Materialism Antidote By Morris Ruddick

[SIGN] Power for 2017 Materialism Antidote By Morris Ruddick on Mar 31, 2017 09:57 pm Over the centuries, one of the chief challenges for the descendants of Abraham, with the point of stumbling again and again has been the desire to be like everyone else. So it is today in the Western church. More than one renowned prophet has viewed the Church in America as being a prototype in need of the correction received by the first century Laodicean Church when John was on the Isle of Patmos: “You say you are rich, have become wealthy and have need of nothing. But I say to you that you are miserable, wretched, poor, blind and naked.” This condition describes the dynamics underlying a materialistic society. Click to read full article » Recent Articles: Entanglements Guard the Gates Appointed Authority The Swirls Rising Above the Clutter

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[RUDDICK UPDATE] WHAT GOD IS DOING - Morris Ruddick

[RUDDICK UPDATE] WHAT GOD IS DOING  - Morris Ruddick Whenever a call of God is being walked out, it behooves us to have clarity on what God is doing. The tendency is to short-circuit the process by the activity of what may sometimes be even very sincere human efforts. It is easy to be blinded by the tendency of "more of the same," due to the success of past efforts. So, when we understand what God is doing, our sites are raised. As our sites are raised, we get a better grasp of the big-picture. It is then that we get a far better view of our role in the scheme of His plans. So it has been for us on this mission. It was January 2015 when we were last with the brethren in Hanoi. The evidence of God's purposes being manifested through these Vietnamese marketplace Christians was amazing then and even more so on this trip. The answers to prayers we have prayed with them in the past are far exceeding our expectations. Developments in the North We first came to Hanoi in the first part of 2009. At that time we did one of our God's economy seminars for about 45 young adults in their mid twenties to mid thirties. They were the sons and daughters of high-ranking, wealthy government officials. Most had been living hedonistic lifestyles -- and becoming disillusioned, had fallen prey to being addicted to hard drugs. It was like an epidemic, with some dying of overdoses and frantic parents putting them in high-end rehab programs, only for them quickly to be sucked back into their self-destructive lifestyles. Then one by one, these young people began encountering Christians who knew how to pray and who would lay hands on them and rebuke the spirits controlling them. One by one they were instantly delivered from their addictions, having dramatic, life-changing encounters with Jesus.   Their parents, then recognizing the reality of God being demonstrated through changes in their sons and daughters, in seemingly hopeless situations, began coming to faith. That 2009 seminar was held in the spacious home of the parents of one of those young adults who had had his life dramatically turned around in this way. What God has been doing has been penetrating the infrastructures of the ruling elite! Entrepreneurs Mobilizing Opportunity With several other visits to the north in the interim, in early 2015 we did a special seminar for a group of Christian business owners, each very successful and each completely sold out to the Lord. In many cases, these brothers and sisters had attended a very in-depth Bible school put on by the same man we worked with in setting our program up in early 2009. What God has been doing has been to deeply touch and mobilize Christian business owners to be blessed to be a blessing to their communities! So it was that almost two years ago, the primary focus of those attending our seminar was on 1) how to operate a business with God as your Senior Partner and to hear Him more clearly in planning decisions; and 2) how to proactively use your business as a means to advance the Kingdom. During that time, our host, who had spiritual oversight over these business people asked me to spend some special time with a woman who was planning to start a NGO (non-profit) to train young adults in doing business God's way. Through an interpreter, we met, we prayed, then we corresponded and I was kept apprised of developments (and challenges) through emails. Christian Entrepreneurs Employing Kingdom Strategies So, at the workshop we did for the entrepreneurs on this trip to Hanoi, this very seasoned business woman told me that only two weeks prior to our arrival, her program targeting young adults, despite having a board