Thursday the day of change

Our day was long but went very well. We all were up early and met at Grasswoods Esso by 7:00 am and then off to Brandon via Regina. Stopping at Davidson for fuel and Lumsden. I had a chance to talk to the owner and mentioned how weused to have soap box durby races down the hill beside his station and he remembered them and wondered why they ever stopped.

After Lumsden we pushed on through to Indian Head were we met up with a rider from Humbolt that joined us and we also had lunch at Indian Head.

After Indian head we pushed on to the Manitoba boarder stopped for fuel and ice cream, met up with a bunch of bikers on there way to the rally also.

We pulled into Brandon safe and sound about 4:30 booked into our motel and headed to the rally. Mom and I left before the rest and got a bit lost (no navi) so I saw some bikes at Humpties and stopped to see if they were CMA ers and yes they were so Diane waited out side for me and I went in to see if they could tell me were the rally was. Well wouldn't you know it was Rick and Sandy and another couple that we know from Aberta. Great time and visit was had by all. P.T.L.

James called and all is going well at the ranch.

After we made it to the opening of the rally a bit late, well maybe a lot late we had a great time visiting and enjoying the worship and fellowship time.

Wednesday Report

Diane and I had a hectic morning getting ready for our trip to the yearly CMA no boarders rally. This year it is being held in Brandon Manitoba and we will see riders from across the American boarder and from across Canada. As always we will get to spend some great time and make a lot of great memories with friends from every where. We always get many opportunities to share about the ranch project and to direct riders in the direction of the ranch.

We got to have some time with our girls and our grandkids this afternoon P.T.L. I'm sure we have more committed Harley riders on the way.

As always we have been so blessed with Peggy's help this morning as we worked with her organizing the next few days and the week end work day. Please pray that soon they would be back on a bike were they belong, ministering to fellow riders that are seeking hope on a highway of life with so many choices and we have the one and only real choice that give us the life we are all seeking but are afraid to grab it.

YOU CAN DO IT - WE KNOW YOU CAN

Hey, you. Yep, you.

The one feeling a little weary.

Carrying that heavey load.

Fighting this battle.

You're beautiful, you know that?

And stronger than you think.

God loves you so much.

And you can do this with Him.

We know it. We feel it.

Keep going and don't look back

You don't know what to do.

But it's not true.

This is BIG.

World-changing big.

Life-altering big.

Make-it-over-that- big mountain.

BIG enough to do what you need to do.

Because your strength is as big as the God in you.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

(He sees you, loves you, will carry you through... and we are praying for you too.)

Fear crushes, fear drags you down into a pit, fear weakens us, fear blinds us, but fear cannot stand against the word of God. We recently went to a movie called the book of Eli and in it it talks about the most powerful book and the power in it's words. The world knows the power of God's word why don't we who posses it, live by it.

John 1 (NIV)

John 1

The Word Became Flesh

¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning.

³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

Tuesday

Well we were very blessed today with the help of Dave from Hiesler Alberta that is going to spend the week working with James on the building.

Also today Dan and Tera Sears and Jesse and Michayla along with their friend came out and we got a swack load of work done on the concrete Tower and the East end of the shop is all sidded and looks great.

It's such a blessing when God sends the right people at the right time he for the right jobs to get done.

We look forward to seeing you when ever you are in the area. Please stop in for a visit.

“God never answers prayers.” That’s something that you have said or have heard someone say it. Many people go to church every sunday, they pray and worship, crying out to God. They go to the altar spending time with God, some might say, “I have prayed for 9 years every day for my husband to know Christ, and I know that someday God will show him the Way.” But, the question is, why doesn’t God answer their prayers. I mean, if they go to church, pray and worship they should receive something from God, right? Well, not really.

Let’s go to the Bible this time.

“The Lord detest the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.”

Proverbs 15:26

Here is two things I want us to think about from this. First of all, God knows what we think and it matters to Him. My dad once told me that he doesn’t do anything bad anymore. Sinning is not just doing something, but also thinking something. And that’s reflected in this verse. God detest when you look at a girl or boy thinking something bad or things like that. But he is pleased with those who have a pure mind. Another thing I can get out of this verse is that one can have a pure mind. We have been thought that we are not perfect, never will and that we have to tell God to forgive us every night. The truth is that we can have a pure mind. The Bible also tells us to be holy and perfect just as our father is holy and perfect. I mean, think about it. If God can’t be near the wicked, and we always sin, then He will never be able to be close to us. Of course, God is always merciful and abounding in love, and He will always forgive you, but that doesn’t mean that you need to keep on sinning. God doesn’t make you sin, you have the choice to sin or not.

“The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”

Proverbs 15:29

Bingo! Ok, let’s make this simple. If you sin and have a wicked mind or heart God can’t be close to you. If you have a righteous mind and heart, always wanting to do good, God will be so close to you that he will hear your prayers. Simple right? Yeah, but hard too. Being righteous in everything is not easy, their is always a battle between the Spirit and the flesh. Its never easy to do what is right, but is worth it. There is no better feeling other than feeling Jesus in your heart and to see how God answered your prayer specifically how you asked Him to!

“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen”

Isaiah 1:15

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-when you see the naked to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”

Isaiah 58:6-9

To summarize everything in just one small sentence. Love God and love your neighbor and God will be with you everywhere you go and when you call upon Him he will answer you. I guess I can’t put it more simple. Just go out there and start making a difference in this world. Don’t worry about what people might say, but worry about what God will say in the day of judgement. Love every single person on this earth and try to help as much as you can, and you will see that God will start answering your prayers and you will join the club of the happiest people on earth!

