The Ranch Vision
Today, February 10, 2014, marks the 34th year since God called us to a retreat and restoration ministry and gave Roger the vision of the Ranch here in So. West Colorado. The number 34 means ‘endurance’ and can also be seen as 3+4 = 7 which is the Biblical number for ‘completion’ or 3×4 =12 which means ‘divine rule, power and authority.’
Over the days since the vision was given, 12,410 of them, we have learned many things, grown spiritually, and received so many  confirmations from the Lord, that we simply could not walk away from what Father has destined for us. Please don’t think that many times we haven’t wanted to!  But God…
Today we recall the many times He has brought people into our lives that have spoken significant words of direction and/or encouragement to us […]

Victims walk in fear, but God’s word says, “Perfect love casts out all fear.”  Anyplace in our lives where we find fear, we can be certain that we are not walking in love.  Perfect love is not a thing; He is a Person, our Abba Father.

One of the biggest victories in my Christian walk was learning that I must walk in dominion rather than victimization.  For me, it began to happen as I realized how fearful I was and that I was more than performance orientated, I was super performance orientated! […]

How many of us in the Body of Christ truly live up to our rightful place as a child of the Most High God?  How many of us realize we are living below that place in God where He desires us to be?  How many of us believe we have succeeded in life when in God’s eyes we have failed to reach the heights of our calling?  In reality, what is our potential?  If I feel I have arrived and I’m satisfied with my accomplishments I would be wise to ask Father if He agrees with my assessment.  Otherwise, I risk living below my potential in God in a diminished stature. […]

“The kingdoms of this world shall become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever – King of kings and Lord of lords”.  ~The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.

Of whose kingdom do you belong?  If you walk in a religious spirit, then you belong to a worldly kingdom and the Lord Christ is not your focus.  Is the church your god?  Are you so busy performing for Him – doing good things for your self-worth, that you do not walk in intimacy with Him? […]

This article by Rick Joyner and the one that follows by Roger will stir your heart and also challenge you as we enter 2014.  We hope that you’ll take time to read both articles together and follow carefully the wisdom that Father is sharing with us concerning the New Year.  Great miracles as well as great challenges are ahead for everyone.  We will need Father and His love to help us navigate through what is coming.  Let’s choose life and blessing not death and cursing, for both will loom in our sights in the coming months.  I send you blessings for the coming year.  Gerri

Rick Joyner: Happy New Year! If You Follow Your Calling, This Will Be Your Best Year Yet
Jan 3, 2014

We will continue our study of how the kingdoms […]

A couple of weeks ago a ministry partner recommended that we read a book by Bill Hamon entitled “Apostles, Prophets and the Coming Moves of God.”  We purchased it and I began to read.  The following quote really grabbed my attention.

“On April 20, 1996 John Jimenez coordinated a Washington for Jesus rally.  Approximately 1 million Christians attended.  The platform was on the front steps of the U. S. Capitol.  Though it rained most of the day, God’s purpose was accomplished.  At 8:30 AM Cindy Jacobs prayed an intercessory prayer for America over those gigantic loud speakers.  I (Bill Hamon) gave a prophetic decree and prophecy to the nation concerning God’s purpose and dealings with the USA.  One prophetic declaration was that God would move in His goodness, mercy, and spiritual revival to turn this nation back to God and […]

Lesson 1 ~ The Cleaning Lady

During my se4cond month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz.  I was a  conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:  “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”  Surely this was some kind of joke, I thought.  I had seen the cleaning woman several times.  She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50’s, but how would I know her name?  I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.  Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
“Absolutely,” said the professor.  “In your careers, you will meet many people.  All are significant…They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.”
I’ve never  forgotten […]

If you have son(s) and/or daughter(s) who are prodigals waiting to come home – NEVER EVER GIVE UP and NEVER underestimate the power of a praying parent!  If you do not have a prodigal, please be mindful of those that do.  Undergird and encourage them and offer to PRAY FOR THEIR PRODIGALS with them! If you are a POP, pray for YOUR prodigals and pray often for other prodigals and their parents, because every time you do, you release a seed for others to pray for YOUR prodigal!

This time of year is always especially difficult for parents of prodigals (POP’s).  Holidays can find the prodigals very far away from home sometimes physically, but always spiritually. Prodigals come in all sizes and in many phases of their departure from the Lord.  Some have just left and begun […]

This morning we awakened to 4″ of new fallen snow.  It is breathtaking and beautiful.  When you step outside the silence of the moment allows the Holy Spirit to speak Father’s heart through that silence.  But with all it’s beauty also comes the work of snow removal.  Four inches doesn’t seem like much, but when you have to move it, it can be a daunting task for senior citizens!  Rog went out ahead of me to get started and he had about half of the driveway cleared when I came on the scene to try and help him.

