from the June, 2012 Newsletter
The evidence is overwhelming. The facts are undeniable.
The proof is in the pudding. God has His hand on Renewal Ranch.
Look at the number of conversions.
Look at the financial support.
Look at the quality and quantity of volunteers.
Look at staff leadership.
Look at the pastors involved.
All these are indicators of Divine favor!
Conversely, the Devil is working overtime to destroy
Renewal Ranch--Opportunity brings opposition.
See I Cor. 16:9.
Let’s keep crying out to the Lord. Let’s make sure of our calling to RR.
Let’s keep a positive attitude toward the future.
Let’s encourage others.
Let’s keep our focus on the residents and graduates
being transformed by God through RR.
Thanks for your prayers and support for what we do!
Larry Pillow
Chaplain's Corner
from the May 2012 Newsletter
Would you like to decrease stress and increase your circle of friends?
Learn and follow one simple truth and I guarantee you will sleep better at night and relate to others better during the day.
You don’t need to have an opinion about something you have no responsibility for.
Or as Charles Allen said, “I felt better when I resigned as general manager of the universe.”
Peter puts it this way in I Peter 4:15: “Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer or as a BUSYBODY in other people’s matters.”
In other words when we butt into other people’s lives we are no better than a thief or a murderer.
May God help us to learn we don’t need to have an opinion about something we have no responsibility for.
Chaplain's Corner
from the April 2012 Newsletter
“I surrender all” a famous old hymn challenges us.
Surrender is a three step process.
The first step is to “hand over” to God. Hand over your hurts, your worries, your enemies, your fears, your failures, your prob- lems, your pride, your tal- ents, time, treasure, etc.
Hand everything over to God.
The second step is to keep your “hands off” what you handed over. Leave it alone. Don’t pick it back up. Reject every thought to do otherwise.
The third step is to put your “hands on” what God has for you to do. Start fresh. Start new. Move forward.
Surrender brings serenity and simplicity.
Larry Pillow, Chaplain
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Chaplain’s Corner
from the March 2012 Newsletter
Resident Jeffrey Pennock being baptized on February 12th.
The other day an email that came across my desk caught my eye. I want to share it with you here. May the Lord continue to bless you as you work
diligently for His kingdom.
-Larry Pillow
A JOB WELL DONE
Stop fighting against what you must do and allow your best efforts to flow. Let go of thoughts about how difficult or frustrating or inconvenient or unfair it is, and
let yourself get it done.
Quit wishing that you were some- where else, or that things had worked out differently. From where you are, with what you have, with positive purpose and determination you are able to
make life the best it can be.
Rejoice at each little opportunity to make a difference. Feel the power as each action you take
adds real value to life.
Whatever you must do is not a burden. It is a new, unique chance to express and experience the beauty of being alive.
Do what you do with love and care, with enthusiasm and joy. Allow yourself to enjoy each challenge and every effort, because
you deserve it.
Get the work done, and have a great time doing it. Experience, again and again, the priceless
satisfaction of a job well done.
— Ralph Marston
Chaplain’s Corner
~ Larry Pillow
From the February 2012 Newsletter:
“For there is a wide open door for a great work here and many people are responding, but there are many adversaries.” I Cor 16:9, NLT
At Renewal Ranch, opportunities abound to help others: Lives broken. Dreams shattered. Families fractured.
Many people are responding: Ten men baptized. Fifteen current residents. Six applicants last Saturday. Phone calls daily.
But there are many who oppose us. Opportunity brings opposition.
Some opposition comes from outside the body of Christ, but most comes from within the body.
Perhaps our biggest obstacle is personal weakness.
How should we respond to opposition?
If God has called you to serve or support Renewal Ranch, don’t quit.
Keep on keeping on. “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Gal. 6:9
~Larry Pillow
From the January 2012 Newsletter:
Dare to Have Hope
The streets of Jerusalem were empty except for debris from destroyed buildings and stacks of decaying corpses. Famine was so severe that “Donald Trump” types begged for food and tenderhearted mothers “cooked their own children” Lam 4:5-10. It was the worst of times, but not the best of times. Yet in the midst of this, Jeremiah proclaimed, “Yet I still dare to have hope.” Lam 3:21. So can you! Regardless of your difficulties, you can dare to have hope. Why? Because “The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease.” Place your trust in God and dare to have hope regardless of what you need to undo, do, not do, or wish you could do.
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
