Category Archives: Thinking Well

What is the Rest that Jesus Offers?

Familiar Passage, But Clearly Understood? A few weeks ago I spoke at the annual Mental Health and Missions Conference. I was asked to speak on the integrated life of the care giver. In my preparation I learned that the English word for … Continue reading

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An Annual Season of Renewal

Calm After the Storm As I write this I have just concluded a very full fall season of travel, speaking at conferences, organizational leader team meetings, debriefings – you know the drill. Note I did not say I was busy. … Continue reading

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Jesus-Directed Rather than Need-Driven Life and Ministry

Jesus was Not Need Driven Obvious in the pages of the Gospels are the rampant needs around Jesus. Everywhere he went, there were people with needs. So too for us. Yet it is clear that needs were not the driving … Continue reading

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What is Success in this Shepherd’s Work We Offer?

Jeremiah was one of those books I loathed to read in my academic days. It was dry and oh so negative. Doom and gloom, over and over again. Rembrandt’s Jeremiah Many years later, Jeremiah has become a hero and even a … Continue reading

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Why You Need a Debriefing. Yes You.

Why, Not How This will be about why debriefings are needed, not how to offer them. There are some great trainings on debriefing out there. Such a skill set requires more than a mere blog entry. Debriefing gets a bit of … Continue reading

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The Shepherd’s Pursuant Handiwork

San Antimo, Montalcino, Italy God is our Model Shepherds pursue the sheep. God is our ultimate role model in this simple yet crucial act. He is the pursuer of our souls. It is the nature of God to seek out … Continue reading

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Having Influence without Positional Authority

One of the challenges in the act of providing shepherd care is influencing change without wielding great or any organizational, positional line-authority. Many times I am in a situation where there are clearly systemic or personnel dynamics at play that … Continue reading

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Five Themes Facilitating Ill Health and Ineffectiveness Amongst Global Workers: Theme #5 Lack of Permission for Self-Development and Self-care

I am writing from GMCN in Antalya, Turkey. I would be most encouraged if you find any of this helpful to pass it along to colleagues. Equally, I’d love feedback, whether a differing viewpoint or another thought or idea that … Continue reading

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