Wednesday Report

"We brought a load of wood too Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hated to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak.

My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before, filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. " I know the Lord has has sent you. The children and I have been praying that He would send one of His angels to spare us."

Inspite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth.

I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.

Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure that he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensens face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The misses wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell."

Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you brother Miles." I don't have to say, May the Lord bless you, I know for certain that he will."

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your Ma and me had been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man that owed me a little money from years back came by to make thing square. Your Ma and me were real excited, thinking now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that, but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the wood pile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smile of her three children.

For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back the same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life. And I'll always know that a better man than my Pa would be hard to find. My hope will always be that I would be a man just like my Pa.

Don't be too busy for others while you're wrapped up in yourself. It's when you get unwrapped from yourself and focus on others that you find who you really are.

John 13:35

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Terrific Tuesday

Even if you've never been in this position before and suffered such hardship there are many around us who have similiar fate.

Better bundle up - the goose bumps will freeze you!!! I think I need to read this every year. Let me warn you if you have a hard or cold heart think twice before you read.

This is what Christmas is all about......

Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not recieving.

It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I wanted for Christmas. We did the chore early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read the Bible.

After supper I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was to busy wallowing in self pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold, clear night out and there was ice in his beard. " Come on Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only was I not getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one draggin ones feet when he told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what..

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hooked to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the wood shed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was that we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on.

After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with a arm load of wood - the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked "what are you doing?" You been by the widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what?

"Yeah,"I said, "Why?"

"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the wood pile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed Him. We loaded the sled so high that I wondered if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. "What's in the little sack?" I asked. "Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to the widow Jensen's, pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we had a big wood pile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I new we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbours than us; it shouldn't have been our concern.

We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it? " "Lucas Miles, Ma'am and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.

" We brought you a few things Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out. -TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW- God bless and good night.

Mondays momentum

We almost had everything loaded, one bike on the back of that silver Dodge and three more secured down on the trailer. Darryl put sides on the trailer to protect the bikes from any damage from rocks and gravel coming off the road. It was about 12:30pm Monday, and there wasn't a lot left to do until we were set to head out. We grabbed as much food as we could find room for, lots of water and off we went. We headed south to Lethbridge where we planned to cross the boarder and continue on south till we got there. All we stopped for was fuel and bathroom breaks and by Tuesday evening and non stop driving we got to a little trailer park south of Phoenix, Arizona where Ron's brother lived. Everyone of us was dead tired so we crashed and the next morning we woke up to another beautiful Arizon morning. After a great breakfast we unloaded the bikes, parked the truck and trailer out of the way and headed to Mexico. The trip was absolutly perfect from Tombstone to the gulf of California then up to California over to Nevada and a perfect ride over the mountains at midnight into LasVegas. WOW what a sight that was! We spent a few days in Las Vegas and area then headed back North to Misquiet where we loaded the bikes and headed back home to Canada.

One night, years ago our Dad was having a rough night and I was up with him, it was about 2:00 in the morning as we sat at the table, he kept telling me to go to bed, Harold I'll be ok. But my sisters and I knew there were times when we needed to be with him and we loved our dad and didn't want anything to happen to him. This time though he finally gave up telling me to go to bed and told me to go find a Bible. So after I found one he told me to find Psalms 23 and then he asked me to read it. Over the years I've tried to memorize that verse but I guess it just won't stick in the old noodle. The trip down to the states in the middle of the winter to where it was very warm reminds me of that verse. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want; He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD FOR EVER." Our lives are a trip and we have the choice as to where we will end up, don't wait until it's too late to choose. Everyone of us can choose to be isolated and alone forever and many are feeling like that right now. Why not stop the cycle? We did and not only did our lives end up on a new highway to ride, but the new map we were following gave us direction as to how to raise a family, enjoy life with out drugs, alcohol, filthy mouths and pornography, all the thing that destroy lives, marriages and families and ulimately society, hmm go figure. When Diane battled cancer we didn't have the strength on our own. THE LORD IS OUR SHEPHERD and we hope he's your's too. Give Him a chance, that's if you're sick and tired of it all. Miracle of the day, Terrace B.C. wants to know about the ranch for their youth, Thanks to Wendy, there is another door open, what a servant, what a friend. Be blessed to be a blessing!

