Saturday surprise

Plans yesterday, were to head into Edmonton for a Promise Keepers event with Blaine, Joey and a bunch of friends from our church, Lloyd Gospel Fellowship and then back home by Saturday evening. Well are you ready? Because I sure wasn't ready for all that God had prepared for this event. It all started with Lennet Anderson opening the event last evening and this guy is an absolute fire cracker. Diane and I were blessed to be able to share at his church back in Nova Scotia last fall. So after his excellent presentation I went back to say hi and introduce the boys to him. He asked all about how the ranch was going and what stage we were at and that he hadn't seen Jim for a bit as he was on his cross Canada tour and a bit busy. Then this morning I spoke with a friend that was there from Caronport and builds concrete plants and has concrete trucks. After telling him about the ranch he said he just might be able to help us with a cement truck and he could work on getting together a batch plant for us before summer. WOW what a sweet miracle this would be and how timely! P.T.L. Then I was blessed to be able to go with Eric Rounce and his boys for lunch at a very nice Vietnamese restaurant and as we sat and talked about the ranch a gentleman sitting next to us apologized for evesdropping on our conversation. He said he had to ask a bit about the ranch project that we were working on. So after explaining about the ranch and what it was all about he said that the archectectural firm that he was a part of would love to get involved and do whatever they could do to help a project like this be built. I'll never forget Eric's comment after the gentelman left, he said, "now, that was a God moment! We are also meeting with the well drillers this week and may have some more pipe for corrals so bit by bit it does seem to be coming together. Oh yes, we also have another committed Mechanic ready to help out at the ranch.

God definitley blessed a bus load of men seeking to be men of God in thier homes, communities and their churches. Did you know that if a woman is beautiful when she is young it's because God made her that way. Now if she remains beautiful in the rest of her years it's because of how the man in her life treats her, so men treat your wives the way God shows you not the way the world tells you and you will have a beautiful friend forever. The women in our lives need always to be cherished and loved.

Men we are accountable to a higher standard.

1 Corinthians 16:13 (The Message)

^"13-14Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you've got, be resolute, and love without stopping."

We hope and pray that you find and attend a church today and even better it would be great to see you there. May today be the day that you open your heart to the King if Kings and Lord of Lords as He is waiting to change your life into a blessing for the Kingdom of God and the world that you live in. Your friends Harold and Diane

Friday's Frenzy

Snow again and what a blessing as the Good Lord waters the ground for a good start to the growing season. Today we were blessed with the equipment to do our elevations and if all goes well we will be able to start on the shop foundation next week. PLEASE PRAY that next week will be the week that all comes together and we get underway with the ranch construction.

Thank you once again for taking the time to view our blog. Battle River Ranch Camp is a non profit organization that is focused on developing trades and life skills, 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 their journey has taken them through different twelve step programs and life recovery through a relationship and healing process with Jesus Christ. 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.

Thursday the day of change

All went well at the ranch today we were blessed with a load of pipe for corrals and a truck to haul water to water the trees. I think the clutch may be going, but for now it works great. We were also blessed when the neighbours stopped by and said that we could use their garden tractor to roto-till the garden and trees. We are also busy moving a few trees as they are right where the power lines will be going. So if you have some time in the next, oh, maybe two years we sure could use your help.

WHY YOU NEED TO GIVE JESUS A CHANCE

#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 and failure, wipe the slate clean and give you a new beginning.

#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 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. Thankyou 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.

Wednesday Report

*MIRACLES OF THE DAY*

1.] Probably the biggest miracle of the day would be that we were able to be out to the ranch by 9:00 this morning after another late night. All went well with Vic from Atco electric as we went over the location of all the power needed for the first phase of construction at the ranch. After watering a few of the trees that needed it, we were off to Nielburg and a day of meetings and visits with locals interested in helping with the ranch development.

2.] Had lunch with friends and had the opportunity to discuss many options in our construction options and many ways to save and improve the quality of our projects. I've never heard of concrete counter tops but are they ever a great idea and very inexpensive to build and very attractive and durable.

3.] Met with pastor Merv at the E Free Church and we were blessed to present the entire ranch presentation and how we can and will be able to partner to improve the options for our young adults in our communities. Giving them the opportunities they need to develop their God given gifts and strengths in a way that will build positive and productive adults excited about their futures.

4.] Stopped in and visited with Brian Graham and their family. We did a lot of work for them back in Caronport, where we met them and was great to be able to explain the plans of the ranch and the purpose it will serve in the community.

5.] Stopped and had a chance to share a bit with a few more local buisnesses an then headed on home.

6.] We made one more stop at the home of some friends and had a blessed visit with them as we usually do.

7.] Before heading home we stopped in at Barry and Brigitte's and had a bit of a visit before Barry heads into Edmonton tomorrow for his eye surgery, so please let's all keep Barry and Brigitte in our prayers, not only for tomorrows surgery but the next six to eight weeks could be a struggle for them as there are many things Barry can't do until his eye is healed.

8.] We were blessed with so many potential opportunities and gifts for the ranch today that it is such a blessing to walk and live out the plan God has for the ranch. We are so thankful to all who faithfully stand by us with their prayers and encouragement.

9.] Oh ya, we also found another barn that the people may want to donate but the moving could be a killer.

THE MESSAGE

Luke 12:29
"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

Daily need call:

We need a smaller farm tractor to pull around our water tank & trailer (shown above) to water the new trees, an older working tractor would do just fine and would bless the ranch immensely so if you or someone that you know, would have something like this around that you could donate to the ranch we would come and pick it up if needed. Thankyou and God Bless you all.

