In this issue…
1. TALKING BIBLES INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES
2. SUMMER SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIPS
3. PLAY TENNIS FOR CHRIST
4. CONTINUING SAGA AGAINST SPAM
5. BE SURE DELIVERINGONTHEPROMISE.COM WORKS FOR YOU
6. MISSIONS NEWSLETTER FOR LEADERS IN TWO THIRDS WORLD
7. HOME WATER TESTER
8. TO EVERY TRIBE WITH JESUS
9. FREE CLIPPING SERVICE ON MESSIANIC JEWISH MOVEMENT
10. TEACH IN MEXICO, PLUS TRAIN IN MISSIONS
11. AMAZING, REMARKABLE, FANTASTIC SPONSORS
12. EASY WAY TO GIVE TO BRIGADA
13. FIND OUT JUST HOW MUCH YOUR PC IS REVEALING ON THE NET
14. ADD “COPY TO” TO YOUR “RIGHT-CLICK” CONTEXT MENU
15. THE BACKPAGE: FREE OF THE CLOCK
16. CLOSING STUFF
1. TALKING BIBLES INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES — Talking Bibles International has Scripture in audio in over 325 different languages. Talking Bibles with entire New Testaments are now available in 40 languages with more being processed. New Testaments in MP3 format are currently available from their website in 27 languages — Albanian, Arabic, Assyrian, Bengali, Cantonese, Czech, English KJV, Farsi, Foochow, Haitian, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Khmer, Malayalam, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Tamil, Telegu, Teochew, Urdu, Vietnamese. These are posted for listening and/or downloading for free. Talking Bibles International is encouraging overseas’ churches and ministries to download their materials for duplicating and distribution when shipping from the states is too costly or impractical. For more information log unto http://www.audioscriptures.org or contact info(at)talkingbibles(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
2. SUMMER SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIPS — Are you taking a team overseas this summer? If so make sure you have adequate medical and evacuation coverage! You may want to check out the “International Provider” plan from Insurance Services of America. This plan covers medical expenses and medical evacuation with a rate as low as $1.51 per day for anyone regardless of age. If you have a group that has older individuals going this plan can’t be beat. Also, expenses incurred as a result of an act of terrorism are covered at no additional charge. For details, a free quote and to apply for coverage go to http://www.MissionaryHealth.com , email them at health(at)missionaryhealth(dot)com, [replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or call them at 1-800-647-4589 (1-480-821-9052 outside of North America) and ask for Mark. Insurance Services of America is a Christian organization that specializes in helping missionaries and mission organizations find affordable healthcare. They have a wide range of plans for missionaries, mission groups and churches, so be sure to contact them to see how they can “shop around” for you to help you save money on your health insurance needs.
3. PLAY TENNIS FOR CHRIST — A one week – two week or more…. tennis course for players and coaches with a Christian mission focus has been organized around the world: Southern France-July, New York City-August, Hong Kong-September to May, Australia-February, Sri Lanka-December
The coaches and players who attended were greatly used and also impacted themselves as they learned the tools to reach others thru sports and fellowship with others from another culture..
For additional information see http://www.tennisministry.com or http://www.tennisministry.com/Missionindex.html
You may attend this training either as an individual or you may bring a team with you.
Please contact them if you are interested in attending. A staff member will then contact you immediately with a reply.
By the way, Rev. Bob Kraft will be at the French Open/Wimbledon/US Open/Australian Open and if you would like to meet up with him, just email to <tmi@tennisministry.com>
4. CONTINUING SAGA AGAINST SPAM — The item on spam struck a resonate chord. How do these spammers sleep at night. And how does the original canned meat (known originally as “Spam”) stay in business!? :-)
In our own organization (Team Expansion), we heard so much support for the war on spam that we’re moving the entire organization’s email accounts into onlymyemail.com. http://www.onlymyemail.com
It turns out to be about $1.25/address per month. Gulp. :-) But David, a Brigada participant laboring in the Amazon (the jungle — not the bookstore :-) ), spoke out for Spamarrest too. ” Spamarrest doesn’t let through more than one or two a month. The cost is $30.00 per year. It’s well worth it to have no hassles. http://www.spamarrest.com Select your weapon of choice. But either way, take up a weapon. Don’t sit back and let spam frustrate your inbox for a single day more.
5. BE SURE DELIVERINGONTHEPROMISE.COM WORKS FOR YOU — By the way, one reader wrote to remind us that deliveringonthepromise.com is not actually an insurance program per se. Readers considering using it should be sure they take note of its unique structure.
