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Saturday, February 7, 2015

10 Things Missionaries Won’t Tell You

This may not pertain to everyone...and some may be a little overboard; however I love the tongue in cheek approach as well as the honesty!

This post from Adam Mosley has been making the rounds online, spreading like wildfire. I appreciate the honesty within this article. There is really a lot of truth to it. Although I cannot say that I agree on every point, it does bring to light some of the many difficulties we face on the mission field.
Being a missionary is hard work. Everybody knows that. But the things we think of as the hard parts—lack of modern amenities, exposure to disease, and the like—only begin to scratch the surface of the difficulties of real missionary life. Often, it is the things left unsaid that really begin to erode the passion and soul of a missionary. Here are just a few of those things…

1. THEY DON’T HAVE THE TIME OR ENERGY TO WRITE… BUT THEY DO IT FOR YOU.
WHAT THEY SAY
Have you read my latest newsletter?
WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY
Newsletters, blog posts, website updates – all the “experts” tell me that I need to be sending you fresh content on a regular basis so you won’t forget about me. But here’s the thing…writing is hard, especially for those who aren’t natural writers. You know what else is hard? HTML, CSS, PHP, and a bunch of other tech-geek stuff that you have to learn about just to make a decent-looking website or email. I really want to tell you what’s going on, but it’s hard to turn out gripping narratives while I have a sick child asleep in my lap. And if I have to look up how to code a “mailto” link one more time, I’m going to scream!

2. FACEBOOK “LIKES” DON’T PAY THE BILLS.
WHAT THEY SAY
Thank you so much for the encouragement!
WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY
I’m glad that you liked my Facebook status. I really am. The thing is, when I say we need $1,200 by the end of the week to pay the school fees for orphaned children, I’m talking about actual dollars and actual need. Contrary to the rumors, Bill Gates doesn’t donate a dollar for every Like. That part is up to you. So, the next time you Like my status, consider sending a few bucks my way too.

3. THEY ASK FOR MONEY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CHOICE.
WHAT THEY SAY
I’m trusting God to provide, and I’m so thankful for our donors.
WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY
Lest you think #2 sounded a little whiny and money-hungry, you should know that I truly despise asking for money. I always have. And now I have to ask for it almost all the time. Even when I’m not asking for it, I’m thinking about asking for it. There are never enough funds to do all the good I’m trying to do, and I live with a nagging feeling that the one person I don’t ask is the one who would have written the big check. So, when I ask for money, know that I do so with fear and trembling.

4. YOU’LL NEVER HEAR ABOUT THEIR WORST DAYS.
WHAT THEY SAY
Please pray for me. It has been a challenging week.
WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY
Things are pretty bad here. If I told you what’s really going on, you would either come rescue me, or think I was exaggerating. If you heard some of the things I’ve said out loud, you might question my salvation. If you knew some of the thoughts I’ve had rattling around in my head, you might question my sanity. Sometimes good days are hard to come by, but I don’t dare tell you the worst. If I did, you would probably tell me to throw in the towel.

5. THEY NEED A VACATION…BUT WON’T TELL YOU IF THEY TAKE ONE.
WHAT THEY SAY
I just need a time of refreshing.
WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY
After 2 or 3 years of hard work, most people feel like they deserve a little break. Take the family to the beach. Visit a theme park, a national park, or Park City. I would love a vacation, but honestly, I feel guilty “pampering” myself, rather than putting all my time and resources into the ministry. On top of that, I know some people will judge me if my vacation is “too nice.” If I scrape and save pennies for 5 years so I can spend a week on an exotic island, you’ll never hear about it, because I can’t handle the snarky, “It must be nice” comments (the ones you’ll say to my face), or, “My donations paid for your vacation” (which you’ll think, but not say out lout – at least not to me). So, I keep some great stuff to myself for fear of being judged.

6. HOSTING TEAMS IS A NIGHTMARE.
WHAT THEY SAY
I’m so excited about your team coming!
WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY
Bless your heart. You think you’re doing me a favor. Thirty people show up at my door and expect me to provide transportation, food, lodging, sight-seeing, and a list of service projects a mile long. You’re here to “help.” The thing is, the other 51 weeks out of the year, we manage to do what needs to be done here just fine. That is, except for the time we spend working on the logistics for your team. You come over and want to help build a fence, when I can hire local workers to build a fence for a tiny fraction of what you spent to come here. I appreciate your desire to help, and I even love having visitors, but consider the size and expectations of your group before you plan your trip. A team of 3 or 4 highly skilled people is much more valuable to our ministry than a gaggle of mission tourists.

