Tuesday morning the 10th. Ok. To start, I'm STILL feeling like a bozo about mom's birthday. Bottom line, I should have been there. But in my defense - she's in Omaha. Still... She was the gift that God chose to give the gift of life to me through - praise His name!!

So - with all that going on, the question I must keep answering is - what am I DOING WITH THAT GIFT!?!



St. Francis of Assisi once said "Start by doing what's necessary..."

I think that for someone who's heard the "call" of the Lord - as scripture says, "I chose you..." (John 15:16) the "necessary" starts with a simple yes. Kinda' a "here am I Lord..." thing.

I'm in.

From there, the "necessary" things unfold before us when we open our eyes and pay attention. So - we say yes - and begin to see what's necessary - in our own life - in the lives of our neighbors - in the lives of those living in the despair of the inner city. In the lives of those who are struggling to survive daily - those who are trapped in bondage by others - modern day slaves. The list of "necessary" things is huge - long - maybe endless.

He Assisi added, "Then, do what's possible...".

I think we sometimes want to jump to the 3rd part of this encouragement (see below...). But this is the "daily" step - the mundane - the expected - sometimes the "duty" - what's possible - what's in your hand right now? A pen? A shovel? A law-book? A Bible? Empty handed with them clasped together asking God to show you? We gotta get involved in doing what's "possible" - - - hard to see on the surface and honestly, when we look at something like starving children - where do we start?!? We have to start with what's possible - my encouragement is to find someone who's gone before you - who knows today what's possible with the resources we have - you have - with what you're bringing to the table.

In Kenya - 410 Bridge knows what's possible. What is necessary and what we can do TODAY with what we have in our "hands" RIGHT NOW.

Assisi finishes his encouragement with this - "...suddenly, you are doing the impossible...".

As you watched that video clip. Did you note how easy that 500kg tank moved. 500 kilograms. 2.2+ pounds per kilo. That tank weighed over 1,100lbs!!

Could YOU move that?

I couldn't. It is IMPOSSIBLE.

Will you join me in the impossible? Am leaving on 12/26 to go to Kwambekenya and Joska with the 410 Bridge.

Together with God - where God is already working - - - the impossible is transformed.

Join me prayerfully and I also directly ask - financially. We've got a bunch of money left to raise - here's my proposal - I turned 50 this year - - prayerfully consider $1 per year the Lord's granted me life on this earth (maybe $2 per year?!?).

Send a check - made out to "410 Bridge" to -

Clay Zirkle
14275 Thompson Road
Alpharetta, GA 30004

OR - please send me a note if you do this - but you can contribute online HERE. Be sure to plug in my name - - -

Join me. It's about doing things that are nuts. Crazy. Impossible.

Clay

For more info on where we're going - click here.

Monday night – the 9th of November. Tonight I was talking with Jill and ended up reminiscing about Pastor Phyllis of Glory Outreach Assembly. I met her almost a year and a half ago as I was preparing to go with GlobalX to Kenya on a 410 Bridge lead trip. There were two moments of significant memory – well, more than that as it would turn out – but two that I’ll mention here.

Our team met Pastor Phyllis and Bishop David Thagana at Northpoint on a Sunday afternoon – and she had some free time that Wednesday night. We invited her to come and have dinner with the team and she graciously said “yes”. When asked what she’d like to have for dinner – she answered –

Food.

Stop and let that sink in. Not a snarky answer. No wise-guy twist. And honest, from the gut answer.

Food.

She went on to say that whatever was prepared for her – set in front of her – she would eat – and be grateful.

If you’re reading this – consider her answer deeply. She was happy with “food”. She was grateful that we were going to prepare and provide her with “food”. Not pizza – or a particular BRAND of pizza. Not a steak or a particular cut of steak – prepared medium rare and dry rubbed - - -

Food.

I long for that level of gratitude in my life. Than you God for showing me that in Pastor Phyllis. May the example you’ve born in her be in my heart – may it be MY response – for the rest of my life on this earth.

That's enough. The 2nd significant thing will have to wait. 10:43pm - time for this old man to hit the "hay"...

Friday night - - just got notified that we've got to have all of the funds raised by NEXT Wednesday!! Lord forgive me as I've let the "weeds" of life leap up around me and cover up a lot of my day-to-day life. That's not all that unusual I'd guess - for each of us.

But - gotta stop. Re-group. Find silence, solitude and surrender at the foot of the cross - look up and know I am loved. Each one of us - and that He's got the end result. Now - that doesn't let me off the hook. I'm still charged with being what He's called me to be. And asking - asking people to come along - be a part - this year it's not possible in "bodily form" - the trip is "closed" (uh, cuz' it's so darn close!!) - but prayerfully and financially...

If you're watching out there - Jill and I need to raise a total of $3000 between now and next Wednesday the 11th. Oh Lord - help us to be bold - and to bring those who you've "called" to draw alongside - - - another video a comin'!!

Clay