Tuesday

At Crossman Ministries we continue to create and make many hand- made crosses each year that we use to share the message of the cross to people everywhere.  Diane and I have seen that if we commit ourselves to God's purpose for our lives, He will bless our lives with much fruit, as we have seen through our children and the many lives that God has blessed when we do what we are called to do.  Diane and I are committed to serving God and building this ranch to honor and bring glory to our Lord and Savior and we only ask that you seek God's direction in helping us with this project.  

                                                      

- Proposed Development-

-Ranch/Camp Purpose- 

To develop purpose and life skills in the lives of men and women by  working side by side in all area's of life skills and safety development in a safe and positive atmosphere.

-RTM ready to move home construction site-

Seeking to find and develop strengths, and skills in all ares of construction

-Green house-

Seeking to find and develop strengths, and skills in all areas of horticulture

-Restaurant, gift shop and arts center-

Seeking to find and develop strengths, and skills in all areas of food preparation, and food management

Seeking to find and develop strengths, and skills in all areas of music, crafts and art

-Horses-

Allowing the use of horse in encouraging personal development, respect and responsibility

-Program Schedule will include-

Year round program for trade development 

Summer weekly youth camps

Year round group activities

-Ranch attendance-

75% will be men and women seeking to improve their opportunities in the work force of today and tomorrow in areas of life skills and trades

25% will be women and men from a troubled back ground such as alcohol or drug abuse with no less than one full year of recovery at a known and recognized recovery center or program and are serious about life skills, trade and being a productive asset to society.

-Focus- 

Will be to help each one to find their purpose in a society desperate for skilled men and women to lead the next generation in a direction of hope and God given purpose

 

 

Monday

Our trip home included a stop at Battleford to share the ranch project with Colin Fox a youth worker.  It seems no matter were we travel someone wants to know about the ranch and how God brought it all about.  

We stopped and checked out Blaine and Joey's new mobile shop as they were completing it for their trip to Kindersley tomorrow.

James, Dave, Vic and Durrant got most of the backfilling done today out at the ranch.

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!!!

Psalm 23 (King James Version)

Psalm 23

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴Yea, 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.

⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Sunday Son's day

Sunday was very special as we got to share the ranch project with our family back in Moose Jaw.  After church we spent time visiting with Rod and Lorna Yonke , Ann Marie and Stephane.  

Sunday's Prayer

When the world tries to drag us down and the angry waves of life go over our heads, We need to turn to you, our Lord and Savior. You are the rock, our place of refuge and our only hope. We pray that you never leave us alone in the battle. Protect us from our weakness and fears, free each and every one us from our fears and give us the strength to carry on. Amen.

Saturday's second blog

Well I never had the blog hijacked before but I think I could get used to it. I was walking down a side street in Moose Jaw taking some picture if the soap box derby races and a voice behind me said hey I knew you would be hear the blog hijacker said so.  I didn't know who was talking till I turned around and there he was big as life, Frank Lloyd.

We had a great time at Emily and Colin's wedding, they are a fine couple and the wedding was absolutely 1st class.  Also seen a lot of old friends and had a bit of time to get caught up on all the news.

Diane and I time for a walk down main street M J something we tried to do while we lived here.  

SATURDAY'S PRAYER

Everyone has a free choice to live a life of "sin," or to live a life of grace, in the Salvation of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. People may have made wrong choices in their lives, but that doesn't mean that they have to remain living in those wrong choices. Jesus is always there reaching out to us with all of His love. It is "our choice" to "accept Him into our lives" or not.
If you haven't yet gotten down and humbly asked the Lord into your life then you need to. If your pride is holding you back, let it go now. You don't need pride keeping you from Heaven. Please know that no matter what you may have done, it is never too late to clean up and clear up the past. It doesn't matter what sins you have committed in your life, God is a good God who loves you more than you will ever know. Yes it is really true, Jesus does "love" you with His whole heart. If you have never said the Salvation prayer or you just feel that you need to, say it now with your whole heart.

"Salvation Prayer"

Lord Jesus, I’ve been a sinner for as long as I can remember. I never knew the joy that I could have by accepting you into my life. I know that you hear my prayers. I need you to be my Savior. You have always been there loving me, through everything in my life.
Forgive me for all of my sins. I am so sorry for the way I have acted, and the way that I have behaved towards you and others. You died on the cross for me. You loved me that much, how can I ever thank you enough for loving me like that.
Forgive me for all of the things that I have done. Please come into my life to wash away all of my sins. I desire eternal life with you. Be my Savior and Lord of all my life. I want to be in Heaven with you for eternity and feel your love. I worship you and thank you Jesus, with every bit of gratitude and love that I can feel towards you. I love you Lord Jesus, with all of my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I want to share in your joy if you have just said this prayer sincerely from your heart. The angels are rejoicing with you right now. Email me and share with me your joy.

