"And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins" Matthew 1:21.

Dear Friends and Family,

God Himself chose the Name Jesus for His one and only Son because its fundamental meaning describes perfectly the reason that He came to this earth. The Name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, Jeshua, or Jehoshua, all of which mean exactly the same thing: "Jehovah (Yahweh) God will save!" The baby who was placed within the womb of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit would grow up to be the very salvation that she would need to be saved from her sin. This is not only true for Mary, but for the whole world (1 John 2:2). By Jesus Christ's own propitiatory, sacrificial death upon the cross at Calvary, and His triumphant resurrection from the grave, He would save His own – all of those who are drawn from sin to repentance by the electing grace of God.

The name "Immanuel" is at the very heart of the Christmas story. It is a Hebrew name that literally means "God with us." This name in and of itself is a promise of incarnate deity, that is, deity dwelling in flesh. It is a promise that the Lord Himself would come and appear as a human infant. This baby would be God cloaked with the flesh of man, yet without the sinful nature that would have disqualified Him from being the perfect, unblemished sacrifice of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

If the entire Christmas story could be condensed into just three words, they would have to be "God with us." At Christmastime, we often focus on the infancy of Christ or other more peripheral truths surrounding His birth, but the greatest truth of this holiday is that of His deity! Much more incredible than a baby being born in a manger among animals and straw is the fact that the Sovereign Creator who spoke the universe into existence out of nothing (ex nihilo) was now contained within the flesh of this one infant. Think on those ramifications for awhile!

God, the Holy, Infinite, Sovereign, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Immutable, Transcendent, Creator of all things...was now a baby. He assumed our flesh, entered into our sin-infested world, took upon Himself our guilt, carried our sorrows, bore our griefs, was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).

Let's take another look at the manger this Christmas. Let's pray that years and years of Christmases don't dull our senses or harden our hearts to this incredible Truth. This is the immeasurable, incomprehensible gift of God to sinful man: Jesus Christ Himself. God's own Son gave up His wealth, status, privileges, and rights to live as God with us, so that He might save His people from their sins, purchase their salvation, and guarantee their sanctification. Through His sacrifice He has made us rich. This is God's gift to you and to me. It is the greatest gift of all. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15. How will we now respond as we live out the days that He has ordained for us? (Psalm 139:16).

The whole TFR crew just returned from the Seattle area where we celebrated the graduation of one of our students. Dawn Nogales, whose testimony was highlighted in the last newsletter, has completed TFR's one-year program. Having a number of options available to her, she has decided to join TFR's staff team and serve as the women's supervisor within a brand-new addition to TFR's program called Next Steps. Next Steps truly is the next step being made available for all of TFR's graduates. It is a much-needed transitional component of TFR's overall program that will provide our one-year graduates with the ongoing support, opportunity, accountability, independence, protection, and shepherding that they need as they reenter the workplace or continue their academic pursuits. This winter will be used to put together all of the legal, scheduling, and programming details as we excitedly look towards a startup date of March, 2008. Please remember Dawn and this new and exciting aspect of The Father's Ranch Ministries in your prayers. She will serve like the rest of those who serve at TFR – without salary, stipends, medical benefits, or retirement. She will be trusting in the LORD and the generosity of His people for her support. Welcome aboard, Dawn!

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and again, it was a wonderful time. We had about twenty-five people around the table enjoying bounty and blessings! Three voluptuous turkeys devotedly participated in the celebration, and the TFR women helped with much of the preparation. They are learning how to set a table and cook tasty meals, but they also are learning valuable skills for independent living that we find many of them lack when they first arrive here at TFR. With the sad and pervasive breakdown of the nuclear family, the majority of the women who come do not have the skills necessary to live on their own. By the time they leave TFR, they have learned these skills and gleaned some creative ideas of tradition that will hopefully enrich and bless their own families one day.

After the meal the Scriptures were read and many of us testified to what the Lord has done and where we would probably have ended up if Christ had not overcome our sinful wills. (Thankfully there are no "ifs" in the sovereignty of God!) Christ taught that those who have been forgiven much, love much (Luke 7:47), and the love that these women show for Christ, His Word, and one another is absolutely awesome. I shamefully take a lesson from their gratitude every year, it seems. What a sweet time.

