"GOD'S STANDARD IS..."
“God’s standard is the best choice for life and we believe it is important to share that with others?" From the very founding, we have held to the importance of the Biblical standard and we were not going to hide that fact. Even our name would proclaim that. I often get asked what we teach at RBR. I simply reply “The Bible”. We leave “man’s dogmas and doctrines” elsewhere. We will never back down from that.
FITTING IN
“But if you would have fit in, you would have never stood out!"
Just a line from a cheesy Christmas movie that seems to keep coming back to me...
But really. Every single day we try to fit in. Try to have the best pictures on Instagram. Try to not be that awkward person with an overloaded cart at Sam’s Club (that was me you saw yesterday). Try to be the cool kid and the "everyone else is doing it" kid and on and on it goes. Sometimes I think it gets better as you get older,and sometimes I think that we can be just as bad as anyone.
But what's the point? Is it really going to make you happier if you have 1 Million followers? If you actually look like you always have it all together? Like doing and saying the things all the other kids are is going to make your life better? It's not, and it doesn't.
I know.
We have one life to live..."Why fit in...when you can stand out?"
Stand up when everyone else is caving in. Stand out when the crowd's running in.
Don't give to the pressure of your peers. They'll eventually wish they had the courage you had.
Walk away when the devil lays his traps; no, RUN!
Run with all you have in the opposite direction.
Be aware and alert in every situation. The hardest test comes when you least expect it.
Fight. Fight like it's a matter of life and death for your family. In reality, it is just that.
Never forget who you are and where you came from. But most importantly,
Who you belong to and where you're going.
And if you don't know the answer to the last declaration...
Please call me. Life is too short to not know where you're going.
I've been walking through the book of Hebrews this month and thought I might share a couple of insights with you. Hebrews 10:24 has long been a favorite verse: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Perhaps you've seen this passage printed artistically on a western photo; it does seem "popular" in the cowboy culture. But let's break it down and ponder it a little deeper. After all, "consider" literally means "to mull over, reflect on, think about". So let's do it!
First, how about that spur? I suppose some folks see a spur on a cowboy's boot and they picture that cowboy digging those spurs into the side of a horse. Now, for a true horseman, that would be a pretty rare occasion. You see, a spur is simply a tool, and, used properly, it is not going to hurt the horse, but simply encourage him to give the results that the rider is seeking. If the horse is stubborn and unwilling to respond, more pressure may be necessary, causing some discomfort so the horse will learn to yield and respond. We'll come back to that thought in a moment.
Let's talk about the "one another" part of this verse. Sometimes I think when I read this, I have a tendency of "jumping over" the people in my closest sphere of influence. And who would that be? It is the people in my home -- my husband, my children. Do I encourage them? Do I spur them on toward love and good deeds, looking for results of deeper devotion to God and more Christ-likeness? It would be a crying shame if I were to neglect those closest to me -- the ones that God has placed in my life to influence and impact the greatest.
So just how do we encourage each other toward love and good deeds? What is love? The Bible says in 1 John 4:8 that "God is love." To know God is to know love. The closer we walk with Jesus, the more naturally love will flow from us. Good deeds will be an outpouring of our faith, as James 2:18 says, "...I will show you my faith by what I do." And again in verse 26, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." Good deeds do not get us to heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9); rather, we do good deeds because we're going to heaven. To encourage others toward love and good deeds could be simply helping them to keep the Lord first in all they do, to walk in the Spirit, to love and obey God in all they do. But I think it can also be more specific, promoting action and reaching out to show forth Christ.
Now, going back to that stubborn horse that might need to feel the spur a little more, I have to ask myself, "How do I respond when someone else is spurring me on toward love and good deeds?" Am I sensitive and do I yield to those nudges? If not, I may need some more pressure, and that could be uncomfortable. I want to be soft and supple, just like I want my horse to be with me.
Putting it all together, this verse is so much more than a neat quote on a pretty western picture. It challenges me in many ways. How about you? Who are you spurring on toward love and good deeds? Don't forget the ones closest to you before you reach out farther. Consider how you can encourage those in your home to know Christ more fully and share their faith in practical, tangible ways that will in turn point others to faith in Jesus!
Robin Reinhold
THE STORY
Durring the spring of 98 along with our cows to calve we had about a 100 head of heifers calving as well. It was 2:00 AM and it was time to head to the barn to head out and ride through the heifers. They were located on the hill side just east of the corrals. I got a young horse named Mr. Tige and as we made our way through the corral, it wasn't long before we were just following the beam of my flashlight as the light on the barn proved ineffective against the impending darkness. I figured it was not a good night to be calving and I hoped that all these expectant mothers were in agreement. It was nice to see the little white faces of calves that had been born in the days previous all snuggled in the bedding that we had rolled out the night before. And as I rode along, there were the usual groans from the soon to be mamas that were ready to calve. To my delight, nothing was happening and I turned that sorrel gelding back to the barn. It was then that the cold northwest wind hit me in the face and the snow that was falling became more noticeable. As we drew closer to the lights of the barn, the snow flakes took on that "Star Trek"effect... you know as the stars were being passed up as we moved warp speed through the galaxy. It was then that some memories of days gone by passed through my mind. Those words from my Dad, "Saddle up boys, there is a storm a coming." We got use to the fact that we did not go rest easy in the face of an approaching storm, but rather we prepared to "Ride the Storm. Excitement grew in my heart and mind as I thought of those words. I hurried to the house, pulled my boots off and then my coveralls and made my way upstairs. And then the moment that every spouse of the "night checker" dreads... I crawled into bed. :) And if that wasn't bad enough for Robin, I then proceeded to tell her that I knew what our theme would be for camp during the summer of 98... "RIDING THE STORM"
The distant hills echo as the thunder rolls,
Fear grips my heart as a cold wind blows;
Through the dark of night....I need a light,
Searching for a peace within the storm.
