Meaning of fragile easily broken or damaged.

The word fragile only appears three times in the Bible... 

When I think of the word fragile my mind sees a gentle beautiful rose... how delicate each rose petal seems. She is much like our life... beautiful and delicate and as precious as the dew that gently kisses her each new day. 

Do we value this gift of life? Do we value each new day?  Do we value each soul that touches our life? Do we value the time spent with others? Do we value our Creator, or do we robotically take all things in our world for granted?? Life is fragile. Time is a fragile gift... How we spend and share our time can change how we value the things that surround us each new day...

If there is one thing, I have learned during this amazing journey is that I am fragile.  Life, Love, and time are all fragile!!! 

I had this idea in my head that I was in control!  I felt I was a fairly strong, confident human. 

But when God stripped me down to the rawness of who I truly was ... I became like a fragile infant in His caring hands...It was a scary but beautiful time of discovery ... I had to face who I had become... 

As He gently unraveled my mind, my body, and soul...  I remember saying ... 

I felt like I was coming apart at the seams... My heart felt like it was being circumcised... My heart became fragile, and it did bleed... I won’t lie it was sometimes a painful process...

But as He began to peel the layers of life away... My once bound soul began to breathe... My heart began to sing a new song... and Life seemed to burst into amazing living colors ...

It sounds strange, but I was not even aware that I was in this state of robotic living ... 

Until one day ... I met this amazing living loving God... He is my Knight in shining armor!!!  My Savior, My heart ... 

He gently held me as I spiritually became undone ... He wiped the many tears that fell ... and I was drawn into His heart as He gently whispered words of love to my soul...

He methodical began to teach me new ways to see the beauty of life...and I felt a love that is not of this world... and like the famous nursery rhyme Humpy Dumpty He began to put me together again... He lifted the fog and I could finally see... 

I now realize in my robotic state I was missing so much. I had become lost in life. My strength was a cloak that I adorned before others... So they could not see my internal fragile state... 

I found being in that vulnerable fragile state was not as bad as I once thought... I did learn, If I run to Him, and allow Him to hold me in His loving hands ... He is all I need… He is all I need to face each beautiful new day... 

He has realigned my heart and what I value most... Life... Love... Time & Relationships...

I am still a work in progress ...

He has given me a beautiful irreplaceable gift!!! 

It’s Him, It’s always Him!! 

My Knight. My Love... My strength!!! With Him all things are possible!!! He WOWs me.

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous! John 14:27 

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Leanna Crawford - Fragile Heart (Lyric Video)

Judas sold his soul for thirty pieces of silver…. I wonder, what is the price for a soul these days??

Meaning of sold (sell) Transferring the property of a thing for a price or equivalent in money.

We located 101 verses that speak to the word sold.

As we embark on this Christmas Season the word sold came to my mind as I sat in my car in front of a group of retail stores...I sat there and just people watched... Many were bustling around, there seemed to be great excitement in the air..  I am not sure if the pace seemed fast because of excitement of the holiday or perhaps it was due to the cold weather... Many were taking great care in picking out the most beautiful tree on the lot. And soon a salesperson allowed the money to exchange hands and just like that the tree was sold....   

With Christmas Music playing softly on my car radio,  my mind soon drifted here.. This is the most amazing time of year... I for personal reasons love it!!! Because of a personal gift I received from my Creator!!  

But then I thought it is so sad that so many people have bought into the commercialism of such a significant day... And my eyes welled up with tears and my heart became heavy.  

So how and when did we lose our grip on what Christmas Day is truly about?? 

I feel it is a "Black Friday Day" when our main goal is to scurry into a store pick out a gift for our families and friends without asking ourselves if we are sold out to the Birthday Boy Himself?? What are we giving Him this year??  Have we bought into the most amazing LOVE we could ever receive??  It is no secret that we have already been bought for a price!! It is His priceless gift to all mankind... 

Have you asked Him, What do You want for your Birthday??? 

Or is He even on your shopping list?? Stop and think about that for just a moment? Only you and your heart know the answer... I say...

Celebrate Him this Christmas by giving Him your LOVE... It truly is what He desires most!!  Place Him at the top of your Christmas list today and forevermore. 

1.        Jesus 

It's Him! It’s always Him!!! 

Merry CHRISTmas... I pray you too become sold out for Jesus. It truly is where our treasure of life and love begins... 