In our new neighborhood we have a steep hill and the end of the driveway is at the base of this hill.  When the road plow comes off that hill, he is […]

We declare over you:
“You are His beloved, you are victorious, you are glorious, you are stalwart, you are an overcomer, you are blessed, your are
creative, you are the light of the world and the salt of the earth, you are the righteousness of God in Christ, you are
the healed, you are the redeemed, you are accepted, you are loved, you are favored, you are prosperous, you are successful,  you are a blessing, you are the heir of God and you are the living and breathing, radiant example of God’s goodness on earth
AND THE FATHER IS  THANKFUL FOR YOU!”

Thanksgiving Blessings,

Roger and Gerri

Here is a comment to our last post  from our mentor, Al Ells of Leaders That Last Ministries in Mesa, AZ.   It’s a really insightful word.

Dear Roger and Gerri:

This morning in my quiet time before Dad, He reminded me of 1 Kings 9-13 where Elijah did not find his Lord in the wind, the earthquake or the fire…but in the stillness.  Stillness is the greatest preparation for intimacy.  Stillness of movement, stillness of spirit, stillness of speech and stillness of thought.  Often times the deepest imprint of our Father’s love and light comes only when we are completely still before Him.  He speaks to us and loves on us most profoundly in the quiet.

Thanks for the encouragement,

Al

Rev. Alfred H. Ells, MC
Executive Director
Leaders that Last Ministries
1356 E. McKellips Rd., #103
Mesa, AZ 85203
www.leadersthatlast.org

On November 14th we sent an email to our  mailing list encouraging all to slow down during this upcoming season.  Here is what we shared in that email:
As we all get ready for the holiday season, let’s remember to pause and spend quality and quantity time with Him.
May we all stop many times throughout our day and just say, “Holy Spirit Rest On Me.”

We bless you now in the peace that comes in knowing who you are and that you are doing what your Father wants you to do,
and that He is pleased with you.  We bless you with the blessing of savoring, soaking in and rejoicing in the protection of doing the right thing at the right time at the right place in the right way, because you know your identity in your Father’s house.  We […]

Have you noticed that most of us don’t like to be challenged about our beliefs or traditions?  What is that phrase we’ve heard said, something like, “I’m comfortable where I am.  Don’t bother me with the truth.”  Sometimes a challenge to our beliefs/traditions produces an offensive response.  We get defensive, angry, fearful, or prideful […]

Oct 31, 2013

It has been said that one of our great purposes in life is to give  birth to ourselves. We have to find the purpose for which God created us, and allow Him to give birth to it.  Along the way, we must be very careful about what we allow to define us.

Throughout my life, I’ve had my fair lot of heart-wrenching situations, including the loss of loved ones, abandonment, rejection,  and betrayal from those whom I thought were trustworthy friends.  The  list goes on and on. Each of those circumstances tried to paralyze me  and imprison me, defining my destiny.  But, each time, God broke in,  offering me a way to freedom. […]

We are pleased to announce that our relocation back to Colorado is now complete.  THE OFFICE HAS RE-OPENED AND WE ARE  AVAILABLE AGAIN FOR MINISTRY.  Our Father has been very faithful and has granted many of our heart’s desires in ways only He knew would be a blessing to us!  He has chosen to locate us in Forest Lakes, Bayfield, CO 81122 and our  mandate to see the hearts of men and women changed by the power of His love in our local area as well as around the world through the web has not changed.  We are very excited to begin this new part of our journey.  If you would like to contact us, you can do so by clicking here:  https://placesinthefathersheart.org/contact.php.  Please note we are now in Mountain Standard Time.

Blessings,

Roger and Gerri

We celebrated our 50th with our arrival back in Colorado!  Heavier but definitely happier, and with Father’s love shared together, we have accomplished something many do not accomplish in our culture today…50 years of marriage.  Today we have learned the art of love, honor and respect.  This is the result of our ever-growing, intimate relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and it is a blessing to be able to give away the secrets of a healthy love relationship with others when they inquire as to how we’ve succeeded in lasting so long!  In September 1963 we were in lust with each other.  Now in 2013, 50 years later, we are truly in love with each other and we are experiencing daily how to allow our human spirits to connect powerfully […]

The following is an addendum, or an ‘amen’ to the recent article I published on “The Sin of Religion”.  In this quote taken directly from Hosting the Presence, page 110, by Bill Johnson, he writes to strongly confirm what I attempted to describe in my article.  It seemed appropriate to share this with you and encourage you to get a copy of Hosting The Presence at http://store.ibethel.org/p6192/hosting-the-presence-book

Here is what Bill writes and my comments as it relates to my article are in the [ ].

