Friday's Frenzy

Our day was full of stuffing envelopes and writing letters and building walls. Diane and I also started our next years log book and started to look back at one incredible year that we are about to wind down. Ya got to wonder what God's got planned for us next year but whatever it is we are ready and set to go. As Diane and I were doing a bit of shopping this evening a friend stopped us to tell us, her and her husband drove past the ranch today and saw us working away, she said to her husband they could be living a normal life but instead look what they are doing to make life better for so many. She then gave us a big hug and thanked us and said that she is praying for us always. What does it mean to live a normal life? A big bank account, a big name, social status, or maybe knowing the Bible inside out and then telling everyone what's wrong with their lives.

This year has been an absolutely wonderful walk with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the lover of our souls, the one who inspires us to get off our butts and get building the Kingdom of God. So many of us spend a lifetime in a dome of worldly wisdom and experiences that we're not sure who to believe anymore. There is such an incredible spiritual battle going on all around us always for our souls and most of us choose to ignore it and hope it will go away.

The apostle Paul instructs Christians to wage war against the sin in themselves (Romans 6) and to wage war against the evil one (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Ephesians 6:10-12 declares, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This text teaches some crucial truths: we can only be strong in the Lord’s power, it is God’s armor that protects us, and our battle is against spiritual forces of evil in the world.

A powerful example of someone strong in the Lord’s power is Michael, the archangel, in Jude 9. Michael, likely the most powerful of all of God’s angels, did not rebuke Satan in his own power, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Revelation 12:7-8 records that in the end times Michael will defeat Satan. Still, when it came to his conflict with Satan, Michael rebuked Satan in God’s name and authority, not his own. It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that Christians have any authority over Satan and his demons. It is only in His Name that our rebuke has any power.

Jesus is our ultimate example for spiritual warfare. Observe how Jesus handled direct attacks from Satan when He was tempted by him in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Each temptation was answered the same way—with the words “It is written.” Jesus knew the Word of the living God is the most powerful weapon against the temptations of the devil. If Jesus Himself used the Word to counter the devil, do we dare to use anything less?

The ultimate example of how NOT to engage in spiritual warfare is the seven sons of Sceva. “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, ‘In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.’ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?’ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding” (Acts 19:13-16). The seven sons of Sceva were using Jesus’ name. That is not enough. The seven sons of Sceva did not have a relationship with Jesus; therefore, their words were void of any power or authority. The seven sons of Sceva were relying on a methodology. They were not relying on Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and they were not employing the Word of God in their spiritual warfare. As a result, they received a humiliating beating. May we learn from their bad example and conduct spiritual warfare as the Bible instructs.

In summary, what are the keys to success in spiritual warfare? First, we rely on God’s power, not our own. Second, we rebuke in Jesus’ Name, not our own. Third, we protect ourselves with the full armor of God. Fourth, we wage warfare with the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God. Finally, we remember that while we wage spiritual warfare against Satan and his demons, not every sin or problem is a demon that needs to be rebuked.

Thursday A Day of Change

Winter at the ranch is like very quiet, it's like the birds evey one up and left for the winter. Well we are looking forward to spring and summer and all our friends returning for retreats and summer events out at the ranch.

But for now we'll continue to build a place that veryone will enjoy and find refuge from the storms of life.

Once again with all our hearts we thank you for what is a miracle forming before our eyes, and the blessing, that we get to be a part of as we do the will of God. We all have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those we love and to build hope for the next generation with all that we have been blessed with. Some of you have said,"I don't have much to help with", but it's not how much you help with, it's the condition of our hearts that God works with, and as He sees us use what ever we have to do His work here while we can that's when the miracles happen, all for the cause of Christ? It's that fork in the road,the channel we can use, and a choice among many that God gives us every day to be kingdom builders. God bless you all Harold, Diane and the Board of directors of the Battle River Ranch Camp.

THURSDAY'S PRAYER One of the realities facing missions and ministries today is the increasing need for everyone to recognize the importance of each ones involvment. Global workers who serve in restricted access nations are willing to go into scenarios that require great risk; they've been called and they've responded with a "yes". However, their yes won't amount to anything unless others gather around them and send the support needed to move the ministry ahead in building the kingdom of God. I think we can downplay the calling of being a "supporter"; it doesn't seem exciting, it seems like all we're doing is giving money and saying the occasional prayer. Friend, let me challenge you to see yourself as part of a greater TEAM; part of the kingdom initiative of reaching the lost wherever they are. When you support a global worker you DIRECTLY participate in the activity of mission around the world, but we can never forget that there is a great need here right at home also. Look around you and recognize the value of the collective; How Together Everyone Accomplishes More and the ranch that will be the first of it's kind will be completed.

