Who Are You Listening To?
I have given some thought recently to a familiar passage of scripture in Matthew 17:1-8. For those of you who don't know without looking, it is the account of the transfiguration of Jesus and while there are lots of interesting things about this passage, I want to focus on only one specific aspect of this wonderful event in the life of Jesus. As you well know, Jesus takes Peter, James and John, his brother, on top of a very high mountain. While they are there talking Jesus is transformed right before their very eyes. At the same time, Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus and begin to have a conversation with Him right there on top of the mountain. Now right in the middle of this amazing time, Peter chimes in with a wonderful idea of launching a building campaign so that this historical event can be memorialized for his benefit and for those who were less fortunate to be there to experience it all firsthand. As Peter is expressing his ambitious ideas, which was not the first time for him to do so (see Matt. 16:22f), there came a loud voice from heaven declaring, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”

This is the part that struck me so strongly. Father God declares from heaven that Jesus is His beloved Son with whom He is well-pleased and that the disciples are to listen to Him. I have been pondering on all that is meant in this encouragement from God to listen to Jesus. The first and most obvious to me is that the disciples were inclined toward NOT listening to Jesus. Hence the strong encouragement to do so. And aren't we so much like the disciples. Sadly enough, many of us can identify so well with Peter. Really all Peter is doing is what we all do so naturally; he is coming up with a good idea that he has thought up on his own. It only makes sense, right? Jesus is gloriously transfigured right before his eyes and then Moses and Elijah show up on the scene. This is a pretty amazing day for Peter. The natural thing to do is to come up with a way to remember this time and pay homage to the great saints of old who have taken time out of their busy schedule to pay the disciples and Jesus a visit. But God had other thoughts. He is more interested in Peter, and us, listening to Jesus and not dreaming up good ideas on our own. Of course, Moses and Elijah do have special significance. Moses represents the Law and Elijah the prophets. In other words, all the historical, traditional ways of hearing from the Lord. But those days are over! Now God says listen to My Son.

Most of us would not be guilty of listening to the Law or Old Testament prophets instead of Jesus. However, all of us are guilty of paying more attention to the past, the traditions of men, or even christian leaders than to the voice of Jesus. Paul makes this especially clear in Colossians 2:8 when he says, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." Jesus is alive and actively communicating with His body. This communication takes place as each individual part learns to listen to the Lord's voice and obey what He is telling them to do. This calls for a daily commitment on our part to be in a living relationship with Jesus in order to hear what He is saying to us. We need to resist the temptation to rely on our own understanding and our past experiences. We need to only listen to Jesus. So let's all recommit ourselves to developing an ear for Jesus' voice and make Him our center of attention. Just as the disciples did on the mountain of transfiguration, may we lift up our eyes and see no one except Jesus Himself alone.

Ministry and Family Update

Sorry for being so late in getting this month's update out. We have been going non-stop since the first of August when Cliff's mother returned to the US. Cliff was in Kenya during August and had a wonderful time with Rene Brown, Morris Sheats and the rest of the Africa team members. There were 20 men that gathered for a great time of fellowship, teaching and relationship building. The men were from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, and Democratic Republic of Congo. After spending four days together the team members returned home and Rene and Cliff spent two days visiting orphans and widows. A few years ago Rene's wife, Elizabeth, developed a strong desire to help the orphans and widows in Kenya. In many occasions these orphans and widows are children and wives of our team members who have died due to various sicknesses. Other remaining team members have accepted the responsibility for these orphans and widows to care for them in very practical ways. At present, Rene and Elizabeth, along with two Kenyan brothers, are believing the Lord to provide monthly for about 30 widows and almost 100 orphans. Cliff was very impacted by spending time visiting these orphans and widows and we are believing the Lord to give us wisdom in how we can be involved in helping to support these special people.

We continue to be involved with the ministry to the street boys here in Worcester. God has really put together a wonderful team of people who all have a heart to see these boys healed and restored. Stephanie has begun to go on the streets some nights with Shirley and reach out to the kids. She is also involved in a Tuesday morning ladies group where the Lord is using her to minister to unwed mothers and prostitutes in Roodewal.

Both of the girls were involved in an English speech competition through their school this month. Hundreds of school age children in the community participate in reciting poems and works of literature. Natalie did an individual performance and she and Camille were both involved in a group recital with other girls from their class. They both did a great job and we were very proud of them.

We also celebrated Camille's birthday since we last wrote. Camille turned nine years old on September 5th. She had a big party with her girl friends from school. She is growing up so fast and becoming such a wonderful young lady.

Thank you all for your love, prayers and support. Whenever you have a chance please write us, we love to hear from you.

Love,
Cliff, Stephanie, Camille, Natalie, and Wesley