openly consisting completely of Christians, had received government approval. This woman is a pioneer, not only with her strategic vision from God, but with the way she has gained the approval of the authorities. Her program had already purchased land that will grow organic foods. There have beenscandals involving the quality of foods across Asia and having foods produced that people can trust has become very important in Vietnam. So, along with the biblical principles taught with our program, organic farming will become a part of their entrepreneurial training of young adults. This approach also represents the means by which they create revenues for expanding their influence. The approval of her program represents an important milestone in the relations between the government and believers. What God has been doing has been in giving the authorities another perspective in terms of the rapid growth of Christian converts in Vietnam! While the North has been subject in the past to the same persecution as the brethren in the South, this approval represents evidence of slow, but impending change. The surface issue involves government officials not trusting Christians to be good citizens or simply viewing Christian converts as simple, poor people who don't know better. However, beneath the surface this observation is compounded by the political inclinations of the authorities of the regions, of which there are two: the progressives who are more open to the West and to Christians; and the hard-core communists, who tend to be reluctant to extending trust to either the West or to Christians. Nevertheless, when Christians are successful in business and are helping the community at large, this hardened attitude tends to soften. It is even more so, when high-level officials come to faith. This is an important part of what God is doing in Vietnam. During our Hanoi trip in early 2015, there was a couple in our seminar gifted as entrepreneurs. Both the husband and wife EACH owned several successfulbusinesses. They invited us to dinner after our seminar. They also invited the wife's 80 year old father to join us. He held high-rank in the Party. We also found this man very committed to Jesus. He devoured the Word of God daily and had become a very committed intercessor. At the time he had came to faith, this man asked the Lord if He wanted him to leave the Party. The Lord told him "No, I want your influence and testimony. I want you to be My ambassador." Developments in the South In returning to the South last week, we conducted a workshop for business owners for the biggest official (CMA) church in Saigon. An estimated 70 people attended. They eagerly received our program, as many for the first time, heard what the Bible had to say about making God their Senior Partner and becoming community builders through their enterprises. Finally, at the end of this trip, we met with the committee of businessmen who had asked me to prepare a series of short videos on God's economy and Jewish (biblical) business secrets. During our trip in July we presented them with 24 thirteen to fourteen minute videos. The committee has not only translated the materials to be dubbed into Vietnamese, but has prepared a very persuasive introduction on business people finding success in their business, together with purpose in their destiny through small Christian business prayer/support groups. Their first step will be a web-site that use these videos as a means to attract young entrepreneurs. What God is doing is creating strategic alliances between business and ministry to advance the momentum of those recognizing the reality of God being evidenced through the Vietnamese Church. What God is doing is raising up a cadre of committed and strategic leaders who are changing the spiritual climate in seats of power. What God is doing is presenting the Vietnamese with the common ground between the Vietnamese and Jewish cultures as a means of drawing a cadre of movers and shakers to Himself, who will build the community around them. What God is doing is laying the groundwork for changing the course of this nation. What God has been doing has been blessing our efforts to be a part of what He is doing in Vietnam. So, once again I want to express our deep appreciation. May God richly bless you for your support and prayers in enabling us to be a part of what God is doing. Gratefully, in His Service,   Global Initiatives Foundation   sign@strategicintercession.org | http://www.strategic-initiatives.org/ PO Box 370291 Denver, CO 80237 Global Initiatives is tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 ministry

Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.

[MORRIS RUDDICK VIETNAM REPORT] OUT OF THE BOX

Morris & Carol Ruddick [MORRIS RUDDICK VIETNAM REPORT] OUT OF THE BOX "My heart burns with the fire of God when I talk with you." This was a recent comment of a Vietnamese pastor I work with. This man is a part of those who embody the future of Vietnam, who are paving the way for the new thing God is doing globally. Our time in Vietnam since mid-January has been rich, full and fruitful with a series of unexpected God-things taking place. All we've been working toward is maturing. It is dovetailing with God's sovereign moves across the earth, as we're witnessing the fire of God manifesting. It is linked to the shift that we believe is the forerunner of the new thing the Lord is doing between the generations. So, thank you for your prayers. At the forefront of our strategy has been an approach that mobilizes Vietnamese to help Vietnamese. Our aim has been to help them become self-sufficient as a culture within a culture, to mobilize believers to be a people of God who bring influence, as they become a blessing within their communities. Our goal has been to build community builders as we work toward establishing God's blueprint in the roles served by both pastoral and business leaders bridging the generations. These are ones who are a part of the ground-swell of God's purposes manifesting for Vietnam's believers. While we have started (and have continued) with a unique business startup program, our efforts plant what we call the God's economy program, "how to do business God's way." It is business with a purpose. In many ways, it's a different way of thinking. It is not unlike that of the Jews, the people of the Book, who have had to think strategically over the centuries to survive. But it is more than just survival. God's pathway has been for His people to be the head and not the tail. As our efforts have taken root and begun bearing fruit, we have begun preparing experienced business leaders to mentor the next generation. We have also long had the vision to tap the secular community with our efforts. This has spilled over into the field of education. From Orphans to Community Influence Here is one story to illustrate what is emerging. One of our closest associates, a successful business owner, has been caring for a group of orphans he and his wife have taken responsibility for. With very little help from the West, he has built the housing for this group of orphans on a property he owns. We have prayed with him as he has taken steps of faith and the opportunity has morphed. Through the orphanage now they reach out to their neighbors with gifts and food onholidays. They also conduct free English classes for many in the neighborhood who want to come, which broadens the spiritual foundations of those attending. However, their long-term vision is to establish a private Christian school. Taking one step at a time, their application for a private kindergarten is expected to be approved soon. New Emerging Opportunity In another "unexpected" from this trip, we were introduced to and broke bread with the boss of a close Vietnamese associate of ours. Our friend is in charge of the language program for a private college. Interest was expressed in our program for these students. Having been a part of a group (ICCC) that prepared a video series for the Chinese educational TV system in the late 90s, I am acquainted with the challenges of communicating spiritual things to a non-believing audience. It is an additional challenge when there are governmental restraints over spiritual things. Within the arena of doing business God's way are matters tied to the wholesomeness of faith, the spiritual values which comprise the faith-culture for doing business successfully. Interestingly, many within China, promoting the Chinese video series have surmised THIS to be the key edge defining Western business success. This premise ties in to the biblical mind-set of why the Jewish people have been so successful in business over the centuries. So we have been discussing the applicability and uniqueness that our approach will offer the students of this college. Before our departure, we conducted an informal workshop with a group of these students at a private Bistro. Our expectations were exceeded as we shared openly on topics related to the Lord andpertinent to these students. The matters we broached ranged from how to discover their gifts, discerning their destiny, God's plan for their lives, entrepreneurship, factors of leadership, community and the cultural similarities between the Jews and the Vietnamese. This wonderful time of exploration was concluded by my praying a prayer of blessing over them and then our being encouraged by these students and invited back for "more." Ripples from Generational Blessings One of our God's economy programs on this trip was done for the Methodists. Both pastoral and business leaders attended. One of those attending is the owner of a private kindergarten program. Her comment upon completion of our time together was that God had spoken to her about expanding her already successful operation into a K-12 school. This is the same thing the Lord has spoken to our business friend with the orphanage, who is awaiting