Our financial and prayer partners are a blessing to us, each and every day and we wanted to be sure to let you know just how much we appreciate you. We believe that partnership goes both ways. We pray for our partners daily, and would appreciate the opportunity to agree with you in prayer for your needs more specifically. And we pray for blessing in your lives, as you follow the example of Isaac who sowed in the midst of a famine. The result for him was that he received a hundred-fold return in that same year of famine (Genesis 26:1,12). We pray that same blessing for you, that God will show His abundance to you in every area of your lives and that you will reap a great harvest in Jesus name Amen. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU FROM ALL OF US JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Wednesday Report

As orders come in steadily for Crossmsn crosses we needed to committ today to building and preparing crosses for the orders to be filled for the Christmas rush. Our dedicated and committed team worked a very productive day and what a blessing to have such a Godly team to work with. We have some great new designs and each and every one will make a great and meaningfull Christmas gift for those you just don't know what to get this year. All of these and many more can be seen and purchased at Verses book store downtown or if you are from out of town give us a call as to where you can buy yours or we will send you your order direct from the factory to you. Crossman crosses come with a life time guarentee that won't disapoint you. In fact the guarentee will change your life forever, while most guarentees are a big dissapointment and make claims that can't be kept, well are you ever in for a surprise.

Diane and I take time each morning to pray for all of those that have a Crossmam crosses as part of this ministry. Also don't forget that if you can't afford to buy a cross you can always memorize 6 bible verses with 10 or more words in them and we will give you a free cross. Also for every donation over 25.00 dollars to this ministry we will give you as a gift from us one of our crosses.

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 AND WHY

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, and also a very blessed happy birthday to Bruce.

Terrific Tuesday

As I sat in a dentist chair today and Dana our dentist continued talking about the huge job and all that needs to be done to get the ranch up and going. The need is so huge for a place like the ranch and that's why we need to pres on and complete this first phase of the project. As I sat in the waiting room of the dentist office the TV was on up in the corner and the news was on and being some one that doesn't see the news that often it can be an eye opener. One thing that was mentioned was that we Canadians will, this Christmas spend 10 billion dollars on our selves wow that's got to be some present.

We got to talk to a lot of folks about the ranch today and gave out a whole pile of the information packs. Our info packs are not to pretty to look at but are filled with enough information to give anyone a pretty good idea of what we are and where we are going. So if you need some info about the ranch or know of someone who does please give us a call and we will do what ever it takes to get that info out.

We also spent time at the manor visiting with some family and seniors thay we have known. Monica was our nieghbour and a dear friend so we had a great visit with her.

James and Larry also had a very successfull day at the ranch as construction continues to move along at a strong and steady pace.

'Twas the night before Christmas & out on the ranch

The pond was froze over & so was the branch.

The snow was piled up belly-deep to our mule.

The kids were all home on vacation from school,

And happier young folks you never did see-

Just all sprawled around a-watchin' TV.

Then suddenly, some time around 8 o'clock,

There came a surprise that gave them a shock!

The power went off, the TV went dead!

When Grandpa came in from out in the shed

With an armload of wood, the house was all dark.

"Just what I expected," they heard him remark.

"Them power line wires must be down from the snow.

Seems sorter like times on the ranch long ago."

"I'll hunt up some candles," said Mom. "With their light,

And with the fireplace, I reckon we'll make out all right."

The teen-agers all seemed enveloped in gloom.

Then Grandpa came back from a trip to his room,

Uncased his old fiddle & started to play

That old Christmas song about bells on a sleigh.

Mom started to sing, & 1st thing they knew

Both Pop & the kids were all singing it, too.

They sang Christmas carols, they sang "Holy Night,"

Their eyes all a-shine in the ruddy firelight.

They played some charades Mom recalled from her youth,

And Pop read a passage from God's Book of Truth.

They stayed up till midnight-and, would you believe,

The youngsters agreed 'twas a fine Christmas Eve.

Grandpa rose early, some time before dawn;

And when the kids wakened, the power was on..

"The power company sure got the line repaired quick,"

Said Grandpa - & no one suspected his blessed little trick.

Last night, for the sake of some old-fashioned fun,

He had pulled the main switch - the old Son-of-a-Gun!

-Anonymous

Progress continues at a miraculous pace out here at the ranch. We used to wonder what if we get to a point and we have run out of materials to continue what then do we do? Well thank the good Lord that has not happened and so we move ahead at the provided pace. As you all join in to help, this first of it's kind facility will come into reality as a place that God will use to change and improve lives as we help by giving direction and hands on training to those seeking to improve thier work skills, place in society and relationship to the God of the universe .

Many of you have said that you are not able to help out as a volonteer but you have held us up in prayer and are constantly calling to up date our prayer needs. Diane, I, James and the board of directors of the Battle River Ranch Camp and the many young men and women that have already benifited from thier time at the ranch are forever grateful to each and everone of you for your contribution and commitment to this incredible Kingdom Building Project. We are getting calls from across Canada as to how one can find out more about the ranch.

