Balancing Missions & Motherhood
Finding God’s balance for motherhood and ministry is sometimes a difficult (and continually changing) tug-of-war; but I believe the struggle is healthy . . .
(Photo: Ann Dunagan encouraged many women in ministry from Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, and Tanzania at the recent HMFI – Harvest Ministry Fellowship International leadership conference in Uganda, East Africa.)
Most of the time, just doing another load of laundry, or drilling the kids on grammar, or reading a bedtime story . . . doesn’t seem very important. But God sees the big picture. He highly esteems motherhood and He values a faithful mom who is willing to lay down her “big dreams” . . . to serve her family. And at the same time, He sees the lost and the reality of heaven and hell . . .
God cares about my kids and God cares about the lost. As a mission-minded mom, how can I keep these two “pulls “on my heart in balance — in a way that will truly please the heart of the Lord?
Screaming Babies & Praying Mommas . . .
Today, Ann is leading a discussion about balancing missions and motherhood over at Passionate Homemaking (a great site especially for young women and moms, focused on simple, natural, and intentional living).
The featured article is: Screaming Babies & Praying Mommas. Come see . . . > > >
A Godly Dad & Goals for 2012
“How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.”
(A quote from a plaque on our sister’s wall . . . )As we’re looking ahead to a New Year, and seeking God for all He has for us in 2012, we need to seek God for His guidance, so that day-by-day, our lives will glorify Him.
Today, we would like to invite you to join us over on another site called “Visionary Womanhood” for an article Ann wrote about her godly dad. The post highlights the testimony of a daily example of prayer, the importance of God’s Word, family encouragement in yearly goal-setting, and the impact of a godly heritage (along with encouragement for YOU to seek God will for this New Year).
Come join us today at Visionary Womanhood:
Click here for the article > > Seeking God’s Vision for 2012
Plan a Mission-Minded 2012: FREE Guide!
Do you want to set aside time to seek God’s will for 2012? Do you want your life and your family to become more effective for God’s Kingdom . . . and for ETERNITY?
This year, don’t just make empty New Year’s resolutions that you’re likely to forget by February; instead, pray and seek God for His specific plans and purposes for your LIFE.
Get focused on God’s eternal mission and His long-term vision (including His Great Commandment — to love God and to love others, and His Great Commission — to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people who don’t yet know Him).
And no matter what “job” you do for a living, may you and your family be a part of expanding God’s Kingdom in 2012, both in your own sphere of influence, and across the world.
Introducing your FREE New Year’s Guide for 2012
Watch this 2 minute video for a quick explanation of this evaluation and prayer guide.
Our heart is to help you to plan a more effective and MISSION-MINDED New Year:
Click here — for your FREE 2012 New Year’s Guide!
(PRINT 1 copy of the entire document, pgs. 1-16, and 3 EXTRA COPIES of pgs. 10-11.
Also, here’s our favorite 1-year Bible Reading Plan from www.Bible-reading.com.Please share this with your friends, and help us by posting it on facebook, twitter, and your blogs. And let us know what you think. How is God directing you and your family to impact God’s Kingdom in 2012? We would appreciate your feedback and comments!!!
Have a Happy (& Mission-Minded) New Year!!!
In His Harvest,
Jon & Ann
Click here for more details about Ann’s books, The Mission-Minded Family and The Mission-Minded Child including a link for FREE sample chapters (and info about how you can get your own copies)!!!
Plus, stay tuned to learn more about our brand-new upcoming book:
THE SCARLET CORD – Nothing But the Blood of Jesus (A Concise Call to World Missions – by Jon & Ann Dunagan — scheduled for release early in 2012)
Mission-Minded FOCUS #5
Today’s FOCUS: Your Ministry Life
September is a great time for a fresh new Christ-centered FOCUS.
In this video (#5 in a new 5-part FOCUS series), Ann Dunagan will motivate you to seek the Lord daily for His purposes in Ministry Outreach and in Missions. As Christians, we need to become more INTENTIONAL to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost; MISSIONS is not just for missionaries, God’s call is for all.
Here are the links referred to in the video:
Super Mom vs. Abiding Mom Chart (source www.abidingmom.blogspot.com)
4-Month FOCUS Chart (with Bible verses)
Daily Bible-Reading Chart (source: www.bible-reading.com)
FALL Mission-Minded Family – Mentoring Special
Right now, we’re running a FALL special on our Mission-Minded books. Our heart is to encourage you for God’s Great Commission, and to challenge you (if you already have a heart for world missions) to consider mentoring a few other families. We have a FREE 4-week study guide, utilizing these books; and right now, we’re offering a FALL SPECIAL on the 2-book set (at our bottom-line cost, a savings of 60%, with free shipping!!!). If you’d like more information on this special, just CONTACT us, and we’ll send you the details!
