Welcome to e-spresso!?A variety-filled world of easy learning. No matter what your age, background, gender, ministry, field, hobbies, likes or dislikes, we guarantee there's something for you in the e-spresso issues?something interesting, thought-provoking, as well as mind-expanding; something that is going to help you further along the path of professionalism in our Offensive future.

In just a few days you will receive your first e-spresso issue. Before it arrives, however, we wanted to explain a few things about what you signed up for.

One thing you'll notice pretty much right away is that e-spresso is comprised of primarily secular material (some of which was taken from the various book summaries available on the MO site). The e-spresso team worked for months researching information on topics that the Lord indicated would be useful and relevant for today; material that capitalizes on recent Offensive-related concepts put forth in the Word, to provide you with additional applications and practical "skin."

We believe you will find that e-spresso covers subjects you may be interested in and may want to learn more about or do better in personally, but that you may not have time to research. We are hoping to save you that time by giving you this needed information in a short, concise manner.

e-spresso is not simply for the sake of self-improvement, nor is it "just because" information that is interesting. We've researched these topics as a service to you, to provide you with thought-through, prayed-about, and confirmed-by-the-Lord material that supports the Word and the direction He's leading us. (To benefit from the content of the issues you'll need to be spirit-led and wise in what you apply and how, according to your situation and circumstances. We also are not endorsing the authors or the whole of the books or articles we took material from. However, the overall content of the material used in each issue has been confirmed with the Lord.)

While some of this information could easily be seen as "self-help," as you might remember, the Lord addressed this "what's it all for?" question in "Issues, Part 1." What He said is an important point to keep in mind as you receive your e-spresso emails. He said:

What is the purpose in all this [self-improvement]? The ultimate goal is that you become better, stronger, and more loving disciples and more fit for your work for Me. I want to see you do a better job. I don't waste time on unnecessary programs and pushes just to make work for My employees. This isn't just to make you feel good about yourselves! This is to get the job done.

I want to see you witness as never before, have a disciple-winning explosion, reach the world with your tools and music, win the top and regular supporters, and have happier, more loving Homes today! But you can't do the job without the training. You won't be able to keep up and keep advancing spiritually, or even physically, unless you apply yourself and keep learning. But the training and learning is not the end in itself; that is the means to the end. ("Issues, Part 1!" ML #3294:65, 76)

So to keep e-spresso in context, remember: It's training, much of which will directly benefit you during the Offensive; it's a means to an end.

To add to this, in the Feast GNs "Baby Boom!" and "Fresh New Mindsets," Peter said:

Everyone in the Family has a spiritual calling and responsibility to be a witness, and therefore everyone needs up-to-date training in that role. Everyone needs "Offensive" training. Everyone will play an active part, as the whole Home will be rallying to the call, and therefore needs to know and to understand what the Offensive is all about, why we're doing what we're doing, how to effectively witness and win in today's climate, how to "bring their ranching up to date," and how to participate and be a contributor. ("Baby Boom!?Welcoming our new Offensive 'baby'!" ML #3679:108, 110)

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We need to be mindful of the fact that the practical things we do make a difference. They make us better witnesses and examples of our "product." Things like how we dress, the example of our Homes, our etiquette, our manners and conduct, our language skills, how we present ourselves, our vocabulary, our education, our levels of kindness and professionalism, etc., can in some cases make or break our witness. (Fresh New Mindsets, ML #3681:204)

We've broken down some of that "bigger picture" Offensive training into smaller, bite-sized, and targeted training in the form of these short weekly issues, which hopefully you will find informative as well as user-/busy-person friendly. (In order to keep each issue short, you'll find that the topics addressed will not be the "all in all" on the subject?in some cases they might only be the very basics. The Lord confirmed this concise format, seeing as we're all such busy people and probably won't be able to dedicate a lot of time to extra reading. We would suggest, however, that you study each issue fairly soon after you receive it, as you'll be receiving a new email every week, Lord willing. )

Also, please remember that the Word has always been and will always be our true standard of measurement. If there's anything in the e-spresso emails that you have questions about, or would like to better understand the Lord's mind on, research the Word. Or ask the Lord. Let the Word be your guide.

