Ahh.. dbase/clipper.. Those are early languages I worked with as well.
I suppose I am less concerned about whether you get a certification or not. However, I would pick some sort of language and as I have suggested in other discussions, consider finding a project - even if you must earn less (or nothing) and solve that problem. The reason is, theoretically learning is always slower and less effective than working on an actual project.
If you can, where you work, take on a small project with a newer technology, do so. I recently began programming again and asp.net is where I have been focusing. The past few months, for a client, he paid me for some hours and I gave some hours while doing research and learning. This resulted in quickly learning the technology and my client upping my hours considerably once the project started resulting in productivity gains for his business.
Here is a tutorial I wrote recently on using MS Treeview with javascript and jquery. In fact, the new learning has greatly upped my knowledge of: asp.net, sql server, javascript, jquery, xml, and css.
http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/matthewmoran/microsoft-treeview-returning-values-via-javascript-and-jquery-54571
My advice.. find that elusive project and solve a problem.