Hebrews  11:3-  "By faith we  understand  that the worlds  were  prepared  by  the Word of  God  so  that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible." (nasb)

PRAYER REPORT:  Howdy folks.    HEY... lets take some time each day to PRAY for the folks in the US Military who are stationed all over the world in efforts to keep peace in our country and assist with peacekeeping efforts abroad.  If you see a veteran as you are going about your business, please take a moment and thank them for their service to this wonderful country!   God bless and thank you very much!!

Howdy Folks!

 A little about I Ride For The Brand Ministries.

Our focus and mission is:

To reach out with God's Holy Word and His promise to man through the Holy Bible, personal experiences, and testimony of the many wonders our Lord and Savior has done in the lives of Christians everywhere. 
I  have been called to go where ever I am invited or sent, and share God's Word in a unique way, and to share the testimony of the Pilgrimage Jesus took me on and many other ways in which He has touched my life and the lives of those around me.

This Testimony and my faith walk or pilgrimage with Jesus began on November 6, 2008 when He took me, with friends, up to the top of this mountain, at  6800 feet.  6 days later we started off that mountain.   After separating me from our group and getting me alone, Jesus Christ walked me off that mountain as only HE could do...


Here is a condensed version of that testimony...
In 2008 at church one night a friend asked if I would like to go on a week long elk hunting trip to Northeast Oregon up on the Snake River, some of the most beautiful and rugged mountains on the West Coast. (The Snake River runs between Oregon and Idaho).  Although I've had many back surgeries, without really thinking it through I said, "Sure!  I would love to."   Little did I know the plans our Lord, Jesus Christ had in mind for me...

   

Through what I can only call a faith walk or pilgrimage with Jesus Christ, I learned what truth, grace, and a seriously deep faith in God was about.  I rode my horse up that mountain while the others walked with pack horses up to about 6800 feet, where we camped.  6 days later it was time to go home.  In the course of gathering firewood two days earlier I had injured my left knee in a fall.  So not only was I dealing with my disability (my back), I could barely walk with the injured knee.   I was extremely glad I had a horse to ride down to base camp.    The first few miles were uneventful.  We had come across the top shelf of the mountain down to an old cabin at 6400 feet, that marked the trial-head down to the base camp that was established at about 1500 feet.  Shortly after leaving the cabin area, heading down on a narrow, steep elk trail my horse started acting up and I had to dismount.  Several things transpired after that and I found myself separated from the group... walking.  I began to pray constantly for the Lord to keep the pain in my back away until I could hook up with the guys and ride  on down.   I had been walking about 30 minutes when suddenly the trail ended... just died out into a thick forest of trees.


      

Now I was very concerned.  I realized I had no idea where the others were since they had not caught up with me, as they should have.  I didn't recall seeing any splits in the trail but I must have taken a wrong turn so it was not likely they would follow me here.   I looked down the mountain and about 1/4 of a mile straight down was a trail that went the direction I needed to go.  The terrain was almost straight down and covered in buck brush waist deep.  As I looked down at that trail I prayed.  It was right then, at that very moment... that Jesus spoke back to me.
Jesus had gotten my undivided attention and  He was talking to me just as you talk with the person next to you.  I looked down at that trail, so far below, and I remember saying out loud, "You have got to be kidding?"  Of course He was not.  For the next 4 1/2 hours I traveled from 6400 feet down to 1500 feet on rough, narrow, steep trails, switchbacks, mudslides, and runoffs.  The Lord walked every step with me... He guided me, talked to me, encouraged me, shared with me, tested me, and no doubt at times he carried me.  He put upon my heart things I needed to know, to experience, to grow IN Him, and where He wanted my relationship with Him to be and He was preparing me also for events to come.  He shared with me His Truth, His Word of Hope, Love, and Faith in a way I had never experienced.
About a week after returning home from this hunting trip I got a phone call I never expected to ever get.  My brother, Mike, had a heart attack and died.   he was just 18 months older than I.   I love all my siblings but Mike and I shared a deeper closeness growing up that continued in our adult life.

I went up that mountain disabled, on strong medications, and totally dependent upon those I was with.  I came off that mountain a new person.... A new man in Christ Jesus, who had shown me His true power, love, forgiveness, and acceptance through faith, perseverance... and more!
Since this trip, by God's Grace, I have been able to decrease the pain medications I take for my back by huge amounts. (I've been taking them over 10 yrs.).   Besides that, the Lord is doing some amazingly huge things in my life that I know only He could do.
AND... He will do the same in your life as well, if you just let Him!


I would love to come to your church or group and share my unique message of hope and faith. Share all of my testimony and God's Word.   If you would like me to speak at your church, Bible group, Revival, or any event please email me at the address below to reserve a date.


randy@godscowboy.com


Now is the time!  The Lord seeks us out to share in a relationship and spread His Word.   To love our neighbors, our fellow man, the way HE loves us... without condition!

===============================

Satan attacks in many ways, at times we least expect it.   On Jan. 4, 2011 we had a fire that totally destroyed my home and gutted the shop on the ranch.  I lost all my personal possessions and my son, his wife's parents, and her brother's family lost a lot of personal things as well.  We are tested every day in our faith.  Things like this happen and could easily destroy what God has built up... IF we let it.  I thank God every day that my son and his family all know the Lord as well as his wife's family.   Hardships in life happen folks.  God never said life was going to be easy here on earth.  This is our temporary home Christians.  He is building a mansion for us in heaven. THAT is where we will spend eternity and that is what we have to focus on when Satan strikes,  when evil rears it's ugly head,  when difficulties arise.   Take it ALL to Jesus, leave it at the foot of the cross and carry on with what He has us doing.  Don't ever give in and let Satan get that foothold.

I pray that we all learn to stay focused on the outcome that has already happened... The war continues on here on earth, but the battle has been won.

Praise God always!

Let's all saddle up... and Ride for HIS Brand! 



May God bless and keep you!

James 4:7-"Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you."