Define, Refine and Redefine!

Define:  to show or describe (someone or something) clearly and completely

• Refine:  improve (something) by 
• makingsmall changes, in particular 
• make(an idea,theory,or method) 
• more subtle and accurate.
• 
  

Redefine:to reexamine or reevaluate especially with a view to change

Since the beginning of the Ranch, we have tried to describe/define the vision of the Ranch.  It has been on our heart for several years having boys live at the ranch in the long term program.  As years have gone on we have refined some things by making small changes.  In 2007 we felt God was calling us to add summer camps. He has continued to refine us and this ministry.  

Now we feel it is a time to redefine the ministry.

Is it easy? No.  Is it exciting?  Yes.  We are excited to see what God has in store for the Ranch.  He has provided for it and expanded it for 24 years.  Is HE closing the doors?  Are we closing the doors?  NO!  We will no longer be housing boys in a long term program.  However, we are reexamining and reevaluating this ministry, in the hopes that God will touch even more lives.  

Change:   to give a different position, course, or direction to

Change is not easy, it is hard.  Please join us as we go through this change.  It's almost like starting all over.  

In 1992, Jim and I were excited, we were scared, we were overwhelmed and we were trusting in HIM.  Again, in 2016, Jim and I are excited, scared, overwhelmed and trusting in HIM!  

Isaiah 41:10 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Proverbs 3:5-6 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Thanks for your continued support in prayer, God Bless each and everyone of you.

Laborers in Christ,

PERSEVERANCE =Character

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Perseverance:   the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult.

Character: one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual.

Ministry is hard, I'm going to be honest.  It can be downright difficult. Jim and I have been in ministry for almost 29 years of our 33 years of marriage.  (Youth group, Missouri boys ranch and this Ranch)  I am so thankful that God has given us a quality of perseverance, because without that quality we would not be where we are today with our character.  We would also probably be working a regular job and not be in ministry.

We know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character and character, hope, because we have seen it tons of times.  So today going through a difficult time, we are going to choose HOPE! 

Hope:   to cherish a desire with anticipation  

Our desire is that these boys would learn from their choices and turn down a different path.  We are going to cherish this with anticipation, that these choices are going to be life changing for these boys.  Can we see it right now?  No! But we are going to HOPE, and we are going to PERSEVERE through it all, even when it can be down right difficult!

Please pray for us to cherish this desire with anticipation and trust that GOD is a BIG GOD and HE will help us persevere through this time too!

What about you are you going through a hard time right now?  If so, persevere let it develop in you a character you will be proud of, and hope with anticipation that GOD is going to show up at the exact time HE needs to.  He is an all knowing God and He is in the middle of whatever you are going through.

Hoping with anticipation,

BIG ARMS...BIGGER ARMS!

I wrote this post back in September of 2014 on my personal blog and I wanted to share this now on the ranch blog.  I'm so glad he is carrying me right now while going through this spiritual trial here at the ranch!
Psalm 68:19 - 20a  "Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!    For each day he carries us in his arms. Our God is a God who saves!" 
I think my hubby has BIG arms, and I feel so special when he holds me in them and wraps them around me.  He has held me several times in our 32 years of marriage, while listening to me laugh, cry, scream, be silent, or even argue. He has even carried me a few times with those BIG arms of his.  I remember the day he carried me into a rat infested trailer house that was the beginning of Miracles Can Happen Boys Ranch and told me 'this is your new home!'  I'm so thankful that God has blessed me with him.  But even though he has BIG arms and he is my ROCK at times I still need God's BIGGER arms to hold me or carry me.  When I look at the cross I think of HIM holding out his arms and waiting for me to run to him.  This race of life can be tiring. discouraging. frustrating. humiliating. gut wrenching. heartbreaking. and just plain overwhelming.  BUT GOD is running right beside me holding my hand, in front of me waiting for the baton and at the finish line with his arms open wide!  I praise HIM and thank HIM for saving me so I can experience those BIGGER arms!
Aren't you glad that he carries you in his arms?  I don't know that I could do this thing called life, if I didn't know that I had his arms to rest in!  

As I go to sleep tonight, I'm going to think about him carrying me through another day tomorrow.