"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:26, 27

Dear Friends and Family,

The regeneration of the elect of God has absolutely nothing to do with their works. I would guess that the vast majority of the people reading this newsletter know this. The point has indeed been thoroughly emphasized within modern Christendom. However, after the believer has come to faith in Jesus Christ, the obedient, biblical, Christian life has everything to do with performing good works and with abstaining from carnal ones (sin). These works have nothing to do with attaining salvation, but rather, with attaining purity, holiness, health and obedience. In contrast to the truth of salvation by grace alone, this point seems to be somewhat lacking in Christian teaching today. I do not believe that this problem has emerged because of an apparent, contradicting doctrinal position (like Martin Luther faced), but because of the contagious compromise and paralyzing indifference that has infiltrated the Church today. When Christians decide to pursue holiness and avoid a particular activity, or to abstain from a fleshly pleasure because of godly, biblical convictions, they are often labeled "legalists" by what I call the "freedom in Christ" camp. I have seen this doctrine of "freedom in Christ" so manipulated and ripped out of its context that it has become the rallying cry for so-called "carnal Christians." It is often used as a veil to hide a sin-ravaged and disobedient life, or perhaps even an unregenerate one. Either way, the ramifications of this doctrinal belief are so injurious that I am choosing to address it today.

The obedient Christian life is a life that should be filled with "dos and don'ts." Take another quick moment to read the scriptures above and the Lord's definition of "pure and faultless religion." Again, it has everything to do with works. "Dos and don'ts" are vital to the Christian life. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

Think of this principle in terms of a sports team playing offense and defense, trying to reach a goal. Without a healthy, daily offense of Christian disciplines, including Bible-reading, prayer, discipleship, fellowship, church attendance, and a host of others, the growth (sanctification) of the "player" will be stunted. He will be weak in his desire to do good works and impotent in his ability to perform them. His life will score few points for the kingdom of God, and he will affect his entire team adversely. Similarly, athletes who play poor defense will allow the pollution of the world to get into their lives. They will become so compromised and stained by sin that they can no longer even legitimately participate in the contest. This paralyzing pollution is so easily transferred from player to player that we see entire teams (churches) being disqualified, from the leadership down to the laymen. Television, movies, music, books, magazines, alcohol, drugs, ideas and even weak church pulpits can be powerful sources of these worldly contaminants.

We all need to examine our lives frequently and thoroughly for these pollutants, and for deficiencies in the Christian disciplines that we need to develop and sustain health. May the Lord give us the grace needed to "run in such a way that you (we) may win" 1 Corinthians 9:24.

Here at The Father's Ranch we receive just as many applications from hurting and wounded Christians as we do from injured non-Christians. This shouldn't be. Because it is true, we find that the teaching throughout our one-year program must include the basic, biblical components that will promote health and bring protection from sin. These definitely include strict and thorough teaching on the "dos and don'ts" of the Christian life. This training is needed not only by our students, but by each intern, child, and staff member!

Lately, TFR has seen many exciting developments. As most of you know, our ministry has focused upon hurting and wounded young adult women, the majority of whom come to TFR with eating disorders and drug addictions (bulimia with a methamphetamine addiction being the most common, as this drug is also an appetite suppressant). However, it seems that the LORD is presenting us with an opportunity to expand our focus. Specifically, we have found that there continues to be a tremendous need for the care and housing of pregnant, unwed mothers as they seek alternatives to life-destroying abortions. Recently, The Father's Ranch was approached by a national organization named Heartbeat International. This group is an umbrella organization over many crisis pregnancy centers around the United States, including familiar names like Care Net and Life Choices. TFR has been in communication with Heartbeat International, and will soon be receiving referrals from them for women who are in need of maternity care, housing, and potential adoption services. This affiliation is strictly for referral purposes and has no effect on board/government structures, finances, or any other area of ministry. Please pray as TFR asks the Lord for the resources necessary to serve this vulnerable and ever-growing population.

TFR was shown another ministry opportunity this past winter. We received a call from a pastor in the Seattle area who had a problem. A married couple he was very close to had become seriously wounded. Because of a severe drug addiction and other sinful decisions, this couple was separated and "going under" fast. They were living in the heart of a drug-infested community, and we were asked if there was any way we could find housing for this couple and allow them to enter into the protection and support of TFR's restorative program. After much prayer and the Lord's obvious guidance, we were able to accommodate this need. Now, after just a few short months I am pleased to report that their marriage is back on stable ground, the children (ages 2 and 1, and now one on the way!) are thrilled to have mom and dad back together again, and both parents are drug and alcohol free. This family has ended up being a blessing to TFR, and we are very thankful to the Lord for expanding our ministry borders and providing all that was needed to help in what was a desperate situation with much at stake.

