Now is the Day...

              I sat down next to my sweet young friend, and she gave God, which thrilled my heart. She said she wanted to know God more intimately but didn’t know how to go about that.

           So, I told her about my journey of walking by faith and how it all started when, as a young child, I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sin. I realized that I needed Him to be my Savior, and I surrendered my will and my life to His control. At that very moment, I experienced the peace of His presence and the assurance of knowing I would spend eternity in heaven with Him.

          I asked her if there was ever a time in her life when she had opened her heart to Jesus and put her complete faith and trust in Him.  She said she had not, but that she went to church and tried to be a good person. I told her that as much as we like to think we can do something to earn salvation, all that is necessary on our part is faith—trusting in Jesus as our Savior. Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

        People try to make it so complicated, but God’s plan of salvation is really so simple. It is not a list of dos and don’ts, and it has nothing to do with being a good person. In reality, we are all sinners and are desperate without Jesus. We come to Him just as we are—dirt, sin and all—and He wipes the slate clean through His shed blood on the cross. And that is where the journey begins, the walk by faith…and what a glorious walk it is!

        I still mess up. Unfortunately, sin is still a part of the human nature. But God’s grace, forgiveness and healing are very real. He invites each of us to know Him and walk in freedom with Him.

             I wish I could say that my young friend made a decision that day to open her heart to Jesus. Something held her back. I’m not sure what it was, but maybe it’s the same thing that holds you back. If God is stirring your heart, don’t push Him away. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. “…now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Victory and Struggle of Life

           Last evening, I had a conversation with a dear friend that ranches with his family in the Sandhills of Nebraska. We had not talked since last spring, and we got beyond frivolous talk right away and just opened our hearts to share the victory and struggle of life.

He had been following our weather situation and just wanted to know how things were and let us know that they were praying for us. I have no doubt that he has had our family on his heart during our drought. He then asked about family members and their health situation. His tender heart shows through in every conversation that we have.

I was then able to ask how he and his family were doing. He lost a precious daughter who was also the mother to his little grandsons in a tragic and somewhat freak accident last spring on the ranch. It was my turn to listen...

In our conversation... I learned they had a very good year in agriculture... plenty of rain... good grass.. and a stockpile of hay. Certainly not the pain of drought and heat. But I could not ignore that I was not experiencing the heartache of losing a child.

Pain comes in different forms... And it is good when friends recognize that and are supportive of each other. This friend of mine and myself share a common foundation in that we know God is our sustainer. And that is how our conversation concluded. We know that we are not immune to the difficulties that life on this earth presents. We know that our hope is in Christ.

We walk by faith, not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7).

Opportunity in Virginia

Robin and I had a great time sharing with the congregation at Calvary Chapel in FarmVille, Virginia this morning. Thank you Pastor Marvin for the privilege.

A Pleasant Reminder

On a rather blustery day, indeed....I came across this from October 13, 2014. A pleasant reminder...

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One may be rich in houses and land
With cattle grazing peacefully upon the endless plains.
But greater the measure for the family of a man,
When JOY flows through that, which is shared in their veins.

My inheritance to them that follow my trail;
May it be more than temporal and fleeting indeed.
My calling, my passion, my choice, I dare not fail.
For those that come behind and beside, I must faithfully lead.

- Larry B. Reinhold October 13, 2014

Faithful by Molly Reinhold Fisher

“If you don’t know what God is doing, just look back and see all that He has done...”

He is faithful.
Always.
Never changing.

The faithfulness of God keeps coming up in my life this week, and as I reflect on all that I’ve seen Him do in my life I can’t help but be full of gratitude. What a hope we have in the promise that He will never leave us, never change, and never leave something unfinished.

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭

May we also be found walking faithfully

Homestead Happenings September 2021

Late yesterday afternoon, we headed west and started gathering heifers and cows/calves.

Why?

The decision has been made to take all the cattle back to our friends in Northeastern South Dakota. We have some grass... but most of the place is grazed down pretty short. Hopefully we can keep the horses going here on the ranch. Hay is not available in our area and what one hauls in is right at cost prohibitive. Our stock dams are either dry or despicable mud holes. We will ride tomorrow toward the peak and bring those cows down.

We got most of the cows in the West Pasture and then without much reason, the horse I was riding (Hoss) hit a rock wrong and began to limp. I rode him just a little further and decided that I had better just lead him home... It was only around a mile... "We could limp home together."

Walking across the plains at dusk with no sounds except cows and and occasional voice of a family member in the far-off distance allows one to really think. I am sad that we have to take the cows off the ranch. I have only made that decision one other time and that was to SE Montana in 2006. I know how much my family enjoys the cows. I am thankful that we have friends that are willing to assist feeding the cattle during this extreme drought. I was blessed by the fact that even though I was walking now, I had been riding with the family. Yes, Molly, we missed you. I was grateful that most of the cows and calves look pretty good considering the dry conditions and the heat of the past couple of years. Some of the first calf heifer's calves are pretty light. I was grateful that I have a wonderful wife who came riding up behind me as I was walking through the dry prairie, and she offered me her horse. I told her she could just take my horse and then I would not "slow” them down. We all made it home after dark... enjoying the coolness that came with sunset. Much to ponder... Much to do...Much to be thankful for... And to top it off...

I found a shed... an antler that had survived the summer lying on the buffalo sod. Danny found a piece of petrified wood... Rachel found fossils... Caleb and Julia found an arrow...a broadhead out on the far side of the Little Johnson Pasture... And we enjoyed a beautiful evening on the Lonetree Ranch together as a family. Thank you, Lord.

           Our 42nd year of camp at Rainbow Bible Ranch was outstanding. We were at full capacity with 438 kids from 23 states in attendance. We were able to be a part of numerous life changing decisions. That is truly a privilege. Our outstanding staff proved quite capable in handling the capacity attendance. All but one of our summer crew had attended RBR as a camper and now are giving back in service while they are on staff. I will tell you that with that experience, our campers are treated extra special. God continues to provide for the needs of the ministry. Nearly always… He uses folks just like you and me. And what a blessing that is! RBR is worthy of your support as we continue to work together for the Kingdom.

IS IT BIBLICAL

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

***

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

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

“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

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.
***
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".
***
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.”
***
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

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.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Inspirational Message by Larry Reinhold

Stockgrowers Convention

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.
***
Seek God...
Thanks for the opportunity to share.