Tuesday and hold on

Life at the ranch is as exciting as as ever, the miracles continue to pour in as we are building for the future. The excitement of knowing that God created us for a purpose, that we aren't junk and that we have a God given skill that will build the kingdom of God for those that follow to see how great is our God.

As Diane and I traveled across beautiful Alberta this past weekend and meeting and sharing the hope and message of God's merciful love for His people, every opportunity was a blessing. Stopping at a Harley Davidson shop to get parts for our cruze control device was only one of the God moments that set the spirit right on high gear. I walked up to the parts desk and the older partsmen was really busy and so he called younger guy out from the back to help me with my needs. After he found what I needed and realizing who we rode for by the colours we wear and the cross bear and as he was taking my hard earned money and in front of everyone there, he said I am a religious person but I have never known the meaning of the symbol of the fish. Well those words are door opening words and away I went, explaining the symbol of the fish and how it came about to be and why we see it on cars and a lot of other places. He mentioned then to me about a talk he had with a group of folks that came to his door one Saturday and he found them very interesting. I explained as best as God gave me wisdom to do that to be aware that Jesus is our salvation and not of works but by grace that no one shall boast. That he should always know were any group stands with Jesus. Well when I was done the other parts men joined in and a few others standing by didn't leave till I was done sharing with this guy.

The world that God has placed each of us in is the world that He will use us to minister. I know a guy that is so hung up on how a person looks, the length of his hair the clothes he wears that if we don't all look and dress like him we are a bad example of God to others. How sad that we don't appreciate the great vastness of a God that can and will work with the heart of a committed servant no matter his or her life style.

We need to begin for the hour is late. We have lost ourselves in useless distractions. We have uselessly agonized over our unfulfillment.

We do not need more things. You. Me. We need less emptiness in our hearts. We need less dishonesty. With ourselves. With others.

We need to sanctify ourselves in God's love. Because we are nothing without Him– if we, ourselves, are not love. Because God's love is, and has always been, and will always be – what we are. Wait and seek for no one and nothing else!

Do I deceive myself when I allow myself to feel my deep hunger for God's love? Do you?

Has not love been everything for me – when I allowed myself to feel truly the things that I feel? It's JESUS I need.

And yet, nothing I could do would purchase it and my happiness. With one single exception – to accept His love.

The Battle River Ranch Camp is a one of a kind entry level trades and life skills development center. Offering an option to anyone that has been searching for an opportunity to find out their area of strength and work place career possibilities.

Our hope and prayer is 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 about their future or what they could be good at and to find out their possible skill area or level. We are a faith based and mentor based training facility and our hope is with the help of anyone that has a heart for helping so many to give each person that comes to the ranch an opportunity to find the skills 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 we would be very appreciative, and 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.

TO DONATE :

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.

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