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My friend, Chad, sent this to me today. I don't know who the author is. I talked with a friend yesterday who just got back from the Amazon on a fishing trip with two of his grown sons. I felt like I had been on the trip as they showed me the pictures and described the trip. The trip was as described as one of those "once in a life-time" opportunities. But what made the trip was not the Amazon. They would have had just as much fun if they had been on an Oklahoma farm pond. As I listened to them I realized what made the trip was that they were on it TOGETHER. If you have a son, take the time to use this recipe. You and your son will be glad you did!

Take one boy, about seven pounds. Give to a family who loves him very much. Simmer together with laughter, patience, comfort and a deep sense of responsibility for about three years. Let season, but watch carefully for signs of spoiling.

Mix one part firmness with two parts understanding. Add both at the same time, with mature wisdom. Let season. Then mix thoroughly the Golden Rule with some baseball, fishing trips, responsibilities, privacy, picnics, games and a cookie jar. Shake in some soap, toothpaste and a comb.

Now very slowly add some good books, some music, a football, a lawn mower and a savings account. Let season quite awhile. Then mix liberally with some dreams that make sense and some that don't; some for fun and some for growth. Stir in some good conversation about grades, honor, beliefs, love, patriotism, girls, cars and the World Series. Sprinkle with humor...For extra interest, add a few roots such as integrity, fidelity, determination and gentleness. Mix with an interest in school activities, civic duty and his fellow man. Pour in some weekend jobs and a goal or two. Let season.

When you think he's ready, garnish with faith in tomorrow...and gaze with pride.

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Since the beginning of the ranch in 1996, we have been concerned about how our boys would be perceived and received in the community. Our community is amazing. So are the boys the boys that we have the privilege to serve. After eight years of boys, we no longer worry about that perception of "there goes the neighborhood." Parents ask us if their boys can spend time with our boys because of their influence. A person in town told me a few weeks ago that when he asked about the ranch, someone told him that he would not meet a boy from the ranch who was not well-mannered and well-behaved. What a complement to pay our young men!

WSBR has a Bible Study on Sunday nights for the boys ranch. Over the years, the ranch has been embraced by the schools and the community of Chandler in an amazing way. Over the past few weeks, our boys and staff have had a desire to open our Sunday evening to the high school students of Chandler. They have had a desire to invest in our community the way the community has invested in our boys ranch. We have asked many of you to pray for this opportunity. Last Friday fliers were sent out inviting 9-12 graders to attend Sunday Nights at the Boys Ranch. Our theme is RAISING THE STANDARD. We challenge our guys to raise the standards in their life. We challenge them to set their standards at God's Standard. We challenge them to do that in every area of their life. We challenge to take notice of what happens when they do accept Christ and his standard for their life.

We live in a society that is good at "dumbing down" or lowering our standards and values. Imagine what will happen when a group of students and a community chooses to raise the bar. Imagine the impact of a group of students who have a hunger for character and high standards!

I pulled up to the gym and counted a dozen cars that were not ranch vehicles. 46 students showed up tonight! A local youth pastor and several parents show up. At the same time there was a women's Bible Study going on at our retreat cabin with women from our community. Another group of women meet on Wednesday morning at JL Camps for Bible Study. We are excited to see what is happening in the lives of 15 boys on the ranch, their friends, their friends families and our community.

Please continue to pray for what is going on in our community. Please continue to pray for our boys and staff as they raise the standard at school and exhibit leadership.

Thank you to all of you who partner with us in this effort. The influence has moved far beyond the white pipe fence of this 180 acre ranch and camp. We pray for a ripple effect to take affect in our community. Thanks for making a difference. I look forward to keep you posted.

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WSBR is proud to announce that Joseph has made the Freshman A Honor roll at Chandler High School. He also got some solid playing time in Friday's 44-0 victory over Haskell. Joseph is one of five freshman that get to suite up for varsity games.

WSBR is also proud of Cody making the Freshman B Honor Roll. Cody and Joe are raising show pigs and participating in the spring shows. Thank you to all of you in Lincoln County who help these guys.

Laron had one carry in friday nights game for a 35 yard touchdown. He has 9 touchdowns this season.Chandler Lions are now 6-0 in district play.

Thank you to all of you who invest in the lives on our boys. We are proud of them. We apppreciate your impact!

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Remember the string that people would tie on their finger in order to remember something. I can never remember why I have that string on my finger. I feel like I am in a Seinfeld episode. I keep forgetting the things that I need to remember.

Like my friend Derin says, " I am always thinking, but not always remembering." My friend Skip and I are constantly reminding each other to not forget. Not to forget from where the Lord has brought us and all that He has done through the circumstances of our lives. How easily I forget. God and Todd rhyme. That gets me in trouble. I forget who is in charge....not people, not circumstances, but God

It is a blessing to have friends like Derin and Skip who keep me grounded. They keep my focus on God, not my circumstances, not my success, not days when we life with plenty or days of lacking.