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. Serving the Lord in a faith-based ministry such as this one often costs them personal wealth, title, and position. Would you please remember them during this time of year? They have tight budgets all year long, and any type of small encouragement would go a long way to bring 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 Jennifer Park, Dorothy Leidig, Bethany Estermyer, Dawn Nogales (who has just signed on to a full-time staff role), and Craig and Sharon Lofthus and Family. Please pray that the Lord would raise up financial support for all of these so they can serve at TFR unencumbered by the pressures of finances.

As another note of encouragement, especially for us, three families have moved into The Father's Ranch neighborhood within the past few months or so. They are David and Gwen Kopp and family, Stephen and Angie Williams and family, and Shane and Brenda Spangler and family. All of these wonderful families serve, encourage, support, and give to TFR in a variety of ways, and we are extremely blessed to have them all so close. Please pray for them as they seek out appropriate housing and employment.

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. Because our women shop in town on a weekly basis, gift certificates to Wal Mart, J.C. Penny, or Safeway would be used and much appreciated. Gift certificates to Home Depot are also always practical for TFR, as there always seems to be a bathroom faucet or kitchen appliance in need of replacement.

It is our earnest hope that you would also remember the women (students) out here at The Father's Ranch. 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.

Because of the Lord's people partnering with this ministry, and by the graciousness of the Lord Himself, we have been able to offer a one-year, residential, Biblical counseling program at absolutely no cost to those who show themselves teachable and ready to receive the Word of God in earnest. We are attempting to follow the financial high road in doing what we do, but it surely is not the easy road. While our finances are a constant item for prayer, I can attest that every bill has been paid and every need has been met to date...to the Glory of God!

I would like to report to you how TFR has been handling the resources that the Lord brings our way through His people. Over the course of just five years, TFR has grown from being a God-given vision with a financial net value of zero to being worth over $800,000 dollars in worldly assets to be used for His purposes. TFR owns (and uses to the fullest) four homes, two large barns, a shop, vehicle sheds, a brand-new greenhouse, an office space, and over one hundred acres of land. Our total mortgage debt is now down to just $100,000, and only seven years of payments are left on the schedule. Due to some extremely generous and thoughtful supporters, we have been able to make extra payments on the mortgage, and Lord willing, we will be able to continue to do so. This is all from a ministry that has never charged money for any of its services or solicited for any of its support. May the Lord alone be praised!

Much more important than TFR's fiscal status is the fruit that this ministry has produced by God's grace (1 Corinthians 4:2). Over thirty-five women have now come through TFR's doors with over twenty new professions of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We now have ten women living within our walls, as well as an ever-present waiting list to come. The need for this residential Biblical counseling ministry continues to be huge, and until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, will not be diminishing. We currently receive referrals from churches, pastors, Biblical counseling centers, and even secular clinics from all over the United States and Canada. As our exposure continues to broaden, we are hopeful that the Lord will bring to us the ability to expand our borders even more and have another home on-site in the very near future. This would enable us to double our current numbers from ten to twenty women, and once again, significantly add to our staff team. Please join us in prayer that the Lord would continue to be gracious and merciful to The Father's Ranch as we seek to serve Him and bring Him glory through the rescuing work of Biblical counseling.

As this year comes to a close, we want to thank all of you who have come alongside this ministry with such love and sacrifice. Through your generosity, we have been able to house and serve hurting and brokenhearted women in ways we never could have otherwise. We have watched time and time again as the Lord has healed women who are suffering from a number of different sin-wrought behaviors including anorexia, bulimia, self-abuse/mutilation, depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, drug addictions, bi-polar disorders, alcohol addictions, sexual addictions, and a host of other "soul sicknesses." Because of the Lord's faithfulness through the involvement of His people, lives are being changed for time and for eternity. He truly is Immanuel.

Our prayer requests remain the same because our needs really do not change. Prayers, financial support, encouragement, and overall involvement from the body of Christ are our constant needs. Any way the Lord may lead you to participate is greatly appreciated, for it is by your prayers, your gifts, your service, and your encouragement that this ministry continues to serve and grow. Thank you again.

May you have a wonderful Christmas season with friends, family, and loved ones, and be encouraged by the incredible wealth available to us, found only in the Lord Jesus Christ.

For His Glory,

Craig Lofthus

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set your people free;
From our fears and sins release us
By your death on Calvary.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope to all the earth impart,
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born your people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a king;
Born to reign in us forever,
Now your gracious kingdom bring.
By your own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By your all-sufficient merit
Raise us to your glorious throne.

By Charles Westley 1707-1788