Crux of Change

It's PRAYER. It's storming the Trone on behalf of a son, a brother, a friend.........

In Psalm 139...the psalmist learned that God's presence is his greatest blessing. He said, "search me" instead of hiding.......like addicts do.

Let's start with that....pray he will cry out, "search me Oh, God"............

"Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there....
If I say, "surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shien like the day,
for darkness is as light to you"

I'm asking 7 dearest family/friends to PRAY ONE DAY..........simple. short. profound. storming the throne on behalf of Clif!

ENTER it weekly in my blog on YOUR DAY so others can read it....to be encouraged....it'll be 52 weeks that you have interceded every WEEK for the the next year!

Write it on your calendar. Drop it in your iPhone, Blackberry, whatever and PRAY n BLOG

I will write something weekly that will have a theme to it.......let's PRAY ONE DAY together.

Oh, may this season "make much of Him" in the midst of pain, heartache, and suffering...no matter where we are or Clif is.........prison, durango, teen challange............................

Help for Parents | Drug Prevention | Drug Abuse | Drug Intervention - The Partnership for a Drugfree America

Help for Parents | Drug Prevention | Drug Abuse | Drug Intervention - The Partnership for a Drugfree America

Shared via AddThis

New Parent Cafe Quote - June 2009

Karie-

Thank you so much for the info. Last night was great and we are looking forward to next week. I love your passion for this topic as I also share in your passion. Knowledge is Power. I am convinced that educating kids and parents regarding this topic can save thousands from going down a path that they will only later very much regret…And getting parents comfortable with talking to their kids about this REGULARLY. (Not just once) Too many parents wait until their kids are past the point of no return!!

Thanks again!

Mamie Krueger

Quote

I am convinced that unless we persevere and continually promote the idea of abstinence education with our children they will fall to the world view. Janet_Arizona Parent

let the sparks fly!

We value our sexuality, cherish it, and SAVE it for the security of marriage where we share it.


What amazing truth!


Our sexuality is to be valued. It's to be cherished. Something precious in His sight. And most of all saved for the security of marrige. Marriage brings 'security' with the covenent and contract that two people sign. It states...for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. That's a committment for LIFE and then 'let the sparks fly'!!!


Sex is a gift. An amazing gift!


"You are worth waiting for" are 5 words that parents must communicate over and over again to their sons and daughters at an early age to combat the worlds lies of 'just do it'. We get bombarded everywhere with the idea that sex is a sport or game to keep tabs on. To just keep score. But it's NOT. It's a whole new mind set. A renewing of our mind to crasp regardless of media, billboards and music that portray a different message. The truth....sex is a gift.


Was it communicated to you? Did your parents let you know that sex is a gift? Most likely not.


Here was my big 'sex talk'. My aunt and mom were whispering in the near by room and I knew something was up. Then my Mom came in the kitchen where I was pretending I wasn't evesdropping. "Here make sure you take one of these everyday". She handed me birthcontrol pills. Can you believe it? Birthcontrol pills. So over the next 5 years and more I've been ruining not only my body but my 'heart' being torn a little piece at a time when I gave myself away emotionally and physically.


I wish I heard a different message. A message you as parents, moms, grandmoms, aunts, coaches, friends, sisters, can communicate to your loved ones.
Moms, this is the time to seize this generation and speak up about issues dear to your heart and the Lords.


Sexual integrity grips at His heart and should grip ours too. Once we get educated we get empowered. Let's allow this conversation to be so common....just like fried chicken and mashed potatoes.

Common in the American family and ah, so good!

Parent Cafe's

In today’s society, teens are faced with many choices. Choices that will affect the way they live their lives and the way they perceive themselves. Teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, emotional trauma, the loss of self-esteem and the loss of innocence are all consequences of a choice that can be avoided.

Our children need to know the truth and God’s provision concerning their sexuality.

The #1 person to speak this truth is the parent. But what I’ve discovered over the past 18 years when speaking on this topic of abstinence until marriage in public/private schools, camps, and conferences is that parents have many communication barriers and don’t feel equipped.

I truly believe that once educated a confidence to speak up in love will be developed and a relationship with their most prized gift of their life will be open on the topic of sex. Parents will find time, they’ll gather their friends, and it’ll become a conversation so freely open in their home for the sake of ‘purity’ and bringing glory to God.

