purple flowers

The past few days have been nothing short of crazy. The stomach bug is going around staff. What a blessing that Challenge, Second Wind, and TracII have all been off property the past few days while we battle this bug. Praise the Lord it hasn't hit me, but people are dropping like flies. And unfortunately an office girl who was supposed to work after my shift got sick. So here I am.. 8 hours later in the office with 2 more to go. As much as I would like to say I've looked at this as a great opportunity to serve. I haven't. As much as I would like to say I haven't complained at all. I'd be lying. Let's face it. A ten hour shift isn't ideal. And working the morning shift the following morning makes it worse. Forgive me. I know you sense my bitter spirit. But praise the Lord He is still on the throne. Praise the Lord he sent his son who sympathizes with me. Who understands what I'm going through. Who is pleading on my behalf saying, "Daddy, she's tired. She's stressed out. I know how she feels right now." Praise You Jesus that you paid the price for me. Selfish me. So when I selfishly compain, you hear me. And you understand. You died for such a sinner.

And as I sit here, bitter and all, I see beautiful purple flowers. And I'm thankful. Even if it's the only thing I'm thankful for. They are beautiful. They speak your beauty. You know I love flowers. Whether I'm recieving them or just looking at them. I appreciate their beauty. And I believe those purple flowers are there just for me. For a time like this. When I need a reminder of who you are. Of the price you paid. And how much you love me, through all my hard times. No matter how insignificant they may seem. And I'm thankful for people in my life who will call me out. And remind me of what my purpose is. Even when it's really hard to hear. And I'm thankful for encouragement. Being reminded that I'm doing a great job, that people are thankful for my hard work, and that they couldn't do it without me. Thank you for relationships. For constantly reminding me through your people that you are here with me. When I'm acting a fool, in such a wretched mood. That you love me through it all. That you are molding me into your beautiful daughter. You are creating me for my calling. You have a purpose in it all. And while I watch this purpose unfold. I'll sit here. With the purple flowers.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet without sin. Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Hebrews 4:14-16

"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died- more than that, who was raised to life- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"

Romans 8:31-34

teach my song to rise to You

Lord, I Need You by Chris Tomlin

Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free

Holiness is Christ in me

Yes where You are Lord I am free

Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

So teach my song to rise to You

When temptation comes my way

And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You

Jesus You're my hope and stay

And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You

Jesus You're my hope and stay

surrender

June 20, 2011
Each day is a new day. Praise the Lord that our sin is remembered no more. We aren't just given a clean slate at the start of the day. But as soon as we repent. We sit at the feet of Jesus and realize how desperately we need him. We call on Him, Abba, father. We turn from ourselves. Thank you Lord for grace. Thank you that I can forget yesterday and press on today. You lead us from glory to glory. Praise you Lord for your son. For the Lamb who took my place. Because I am prone to wander. prone to hide my face from you. You're always there. I'm the one who leaves your presence. Praise you Lord that you're always here. So much grace.


June 22, 2011
Today the Lord revealed something. That HE is working in me. I don't have to work on myself. I surrender, I seek Him, and I live in his love. And He does the work. I don't strive to be like Him. I let go and let Him live through me. I'll never be enough. I can never compare to His goodness. So I relax. I breathe. And I allow him to move in my life. To let His joy overflow. His patience be active. His words pour out of my mouth. I allow Him to hold my heart. To invade my thoughts. I just surrender. I step into the rhythm of grace. I don't have to strive. I am still. I know He is God. He's on the throne. He's more than enough. And most of all, my life is in the hands of the Creator.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart, O take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above

steadfast

Where to start? The past month at the ranch has been so full of the Lord. Highs and lows. Lessons learned. Surrendering. I have been journalling every day the past four weeks. Prayers, insight, verses. Anything the Lord lays on my heart. The best way for me to describe my time at the ranch so far is to post excerpts from my journal. Here we go..

May 24, 2011
Lord you have ordained this from the beginning. I have been overwhelmed by your grace. A slight understanding of your grace. It is unchanging, your love. It is finished. And I've experienced such freedom in that! I began this summer open to recieve, I surrended all and now I am feasting. I am learning, I am hearing your voice, I am done with contentment, I have a new mind, a new understanding. The questioning is gone. I live with life and joy because I have been redeemed. I am holy because you say so.


