Newsletters October 2011
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"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:5, 8
Dear Friends and Family, She was born into a multi-generational Amish family smack in the middle of Ohio State. Yet, even in the middle of this protected and sheltered community, the sinful nature was present and active within. It began for her just as it does for us all…thoughts were entertained and not resisted. Thoughts became persistent, habitual, and eventually led to behavior. The conscience became vexed and voiced its disagreement through the malicious emotions of depression, anxiety, and anger. The parents, completely perplexed and unable to find adequate resources within their community, began to look outside of the Amish despite the condescending judgments and prejudices of the other community members. They knew enough to stay away from the secular, humanistic, pop-psychology so prevalent today and instead sought out a Biblical approach to healing for their daughter. After many hours of searching for help they heard about TFR. After numerous conversations over the telephone, they decided to take a risk and send their daughter all the way across the United States to reside with us here at TFR, praying we would be charitable with their daughter’s traditions and yet aggressive with her sin. She arrived at TFR intimidated but teachable. To be honest, we were pretty clueless what the "New Order Amish" believed so, as with all of our students, the Gospel would be the starting point for her as well. She responded like a thirsty sponge, soaking up all of the Truth she was offered. More proficient in a High German language and dialect than in English, she overcame the language barrier with earnest determination. Weeks turned into months and before we new it, her time at TFR was up and she returned to her Amish community amidst the rich, beautiful, farmland of Ohio, a different person. She was a joy to have at TFR. For me, I came away with a renewed appreciation for the far-reaching, un-bounding ability of the Gospel to reach into the human heart and bring healing. Christ’s mercy and grace will never cease to amaze me. Just last week we received this message from her parents:"My wife and I just want to thank you all…our daughter is really, really doing great! It’s like a miracle to us. We’re just so thankful for everything you guys have done to help make the change. She’s almost like a different person. She can handle stress so much better and she has a different perspective...somehow, with the Lord’s help, you guys were able to get her to look and think about things differently. It’s been a God-send. I thought it would be more than fair to let you all know that she’s doing really great. We appreciate everything you guys did and we thank the Lord for it, and for you guys. She’s really doing well, really great. Thanks a lot."
The chief end of The Father's Ranch (and all of mankind for that matter) is to bring God glory. We all at TFR are striving and contending earnestly to do just that. Nevertheless, regeneration, progressive sanctification, and glorification (true healing) occur because of God's Grace alone. Sola Gratia! Facility News: It's been a whirlwind of activity around TFR for over 3 months now! The improvements around the ranch are numerous and extensive. To start off with, we had to re-wire the barn in order to accommodate larger electrical loads such as stock tank heaters, lighting, and other appliances. The current wiring just wasn't cutting it anymore. Next, we (Owens and Sons Excavation) finished our road improvement projects by clearing, widening, grating, ditching, and creating all new interior roads within TFR's 101 acre boundary. They're gorgeous! (If roads can be gorgeous...these are gorgeous!). Then, our water system, complete with a brand new 3000 gallon gravity flow fire suppression system, was finished despite some unforeseen problems with pumps and motors. For the record, I'm convinced we were being opposed by "spiritual forces of evil in the Heavenly realms" on this one. No, I'm not kidding. We have some accounts to share that you wouldn't believe! TFR is making wonderful strides towards expansion and the enemy knows this. We are very thankful that our contractors were Believers and praying Believers at that! So what's on the horizon next? Our next (smaller) project to tackle is the conversion of a garage, located in the women's home, into living space. This will expand this home from 2 bedrooms to 4 bedrooms and our ability to accommodate more women to boot! So, here's the call....calling all framers and dry wallers! We are in need of your skills to close off the garage door opening with a nice windowed wall and a few other framing tasks. If you can donate a day or two or maybe even just a few hours, we would be very appreciative of having your skills here at TFR. We'll provide the lunches and the grunt labor to assist. Give us a ring or an e-mail if you can help us out. Thanks ya'll. Lastly, we are still praying and progressing towards another home on site to be built for the expansion