COUNTRY REVIVAL AT NEWELL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

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Entropy

The second law of thermodynamics says that entropy increases with time…. heat is overtaken by cold… organized goes to disorganized…

In The Book of Revelations we read of the Laodicean church…
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

Are these the final days…. Are we comparative to the Church of Laodicea… Is the Church today in final stages of entropy?
We as individuals are still able to make a difference as we determine to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3.

LBR

We sure enjoyed our time at the Country Revival at the Newell Christian Fellowship. Thank you to the congregation and Pastor Derek Anderson. The fellowship and meal following was very nice.

PHOTOS BY HOLLY OLLILA AND RACHEL REINHOLD

KAELYN AND COLTON'S WEDDING

Robin had the honor of playing the piano for the wedding of our dear friends, Kaelyn and Colton Curtis, A beautiful wedding at the Custer State Game Lodge on Saturday Evening. Our prayers and well wishes to the newlyweds.

There was great representation of Rainbow Bible Ranch family on hand for the wedding
of our dear coworker, Kaelyn. Welcome to the RBR family Colton.

The RBR family enjoying supper at the State Game Lodge In Custer State Park.

MAY WE BE A LIGHT

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A friend reminded us that today is the 129 year remembrance of the Wounded Knee Massacre...Below are some thoughts I have...

Our family talks of our "hundred mile circle". For instance all the interesting and amazing events to be a part of, sites to visit, happenings that are so close to home. It is pretty neat. And then one realizes the "hundred mile circle includes tragedies and events such as Wounded Knee or the Rapid City Flood. We do not have to go far to be forced to ponder a "bigger picture". We live in an area that demonstrates the goodness of mankind and the evil of mankind. Our prayer should be continual... That our hearts and minds be guided by Jesus Christ. May we be a light in a darkened world. LBR

CHRISTMAS DAY 2019

As we sat down to our traditional Christmas Eve supper. We had one main thing on our mind..."Let's eat." Traditional Christmas Food for a ranch family with quite a little Scandinavian genetics. The table was beautiful. I was taken by how nice each person looked. The atmosphere was thoughtful and yet there were those quips that demonstrated the closeness of this family. Our lutefisk is served in an impeccable white sauce. It is then served on homemade bread. There are other items such as herring, smoked oysters, plenty of cheeses, veggies and dips.

After supper... I asked if anyone had some special Christmas recollections. No one mentioned a gift from under the tree. Nearly all the memories centered around "storms". No electricity.... deep snow....cold winds... tractor troubles... huddling around the stove to stay warm... trials and loss...

And yet there was joy. Each story ended with hope. And that is Christmas.

Not unlike that night when the Messiah was born in Bethlehem. The world at that time was under the rule of Rome. Recall the chaos of the census that was ordered. Remember the order slaughtering babies given by Herod when he heard of the birth of a king. And Jesus was born in a barn...

And yet the message given in the darkness under a starry sky to the shepherds caring for the flocks. The Angels appeared with a message of hope

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

BIRTHDAY IN THE BARN CELEBRATION 2019

Birthday in the Barn Celebration at RBR.
What a fantastic crowd on a beautiful evening. And they came from Northern Minnesota, Ekalaka, Montana, Valentine, Nebraska, Eastern South Dakota, and all over western Dakota. Such grand evening indeed.

Perhaps you were unable to attend the Birthday in the Barn Celebration at RBR the other nite. I thought you may enjoy seeing how beautiful Rainbow was decorated. Thanks to my crew for all the efforts to make it so pretty.

Each year, we have a "wee one" play the part of Baby Jesus in our Birthday in the Barn Celebration. This year Tryen Heidler was in the spotlight. Mary (Molly Reinhold) said he smiled the entire time. Tryen is the son of OJ N Leah Heidler of Opal, SD. Leah use to be camper and then staff member at RBR a few years back. This made it extra special. Thank OJ N Leah. We had around 150 people... lots and lots of kids in the barn. Some more were outside. What a wonderful way to share the blessed story of Christmas.

