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A SPECIAL TRIBUTE |
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There are some who bring a light so great to the world
that even after they are gone, The Light Remains
THAT PERSON IS CLIFFORD L. JOHNSON
This Fathers Day edition is dedicated to our father Cliff.
To so many who knew him, he was a Father of the Faith as well as an incredible example of a Christian Father.
He and his wife Kathy served the Lord with Motivation for Ministry for over 35 years. Their vision was plain and clear. "To help the church really be the church, and for Christians to take the love they have for the Lord and put it into action."
During those years he took that vision to over 30 countries and his life touched thousands and thousands of people. The avenues of ministry
have been numerous with Christian concerts, weekend retreats, lay-witness missions and one of his greatest loves was escorting over 22 groups to Israel.
He loved spending time with his family and children. He was affectionately known as "Papa " to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as so many other children who had no grandparents.
In October of last year, Marilyn and I had the distinct privilege of inheriting this Ministry, we now call Be the Gift. The original vision has remained the same. It is a ministry of people bursting with confidence and the belief of reaching out to people in need. The energy and fire of this ministry comes from those with a love for the Lord and a determination to put His Word into action.
So this Fathers Day, we say "goodbye for now" to this amazing man and special father. We know that as time passes, we will all move toward the day when the comfort of our memories is greater than the sorrow of our loss.
We pray for each of you who knew and loved Cliff, and we are confident that the Light Remains in each person Cliff Johnson touched.
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 The month to honor our Father's
Chris and Cliff at the Jordan river |
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Cliff Johnson, my father - the perfect dad...that of course is an erroneous statement concerning my dad or any other dad. But there is one thing for sure, my dad left an impression and influenced my life like no other person. On May 27, 2009 dad finished his race here on earth and is consulting Jesus in heaven, I am sure on many issues. To say I miss him would be an understatement. But we are still in the middle of our race, picking up the baton and running forward to our goal that Jesus has set before us.
One thing I heard over and over about dad was the impression and impact he left on many people over the years. Let me say there are some great stories about what he did for people and how he handled many situations. My dad wasn't perfect, but he had a passion to have his life reflect God's love to his family and the world around him. Dad also new he wasn't perfect and didn't try to be; he just tried to be a better man, father, brother and Christian in every opportunity possible.
Now it is our time. Let me just say that each of us will leave an impression and impact on our families and the world around us. The only question left is, what kind of impression and impact will that be? I hope I won't burst your bubble but we'll never be perfect, a Cliff Johnson, an Apostle Paul or Peter or any other great men that you may admire. The world has already had one of them. It is our moment to excel and to burn with God's love and greatness to our families and the people around us with the gifts that God has given each of us.
Cliff had this saying he lived by, "I aspire to inspire until I expire." Let's all apply that mantra of his expression in our life.
I pray you ASPIRE (to attain or accomplish a particular goal)
to INSPIRE (to influence, move, or guide by divine inspiration)
until we EXPIRE (2 Timothy 4:7-8 says, "I have fought
the good fght, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for us the crown of rightousness,
which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award to us on that day..")
Thanks to all of you for your generous support, love and kind words during this time. We would love to hear from you... let's keep in touch.
Love and God Bless Chris and Marilyn
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