approval for the first step with their kindergarten. Many business leaders from this workshop indicated they now understand how to better use their businesses for the Kingdom as they serve as community builders. I have a friend who has commented that he has enough in-laws to make a denomination! The family that has spawned the leadership of the Methodists in Vietnam didn't start that way. However, they have become an example of what is now significant with the generations strategically cooperating to bring in the "new thing" God is doing. Not long after the government change in 1975, the oldest of nine siblings came to faith. He then brought all the other members of the family to the Lord, including their parents. The parents went on to become pastors and half the siblings are now pastors and half are business owners with all the extended family being believers. From the beginning to this day they have supported one another. And their influence now extends across the nation. Yet, at the time they came to faith, things were not easy for believers. They formed a close family-community and prayed. They reached out and blessed their friends and neighbors. The youngest son (the pastor hosting us), is almost a generation younger than the oldest. As a young teen he felt a strong call into the ministry and upon completing school in Vietnam, they all came behind him and he was sent first to Korea and then to the US to study for the ministry. He has his doctorate from a respected U.S seminary. Their Bible School, where members from across Vietnam attend and where we did our workshop was property that was owned and donated by their parents. Unexpected Multiplication The participants of another of our workshops felt so strongly about the significance of what we taught that they asked us to do another workshop in conjunction with another group in another part of the city. We did. These folks are not only ready but eager to put into action what our program teaches. What was distinctive about this group was the number of successful business owners, who in addition to running quite successful businesses, have opened their homes to their friends and now are also pastoring congregations of 45 to 60! One of the most unusual "unexpecteds" was a request from a secular source to minister spiritually to a business professional. We did and it was received and embraced, an indication of the spiritual hunger that is resulting from the years of prayers and the spiritual climate change underway at this time in Vietnam. Unexpected Convergence Yet among all the things that took place, personally the most exciting was the start of plans for a coalition of Christian business leaders to mentor the next generation. Strategies have been laid out and steps taken for what we believe will trigger the opening of unusual doors for spiritually hungry people eager to do business patterned after the ways of the people of business described "in the Book." After these steps, before leaving, we "unexpectedly" were invited to share a meal with a group of three Vietnamese businessmen and a pastor. Two of them had gone through our program about four years ago. They were on their way back from another Asian locale putting on a seminar on how to start a business It was for an expatriate Vietnamese group preparing to return to Vietnam. They are the mobilized business community already doing what we are talking about. They are eager to bring our program into their efforts. These are the highlights. There was more, but I think you get the idea. God has been bringing it all together. It has been eight years since Easter of 2008, when the Lord opened the doors for usinto Vietnam. With the God's economy program at the forefront, we've invested over two years into our efforts with these amazing people. Now the fruit is coming forth as we plan for our next two trips, as we expand our efforts with strategies in education, make plans for successful business owners to mentor the next generation, get key materials translated, and walk through the open doors with university students hungry to embrace alternatives to the world's pathway of success with new (biblical) mind-sets. Again, thank you for your prayers. The fire of God is truly burning in Vietnam. Our efforts have been supported by literally a couple of handfuls of dear friends. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I pray that you recognize the shift and the opportunity we have before us and that your very vital support continues and should the Lord speak to you, will increase. The opportunity has never been greater. For those who may have only considered helping us, we are prudent with our expenditures and do a LOT with a little. We pray that you'll consider getting in the boat with us for this time of opportunity the Lord is opening for us. The year that began with Christmas of 2014 proved one of our greatest times of challenge. Our dear grandson Isaiah unexpectedly died. Twice while we were ministering in Vietnam in 2015, the ground floor of our home offices flooded. In the time following, my computer crashed with the loss of important data. We KNEW that God had something significant coming soon. That "something more" is happening now. Thank you again for your prayers and support. In His love and ours,

