The Summit

For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.  - Hebrews 3:14

See not the small trials and vexations of each hour of the day.  See the one purpose and plan to which all are leading.  If in climbing a mountain you keep your eyes on each stony or difficult place as you ascend, seeing only that, how weary and profitless your climb!  But if you think of each step as leading to the summit of achievement, from which glories and beauties will open out before you, them your climb will be so different.

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Consider:

Am I focused on the small pitfalls and inconveniences along the way, or on the destination to which God is leading me?

Pray: 

God, guide my way, keeping my eyes on Your path, my mind focused on Your plan and the purpose You have made for me.




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taken from "God Calling," written by Two Listeners and edited by A.J. Russell

Comedy Show

This photo was taken of Ellen, Jerica, Michael Jr., Emily and Rachel at our comedy night benefit that we hosted last Friday evening. The comedy show featured family friendly and nationally known comedian Michael Jr. There were 450 people who heard Michael Jr. tell jokes and learn more about what CFCI does in Omaha, in the United States and around the world.

He is coming, time to get ready

President Obama came to my home town of Council Bluffs, IA, today to give a speech in Bayliss Park. This is a park that sits in the center of downtown and is across the street from my church. For days we have had security people running around and the city prepping for his coming. Sunday morning between services, we stood at the front doors watching all of the commotion. There were electricians running cables, guys building fences, others unloading trucks and setting up tents. Then came the school buses to act as street barricades, some were parked on our sidewalk and in front of our building, (needless to say this cut down on the number of visitors we had). The Secret Service command post was located in our church. They started setting up their equipment at 5:00 AM this morning, which required the pastor to get up and be there for them. All of this for a twenty minute stump speech. Then came the break-it-all-down and try to get-back-to- normal phase. At the Sunday service, I made the comparison between all of the work that was required for the President’s arrival to that of Jesus Christ’s soon return. The workers outside knew the schedule and when he would arrive – we on the other hand know Jesus is coming, we just don’t have the time & date. The workers were clearly focused on the task at hand – I think we easily get distracted. They knew the whole world could be watching the fruits of their labor – yet many of us go unnoticed in our own towns. For many of them, after the event they will go back to their day jobs – but for us, this is our day & night job. Each one of us has been called to prepare the way for His return. We are to go out and make disciples, preach the Good News, teach what He taught, love as He loved, pull down barriers and become one. Our efforts are not to be just a series of 20 minute speeches, but it is to become a lifestyle for a lifetime. What are you doing to prepare for His arrival? Are you making a difference in anybody’s life? What can we do to help you do more? Remember, He is coming, time to get ready. Blessings, Randy Fontaine

Why Go to All This Trouble

Why go to all this trouble?

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength". Deuteronomy 6:5 We certainly have the capacity to obey Deuteronomy 6:5, the first of the ten commandments. But those who have yet to be regenerated by putting their faith in Christ Jesus have a difficult, if not impossible, time walking out this first commandment. For Romans 8:5 clearly tells us: "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." In other words apart from Christ we live to please ourselves."But we who are in Christ desire to do that which is pleasing to the Lord. Christ For the City International was first formed and commissioned based on this commandment, "Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, Soul and Strength." It is out of our love for the Lord that we work, serve and give to others. Our missionaries, both long and short-term are sent into all the world so that others may have an opportunity to know and experience God's great love and provision for sin for their lives. We go for no other reason. We being submitted to God through the cleansing of Christ's sacrifice choose to serve the Lord. For when we fullfil this commandment, Luke 10:27, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; that is when we we desire go on to,‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." It is no longer us that lives but Christ who lives in us. And so as we "shod our feet with the gospel of peace" we walk, whether it be across the street or across the world, offering this Gospel of peace which brings salvation. That is why we "go to all this trouble". We desire for all people to have opportunity to be reconciled with Christ. "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15

Adventures in El Salvador!

Being a short-term missionary with CFCI is an adventure! But it's also an opportunity to immerse yourself in Christ and engage in daily activities that allow you to manifest His love for the nations. STI Marissa Hintz shares her El Salvador mission experience.
Marissa in El Salvador
If you'd like to learn more about how to become a short-term missionary in Latin America for at least a month, please contact penny@cfci.org or sheila@cfci.org.