PARACLETOS BLOG
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 malady...
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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. Margaret...
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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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Jumpstart: Where do you stand?
Everyone wants a purpose in life. Not everyone is willing to pay for it. Where do you stand?
read more Casual End of Summer Friday
Sorry I missed posting last week. The recent death of a friend and travels made for more work than I was willing to muster. I think this week’s links will more than make up for it. It may be the end of summer, but the need for encouraging missionaries knows no end. ...
read more Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
If you’ve stopped by here very often, you know that I consider you a vital part of God’s strategy for keeping his global workers healthy on the field. Equipped with resources like these, you will be able to come alongside your missionary friends in vital ways. ...
read more Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
Short and sweet this week; been a very full seven days with lots of guests. Plus it’s been a bit quiet on the internet, so fewer items of interest crossed my screen. In any case, the following resources should prove to be useful to all of you who continue to improve...
read more Casual Dog Days of Summer Friday
Ah, the dog days of summer. Hard to believe the season is soon to be over. Soon we will be inundated with pumpkin spice everything. Kids are already back in school in these parts. Trees are already beginning to shift toward chartreuse, and the sun rises later each...
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Jumpstart: What are you afraid of?
What will you attempt this week? At the end of the week, what will you regret having not started? You get to choose.
read more Casual First of August Friday
It was great to be in the granite state last week, though I was hoping for weather a bit cooler than it was in southeast Indiana. It is always encouraging to find a church where people want to grow in their understanding of missionary needs and in their capacity to...
read more Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
Tornadoes in Iowa. Riots in Haiti. Insurgencies in several African countries. Crackdowns in China. The things you hear about every day in your news feeds affect your friends who are serving cross-culturally. On top of the stresses of living and working in another...
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Jumpstart: What did you expect?
Not satisfied with where you are? Afraid you'll never escape your past to embrace your future? It might be good to remember how your future is fashioned. What are you expecting God to do?
read more Casual Midsummer Friday
Summer is in full swing. Many churches experience a temporary down-turn in attendance because of vacations and outdoor activities. You may allocate less time to reading during this season yourself. But the needs of missionaries never take a vacation. With those two...
read more Casual Friday Resources
By now the summer exodus from mission fields all around the world is in full swing. Many global workers are back in their sending country for a period of home assignment. That means you, as a missionary advocate, are likely to have the opportunity to enjoy their...
read more Casual Friday Missionary Care Resources
The lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer have arrived. How will you be spending them? Hopefully some of your time will be used to add to your missionary care skills. These resources will give you a good place to start. LIFE ON THE FIELD Elizabeth Spencer kicks off a...
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Jumpstart: Expertise and Ignorance
Never stop learning. Just when you think you've figured it all out you run the risk of proving you don't.
read more Casual early summer Friday
Well, we’re back. Our trip out west was enjoyable and fruitful. In particular we were blessed to spend a few days with our coworkers in Colorado as they went through a trying time. (It ended well, by the way.) So now you have to deal with an extra-large batch of...
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Jumpstart: Take every opportunity
Sometimes, when we're talking to God, the best thing we can say is nothing. Selah.
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Jumpstart: A matter of perspective
The way you look at things matters at least as much as what you look at. Maybe you can't see because you're standing in the wrong place.
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Jumpstart: The future is here
Just because you haven't seen the future yet doesn't mean it isn't here already. Maybe you're looking in the wrong place.
read more Casual Summer Friday
Did you happen to see the report on the actual number of lives lost in Puerto Rico during last year’s hurricane? (In case you didn’t, it was more than 7 times higher than originally reported.) Shocking news, to be sure. Would you be shocked to learn that, every year,...
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Jumpstart: Where hope is born
Waiting is one of the hardest things we'll ever have to do. It is also one of the most productive. Don't rush it.
read more Casual Friday Resources
It’s that time of year again. This week’s edition could easily be dedicated to transition. Whenever you hear of someone graduating in this country, keep in mind that MKs who have just graduated are likely to be returning to their passport country soon. Equip yourself...
read more Casual First of Summer Friday
Well…we did it again. Several times since we’ve moved to Indiana we have pretty much skipped Spring and gone right to summer. A little disorienting, but heh – at least winter is over. The need for care among sent-ones remains the same in any case. They still depend on...
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Jumpstart: Live in the Future
Find a gap and stand in it. Discover what's missing and be the provision. Look for the holes and plug them. Do anything but accept the status quo.
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Jumpstart: All Things Are Possible
Now abide faith, HOPE, and love--these three. Without hope, faith is inactive. Without hope, love is dormant. Hope is the fuel that feeds our flame. Nothing is impossible.
read more Casual Friday Double Dose
I am packing this week’s page with as much as I can find because next there will be no Casual Friday. We will be in Florida visiting our daughter and some dear friends. One couple is in their 90s, and we are painfully aware that this may be our last time to see them...
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