The "A" Word.

  People try to avoid it. Many are overcome by it. Everyone is changed by it. Affliction is inevitable. No matter how hard we try to avoid it as some point in our lives we all cross paths with it. Affliction comes in various ways, and for some worse than others. We are all affected by it. I know what you're thinking- "how is this supposed to encourage me?". The truth is apart from CHRIST it can't and it won't. We live in a fallen world of sin and depravity, and because of that affliction exists. We sin, and we are sinned against. Sometimes we are hurt by the very ones we expect to protect us. So how is there hope? How to we keep going if all we feel is broken, and burdened. By hope! Psalm 34 reads that "the affliction of the righteous are many" but GOD helps us through them all. We will not be overcome by it. It gets better- instead of being overcome by it we overcome it. The worst affliction we could undergo is condemnation from GOD- but if we are in CHRIST we don't have to. We are rescued from the smallest of afflictions by hope because of GOD and we are spared the greatest affliction because of GOD. That is the encouragement. Psalm 22 expresses the heaviness of affliction and that the affliction of GOD's people hurts HIM. So why does HE let us go through it? Because HE is EL ROI, the GOD WHO SEES. HE sees both the evil and the good (Psalm 15:3). HE knows what lies ahead for HIS people- healing. HE lets us go through some of the worst things because HE knows there is healing and wisdom that comes from it. So where does healing come from? JEHOVAH-RAPHA, the GOD WHO HEALS. That is the encouragement I have and I share with you.

The Preborn Person's Plea

  One day it hit me! A still small voice, both firm and full of compassion, saying to me "Frances, you have to do something about this!" Reality rang loud and clear as I pursued action "you will offend many, and many will hate you". These were my constant and consistent thoughts as I approached the day in which I would stand for the killing of the preborn. I knew the risk and it did not discourage me because I know the truth of Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." So I stood there holding graphic images and passing out literature to attendees of Passion 2017. What I saw saddened me, but did not surprise me. What I saw on the faces of thousands of professing Christians was apathy, disgust, dissapointment, and anger. I was not angry at their reaction but rather broken hearted. The apathy one carries is the fate of many yet born. One day we will all be accountable before a HOLY GOD for our actions -or lack there of. I stood there fighting discouragement as my brothers and sisters passed me by some intentionally ignoring me and the others that stood with me on behalf of preborn children.
   I thank my GOD for those who stopped to talk and to listen. I answered their questions, some full of hatred, to the best of my human ability with the words the HOLY SPIRIT had given me. I witnessed 2 grow men cry as the HOLY SPIRIT opened their hearts to see the truth of abortion.  I spoke with sisters that stood to listen of the beautiful, sacred life of preborn children. I, through the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT and making myself vulnerable, proved one woman's argument invalid concerning the choice of human life.
  It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows though. I was spit at, cursed at, intentionally ignored, and mocked as I stood to encourage others to stand for human life. My heart broke knowing that one day these people would all face GOD for their actions and lack of- just as I will. I refuse to be someone who sits on my butt and claims to be "pro-life" when others are being murdered. Proverbs 24:11 commands us to reach out on behalf of those being taken away to death- to the slaughter. JESUS commands us to ACT as the good Samaritan did out of compassion for those being left to die. Did you know that 25% of people are prolife, 25% prochoice, and 50% don't care- of these only .0001% are standing for human life. These numbers break my heart. I know the risk. The truth is offensive, therefore I cannot expect to share it and not offend others. My life is not about making myself greater. If people look pass me but see the greatness of GOD then I ought praise HIM. My life is to make HIM known no matter the cost to my own. 
So I plead on behalf of dieing children being murdered daily- stand with me and my brothers and sisters of CBR for their cause. Abortion is murder. I believe in the truth of Romans 8:1 that there is NO condemnation for those who are IN CHRIST JESUS, yet this ought not be an excuse to proceed with abortion. We are supposed to act as the good Samaritan, and not be passive like the priest and the Levite. We are not to take GOD'S gifted grace for granted but to act in good works as our brother Paul reminds us.
I plead to you on behalf of the preborn person- ACT out of compassion in boldness and humility.
   Much love, Frances Hope

HE has Made Me Beauti-FULL!