Like a good friend, Deuteronomy 8 is an excellent reminder of the position of authority that God holds in my life. That is easy to remember when I am in need. It is amazing how difficult that is when things in my life are going well. Remember not to forget....

Deuteronomy 8 ESV

“The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you wthese forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions mand thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.

The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Dt 8). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

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You use steel to sharpen steel,
and one friend sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17-19 The Message

We see alot of faces at school in Chandler, Oklahoma. Many of them are friends of boys from the ranch. Something exciting it happening in our community. We are opening our Sunday night Bible Study up to our high school boys friends at school. The students are hungry spiritually. The focus of this time is on Raising the Standard. Many of our societies standards are being lowered at an astonishing rate. There is no sense of guilt when there is no standard. We watch the moral fiber of our society continue to unravel.

Our guys at the ranch live by a very high set of standards and expectations. Eight years of living by those standards are being noticed in our community. People are also acknowleding the source of those standards. Sunday nights will focus on challenging students to raise their standards. That standard begins with a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. One of our seniors is also leading a weekly Bible Study with his fellow students. Please pray for him as he leads. Please pray for his impact and his influence.

A women's Bible Study is hosted weekly at the ranch by two of our staff on Wednesdays and Sundays. It too is having a tremendous impact on women in our community. Please pray for the impact that these Bible Studies are having in relationships with family, spouses, and children in our community.

We are excited about what we see as we look into the faces of our community.

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An article came out in the Norman Transcript today. One Norman cul-de-sac has produced 5 NHS QB's Two of those QB's are family, Jade Noles and Brian Hartsock. Another cousin Jake is listed as having walked on at OU. Jake played at OSU....sorry Jake! That street also produced a cousin, who also played football for NHS and does missions work overseas, a sister and brother-in-law who direct the training school for missions at Antioch Community Church in Waco, TX. My wife, Jeannie, also grew up on that street. What an amazing street that only has 13 houses on it.

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6-1 Chandler Lions go 4-0 in District play with their Thursday night 49-0 win over Beggs. Laron was invited to do a radio interview this morning with 3 other team-mates.

Chandler plays at Haskell on Oct. 27th and at Prague on Nov. 3rd. Chandler should have 2 or 3 home game in the district playoffs. Let us know if you would like to attend any of the remaining games.

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I just got in from JL Camp. I just left a camp fire with students roating marshmellows and smores being made. Life is Good! We have two groups in camp today. This has been an amazing week on the ranch. Guys are excited to be out of school for fall break. Chandler High School plays at Beggs Friday night. We look for Laron to have another big game. He has scored 8 touchdowns this season.

JL Camps is in full swing this week of Fall Break with groups from OBU, Wildwood Community Church, Sapulpa Women's Basketball, Maxwell Avenue Church of Christ-Ardmore, Heritage Baptist, and Heritage Baptist. What a week! What a great way to invest in WSBR.

WSBR has also received a committment for 3 more scholarships this week! That leaves 3 1/2 scholarships needed for boys who are at the ranch. Thank you to all of you who invest in our scholarship program. WBR operates soley on private gifts and donations. It is amazing to watch the "George Muller Stories" unfold at the ranch. Thank you for all of you who make these stories happen by investing your prayers, time and resources in this mission. You are the reason WSBR exists. Thank you for the impact you have at Willow Springs Boys Ranch

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"All these exercises of my soul, which resulted from the fact that many believers, with whom I became aquainted, were harassed and distressed in mind, or brought guilt on their conscience, on account of not trusting in the Lord; were used by God to awaken in my heart the desire of setting before the Church at large, and before the world, a proof that He has not in the least changed; and this seemed to me best done by the establishing of an Orphan House. It needed to be something which could be seen, even by the natural eye. Now, if I, a poor man, simply by prayer and faith, obtained, without asking any individual, the means for establishing and carrying on: an Orphan House: there would be something which, with the Lord's blessing, might be instrumental in strengthening the faith of the children of God, besides being a testimony to the consciences of the unconverted, of the reality of the things of God. This, then, was the primary reason for establishing the Orphan House. I certainly did from my heart desire to be used by God to benefit the bodies of poor children, bereaved of both parents, and seek, in other respects, with the help of God, to do them good for this life;- I also particularly longed to be used by God in getting the dear Orphans trained up in the fear of God;-but still the first and primary object of the work was (and still is), that God might be magnified by the fact, that the Orphans under my care are provided with all they need, only by prayer and faith, without anyone being asked by me or my fellow-labourers, whereby it may seen, that God is FAITHFUL STILL, and HEARS PRAYERS STILL.