 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19 -21ESV

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Hawk Nelson - Sold Out (Official Lyric Video)

The meaning of Waning and Waxing: Waxing means “growing” or expanding in illumination, and waning means “shrinking” or decreasing in illumination. 

When we look at these words they seem to point us to the moon phases… 

I truly have no idea why they tugged at my heart today… I can only say that I seem to feel those same types of pulls on my heart and soul. 

Our Creator seems to have placed a force that keeps every little detail of creation in its place…. The total Universe seems to be affected by what we know as gravitational pull… 

He created the moon to be the tidal force that causes Earth—and its water—to bulge out on the side closest to the moon and the side farthest from the moon. These bulges of water are called high tides. These tides interact with our earth's surface... 

I question, 

Do we have a similar pull that interacts with our Creator? Did our Creator put this gravitational pull into our very DNA? Are we all on this spiritual migration home? 

As I travel on the quest to unlock this mystery and grow closer to my Creator … my first love.. I have come to the realization of the similarities between the ebb tide of the ocean and our relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

I will admit there are times I feel Him so strong that it is difficult to contain the tears as they stream down my face. I can feel this beautiful yet mysterious gravitational pull that He so lovingly placed within the depths of my soul. 

But then there are the times I  feel He has placed some distance between us… and the closeness I once felt is lifted, and it grieves my soul  … My soul longs for His presence… The struggle to find Him is real… 

And then I remember that beautiful day in May when I felt a love so strong that it left me forever changed… He gave me a gift that filled my soul with a love far beyond my own understanding…. So, When we try to rationalize these moments in our mind, it can become a heartfelt perplexing feeling…. 

There is no way I can not deny His existence… I can only trust Him.. and wait… waiting is the most difficult task… longing for His presence is such an emotional quickening of the soul … 

The Waning and Waxing becomes a beautiful dance of the heart. It's a love story between me and a precious soul that has loved me before I was even born…  

He illuminates my life like the beautiful moon on the darkest of nights… 

I so love the moon... 

It’s Him, it will always be Him!! 

Dance with Him like no one is watching - slow, quick, quick. Your life will never be the same. 

Job 26:

He makes the moon wax and wane, putting it through its phases.

Photography & written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Fly Me to The Moon - Diana Panton

"Stab the body and it heals, but injure the heart and the wound lasts a lifetime." ~ Mineko Iwasaki

The meaning of wound: an injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, typically one in which the skin is cut or broken." a knife wound

We located 23 verses in the Bible that speak of the word wound... 

When we look at the word wound it can take us in a few different directions... There are wounds of the flesh... wounds of the heart and even wounds of the soul... 

How many of us can remember that when we received a wound as a child we would run to our parents for comfort... They would wipe our tears... examine the wound. Clean the area, dress the wound, kiss the boo-boo and that is where the healing begins...

Have you ever stopped to realize the wound heals from the inside? It continues to heal one layer at a time until we can see a scar over the spot where the wound once stood ... The hurt becomes just a memory...

The wounds of the heart and soul go much deeper... and seems to be harder to heal... I have lived long enough to feel the pain of a wounded heart... In various life trials... I have grieved the loss of loved ones... I do think the hurt gets better with time. But the yearning to see their face will linger for a lifetime... And we learn to continue to love them from afar.  

As we continue on this journey of life. There will be moments when words and actions from others cut into our hearts like a cold steel knife ... Those wounds bleed and leave deep scars... They seem to heal over time... but due to the emotional memories stored in the heart, they can resurface from time to time. The bleeding stops but our heart may revisit the hurtful memory... and tears may fall... it is part of God's cleansing process... 

I do believe we as a people can be more thoughtful towards others. Let’s work on treating others with kindness and understanding. There is enough pain and trauma in our world... Our love and actions toward others speak volumes to who we are.. not who they are.

I do believe that the soul can heal all wounds... because it knows to go to our Creator.  He is the only source that can cleanse all wounds from the inside, out. He heals our wounds one layer at a time... Some call it growth, some call it healing... and then there are those that claim the miracle. 

Abiding in His grace, His abundant love is the only medicine that has such amazing healing properties. With one gentle touch, He frees our heart...heals our mind, and brings new life to our soul... 

Knowing where to run when we are wounded in this thing we call life... is the key to healing... it’s the key to understanding... His LOVE is the Key to all things... even the deepest of wounds... Run to Him... Fall into His open arms... grieve not my child... 

It’s Him. it’s always Him!!! 

He is the key 🔑…and if I have not said it today...I love Him for who He is... the mighty healer of ALL.