I am not waiting for my love story to happen because it already has, and therefore I will not wait to experience the little things that express how special it is (for me it was the photo shoot).  I have already come to know and even more so be known by the ONE I love dearly and will further love me unconditionally. I am constantly learning more of who HE is and dwelling in HIS wonderful attributes. HE is the most honest, faithful, and compassionate being that I will ever know. HE constantly keeps HIS promises, and I love HIM so much for this. HE is my ABBA, my BELOVED, my BEST FRIEND- HE is my GOD. NO one will ever be capable of loving the way HE does. HE has pursued me to the point of death on a cross. HE has chosen me, therefore I am not waiting to live my life in hope of a lesser love story. So many are waiting, seeking, and spinning in circles trying to fill the void with a lesser love that will never- no never satisfy, but as for me- I refuse. There is none that will ever come close to comparison- no, not one. There is not a more profound and intimate love than that that HE holds. Psalm 139 says that HE has intricately woven us, and knows our every hour for HE has written them in HIS book- it does not get more intimate than that! I stand firmly in my knowledge that there is not a greater love story out there than that of GOD's sacrificial love- and so I tell you "I am not waiting."- are you?

     We live in a world that promotes a seductive, maintained, up-to-date outer appearance that abandons any focus on inner character. All that seeking to perfect outer appearance does is leave us wanting more, because it will never be enough! Never! The cycle of trends will only continue to constantly change leaving you feeling like your always one step behind. Attire is one insatiable want, but it is not the only one- because the world is selling you a ideal body shape, and telling you the do's and don't of covering your facial "flaws". The world is screaming lies out to you, but only to hide the gentle whisper of GOD's voice saying "come to me." If you are seeking to please the world's standard of beautiful you will only feel empty and like you will never be good enough, because in their eyes- you wont. I am telling you this because I know I have been there- yet I chose to stop and listen to HIS quiet and gentle voice say "come, and seek MY face". The more you chose to seek HIS face instead of worrying about perfecting your own- the more you will start to feel the weight of the lies lift of your shoulders. After you let go of the lies you will start to feel it for the first time- beauti-FULL. My dear, inner character that is shaped by the hand of GOD comes from within. Inner beauty is that of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in HIS eyes (1 Peter 3:3-4)  "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30) Dwell in the radiance of inner character my dear.

    Dear friends know this truth: "modesty is more than covering your physical body- it's about the intentions of the heart." Of whom are you seeking to please? If you are after the attention and approval of an onlooking world be prepared to continuosly feel empty. If you are after their attention constantly seeking to "perfect" your appearance you are forsaking the very heart of modesty. Seeking for their attention will only leave you on a continuous search to fill the void that cannot be filled by that besides GOD alone. So I charge you dear one "stop!" and listen to HIS gentle, quiet, and truth filled whisper!

     Lastly, I want you to know the meaning of my ring (pictured below)- it is not what you think. Today the world is selling the trend of the "purity ring"- of which I am not fully opposed, but yet a part of me is. I do not support the full idea of the purity ring, because I know how quickly it can become a symbol of self-righteousness and legalism. The main idea behind the purity ring is to remain pure for that special someone, but what does that mean? Apart from CHRIST no one is truly pure- for all have sinned. -Pause- I do fully stand in support of remaining physically pure outside and inside of biblical marriage.- Resume- So no it is not a purity ring. This ring is a symbol of HIS steadfast and unchanging love for me. On the inside of my ring is engraved "Romans 8:37-39" to remind me that nothing can separate me from HIS love- not even my own sin. The Ichthus or "JESUS fish" as many call it is a symbol of persecuted christians in history past that clung to the very truth of HIS unseparable love- and that is the love that I today cling to. So dear friends- if you hear anything of what I am saying hear this "only JESUS can satisfy for their is no greater love than HIS sacrificial love".

In a nutshell: 1) My point was to show that yes there are things reserved for marriage, but it's okay to eat of your fine china (or experience a photo shoot) while you are single. GOD calls us to different seasons of life and there is beauty in embracing them with contentment.
2) I wanted to show you that taking pictures that make you feel pretty don't have to appear seductive, and you don't have to dress in a physically revealing way.  True beauty comes inward out!

So, do you feel beauti-FULL?

Much love and gratitude, Frances Hope

Special thanks to: 

*Christina Paz for taking wonderful pictures and making me feel naturally beautiful in the process, for encouraging the very heart of my reasoning behind this shoot: to take pictures that were proper opposed to the world's standards.

*Anna Bryson for "directing", and making me laugh. Thank you for seeking the LORD in the midst of this beautiful season of singleness alongside me. 

*The Posh Peach for loaning your lovely clothes to us for this shoot!

*B Anderson for this beautiful flower garland!

*MyChurch for letting us use your land for this shoot.

*Most of all: Thank you JESUS for stealing, holding, and caring for my heart so well!