As many of you already know, TFR has been in need of a transitional housing program for many years. This residential program, called a "growth home," would be for the purpose of helping our graduates make the adjustment back into society, and fulfilling our vision to "disciple and equip people to enter the harvest field and be effective laborers for the kingdom of God, for the glory of God." This ministry would involve having a house that is staffed by qualified, godly women who would provide a degree of accountability and support for our program graduates as they leave TFR and pursue employment, ministry, and/or academic opportunities. The ongoing discipleship, accountability, support, and encouragement that a home like this would provide for our graduates would be invaluable. Up to this point, we have simply had to place each graduate individually as the Lord led. Now, it is looking like this vision may become a reality. While all of the details have not quite come together, I mention this need in hopes that you might join us in prayer.

Parenthetically, as I considered the idea of a Christian women's home that would provide a degree of support, encouragement, structure, discipleship and protection, I was thinking that this could be an excellent idea, not just for the recovering wounded, but for any church to offer to the young adult female members of its congregation. Often times, when a single woman graduates from college or reaches her twenties, she ends up moving away from dad and mom due to a desire for more independence. While I have my own personal ideas regarding the wisdom of such a transition, I do recognize the fact that it is commonplace. Colleges seem to be the only organizations offering residential Christian housing, but what happens when these women graduate from college and haven't yet married, but still desire the fellowship and support that a residential Christian community has to offer? I believe that this could be an excellent shepherding opportunity for Church leadership.

In the height of this winter's harshest weather, we lost our women's transportation! The transmission on this vehicle, among other things (like the heater!), ended up "going the way of the world" on us. Fresh out of Eskimo dogs and a sled, in late December of 2006, we notified TFR's family and friends of this pressing need for a new (used) vehicle. Within one month of time, we had the necessary funds and had found just the right vehicle to buy. It was another example of God's generous provision.

I'm writing this newsletter around the 3rd week of February. By the time you receive it, it should be around the first week of March. Our snow is quickly disappearing from the ground and there are lots of signs that spring is quickly approaching. Warmer temperatures and softer ground will be welcomed by all at TFR. It's been a long winter, folks! Remind me to try to purchase some of those new, lightweight snowshoes before next winter, so that we can get out and exercise more easily. It's hard to go on those "ranch walks" when the snow is up to your knees! Also, the cold temperatures hit hard this year. We had multiple days at double-digit negative temps. Our barn water pipes are still frozen! Ouch…am I whining? Sorry.

Spring is a great time around the ranch as we accumulate more ranch animals, prepare the fields for gardening, and open up the windows in the buildings for some fresh, clean mountain air to flow in. We're jumping into "spring-cleaning" mode early this year, even though when you look around, it still looks like winter. This year, Lord willing, we'll be investing in some pigs, turkeys, meat chickens, and maybe even a steer or two. These animals will join our current stock of Boer (meat) goats, horses, dogs, and barn cats. By mid-May or so, we should be brimming over with new life!

In an attempt to be good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted to us, TFR is always looking for feasible opportunities to use these beautiful facilities to help offset some of our operating costs. This year, we already have purebred Great Pyrenees puppies for sale. The male Great Pyrenees is named Luther (as in Martin), and the female is named Ruth (as in the book of the Bible), although we realize that Catharine von Bora would have been a more appropriate name for Ruth. In the near future, we hope to expand this operation to include purebred AKC Yellow Labs as well. Because we have the room to do this, and because working with these animals is a good experience for the women here at TFR, it seems to be a natural fit. We'll see how it goes. We will be marketing these wonderful puppies on both the west side and the east side of Washington State. If you know anyone who may be interested in obtaining one of these beautiful dogs from TFR, have them give us a call!

TFR continues to attempt to be a shining light in the community in which we live, and there have been many opportunities for the students and staff to serve. We have been asked on numerous occasions to provide the concessions (and the staff to run the stands) for local football, basketball and wrestling matches. The proceeds go to the local school (Go Tonasket Tigers!), but it provides a wonderful opportunity for service and witness for Christ. Also, our crew has been serving at the local food bank in Tonasket. Every Thursday morning in the month of March, from eight until noon, TFR staff and students help organize the facility and hand out food. Again, there is no earthly reward or payoff, simply a good opportunity to be a witness to our community. The men of TFR (myself included) teach Sunday school classes at the church in Tonasket on Sunday mornings, and our women have occasional opportunities to minister to the congregation there musically.

As always, TFR's needs continue to be met even as the Lord expands the focus of our ministry. This is because of a gracious Heavenly Father who moves His people, like you, to come alongside us in this work. Through your prayer, service, financial support, and overall encouragement, this ministry is thriving and producing fruit for time and for eternity. When TFR was first established, we were told by more than one well-meaning person that because of our financial plans not to receive governmental aid, or charge our students money, we wouldn't last six months. Well, here we are enjoying our fifth year of service to Christ. The Lord provides! This doesn't mean that there aren't some very lean times behind us (and in front of us), but we have been very encouraged by the number of believers the Lord has prompted to lock arms with us in such a sacrificial way. Thank you all so much.

For His Glory,

Craig Lofthus