Sunday can't beat that day

As we draw closer to the birth of our Lord and Savior I hope we all allow our hearts to be softened, that we will receive a bit of the most wonderful event that ever happened, for the hope of all mankind. Probably the hardest thing to watch for Diane and I is the way society has become so hardened to what really happened in that stable long ago and yet how it can change the hardest of hearts. We had lunch after church at friends home, where we all brought some food. As usual Diane and I brought sushi. The fellowship was great but what really was great was the story a friend of ours told about how a job she had years ago. She would do massage and comfort people as they were facing the last days of their lives. She told us about a few of the people and how she was blessed to be a part of their lives and about those that chose to invite Jesus into their lives in those last days. One patient she told us about was a hardened con that was serving a life sentence and that she did what she had to do even though he was as hard and cold as you can imagine. She always told him about the freedom and the love that Jesus had for him as she cared for him as best as she could. I don't think she saw a lot of hope in him but then just days before he died as she was caring for him she saw him totally change. He just seemed to soften and then she said the tears flowed from his eyes and he received Jesus as his Lord and Savior. P.T.L. We can never give up, there is always hope, even for those who seem the most hopeless.

Then we had a wonderful afternoon with family and friends, celebrating Hailey's third birthday, so much joy these little ones bring into our lives. We are so thankful for family!

We can mock and make fun of Christianity as we all have done or are doing, like a couple of guys who went at me in Kyle Sask. in a restaurant while Joey and I were having breakfast early one morning. Our semi was parked out front with all the decals, murals and paintings all over the tractor, and the name Crossman Ministries on the doors. So they were having a hay day as they asked finally what would any one ever haul with that outfit. Well as we sat there and seeing Joey with that look he gets, praying for me and knowing God would give me something to say when the time was right. So I told them that we hauled Bibles, sound equipment, climbing walls, basketball nets, puppet stage and lots more. That we would come into a community like this and work with the local churches to share the gospel and the love of Jesus with their community. Well he said you wouldn't have a lot of luck around this town as he doubted that no more than maybe 10% of people in this town even went to church. I asked them to look outside and tell me what they could see. The loudest guy said, "well I see a school and homes, some farms and businesses, why?" Well, I said, "you know that our forefathers came to this country years ago, worked the hard ground of the prairies until the hard ground was soft and ready to receive seed and produce a crop so that they and their families had food and money to live on. They were blessed to live here, where all but maybe 10% of people attended church on Sundays and daily gave thanks for the blessings they had. From there they built a country by God's help that we all get to enjoy today. But now that we have it all, who needs God any more, we are like spoiled kids once you have it all who cares how or where or who we got it from? Most have forgotten that it was on bended knee, blood, sweat and tears and the strength they received from God that we have all that we do today." After those guys finished their breakfast the loud character came over and he apologized and asked me for one of our cards. I believe there are a lot of hurting, scared and empty people out there without a lot of hope, that have just forgotten where it all started and who we need to thank every day. Those of us, even though we are imperfect people, still have to carry the message of hope that was born in that manger, in a stable over 2000 years ago and work the heard hearts of humanity with the plows of compassion and love until they will recieve the seed of hope. And once again our communities will grow strong and united and a have a future for the next generation. Once we were back behind the wheel of that big rig and heading down the highway shifting gears, Joey looked at me and said, "Dad that was awesome and man did they ever hear from God today." We're so proud of Joey, because today he continues to be a mighty man of God. He is not afraid to stand up for the truth, and to let everyone know that their hope has to be in Jesus for real success in their lives. Joey and Melissa, his wife, have done so much to help others and it is exciting to watch how God is using them. Miracle of the day has to be how Pastor Lyle can hear and share so much truth and wisdom every Sunday that blesses so many. Whatever you are going through right now, go to the foot of the cross, drop it, leave it there, cause all you need is Jesus. Luke 2:32