November 27th, 1835
George Muller

It is humbling as I read about the life of George Muller. I am amazed at the faith of this man along with his high motives for starting an orphanage. He started it so that people would take notice that God hears and answers prayers still.

How did Muller do it? That is the question that I often ask myself. He had over 2,000 children under his care in the 1800's. I wonder how God can care for 16 in 2006. The answe is still the same, by trusting in the LIVING GOD. Through God's direction, provision, and involvement and investment of many, many people who see God at work and join with HIm.

Ten years into Willow Springs Boys Ranch, I am still amazed at all the people who join in the mission of WSBR. It is on overwhelming and sometimes impossible looling task. Yet God uses some amazing people to make WSBR happen every hour of every day.

Today it was through someone took time out of his day in construction to come frame-in a partition for cabinets in our Graduate House. Today it was through a staff person pulling double duty all week as they cover for houseparents on vacation. Today it was also a very dear friend of the ranch who commited to scholarship six of our boys.

God is LIVING AND ACTIVE. He lives and acts through His people. He is still in the miracle business. Sometimes I think the biggest miracle is that He chooses to include us in some of His work! And in the mean time, He gets the Glory! And we all blessed along the way.

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" I had constantly cases brought before me, which proved that one of the special thungs which the children of God needed in our day, was, to have their fath strengthened. I longed to have something to point to, as a visible proof, that our God and Father is the same faithful God as He ever was; as willing as ever He was; as willing as ever to prove Himself to be the LIVING GOD, in our day as formerly, to all who put their trust in Him. Sometimes I found children of God tried of mind by the prospects of old age, when they were unable to work any longer, and therefore were harassed by the fear of having to go into the poor-house. If in such a case I pointed out to them, how their Heavenly Father has always helped those who put their trust in HIm, though they might not always say that times have changed; yet it was evident enough, that God was not looked upon as the LIVING GOD. My spirit was ofttimes bowed down by this, and I longed to set something before the children of God, whereby they might see, that He does n ot forsake, even in our day, those who rely upon Him. Also I longed to be instrumental in strenghtening their faith, by giving them not only instances from the Word of God, of His willingness and ability to help akk those who rely upon Him, but to show them by proofs, that He is the same in our day. I well knew that the Word of God ought to be enough, and it was, by grace, enough for me; but still, I considered that I ought to lend a helping hand to my brethern, if by any means, by this visible proof of the unchangeable faithfulness of the Lord I might strengthen their hands in God; for I remembered what a great blessing in my own soul had received through the Lord's dealings with His servant A. H. Franke, who in dependence upon the LIVING GOD alone, established an immense Orphan House, which I had seen many times with my own eyes. I therefore, judged myself bound to be the servant of the Church of God, in the particular point on which I had obtained mercy; namely, in being aable to take God at His word and to rely upon it.

November 25th, 1835
George Muller

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.... " I would that we came to speak to God just out of our hearts...I do not think Job quoted anyone. I do not think that Jacob quoted his saintly old grandfather, Abraham. I do not find Jesus Christ quoting Scripture in prayer. They did not pray in other people's words; they prayed in their own. God does not want you to gather up those excellent but very musty spices of the old santuary. He wants the new oil just distilled from the fresh olive of your own soul. He wants spices and frankincense, not of the old chests where they have been laying until they have lost their savor. He wants fresh incense and myrrh, brought from the ophir of your own soul's experience. Look well to it that your really pray; do not lean on language of prayer but seek the spirit of prayer, and God Almighty bless you an make you more mighty in your supplications."

~Charles Spurgeon
The Power of Prayer in a Believer's Life

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Every birthday as long as I can remember I got a red velvet cake for my birthday from my Grandma Fern. If you know anything about red velvet cakes, you know that they are hard to make. That’s probably what makes them taste so good! Something being hard never deterred my Grandma. Her life was hard. However, Grandma always seemed to find joy in the moment.

I remember getting a twenty dollar bill every month while I was in college at OU. I was about to pack five and a half years of school into a four-year program. Those twenty-dollar bills bought many “meals” that sure beat ramen noodles.

Red velvet cakes and twenty dollar bills. That is what I think about every October 28th. That is my grandmother’s birthday. She went home to be with the Lord on July 21, 1996...one month before Willow Springs Boys Ranch was founded. Willow Springs was the name of the family dairy that she grew up on in Ryan, Oklahoma. Like her family, Grandma Fern never had very much. But what she did have, she offered to whoever needed it. Her life was sweet, just like that red velvet cake! What a heritage to leave her family! What a legacy to bestow on Willow Springs Boys Ranch.