7. “GOING HOME” IS A LOT OF WORK.
WHAT THEY SAY
It’s great to be back home.
WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY
Please understand, I now have two homes. When I’m at one, I’m away from the other, and there is a lot of emotion involved in that. On top of that, my life is absolutely crazy when I go “home.” I have to see relatives and friends, visit with partner churches, and take care of any number of issues that have arisen with my health, my electronic devices, and my government paperwork. Whether it’s a few weeks or a few months, I spend my time living out of suitcases and hustling from one appointment to the next. Is it good to be home? Sure. But when I get on that plane to go to my other home, I breathe a sigh of relief that life is almost back to “normal.”

8. IT’S EASY FOR GOD TO TAKE A BACK SEAT IN THEIR LIFE.
WHAT THEY SAY
I’m not very good at self-care.
WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY
Let’s face it, I’m no saint. I’m not any more spiritual than you are. I don’t start my day with three hours of devotional reading and prayer. I typically just get up and get to work. And there is a lot of work to be done. In fact, there is so much need here that it’s really easy to become so focused on doing things for God that I lose sight of God himself. In pursuing my calling, I’ve somehow forgotten about the caller. My spiritual life is almost nonexistent, other than the occasional desperate cry of “Why God?”

9. IT’S HARD TO TRUST PEOPLE.
WHAT THEY SAY
I’m just looking for some good strategic partners.
WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY
There are good people here, there really are. But I have seen the worst of humanity in my work here – much of it from people I worked with and trusted. Other missionaries and pastors can be the worst. Just when you think you know someone, they stab you in the back, the front, and both sides. I’ve gotten to where I simply don’t trust anyone. My guard is up, and it’s not coming down. I refuse to get burned again. If that means I have to do everything myself, then so be it.

10. THEY ARE LONELY.
WHAT THEY SAY
I’m OK – just really busy with the ministry.
WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY
Having neglected my relationship with God, and given up on people entirely, I’m left with just me. I hate it. I want to quit. I have dreams about what my life would be like if I went back to my old home town, to my old church, and my old friends. I could get a normal job earning a salary – with healthcare and paid vacation. I could shop and eat at normal places. Most of all, I could have normal relationships. But here? I’m all alone. I don’t know if there’s anyone like me here, and I know no one back home understands. I want to feel wanted, invited, and loved. I want someone to pour into me the way I’m pouring into others.


Friday, February 6, 2015

Resources: Financial Advice from Christian Organizations, Websites and Books

Crown Financial Ministries

Equipping people worldwide to learn, apply, and teach God's financial principles so they may know Christ more intimately, and be free to serve Him. 
Crown Financial Ministries has many resources regarding financial principles for Christians.
http://www.crown.org/


Dave Ramsey 
Dave Ramsey specializes in advising people on how to get out of debt. He has a lot of good resources regarding financial advice. I hear he is an elder in his church. He has a program on secular television and radio stations. 
http://www.daveramsey.com 


The ABC's of Financial Freedom 
a book by 
Barry L. Cameron 
http://www.theabcs.org/ 
The book may also be bought at 
http://www.christianbook.com/


Carolyn Castleberry 
Author, broadcast journalist, TV co-host, investor, and multi-faceted speaker, Carolyn brings a unique biblical perspective to life's everyday issues. 
http://www.www.carolyncastleberry.com/


Christian Financial Advice 
James L. Paris 
Christian Financial Counseling, Financial Resources from James L. Paris 
Help for Christians With Money, Financial Issues, Investing and Debt Reduction 
http://www.christianmoney.com/


Christian Financial Counseling, Inc. 
Mahlon Hetrick 
http://www.cfcswf.org/ 
Family Money Management God's Way 
a book by Mahlon L. Hetrick 
may be found at http://www.christianbook.com/


Christian Money Sense 
The purpose of this web site is to give you information and insight into the World of Investment and Finance from a Christian perspective. The purpose of this web site is to provide its users with pertinent information in the confusing world of finance always remembering that God is in control and through Him all things are possible. 
http://www.christianmoneysense.com/


Dwight Nichols 
"God’s Plans for your Finances" is a book by Dwight Nichols. Read it and see why freedom from debt has value in todays society. Yes we all struggle and fail. But God does have a plan and when we accept this then he can help us through the painful honest feeling about debt and recovery.
http://www.dwightnichols.org/


Eldorado Financial 
This web site has some useful information and advice. 
http://www.prestigeadvisors.com/


Eternal Perspective Ministries 
Randy Alcorn 
http://www.epm.org/ 
Randy Alcorn has written some books on finances including 
"The Treasure Principle."
 
