Imitators of Those

“And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Hebrews 6:11-12

Category: Life Lessons

  • What I Do Have I Give To You

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    Dónal
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    Living here in South Asia places a huge burden on the heart, that does not exist to the same extent in Ireland/the West. Poverty. Now of course, we have poor people in Ireland, and we try to help them as we can. Yes, there are those on the streets looking for money, sad scenes of…

  • Fools of a Unique Culture

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    Dónal
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    In a couple of weeks it will be one year since landing in our host country in South Asia. As I sit here enjoying Andrew Peterson’s new cover album of Rich Mullin’s legendary “A Liturgy, A Legacy and A Ragamuffin Band”, there is definitely much to give thanks for. A few weeks back a new…

  • A Father Before the Altar

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    Dónal
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    Last night my daughter snuggled into my shoulder as I read to her the ending of Book 3 of the Wingfeather Saga. My eyes grew wet as I spoke to her of a father’s mighty act of heroism and strength for the hour – giving of his complete self for the sake of his children.…

  • Ebenezer and the Making of a Man

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    Dónal
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    “God knows what it takes to make a man” These were the words spoken by the dear brother who had discipled me in his own home for three years. I had recently moved to England to work, still a relatively young believer, with a difficult new church situation, and more than anything, a lament of…

  • The Son of Man Came Not To Be Served, But…

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    Dónal
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    Christians are a servant-hearted bunch. At least, we ought to be! And usually we are, to one degree or another. We love our King who humbled himself, took on the form of a servant and died a humiliating death on a cross for us. This event has gripped our hearts, and we want to likewise…

  • The Change Along The Way

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    Dónal
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    The story goes, that when the Cambridge Seven (distinguished young British missionaries who had left their popular sports careers and student lives, to move to China) arrived on those Eastern shores, that they had somewhat of a run-in with their new team leader – Hudson Taylor. Hudson Taylor was well known for his deep commitment…

  • Trust Not In Fluent Lips

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    Dónal
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    “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” – Galatians 3:3 For new missionaries, the realm of language learning is a battlefield. Never mind the funny mistakes one makes (E.g. You try telling your students that you’re proud of them, and instead tell them that you’re pregnant…), on…

  • Leviticus and the Pilgrim Mind

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    Dónal
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    Childhood summers meant camping. On an almost rolling two-year cycle, we would one year go down to camp in the very south of Ireland, and the next, load up our 7-seater car with all manner of things, catch a ferry to England for a quick visit with our grandparents, and then take the Channel Tunnel…

  • The Pigeon and the Coo d’Etat

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    Dónal
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    The chilly air of a Scottish April morning warmed slightly as the sun rose slowly. Or at least, became present in unseen places. It doesn’t shine too intensely in Scotland on a regular basis. Nonetheless, as the dewy ground heated slightly it gave way to a gentle mist, the dawning light catching the edges thereof,…

  • 30 Years Old: What Lies Ahead?

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    Dónal
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    This week I turn 30. I’m not really one for birthdays. Dee and I have been together for 15 years (yes, I know, too young… moving on). The first year of our childhood romance we enthusiastically bought each other presents… and that was the last time. We are both terrible present buyers, poor celebrators in…

  • Our Feet Shall Tread This Place Again

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    Dónal
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    Recently Dee and I have been watching some David Attenborough documentaries. The last set that we watched were focussed on migration. Sharks that travel to a remote Hawaiian Islands to attack fledgling albatross chicks attempting their first flight, salmon turning bright red, and braving Alaskan bears, to reach their spawning grounds, lay their eggs and…

  • The Blessedness of Kind Mother-in-laws

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    Dónal
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    Mother-in-laws (MILs) can be the recipients of some bad stereotyping in the West. I’ll say it clearly at the start for the record: My Mother-in-law is great! And for a lot of people in the Western world, the stereotype doesn’t have as much bearing as perhaps it did at some point in time. Recently, we’ve…