Saturday surprise

It's the day again, the tree we cut down out at the ranch is now standing tall in our living room. All the decorations are out and ready to be put in place, transforming the barren tree into a, well, I'd better wait and see , it may be a lot differant than what I hope it will be. Diane is busy making egg nog and she definately makes the best egg nog and all the kids and grandkids would agree. Our grandchldren are over to help. James finished school today so he and a few of his friends are also here to help. But I'm thinking once the egg nog is gone so will they be. It wasn't long ago that our house was full of kids on this day but now they're all grown and have their own families too, and thei own trees to decorate. Young Jacob has been practicing his lines for the playschool, Christmas concert and he knows them very well. We can hardly wait untill we can have a Christmas program out at the ranch. This is a time of the year that so many are in need of so much but what the heck, it's their problem not ours right? You know we worked hard and were careful with our money and why should we worry about any one else. On the radio today I heard that we Canadians give over 35% less to charity than our neighbours to the south. It's very exciting to belong to a church that is known in our community as a giving church, and knowing that the more you give the more you recieve has never been more true. There's an old saying that you can never out give God and if we would all catch on to that we'd be living in a whole lot different society.

The tree is decorated the eggnog is almost gone Diane is vacuming and the annual event of decorating the Christmas tree the has come to a wrap. Times are changing but I hope we always take the time to help those less fortunate than us, they are all around us. Let's get out there and see what we can do to make someone elses day a little brighter.

Galations 6:9&10 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have oportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Friday's Frenzy

I'd like to describe something and see if you can guess what it is. It's your constant companion, your greatest helper or heaviest burden. It pushes you onward or drags you down. It's at your command. Half of the things you do can be assigned to it and it'll do them quickly and correctly. It's easily managed - but you must be firm with it. Show it exactly what you want done and after a few lessons it'll do it automatically. Those who are great it made great. Those who are failures it made failures. It's not a machine although it works with precision of one plus the intelligence of a person. You may run it for profit or for ruin - it doesn't matter. Take it train it, be firm with it, and It'll place the world at your feet. Be easy on it and it'll destroy you. What is it? A "Habit"

God's word says, "You are a slave to whatever controls you." Wrong habits rob us of the good things God has planned for us. Habits are subtle. We get lulled into thinking "what harm can it do it's my body, it's my life, I'm not bothering anyone else and it's just a glass of wine , or I'll buy it and pay for it later or it won't hurt to miss my prayer time again I'll catch up later. We've all said those famous words, " What harm will it do?" -PLENTY- Give satan an inch and only by the grace of God will you find your way back.

God knows every habit that we are struggling with today, and He's made a way for us to escape - an exit strategy. I hope you want to know what it is. You simply have to turn from temptation and run as fast as you can to the One Who can help us overcome it.

Christmas for many is the most hopeless time of the year and yet that is the last thing that Jesus was born in a stable for. He came to bring hope. But I find that it's when we are walking away from Him that the light fades, the hope seems to be gone. Do a U turn it's never Illegal in this case and can be done anywhere and any time. -CAUTION- brakes may need to be applied first, but gently to prevent a skidd.

The miracle of the day was a call that we got today. A guy that was a camper at the camp we worked at years ago. He plans to fly here and talk to us about how he would like to have us build a house for him at the ranch. A - R.T.M (ready to move home) that he can then move to his acreage south of Lloydminster. P.T.L. Thank you to every one that is standing with us to build this vision . We do need more help to make it all happen and even 25.oo a month would make such a difference. If you can help, this is one ministy you can support and even watch as it brings hope back to families in your nieghbourhood. P.S. we do issue tax reciepts.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's willfor you in Christ Jesus."