Could you mentor a few other families for WORLD MISSIONS?
> > CONTACT us for our FALL SPECIAL!!! < <
Blessings to you!
Ann
Mission-Minded FOCUS #4
Today’s FOCUS: Your Family Life
September is a great time for a fresh new Christ-centered FOCUS.
In this video (#4 in a new 5-part FOCUS series), Ann Dunagan will motivate you to seek the Lord daily in your FAMILY LIFE — in your Marriage and in your Parenting.
Here are the links referred to in the video:
Super Mom vs. Abiding Mom Chart (source www.abidingmom.blogspot.com)
4-Month FOCUS Chart (with Bible verses)
Daily Bible-Reading Chart (source: www.bible-reading.com)
FALL Mission-Minded Family – Mentoring Special
Right now, we’re running a FALL special on our Mission-Minded books. Our heart is to encourage you for God’s Great Commission, and to challenge you (if you already have a heart for world missions) to consider mentoring a few other families. We have a FREE 4-week study guide, utilizing these books; and right now, we’re offering a FALL SPECIAL on the 2-book set (at our bottom-line cost, a savings of 60%, with free shipping!!!). If you’d like more information on this special, just CONTACT us, and we’ll send you the details!
Could you mentor a few other families for WORLD MISSIONS?
> > CONTACT us for our FALL SPECIAL!!! < <
And be sure to join us tomorrow . . . for #5 in this series!Blessings to you!
Ann
Mission-Minded FOCUS #3
Today’s FOCUS: Your Physical Life & Health
September is a great time for a fresh new Christ-centered FOCUS.
In this video (#3 in a new 5-part FOCUS series), Ann will motivate you to seek the Lord for His FOCUS for your Physical Life, specifically in regards to exercise and healthy living. Our physical health can impact our effectiveness for the kingdom of God.
Here are the links referred to in the video:
Super Mom vs. Abiding Mom Chart (source www.abidingmom.blogspot.com)
4-Month FOCUS Chart (with Bible verses)
Daily Bible-Reading Chart (source: www.bible-reading.com)
FALL Mission-Minded Family – Mentoring Special
Right now, we’re running a FALL special on our Mission-Minded books. Our heart is to encourage you for God’s Great Commission, and to challenge you (if you already have a heart for world missions) to consider mentoring a few other families. We have a FREE 4-week study guide, utilizing these books; and right now, we’re offering a FALL SPECIAL on the 2-book set (at our bottom-line cost, a savings of 60%, with free shipping!!!). If you’d like more information on this special, just CONTACT us, and we’ll send you the details!
Could you mentor a few other families for WORLD MISSIONS?
> > CONTACT us for our FALL SPECIAL!!! < <
And be sure to join us tomorrow . . . for part 4 in this series!Blessings to you!
Ann
Mission-Minded FOCUS #2
Today’s FOCUS: Your Spiritual Life
September is a great time for a fresh new Christ-centered FOCUS.
In this video (#2 in a new 5-part FOCUS series), Ann Dunagan will motivate you to put God first in your life. Today’s FOCUS emphasizes your spiritual life, and the importance of a daily QUIET TIME with the Lord.
Jesus said, “Without Me, you can do NOTHING!”
We need to realize that without God, we can do NOTHING of eternal significance and true Kingdom effectiveness. To bear lasting fruit, we need to ABIDE in Jesus Christ.
Here are the links referred to in the video:
Super Mom vs. Abiding Mom Chart (source www.abidingmom.blogspot.com)
4-Month FOCUS Chart (with Bible verses)
Daily Bible-Reading Chart (source: www.bible-reading.com)
FALL Mission-Minded Family – Mentoring Special
Right now, we’re running a FALL special on our Mission-Minded books. Our heart is to encourage you for God’s Great Commission, and to challenge you (if you already have a heart for world missions) to consider mentoring a few other families. We have a FREE 4-week study guide, utilizing these books; and right now, we’re offering a FALL SPECIAL on the 2-book set (at our bottom-line cost, a savings of 60%, with free shipping!!!). If you’d like more information on this special, just CONTACT us, and we’ll send you the details!
Could you mentor a few other families for WORLD MISSIONS?
> > CONTACT us for our FALL SPECIAL!!! < <
And be sure to join us tomorrow . . . for part 3 in this series!Blessings to you!