Peter highlights the importance of this point in the below excerpt. The GNs are leading the way:

The basic training for the whole Family on the topic of the Offensive will come through the GNs that you will receive in the months to come. The GNs will lay the spiritual foundation for the Offensive; they will impart the vision; they will cover both practical and spiritual aspects of the implementation of the Offensive. The GNs will ensure that everyone in the Family is on the same page as far as understanding what the Offensive is, what the goals of the Offensive are, and the basics of how to carry out the Offensive in their lives and Homes. ("Baby Boom!?Welcoming our new Offensive 'baby'!" ML #3679:111)

As always, the Word is the final word! Any application of what you read in e-spresso needs to be in line with the template of the Word and the Offensive. Those are the big blocks?the blueprint?for where we're headed, and e-spresso was created to assist you in your journey toward those goals.

If you feel led to do online research on a topic put forth in e-spresso, please only do so with the Lord's confirmation.

A few other points and reminders:

* e-spresso is not to be sold or given out to the general public.
* e-spresso is primarily for those age 18+. However, relevant excerpts can be shared with senior teens, at their teachers' or parents' discretion.
* Some vocabulary used in a couple of the issues, taken from secular material, would not be recommended for use in daily conversation, and particularly not around younger people or children. (Such issues will be specifically noted.) On the other hand, articles in e-spresso often use terminology that is professional and current, some of which could be adopted into your vocabulary and useful in your witness. It's good for all of us to work toward expanding our vocabulary.
* e-spresso received permission to be sent as non-encrypted email, due to the nature of the content and format, and provided it meets a certain security criteria. However, the guidelines for secure email communications as per the Charter and/or regional policy, still stand. So please continue keeping your communications in line with that standard. Thank you.

One last point, which we've saved for last because of its importance: Although we're putting out a lot of practical material on professionalism and improving your personal presentation, your skills, and yourself in general, none of that?of course?overrides the importance of and need to keep love in first place. Along with the Word, love comes first. As we well know, without love it's nothing. You can read every issue of e-spresso, study it and implement all the practical counsel, you can have an immaculate personal presentation and be cutting edge, but without love it's nothing.

So if there is one thing that we would ask you to keep in context over the course of receiving these weekly issues, it would be that the Word and love definitely come before any tips or practical advice e-spresso gives you.

That's not to say that love and professionalism don't mix. As Mama brings out in "It's All About Love!" love and professionalism do sync up perfectly. You don't have to compromise one in order to live the other. Love and professionalism "go hand in hand" and "are inseparable," as she put it. In the Offensive we need both if we're going to achieve true success.

Mama: I was thinking recently about love and professionalism and how the two go hand in hand so perfectly. The Lord has asked us to strive for greater professionalism, and He's made it clear that it's crucial to the success of the Offensive. ? Love and professionalism are very compatible. In fact, in our line of work, they're inseparable.

Jesus: My idea of professionalism, especially in your calling of reaching the world for Me?is all about love. Here are some of the words that describe professionalism in My book: excellence, sacrifice, prayerfulness, diligence, integrity, courtesy, trustworthiness, kindness, perseverance, determination. Basically, professionalism is being the best you can be.

A true professional excels. When you get down to the habits of professionals and what distinguishes them from others, so much of it has to do with their willingness to put the priorities of their work above their personal preferences; their willingness to sacrifice in order to get the job done, and their willingness to treat others with consideration and courtesy. So much of it is based on being trustworthy, upright, dependable, and excelling in your field. And what motivates you to do those things, to fulfill your calling as a missionary??Love!

Being a professional in your line of work means being expert in love. It means never losing sight of love, even when it's crazy busy. It means meeting the multitude of needs that you face each day with My love. It means adapting, sacrificing, stretching, growing in love. It means applying love in the many varied and beautiful ways that are called for in your line of work.

If you want to be professional, go all out with love. If you measure your choices against the yardstick of love and you do the loving thing in each situation, you will become more professional than you would have ever imagined. There is never a right choice that is not the loving choice.

If you let love get crowded out, you're missing the point of it all. You might achieve success in the world's eyes, but in Heaven's eyes you will have failed. And what good will all your works be when you stand before Me? Love is what I'm going to look at. I've made it so that you truly succeed in My work, with fruit that remains, when you love. It's just that simple. ("It's All About Love!" ML #3733:18-20, 22-23, 25)

And that pretty much sums it all up.

Thank you so much for taking your time to carefully read over this note and assimilate the various points of information. It is our prayer that e-spresso will be a blessing to you, that it will meet your needs, and will be a great learning experience, as well as fun!

We love you and look forward to serving you many hot "brews" over the course of this year.

With love,

Your e-spresso team (for the International CS board)