Monday Can't Beat That Day

Preparations for the start of construction on the ranch lodge are moving ahead well as Larry and James have prepared and set up camp to house our tools and equipment for use. Materials are being sorted and checked and the first of the walls should be being built very soon.

Met more great folks today, the musical group from Norway and several reps. along with the organizers of Break forth. Every one was so blessed as the weekend was so charged with the presence of the Holy Spirit and every one who desired to be fed got more than they expetced.

Also met Miles and Joanne from Carndiff, had breakfast with them and had time to share the ranch project with them. God has so blessed them and is using them in their community to prepare the ground for some very exciting days to come. They will come and visit us soon and spend time out at the ranch as Joanne is called to be a prayer walker, it is so wonderful the people that God puts into our lives when He has work to be done. Also had a great visit with Carrie last evening, thank you so much Carrie for the encouragement, see you back home.

Seems a lot of people are going through struggles with church families and we are always reminded as to how blessed we are to have such a great church family that is so close and cares so much for each other. Next week end the marriage seminar is going to be so great and we are looking forward to it. Pray that all those we have asked to come do come and get their socks blessed off.

We need to let as many of you know about the ranch as possible so that the hope it will bring and the lives it will change and the encouragement it will provide can start as soon as possible. The ranch will be a one of a kind facility and will offer an option to many like no other. When God has a plan and like our friend Mike and Pastor Lyle wisely told us just keep your focus and don't let the distractions pull you away from God's purpose. 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 and our hope is to give each person that comes to the ranch an opportunity to find the skill they were created for.

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. If it were not for caring people in their lives that never gave up on them or thought they were a hopeless cause they too would still be lost.

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 and would very much appreciate your help in what ever way you can. Even if you could help with a small one time donation or a larger one it would help so much to bring this life changing facility and place of hope to be opened by this fall.

This is a ministry for those that have a heart and desire to make a difference in the lives of others with the skills and gifts they have been blessed with and have a desire to pass on what they know to the next generation.

You are always welcome to visit and we look forward to your input. This ministry is prayer based, and we pray daily for the needs of others, if you have a need for prayer and not sure where to start give us a call and we will confidentially support and help you in this area. You may not know a lot about God but God knows everything about you and He loves you more than anyone can or ever will.

God Bless You and Your Family!!!

Harold & diane Stephan and

Board of Directors of the Battle River Ranch Camp

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL US AT 1-3O6-825-7734 OR

haroldstephan@hotmail.com

WHY WE PRAY AND HOPE THAT

YOU WILL GIVE JESUS A CHANCE IS BECAUSE

THE LIFE YOU REALLY WANT AND CAN HAVE IS UP TO YOU

HERE'S ALL YOU NEED TO DO

DON'T WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND HERE'S WHY

#1

Because you have a past

You can't go back, but He can. The Bible says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8) He can walk into those places of sin, failure and hopelessness, wipe the slate clean and give you a new beginning. A beginning with a real and lasting future, full of hope.

#2

Because you need a friend that won't let you down

Jesus knows the worst about you, yet he believes the best. Why? Because He sees you not as you are, but as you will be when He gets through with you. What a friend!

#3

Because He holds the future

Who else are you going to trust? In his hands you are safe and secure - today, tomorrow and for eternity. His word says, "For I know the plans I have for you ...plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray I will listen". (Jeremiah 29:11-13 TLB)

If you'd like to start over, with a new beginning with Jesus today, Diane, I, the board of directors, volunteers and supporters of Crossman Ministries and the Battle River Ranch Camp would ask you, if you are looking for a new beginning to please pray this prayer:

LORD JESUS CHRIST

I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask Your forgiveness and now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank You for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.

If you have made this commitment and would like to make contact, please call us. We'd love to talk to you and help in any way we can.

We are praying for all of you reading the blog every day.

We all need and are searching for choices and option every day in our lives.

We want you

to know that you do have a choice as to where you will spend eternity and we just like to

let you know that even in those last minutes of life if you call out to Jesus with all your

heart He will be there for you. Just look at the criminal that hung on the cross beside

Jesus. Each and every one of us make choices every day about the life we want to live

while we are here on this earth but very few know about the option we have available to us

when it comes to eternity. God really does love you, Jesus really died for you and the

Holy Spirit will come and live in you. Just give Him a chance today

Sunday blessing day

God just continues to open door after door as He seeks to use a couple of ordinary people like Diane and I and a lot of other very day folks to build a ranch to show He cares and loves all of His people, no matter who or where they come from or what they have done.

One of our speakers today Philip Yancey talked about being a christian and making a differance in this world that we live in. He said that we need to know that God prepares each of us for a purpose but not every one is listening to God. He said it will take ordinary every day people like you and me, who are committed to accomplishing God's purpose and being the visible God in a world that needs to see the God who loves and cares each of us.

Many sit back and wait for God to do it all, when He has prepared all of us for a purpose to accomplish His purpose. Great weekend and many many contacts and devine appointments.

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. If it were not for caring people in their lives that never gave up on them or thought they were a hopeless cause they too would still be lost.

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 and would very much appreciate your help in what ever way you can.

