IS IT BIBLICAL

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How can a young man (or woman) cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.

With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You

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I memorized this Scripture from Psalm 119 many years ago at the encouragement of my parents. Not only good advice but essential truth.

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Our standard always needs to be, “Is it biblical?” not, “Does it work?” Any compromise with the world, whether in doctrine, morals, or relationships,will lead to tragic consequences.

Dave Sheets Testimony at Men's Day

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Our friend, Dave Sheets of Rapid City, shared with the men in attendance at Men's Day at Rainbow Bible Ranch 2021. He had so much good to say.

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Here is a portion...

"Are you an example? To whom? Are you aware of your example? Are you a good or a good, 'bad example'?"

"Men, we’re in a crisis of manhood..."

"I want to share a favorite verse that I believe describes every man’s desire. Proverbs 20:7. A righteous man walks in his integrity - his children are blessed after him.

Does that describe you , your ministries, your ‘faith example’ and what you want for your children?

A day like this, surrounded by good men, can set you on the right path to become or continue as that righteous man who leaves a blessing for generations to come. That is a Legacy. This place where we’ve gathered today, this hallowed ground is a Legacy, a faith example."

"Be encouraged and be a good ‘faith example’."

MEN'S DAY 2021

The Lord blessed us with a beautiful day at the ranch for Men's Day 2021;

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One person wrote... (We) reflected on what an awesome day we had yesterday. There was a peaceful, thoughtful spirit indwelling at your ranch with all those great guys in attendance. A genuine presence of gratitude. The Lord had a bang up day there enjoying all the blessed fellowship."

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Next year... plan on it... Last Saturday of September... If the Lord tarries.

Lee Eclov Speaks to Men

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“A Godly life points attention to God, not just the individual”

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"Live your testimony..." We sure enjoyed having our dear friend Lee Eclov with us yesterday. He used the account of Daniel in the Old Testament to bring out some great truths.

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Lee served an internship in Rapid City when both of us were "much younger" Thanks Lee for making the rounds and spending time with us here at the ranch for the Eighth Annual Men's Day at RBR.

THE HARVEST MOON

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The "Harvest Moon"
Unless you are living under cloudy skies, you cannot ignore the beauty and brightness of the moon the last few nights. Whether at dusk, midnight or in the predawn hours... the glory of the light seen is not of the moon but rather the reflection of the sun which is around 93 millions away.
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There has long been a lesson in this truth for me. In and of myself, the only light that is shared from me is a reflection of the Son of God. To add to this lesson for me, I remember the light that is shed from me may be eclipsed when the world "gets in the way".
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Galatians 2:20
“I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.”
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Paul did not say, “I live in a Christ-like way,” or, “I glorify Christ through my behavior.” No, he said, “Christ…lives in me,” clearly showing us that Christ lives in His believers. I do not try to try to behave like Christ. But, my desire is for Christ to live and shine through me.

RATHER THAN BEING ENTANGLED

Photo by Robin Reinhold

Photo by Robin Reinhold

I like this picture that Robin captured..

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How many times I have walked through a doorway or under tree limbs only to be greeted by a nearly invisible cobweb... I start flailing in the air and wiping the sticky slimy matter from my face and clothes.

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However, this morning glory that has been climbing our clothesline post found the opportunity of reaching out and growing in a most surprising fashion. Perhaps there is a lesson here.

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Rather than be entangled in the annoyances of life that come our way... and be certain that they will, look for opportunity to latch on and grow and share beauty in ways that only God is able to provide.

SACRIFICIAL LIVING

There are often times when we take the passage of Scripture from John 15 and use it erroneously to imply that the ultimate price paid is "dying". However valiant one may be in death, I would encourage us to consider that laying down one's life at the last breath may only be part of the challenge. Sacrificial giving, or I might say "Sacrificial Living" is truly laying down one's life in every aspect as well. No one goes into service of any nature with the intent to die... but rather to live and carry out his duty for those that are dear to his heart.

Stockgrowers Convention

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I had the privilege of speaking at the Inspirational Breakfast this morning at the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Convention in Spearfish. I shared our theme from this past summer... "Walk By Faith". Very timely as most of the producers in the audience are experiencing severe drought situations. ***
The first time that I spoke to this group, I shared the message of "Just Trust". Two weeks later, Storm Atlas hit and left a devastating path of destruction across our region.
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Seek God...
Thanks for the opportunity to share.

WE ARE STILL HERE...

The family was sitting at the dining room table this morning following breakfast. We were discussing some hard decisions that had to be made due to drought and heat of the past two years. Robin recalled that we had one of the hottest summers on record since 1936. I then pointed out that my dad as a boy sat in the same dining room with his parents discussing what they were going to do as well. They were in the midst of the Great Depression... The Dust Bowl... and the Nazis were already making inroads in much of Europe.