That’s why Parent Café is a unique approach to train parents who will be intentional on the most talked about topic on a public or private school campus. Sex! It's being intentional to find opportunities to bring up ‘abstinence until marriage’ to their son and daughter so they’ll “get it” and then “live it out” right in front of them.


Parent Café's
Is hosted in a home by a mom and her friends....it's usually 4 or 5 session curriculum with some video clips from Parents Speak Up National Campaign designed specifically for parents to learn how to be intentional in speaking to their son or daughter about abstinence until marriage.

Each session is so informative and actually leaves the parent wanting to come back for more. Lots of props are used to ‘drive the point’ home and topics such as How Far Is Foo Far?, Exposing the Lie, Secondary Virginity, The 4 A’s: abortion, adoption, all-your-life and abstinence are clearly covered point by point so the parent will ‘speak up’ to their son/daughter when it hits their home either intentionally or not.

We're currently in the home of Mary King and several wonderful moms with sons and daugthters ranging from the age of 10 to 28 attend. We meet in the basement of a beautiful home in the argritopia area in Gilbert, Arizona. Yesterday was our first session and I can tell this is going to be amazing.

*Picture above are the Mom's from Janet Oitzman's home!! - This was our very 1st Parent Cafe which grew and grew and grew! One month we had 2 small groups attend and there was a total of 13 couples! (top) Debbie, Janet, Angel, (bottom) Susan & Lisa

Polar Express celebrating Kylie's 4th bday!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Real Love Conference

By 9th grade 1/3 of hs students have engaged in sexual activity and by 12th 2/3.
60% overall and 67% among younger adolescent, regret their 1st EXPERIENCE & wish they had waited longer.

Hard hitting facts yet TRUTH. And TRUTH it was that was heard and spoken today at the Parents Only breakout.

I encouraged and exhorted Parents today at Christ Lutheran Church "Real Love" Conference. They heard the WHY & HOW for sexual purity especially in this day and age when 'everywhere' we are bombarded with sexual explicit material. Everyday bombarded also with 'peer pressure' and 'conforming to a standard' that is not God's.

FACT: Parents are the ones who have the most influence on their children's decisions about sex.

Several parents shared how this has influenced them in how to communicate 'straight forward' and 'real'.

I love it when I prayed at the end a parent stood up and started praying for me!
Ah, that was awesome!

I'm telling ya... we connected. It was sweet! Brandon & I are booked for next year!

How to talk. Answers to tough questions. Skills your son or daughter needs. Healthy relationships. Pregnancy. Choices. Risky behaviors. God's best.

DO CHECK OUT

www.desiringgod.com

Sexual Purity & Anthem under search!!

Choose Life

The LORD was truly glorified!!!

He made it come ALIVE like never before while I trained 12 lovely ladies on how to talk to the negative test client about abstinence until marriage! What was so cool was making it relevant to them to pass on to this generation. This is key in reaching the hearts and minds of the Millennial. Many of the ladies shared their story of ‘going too far’ and needing Christ’s forgiveness. One said at age 17, even a believer, she felt ‘marked’ and even 4 years later would never be able to marry a believer again. Satan’s bondage is strong. He tries to keep us there but I truly believe God has something greater in store for His very own. You see once we grasp onto what Christ did on the cross and His total forgiveness; freedom will reign. Ah, to uncover what we so easily hide.

“If we confess our sins He is faithful & just to forgive us & to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ I John 1:9

One of the best illustrations taught was the idea that SEX IS A GIFT by holding up a beautifully wrapped gift explaining it represents their purity. You! This, then, evolved in the idea of the client actually knowing ‘who she is in Christ’. His promises. Hope. Restoration to the brokenhearted.

“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” Isaiah 61:1b

I pointed out how beautiful the gift is and what a wonderful wedding present it would be for their future husband. The emphasis was on re-wrapping the gift and holding hard to the reality of ‘it’s never too late to do what’s right’!