This is a ministry for those that have a heart and desire to make a difference in the lives of others with the skills and gifts they have been blessed with and have a desire to pass on what they know to the next generation.

You are always welcome to visit and we look forward to your input. This ministry is prayer based, and we pray daily for the needs of others, if you have a need for prayer and not sure where to start give us a call and we will confidentially support and help you in this area. You may not know a lot about God but God knows everything about you and He loves you more than anyone can or ever will.

God Bless You and Your Family!!!

Harold & diane Stephan and

Board of Directors of the Battle River Ranch Camp

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL US AT 1-3O6-825-7734 OR

haroldstephan@hotmail.com

Saturday

Just a great day at Breakforth meeting a lot of folks we know and a lot of folks we haven't seen in a while.

As Diane and I were heading for lunch today we had a chance to visit and share about the ranch with Stacey and John Eldridge how great that was they may even come and visit us some day.

Franklin Graham was very good and the worship time with Brian Derksen was incredible.

We are so blessed to have this oppertunity.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings each morning, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes tightly closed against the morning lightas long as possible, thank you Lord, that I can see. There are many who are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off the effort of rising, thank you, Lord that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, and tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord for the food we have. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for the gift of life.

Even though we are not the richest folks around and often wish we had more, thank you Lord for what we have, that we are able to bless you with all that you have blessed us with

Author Unknown

Friday's Frenzy

God is so good and loves us so much , but I don't believe we can go off on our own little journey and expect God to just show up when ever we need a hand or we get so lost that we can't work thing out on our own. The bible tells it the way it is, and the way it is is the best way for all of us. Not our own way or some dead guy's way or some rich guy's way, or the smartest person way, nope not even the amway, just one guy's way, Jesus Christ. The real thing, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, the full meal deal. Black or white no grey area, one side of the fence or the other not on the fence. But the bottom line is, it's our choice as to what kind of life we want to live. Never knowing for sure, or which way to turn or what's right or wrong, or why or when, never knowing for sure about anything. Many friends have chosen to live lives of trusting in what ever can make them feel good for awhile and telling me you keep your religion to your self, I maybe got nothing and am going no where but you keep your religion to your self. Diane and I do a cleansing fast every year and many folks have every excuse under the sun not to fast and attempt to tell others also not to fast to make themselves feel better, but it's just like the ones that say keep your religion to yourself I don't need it and thier lives continue to be in a miserable rut. God is so good and He has such a great plan for each of us but then there's the choice thing again. Hmm go figure!!!

WHY WE PRAY AND HOPE THAT

YOU WILL GIVE JESUS A CHANCE

THE LIFE YOU REALLY WANT AND CAN HAVE IS UP TO YOU

HERE'S ALL YOU NEED TO DO

DON'T WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND HERE'S WHY

#1

Because you have a past

You can't go back, but He can. The Bible says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8) He can walk into those places of sin, failure and hopelessness, wipe the slate clean and give you a new beginning. A beginning with a real and lasting future, full of hope.

#2

Because you need a friend

Jesus knows the worst about you, yet he believes the best. Why? Because He sees you not as you are, but as you will be when He gets through with you. What a friend!

#3

Because He holds the future

Who else are you going to trust? In his hands you are safe and secure - today, tomorrow and for eternity. His word says, "For I know the plans I have for you ...plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray I will listen". (Jeremiah 29:11-13 TLB)

If you'd like to start over, with a new beginning with Jesus today, Diane, I, the board of directors, volunteers and supporters of Crossman Ministries and the Battle River Ranch Camp would ask you, if you are looking for a new beginning to please pray this prayer:

LORD JESUS CHRIST

I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask Your forgiveness and now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank You for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.

If you have made this commitment and would like to make contact, please call us. We'd love to talk to you and help in any way we can.

We are praying for all of you reading the blog every day.

Thursday A Day of Change

As we thanked God for all His many blessing today and all the exciting blessings to come we can only say Our God is an Awesome God.

Snow is almost gone from the basement in preparation for the construction of the lodge.

Fans are up in the shop to move the heat around at the ceiling.

Presentations and speaking engagements went very well today and a whole lot more folks are excited about the ranch.

We are starting to see that it is doing far more for those of us who are on the front lines. Stretching our faith and commitment to honor God with all that he has blessed us with.

~ There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results. ~

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in a period of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.

- Dante Alighieri

Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all-the apathy of human beings.

- Helen Keller

Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all-the apathy of human beings.

- Helen Keller

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. If it were not for caring people in their lives that never gave up on them or thought they were a hopeless cause they too would still be lost.

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 and would very much appreciate your help in what ever way you can.

This is a ministry for those that have a heart and desire to make a difference in the lives of others with the skills and gifts they have been blessed with and have a desire to pass on what they know to the next generation.

You are always welcome to visit and we look forward to your input. This ministry is prayer based, and we pray daily for the needs of others, if you have a need for prayer and not sure where to start give us a call and we will confidentially support and help you in this area. You may not know a lot about God but God knows everything about you and He loves you more than anyone can or ever will.

God Bless You and Your Family!!!

