by Cliff Smith
Did you ever wonder what the "Triple R" in Triple R Ranch meant. Those R's are more than just a catchy name that rolls off your tongue seamlessly. Those R's represent the spirit of something far greater. They are the spirit of who we are, why we are , where we are, and what we are. God annointed the ministries that take place on the grounds of the beautiful rolling hills, green pastures, and picturesque sunsets for a much bigger reason than its charming beauty. He was aware of the purpose that stirred in the hearts of those that would one day be involved day to day in the many facets of ministry. A purpose to provide REFUGE from LIFE's STORMs. A purpose to provide REST for the WEARY. A purpose to exercise the most fundamental concept we are charged with as followers of Christ, REVEAL GOD's LOVE.
Refuge from Life's Storms! Facing life's storms can at times be a daunting challenge. I won't begin to assume my storms are bigger or more devastating than any other persons, but I know personally, I have faced some that did me in, and I created a lot of those that I was facing. A little problem is only a little problem until you don't address it. Then it can lead to a big storm. That was my walk for years. My storms raged and caused damage both to me and many others I knew. There was a point that these storms seemed to take on a life of their own, where I didn't have to add to them. They were strong enough not only to keep going on their own, but in many instances get worse. Until I sought and found Refuge from these storms, I was tormented in a perpetual state of chaos. Of course this was not the last step, it was just the beginning. So why would the answer to finding relief from my storms be to take refuge and instead of dealing with them head on? Great question!
Rest for the Weary! I remember waking up one day and looking around wondering how I got where I was, how am I gonna get back to where i needed to be, and who was going to help me. I WAS TIRED!!!!! WORN OUT!!!!! WEARY!!!!! If anybody ever tells you they are tired, you can tell them they will be ok. It's a while to Weary. While I am joking of course, Here is how weary felt to me.....Physically I could not function to the level I was used to because I could not recuperate enough between battles to manage. Mentally I was drained to the point that simple decisions could become overwhelming often causing me to make poor choices compounding the storms in my already trouble riddled life. Spiritually I was a dry well where no comforting could be found and no peace could be harnessed. In this condition, I could not conceive of a way out, because I could not see, think, or act clearly. So how did taking refuge from my storms and resting help me get to a better place? I thought you would never ask. It allowed me to see the Love of God that was being revealed to me.
Reveal Gods' Love! I have "loved" a lot of things in my life. Everything from food to tv and movies and music, to a girl or maybe a lot of girls. I've ran the gammit on Love. What I never fully realized was that I never possessed a single ounce of Love within me. Sure I called a lot of things Love but there never was any because I never had any to give. Love comes from God! He is Love and is the source of all our Love. When I found that Love, I found what I have been craving for my entire life. You see we are created to yearn for that Love. Nothing will ever fill that void except Gods' Love. When I was exposed to this Love in other people, it was only a matter of time until I wanted to feel that for myself.
The first glimpse of Gods' Love is all it takes to know this is no ordinary thing. People spend more money and time and resourses looking for the one thing that God gave us and promised He will never take back. If you are over burdended by life's storms and too weary to see God's Love then it will be nearly impossible to experience it. You see, God's Love is an action. Not a word that is interchangeable with how we feel about a song or our favorite food. We are created to need this Love, but our chaos prevents us from ever being able to receive it. We know that it is imperative to see God's Love. That is why here at Triple R Ranch we are committed to providing a Refuge from whatever storms you may be facing, so you can focus on getting the Rest from your weariness, allowing Gods' Love to be revealed to you in his Perfect Time. Then and only then will you be ready to accept it! God Bless!!!!!
-Cliff Smith
Refuge from Life's Storms! Facing life's storms can at times be a daunting challenge. I won't begin to assume my storms are bigger or more devastating than any other persons, but I know personally, I have faced some that did me in, and I created a lot of those that I was facing. A little problem is only a little problem until you don't address it. Then it can lead to a big storm. That was my walk for years. My storms raged and caused damage both to me and many others I knew. There was a point that these storms seemed to take on a life of their own, where I didn't have to add to them. They were strong enough not only to keep going on their own, but in many instances get worse. Until I sought and found Refuge from these storms, I was tormented in a perpetual state of chaos. Of course this was not the last step, it was just the beginning. So why would the answer to finding relief from my storms be to take refuge and instead of dealing with them head on? Great question!
Rest for the Weary! I remember waking up one day and looking around wondering how I got where I was, how am I gonna get back to where i needed to be, and who was going to help me. I WAS TIRED!!!!! WORN OUT!!!!! WEARY!!!!! If anybody ever tells you they are tired, you can tell them they will be ok. It's a while to Weary. While I am joking of course, Here is how weary felt to me.....Physically I could not function to the level I was used to because I could not recuperate enough between battles to manage. Mentally I was drained to the point that simple decisions could become overwhelming often causing me to make poor choices compounding the storms in my already trouble riddled life. Spiritually I was a dry well where no comforting could be found and no peace could be harnessed. In this condition, I could not conceive of a way out, because I could not see, think, or act clearly. So how did taking refuge from my storms and resting help me get to a better place? I thought you would never ask. It allowed me to see the Love of God that was being revealed to me.
Reveal Gods' Love! I have "loved" a lot of things in my life. Everything from food to tv and movies and music, to a girl or maybe a lot of girls. I've ran the gammit on Love. What I never fully realized was that I never possessed a single ounce of Love within me. Sure I called a lot of things Love but there never was any because I never had any to give. Love comes from God! He is Love and is the source of all our Love. When I found that Love, I found what I have been craving for my entire life. You see we are created to yearn for that Love. Nothing will ever fill that void except Gods' Love. When I was exposed to this Love in other people, it was only a matter of time until I wanted to feel that for myself.
The first glimpse of Gods' Love is all it takes to know this is no ordinary thing. People spend more money and time and resourses looking for the one thing that God gave us and promised He will never take back. If you are over burdended by life's storms and too weary to see God's Love then it will be nearly impossible to experience it. You see, God's Love is an action. Not a word that is interchangeable with how we feel about a song or our favorite food. We are created to need this Love, but our chaos prevents us from ever being able to receive it. We know that it is imperative to see God's Love. That is why here at Triple R Ranch we are committed to providing a Refuge from whatever storms you may be facing, so you can focus on getting the Rest from your weariness, allowing Gods' Love to be revealed to you in his Perfect Time. Then and only then will you be ready to accept it! God Bless!!!!!
-Cliff Smith
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