How many of us need a break, how many of us need to see hope today, how many of us need a little excitement in our lives just to sense that we are still alive and not just existing to work, eat and sleep? We don't believe there are many of you that couldn't use a break from the mundane and the humdrum of each day. Now get this what if it were possible, to get out of that mundane life without having to find a bottle of wine, whiskey, beer or that shot of tequila? Now maybe these are old school remedies and your choice of spirit has moved on to more culturally acceptable influences like a high potent joint or good snort of cocaine.
When we become so programmed and adapted to a life style whether it's good for us or not, it can be hard to imagine one day saying, I need to stop, I want to live life without all this crap, enough is enough, I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. I'm sick and tired of hiding and pretending to be one person at home or behind closed doors and another person out in public.
There comes a time that we need to make the choice and if we really want to find ourselves , as so many are trying to do, we need to start with the best person available and that is yourself the real you, the you that God created. Inside everyone is hidden the real you and inside that real you is a hidden treasure, and that treasure is the purpose you were created to be.
We had a young man sent our way a few years ago from the court system. He was told that if he stuck with us he wouldn't have to serve time, but he had to be willing to work and learn a trade and some life skills. Simon, I'll call him was more than willing to work with us and move on with his life. After a few months Simon was doing very well, a better worker would have been hard to find. Every morning he took part in our prayer time and devotions and breakfast. It wasn't long before he was talking positive about his life and future and the plans that were starting to develop in his mind and the dreams that he thought could never be possible for him, now he could see hope that they were going to come true, they would happen if he only kept his focus, as he watched and worked around people with positive attitudes. More and more he was looking out for others and not just himself. He was being freed from the control and belief that alcohol and drugs would give him the full, exciting, free life, a life filled with lots of fun and great friends with strong families. Many have been led to believe this lie by those that don't want to be in that pit alone. Now most of us don't have any of these problems and a few drinks here or there have never affected you and a joint now and then, well what harm can it do? This is what many people believe and have no problem passing on, this positive and great lifestyle to their children and even their friends. Simon after six months was well on his way to being a positive and excited member of society with hopes and dreams of a great future for him and his family to be.
One weekend Simon chose to go home and visit his mother after not seeing her for six months. He also hoped to drop in on a few friends and let them know how well he was doing and about his plans for his future. Well the rest of the story is not easy to tell and you may guess what happened. We can only imagine some of the one liners that were thrown at Simon. Get your head out of the sand - Come on have a little fun - you only live once - don't be a freak - you weren't that bad - don't you ever want to have fun again - just one don't be weird we're friends and we haven't seen you for six months and on and on and on we've all used them.
We never saw Simon again, we heard that he ended up out on the west coast and never recovered from that weekend again. One evening Diane and I were at home and we got a phone call and it was from a correctional facility. They told us that Simon wanted to talk to us, that he wasn't well and that the call would be recorded. I swallowed hard expecting a line of profanity and insults about our choice of life styles and what a bunch of loser's we were. Instead a broken and desperate voice said, "hello Mr Stephan, how are you and Diane doing?-------------I am so sorry for messing up and not listening to you. I'm really sick and in a lot of trouble and not sure when or if I'll ever get out of here but I just wanted to say thank you for all you did, and that I had a chance to see how good life really could be and threw it all away. If I ever get well and get out of here can I come and see you all? Say Hi to the guys for me and I sure miss you all and thanks again." That was the last time we ever heard from Simon, but we will never forget what a person he became when he chose to live and love and seek life as Simon a child of God.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do anything through Christ who gives me strength."
We need to turn to Christ for our strength.
Thank you once again for taking the time to view our blog. Battle River Ranch Camp is a non profit organization that is focused on developing trades and life skills, training opportunities for men and women that are searching and find it difficult to get the opportunities needed to develop a productive life skill. Many men and women today have no idea what they could be good at or how to find out their possible skill area or level. We are a faith based training center. Harold and Diane Stephan left a life filled with addictions and their journey has taken them through different twelve step programs and life recovery through a relationship and healing process with Jesus Christ. We would love to hear from you and if you feel this is a program and facility that would help you or someone that you know, or you would like to be more involved with a ministry like this or support it financially we would love to talk to you.