Morris Ruddick Global Initiatives Foundation www.strategic-initiatives.org www.strategicintercession.org Global Initiatives is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization

China Boosts Armed Forces to Challenge U.S. Military Dominance - Kelly Sloan TruNews

China Boosts Armed Forces to Challenge U.S. Military Dominance - TruNews (Rick Wiles)

Jan. 7, 2016

(TRUNEWS) China announced new boosts to its military forces Wednesday, in an effort to surpass the U.S. as the world’s mightiest military power.

The plan includes the construction of a new headquarters and the formation of three new units – a general command for the People’s Liberation Army, a missile force and a strategic support force.

State television showed Chinese President Xi Jinping giving military flags to the heads of the three new units last week. He also said he wants to continue working toward the “great renewal of the Chinese nation” and views building a strong military as the key.

But in an attempt to prove China poses no threat, Xi announced in September he would reduce China’s 2.3-million army by 300,000 troops.

The move comes as China boosts its posturing in the South China Sea, giving cause for concern to many of the neighboring countries in the Asia Pacific theater.

Prior to this latest escalation, Japan announced on December 18th that they will be stringing a line of anti-ship, anti-aircraft missile batteries along 200 islands in the East China Sea, stretching almost 1,400 km (870 miles) from the country’s mainland toward Taiwan.