“Bible schools and seminaries prioritize teaching instead of doing. [religion] Greek and Hebrew are important, but not more important than learning to recognize His voice and release the miracle of healing to someone. [relationship]  […]

When Jesus came to live among us, the condition of the church (synagogue) was far from the heart of God.  The Pharisees, Scribes and Lawyers were legalistic bullies that ruled by fear and intimidation.  For the most part they were corrupt and godless with little, if any, demonstration of the love of God.  When confronted with the love and power of God in Jesus they were threatened and offended that someone, anyone, would dare demonstrate to the people anything different than their religious tradition.  It seems obvious that these religious leaders were unaware that they were a stench in the nostrils of God!  Their angry and violent response to Jesus is evidence that their sin of religion was a wall of separation between them and the heart of their Heavenly Father.  They did not have eyes […]

The width and breadth of life cannot contain Heaven’s majesty.  The mind cannot consider the magnitude of God!  Life is at its fullest when the natural yields to the supernatural and flesh yields to spirit.  How far from My design has man chosen to live?  I call again and again ‘come up higher and enjoy new life,’ but few will risk leaving their comfort zones.   The deception of religion holds many captive.  Any and every new thing I do is a threat rather than a blessing and therefore rejected by most.  So now I will pour out upon those who hear Me an abundance that will set them apart as a beacon on a hill and expose the darkness of the multitudes.  I will not give up.  I will call until the end.  Selah.

Father

As most of you know from previous blog posts, we are in transition.  We are leaving Conway, SC and relocating back to Bayfield, CO where Father is positioning us to see the fulfillments of the vision of a Christian retreat which He gave in February 1980.  Today we know that we have been released from Conway, but we have not yet arrived back in Bayfield…we are living in “Between”!

Living through any transition is difficult and stressful as many have experienced.  We aren’t here and we aren’t there yet!  […]

Our ministry assignment here in Conway, SC has come to a close.  We will be relocating Places In The Father’s Heart ministry back to our homeland of Southwestern Colorado.  Our office will close here in South Carolina at 5 PM EST on August 26, 2013.  Once we are settled in Colorado, we will post the new office location and hours.  As we travel this journey, we will be available on a limited basis via the Contact Page located on our website – www.placesinthefathersheart.org  Please feel free to use that to stay in touch.  We appreciate your prayers as we relocate to position for the fulfillment of the vision of the retreat and restoration center – THE PLACE OF HIS PRESENCE.

Resting in the Father’s Embrace,
Roger and Gerri

On July 8th, 2013, I (Roger) received the following from Father:

“Warriors arise and prepare!  Your destiny is at hand.  Now is the time to prepare your weapons.  You must become one with your weapon!  Live with it!  Eat with it!  Sleep with it!  Never let it leave your side.  It must go wherever you go so you can practice with it everyday, every hour and at every opportunity.  Practice.  Practice.  Practice.  Your Heavenly Father provides your weapon and it never fails.  Supply is unlimited.  Love is the Father’s weapon of choice, so it must be your […]

Life is love  ~  In other words, life itself is rooted in love.  Because life itself is rooted in God and God is love (I John 4:8), therefore in order to experience the fullness of life that God intended for us, we must experience the fullness of love that He intended for us.  If we have life, it is because of love.

Love is life  ~ In other words, the depth/measure of/quality of love that we experience directly equates to the fullness of life we enjoy.  So how full are we?

Have you noticed that as a human being we have love needs in three distinct, yet inner connected areas.  These three areas are known as body, soul and spirit, or you could also say, physical, emotional and spiritual.  This is God’s creation for […]

In our circles we talk a lot about a ‘Culture of Honor.’ Have you ever wondered what this really looks like?

I believe the heart of honor is to take the strength of my life and pour it into yours.

To be more specific, we honor our children by giving them powerful choices. We honor our friends and spouses by helping them maximize their potential. We honor our leaders by supporting and strengthening them.

Honor focuses on empowering the people around us, no matter who they are, or what their gender, age, status or role. […]

There’s a reason why breaking up from a sexual relationship is much more emotionally painful and much harder to forget than one that didn’t involve sex. There are several neurochemical processes that occur during sex, which are the “glue” to human bonding.

Sex is a powerful brain stimulant. When someone is involved sexually, it makes him or her want to repeat that act. Their brain produces lots of dopamine—a powerful chemical, which is compared to heroin on the brain. Dopamine is your internal pleasure/reward system. When dopamine is involved, it changes how we remember.

The other part is oxytocin, which is designed to mainly help us forget […]