Wednesday Report

School Children Trained to Amputate

A British Broadcasting Corporation Panorama Investigation reports that more than 40 schools in Britain have trained over 5,000 children aged 6-18 years on Sharia Law and its punishments. A classroom book teaches 15-year-olds that a thief's "hands will be cut off for a first offence, and their foot for a subsequent offence." Through the use of diagrams these children are taught where the cuts must be made and to cauterize the wound to ensure the person does not bleed to death. In Canada, honour killings have hit the news in several cases such as: the 2009 drowning of four women in the Rideau Canal; the June 2010 stabbing of a teenage girl by her mother; the October 2010 killing of a teenage girl late for prayer. Canada currently identifies over fifty (50) terrorist organizations active in Canada. The world is changing and it's time for Canadians to protect our heritage, our commitment to equality, and our God-given freedoms, on which this country was founded. Our next generation needs to understand who we, as Canadians are and what we stand for. The best way is that they have the opportunity to learn who they are and the gifts they have as they grow to be strong and productive parts of our society. We need to direct them in ways that will enable them to be strong, healthy and productive assets to society at whatever trade or life skill they follow. This is what they need to learn, not how to amputate your hand. PRAYER OF GRATITUDE Even though we clutch our blankets and growl when the alarm rings each morning, we thank you, Lord, that we can hear. There are many who are deaf. Even though we keep our eyes tightly closed against the morning light as long as possible, we thank you Lord, that we can see. There are many who are blind. Even though we huddle in our beds and put off the effort of rising, we thank you, Lord that we have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden. Even though the first hour of our day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, and tempers are short, we thank you, Lord, for our families. There are many who are lonely. Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, we thank you, Lord for the food we have. There are many who have no job. Even though we grumble and bemoan our fate from day to day and wish our circumstances were not so modest, we thank you, Lord, for the gift of life. Even though we are not the richest folks around and often wish we had more, we thank you Lord for what we have, that we are able to bless you with some of all that you have blessed us with. Author Unknown

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings each morning, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes tightly closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you Lord, that I can see. There are many who are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off the effort of rising, thank you, Lord that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, and tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord for the food we have. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for the gift of life.

Even though we are not the richest folks around and often wish we had more, thank you Lord for what we have, that we are able to bless you with all that you have blessed us with

Author Unknown

Tuesday

Mickey Rooney in the movie, "Father Flannigans Boys Town", a true story about a Priest a man that cared enough about others to set his life not on hold but under the direction of God and by faith followed a vision and with the help of a few good men in his community made a differance for young men to this very day.

Father Flannigan was once asked by a member of his community why he's with these people and not with upstanding decent folks . And yet to this very day the hope still continues for men and women every where.

He was told over and over again that he was crazy for what he was doing and who he was trying to help. And yet today his work was not in vain.

One of Father Flannigan's favorite saying was "It's worth a shot" and by the grace of God it has blessed families all across the USA.

Father Flannigan built Boy's Town with purpose and High Ideals

1. Matthew 9:10
   While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.
2. [ Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners ] Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.
   
   
3. 1 Timothy 1:15
4. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

Who does Jesus call us imitate, who has he called us to serve, who has he called us to share the hope that He died to give us.

PRAYER FOR COURAGE

Almighty God, who gives strength to the weak and upholds those who might fall, give us courage to do what is right, for those that trust in you there is no need to fear.

Make us brave to face any danger which may now threaten us.

Give us the help that you have promised to those who ask it, that we may overcome our fears and go bravely forward.

Fill us with courage, that nothing which is our duty to do, may it not be too hard for us. Let us put our trust in your power and goodness.

Thank you Lord.