I ended the last 5 minutes with ‘My world got rocked 4 years ago’ by vividly portraying my daughters story, “Mom, I’m pregnant”. From prayer to humility and then the amazing fetal models which are real like even to touch revealing the truth of a baby in the womb at 7, 8 and even 9 weeks old. I walked the ladies through this troubled time in our lives from the announcement of a pregnancy to the appointment made at Planned Parenthood to end this life through abortion. It became so clear, God’s hand on each of us as He captured Kimmi and Kyle’s heart to choose life. I then held up an 11x14 black and white framed photo of Kylie Shea sitting in a rocking chair. Then with a big smile on my face declared, “Here’s their decision”. You could see the smiles of each lady and even hear a few gasps as they, too, gave God all the glory! The decision to abort was forever forgotten.

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
"that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them." Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Simple As....Gluten Free!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

life struggles from a college student...

I don't' really know Him, I just know about Him.
Ok this is only because you haven’t spent time with Him to know Him. There is definitely an easy solution to this. Spend time with Him. That means you will make conscious decisions to do just that. By making it a PRIORITY in your life, to be consumed early in the moring, so it doesn’t get done at all is SO important. Like a best friend, you want to spend time. This I will be praying for you!


my quiet times are nonexistent. I 've let everything else get in the way and haven't made the time...really lame, I know.


Make a decision that you will put aside time early each morning to read His Word. Check out the following….
TOP 10 MUST read books of the bible…
• James (5 chapters)
• 1 John (5 chapters)
• Colossians (4 chapters)
• Galatians (6 chapters)
• Ephesians (6 chapters)
• Philippians (4 chapters)
• I Thessalonians (5 chapters)
• 2 Thessalonians (3 chapters)
• Jonah (4 chapters)
• Titus (3 chapters)

Read the book each day for 1 week. Just read it. It’s so awesome cuz somedays you’ll notice a verse that’ll stand out and ‘become real’ for you like you had never read it before even though you were. If you have a study bible some days read 1 or 2 chapters then read the study notes. Super cool insight!


How do I forgive me? Because I really feel like I'm this awful person and can't really seem to forgive me

You need to learn to KNOW & TRUST Christ more, to understand and appropriate God’s grace and resources you have in Christ…who you are and what you have IN CHRIST. To lose self for Christ’s sake and the Gospel. To DISCOVER, DEVELOP & DEPLOY your spiritual gifts, the mind of Christ, and spiritual growth.

Forgiving yourself is sometimes a process but know that when you ask for forgiveness…I John 1:9 then believe it whole heartedly. There’s only 2 ways to go…God’s way. “what does God want?” or satan’s way “What do I want?”. God’s way may require present suffering (probably the scares me to death you mentioned below) BUT He promises to never leave you or forsake you.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/study/misc/putoffon.html

print and highlight verses as you come across your PUT OFF feelings and replace them with PUT ON truths.

I hope you’re feeling loved, which you are!

slices of Ukraine

Make a postcard - it's easy!

glimpse of our trip....Ukraine 2008

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

i represent God to the fullest....

Click and enjoy! Here's Brandon at Slobado High School

the stage was set for God to be glorified

I'm still in awe. Awe and wonder at what Jesus did. Only He could
have done what took place. You know we were set up to follow an
awards ceremony. The House of Culture is a very old building from the
Soviet Union and Communism era. Old wooden floors, no heater because
they turn off all heat in government buildings when winter is over,
very old seating and the stage curtains must have been hundreds of
years old.

But the message of Jesus Christ from Brandon's rap illuminated not only
the House of Culture but the hearts of every single student,
teacher, official, Assistant Mayor, principal and all who attended!

For the 1st time ever in this community the stage, literally, was set
for God to be glorified as He used Brandon's talent in rap to portray
a message of Hope.

"could you walk in His shoes?
could you drink from His cup?
He opened up His arms like He loved you this much
could you do what He did and die so we can live?
if you could then your name is JESUS"

The Gospel message was translated word by word at the end of his
concert and everyone; everyone listened.

Micah said he had NEVER seen this many students gather together in
Kaharlyk. He had the students repeat a prayer. So amazing to hear
this translated. We plugged in Ultimate Freedom which is Micah's youth
group on Saturday night.

Can you believe it!!

One more thing....After the concert a beautiful young girl about 8
years old with braided pigtails wearing blue knit stockings and a long
coat stood out because of her smile. She ended up being Alonya's
daughter. Alonya is the lady who is the Regional Counselor for schools and had
a strategic part in putting the visit in November and this visit
together.(especially Brandon's rap concert) She is not a believer but it's all
about relationship and building trust.

