What’s New

October 19, 2007

“Well, it's about time!”

I bet that’s what your thinkin’ as you set there noticin’ that I finally got around to updatin’ you as to what's been happenin’ here at the Master's Ranch.

After over four months without an Internet connection we are again livin’ in “techno-time.” I must apologize to my e-mail partners who probably thought I had taken an unexpected trip to the great cowboy sky (heaven) without any prior notification.

Truth is we broke ground on a new home on March 3rd and finally moved into it in late September. We had our first snow of the season just a few days after that. In spite of the rough weather here in Wyoming, we feel blessed to be here.

Our first summer in Cody was just as crazy as we were told it would be. People from all over the world show up here for one reason or another...Yellowstone Park, The Buffalo Bill Museum, three months of nightly rodeos, three days of 4th of July parades, and much, much more.

We had a great time being a part of the Cowboy Songs and Range Ballads put on by the Buffalo Bill Historical Society. My personal favorite was having the opportunity to perform at the “Trail to Glory” segment on Sunday, April 15th. I shared my poem titled “Religion Refined or The Legend of Parson Bull.” You'll find a few pictures from this shindig in the “Photos” section. The lighting inside the museum made good picture taking pretty tough.

On April 28th and 29th, The Bar-J-Wranglers were in town to do a benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity. I had the opportunity to share the poem “Just One Name” before they took the stage. The Wranglers are a very talented group from Jackson, Wyoming. They travel all over the country sharing songs and makin’ folks laugh so hard their cheeks cramp up. You might enjoy the pictures from that night in the “Photos” section. My favorite picture is the one of them with my daughter. They pretty much forced her to pose with them. Her face is redder than a summer sunset.

As for as upcomin’ events, I have been invited to share at an upcoming Habitat for Humanity banquet in Powell, Wyoming on November 11th. After takin’ a few months off from poetry stuff to build our new home, it will be good to get back in the saddle again.

In closing, I want to invite all my friends to reconnect with me on the Ol’ E-mail Trail.

God Bless,
Dennis

April 12, 2007

Greetings Friends,

A lot has been happening here in Cody, Wyoming since my last update.

The second annual Powell Winterfest Poetry Gathering in Powell, Wyoming was a cold affair. It was the kind of winter day that Wyoming is known for, bright glorious sunshine, fresh air, and a wind that could freeze your teeth together even if you kept your mouth shut. The crowd was a small one even though there was an auction in the building next door. The people that did show up had a grand time. We made some new friends, heard some good poetry and music.

On February 4th, I had the privilege to preach and share poetry at the Mountain View Community Church here in Cody. The people were so gracious to us. We have been blessed to meet so many kind and loving people here in Wyoming. I spoke on the importance of “unity” within the church.

I am also helping to coordinate a non-denominational men’s group whose goal is to serve other men and the community. We had our first event, a men’s breakfast, at the Cody Foursquare Church on March 24th. Dr. Jerry King was the guest speaker. He spoke on “Freedom in Christ.” It was a life changing time.

A very amazing “God-thing” happened here in Cody on Easter Sunday. Approximately 360 people attended the Community Easter Service held at the Cody Middle School. You might think that is not such a big deal until you find out that seven different denominations were involved. We believe that one of the biggest reasons that God brought us to Cody was to promote unity within the body of Christ, His church.

My wife, LuAnn, and I have joined the local Young Life Committee as volunteers in charge of Leader Care. We are anxious to be a part of what Young Life is doing to help young unchurched teens in preparing them for a life of commitment to Christ. Keith and Mary-Charles Pryor have about fifty high school students attending their Monday night meetings each week.

This week, April 12th -15th, is one of the most anticipated times in the schedule of local events here in Cody. It is the 25th annual Cowboy Songs and Range Ballads hosted by the Buffalo Bill Historical Society. The whole town will be alive with different venues of singing and poetry. I have been invited to share poetry on Saturday and Sunday.

On April 29th I am scheduled to share poetry along with good friend Bo Bowman as we open for the country western group the Bar-J-Wranglers. That will take place in the Wynonna Thompson Auditorium here in Cody. This will be one of the most exciting opportunities I have had in my short Christian cowboy poetry career. The event is outreach oriented so please pray that souls are touched for Jesus.

Well, that pretty much brings you up to date with what God is doing in Cody. Please check out the new pictures that accompany this update. You will find them in the “Pictures” section of the menu.

Until next time,

Dennis

January 8, 2007

Howdy Friends,

Well, I trust you all had a joyous Christmas and a Hope ( Jesus ) filled New Year. 2006 turned out to be the best year ever at the Master's Ranch. It was our first Christmas in Cody, Wyoming. We had snow on the ground, wind in the air, a few presents under the “Christmas lamp,” and Jesus in our hearts. You're probably saying, “Christmas Lamp?” Yup, you heard me right. We are still in our very small apartment, too small for even our little two foot Christmas tree to fit anywhere. Our daughter decorated the table lamp we keep on the dining room table and we made a vertical stack of presents next to it. In spite of all that, it was one of the best holidays ever.

