Friday's Frenzy as we head for higher ground

I remember back in 1978 before Blaine was even born one evening I said to my beautiful wife Diane I am bored and that's the last time I remember ever saying that line. Life has been a blessing to us from the birth of all six of our kids growing up with them and now watching them leave home and start their own families. We are going to be married for 35 great years in a couple of weeks and I don't know of anyone that has had as fulfilling a life as we have been blessed with. After six crappy years to start with we moved on to the good life and never turned back. We have kept our focus in one direction and one direction only and not looked back. Lots of attractions along the way to draw our attention else were but we were told by that biker friend it's all or nothing and we believed him and stuck to it. In the biker world if your who you say you are there is an understanding and a respect but if your some phoney imitator out to gain some thing for your self and self alone, to make you look good and important for you alone, well it's a no brainer. Diane the kids and I directed a camp for many years, ran a 18 wheeler across the country for many years, as we reached out to a messed up world that seems to think everything just fine and no different than it's ever been just a little newer that's all nothing to get all worried and religious about. Well I for one believe we have a lot to worry about and the greatest worry would have to be the people that we know and care about that don't know that they have a choice as to where they will ride off into the sunset with some day soon. I had a dream once that on my way to heaven I had to walk down a cold dark corridor and on both side of that corridor where concrete cells with small openings and out those openings were the faces of family and friends that I could have but didn't share about the hope and forgiveness of a gracious Lord and saviour who loves us so much that he took on all the hate and ugliness that we deserved and carried it to the pit of hell for you and me. " What a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and cares to bare". I guess that says it all. So to those of you that are good enough to follow this blog and don't know Jesus, Give him a chance, all you got to lose is a lot of crap that's been draggin you down for far to long I'd say. God bless you and we mean it. And remember the good life awaits you.

'Seeing' People's Needs

'Joseph... saw that they were sad.' Genesis 40:6

Sometimes you can tell by the look on someone's face what they are going through. 'Joseph... looked at them, and saw that they were sad.' Even though he himself was unjustly imprisoned, he found fulfilment in helping two other prisoners. Would it have been easier just to focus on his own problems? Yes, but it's self-defeating. Henry Drummond wrote, 'As you look back on your life, the moments that stand out are always the ones when you did things for others.' Joseph realised he wasn't the only one hurting, so he did what Jesus always did - treated those around him with compassion. How about you? Do you take time to try to understand what people are going through? Are you self-absorbed, or concerned about others who are hurting, especially when you've nothing to gain by it? Encouragement is like a shot of adrenaline: it can lift a person and put them back on their feet again. Writer Ren? Bazin says, 'A remedy for the evils of our time... is the gift of yourself to those who've fallen so low that even hope fails them.' Will those you give to, always give back? No, but God will. When the royal butler was released from prison he forgot the promise he made to speak to Pharaoh on Joseph's behalf. But God didn't forget! Joseph's best days were ahead. Think of his rise in Egypt, his service to a nation, his impact as a leader, and the joy of reconciling with his family. He underlines it: '...God turned into good what [others] meant for evil...' (Genesis 50:20 TLB). So, start 'seeing' the needs of those around you. Thanks to the word for you today.

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.

IF YOUR HEART MOVES YOU TO DONATE :

and help us to impact lives for the future of our kids please;

If you are able to and would like to make a very needed and appreciated donation to this worthy project that is changing lives now and forever PLEASE consider making a donation to:

CROSSMAN MINISTRIES / BRRC

Box 11403

Lloydminster, Ab.

T9V 3B7

As a registered charity your tax deductable receipts will be sent out at the end of the year.

Once again we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering The Battle River Ranch Camp a life skills and trades introduction opportunity, as a option to support financially, an option that is making a differance in the lives of our young men and women right here at home in Canada.

Every donation makes it happen no matter what the size of donation you are able to help us with. God has allowed Diane and I to meet many of you and we want to assure each of you, your donations will be used wisely to build a facility that will change lives for ever.

God Bless You and Your Family!!!

Harold & diane Stephan and

Board of Directors of the Battle River Ranch Camp