Moreover, the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound. Isaiah 30:26

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube) 

Healer by Planetshakers Lyrics

Through love and memories, we are immortal.

Meaning of loss: to be deprived of or cease to have or retain (something).

We located twenty verses that speak to the subject of loss... 

When we feel the ache of loss. It can wound our hearts and crush our very soul... 

Why do we try to hang on to people, places, and or things?? 

What causes the yearning for a time gone by?  Are we selfishly clinging to memories of what we once had?  Or do we miss the ones that we once held so close?  Do miss their face, their smile, and long to hear their voice? 

I believe when you feel love in your heart, you ignite the fire within your soul, and you become alive... 

When the soul is alive beautiful memories can be made and felt with all your senses. These memories are stored within your mind, heart... and soul... And stay with you always. 

The ability to truly love is an amazing gift, from our Heavenly Father ... It’s beautifully, resilient, and pure... 

I believe true love never dies... We keep a small part if not all this love in our hearts forever until the end of time... 

However, I also believe people, life, and circumstances are fragile and unpredictable... Our love for others and their love for us can grow together or apart.

Some love deeply, Some love superficially. Some love unselfishly. And sadly, some are so lost they only have enough love to only love themselves... And some we must learn to love from a distance. 

I feel our hearts will be bound to the people we touch forever. Because of the loving memories, we make when our souls meet... 

Our memories can only be lost by losing one’s mind...But even then, you may not be able to recall them, but they will stay ingrained deep within our hearts.

Some people through no fault of their own are called home and leave the memories behind for us to cherish and hold dear ... Some do not realize the importance and impact of making loving memories.  The memories we leave behind are how we will be remembered by all the souls that have touched our lives...It’s our life’s legacy. 

Some souls are afraid of love and walk away... I feel that is such a great loss... but even then, the memories that were made will walk away with them...those memories will stay in their hearts… They will find out that they cannot run away from love, once touched by love it remains as a fiber woven into their tapestry life. 

No matter the circumstances. Love can never be taken away... When it is given from an unselfish heart it can never be taken back... it can never be returned to the giver like it never existed... There is no hiding from love.

That love becomes a part of who we are and will remain with us forever until the end of time!! 

You see we cannot lose love...Even if the person, place, or thing is no longer present in our life. 

I think love takes on a new form... You may not see it and or feel in the same way. But the loving memories can never be taken away or even altered... That love will stay hidden deep within our hearts for eternity. 

And as you reflect on the memories made...your heart will remember the love it once felt. and it will become alive if only for a brief moment in time.

Never, be afraid to love, never run from love… Love is a gift from God that we can never lose… 

It's Him. It's always Him...He the greatest gift…

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

And if I were to have the gift of prophecy with a profound understanding of God’s hidden secrets, and if I possessed unending supernatural knowledge, and if I had the greatest gift of faith that could move mountains, but have never learned to love, then I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13 -2 

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Meaning of instantly:  Immediately, present or quick

I have been hounded by the same verses for over two years.  These verses appear in the strangest places.  In stores on napkins and just recently I instantly stopped in front of a framed photo of these verses hanging on the wall of a house that was being sold.  These are the verses: 

Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God is one Lord:

And you shall love the Lord Thy God with all thy heart, with all the soul, and with all thy might.  These verses are from Deuteronomy 6:4-5.  They are part of the verses that are repeated three times a day if you are an Israelite.   

As we have seen in our Word Study the announcement of the birth of Jesus came instantly to the shepherds, wise men, and to two elderly people in the Temple. 

One was named Simeon.  He had been looking for the coming Christ for many years. And on that day the Baby Jesus was dedicated in the Temple.  Simeon was in the Temple.  He took Jesus in his arms and gave thanks for the coming Savior.  As he was speaking an old prophetess that had been living in the Temple instantly came to them with loud cries of praise to God for His gift of the child.  

Her name was Anna.  Which means grace.  She had been married only seven years when her husband died.  She chose to worship and serve in the Temple by praying and fasting all her years.  Some say she was 84, but some say she was older.  As a Jew, she would have prayed three times a day that she would love God with all her heart, soul, and might.  She probably said those verses over 50,000 times in her life.  She too was looking for the coming Savior.  And she instantly recognized Jesus as that long-awaited Savior. 

Her loud cries of praise would have attracted quite a crowd.  From that day on she told all that were waiting for the Savior that indeed He had arrived. 