Tuesday's Trivia

Miracles of the day.

1.] Our amazing trip to Chauvin to meet with Corey Randell the lead pastor and his lovely wife Shanda of Chauvin Gospel Center. We were warned about this church and it's high level of activity and outreach to their community and it is all true. Diane and I were warmly welcomed and given time to share the ranch vision to Corey and his staff. Corey and I have very similar backgrounds and related well to the needs in our communities, and the hope that solid mentorship opportunities and channeling lives toward their individual strengths through opportunities, can and will change lives and communities. Then to top it all off by bathing this in prayer and Holy Spirit anointing and walking in faith, God is smiling as He sends miracle after miracle.

Corey and the church he pastors host an incredible event called, MIDDLE of NOWHERE conference in Chauvin on July 30 to Aug 1 with great bands, even one from Ireland and many other events. They have asked if we could ask our biker friends to join them this weekend as they reach out to hundreds of locals and visitors with a love that only God could give us and calls us to share.

Corey has asked us to return and pass on the ranch vision to his church family. What an exciting day as we continue the work as Kingdom Builders. P.T.L.

2.]We arrived home and got a call from Bruce in Battleford he had promised to help us out with his backhoe and he is now booked in for the first of May to dig in our water lines from the well to the buildings. Bruce said he has been enjoying sharing with many people about the ranch and how God is providing all the needs to build this place of hope.

God is so good! He continues to bring so many in to help with every need. Praise the Lord.

Galatians 6:2 (New International Version)

^"2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2 (The Message)

Nothing but the Cross

^"1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived."

Daily need call:

We need a smaller farm tractor to pull around our water tank & trailer (shown above) to water the new trees, an older working tractor would do just fine and would bless the ranch immensely so if you or some one that you know, would have something like this around that you could donate to the ranch we would come and pick it up if needed. Thankyou and God Bless you all.

Mondays momentum

1. The hardest thing in the world to do is to make a flawed system work and when everybody gets used to operating in a flawed system and even comfortable with it you got big trouble. Sometimes we even compromise our morals to fit in, you know, going with the flow, don't make any waves and be accepted, what can it hurt?
2. Can you imagine someone walking into your town or community and everywhere he goes things just seem to happen for the good. People are smiling even laughing no one worries about what someone might think about them, it just feels good to look out for someone else. But because all this good life doesn't include the flawed way of life system and revenue or the control that the flawed system controllers had, it just can't be accepted. So we find a way to destroy the peace makers image and integrity, run him out of town as a quack or trouble maker and then we sigh with relief and go back to our sick, destructive way of life.
3. At the ground breaking this weekend out at the ranch a local MLA got up on the platform and said, it's great to see people like Harold and Diane with the guts to take a stand like this and bring this vision to where it is today. But we don't believe it's because of the guts that we have but the real backbone and guts of those of you that don't just talk the talk but walk the walk who are standing by us to make this a possibility. God has brought everyone together to make this happen and it's just exciting to be a part of it all. There's lots of people with visions in the world but we have been blessed to be surrounded by world changers, so that this vision will become a reality. Only a changed heart can ever make the differance in the world that you live in, to have the desire to see these needs be changed. Following a flawed system is easy, but to make a differance you have to make some sacrifices and work at it.
4. Matthew 27 : 41 "In the same way, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ⁴²"He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. ⁴³He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " ⁴⁴In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him."
5. Thank you for taking the time to view our blog. Battle River Ranch Camp is a non profit organization that is focused on developing trades and life skills, training opportunities for men and women that are searching and find it hard to get the opportunity 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 their journey has taken them through different twelve step programs and life recovery through a relationship and healing process with Jesus Christ. We would love to hear from you and if you feel this is a program and facility that you would like to be more involved with or support financially we would love to talk to you.

SUNDAY-CAN'T BEAT THAT DAY

Thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit for allowing us to be kingdom builders.

Thank you for my wife Diane

Thank you for our wonderful family

Thank you for Pastor Lyle and Laura

Thank you for the board of Directors

Thank you for all of our friends

Thank you for the ranch

Thank you for all those that work so hard on the ranch project

Thank you for all our supporters

Thank you for such a blessed day

God is so good!

Many friends and supporters came out to help us celebrate the ground breaking at the Ranch. We are now ready to start the first phase of the project and can't wait to get going.

• Our Board Chairman, Bruce Alexander, spoke about the Ranch and shared how the project has been going so far and where we are headed to next.
• Our Saskatchewan, MLA, Tim McMillan came up and spoke an encouraging message and showed his support of the Ranch.

• Kelly, our representative from our Federal Ag. Minister, Gerry Ritz also came up and spoke of their support of the Ranch and encouraged us to keep moving forward.
• Also Regan Bexon, representing Bexon Construction came up and spoke of their support and the need for such a facitlity in our area.
• Then Bruce and Harold did the official ground breaking with the shovels donated by Frank Flamen for the Ranch.
• Many young children were out breaking ground in the sand piles also.
• Pastor Lyle, prayed the blessing over the whole project.
• The Willis family, Rita Moir and Peg and Larry Huber kept the refreshments going and looked after everyones needs. Thanks so much to all of you for everything you continue to do to keep everything running so smoothly! You are all such a blessing!!
• Everyone had a great time of fellowship and sharing afterwords, the children found lots of fun things to do and showed the next generation will be enjoying the ranch also.
• Lost and found note - small pair of brown sandles left at the Ranch. Let us know if they're yours.