Sunday can't beat that day

How to explain what it means to be with God's people in church could be said best with one word REFRESHING!!!. God puts people and opportunities our way not only to accomplish His purpose and build His kingdom, but to help us to grow in areas we most likely need to grow. Now when the day to be refreshed and recharged comes along we don't dare miss it, and today was no different. While the ranch project is exciting and hardly a day goes by without an incredible miracle, it can also be draining for Diane, Peg and I and all who so diligently work tirelessly alongside us to honour God and see the need and the purpose, and for God to plan such an incredible project. It is just like God to plan and prepare years ago the ground and people for His purpose at this location. God never ever sets His plan in place to harm anyone but to call His faithful to obedience. So when Sunday comes along and though we spend time each day in God's word and prayer, we find such joy and so refreshing to be with the gang at church every Sunday.

Today as the service was starting and I was already seated, Diane was still serving coffee out at the coffee bar in the entrance, the worship band had started and was doing a great ministry of leading us unto God presence. A dad was standing in front of me with his daughter that was about 6 years old, I noticed that she really wanted to be up in the next row with others her own age. Then the dad carefully lifted her up and over to where she could be more comfortable and enjoy the time with friends. It reminded me of our daughter Victory and the day we had to let her move to our older daughters where she wanted to attend high school and was able to grow in her walk with the Lord. For Diane and I it was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make. Very often we as parents have to make choices that feel like they almost tear out our hearts. Yet we need to continue to be the parents God calls us to be in loving and doing what's best for our children. Often we have been asked why we allowed our daughter to move out so young and it does make people wonder everytime they ask how she is doing and again the feeling is there of how much we miss her every day. Diane loves and needs her daughters in her life to survive and it's such a blessing that they know that and do a great job of staying in touch with her on a regular basis. We are so blessed with two wonderful daughters that continue to honor God with their lives and bless us with so much love and memories that we often wonder what we ever did to be so blessed.

Myself, I remember the many times Jacqui travelled with me on the Harley to our many destinations and never complained as we rode through snow or rain. I'm sure she traveled with me more miles on the old Harley than any of the other kids. Often we would pack a picnic basket and find a neat place to stop and have a picnic. One time Victory and I were heading into a black cloud and what looked like a lot of rain so I told Victory that if she wanted to I would stop and she could jump in with her mom that was behind us in the van or she could ride the rain through with me. As I expected she said, "dad, I want to ride it through with you." So I explained to her that she needed to keep her head down and close to my back. If she wanted to she could look to the side but stay close to me. Well the rain came and it was a downpour like no other, Diane said later there was no way the wipers could keep up and she wondered how we would make it through this rain, but we made it and within a few miles of the rain stopping Victory said, "Dad that was awesome." Our girls are made of the right stuff and whether they are on a motorcycle or it's Jacqui, the mother of four of our beautiful grandchildren doing whatever it takes to care for those kids, giving them all that they will need to make a difference in the world that they will live in and always backed by her caring, husband Terry.

Life is about choices and having the courage to make the choices that will make a difference for eternity. Diane and I made that choice many years ago and we have never been disappointed. God didn't use our forefathers to build this great nation so we could become so smart that we could do it on our own. No, it's not hard to see that if anything we would have become a whole lot more stubborn, selfish and narrow minded, too blind to see that if we didn't give God a chance and put it all back into His care, well, if you just watch the news once or twice it'll pretty much tell it all.

2 Chronicles 7:14
"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Thank you once again for taking the time to view our blog.The Battle River Ranch Camp is a non profit organization that is focused on developing trades, life skills and 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 bad choices. 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. God Bless You and Your Family!!!