Vietnam also made changes to their defense strategy to counter Chinese expansion, announcing a distinct move beyond contingency planning earlier this month. Reuters reported that key units were placed on “high combat readiness” – an alert posture to fend off a sudden attack – including its elite Division 308, which guards the mountainous north.

About Kelly Sloan

Kelly Sloan is a reporter and anchor for TRUNEWS Headlines on radio stations across the U.S. She was previously an anchor and reporter for USA Headline News and USA Radio News, where she also served as Assistant Religion Editor.

4 Things You Need to Know About the Middle East - Chris Mitchell CBN News

4 Things You Need to Know About the Middle East

01-03-2016

Chris Mitchell

CBN News

Chris Mitchell

JERUSALEM, Israel -- The Middle East has been collapsing in turmoil and violence in recent years -- from the 'Arab Spring' disasters in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and elsewhere to the rise of ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

What do Americans really need to know about what's going on in the Middle East?

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., retired Gen. Jay Garner, and former Israeli U.S. Ambassador Michael Oren are leading experts on the Middle East who explain four things you need to know.

1. Unprecedented Turmoil

"More generally in the Middle East, what the American people need to know is that this a time of unprecedented turmoil," Cotton said. 

"Again, you have Iranian-backed proxies -- whether they are militias, or state actors or terrorists groups -- that are largely in control of large swaths of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, (and) Yemen and that are going to continue to aggressively destabilize the region because Iran is going to get tens of billions of dollars to support them," he said.

2. Iran Will Get Nukes

Cotton explained that Iran is going to get more conventional weapons and eventually they will also get nuclear weapons.

"That is all going to happen in almost the first day of this (U.S.-led Iranian nuclear) deal," Cotton continued. "They're going to get the money immediately."

Cotton believes the nuclear umbrella they'll be developing will be a key factor in the pushback against Iranian actions in the region.

"That's why it's so important to stand up to them now before they get stronger, before they realize that they can confront the U.S. and our allies throughout the region," he said.

3. A Middle East Torn Apart

Gen. Garner said the Middle East is beginning to break apart.

"It's beginning to be subverted by terrorist elements like al Qaeda or like al Qaeda in the Sinai Peninsula," he said.

Garner said the United States does not have a coherent Middle East policy, and Americans don't generally recognize the realities in the region.

"In Syria and Iraq...we're running the gamut of nuclear proliferation...we need to have a policy and have to put the resources behind the policy to correct that," he said.

Oren said that isn't necessarily the full picture with regard to the West.

"The state system, as devised by the Europeans, they're arbitrary borders that didn't take into consideration ethnic and religious differences," he explained.

4. Middle East Not like Vietnam

"The Middle East is not like Vietnam where you can pull your troops out and go home and be pretty confident that the Viet Cong are not going to follow you to wherever you're going to -- Chicago or Florida. The Middle East is going to come after you," Oren said.

"The Middle East is coming to a neighborhood near you, and the United States will remain deeply connected both strategically and financially to the Middle East," he said.

"So there's no detaching," he said. "If the United States wants to be a player in this region, a player diplomatically, it has to be a player militarily as well."