6. MISSIONS NEWSLETTER FOR LEADERS IN TWO THIRDS WORLD — A missions orientated monthly email newsletter (free) is now available for subscription from Beautiful Feet Task Force, providing sermon outlines on missions and evangelism as well as regular outreach ideas, quotes, stories and web resources. Aimed at providing missionaries, pastors and leaders in developing nations with a contact and referral point and a means of helping others in a similar position by providing feedback, many leaders from western countries are now enjoying the benefits too. Written and edited by Ps Howard Sands, International director of BFTF and 25 year veteran of Asian mission trips, it is brief, punchy and informative. To check it out or to subscribe, visit… http://beautifulfeettaskforce.injesus.com or email subscribe(at)beautifulfeettaskforce-subscribe(at)myinjesus.com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
7. HOME WATER TESTER — Missionaries in doubt of local water quality might be interested to know about a new home water tester for only $17. It allows you to test the water at your location for lead, bacteria, nitrites, nitrates, chlorine, pesticides and pH. This might be handy when you move to a new location and are unsure of the water quality from the tap. Web site: http://www.watersafekits.com It’s also available at some grocery stores in the US.
For a professional lab test (US) go to: http://www.premierlaboratory.com The cost there is $230. You might also be able to get a local health department to check a water sample.
A comparison of the two (home testing kit and the pro lab) in Popular Mechanics (June 2005) shows that the home lab kit is accurate but not to the level of precision of the pro lab test. (Thanks Kerby!)
8. TO EVERY TRIBE WITH JESUS — Here’s a new book on tribal church planting. David Sitton, a 27 year veteran pioneer church planter among unreached tribal peoples writes about the basics of tribal evangelism, including chapters dealing with animism, ancestral spirits, witchcraft, religious syncretism and spiritual warfare in tribal contexts. This newly released book is being offered through June at the introductory price of $8.50 (plus $1.50 S/H). Order from Grace & Truth Books by calling 918-245-1500 or through David Sitton directly at 956-233-4353 or david(at)toeverytribe(dot)com. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceeding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] While you’re at it, feel free to ask David about the tribal seminars he teaches.
9. FREE CLIPPING SERVICE ON MESSIANIC JEWISH MOVEMENT — The Caspari Center’s Media Review is an English-language synopsis of articles originally published in the various forms of Israeli press, including the Rabbinic. The articles, most of which are originally written in Hebrew, focus on Messianic Jews, the Hebrew Church and Christianity. They document contemporary topics and news — including how the Israeli people, religious leaders and their government perceive and respond to the Messianic movement. The service is charting trends, creating the only historical archive of its kind for the Messianic movement in Israel, and, through its digital format, providing the world with glimpses into the struggles and sacrifices faced by those who dare to take up the cross in Israel, as well as the progress being made. The Media Review serves as an invaluable research tool for Christian scholars and evangelists while providing insight for members of the secular world and other interested parties in business, government and academia. This service is provided free of charge via email. To subscribe, go to http://www.caspari.com and follow the link to the Media Review.
10. TEACH IN MEXICO, PLUS TRAIN IN MISSIONS — The Monterrey Institute of Technology High School in Toluca, Mexico is looking for teachers. The candidate must be a native English speaker and have a bachelor’s degree in any field. You would also assist a tentmaker, who is working at this private secular high school, in developing a missions program for Mexican churches to reach the unreached of the world. You can check out the school’s web page and contact Christian directly for further information: http://www.tol.itesm.mx or email cwamission(at)yahoo(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
11. AMAZING, REMARKABLE, FANTASTIC SPONSORS — This past week, we’re thanking the Lord for $50 from a new friend, and another $50 from a director at International Students, Inc. (ISI), who wrote, “Your publication is read by many of our staff and has been a significant source of encouragement and resources to our team across the country.” Another $50 came from a New Yorker who wrote, “Keep up the good work– faithful servants such as yourself are a great inspiration!” Finally, a new friend wrote, ” Thanks for the blessing that Brigada has been. I realized that I’ve been taking it for granted for 10 years! This is just the first of many gifts. Bless you guys.” Whoa. Not every day we get a $250 gift *and* a note like that in the same envelope! :-) (Thanks to the new friend from Colorado!)
12. EASY WAY TO GIVE TO BRIGADA — If you’d like to help make Brigada a reality for next week and beyond, just log on at https://brigada.org then click “sponsor” in the top menu (to use PayPal or a credit card), or just send a check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada secretary), 13711 Willow Reed Dr., Louisville, KY 40299. Thanks! As always, be sure to let us know if you’d like us to promote any particular service or ministry, or if you’d prefer your gift be anonymous.
13. FIND OUT JUST HOW MUCH YOUR PC IS REVEALING ON THE NET — Curious as to how much your PC is telling the Internet world? Just visit: https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 Steve Gibson and company will help you determine how secure you are. You can check file and port sharing, “common ports”, your first 1065 TCP ports, and more. The service is absolutely free. Those with firewalls and routers will probably fare the best.