What an outburst of love and praise from one so old.  One who had chosen a life of prayer and fasting.  A life of loving Him with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. Have we recognized the enormous importance of knowing Jesus?  Here was that Holy Presence back in the Temple.  

Do we welcome Him into the temple of our heart?  We are His temple today.  Invite Him in. Receive Him with that joy and love shown to Him that day by Simeon and Anna.  They loved Him with unconditional love.  And it is my prayer that I will love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  He reminds me of these verses in so many ways.  I can only give thanks that He loves me so much. 

Luke 2:38. And she is coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord.

Written by Joann Turnbull 

Photography by Lori Garner 

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

God With Us (Live)

“If these walls could talk, I wonder what secrets they'd tell.”― Gayle Forman 

The meaning of barn large farm building used for storing grain, hay, or straw or for housing livestock.

There are approximately 14 verses about the word barn in the Bible.

This word came to me as a word challenge from a friend. I am usually up for a good challenge. So, let's see what we can discover about this inanimate object. Living in Tennessee there seems to be such a variety of barns. Some are shiny and new, some are large and red, and some show a character all of their own. They are battered and worn.. some may be dangerous to explore. 

They make me think if they could talk what stories would they share ?? How many families utilized them? How many animals did they shelter from the elements of storms? Did they provide protection for their food supply and livelihood?

Well, as always let’s look and see if this word is even found in scripture? And oh yes it’s a win for the home team. Right there in Deuteronomy 28:8, it says “The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you”

But as I began to search this word further I found a mediation that played out in my mind's eye.  So I thought I would share. 

Mediation 10:52

As I started this meditation I had the birth of Christ on my mind. So this is where the story unfolded ... 

I listened to meditation music called God's love for you. Beautiful music with no words. I became relaxed and my mind drifted here. I found myself in a setting like the Sahara desert. I was dressed in many long layers with a headdress of long cloth enough to drape across my nose and mouth only leaving my eyes exposed.  I seemed to be walking through dunes and traveling through a sand storm. My clothes were waving in the wind as it whipped around me. The sand was stinging my skin as it pelted anything that was exposed to the elements... 

It was dusk and I knew in my heart that I had to continue my journey if I was to witness the miracle of birth... As I pressed forward, the night began to fall and the most amazing star appeared and I heard in my soul. This light has always guided you .. just continue to follow it.

I then witnessed the warm lights of a city on the distant horizon ... 

I finally reached the dimly lit city and began to seek Mary and Joseph... and I was guided to the barn where they were located.  I arrived in time. 

I rushed in and kneeled by Mary.. she smiled.  I said I am here to help. What can I do to comfort you? She grabbed my hand a squeezed and the moment and intensity of birth began. 

My eyes welled up with tears and they began to slowly roll down my face The time went quickly but also seemed to move in slow motion ...

The baby arrived. I held him and I thought something must be wrong because I did not hear him cry. I pulled the cover away from his face and then I witnessed His angelic face. His eyes were open they were a dark brown He had dark hair framing His little face. He was alert, He had the most precious peaceful look upon his face.

As I held him I was in awe of His majestic splendor.  His tiny hand grasped my pinky and held on as if He knew me. I gently kissed his forehead and whispered in his ear.  

“I loved you even before you were born” ... 

The moment and peaceful love engulfed the room with a warm light.

I began to cleanse His tiny body and rewrap Him tightly and handed Him to his beautiful mother, she smiled. 

As I stepped back His earthly father loving gathered them both in his strong arms and held them ... I then moved to the back of the barn and watched as others arrived to bow in adoration of this tiny miracle...

I thought this tiny child one day will bear the weight of the world ... So much love filled my heart and soul that I could not contain the tears of joy,  they just streamed down my face ... 

But at that moment, I also felt heartbreak knowing what lies ahead for this new life... What an amazing sight. The music faded and the meditation ended. 

Lesson ... Follow His light. He brings you amazing peace and a love like no other ... He is truly a miracle... 

This beautiful royal life could have had a castle but His life started with a modest humble beginning... and "The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns" 

The next time you see a barn. Let it remind you of HIM !!

It's Him, It's always HIM !!

God chose for His Son to be born in a stable. This is because Jesus came in humility and in poverty to identify with the poorest and weakest among us.

Photography & Written by Lori Garner  

Bible Verses From KJV  / Sinner's Prayer

Music from Youtube 

Perfect Love (Mary's Song) by Darlene Zschech

https://youtu.be/6BOBydX5ez0?si=rsu47EoyBzxXZ41T