We have been busy adjusting to the move. Much time has been spent making new connections. Cody is a very small town and it's a good thing because I seem to be on the go all the time.

I had the pleasure to share Christian cowboy poetry at the Cody Four Square Church, thanks to Pastor Kenny Lee ( an ex- Oregonian ), and at the Cowboys 4 Jesus Cowboy Church with Pastor Bob Moulton, who moved here from Oregon just over a year ago. As you might have noticed, God has called many an Oregonian to Cody to "fight the good fight."

I was blessed to be able to bring the message at the C4J Cowboy Church here in Cody on Tuesday, January 9, 2007. There I shared how we are all called to have faith; grow in faith; and perform works of faith using our God given gifts. One of the acts or works we are called to do is to tithe to our home church. In Malichi 3:8-10 it says, “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, how do we rob you? In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the flood gates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Wow, what a great bargain! God gave us ten tenths of what we have and he is only asking for one tenth in return plus He promises to pour so many blessings on us that we won't have room for it all. Where else could we get a deal like that!!!?

On Saturday, January 13, 2007, I will be performing at the second annual Powell Wintercamp Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Powell, Wyoming. You're all welcome to come join in the fun. Winter time is supposed to be the time of year when we catch up on our rest and have less chores to do but it doesn't feel like winter for us this year. It feels like the candle's lit on both ends and the middle's comin' fast.

Well until next time, all of us here at the Master's Ranch wish you good health and God's blessings.

October 12, 2006

Howdy Friends,

All of us here at the Master's Ranch trust and pray that you all are being blessed by God. Putting Him first in your life is the key to His blessings. We certainly feel blessed here! We have finally sold our home!! It took a while but God's timing is never wrong.

We are deep into the task of boxin' up and packin' away. With that all done, we will be arriving in Cody, Wyoming the week of October 16th. We will be staying with friends until we get a place of our own. During that transition time we will probably not have our e-mail up and runnin'. Look to the web site for updates in contact information and events. Our new cell phone number is 307-250-1808. Our new mailing address is P.O. Box 2365 Cody, Wyoming 82414.

We hope you will keep us in your prayers especially during the next few months as we search the job market and look for a new home.

We have made some great new friends in Cody already and look forward to making many more as we strive to reach the community for Jesus. We will not forget all of the wonderful friendships we are leaving behind. To quote a great song, “Friends are friends forever when the Lord's the lord of them.”

God bless you all and hope to see you on the trail.

September 6, 2006

Good day to ya,

Many an exciting thing has been happenin' here at the ranch. We were fortunate to be invited to the Prineville Cowboy Church on August 19th. The evening began with a pot luck dinner. I gotta' tell ya, the home cookin' at any cowboy church will put the best restaurant to shame.

Pastor Ron and Pastor Dave were pretty dog gone lively, whoopin' up the crowd during the worship time. They were a hard act to follow. I was blessed to be able to preach and share poetry with the good people of Prineville. We made many new friends.

God bless,
Dennis

August 3, 2006

Howdy friends,

Well, we are still here in Southern Oregon patiently waiting on God's timing on the sale of our home. The housing market in our area is saturated with many homes for sale. We know God is in control of the situation and we are trying to use the added time in Oregon to impact people for Jesus.

For those of you in the Central Oregon area, I will be in Prineville at the Lookout Mountain Grange Hall to share poetry and the Word on Saturday, the 19th of August. The Grange is located on Highway 26, about eight miles east of Prineville, past Ochoco Reservoir.

The Cowboy Church there is lead by Pastor Dave Hulick. They meet the third Saturday of each month. Festivities begin at 5:00 with a pot luck dinner and social hour. If you haven't experienced country gospel worship in a cowboy church setting before, you're in for a real treat.

Hope to see you there...

 
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

June 6, 2006

Greetin's,

Well we made it home from La Grande yesterday. What a beautiful country! There just ain't a place that has friendlier people on this earth. We made new friends, enough to fill a stock trailer.

Pastor Randy Warner was gracious enough to open up his church meetin' to me to share some Christian cowboy poetry with the people of the Grande Ronde Valley. We met at the fair grounds club house, the usual meetin' place for the Northwest Christian Cowboy gatherin's. We had an anointed time of worship and praise. With Jack on the guitar, Randy and Mike on the feed bucket base, and Steph and another fine lady, who's name I did not get, burnin' up the horse hair on their violins, the place was steppin' out for Jesus.

I left for home with a couple of deep feelin's about the time spent there. We were so touched by Cliff and Judy, foster parents for two "special needs" young men. My heart ached for Pastor Larry, who had lost his son in a ranchin' accident. He blessed me with his story after I had just recited a poem about a pastor who's son had died. Larry is a very brave wrangler for Jesus!