of TFR. The next step in this process is putting in the electrical power...which is expensive! Please pray for the financial provision for these expanding steps, as the Lord leads. Women's Program Director Search:TFR is in its final stages of interviewing for a Women's Program Director. While we haven't closed the doors on receiving applications, we are honing in on some very competent candidates. Please pray for wisdom and discernment for all involved and that the Lord would guide and lead us through this process. The search has been narrowed down and we are inviting our finalist(s) to come to TFR and stay for a week or two before a decision is made. We hope to have a woman in place by the first of the year (DV). By the way, if you are a single woman over the age of 18 and interested in serving at TFR as an intern or as a full time staff member, we could use the help! Feel free to give us a ring and talk with one of our staff members about this opportunity to serve as a domestic missionary on the front lines of Biblical counseling service. Winter Prep:It's already happening! Temperatures are dropping down into the 20's, the grass and gardens have stopped growing and it's time to ready the ranch for winter. Firewood is being stocked and one of these Saturdays coming up we will have 15 tons of hay being delivered at our barn doors for our animals' winter needs. Air conditioners are being removed, septic tanks emptied, produce is being canned and/or frozen, animals are being butchered, and vehicles readied for the icy roads. Yes, there is a lot to do and all hands are needed on deck, but it's all being done with a sense of excitement and joy as the Lord brings the provision for yet another change of season. If a person pays attention to the environment, you can tell the temperature changes are coming. The fur on the animals are thickening and the coyotes are more aggressive, coming into TFR at night to find an easy meal as their regular dietary source goes underground. The most expensive time of the year for TFR also comes with all of these changes, obviously. Nevertheless, the Lord always provides for TFR through the generosity and faithfulness of His people. We have no reason to doubt Him now. Christmas Concert 2011:I know that this seems way too early to even talk about, but for those of you who do not receive TFR's monthly update by e-mail, this may be the last newsletter you will receive by snail-mail before our Christmas concert. So, I would like to give you the information now with the hope that you will save the date and join us for this fun, edifying, evening of Christmas music. Here is the concert information for you to tuck away until December: The concert is to be held on Friday night, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m. It will again be located at Tonasket Bible Church on 6th and Whitcomb in Tonasket. Snacks and hors- d'oeuvres will again be provided after the concert. Show up early as this has been a "standing room only" event for the past few years. There is no charge although there will be an opportunity to give to TFR through an offering box in the church lobby for those who are interested. Hope to see y'all there! TFR is continuing to serve women who are entangled in life-controlling sin(s). Heroin use is again on the rise as this drug hooks the user and beats them into a life of destructive servitude. Crystal meth is the relatively new and deadly drug on the block. There's really no such thing as a long-time user of this drug because it isn't physically possible. The brain can only absorb so much deadly, poisonous chemical before it gives out. More and more women are finding easy access to the addictive pain-medications through internet sites and unethical physicians. Vicodin, Oxycontin, and Percocet seem to top the list. In comparison, alcohol and marijuana almost seem benign these days but they aren't. They too can kill and destroy just as quickly as the others.There is nothing new under the sun. Oh, maybe there are some new "means and methods" that the enemy invents to give a new look or a new spin on an age old sin, but there aren't any new principles. Satan's goal is still to attempt to destroy the image of God on earth and that means attacking mankind. He does so with masterful strategy, ploy, tactic, and experience, no doubt. "The thief comes only to steal to kill and to destroy." Without rescue from Christ, man will die in his sins. Man is completely helpless and devoid of power to resist this enemy. Yet Christ says: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." This is why all true, Biblical counseling is evangelical first. Yes, we recognize the physical, behavioral, and emotional issues that we face in our counselees. But the issues we face are, at their root, spiritual problems first and foremost. Real and lasting change comes from the inside, out. Not the other way around. We pray for your ongoing support and prayers as we point those who come to us for help to the Great Physician and Lover of their souls.Soli Deo Gloria, Craig Lofthus
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