Watch full report here: CBN News - Middle East

[RUDDICK REPORT] THE BRAND MARKS - Morris Ruddick

[RUDDICK REPORT] THE BRAND MARKS - Morris Ruddick Oct. 1, 2015 "From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus."Gal 6:17 The opportunity to assist our brethren in Vietnam has been a joy beyond words. As I was praying the first morning after arriving, the thought occurred to me: "We need one another, since no single group within the Body has all the answers. So the question arises: "Who then do we identify with?" Do we identify with those with pristine doctrinal answers? Or maybe our "identification" is with those whose efforts are demonstrating the most impressive numbers? No real fault could be found with either. Yet the answer I landed on underscores the deepest reason of why we continue to come to help these brethren in Vietnam. I want to identify with those whose bear the brand-marks of the Lord Jesus. It is aKingdom principle that within our weakness, His strength will be manifested. "Seeing that many boast according to the flesh....I say that we were too weak for that! I am more: in labors more abundant, beaten times without measure, in prisons more frequently, often in danger of death. .....Besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my weaknesses." 2 Cor 11:23, 28, 30 Since early 2008, this is the 24th trip we have made to Vietnam. Just when it seems like the dust has settled, in terms of persecution, a week before our arrival our chief contact was raided. It was a gathering of leaders at which we have previously ministered. The authorities held and questioned our friend, along one of his pastors for a full day. They were bullied and threatened, but in failing to intimidate them, the authorities eventually released them. I'm reminded of the story of Peter who similarly was arrested for his faith and put in chains. During that time, the people prayed fervently and God sent his angel to deliver him. "Then the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shown in the prison and the chains fell off his hands." Acts 12:7 The Cost and Impact The stories of some of the Vietnamese Christian leaders we have worked with are nothing short of incredible. Their zeal and determination is extraordinary. So I have spent some quality time during this visit working with one of these leaders, capturing some of the amazing testimonies that have taken place in the post-1975 church in Vietnam. Through the courage and dedication of these brethren, their tenacity and their brand-marks, the spiritual climate of this nation has been changing. Illustrating this, one of the pastors we work with asked us to go with him and one of his members, a business leader, to the city of Cu Chi. This business leader had recently bought property to start a new business in that locale. Cu Chi is the site of several battles and extensive tunnel networks used by the Viet Cong. Since 1975 it has become a settlement for hard-core government officials. The pastor we went with told us about a time several years ago in that very area, when the authorities unsuccessfully chased him in an attempt to incarcerate him. He bears the brand marks of the Lord Jesus. However, he went on to share that over just the last ten years that the spiritual climate of Cu Chi has changed dramatically. When he reluctantly first accompanied this church member there, he was surprised to find former government officials eagerly asking him questions about the Lord. His plans already include starting a new congregation there. Expanding Our Reach We have spent many of our visits working with independent, underground networks of congregations. Yet we also have begun capturing the attention and working with many respected denominational groups. This trip has included special workshops for two denominational groups we haven't worked with before: the Presbyterians and the Assemblies of God. Our time with each was very special. The Presbyterians are especially meaningful to us as it was a business and spiritual leader from their group who almost seven years ago took us deep into the countryside over dirt roads to minister in an area where I served when I first came to Vietnam in 1966. We are also very close to a Vietnamese pastor in Denver who was sent out to oversee the Vietnamese Presbyterians in Denver. Before departing on this trip, we brought the Sunday message to this wonderful group of American-Vietnamese. Those attending our community development program from the AOG were members of the business community, many owning their own businesses. They were extremely attentive to the strategies I outlined for making the Lord their Senior Partner and developing community-building strategies for their businesses. I learned during the course of the seminar that some had even invited friends to attend. At the conclusion of this workshop, a man came up to me who was brimming with joy.  He told me how much he had enjoyed the workshop and....would it be possible for him to become a Christian? I was honored to lead him in a prayer committing his life to the Lord. The Unexpected One of the people we met a couple of years ago is a Vietnamese-American. His dad, a Vietnamese pastor, served as a chaplain prior to 1975. Our friend was raised to serve the Lord. He spent time as a US Marine infantryman in the Iraq war. He has since moved to Vietnam where he met his wife and now teaches at a local university. What has developed unexpectedly was that he gave his boss a synopsis of my "business school of values." His boss's response was very positive and we agreed to discuss the possibilities on our next trip. Orphans In addition to their own daughter, our Vietnamese-American friend is among those we know in Vietnam who have adopted and are raising a (previously) homeless orphan. Our friend who first took us to minister in my former operating area is a business owner called as a true modern-day Joseph. In addition to his own two children, he has adopted seven orphans. To watch the unselfish love with which he and his wife have given to the family they are raising has been inspiring. He also is a blessing to his rural home-town where he has given several scholarships to send young people from poorer families to attend high school and college. Carol has been working with a group of 36 orphan three hours north of our base. The children look forward, expectantly, to her arrival. On our last trip, items she had brought the children were lost when the latch on one of our bags malfunctioned. So on this trip she hand-carried the little toy trucks and cars for the boys and dolls for the girls. She indicated it was a time of great joy for them all. The Timothy Project The expectation of forward movement with the Timothy Project, an effort that mobilizes successful business people to work with the younger generation on establishing businesses God's way, experienced a temporary setback.  Nevertheless, we have contacted others who share this same vision of Vietnamese helping Vietnamese who are eager, ready and prepared to move forward. We believe the initial traction will be restored and hope to see movement forward when we return in late January. Emerging Focus Those who bear the brand marks of the Lord Jesus are ones who have passed a threshold in the natural. Their dedication has unveiled important dimensions of God's heart. That always involves Israel and the fulfillment of the promises made long ago to Abraham. God's heart for Israel will provide the keys to unlock key emerging agendas. In this regard, the importance of the marketplace cannot be overstated. Our collaborations with the Vietnamese have involved those who have traversed the fire and emerged without the smell of smoke, who fully grasp what God is doing in the marketplace and who deeply yearn to be connected to Israel. In a forum a matter of days ago, we began discussing a summit that would address a pressing question involving the emerging Josephs: "Where do we put our funds in terms of what the future holds and in terms of maximizing the return for both Israel and the Kingdom." There is a move underway being orchestrated by the Holy Spirit that is converging these priorities of God's heart and we would ask for your prayers in terms of discerning and acting on our part in it. Luke 15:22 tells about Silas and Judas who, being prophets, went about encouraging and strengthening the brethren. That describes a very key aspect of our mantle. We've been "sent" to Vietnam not to establish ourselves, but rather to play a role in strengthening and developing timely strategies for those who have been prepared and are at the forefront of God's heart and agendas. Our focus targets the faithful persecuted who have embraced God's heart for the marketplace and Israel. In so doing, we serve as deployment mobilizers and trainers who equip these brethren with strategies to release God's presence to change the spiritual climate and prepare in establishing the alliances to fulfill their mandates. Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and making these efforts possible.

