GRATEFUL!

Psalm 100:3-5 "Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Lord: someone or something having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler.

God:   the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being.

Made: form (something) by putting parts together or combining substances; construct; create:

People: human beings in general or considered collectively.

Give: freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to.

Thanks: an expression of gratitude.

Praise: express warm approval or admiration of.

Love:  an intense feeling of deep affection.

Endures: remain in existence; last.

Forever: for all future time; for always.

I'm so thankful that my LORD is the creator and ruler of the universe and he made me, I am HIS.  I want to take this time to hand over my gratefulness to HIM for who HE is!  I want to PRAISE HIM because HE is GOOD!  His LOVE lasts for always.  

We need to take time to give HIM the PRAISE because we are HIS people and HE created us.  Don't wait for thanksgiving time to do it....do it EVERYDAY. 

Try not to get so caught up in "the gift" that we forget to give THANKS to the giver of ALL GIFTS.

Happy THANKSGIVING to you all!  May you take the time to GIVE THANKS and PRAISE him because HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

Thanking HIM,

Take refuge in HIS wings!

I was amazed last night when a mother of one of our boys here at the ranch sat in the living room, saying she felt like a helicopter trying to fly over her twin sons.  She said something like this ~ I am hovering and hovering and at the last minute I swoop down to snatch them up before its too late so they don't get hurt.  I can't do it anymore, I am wore out trying to keep them safe. ~ The reason I was amazed because I am doing an online Bible Study right now and our memory verse this week is ~
Psalm 36:7 "How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!  People take refuge in the shadow of your wings." 
~
When she was telling us how she felt, I was picturing God, instead, hovering over these two boys and taking them under HIS wings (arms).  Teaching them how to find the right road instead of the very troubled road they have been going down. 

Last night, we decided to take Jakob, Jordan's twin brother into our program too.  They had both ran away Saturday night, from their home when Jordan was on a home visit from the ranch.  I really believe that God and his unfailing love, was with them while they were on run for more than 24 hours.  I also believe he was in our conversation last night when Jim told them we were going to work with Jakob, too. 

This is a new thing for us here at the ranch taking twins but we are trusting that God is using us to help these two brothers take refuge in the shadow of HIS wings instead of running from the refuge of their mom's hovering helicopter. 

 Isaiah 43:18-19  “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.  For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?  I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."

I also believe that these two lives will create a ripple effect in their family.  Why do I believe that?  Because His unfailing love is priceless; unshakable and undeniable and HE is going to cause them to take refuge in the shadow of HIS wings. 

So I'm asking you supporters to pray that all goes well when we get the guardianship of Jakob and that God hovers over this ranch with HIS unfailing LOVE as we take on something new and sit back under the shadows of his wings as HE is about to do something new here at MCH Boys Ranch.

I'm so thankful for HIS priceless LOVE!

Resting under HIS WINGS,

 

  

What is integrity?

^Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.


^{Titus 2:6-8}  "Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. ⁷ In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."

Integrity is a trait we try to focus on with the boys that God has placed here.  A lot of the boys that come here want to lie to get out of trouble, but then that just gets them into more trouble.  We want them to learn about strong moral principles so that they can be respected out in the real world. 

God is a BIG God and HE has blessed this place to stay in operation for all these years.  We are so thankful for all of you supporters out there that have helped all these years. 

We just want you to know that your money is paying it forward, by us helping these boys.  If we can get these boys to become men of integrity, then they in turn will turn around and raise men or women of integrity. 

So, what about you, are you being that man or woman of integrity that God would have you be?  You may be the only example some boy or girl is learning from.  Just a heart check!  We are a walking example every day in our daily schedule.  We can either be a positive example or we can be a negative example.  Which kind of an example do you want to be?  I want to be a positive example, and I have to work at that everyday with the help of my Lord and Savior. 

I pray that you and I can show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, while we walk our walk. 

Walk your talk for HIM,

                      

Truth needs to be told!

It amazes me every time we have a major confrontation here at the ranch with one or a couple boys how God unfolds it.  It is amazing to see these boys that had no care of disrespecting authority before coming here, start to feel the guilt and spill it all out. 

The other day Jim asked a question trying to get one boy to confess of his wrong doing, and all three ended up spilling out something.  It is pretty amazing how God starts to work on their hearts. 

We hope that we can teach these boys that God does know everything we do and say.  Then they will start thinking before they do or say anything.  This is something we all need to do, I know at times I'm just as guilty to not think before doing or saying something's.  We need to ask the Lord to help us all to picture Jesus standing right next to us.  Then ask ourselves would HE be happy with what I'm about to say or do?

Psalm 139:3-5  "You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.  You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me."

The hardest thing to break in working with these boys is their lying tongue, it is so natural to them.  Please pray for us as we continue to teach these boys that the TRUTH needs to be told.  Because the TRUTH will set you FREE!

John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

God is still in the miracle business today and he continues to show us miracles in the lives of young men.  Thank you all who are a part of this ministry.   

Cross references:

1. Psalm 139:3 : 2Ki 19:27
2. Psalm 139:3 : S Job 31:4
3. Psalm 139:4 : S Heb 4:13
4. Psalm 139:5 : S 1Sa 25:16; Ps 32:10; 34:7; 125:2

SERVING - even when you don't feel like it!