Friday's Frenzy

Friday was spent getting ready for our trip to Moose Jaw.  We hoped to get away by noon but a bit of an accident and a small flood in the basement did hold us up for an extra couple of hours so we did get out by 4:30.  By the time we got to Saskatoon we both were pretty much hooped but after our stop at Jerry's and some great ice cream we felt that we would be ready to hit the road again.  So we did pull into Moose Jaw about 11:00 pm and our great host and hostess Lloyd and Hazel welcomed us with tea and fresh cookies how more perfect can it get.  

FRIDAY'S PRAYER

O Dear Lord,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled
as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Saturday's substitute blogger

Hello all,

Blaine Stephan here, I decided to try and hijack the blog, seeing as dad is at a wedding in Moose Jaw. It was a bit of a quiet work day at the ranch, and we didn't actually get there until around 1:30pm. Elisa worked on cleaning up the garden and I put some time into the pump shelter, so when the power arrives we will have a place to hang a panel and get the water running.

While we were finishing up, Uncle Vic stopped by and we had a chance to visit for a few minutes. It came up just how easy to is to see God at work at the ranch. Even in the garden, it seems like the plants are trying to praise God! It is unbelievable how big the tomato plants are, how many zucchinis we've already harvested, and I won't even try and explain what is happening with the pumpkins. God has set apart that land for His purpose, and we just need to hang on and believe and He will take care of it all.

I know that my family loves the time we get to spend working towards Gods purpose with this vision, I really hope that you will be able to take the time and enjoy His presence with us sometime.

Please remember us here at the ranch, in your prayers, everyday, there are trials and blessings, and we cannot succeed without your prayers.

Just a note in closing, we feel it is important for us to get the lodge up and going this year so that we have a place to house our Directors on site as they prepare to begin the programming next year. If you feel like you can contribute financially or physically in the building, this is another big project, but never to big for our God.

Thanks for letting me jump into blog routine today!

Blessings to you and your family

Blaine and Elisa, Jacob, Hailey and Araeya

Thursday the day of change

As usual we were blessed with another great devotional time this morning our question of the day was, what would you say to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords if you were able to stand before Him and say what ever you wanted to say. Our conclusion this morning was that we wouldn't have to say a word that our hearts would say all that would be needed for God to know who we really are.

Our day was not with out it's challenges first we blew a hose on the pay loader, then I ran over uncle Vic's Jeep with the pay loader. Well I didn't run over it completely but it was close.

Durrant is getting very good on the bobcat and accomplishes a lot in a day.

Dawn prepares a great meal today and we all feel like kings as we sit down for a meal fit for a king.

The new approach is complete and we pray will be the start of new beginnings for many in the years to come.

We became consumed with smoke this afternoon, almost unbelievable.

Jack and Nolan got the trailer good and clean for us.

Thursday Prayer

Heavenly Father we love and worship you. We glorify your mighty name above all names. Everytime we pray to you Lord we feel such a humble love. A deep gratitude for all that you have done in making the Battle River Ranch a reality.
Lord being our precious Savior You healed the lepers, the blind and the lame. We know that You can heal our hurts and sorrows. You are the same yesturday, today and forever. Your Word says that in Hebrews 13:8. Your desire is for all of your children to accept Salvation and join you in Heaven. We know that You desire none of us to suffer an eternity without You. This is your desire and it is your will. Your Word says it!
Lord we know that you allow things to come into our lives for a reason. The greatest of which is to save souls for your kingdom. By your name Lord Jesus Christ and by Your authority please bind Satan and cast him away.
Lord we ask you by your blood and saving grace, to touch mightly this situation and bring about Your healing and Salvation. Lord our hearts cry out to you. We need your love and understanding, as we go through these hurts, trials and challenges. Please surround all of us including all our nieghbours with Your beautiful angels bringing us peace, comfort, protection and wisdom.
Please help all of us to see through your eyes with a solid strength of faith. Help us to walk in the Holy Spirit power of faith. A faith like we have never had before. Thank you sweet Jesus and in your name. Amen

Please know that we just said this prayer with you, even though you can't see us in person. Our prayer "is" joined with yours. We believe that the Lord honors prayers and that He will honor this one. He knows your heart, and He knows ours right now. We prayed this prayer for you with all of the faith that we have. It is a "real prayer" and it has been said with our full "real amount of faith."

Please rest easy now and try walking through this whole situation with the "eyes of Jesus in faith." It doesn't matter what your fleshly eyes see or how you are feeling. Faith goes much more beyond that. Faith sees things having happened already even though it hasn't. Look down the road a few years from now and see the good to come. Now keep that good vision in your mind and believe strongly, trusting in the Lord. Hold your head up and walk believing and knowing that God is with you and that you are "not" alone. God bless you. AMEN