We want to send a special thanks to our new friends Louie and Susan Ochoa for openin' up their home to us and send a special "howdy" to Toby, the "cow poodle" and the big dog, LuAnn dubbed the " deck horse".

It took us a while to figure out how to get to their place in the country called "Summerville" but we finally figured it out: Go to the dead skunk in the road and turn left at the cemetery.

If any of you cowboys ever find a reason to go to La Grande, don't miss a chance to saddle down at the Northwest Christian Cowboy's weekly gatherin'; Sunday nights (5:30) at the fairgrounds. You will be blessed!

We rounded up some pictures from our adventure for you to enjoy. Use your trigger finger and click right here. Cowboy golf is a pretty tough sport.

That's all for now. I'm gonna pull my hat down tight and head on down the trail.

Livin' the Adventure for Jesus!!!

MAY 28, 2006 — Well, things are goin' pretty good here at The Master's Ranch. God continues to shower His blessin's on us. Our home has not sold yet, so we're still here in Southern Oregon. We are tryin' to make a difference for Jesus while we're still here. On May 21, I had the privilege of sharin' "The Legend of Washita" with the dear folks at the Eagle Point Community Bible Church. This poem is built on the fact that God always provides for us when we are livin' our life with Him as our highest priority. He doesn't always give us what we want, but He always gives us what is best for us.

June 4th, we will be travelin' to La Grande, Oregon to share Jesus through cowboy poetry at the Northwest Christian Cowboys Sunday gatherin'. Come join us if ya have a mind to. We will be meetin' at 5:30 pm at the local fairgrounds clubhouse. Pastor Randy Warner is the trail boss.

On Saturday, June 10th I am scheduled to share at the Red Rock Cowboy Church in Lake Creek, Oregon. Their gatherin' begins with a pot luck dinner at 5:00 pm and the meetin' begins at 6:00 pm. If ya get yer chores done in time, come on by.

Well, I think that's about it for now. All of us here at The Master's Ranch are prayin' that God lights yer path and that yer horse is sure footed.

Live the adventure!

March 18, 2006 — My CD, entitled “The Gift and the Giver,” is now available. You can find more information in the “CD Info” section.

February 2006 — On February 7th, I was blessed with the opportunity to speak to the Rogue Valley Y.F.C. junior high group. I shared a poem called, “What Would You Do For A Buckle,” and challenged them to make Jesus the most important thing in their lives.

• Living for Jesus is a great adventure, better than anything the world can offer you. Be bold. Be proud that He is your savior! Don’t try to fit in with the worldly kids. Be different enough that you stand out in a crowd. Stand out and stand up for Jesus, by displaying unconditional love and forgiveness to your friends and to your parents.

By far the biggest and certainly most exciting thing happenin’ is the future. When you live for God every day is an adventure. Our adventure is taking us to Cody, Wyoming. The next few months will be spent in preparation for the move. We would appreciate your prayers.

If you know any interesting facts about Cody, feel free to email us.

Until next time, may you courageously search out the “adventure” God has for you!

January 2006 — Well, the fall season, with all its chores has given way to colder weather, shorter days, the Christmas season, and the hope that comes with the start of a new year.

Since the last Ranch update, I was blessed to have the opportunity to share some poetry with the folks at the Red Rock Cowboy Church. Those folks meet in a barn to celebrate Jesus ever’ Saturday night. Just one word to the wise; if yer one of those ranch folk who has a cow dog that is a legitimate family member, he’s welcome at church but ya gotta keep him on a leash.

The Lake Creek Hero Day volunteer fire department benefit, in mid-September, went off without a hitch. Like you’d think, the promise of good food and good entertainment brought folks from miles around to downtown Lake Creek, Oregon. I had the pleasure of performin’ with my good friend Dan Pietila. It was the first time we publicly performed a poem we wrote together called “The Legend of Washita.” Dan also wrote and performed the guitar music for the poem.

You can see new pictures of both the Red Rock Cowboy Church and the Lake Creek Hero Day events in the Pictures corral on the Ranch web site.

The Red Rock Ranch Rodeo, held in October was a success. The Jackson County Expo has a great arena. The opening night Jubilee was plumb full of good family entertainment. My favorite part was when Leon Flick slapped on some fuzzy bull slippers complete with horns and recited a poem that brought down the house. Christian cowboy poet Clay Frasier also electrified the audience with several powerful poems.

I had the privilege of speaking to the Rogue Valley Youth For Christ high school group on January 24th in Medford, Oregon. I recited "Before the Rooster Crows" and spoke to the fact that, "there are no losers with Jesus."

• Don’t let Satan trick you into thinking you are a loser. He’s just afraid you are going to do great things for Jesus or he wouldn’t be messing with you in the first place.