Harold & diane Stephan and

Board of Directors of the Battle River Ranch Camp

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL US AT 1-3O6-825-7734 OR

haroldstephan@hotmail.com

Wednesday Report

Well we found the Lodge foundation today and we can now once again move around the ranch and get to the other location that we need to get to. Many thanks to Nick and Judy Plandowski as we talked to them earlier about moving snow for us and they are always willing to help with whatever we need them for out at the ranch Nick couldn't get here but contacted a friend in Marsden Pipe Masters and Eon called us and said they would gladly come over and help us out with some snow moving, and a job they did. Larry spent time and cleared all the snow off the footings and soon the walls will be up going up. P.T.L.

James and Larry have got the light working in the shop and the doors now are hooked up and operating without extension cords.

Joey's birthday party today as it is the only day that we could all get together great food, great family, great fun thank God.

John at Action is going to pick up the backhoe at CE Franklin tomorrow and take it to his shop and do the repairs that it needs what a blessing that will be and is.

Please continue to hold us in prayer as we have some important decisions to make at the board meeting tomorrow. Once again God is moving us on in such an exciting and challenging way that we need to be prayer covered by all. We also have many important and encouraging meeting with business people that have recently enquired about how they can help with the ranch project. Many are not church folks but God is working some incredible dynamics that only He knows what will happen. 1 Cor. 2:9 How ever as it is written, No eye has seen, No ear has heard, No mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.

Thank you so much once again for taking the time to view our blog. It's hard to know how to thank so many all of you for all the prayers and blessings that you have poured into the ranch and our lives. God will use the Battle River Ranch Camp which is a non profit organization that is focused on changing lives and 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. If it were not for caring people in their lives that never gave up on them or thought they were a hopeless cause they too would still be lost.

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 and would very much appreciate your help in what ever way you can.

This is a ministry for those that have a heart and desire to make a difference in the lives of others with the skills and gifts they have been blessed with and have a desire to pass on what they know to the next generation.

You are always welcome to visit and we look forward to your input. This ministry is prayer based, and we pray daily for the needs of others, if you have a need for prayer and not sure where to start give us a call and we will confidentially support and help you in this area. You may not know a lot about God but God knows everything about you and He loves you more than anyone can or ever will.

Matthew 25:45 NIV
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Matthew 25:45 (The Message)

⁴⁵"He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.'

Tuesday's touchdown

We have been praying for a long time for a semi tractor unit for the ranch and P.T.L. via the Holy Spirit network we have been blessed with a tractor unit today. A 1980 Peterbuilt in great condition and will be set to do what ever we need out at the ranch.

James and Larry are almost done wiring the shop and are doing a great job.

So encouraging when Tim says he'll do it and be there we never have to wonder, he always shows up, right on time and has so much patience with us.

I had someone say to me why would you help someone, no one ever helped me and I will never help anyone else no matter how much money I have. Well

Helping others brings good feelings to the giver and the reciever of the good deeds. Using your special gifts to help others can be a gift to yourself as you enjoy a self esteem boost for making others’ lives better, and make the world a better place.

Helping others is a part of God's righteousness and it must come from the heart not the head. Our world has made sure that we look at self as number one first and then if you need to do something for someone else make sure you really think it through. When you help others you feel more worthy of good deeds yourself, your trust in the decency of people is reinforced, and you feel more connected to yourself and to others. In fact, research shows that those who demonstrate more consideration for others interests ahead of their own, tend to enjoy higher levels of mental health and family stability, often above and beyond the practical benefits that many seek in worldly pleasures.

Creating a balanced lifestyle that includes service to others can help you feel less stress as well, as you feel more connected to God, also you will be more grateful for what you have, and less invested in the ‘rat race’ that causes stress for so many of us. The Bible

can give you ideas and resources for how to create a life that includes more helping others.

WHY WE PRAY AND HOPE THAT

YOU WILL GIVE JESUS A CHANCE

THE LIFE YOU REALLY WANT AND CAN HAVE IS UP TO YOU

HERE'S ALL YOU NEED TO DO

DON'T WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND HERE'S WHY

#1

Because you have a past

You can't go back, but He can. The Bible says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8) He can walk into those places of sin, failure and hopelessness, wipe the slate clean and give you a new beginning. A beginning with a real and lasting future, full of hope.

#2

Because you need a friend

Jesus knows the worst about you, yet he believes the best. Why? Because He sees you not as you are, but as you will be when He gets through with you. What a friend!

#3

Because He holds the future

Who else are you going to trust? In his hands you are safe and secure - today, tomorrow and for eternity. His word says, "For I know the plans I have for you ...plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray I will listen". (Jeremiah 29:11-13 TLB)

If you'd like to start over, with a new beginning with Jesus today, Diane, I, the board of directors, volunteers and supporters of Crossman Ministries and the Battle River Ranch Camp would ask you, if you are looking for a new beginning to please pray this prayer:

LORD JESUS CHRIST

I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask Your forgiveness and now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank You for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.

If you have made this commitment and would like to make contact, please call us. We'd love to talk to you and help in any way we can.

We are praying for all of you reading the blog every day.