Cliff will be designing a children’s facility for the next several weeks in Illinois while traveling back and forth to California. He will also be traveling out to NJ and to other states to help with youth and young adult ministries.
Thanks for partnering with us to take the Gospel to this generation!
The past few weeks have been a little quieter than normal. Cliff had originally planned to be in Asia and thereabouts during the autumn months. Plans changed and that was fine for us. We had to attend to some things in regards to the loss of our little girl Lauren in Idaho and went that way. During our 2 week visit to Idaho, Cliff also went to Canada for a quick trip. We didn’t get everything done we needed to, but we did have some more healing take place in our hearts.
There are now plans to be on the East Coast of the USA by next week and possibly the mid-west before returning to California mid November.
We are also working on ‘LaLa’s Gift’, a branch of our non-profit in memory of Lauren that is helping orphanages around the world. Our 4 year old daughter, Tori, prays for little ones almost daily, asking God to provide resources for them to live. She prays for them to have a home with clothes, Bibles and teachers that act as Momma’s and Daddy’s and brothers and sisters. ‘Child-like faith’. We can’t do it all, but if each one takes a part, then a difference can be made. If you have thought of helping children around the world this way, but would like someone to help facilitate that for you, then we can help.
Let’s not allow the world’s tragedies to become OUR tragedies. Let’s keep reaching out and giving out. We are not of those that draw back!
In closing…Have a great day! A great week! Rejoice! We know what it means to rejoice in the midst of tragedy. When you make a decision to rejoice despite the way you may feel or what kind of loss you may have experienced in these past couple of months, you declare that you are the winner. No matter what!
Cliff is on his third visit to Israel since November of 2007. A people group that celebrated their 60th birthday this year as their own country. Along with Tommie Zito’s ministry, Cliff will help to share the Good News with 100 other evangelists. Matthew 24:14 (NKJV) “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Concerns are being heard as the Israeli government talk of the rebuilding of the Temple, the re-establishment of the priesthood, and the restoration of the ceremonial worship in Jerusalem.
The fig tree symbolizes Israel’s religious history. The Lord has a promise for us who look for His coming again, a sign which marks the end of the age. He said, “Learn a lesson from the fig tree: When its branches become green and soft and new leaves appear, you know summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things happening, you will know that the time is near, ready to come. ( Matt. 24:32 NCV). This was the sign of the end, the sign of the fig tree.
In both the Old and New Testaments (Joel 2:18-32 and Acts 2:17) are prophetic statements dealing with the end of the present age: in Joel 2: 22 the fig tree and the vine both are to bear their fruit again, and there will follow a time (v. 28) when the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon the sons and daughters. This was the time of blessing Peter assured the people that would follow as they accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah.
This is that time. A time to present Jesus Christ to the Jews so that they can receive him as Messiah. The Lord asked me years ago to pray for the peace of the youth of Israel. Understandable considering the call. We all are to pray for the peace of Israel as the Bible instructs. Let’s all be sure to do our part and not be caught sleeping when the Master returns.
Tonight, as I (Christie) drove home from a friends house, I longed to be able to thank all of the people that have helped us these past 7 1/2 months. You know who you are. You know what you have done just as we know. More importantly, God knows.
You have made a huge difference in our lives. You may have even helped to change our lives forever with your kindness. We have not been alone and that has been so good. Thank you SO VERY MUCH! We are so very grateful to God for you!
Yes I know. It’s been a while. I returned from Poland and Monaco two weeks ago, preached on the East Coast, flew into LA on Tuesday. Moved the next day into a new place in Malibu, had the ’second’ Malibu Bible Study on Thursday, sold the van on Friday and celebrated Tori’s fourth birthday on Saturday.
PLUS we just had internet connected yesterday after an intense week of unpacking.
This last trip to Poland really embedded the power of focus in my life.
I met a man on a mission. It wasn’t me this time. It was Marvin Bridges. 78 year old Marvin Bridges. Traveling at breakneck speed through Poland. Pastor Mike Hendricks from Hailey, ID asked Marvin and his wife Diane, to come along and teach a small financial seminar to post-Communism Polish church leaders within a larger marriage conference.
I don’t know the extent of this man’s financial expertise and business acumen, but from a teacher and minister’s view point this man was unwaveringly focused on his purpose without allowing any room for distraction.This man was on a mission and nothing was going to get in his way.
If i am accurate in my assessment he knew the best way to portray a business ownership role was to give a viable business model. Not just teach theoretical business lessons. Find a need pertinent to our times, research how to do it and do it. Amazingly proverbial!
He chose wind energy. Pertinent to our times. Then he researched companies, products, placement, economic viability and longevity in view of product and employment possibilities.