Molly had set up this Photo Corner at the Birthday In the Barn Celebration... Lots of smiles.


Birthday in the Barn Celebration is also gathering of friends, new and old. Chelsea, Kendra, Molly and Rachel are amazing young ladies. The world is a much better place because of them.

The Story Behind "Riding the Storm"

The Story Behind the "Ridin' The Storm"

A Rainbow Bible Ranch Theme

The spring of 1997 was proving to be somewhat challenging. Perhaps I should say that calving season was. The year before had taken quite a toll on us. A severe winter storm in April not only killed a number of cows on the Lonetree, we ended up losing about 30 percent of our calf crop. Sometimes, those incidents can make one a little nervous.

My night horse this calving season was a sorrel gelding that we raised. His name was Mr. Tige. As we were calving around 150 head of first calf heifers, I would get up at 2:00 in the morning and go to the calving barn. There in the dim light I would find Mr. Tige waiting for me. I would tighten my cinch and lead him outside where I would mount up and proceed to ride to the east on the hill where this bunch of heifers was. It was not long before we were leaving the shadows cast by the yard light and then we rode by the beam of light shining from my mag light. I felt the northwest wind pushing on my back and I could see the snowflakes falling to the ground.

I honestly hoped that nothing was taking place this one morning. My hope was that all the expectant mothers and their calves would hold off until morning and hopefully the weather would improve.

As Mr. Tige and I rode through the herd, I was amused by the little white-faced babies snuggled up in the straw that we had spread out the night before. I also smiled as the only sounds I heard other than the wind and the occasional squeak of saddle leather, were the groans and sighs of heifers that were heavy with calf.

I was pleased at how Mr. Tige handled the task. He was a young horse and the way to train horses is to ride them and give them all sorts of experiences. I was not only checking cows... I was training a horse.

I was satisfied that I had completed my task, and I breathed a sigh of relief that all could rest until the next check. My thoughts now turned to riding through the darkness and riding toward the distant light by the barn.

I have never been one to waste opportunities to ponder and think. And tonight was no different. As I reined Mr. Tige toward home, the cold northwest wind hit me directly and the snow began pelleting the bare skin of my face. It was like a revelation… a reminder... and a challenge.

I nearly said it out loud. "That's it! Ridin' the Storm." Immediately, I recalled the numerous times that my dad would say, "Saddle up boys... there is a storm coming!" We would never respond by asking if we could sit this one out. We never would ask for cup of hot chocolate before we go. It was certainly not a time to put your feet up by the fire and let someone else do the task or ignore it completely. A storm meant it was time to ride. God laid it on my heart at that moment that "Ridin' the Storm" would be our theme for the summer camp season at Rainbow Bible Ranch.

Mr. Tige and I arrived back at the barn. I took care of this faithful horse and patted him on the neck and wished him a good rest of the night. And then I hurried to the house. I could hardly wait to tell Robin of my thoughts. I got into the porch and took off my boots and coveralls. I hesitated by the furnace but not for long. Robin needed to hear this.

Robin did not stand a chance of staying asleep. As anyone knows that has been involved in the livestock business, during the calving season, it is hard to ignore the winter cold that radiates from your spouse’s body as they ever so quietly crawl back into bed.

Right?

"Robin,” I whispered loudly... “I know what our theme is for this summer's camp!” I proceeded to tell her all my thoughts. She was kind enough to acknowledge. I may have had to go over the finer points at the breakfast table, but no matter. I could hardly contain myself at what God had reminded me that night as I rode in the darkness on a good sorrel gelding named Mr. Tige.

And what about Mr. Tige? He died the other day in the same pasture on the hillside where God reminded me to "Ride the Storm". Old age had taken it's toll. As I finish writing this, tears are coming out of the corners of my eyes. So many memories. So many times I have encouraged people young and old to not quit, but to go ahead and ride out those storms that come life's way. God will ride with you. He will never quit you. Not unlike Mr. Tige and I as we rode through the darkness with the cold wind and snow hitting us in the face.

Thank you Lord for the lessons you have taught me.

Thank you Lord for good horses like Mr. Tige