Thursday the day of change

Being a sheet metal fabricator and installer, one thing I've always wanted to build was a suit of armour. I've looked at plans but realized that I was not skilled enough at my trade to take on this project in any way or fashion. Years later I found out that the Bible talks about putting on the armour, in fact as I look it up in Ephesians 6:13 in my NIV Bible it says, "Therefore put on the full armour of God," wow when I first heard that, I wondered what in the world could that mean. After a friend patiently went through and explained it all to me it was amazing to know how we can prepare ourselves for each day by putting on God's Armour. I remember a wise old friend once explained about the spiritual life in of each of us, and that as Christians we need to put on the armour of God each and very day, as there is an enemy out there trying to destroy us.

I was building some duct work one day in our sheetmetal shop and as I would take a new, shiny piece of metal, cut it to size then I could take it in both hands and I could wobble it to make all kinds of weird noises. Then as I slid that piece of metal into my brake and did what we sheet metal guys call cross breaking to that piece of metal and pulled it out I no longer could make any funny noise with it. That piece of flimsy metal was transferred instantly into a firm strong new piece of metal that I then could continue to build with. I then put a fold on each side and I had a ready to use end cap. Now I could have taken that new part I had built and put it up on a shelf and left it there thinking that's real nice, I 'll just leave it there for myself. It would never have accomplished it's purpose as part of a duct system that could have heated a home, as it is a vital part of the system that sends heat thru the duct system to all parts of the home. You know even a slow learner like me comes to realize that that's us, as part of God's plan. First there's the floppy, noisy me, then we come to the cross where we are broken and instantly we are made into new creations. New creatures in Christ, the old is gone, the new has come. Now we can choose to say, "well, this is a great life and it seems really safe so I think I'll just keep it to myself and not get involved." Or we can attach ourselves to a great spirit filled church and to ministries that are doing all they can to share the love of Jesus and the hope and purpose He has for each and everyone of us. We can share with as many people as possible, doing everything we can to improve their thinking about who they are and how they are living their lives. Sharing with them what the Lord can do to fill them with a purpose that is so exciting and worth living for. That's living with purpose P.T.L.

Today we headed out to the ranch with a load of materials that Kendra donated to the ranch from her newly renovated fitness center called "MISFIT." Thanks Kendra! We took our two grandkids with us and Ben of course, so they could help find that perfect tree that would work for our home. So exciting to have a tree right from our own Ranch, that's a miracle for us. Lord willing, next Christmas will be at the Ranch. God is good all the time!

The Armor of God

"Therefore we we put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, we may be able to stand our ground, and after we have done everything, to stand, we'll stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around our waists...

Lord we put on the belt of truth. We choose a life style of honesty and integrity. Show us the truths we so desperatley need today. Expose the lies we are not even aware that we are believing...

With the breastplate of righteousness in place,

And yes Lord, we wear your righteousness today against all condemnation and corruption. Fit us with your holiness and purity - defend us from all assaults against our hearts.

And with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace...

We do choose to live for the gospel at any moment. Show us where the larger story is unfolding and keep us from being so lax that we think the most important thing today is the soap operas of this world.

In addition to all this, we take up the shield of faith, which we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one...

Jesus, we lift against every lie and every assult the confidence that you are good, and that you have good in store for us. Nothing is coming today that can overcome us because you are with us...

We take the helmet of salvation...

Thank you, Lord, for our salvation. We recieve it in a new and fresh way from you and we declare that nothing can separate us now from the love of Christ and the place we shall ever have in your Kingdom....

And we take the sword of the spirit, Which is the word of God ...

Holy Spirit, show us specifically today the truth of the word of God that we will need to counter the assaults and the snares of the enemy. Bring them to mind throughout the day...

And we pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, we'll be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Finally, Holy Spirit we agree to walk in step with you in everything - in all prayer as our spirits commune with you throughout the day.

We also pray, that whenever we open our mouths, words may be given to us so that we will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. In Jesus' name we pray" Taken from Ephesions 6: 13 - 19

Thank you Lord for your armor!