Five-Star Living on a Two-Star Budget: Living Big on Only a Little by Margaret Feinberg and Natalie Nichols Gillespie 
This book may be bought at http://www.christianbook.com


Frugal Homemaker 
This website’s purpose is to encourage you with creative and practical strategies for managing your resources, including money, material goods and time. 
http://www.frugalhomemaker.com/


Generous Giving 
http://www.generousgiving.org 
Our mission is to motivate followers of Jesus Christ toward greater biblical generosity. (Why should we give?) 
Our vision is the hearts and minds of God’s people transformed for revolutionary generosity. Our message proclaims the joy of giving—not out of duty or guilt, but out of gratitude for salvation in Christ. We are guided by these key verses, and our teachings are summarized in Randy Alcorn’s book The Treasure Principle or the audio CD Generous Giving 101.


Generous Giving Links 
http://www.generousgiving.org/ Please see the different links on this web site. There is a lot of usefull information on finances on this web site. Please see the links: Audio Video, Books, Curricula, Links, Periodicals and others.

Living Rich for Less 
is a book by Ellie Kay. 
She has about six other books on finances. 
http://www.elliekay.com/
Money, Purpose, Joy: The Proven Path to Uncommon Financial Success a book by Matt Bell 
http://www.moneypurposejoy.com/


Money Saving Mom 
http://www.moneysavingmom.com 
MoneySavingMom.com is an upbeat and encouraging blog dedicated to helping you find great deals, stretch your hard-earned dollars, and live on less than you make so you can save more and give more. I'm glad to have you here! 


The New Economic Disorder, Revised and Updated a book by Larry Bates 
It is available from 
http://www.christianbook.com 
America is in the midst of a serious financial crisis-unemployment is
up, homes are going into foreclosure, and every day it costs more and more just to get by. Economist Larry Bates understands the serious problems we face and in The New Economic Disorder he reveals the five powerful, dangerous, and unstoppable forces that are causing it. But with clarity and confidence, he turns to the Bible to help us to understand that there is a permanent, lasting solution to all our chronic economic ills.

Regency Foundation 
http://www.regencyfoundation.org/ 
Dan Celia is a financial counsellor with some financial resources for Christians. He also has a radio program on finances.


Ronald Blue & Co. 
http://www.ronblue.com/ 
Ronald Blue has some good books on financial advice for Christians. 
Please see his resources link on his home page. 
Please also see the link “Books recommended by Ronald Blue” at 
http://www.ronblue.com/books.php 


Sound Mind Investing 
Sound Mind Investing is an online and printed newsletter for Christian families regarding investment advice..
http://www.soundmindinvesting.com 
Larry Burkett of Crown Financial Ministries used to recommend Sound Mind Investing over a period of years.


Stewardship Solutions 
http://www.stewardshipsolutions.com 
A ministry of Back to the Bible on Stewardship - Advancing Biblical Principles of Stewardship Our purpose is to advance the biblical principles of stewardship and to assist your estate and gift design. On the web site are many excellent resources you'll enjoy looking into. Stewardship Solutions Update is available by e-mail after subscribing on the web site.


The Storehouse Principle: A Revolutionary God Idea for Creating Extraordinary 
Financial Stability by Al Jandl, Van Crouch 
This book may be bought at http://www.christianbook.com

TaxHelpOnline 
Resources for Solving & Preventing IRS Problems 
Dan Pilla is an advocate of taxpayers' rights, IRS abuse prevention and cure and problems resolution. http://www.taxhelponline.com/





Thursday, February 5, 2015

The Music of the Nations

A heart
no longer my own
cries out for those left behind.
Smiles on faces so dear,
eyes burning with desire,
raised arms hungry for more.
Roads traveled once
and yet a million times.

Take me to Your throne of Grace.
Knight me as a forerunner
for Your people.
Set my feet in motion.
I weary of being still.
Throw me before the water brook
that I may quench my thirst.

Father, offer up that level of passion
That wavers above.
Calling, beckoning,
inviting me.
Let my hands touch heaven
as I dance once again
to the music
of the Nations.


















MISSING AFRICA TODAY.