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Luke Warm People

Lukewarm people gauge their morality or "goodness" by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that as they aren't as hard core for Jesus as so and so, they are no where as horrible as the guy down the street.

Mondays momentum

James and I had a great day at the ranch today and we got 4 more sheets of siding up and into place. It's not an easy job for two people and we sure could use the extra help if any one has some extra time we would sure appreciate the help. Had a call with the county today and cleared up a few issues with them. We are planning a public awareness meeting for the area folks as soon as possible. Please continue to pray for us as we move ahead with the Battle River Ranch Camp. Last week we were blessed with a donkey and today we have been blessed with a cat to help with mouse control.P.T.L.

Also please pray for us as we consider the decision as to whether or not selling our home now would be the right thing to do.

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!!!

Saturday surprise

How much of our lives is focused in helping others, making a difference or

encouraging them, and I don't mean our immediate family, I mean the world around us, our neighbors, those we work with every day. Well we believe that's what life is all about. I've met people who are suspicious of those that want to help others and for years I wondered why that was happening. We will never ever have the joy in our lives from anything else, as we would get when we pour into the lives of others.

Today we had the privilege to go to a pig roast in PV and it was put on by a couple that for no other reason than to bless their community did all the work and supplied the pig. It was a total community building event at it's best. We met a lot of people that we had never met before and ran int friends that we hadn't seen in a while. Donna and Dave rode in from Hiesler, Alberta just for the simple reason that this was an opportunity to meet new people and see some old friends.

Diane and I stopped at walmart on the way home and met some friends that will come out to the ranch and finish up the welding on the tower.

Right now we need your help at the ranch if you can spare a day or two or a week or two we need help with the new building. Or if you have an employee that you could pay that would be able to give us a hand at the ranch it would be very much appreciated. We cannot afford to pay some one but we need volunteers that would help us to move ahead with the ranch. Many of you said to let you know when we need the help and now is the time. Please if you can pray that God would bring the help we need or if this would fit into your holiday plans, we would be blessed. The ranch will make such a difference for so many but it will take all of us working together to make it happen.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a

listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all

of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our

lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime!

God still sits on the throne. You may be going through a tough time

right now and wondering how can I help or make a difference but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He

can. Keep the faith. Give God a chance and let Him use you.

Here is our prayer for you:

Father, I ask You to bless our friends and relatives

reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and

power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very

moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there

is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Bless

their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In

Jesus' precious name, Amen.

Hope to see you all soon. Harold, Diane and the Board of directors of the Battle River Ranch Camp.

Fridays Frenzy

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God

lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a

six-pack of his Dad's Dad's root beer and started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was

sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next

to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his

root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered

him some chips. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.

His smile was so big that the boy wanted to see it again, so he

offered him some root beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was

delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they

never said a word.

As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up

to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned

around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his

biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a

short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his

face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He

replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he

added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever

seen!"

Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home.

His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked,

"Father, what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied!

"I ate potato chips and drank root beer in the park with God." However, before his son

responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a

listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all

of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our

lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime! Embrace all equally!

Have lunch with God.......bring chips and root beer.

God still sits on the throne. You may be going through a tough time

right now but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He

can. Keep the faith. Give God a chance.

Here is our prayer for you:

Father, I ask You to bless our friends and relatives

reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and

power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very

moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there

is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Bless

their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In

Jesus' precious name, Amen.

James and I were rained out at the ranch today, so we came home and helped Diane celebrate her birthday.

Today we were blessed with a cooler full of beef and do we need that. P.T.L.

Thursday the day of change

We have been blessed with the most beautiful grandaughter ever. Her name is Araeya Faith Stephan God has blessed us so abundantly as we see all the new arrivals coming along. Now we wait our next arrival Mike and Wendy's baby. Looks like we won't be seeing much of Larry for a while as he was blessed with a great job today. Larry will be truly misssed and we appreciate his dedication and commitment to serve and honor God as he work at the ranch. God bless you friend we will miss you, work safe, hard and shine JESUS. Please pray that God would send help for us as we need to get the siding up on the shop at the ranch as soon as possible. We also got to help Terry and Jacqui while we were at Victory's grad with repairs to thier plumbing system that was long over due. All went well and as we worked together, in no time we had it all done. Canada Day Prayer! Of all the nations of the world Lord, you have truly blessed Canada! We pray this Canada Day that you alone maintain dominion from the Atlantic to the Pacific and to the North. We pray that the government will be upon your shoulders and that our leaders will come to abide and trust in you. We ask that your truth, the great emancipator of men, may be freely procalimed across the land. Thank You for our free and democratic society, for freedom of speech, religion and thought. We thank you for the mosaic of cultures, our rich resources and the breathtaking beauty of our land. Thank you that people around the world recognize our borders as a place of refuge and freedom; And that we are a people who share and care and provide comfort and healing. Give us the conviction and strength,the wisdom and tools to stand on guard for this great gift you provided. We earnestly pray that you keep your hand upon Canada; keep our land glorious and free. In Jesus' name we pray. PS: It's Diane birthday tomorrow so if any of you have a minuit, well you know what I mean.