Morris Ruddick Global Initiative Foundation www.strategic-initiatives.org www.strategicintercession.org Global Initiatives is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt ministry

Love For His People Editor's Note: We support the ministry of Morris and Carol monthly for their work in Vietnam, and Israel. We encourage you to do the same!

Please visit his website (info just above) for further info.

Shalom,

Steve & Laurie Martin

Founders

Love For His People, Inc.

[RUDDICK SHIELD] HIGHER DIMENSIONS IN VIETNAM - Morris Ruddick

Morris & Carol Ruddick [RUDDICK SHIELD] HIGHER DIMENSIONS IN VIETNAM We're back in Vietnam. We've returned within a time in which many shifts and changes are taking place around the world. The weeks leading up to our departure have had serious challenges, but with them has come new opportunity. Dire prognostications have surrounded the arrival of the Shemittah this month. But this time also is the time of year on the Jewish calendar leading up to the High Holy Days surrounding Yom Kippur/ the Day of Atonement. A Time of Soberness and Vigilance The month (Elul) preceding Yom Kippur is considered a time of sober reflection to judge yourself prior to a corporate day of humility and repentance. It is a time for searching your heart and drawing closer to the Lord. Taken seriously, this is the Lord's scriptural design to bypass the impact from the abounding spiritual clutter, snares and swirls impacting the world around us. So, in the face of the amassing global turbulence and uncertainty, we have responded to what has been as a Macedonian cry of the Vietnamese to us: to come back and help them. Highlights The final days of summer have been focused on wrapping up my latest book: "The Mantle of Fire." The subtitle is "God's Empowerment of the Joseph-Daniels and God's Economy." The theme is about the mantle of revival being wielded by God's marketplace practitioners. Just prior to our departure, I had a special opportunity to speak to a gathering of Vietnamese Christians in Denver. We sense the future holding more in terms of our role in helping to mobilize the Vietnamese church in America. Now with us back in Vietnam, Carol will be expanding the work she does with orphans. In addition to a rigorous schedule of our God's economy workshops with new segments of the church, I will be starting an effort to co-author a new book on the history of the church in Vietnam since 1975. Also, on the threshold of what we foresee as next on our agenda in Vietnam is an initiative that would mobilize successful Vietnamese Christian business owners to reach out to help the emerging generation (18-30). They would be mentors in the start of new business enterprises according to the principles of God's economy. In short, we're reaching for higher dimensions of what the Lord has given us to do. Again, thank you so much for your prayer agreement and support. Prayer Focus 1. Angelic protection and prayer shield against spiritual curses and backlash; for good health, connections and traveling mercies; and for our loved ones back home. 2. The anointing, wisdom, strength and protection for meetings, workshops and follow-up "mentoring/ biz incubator groups" to nurture spiritual leaders/ biz growth. 3. Prepared hearts of those attending; and the spiritual condition and maturity of the leaders God has prepared in putting these spiritual strategies into action. 4. A spiritual authority and presence of mind that eludes distractions, snares and pitfalls and releases the mantle of the supernatural to bring influence and change. 5. Carol's growing work with the orphans. 6. The work with the new book on the recent history of the church in Vietnam and for final details for the publishing of my "Mantle of Fire" book. 7. The implementation of new strategies: with funds, alliances and the launch of the "Timothy Project:" VN business people helping young adults to start businesses. 8. Strategic alliances with US-based supporting ministries and churches to maximize our Joseph-Calling and God's economy work in the West, Israel and Asia. 9. Leveraged prayer coverage, communications, as well as alliances for our next steps in mobilizing God's people in the marketplace, overseas and here in the US. 10. Supernatural recovery from jet-lag spiritually and in the natural; and catchup with administrative steps for developing NEXT STEPS for entering a new phase of this unique calling we're stewarding. Understanding the Times There have been many questions about the array of voices coming from within the Body about the impact of the Shemittah. God's purpose for the Shemittah has always been to enhance His blessings for His people. However, the completion of this 50 year-cycle is happening in the context of a world ignoring the ways of God and erupting into a state of turbulence and chaos. From God's perspective, the focus involves two converging paths: Israel and the Church. While God has released judgment on the wicked, the flip-side of judgment is revival and restoration taking place among God's people. The restoration of God's order, as described in Isaiah 60 has not been seen at this level before in our generation. "Darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples, but the Lord will arise over you and His glory will be seen upon you." Isaiah 60 I've also pondered what I recall was taking place 50 years ago. It was also a time of significant change. Accepted values were under attack, during a time in which the US was escalating its role in the cause of freedom in Vietnam. Yet, the most significant spiritual happenings of that era did not happen immediately.  It was less than two years later in Israel that Israel had its very dramatic 1967-War. It was an unexpected "suddenly." That particular war in Israel resulted in Israel regaining control of Jerusalem. During that same time-frame came the birth of the Jesus Movement (the Charismatic Revival) and also the Messianic Jewish movement. God was restoring fervent prayer and the ancient biblical mysteries of Jewish roots to the church. So, in understanding the times, I'm keeping my eyes on what's happening in Israel:  as Israel seems poised at the brink of still another war. If the 1967-War is an example, then something miraculous can be expected to emerge in both Israel and within the church. Sometimes we expect to see change to happen immediately, while realistically big-picture things are set in motion that involve a process that is released and takes place over time. Nevertheless, underlying our expectations should be God's restoration. Summary In Vietnam, we have become a part of a process that has begun to surge because ofthe fervent prayers of a church very faithful in the face of being seriously persecuted for their faith. We have been assisting in advancing opportunity -- with God's proclamation of His people being the head and not the tail. The roots of our work have gone deep. We are now entering higher dimensions in these efforts. Again and again, we find God's hand on all we've been doing, as we marvel at the timing and significance of the opportunity. Thank you again. Your support and prayers for us are foundational in maximizing the opportunity, as well as confronting the spiritual warfare and challenges. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you. Your prayers have been and are instrumental in holding up our arms in these efforts.   With warm regards in Jesus,

Morris Ruddick Global Initiatives Foundation www.strategic-initiatives.org www.strategicintercession.org Global Initiatives is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 ministry. PO Box 370291 Denver, CO 80237