Back in the "Real" World!

All I can say is "Ahhhhhhhh!". What a faithful GOD I serve who provides so much for me, even when my heart is full of doubt! Seriously, HE has blown me away with the ways HE keeps providing. Don't get me wrong- I do not believe in a prosperity gospel- but that's why it blows me away so much! I don't deserve it, and all I need is HIM alone- yet HE provides all the little things I need in this life. Just when I reach that moment of I'm not going to make it- HE provides. Just when I think I won't be able to support myself financially HE gives. Bills don't pay themselves and I am crunched as I am in the process of looking for a job as I return back to school. What an amazing faithful GOD I serve who provides all that I need and more even in the midst of my doubting heart! Yet even if HE did not provide for me the things of this broken life I know I would have all that I need, because I have HIM- my BELOVED ABBA!

Oh, I suppose you want to hear about camp! I apologize (sort of, but not really-because it's who I am) for my giddy heart, and that the thought almost escaped me! In a nutshell camp was- well "sanctifying"! Seriously, I have become even more aware of my sin than I was before, and the process  was not an easy road. If you know me at all than you already know there were tears, and lots of them. After all I am 95% emotional and 5% (a generous ammount) rational. I am so thankful that the summer was a rocky road of sanctification- because it lead me to HIM more, and because of that I feel my heart is better prepared for the road that lies ahead....
Until next time!
Love always, Frances Hope

A Note from the Nook. (#2)

Well here I am again writting to update those who may be reading this. (Sorry for the brief and jumbled update- time is a precious thing). Camp is coming to an end with only a week and a half in the running. Two and a half months in and it seems like I have been here for years. The LORD has surely been stretching me to the max this summer. There has been much laughter, many tears, and many more memories as I have had the privilege to serve others. The realization that serving is a privilege did not come easy. I was reading Galatians when it hit me- GOD does NOT need to use me, but HE chooses to. HE is perfectly capable of doing things on HIS own, yet HE chooses to use sinful, emotional, messed up me! Serving HIM and being used by HIM is above what I deserve. I am ruined by sin and HE has chosen to redeem me for HIS service that HE might be glorified. Talk about a humbling knock upside the head. Yet I must be cautious for in becoming selfless- self righteousness can disguise itself and drag one downward. I know and feel the enemy working against me as I seek to serve the LORD. The road has been rocky, but as always GOD has been faithful.
Much love, Frances Hope

A Note from the Nook. (#1)

Here I am sitting in "my office" pondering upon the LORD's work eager to share what HE is doing with you. I will not deny that there have been tears and strife as the LORD has been shaping me the past 3(ish) weeks. HE has been humbling me that I might be a better servant to HIM and others, and it appears HIS choice tool is a chisel.  I must put others constantly before myself and living that out is much harder than simply knowing it. I have become more and more aware of my sin, yet it draws me back to grace. Sweet, steadfast, unceasing grace! The truth is I have failed. I have failed to love my brothers and sisters before myself. I have failed to be in the word. I have failed to be selfless. I have failed to be mindful. I have overall failed. I have wept for my shortcomings, and I have wept in gratitude of grace. I am so thankful to be serving a merciful GOD who has lead me so well. HE is my ABBA and I am constantly drawn back to HIS steadfast love (sometimes by force). Being on Program staff is not the same in the slightest way, because it literally means to put others before yourself. I am learning what it means to lead, and what it means to truly submit to authority. Both require the act of putting others needs and sometimes wants first. I am dwelling on the truth that JESUS came to serve and not to be served. I'm thankful that HE is compassionate and sympathetic. So if your wondering if HE is working- the answer is yes, and in more ways than you know.
Much love, Frances

Future Pending....

Well today is that day. The day I take my first step towards tomorrow, and leave behind all that defined yesterday. I jump from the cliffs of stability, from all that was good and comfortable into the depths of uncertainty. I'm excited and terrified in the same breath. I prayed and pondered and now through faith, and a little fear I am responding in obedience to the LORD's calling for me. I am leaving a job that I loved, with godly women who encouraged me and spoke truth unto my heart so often. Soon I will be leaving the home in which I have always known. I am running the path that is set before me, because I'm afraid to slow down or else I might turn back around. I am praying "dear ABBA I will obey you, I will trust you, and I will have faith that you will guide me... But help me to do all these things as I know due to sin nature I will fail." The waters of uncertainty of tomorrow suround me, and I choose through grace to surrender in it. Now all that I know is that HE holds my tomorrow, and all that I can see is that my future is pending.