to read the Christmas story. Of course the essence of the Christmas story is Immanuel - God with us. We are not alone, after all.
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Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
It’s that time of year! So much to enjoy, to savor, to celebrate. Memories to be made and memories to be created. Whatever will be filling your calendar these next few weeks, don’t forget your friends on the mission field. They need your care now more than ever. These...
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Jumpstart: Time to slow down
Advent Season is all about waiting. But we are not very good at waiting. We're in too much of a hurry to wait. What would happen if you slowed down?
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Casual December Friday
The year is rapidly running out on us. But your opportunities to care for global workers will never diminish. In fact, this is the perfect time of year to step it up a bit. These resources will help you do that. LIFE ON THE FIELD Performance fatigue—a common...
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Casual Advent Season Friday
Well, Advent is upon us. I think every year it becomes more meaningful to me. I still have bittersweet memories of our first Christmas on the mission field. During this season, when we are susceptible to being caught up in the frantic activities (and many of them are...
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Casual Thanksgiving Friday
There are so many things I am thankful for at this time of year. I am thankful for you - that you care for God's sent-ones. I am thankful that you care enough to stop by here to access these resources that will enhance your effectiveness. And I am thankful for the...
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Jumpstart: The easy way
You usually get what you pay for. The easy way isn't worth much.
read more Casual November Friday
We’ve had our first dusting of snow. Many of you may groan, but I look forward to the beauty of our woods being transformed by a pristine blanket of white. Meanwhile, the holidays are speeding toward us. It’s the perfect time to reach out to those you know living on...
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Jumpstart: Legacy
Legacy may not be what you think it is. Which lives are you woven into?
read more Casual Autumnal Friday
Thanksgiving day is not far away. I am thankful for everyone who cares enough about the wellbeing of missionaries to avail themselves of resources like these each week. And I’m quite certain there are many, many missionaries out there who are thankful for them as...
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Jumpstart: This Isn’t The Easy Part
This isn't the easy part. Not by a long shot. Especially when you must do it day after day, every day. But do it anyway.
read more Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
Aaannd we’re back. Had a delightful time on South Padre Island sharing with a group of WGM missionaries during their retreat. Also was totally reminded of the ongoing needs of cross-cultural workers, and how very important you are in the process of caring for them....
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Jumpstart: What’s holding you back?
How much longer do you have to put things off? How much are you willing to let remain undone? What's holding you back?
read more Casual Short and Sweet Friday
Short and sweet this week, since we’re in Texas to speak at a missionary retreat conference. I know you’ll put these to good use. LIFE ON THE FIELD Lingering? Who’s got time for lingering…especially on the mission field?! Well, perhaps we should make time....
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Jumpstart: What do you hear?
We live in an awfully noisy world. The things most worth hearing are the things that require the most effort to be heard.
read more Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
Autumn finally decided to show up this week. We’ve had a couple nights of 32 degrees, and beautiful clear blue skies. But we know that we could have blustery, rainy days at any time; that’s the nature of this season. Kinda like the nature of missionary care. Sometimes...
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Jumpstart: Aim high
Anyone can do what everyone else has done. If you're going to build something, go all out.
read more Casual Mid-October Friday
Well here we are half way through October already. Here in our corner of the world we just saw the weather take a turn toward autumnal overnight (with patchy frost predicted). I hope you are in some way able to enjoy whatever special joys accompany this season where...
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Jumpstart: Pure and rare
Be rare. Be pure. Be what most others are unwilling to be.
read more First Casual Friday of October
Greetings from the beautiful Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. We have been at the PTM conference all week (Pastoral Training in Member-care) and benefitting immensely, as usual. It’s hard to forget the need for good missionary care when you’re surrounded by 230...
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Jumpstart: Don’t be one of those people
A very wise man once stated that one should answer a fool according to his folly. Sounds a lot like this suggestion.
read more First Casual Friday of Autumn
Well, we are officially now in autumn in North America. This time of year for us is characterized by unpredictability and erratic swings. Not totally unlike life on the mission field. Thankfully some things remain constant—like the love and grace of God. And hopefully...
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Jumpstart: The greatest treasure
We've all done it--started digging for treasure and gave up when it didn't appear in the first few shovels. What if we took another scoop? Or two, or three...until we actually found what we were looking for. That would require another type of treasure:...
read more Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
The change of seasons that we enjoy in the United States is something many missionaries miss when they’re on the field. Among many other things, for sure, including access to close friends. You can demonstrate your love for the cross-cultural workers you support by...
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Jumpstart: Unnecessary mess
There are a number of reasons why healing is important. And all of them are good. But this may be the best.
read more Casual Pumpkin Spice Friday
Pumpkin Spice. We are in the season of pumpkin spice everything. Even those of us who enjoy the flavor can feel like the food industry has gone way too far in putting it in anything and everything edible. There can indeed be too much of a good thing. Except when...
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