On October 28, 2004, the Nova Fern Bowden Endowment for Willow Springs Boys Ranch was established at the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma 2932 NW 122nd Street, Suite D Oklahoma City, OK 73120.

The first gift that was given was a twenty dollar bill. The purpose of this endowment fund is to help provide scholarships for boys while at Willow Springs Boys Ranch. I would like to invite you to celebrate her birthday this month by giving a gift in memory or in honor of someone who has left a legacy in your life. By doing so, you will be leaving a legacy for all the lives touched at Willow Springs Boys Ranch.

The mission of WSBR is Proverbs 22:6 which states that if you “train up the child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not depart from it.” The Nova Fern Bowden Endowment Fund honors the memories and impact of Grandma's life. This fund provides a vehicle to care for boys at WSBR for years to come. WSBR also has an endowement fund at the Oklahoma City Communities Foundation. Both funds are used to provide scholarships to boys at Willow Springs.

It is my prayer that the boys at the ranch will commit their lives to making a difference just like Grandma Fern has made on my family. I look forward to hear the stories of the lives that these boys will change. I am thankful for the impact that Grandma has had on me and my family.

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"Men say Mr. Muller of Bristol is enthusiastic because he will gather seven hundred children and believe that God will provide for them. Believe me, Muller is not an enthusiast. He is only doing what should be the commonplace action of every Christian. He is acting upon a rule at which the world always scoff because it does not understand it. It is a system that always appears visionary and romantic to the weak judgement of sense but never appears so to the child of God. Muller acts not upon common sense but upon something higher than common sense-upon uncommon faith. Oh, the we had that uncommon faith to take God at His Word! He cannot and will not permit the man that trusts in Him to be ashamed or confounded."

Charles Spurgeon: Excerpt from The Power of Prayer in a Believer's Life

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"...but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we ahold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. ~Hebrews 3:6

Courage is the topic in today's devotion, Closer Walk. It reminds me again of the movie, Facing the Giants.

Bruce Wilkinson says, "Courage is a much-admired trait in heroes. But did you know that all successful people are also courageous? The winning coach, the successful job-seeker, the marathon runner...each won the mental battle to face fear and take risks long before the physical battle ever began. Courage is a vital ingredient in the spiritual life as well."

We have courage because we place our confidence in Christ. We can do all things through Christwhen he is our strength. Just like the locker-room scene in the movie where the coach asks his team the question: "What is impossible with God?"

The answer is "nothing" when we have the courage to believe in His power working through us. The biggest battles that we fight are often the battles within us, not the battle before us.

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Chandler host Morris this Friday October 6th at 7:30pm. KFOR's Chopper 4 will give highlights of the game. Friday is also Senior Night for the Chandler Lions. WSBR is proud of it's very own Senior, Laron Thrash. Laron has made recruiting trips to OSU and OU this past month. Laron is listed in the Oklahoman as the difference-maker in Friday night's game.

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WSBR is in need of Relief House Parents. WSBR is seeking a couple for each boys' home that could cover time off for our staff one day per week and one weekend per month. This position is vital to the continuity of our program and stability in the homes for our boys. Please email the ranch with questions or inquiries. WSBR will email you a staff profile and answer any questions.

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What giants are you facing?

The career that is long on hours and short on pay?
A spouse that has left you?
Car repair bills as high as the payments?
People who don't believe in you or your abilities. Now you are beginning to have the same doubts about yourself?
The children and family that you desperately want, but medical tests say it is not possible?
Your life's dream now begins to look more like a pipe-dream?

Giants loom over us on many fronts. Any victory seems impossible. We need a wall to keep them out. We can not defeat them on our own. What is impossible with man is possible with God!

What Giants are you facing? Are you facing them alone? Willow Springs Boys Ranch just went to see FACING THE GIANTS. There was not a person in our group who did not identify with at least one character in the movie. It was not just a coming of age movie. FACING THE GIANTS does an excellent job using a high school football team to address some greater life lessons: faith in God, surrendering ourselves to Him, and giving God his just recognition and position in our lives.

We should not be surprised by the outcome when we surrender our weaknesses to God and look to Him for our strength. Giants are being fought and defeated everyday at the ranch and camp. Read throughout the pages of the Bible. Many of us at the ranch know what it is like to be the under-dog. That is when God does his greatest work! The Eagles were not suppose to win the championship game against the Giants. That did not stop the Eagles.

Here are the boys' favorite quotes from the movie:

"What is impossible with God?"
"If we win, we'll praise God." If we lose, we'll praise God."
"Play smart, stay alert, and honor God."

As we walked out to the movie, one of our new boys quoted one the lines above. He told me, "that needs to be the motto for the ranch!" What giants are you facing? God is bigger than your giants . All things are possible with God.

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." ~Matthew 19:26

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