Dear Friends and Family,

Our Heavenly Father is a giver of good and perfect gifts (James 1:17).  In fact, there isn't a day or even a moment that goes by when His children don't experience these gifts with abundance and grace.  In an effort to emulate our Heavenly Father (albeit through our fallen position), we too give gifts...at Christmas time especially.  Anytime we can show generosity, care, and love for one another, getting our attention and focus off ourselves, I think we're headed in a right direction.  My problem with the Christmas season, as it is experienced in our culture, is that it has been so secularized, commercialized, cauterized, and sanitized of anything that has to do with the real and Biblical Christmas message!  The Nativity scene is constantly being presented in a palatable, non-threatening, non-confrontive manner.  We live in a day and age when it has become offensive in many circles to even say "Merry Christmas," so the neutralized "Happy Holidays" is now its replacement.  Has Christmas really become that offensive or is this just political correctness run amok?  Well, to be fair and Biblical, the answer is "yes."  The true Christmas message is offensive...when taken in its rightful context (1st Cor. 1:18).  You see, God didn't condescend to just hang out with His people and create a beautiful scene of glorified meaninglessness on the hills outside of Bethlehem.  He came for a reason and that reason has everything to do with His Holiness, our sinful depravity, and the vast chasm that was created between the two of them by our rebelliousness and disobedience.  Therefore, the Baby born in Bethlehem should never be considered apart from the bloodied Savior on the cross.  When considered in its proper context, the Nativity scene is extremely offensive to mankind because it testifies to our position as an enemy of God and also to our nature as being corrupted and depraved.  Bottom line...we are separated from God, dead in our trespasses and sins, and unable to do anything about it ourselves.  The Nativity scene is screaming out for a response!

The birth of Jesus is largely irrelevant to us without the life, death, and resurrection that followed.  Sound blasphemous?  Not at all.  Listen to what the Apostle Paul says through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit..."For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.  If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.  But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead..." 1 Cor 15:16-20. Here we see the real meaning of Christmas in context, and it has everything to do with our sin, our guilt, and the Hope that has been given to us for the forgiveness of these sins through reconciliation with God.  Christ lived the perfect life on our behalf and died a perfect atoning death for His own.  "Hark, the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the new born King!  Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.'"

Trophy of Christ's Grace

Christmas has once again found profound meaning here at TFR.  Lesa came to us in May from "deep in the heart of Texas."  She has this to say... "First I want to thank my Heavenly Father above for His grace and for sending His Son to die on the cross for me and paying the penalty for my sins and for saving my life. Coming here to The Father’s Ranch is exactly where the Lord wanted me to be. For 27 years I was so unhappy in my life. I became addicted to pain medication because of some health problems. I thought that the pain medicine was the answer to all of my problems and that I could handle everyday struggles better.  It affected my relationship with my daughter because I was focused on the drugs and not on being a parent. It caused problems with my family, and I became distant from them. I needed more and more medicine to get the same feeling. At times, family members would find me unconscious and call the ambulance; I would wake up in the hospital and not know where I was. The doctors told me repeatedly that it was fortunate that I was even alive.

Then about ten years ago, because of the pain medicine, I began to struggle with not being able to sleep. I was diagnosed with major depression, and the doctors put me on psychotic medications.  I was on all this medicine and I just couldn’t function. I wouldn’t come out of the house except to get more medication. I couldn’t work and I didn’t even know what was going on around me in my life anymore.

In December 2010 my twin sister and I went to her pastor.  He prayed with me, and I received Jesus Christ as my Savior! We started searching the internet to see if there was someplace I could go to get help. That is when we came across TFR’s website. I wanted a change in my life, and I knew I wanted to learn more about Christ. I wanted to learn how to face the uncertainties of my future without fear. If I didn’t do something... I knew I was going to die.

At TFR I began learning what God says and what He means in His Word, and I started putting His truth into practice. This has equipped me for the everyday circumstances of life and enabled me to deal with the pain of my past. Then I started noticing that God was actually starting to transform my life, and I started having a deep and abiding relationship with Christ. The Holy Spirit was also working within me. I started replacing bad thoughts with memory verses. This was working! I know this because I have a sense of freedom from guilt of all my past sins. The Bible says (2 Cor. 5:17) that if you are in Christ you are a new creation, old things will pass away and all things become new. I am definitely living proof that staying in God’s Word and living according to His will result in God putting your life back together. (Joshua 1:8)

I am in no more pain, and I sleep all night long. There’s been forgiveness from my family, and my daughter said she’s never seen me like this...happy and living for God’s glory. I thank the Lord for TFR and for everyone who has shared God’s Word with me. I am also thankful to my family and church in Texas who continue to pray for me and who never gave up on me. I love all of ya’ll!"

Please remember to pray for Lesa.  She is a joy to have here at TFR and another reminder of why we do what we do. 

Christmas Giving:

As the Christmas season approaches, many of you ask what TFR could use in the way of one-time gifts or needed equipment.  The following are just a few ideas for the interested:  First, our barn is in need of an electric hay elevator to be able to move our hay around a bit more easily.  Next, because our women shop in town on a consistent basis, gift certificates to Wal Mart, J.C. Penny, or Safeway would be used and much appreciated.  Lastly, gift certificates to Home Depot or Big R are always practical gifts for TFR as well as there always seems to be a bathroom faucet or kitchen appliance in need of replacement.