June 4, 2011
I started off my day in the office doing my bible study on David. Today's lesson was on 1 Samuel 22:6-23. It is all about Saul finding out where Davis is by his servant, Doeg. It's a crazy scene after that, with Saul having Doeg kill the priests. Saul had no reverence for God. He acted out of jealousy and hate. We see David's reaction in Psalm 52. David vents to the Lord about his enemy but also trusts that the Lord will handle it. I love David. I want the heart that will say this in times of trouble: "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; In your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints." Pslam 52:8-9. He wrote this psalm in reaction to Doeg telling Saul where he was. Really? In the midst of terror, he hopes in the Lord. He trusts in Him. He praises Him. I want a heart like that. I want the Lord to be the song I sing all day long. "In the face of unimaginable horror, we must cast our imaginations on Christ, our only hope. His word will be our anchor when our faith is tossed like waves." When the world is disappointing me, when tragedy seems too much to bear.. I turn to the Lord. He's the sustainer. His love, His word, His grace is sufficient. I love Lamentations 3:22-33. The Lord knows what is best for us. He knows when to break us and how much we can bear. But he won't overtake us. "His compassion never fails". He is close to the weak and brokenhearted. We won't be tempted beyond what we can bear. Stand on the promises of the Lord. Cling to them. And I will have a steadfast heart, like David's.


June 5, 2011
1 Samuel 23
David is on the run from Saul. He's afraid. So he seeks the Lord. he asks him questions. He trusts him. But along the way, as he runs, his fear grows. So the Lord sends him Jonathan, a friend, to encourage him. How desperately do we need a friend like Jonathan? Someone to step in and redirect your focus from the flesh to the Redeemer. And how much do we need to be a friend like Jonathan? Encouraging a friend in the Lord. Seeking their best. Wanting them to excel higher than you because you see where the Lord has called them. David was reminded of the Lord's faithfulness. The Lord had always been with him. Through trials and suffering, the Lord works in us. He hasn't forsaken you, He's teaching you. He's refining you to go where He has called you. So remember. Remember how faithful he has been. "Remember the height from which you have fallen!" Revelation 2:5. Remember how sufficient his grace is. Where has he brought you and where is he taking you? "For the word of the Lord is right and true, he is faithful in all he does." Psalm 33:4. Follow the example of David: Inquire of the Lord. Because He's the author. He holds the pen. He knows your triumphs and your failures. And he has them perfectly planned out for your good. Just like He knew the best for David in Saul's pursuit. The same God. Yesterday, today, forever.


June 8, 2011
"God has not forgotten. He has seen your battles. He has gathered your tears and blotted your brow. He knows those who have treated you unfairly. He knows when you're almost ready to give up or give in. Keep telling Him. Stay in His word. Keep claiming His promises"
                                       -Beth Moore

Psalm 1
I want to be like a tree planted by a tree. To constantly be filled up. Filled from the roots so I'll grow. Strong, healthy. Bearing fruit. I'll prosper when I walk in the counsel of the Lord. When I meditate on Him and His word. Stay far from evil and close to goodness. When we cling to the Lord, we are made strong. He watches over the righteous. He has made me righteous! Thank you for the blood Lord! That washed me white has snow. That doesn't cover me but cleanses me.


June 9, 2011
Last night Bigtop was so great! Woship amazes me. I sat back and watched for a song. I saw freedom. I saw people lifting their hands in desperation and out of overflow. They'd been set free. They'd experienced God's grace! They'd tasted and seen something good. They'd realized the work on the cross was finished. That they were free, made righteous. They had an Abba, daddy. They were sons and daughters of the king. They feasted at the king's table! And after the talk, you were there at the haybales, Lord. To meet the broken where they were. Your spirit is so sweet. Brokeness is so sweet.


June 15, 2011
In order to hear God or for God to move, I must call on Him. I must pray. Present my requests to God. How will I know it's Him if I don't ask Him to move? Call upon His name. We are saved once we CALL upon him. "The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him." Romans 10:12




Well, I just reread a lot of my journal. There are highs and lows. There are triumphs and failures. All to the glory of God. For He is perfecting His daughter. All in all, I desire a steadfast heart to the Lord.





"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28.

whatup JH Ranch

I've been at the ranch for 15 days now. I love it here and could probably just stay forever.. granted all my friends and family joined me. I have been beyond blessed by the body and fellowship here. I'm living in "the Bean" with 24 girls. Cold showers are the norm. But that's okay here. I'm also working at the front desk. Typically, it's five hour shifts.. full of answering phones, interacting with guests, and random tasks. I absolutely love it. It's definitely a shift from last summer working the kitchen. The hours are much better and I love that I am able to interact with all the guests... even though kitchen is and always will be the best. Shoutout Chef Bob! We have a weekly rodeo the first morning that guests arrive. From the barnyard breakfast to fun games to the rodeo skit! It's a bunch of fun and a great way to welcome the guests! I tried out for the rodeo skit this year and am lucky to be the youngest daughter! It is so fun! I won't be able to upload any pictures until the end of summer but oh well.

Well, this is a boring blog. I apologize for simply listing information. But this will just be an intro to the fact that I am able to blog at the Ranch. I'll occasionaly update it with tidbits of what is going on and what all the Lord is teaching me!

Call me.. JH Ranch, This is Francie!