Sunday blessing day

All is well at the ranch today as Melissa, Joey and James spent the afternoon doing chores and the routine check of all the facility. We had a great new plan for couples at the ranch that some day we hope to offer some basic training to couples that would like to work together on home renovations. If Diane and I can pull it off so can many of you. Hey it might be an opportunity for many of you singles to find that perfect one. You know send me a picture of the tractor type thing. Any way the possibilities for basic training in many fields is endless and can bring new hope, life, excitement and challenge to a relationship. Go figure!!! put the needle point away for good. P.T.L.

Philippians 4:19 (New International Version)

¹⁹And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

It may seem impossible but God works were we are not able.











Every day God works on the hearts of His faithful and the blessing flow and God is glorified



















EQUIPMENT NEEDS FOR THE SKILLS TRAINING RANCH PROGRAM:

- As we ask you all to please pray with us and watch God continue to provide all that's needed to build this life skills ranch and as God provides we will continue to give thanks and we will keep you all posted and add P.T.L to each item as it is provided. Standby and watch that our God reigns.

CONSTRUCTION ZOOM BOOM

PAY LOADER

CRANE - PORTABLE OR SITE MODEL

3 POINT HITCH LAWN MOWER

3 POINT HITCH ROTO TILLER

PULL TYPE EARTH MOVER

BOBCAT DIESEL 800 SERIES

BACKHOE EXTENDA HOE IF POSSIBLE

TRACKHOE

14' CULTIVATOR C/W HARROWS

VAC TRUCK, HONEY WAGON FOR SEPTIC TANKS

CEMENT TRUCK

TRENCHER FOR UNDERGROUND LINES

SMALL CAT

ELEVATION TRANSIT

TANDUM TRAILER

DUMP TRUCK

CEMENT MIXERS

CONSTRUCTION SIZE GENERATORS * P.T.L.

SPADES

RAKES

FLAT SHOVELS

FENCE POSTS

BARB WIRE AND NAILS

GRADER

POWER TROWEL AND HAND TROWELS

BULL FLOAT

SMALL YARD 60 HP TRACTOR

WHEEL BARROWS

BARBEQUE (propane)

Hand Roto Tiller

We need lots of steel for construction and training

Watering troughs

Feed troughs

All kinds and sizes of pails

Please note that we can issue tax reciepts and please call for information as to how you and your buisness can donate. Thank you very much

Saturday So Blessed on January 1,2011

Diane and I had a great day at the ranch today as every day at the ranch is. We got a lot of cleanup done after we got all the chores done as we do every day we had some friends drop in for coffee and a visit. We had a wonderful surprise of a project vehicle for the ranch that I can tell you all more about in the next few weeks, but I can say this it is a beauty. When we asked if the donor would like a tax receipt he said no he gave it to help improve lives for the kingdom of God not for a tax receipt. We have so many donors that just want to help and I believe if we can focus on what Jesus did and why every thing will be just fine. Go figure!!!

Question: "What sort of New Year’s Resolution should a Christian make?" Answer: The practice of making New Year’s resolutions goes back over 3000 years to the ancient Babylonians. There is just something about the start of a New Year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning. In reality, there is no difference between December 31st and January 1st. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31st. The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year’s resolutions. However, if a Christian determines to make a New Year’s resolution, what kind of resolution should he or she make? Common New Year’s resolutions are: to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to manage money better, and spend more time with family. By far the most common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, in conjunction with exercising more and eating healthier. These are all good goals to set. However, 1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” The vast majority of New Year’s resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. This should not be. Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these New Year’s resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself? Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” John 15:5 declares, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” If God is the center of your New Year’s resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your commitment to it. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God’s Word, we will not receive God’s help in fulfilling the resolution. So, what sort of New Year’s resolution should a Christian make? Here are some suggestions: (1) Pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make; (2) Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you; (3) Rely on God’s strength to help you; (4) Find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you; (5) Don’t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead allow them to motivate you further; (6) Don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory. Psalm 37:5-6, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

Friday's New Years Eve Frenzy

"He hath made every thing beautiful in His time:"
~Ecclesiastes 3:11~

A New Year - A New Beginning

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that
which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down,
and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;"
~Ecclesiastes 3:1-4~

God only promises us today. We don't know what is ahead of us. But God knows.
He doesn't always show us what is in store for us or even if we will have a tomorrow.
So we should live our lives as if each day is the last.

How terrible it would be to live your whole life and in the end be full of regret.

What a privilege we have as Christians. We don't have to trust in ourselves or our
New Year Resolutions. There really is no such thing as LUCK. For God is a God
of order and plan. He knows us better that we know ourselves. He even
knew us before we were born. (Psalm 139). We can trust in the Lord.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of
peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me,
and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek
me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be
found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather
you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith
the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you
to be carried away captive."
~Jeremiah 29:11-14~

The words in the above verse are so very comforting. The Lord "KNOWS" the
plans He has for us. He is Omnipotent and Omnipresent. The study of the
Character of God is such a awesome Bible study. Just that He KNOWS. I
also am reminded of the verse when Abraham asked who He was and God
answered "I am that I am". He is and we are. Isn't that so profound
and yet amazing at the same time.

When I look at the vastness of the universe that the Lord God created I am
overwhelmed with His love for me. What comfort, what peace and yes what joy.
To think that He would have sent His son to die just for me and you.

We can daily go to God and ask for forgiveness and He wipes the slate clean.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
~1 John 1:9~

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

Thursday A Day of Change

O God of all beginnings and endings,
We praise and thank you for the gift of this year with you .
It has been a time filled with grace and blessings,
With challenges and opportunities, joys and sorrows.

The days have passed quickly, O Lord.
The weeks, the months, the seasons, the holidays and holy days,
The seeking, obeying, and building, all have come forth from your hands.

While we trust that your purposes have always been at work each day,
Sometimes it has seemed difficult to understand and appreciate
Just what you have been up to out at the ranch

Give us the word the refreshment we needed.
Let our efforts of this past year bear fruit.
Bring all of our plans to a joyful conclusion,
And bless us, according to your will,

With the fulfillment of our visions, hopes and dreams.
Watch over us in the year ahead,
And guide each day as you have done this past year.
Help us return to your plan with a new spirit and a new energy.

As we build the Kingdom of God

Amen.

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.