I asked her, "Are you a single mom" because I heard from Olya, the pastors wife, to pray for her. Well it turns out she has been a single mom for 4 years. I was
able to share with her how I was a single mom for 10 years and only by
making Jesus real in my life and allowing Him full control did I ever
make it raising two beautiful children. She said she would talk with
me tomorrow, Sunday, so I hope this will take place.

UKRAINE TIDBIT: Only 10% of homes in Kaharlyk have bathrooms.
Everyone else uses an outhouse.

"the rep"

Brandon, also known as 'the rep' which stands for Representative of Christ had his first appearance in the Culture Center following an awards ceremony. We walked into the building tonight not knowing what to expect.

God knew. He knew all along and planned this from the beginning. The house was full of over 200 students and from even 20 minutes away students somehow came from the village we just shared at in Slobada. These students were standing in the entryway! The screen came down. I've never seen a screen this BIG....and Brandon's video was the kick off. My Life, My Struggle.

He got the students involved by his next rap when he would point to the crowd and they would say, "the rep"! His lyrics preach the gospel and that's what happened this afternoon. The Gospel was preached to every student, teacher, representative...

I was in awe of what God did in this little town of Karahlyk. The vision Micah has had and Wayne the Pastor of Calvary Chapel is community transformation. And that it was!

Talking to the Parents...

Brandon & I spoke to parents about the sanctity of life to break the bondage that "it's just a blob of cells" and bring truth it's a miracle of life in the womb. We were able to pass around amazing fetal models in a black velvet box with 4 models representing 7weeks, 8weeks, 9weeks, and 10weeks. IT"S A BABY! A real life...by 10 weeks there is a heart beat, brain waves and finger prints. I love sharing this truth and setting captives free.

By sharing personal testimonies, skits, stories, statistics both in America and Ukraine their eyes become open and hearts tender to receive truth. Olya, Pastors Wife, said out of everything we're doing here in Kaharlyk 'this' is the most important. This will have the biggest impact for the church. We were able to plug the parents, teachers, and officails into Calvary Chapel Kaharlyk and bridge the judgement gap.

Teaching in Slobada...

We wrapped up today after 3 days of teaching to 8th to 11th grade students at Slobada, a little village about 20 min. away from Kaharlyk. We opened with question and answer time in the beginning then went straight into hard truth teaching about pornagraphy (which is as easy to get here like buying bread...a staple every family has). The issue on abortion is so real and rampant here. Families are brought up believing that if you're pregnant you just go to the local hopsital and abort. The Dr.s here also tell the young girls to 'have' sex to increase their testostrone. The Pastor's wife said there's a general belief that the body NEEDS sex so no matter what the they engage. Absurd lies!

Ukraine is 6th in the world for abortions and the leading European country. Never, ever, have parents, students or teachers heard a pro-life message. This country has been over 70 years atheist. Our Parent Teaching, which is tomorrow at 12-2 will be a challenge & it'll be only God who can lift the veil over the eyes to hear and know the truth of the miracle of life in the womb.

When I was last here I met with the Mayor's Assistant and he has organized this Parent Teaching at the Culture Center. Check out how! This is a mandatory meeting for the White House! Funny name they call their white building which is the Regional Building where teachers, counselors, and educational staff work.

Brandon and I will teach most of what we taught students...abstienece until marriage, sanctity of life and the knowledge of how and why to wait. Oh, please pray for the parents to be able to come alongside their son or daughter IF they ever become pregnant vs. the easy way of driving them to the local hospital and having their grandchild become a statistic.

At the end we passed out flyers to the students about Brandon's concert which will be in Kaharlyk on Friday in the Culture Center. This concert is following the Awards Ceremony at the local high schools. Brandon had the students repeat a part of the chorus "The Rep" which is his name (meaning a REPresentative of Christ). We owe this whole trip to the Lord and how He worked through His Word and prayer moving on the heart of Micah & Christy Claycamp, missionaries in Ukraine.

Back in Ukraine...

Our adventures so far...

here we are getting ready to leave for Ukraine...

times square


welcome to Ukraine...


Josie, Jaden and Jeremy greet Karie in the van...


is this sour cream???


kids in school listening to abstinence message...

our team...

Kylie's 'cooking' day for diabetes

Make a postcard - it's easy!