Chorus:
Jesus is here,
To comfort and cheer
When the storms of life come raging in.
He’s my Friend and my Guide,
Always by my side,
I’m ridin’ the storm with Him!
Though the storm intensifies, He’s still in control.
Fear is replaced by a peace in my soul.
I can go to Him.... Find rest within;
Knowing that He’ll take me safely Home!
(Repeat Chorus)
Bridge:
And no matter if the way seems hard and long,
Jesus gives the strength I need to carry on!
(Repeat Chorus)
By Larry and Robin Reinhold
© 1998 Dakota Rainbow Music
We have an exciting event coming up on March 16th. The Annual Hunter’s Harvest Buffet will take place in the Dining Room at Rainbow Bible Ranch. This has proven to be a highlight each year and I have no doubt that this will be the case again this year. Laramie Strand will be the speaker. From the time Laramie was young, he was also an active participant in camp at RBR. And even though he was not able to serve full time on staff due to other responsibilities, he would often be found assisting wherever he could around the ranch. It is so exciting for us at RBR to see someone that has sort of come full circle. Laramie is an example of what we have as a goal for our campers; that being the maturing process of growing in Christ and making Him known. Laramie married one of our gals who spent much time at RBR. Sawyer was not only a camper, but also one of our Legacy participants and was a fine team leader as well. All are invited for this special evening.
Much of that which is so disheartening in our nation today can be traced back to the fact that there is a lack of respect for one another. I am certain that lives impacted by the Gospel of Jesus Christ would alter this situation greatly as repentance and transformation would bring a renewing of our mindset. Many within humanity will reject this life changing hope offered by the Almighty God.
Our next step is simply to respect individuals and institutions which have been placed in our daily walk. By our actions and our deeds, we will demonstrate the value of respect and the significance to those within our society.
Respect is a mighty tool. To some, respectfulness will not only be ignored but will be trampled upon. For those individuals, as they choose, our respect will cause us to let their story be written and their end to be in shame; but not because we did not attempt. But many will gravitate toward respect since it is essentially based in love and appreciation.
Our hope at Rainbow Bible Ranch is that respect and graciousness will cause each girl and boy, each man and woman that comes into our presence to leave with a heart softened and a mind brought into thoughtfulness because they have been impressed by the influence of respect. And I know that a heart that has not been calloused and hardened is one that can be molded. Hardened and calloused hearts brought upon by personal disregard for others and God is not impossible to transform, but the prognosis is often destruction.
The hour is late and I tune into to listen to a classical piece of music playing. At times, one instrument is seemingly the center of the arrangement and then later another may take preeminence. It is still amazing to hear many different musical instruments playing many different notes come into harmony by the directive of skilled musicians taking their prompting from a composer that may not even be present. However, in agreement these many instruments follow the lead of a skilled conductor to present a piece that inspires
This seems so different than what is taking place in the world around us. God’s masterful composition has certainly been commandeered. It is alarming to observe the carelessness and selfishness of humanity. As Christ-followers, our worldview should run opposite of the accepted practices which run through the veins of humanity that is a lover of self and a pursuer of the prince of this world and the ruler of darkness. Until Christ sets up His Kingdom and Satan is overthrown, there will be discord in the orchestra. We are not all on the same page and it can be said with certainty that our society today is not following the Master’s directives. This will one day change
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
The horses paw and prance and neigh,
Fillies and colts like kittens play,
And dance and toss their rippled manes
Shining and soft as silken skeins;...
~Oliver Wendell Holmes
The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire. ~Sharon Ralls Lemon
There is just as much horse sense as ever, but the horses have most of it. ~Author Unknown
In riding a horse we borrow freedom. ~Helen Thomson
Feeling down? Saddle up. ~Author Unknown
You know horses are smarter than people. You never heard of a horse going broke betting on people. ~Will Rogers
Wherever man has left his footprint in the long ascent from barbarism to civilization we will find the hoofprint of the horse beside it. ~John Moore
One reason why birds and horses are happy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses. ~Dale Carnegie
Spending that many hours in the saddle gave a man plenty of time to think. That's why so many cowboys fancied themselves Philosophers. ~Charles M. Russell
In my opinion, a horse is the animal to have. Eleven-hundred pounds of raw muscle, power, grace, and sweat between your legs - it's something you just can't get from a pet hamster. ~Author Unknown
If you want a stable friendship, get a horse. ~Author Unknown
He's of the colour of the nutmeg. And of the heat of the ginger.... he is pure air and fire; and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him, but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him; he is indeed a horse, and all other jades you may call beasts. ~William Shakespeare, Henry V
A dog may be man's best friend, but the horse wrote history. ~Author Unknown
A Horseman should know neither fear, nor anger. ~James Rarey
We had an excellent evening enjoying the Annual Valentine Banquet at Rainbow Bible Ranch. Gary and Lori Wilken did a fine job of speaking and the audience was so appreciative.
A Delightful Setting
And Robin Reinhold provided beautiful dinner music. The Valentine Banquet at RBR was certainly a delight.
Every banquet needs a couple of hostesses to ensure that the event goes well. Kiersten and Julia helped manage that.
Maysa and Molly had a nice time at the banquet. Lifelong friends. These young ladies are so capable at making those in attendance feel welcome.
Very few fine eating establishments can boast of a set of servers that assisted last evening at the Rainbow Bible Ranch Annual Valentine Banquet. We are certainly grateful for these young gentlemen.
Rachel took charge of many of the behind the scenes efforts before and during the banquet. Thanks to all that made the RBR banquet a success.
The Henceys joined us at RBR for the banquet... They are such a good example of the many nice people in attendance.