Monday Can't Beat That Day

When we face the Son,

Darkness will always be behind us

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

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 can't beat that day

Saskatchewan is our team, here we come Grey Cup. What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon, nachos and melted cheese, sushi and pickled garlic and a Rider win. One would think-can't get much better, but did it ever. We attended a great church service at the Canmore Trinity church, met some great folks and left all the ranch info with the pastor. After church we headed out to find somewhere to have lunch, the first few places we stopped at seemed very new age and we felt we needed to look a bit more. As we were passing by a Chinese restaurant we turned in to check it out not expecting to stay, just look inside. Well we went in and there was something different about this place so we sat down and looked at the menu. Our waitress came over to serve us and we ordered a bowl of soup and beef and broccoli. After our waitress put our order in she came over and started to ask us where we were from and a lot of other questions. Well in no time at all we were talking about the ranch and we gave her all of the info including a promo DVD. She then left us to our meal and we were about half done our meal and she comes back and says that she is a Christian and her husband and their children are all believers in the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Well for the next hour we shared and laughed and had such a great visit with this beautiful Chinese woman with such a strong faith. She is excited to be able to share all the info with her children, and her church. Her son is an engineer and she says he will be very interested in seeing this place. She also has two daughters that live in Calgary. God is so great as he opens doors for those of us willing to step out and talk about all that God is doing in our lives each and every day. Oh ya the difference in this restaurant was there were no shrines or any of that stuff anywhere. P.T.L.

SUNDAY'S PRAYER

Everyone has a free choice to live a life of "frustration and hoplessness," or to live a life of grace and hopfulness, in the Salvation of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Many of us may have made wrong choices in our lives, God knows we sure have, but that doesn't mean that we have to remain living in those wrong choices, a life that seem to be going nowhere. A good friend of ours once said "I don't need any of that God stuff" and a few minutes later he said "I really have nothing after all these years". Jesus is always there reaching out to us with all of His love and hope. It is "our choice" to "accept Him into our lives" or not. I've heard it said that a split second after we die some of us will wish we had made some differant choices.
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 and you don't have to wait to hit the bottom of the barrel like so many of us did. 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 or mistakes you have made 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, much more than the group or gang that you are hanging out with. If you have never said the Salvation prayer or you just feel that you need to say it again, say it now with your whole heart let those tears flow as the peace floods in. Years ago a guy said to me, why not give Jesus the next six months of your life, fully and completely and see what he will do with you. In 6 months if you don't like what He's done for you, all this grief and crap will still be waiting for you. We've never looked back. P.T.L.

"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 now that you hear my prayers. I need you to be my Savior. You have always been there loving me, through everything in my life no matter what I said about you.
Forgive me for all of my sins and horrible life. I am so sorry for the way I have been, and the way that I have treated you and others. You died on the cross for me. How could you love me that much, how can I ever thank you enough for loving and caring for a wretch like me.
Forgive me for all of the things that I have done. Please come into my life to wash away all of my sins and wicked ways. 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.
We 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 us and share with us your joy.

Saturday So Blessed

Please pray for today's ranch work day, they are working on the shelter for the horses and having some power issues, so need your prayers to cover over them all, as it is also very cold. God bless you all and thank you.

Got a quick picture of Peter's as we flew through Calgary last evening, not a great picture and hard to tell what it is, but it is what it is - "Peter's."

We were out and about town this afternoon and for some reason we were drawn into a small, plain looking restaurant and as we were ordering some food I couldn't help but notice a lady and it looked like her daughter across the room having lunch also. So I soon traded places with Diane and she felt the same - we know them. Little did we realize they were asking the same questions about us. As they approached the door to leave, we asked and sure enough it was Bev and her daughter Melissa from Moose Jaw. They also attended the Appostolic in Moose Jaw when we did. Go figure, of all the places in Canmore?? God knows. Had such a great time sharing about what the Lord has been doing as He brings the Ranch together, we all knew this has nothing to do with coincidence.

We are off for supper, can't wait to see who we meet there. We headed into Banff to look around for the evening and headed up to TONY ROMA'S for supper and look who was there? Fred and Donna Kelly, good friends of ours from Kindersley, Sask. We celebrated Donna's 32 birthday and what a great time was had by all. Talking about all the good old days and our kids growing up and all the grandkids, we've all been through a lot, but as you look back the Lord has had His hand on those that put their lives into his care.

They were also so excited to hear about all the miracles that have been happening every day as God brings this Ranch into what He has planned it to be. So faith building sharing about what the Lord is doing each and every day.

For Our Families

O God, in the beginning You brought together man and woman in marriage that they might share Your work of creation and bring enriching life to one another. We commend to Your constant care the homes where Your people dwell. Knit together in growing affection those who have been made one flesh so that their love and marriages may never fail. Turn the hearts of parents to their children and children to their parents. Take away the roots of bitterness, vanity, and self-seeking that bring dissension where family peace should reign. Inspire them, rather, with loyalty, faith, and sacrifice, that in all the changes and circumstances of life they may stand strongly together in mutual service and love.