Ann
Mission-Minded FOCUS #1
Focus on 4 areas of your life, for the final 4 months of this year:
In this video (#1 in a new 5-part FOCUS series), Ann Dunagan will motivate you to seek the Lord daily for His direction in EVERY area of your life: Spiritually, Physically, Family, and Ministry. September is a great time for a fresh new Christ-centered FOCUS.
Here are the links referred to in the video:
Super Mom vs. Abiding Mom Chart (source www.abidingmom.blogspot.com)
4-Month FOCUS Chart (with Bible verses)
Daily Bible-Reading Chart (source: www.bible-reading.com)
FALL Mission-Minded Family – Mentoring Special
Right now, we’re running a FALL special on our Mission-Minded books. Our heart is to encourage you for God’s Great Commission, and to challenge you (if you already have a heart for world missions) to consider mentoring a few other families. We have a FREE 4-week study guide, utilizing these books; and right now, we’re offering a FALL SPECIAL on the 2-book set (at our bottom-line cost, a savings of 60%, with free shipping!!!). If you’d like more information on this special, just CONTACT us, and we’ll send you the details!
Could you mentor a few other families for WORLD MISSIONS?
> > CONTACT us for our FALL SPECIAL!!! < <
And be sure to join us tomorrow . . . for part 2 in this series!Blessings to you!
Ann
Plan a Mission-Minded 2012: FREE Guide!!!
Do you want to set aside time to seek God’s will for 2012? Do you want your life and your family to become more effective for God’s Kingdom . . . and for ETERNITY?
This year, don’t just make empty New Year’s resolutions that you’re likely to forget by February; instead, pray and seek God for His specific plans and purposes for your LIFE. Get focused on God’s eternal mission and His long-term vision (including His Great Commandment to LOVE GOD and to LOVE OTHERS and His Great Commission to Share GOD’S LOVE with the lost). And no matter what “job” you do for a living, may you and your family be a part of expanding God’s Kingdom, both in your own community, and across the world.
Introducing your FREE New Year’s Guide for 2011
Watch this 2 minute video for a quick explanation of this evaluation and prayer guide.
My heart is to help you to plan a more effective and MISSION-MINDED New Year:
FREE New Year’s Prayer Guide — CLICK here!!!
(PRINT 1 copy of the entire document, pgs. 1-16, and 3 EXTRA COPIES of pgs. 10-11. Also, here’s my favorite 1-year Bible Plan from www.Bible-reading.com.
Please share this with your friends, and help me to post this online, on facebook, twitter, and your blogs. And let me know what you think. I’d appreciate your feedback and comments!!!
Happy New Years!!!
Balancing Missions & Family
How can we balance our passion for missions with our hearts for our homes? Do we have to choose between “raising our kids” and “reaching the lost”—or is it possible to do both?
As parents, we’re called to raise our kids; and as Christians, we’re called to reach the lost. We really can’t fulfill one of these callings, if we choose to neglect the other.
As I was writing The Mission-Minded Family, I felt especially led to evaluate the homes and family-lives of well-known missionaries. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to realize that many missionary heroes with families were not heroes of the family. Some of the most prominent names in mission history had horrible problems at home; while other leaders (such as William and Catherine Booth of the Salvation Army or Hudson and Maria Taylor) found a powerful ministry-family balance.
As I began to delve deeper into these examples, I searched for clues and common-denominators for those godly world-changing leaders who had God-glorifying homes. And I believe I found the key. It’s PRAYER. The men and women of God who focused primarily on seeking the Lord and their personal devotion to Him (rather than focusing on a merely a successful ministry) seemed to find God’s divine balance for each day. As a result, not only did their ministries glorify God, but their families did as well.
Author and international minister Dr. David Shibley says, “The normal Christian life is anything but balanced, as popularly defined . . . The normal Christian life is high risk and high joy. The normal Christian life releases the temporal to embrace the eternal . . . God is not calling us to win the world and, in the process, lose our families. But I have known those who so enshrined family life and were so protective of “quality time” that the children never saw the kind of consuming love that made their parents’ faith attractive to them. Some have lost their children, not because they weren’t at their soccer games or didn’t take family vacations, but because they never transmitted a loyalty to Jesus that went deep enough to interrupt personal preferences.”
I want my family to have that kind of consuming love, with high risk and high joy. I want to live out my faith in a way that is not only attractive, but also compelling and irresistible! I want to be moved by the passions of God’s heart—and for my kids to take these godly passions to a deeper level. I want to hand off the baton to my descendants, and have them run faster and farther than I ever did.
Let’s raise our kids; let’s reach the lost; and let’s challenge the next generation to live for God with even greater boldness, wisdom, and effectiveness. Through Christ, all things are possible.
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