Once again thank you so much and may the good Lord bless you and keep you as you seek His purpose in your lives.

Monday Can't Beat That Day

We have the opportunity to speak with a couple of old friends and business people tomorrow and we pray that God will give us favour. The ranch is a huge project that God will use to change lives as he already is doing and will continue to do for generations to come. Our complete focus is on doing all we can not to fail in God's eyes. We have been blessed with a family that stands with us and many friends that understand the need for such a facility and the vision of the ranch. Today's diamond comment was " if only there would have been a place like this when I was growing up" and we hear this one often. I had someone ask a while ago "is this all you think about the ranch". And when I think about it it pretty much occupies all my time.

Dr. Dobson once had a write up on men and what occupies thier time. He said the average man spends 30 seconds a day with each of his children one on one each day. He said the average man spends 3 minutes a day with his wife one on one each day. He said the average Christian man spends 10 minutes a day with God. But the average man spends 3 hours a day with the TV. He also said that it's who we spend time with, that is who we learn to become.

Our families are in trouble and young men and women every where are searching for some kind of help to know how they can keep up with thier parents and to find thier place in society.

PS We unhooked our TV 18 years ago and have never re hooked it up. A family can survive with out it. Go figure!!!

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

Sunday can't beat that day

The Christmas story as told for so many years, we played our parts, we we watched our siblings play the same parts, we watched our children play the parts, and now we are richley blessed as our grandchildren are a part of that same play that tells the story of hope come to a manger. Our hope is that the story never stops being told and lived out in our churches Amen.

YOU CAN HAVE MY ROOM

It was the typical Christmas pageant. Miss Lumbard was trying to assign all the children to their appropriate roles. Wallace Purling wanted to be a shepherd and have a flute, but Miss Lumbard found a more important role for Wally. He was about nine, and rather big for his age, but also rather slow. Miss Lumbard thought his size would make the lines of the Inn Keeper more forceful, and besides there were not too many words for Wally to remember. So it was as that fateful night began.

The usual crowd of parents and loved ones gathered for the towns annual program. None of them more taken up by the story than Wallace Purling. Wally stood in the wings fascinated and caught up in the story that from time to time Miss Lumbard had to remind him not to wander on stage.

Then the time came. Mary and Joseph appeared slowly moving toward the inn. Joseph knocked on the door and Wally the Innkeeper was there waiting. “What do you want?” He said swinging the door open.

“We seek lodging.”

“Seek it elsewhere.” Wally said looking straight ahead and speaking brusquely.

“Sir, we have asked everywhere in vain and we have traveled so far.”

“There is no room in the inn for you.” Wally looked properly stern.

“Please Mr. Innkeeper this is my wife she is heavy with child and need a place to rest.

Now for the first time Wally relaxed. He looked at Mary. With that there was a long pause. The audience was a bit tense and embarrassed. And the prompter said from the side, “No be gone!” Wally repeated, “No begone.!”

Joseph placed his arm around Mary and walked sadly away. The tired little mother of Jesus laid her head on his shoulder. The innkeeper did not return to his inn. Wally stood there watching the forlorn couple. His mouth stood open, his brow was creased, his eyes began to fill with tears. Suddenly this Christmas pageant became different from all the others.

“Don’t go Joseph,” Wally called out. “Bring Mary back”. Wally’s face grew into a beaming smile, “You can have my room.”

John 3:16 (The Message)

^16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

• And so Christ comes to us.
• We are the innkeeper of our hearts, of our lives.
• Is there room for Him? If the inn is full? Can we make room?

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU. PLEASE STOP IN AT OUR INN WE HAVE ROOM AND HOT APPLE CIDER.

Saturday So Blessed

A bit of a whirlwind day as it started with Mikey mouses birthday. We were served a meal of crapes and all you can put on them breakfast. After a great breakfast and family time Diane and I were off to the ranch. Durrant duPlooy came along to help and we were able to get all the chores done and get the office and kitchen cleaned up for another week of work.

As we arrived at the ranch our friend and manager of Princess Auto was waiting at the gate he had a few more item to donate to the ranch, tooks and gloves P.T.L. and to let us know that he would like to show us a big diesel heater that he thinks the ranch can use.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME BACK

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house. Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on shelves without care Believing that Jesus would never come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray I knew in a moment this must be The Day! The light of His face made me cover my head It was Jesus! Returning just like He had said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself. In the Book of Life which He held in His hand Was written the name of everyone saved. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name; When He said “It’s not here” my head hung in shame. The people whose names had been written with love He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were ready He rose without a sound While all the rest were left standing all left behind. I fell to my knees, but it was too late; I had waited too long and this sealed my fate. I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight; Oh, if only I had been ready tonight. In the words of this poem the meaning is clear; The coming of Jesus is drawing near. There’s only one life and when comes the last call We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!