Matthew 20:28

New International Version (NIV)

^28 "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

The other night driving home from a long weekend in Michigan for a SPEAK UP Conference, I had a bad attitude.  I was trying to come up with a way so I could time it just right so I didn't have to go with the boys, their house parents, and my hubby to "serve" at a Senior Independent Living.  I was thinking about how I just gave a speech on wanting to help mom’s all around stick it out and Trust HIM even when they don’t want to. 

So I felt like I needed to stick it out, even though I didn't want to go serve.  I am so thankful  that I stuck it out!  The people in that housing unit were so thankful for the boys ranch coming to serve them.  Thanks to Michelle and my hubby for preparing the meal while I was gone.  It is so awesome to listen to my hubby share with these people about Jesus.

When the boys first go with us it is out of their comfort zone for them, but then they beg to have us do it again.  So we have decided to feed them every other month.  Michelle told us the one of the boys asked if we could go early the next time so we could play cards or something.  It is awesome to hear something like that from a kid whom before he came didn't have a whole lot of respect for anything or anyone.  Especially a bunch of older people. 

Thank you for serving in some way to the RANCH, either by prayer or financial.  If it wasn't for you serving in that way we would not be able to experience the awesome change in hearts of these boys.

I'm so thankful that Jesus, came to serve, and give his life for me.  What about you?  Are you thankful today that Jesus came to serve?  Have you accepted his life as a ransom?  Are you willing to serve other people even when you don't want to?  Jesus has been our example so I challenge you stick it out and serve even when you don't want to.  You will be BLESSED.

Serving HIM,

 
 

  

 

I ----- LOVE------ YOU!

Dear Friends in Christ,

“Leviticus 19:34 The Message (MSG) “When a foreigner lives with you in your land, don’t take advantage of him. Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love him like one of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners in Egypt. I am God, your God.”

When we take these boys into our home we love them like one of our own.  We could not show these young men love if it wasn’t for all the support we get from people like you.  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to show these young men the love that they need. 



Even the horse was trying to tell Andy..I LOVE YOU!

How easy is it for you to say “I  — love — you?”  One of the boys that lived with us for 3 1/2 years struggled to say these words.  I, Cathy, every night told him those three words before he went to bed but he never responded.  The week before he was going to leave the ranch I told him, “Andy, you have one week to learn how to say those three words.”  Then the last three days I did the count down and because our God is a BIG God on the last day Andy didn’t just say...Ioveou (I love you) real fast.  No he said, “I ...LOVE…. YOU, Cathy!”  I was so glad to hear those words come out of his mouth because that told me that someday he was possibly going to be able to tell his future wife and his kids those three words.  Well the other day he wrote this on my facebook wall:  I love you ...this is Andy.  He also wrote on his own wall a while back….Jim Fry I love and I will call you daddy.  This same young man asked us if he could get married here at the ranch  October 2013 down at the camp ground.  His fiancé also asked Jim to walk her down the aisle.  Is our God a Big God or what?  Not only are we able to love on these boys but also extend it to their families. 

Andy loved to ride the horses!

Thank you again for sacrificing and giving to this ministry, may you be blessed after hearing this one story of many, for your obedience to give.

Serving HIM,

 



Reflections from Mason!

Psalm 63:5-8  "I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy; I smack my lips. It’s time to shout praises! If I’m sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection. Because you’ve always stood up for me, I’m free to run and play. I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post."

We always ask the boys at the ranch when they complete the program to reflect on what they have learned since they came.  When I read Mason's reflections it made me tear up!  God has done great things in his life.  Is he still making some choices that are not quite what God is proud of?  Yes, I believe so but don't we all make choices that God is not proud of?

 

We are proud of what Mason has accomplished here at the ranch and we are very thankful for you supporters (both prayer warriors and financial supporters).  Here is a list of 23 things Mason has said that he has learned in the last couple years:

  1.  I live IN the world I am not OF this world
  2.  Trust people around me
  3.  Confidence

  4.  Hold my head high
  5.  God's love is better than man's love
  6.  I am deserving of love
  7.  I don't need people to pitty me
  8.  Godly friends are better than worldly friends
  9.  Hold myself accountable
10.  Not to lie
11.  To keep my grades up
12.  I don't have to cuss to fit in
13.  I don't have to smoke to fit in
14.  I don't have to do worldy things to fit in
15.  Found my voice in a respectful manner
16.  People do want to see me succeed
17.  God will never leave me, I'll never be alone.
18.  Milk cows
19.  Focus without medication
20.  Listen
21.  Take constructive criticism
22.  Man up
23.  To be a man of integrity

Wow....what a list!

Then his general things he has accomplished list:

1.  State cross country (varsity)

2.  Gave my life to Christ
3.  Do things according to God's word
4.  Not to covet
5.  Love others

Last but not least it looks like from this list that he is planning on holding on to JESUS for dear life, and knowing our God, HE is going to hold him steady as a post if he just asks!

Things Mason say's he would like to learn/accomplish

1.  Grow closer to Christ
2.  Be a perimedic
3.  Be a youth Pastor
4.  Find a wife that loves God just as much as I do
5.  Continue on the path of righteousness
6.  Teach my kids about Christ
7.  Become involved with a church
8.  Become a Board Member of the MCH Boys Ranch
9.  Shine Christ's light for all to see.

It's time to shout praises for this reflection that Mason brought to us tonight.  Now we just ask that you would join with us in prayer to help him hang on to JESUS for dear life and not forget the taste of a GREAT LIFE he has experienced doing it God's way instead of the worldly way.