Good business sense. Intelligent idea.Marvin was instilling in them the concept of business along with a practical demonstration of an idea from conception to national and personal profit with career potentials.
Which was highly instructional and promising.
But my observation of Marvin was more than a man teaching a seminar. Every time I tried to engage him in conversation he would refocus on his mission. He even regularly started sentences with “My mission…” He wouldn’t let go of his purpose, even with his words! We know the power of our words (Proverbs 18:21).
The Apostle Paul states in Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The NLT says it this way, “I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.”
What’s your mission? Is it the most prominent thing before you? I don’t think we are going to fulfill it unless like Marvin we get so focused that even daily conversations can’t interrupt our progress. I know, I know I can hear people saying this is out of balance. But didn’t even Jesus say “Seek [to seek after, seek for, aim at, strive after, to crave (Strong's concordance)] first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness…”
The last day, I was with the team as they were off to sight-see in Krakow, Poland. Marvin came down for breakfast with a revised written game plan he had handed out so others could fulfill their mission. He was mission minded all the way to the end. I’ve decided I want to be focused on the mission like Marvin Bridges.
Cliff is on his way back from Europe today. A few days early since Ukraine had to be rescheduled. He made a quick stop in the south of France instead. This weekend he will be in Baltimore, Maryland before returning on Tuesday to Los Angeles.
His next international trip will be to Israel in September where many evangelists will gather, not to take a tour, but to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews and Gentiles alike. A donation of 50,000-100,000 frequent flier miles are needed for that trip. Please contact us if you would like to be a part of that trip by donating miles.
We will try to give you an update on his first Poland trip as soon as he returns. Thanks to all of you that traveled with us this month to Poland with your prayers and/or giving.
God bless you!
“There are two great days in a person’s life — the day we are born and the day we discover why.”
—William Barclay
Back from Europe and in the flow
But always ready for places unknown
You see, when your called
and have been equipped
It is oh so normal to live like this
Do challenges come?
You bet they do!
But how they’re handled
Is up to you.
Fight, Stand, Run or Hide
These are ways the Bible says to ABIDE
The passion within if allowed to grow
will thrust you into those places unknown
But I’ve seen them when stifled too
Frozen by fear, caged as in a zoo
So grab a cornstalk and swing out over hell
Spit the devil in the eye and declare
“All is well”
written on the way back from Greece in July.
* The last two lines before “All is well” is from Mark Hankins
And then (Jesus) told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Mark 16:15 NLT
There are opportune times when out in the field that this scripture is seemingly fulfilled in one stop.
Acts 2:5,9-11 was such a day: Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
The diversities of culture, language and people coming together in one locale create an amazing opportunity to “tell the world”…
This recent youth camp was such a place. Many were second generation, but the nationalities represented were still there: Lebanese/Greek, Filipino/Greek, Nigerian, Kenyan, Isle of Rhodes, English, American, Seychelles, Egyptian, Sudanese/Greek, Ethiopian/Greek, Austrailian/Greek and a French youth from Bourdeaux, and more.
The world view represented, coupled with the relationship with this church enables the gift of God in man to reveal pieces of His plan. “if it is to be, it is up to me”, seemed to be the subtext of this time in Athens and the surrounding areas. Jesus said for us to GO.
Many are waiting for a supernatural move of God to fire the shotgun start of the race. But it’s already started!
The supernatural move was when Jesus paid the price on the cross and rose from the grave. You have to pick up your baton and run your segment… If you don’t, who will take the place and potential void if you decide it’s not your lap?
In Acts chapter 2, Peter and the others spilled out on the streets and boldly proclaimed Jesus, where just forty some days ago they had been hiding out for fear of retribution for knowing Jesus (John 20:19) It’s our job, now!
Forget que será, será . If it is to be , it is up to me.
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Youth camps are a time to pull away and to get quiet. A time to draw closer to the Father’s heart… to learn of His ways, His desires and even His correction. This is a time that causes some teens to flourish as they find answers to questions that only this kind of quiet time gives. Others, however, simply return to spending time with Him.
Adults are older teens in many ways. Some are asking questions and needing answers, but not taking the quiet time necessary to receive the answer. Others desperately need some quiet time simply to continue in what has been their distant relationship with Him.
Jesus desires intimacy. He longs for our daily visits and continual discussion throughout our day. He wants to be our friend. This is nothing new to be said, but must be since so many are lacking in their daily habits. So, if you are one of those that would say, “I have don’t have much of a routine with God, but I get by”, I challenge you, take the time to get to know Him better…TODAY!
Here are some pics of the youth camp just outside of Athens, Greece.
