"It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are." - Roy Disney (1893 - 1971), 

The meaning of core - the central or most important part of something. 

When we began to peel back the pages of the Bible to discover just how many times is the word core utilized? Hmm, It's not too surprising that they use the heart as a central part of things.. and not the word core.

I have always heard “Good to the Core”  But what does that mean ?? The apple is such a good example of a visual. Most of us have enjoyed that juicy ripened apple all the way to the core. 

But as we further study the goodness in man can anyone truly be “Good to the core”?  Biblical speaking if our heritage is to be free from sin then to be “Good to the Core” is almost an impossible mission! As we are told it’s in our nature to sin. As born-again Christians, this “goodness” should be our ultimate goal... But to all of us who strive to reach that almost impossible victory ring we see it as heaven. It is a slow and difficult but rewarding climb. 

I do believe we live in chaotic times. Many people have lost touch with the values that guide us to a greater understanding of who we truly are becoming ... Are we becoming everything God intended us to be?  Or is there that tiny worm 🐛 that has penetrated our soul to upset the goodness of life before us? 

We all have our struggles against the flesh. Our actions, our words, our kindness, our compassion, our forgiveness towards others, that tiny snide remark, or envious thought, or above all else our daily devotion and love for God our Heavenly Father. 

He gave us Jesus as a gift with a beautiful resolution .. Believing in Him is the only way. You are redeemed by His blood and His amazing grace.

But this gift is not a free ticket to heaven. We must put one foot in front of the other each day and give it 110 of ourselves.  We can not give our heart to Jesus and keep our feet in the path to destruction. Your innermost man will go to an internal war..  Doing the “right thing” can be a struggle but do not abandon HOPE.. because it’s is Jesus and the Holy Spirit that will give you the endurance and strength to be victorious over the worm 🐛with the mission to seek and destroy. Which in essence, will break down the goodness of the apple and it will become “ rotten to the core” 

I do not have the answers to tell you how to measure or deal with your earthly struggle. Because we all have them they are so similar yet uniquely our own. 

I can say I have witnessed and found out personally when we surrender to Jesus the easier life obstacles become. The stronger we become in our ability to ward off temptation. And His grace becomes a beautiful armor of love ❤. 

It is through the power of our Savior's precious blood that we find victory over things of this world... He is our light in our darkest hour. He is our strength when we can not withstand the heat!  He is our comforter when the world does not understand. He is our promise of HOPE. He is our role model. He is the biggest LOVE story ever told !! 

It’s Him. It’s always Him. 

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. proverbs 20:11 ESV

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 ESV

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 1 Peter 1:18-20

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinner's Prayer

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Christ the Rock - Lyric Video