It is our earnest hope that you will remember the women (students and staff) at The Father's Ranch during Christmas time. Many of them have little to no support anywhere other than in their newfound family in Christ, and that's you and me. If you would like to come up alongside one or more of our women here at TFR and “adopt” them for the Christmas season, please don't hesitate to give us a call or send us an e-mail.  We can give you some excellent ideas of ways you can help meet some of their needs.  Here are the names of those students who will be here for Christmas:  Lesa, Stephanie T., Stefani C., Ellie, Evelyn, Elizabeth, Fallon, and Shanelle.

Our wonderful staff team continues to work hard, serve faithfully, and put in long hours here at The Father's Ranch.  Their willingness to serve without salary, stipends, health benefits, or any type of retirement needs to be mentioned again.  They are missionaries in the truest sense of the word.  Would you please remember them during this time of year as well?  They have tight budgets all year long and any type of encouragement would go a long way in bringing refreshment to their service for Christ.  We know that there are many worthwhile ministries out there that are doing good work for the Kingdom and Glory of God, and we are hopeful that you will count us among them.  For your consideration, The Father's Ranch staff team currently consists of Dorothy Leidig, Dawn Nogales, and Craig and Sharon Lofthus and family.  Please pray that the Lord would raise up financial support for all of these so that they can serve at TFR unencumbered by the pressures of finances.  Thank you.

Facility Development

So, what are we doing now?  Well, we're working hard at converting a large garage area into living space to be able to accommodate more staff/students.  Good progress has already been made, and it's all coming along really well.  However, we are still in need of folks who can give a day or two at a time to help with framing, drywall, or electrical work.  If you are one of these talented individuals who possess one or more of these skills and would like to donate some of your expertise to TFR, please give us a ring.  We'd love to hear from you.

Recruitment

We are always on the lookout for women who are interested in serving at TFR.  Currently, we have a great lineup of gals signed up to serve as interns for a three month stint during the summer time, but we are in need of interns desiring to serve for a one year commitment as well.  For this position, we can offer free room and board, opportunities to continue educational pursuits through online courses, and/or Biblical Counseling certification.  The experience and skills that an intern or staff member receives serving at TFR is practical and valuable learning for today.  If you or someone you know is interested in serving the Lord as a domestic missionary in a "front lines" ministry like TFR, please contact us.  We would love to discuss the opportunities that are available.    

Christmas Concert 2011

TFR's annual Christmas concert is being held on Friday night, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m.  It will again be located at Tonasket Bible Church on 6th and Whitcomb in Tonasket.  Snacks and hors d'oeuvres will be provided after the concert by some of the best cooks in the county!  Show up early as this has traditionally been a "standing room only" event for the past few years.  This is TFR's largest outreach event into our community as we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the means of Christmas music and a sermon.  We see people sitting in the pews for this event that never darken the sanctuary of a Church at any other time of year.  Please pray that many will come and that many will hear and respond to the Hope that will be offered to them.  See you all there!

2012 Biblical Counseling and Discipleship Conference

We hope that you will consider joining us for our annual Bible conference. As always, it is held the last weekend of January (Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th this year) and will be packed full of relevant and edifying Biblical topics.  Our host will be the Tonasket Free Methodist Church.

We have a strong lineup of experienced speakers, counselors, and pastors.  First, we will be hearing from NANC counselor and Biblical Counseling Pastor of Canyon Hills Community Church, Ben Marshall.  He will be speaking on understanding and responding to depression and anxiety from a Biblical paradigm.  Next, the Senior Pastor of Omak Baptist Church, John Richards, will be speaking on the importance of cultivating Biblical relationships.  Then the Senior Pastor of Tonasket Free Methodist Church, Ron Wise, will be speaking on safeguarding your marriage from destructive temptations (Homeland Security).  And last but not least, NANC counselor and Biblical Counseling Pastor of Christ's Church in Federal Way, Jim Low, will be speaking on handling the past Biblically as we get past our past.  This conference is obviously going to be chocked full of great teaching, edifying interactions, and rich fellowship for Believers.  There will be a generous book table available for the acquisition of new and valuable resources, and a table overflowing with fantastic hors d' oeuvres as well.  The cost is the same as last year, just $25 per person or $40.00 per couple.  Scholarships are available.  Discounted rates at the Omak Best Western have already been arranged for those needing housing.  Simply identify yourself as being with the Biblical Counseling and Discipleship Conference.

This conference is designed to be extremely practical as it addresses some of the serious topics that confront us as Christians on a continual basis.  Whether you are wanting to become better equipped to serve others or to simply come for your own personal enrichment, we pray you will set aside some time to join us.  To register for the conference, to obtain brochures for your church, or to simply acquire more information, please give us a call or an email.

We want to thank you all again for your sacrificial service, support, and prayers that make this ministry possible.  We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with friends and family.  May 2012 be a year of tremendous blessing for you and may you rejoice in the Gift given to man...once and for all.  “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15. We love you.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Craig Lofthus

Founder/Executive Director

P.S  Just as a reminder, if you would like to give a one time Christmas gift and have it applied to someone specific at TFR, please make note of your preference somewhere in your correspondence.  Thank you.