14. ADD “COPY TO” TO YOUR “RIGHT-CLICK” CONTEXT MENU — In my Windows Explorer context menu, now when I right-click on a file or folder in Explorer, I have the option to copy or move it to another location — in one fell swoop. Here’s how you can add it too:
Start by launching RegEdit from the Start menu’s Run dialog. Navigate to the key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex \ContextMenuHandlers.
Right-click on the ContextMenuHandlers entry and from the menu, select New | Key. Name the new key Copy To. Double-click on the (Default) value in the right-hand pane and set its data to {C2FBB630-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}. Click on OK, then right-click on the ContextMenuHandlers key and create another new key, naming this one Move To. Set the (Default) value for this one to {C2FBB631-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}. Click on OK and close the Registry Editor.
(This great tip came from Sharon Klotz, via PC Magazine’s “User to User” column. See it online at: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1813983,00.asp Thanks PC Mag!)
15. THE BACKPAGE: FREE OF THE CLOCK — We’ve been talking about “finishing”, i.e., completing what we start. For the past couple of weeks, we’ve brainstormed about ideas that help us keep our focus… and finish our tasks.
However, along with this “end-mindedness” comes a certain risk: that we’ll get caught up in being a kind of slave to the clock… or even a slave to our own task list. So, with that in mind, here are some tips to balance out the admonitions of the past couple of weeks:
*** Think in “slots” — Consider the “typical” 40-hour-a-week job. (Does anyone in ministry actually work one of those? :-) ) It would be five days a week, morning and afternoon each day. So if you think of the day as having 3 major 4-hour slots… 8-12, 1-5, and 6-10… then a 40-hour job would be equal to roughly 10 “slots” of 4 hrs. each. Now let’s make the transition to ministry. Suppose you work 4 evenings/week doing home Bible studies or Jesus Film presentations or whatever. Suppose those roughly take up the 6-10 timeframe. So by my way of thinking, you could consider taking the afternoon off to be with family or friends on those 4 days. You’re still covering 2 slots per day, you see.
On a broader scale, consider that the typical week has 21 slots in all (7 days X 3 slots/day). Make a gift of 2 extra slots per week to your ministry (just because we love God and our ministries, right?), and it’s like you work 6 days/week (so one day off per week). So now you just outline 12 slots per week… any days, any timeframes. Keep a simple record. Don’t cheat the ministry, but don’t cheat your family either.
*** Identify your most creative slots — My wife and boys usually hit the sack around 10pm on school nights. If I’ve been getting enough sleep, the 10pm – midnight mini-slot is great for me to catch up, especially if the day has been hectic. Nobody calls, nobody comes to the door, life is silent. :-) Maybe that won’t work for you. Maybe you’re a morning person. Just figure that out, then use it to tackle the projects that require you to be most creative.
*** Think marathon, not sprint — I’ve heard the guys say, “I’d rather burn out than rust out.” But you know, I keep thinking… I’d rather be around for 40 years of the highest performance possible… than to blow out like a bomb in one burst. So try to pace yourself in such a way that you stay fully engaged, but you’re fully enjoying life. What I’m trying to say is… we want you effective in ministry for the long haul, rather than just for a year or two.
To accomplish this, we need to find work we love, while at the same time completing some of the work we hate. Every job has its downside. Sure lifeguards get to swim in the pool… about 5 minutes every hour. :-) The rest of the time, they roast! There might be something about bathing suits going on … but a lot of their focus has to be on the little five year old who looks to be struggling in the 5′ section. Bottom line: Every day, do something you love to do. And every day, do something you hate to do. Stick around for the long haul. We need you.
*** When you’re on, be on; when you’re off, be off — None of this divided stuff. If you’re watching your kid play soccer, then for pete’s sake, cheer for him. Don’t sit there trying to write your organization’s new constitution and miss him scoring the goal. :-) And while you’re at work, be working. If you’re supposed to finish the article by 3, try to arrange it so you can work from 2-3, rather than watch the 5 preschoolers. (You’ll be short with them anyway, ’cause you’ll want to keep working on the article.)
*** Finally, consider the clock your friend — Think of your clock *and* your calendar as your pace-setter rather than your master. Yes, many of us live in time-oriented societies. But hey… sometimes time- oriented people get more done! :-) They show up on time, finish jobs on time, and frankly, are industrious. At the same time, people-oriented societies have much to teach us. So use the clock as a pace-setter, finish the work, then go *be* with people… talk to them, listen to them, be a friend, a spouse, a dad or a mom. *Be*.
‘Cause after all… it’s a jungle out there. We all face the wild every day. Let’s tame it together.
Doug
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