“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

Christmas is one of the most celebrated  Christian holidays of the year, but what is the true meaning of Christmas? It is the celebration of the beautiful birth of Jesus Christ our Savior .. but is there more? 

 Christmas appears zero times in the Bible. But in the New International Version of the Bible, “Christ” appears 453 times! 

In order to understand the word CHRISTmas I decided to look at the two syllables that make up this word we have grown to celebrate annually...

The word is a shortened form of "Christ's mass", or "Cristes Maesse" as it was first recorded in 1038. 

Christ was the title given to Jesus. It was not His given name. It actually comes from the Greek word Christos which means "anointed one" or "chosen one.". 

The second syllable “mass”  comes from The English word “Mass” which comes from the Latin word missa, which means to be “sent.” This Latin word has been used since the 6th or 7th century. The mass is the gathering of people to celebrate the life of Jesus. This practice is the ritual we know as Holy Communion and the Lord's Supper.

So to summarize the word CHRISTmas: it is a word that was given to a Christian event that has celebrated the birth of Jesus since  Dec. 25, 336 AD.  

It is the annual celebration of “anointed” one. The style of this celebration is the drinking of wine and eating of bread to remember our beautiful Savoir. 

So how and when did this monumental day become so commercialized? When did we decide to give this “gift“ an annual birthday celebration? Do we even celebrate its true significance?  Or do we get caught up in all the materialistic trappings? 

This tiny newborn life that we celebrate on Christmas, comes from the very essence of God our Creator. We know Him as the son of God.  This beautiful soul came to earth to live and taste life. He wanted to understand first-hand man's journey and how to live life as a human. He wanted to teach us a value system that would bless our lives... He is our living example of how to conduct ourselves with others... He allowed men to take His life in order to offer us a way home and to clean our transgressions before our Heavenly Father... He came to us as a gift with a mission... 

So as we break bread, and pour the wine in celebration ... Take a few moments.. and put those shiny new gifts aside.. and let’s bow our heads ... and truly thank Him for being the reason we are blessed to gather today... He is the reason we celebrate life... It’s because of Him that we have been able to share in God's human anointing...  We can further discover in 1 Samuel 16:13; Matthew 25:1-13 that the act of anointing symbolizes the Holy Spirit. 

So are we to understand CHRISTmas... Is Jesus Christ the anointed one.. He is God, the man, that has been sent to us as the deliverer and He reigns as promised under the title of Messiah.. the expected king. 

Mass is the gathering of the masses.. To share in the beautiful gift of life. I can only bow my head and thank Him ... The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit for His abundant love. His abundant grace and His patience as I unravel the many clues He has given us. 

It makes me smile when I see how He has woven every celebration, every word, every gift... to Him... Because He knows that our lives are much like a butterfly ... We come to earth and stay in the dormant state of our cocoon... Until the day, His love breaks our spirit free and we become alive... This transformation begins our migration home to Our Creator. 

Today I celebrate His life, His Love. His gift of the anointed one Jesus Christ...  He is my masterpiece of splendid wonder... I appreciate Him beyond this life... He WOWs me... 

It’s Him, It’s always Him 

Merry CHRISTmas 

Hmm, 🤔 More clues to this amazing heavenly puzzle?  ...are we ready?? 

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; Revelations 19:7 ESV 

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23

“Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:21-22 NLT

Photography & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses from KJV, ESV / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring music from YouTube 

You're Here Francesca Battistelli - Mary & Jesus Christmas Music Video

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Amen!! Matthew 28:20 

Meaning of wise: having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment. "she seems kind and wise" 

Photography & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses from KJV, ESV / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring music from YouTube  

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11

Meaning of overshadow: 1. To throw a shadow over; to overshade. 2. To shelter; to protect; to cover with protecting influence.

We located forty verses that speak about the word “overshadow”… 

As I sat in my cold dark room, I became mesmerized by the soft glow of the golden light that spilled so softly on the table by my side… There 

I began to think about this word that my friend placed gently in my lap. “Overshadow” is such an ambiguous word.

With those thoughts rumbling in my head,   I was drawn to the shadows that danced on the walls of my room my mind drifted to a time so long ago…

It’s that pivotal day when a tiny life was conceived, a life that would change the world…

“The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35 NIV

And as I my heart opened to the scripture before me the words [ the power of the "Most High” ] resonated with my soul…  

What causes God to speak to us in such a powerful and profound way? Why are only a few chosen to feel Him in an overshadowing experience?  Is there significance? 

I like you have so many unanswered questions? As many of you already know I had a Holy Spirit Encounter that changed many things in my life… 

When I read the scripture in Luke  1:35. 

I began to question could my experience be called “overshadowed by God..? 

Now don’t miss understand I am not in any way comparing myself to such an amazing soul we know as Mary the Mother of our beloved Christ… 

I can only try to understand what must have gone through her mind? What and how did she feel? Was the change she felt immediate? Or did it grow along with her unborn child? 

I do not have the intimate details about Mary's amazing moment in time… 

But I can share my thoughts about mine… I was driving on a dark lonely road … I was not looking for God I thought my life was on track… When suddenly I felt a love like I have never known. I felt a warm feeling in my soul and a warm light filled my car… The moment was surreal ... my heart began to race and I became bewildered and confused because I was not sure what had just happened. I pulled my car over and sat there for a while…. 

I was not like Mary chosen to save humanity nor was I asked to carry such a beautiful precious soul we know as Emmanuel. 

But I can say my soul's rebirth happened that day… 

Did He overshadow me? or did He love me beyond my understanding?  I will let you decide… As I stand in awe and only whisper... 

It’s Him! It has always been Him. 

He is such a lover of souls. His presence is what we crave… it’s a yearning of the heart that will never be satisfied until our eyes can gaze upon His beautiful face!! 

Life as I know it will never be the same. 

Photography, Art & Written by Lori Garner  

Inspiring Music: YouTube

Overshadow Me (Ruach)

True love is about what happens beyond this Life. It's about a loving relationship with our Creator and cherishing the greatest gift you will ever be blessed to discover... It's Him!!! 

Distance is the amount of space between two things or people.

Sometimes I feel you so close… but I cannot see you! I cannot touch you… What is this chasm between our worlds… you are so close yet so far!  

Do we have the resilience to go the distance? Can we persevere and reach our full potential? Your world seems so enchanting, so ideal, and so beautiful! Can we ever transform ourselves to be deserving of walking alongside you? Where we can devote our time to getting to know your every step? Where we can be moved by your soothing voice? And where we can feel your indescribable touch.

How can our minds even hope to understand the magnitude of what we will experience? Will my heart swell with a love that cannot be put into words? How is it that you are so extraordinarily wonderful? I would find such delight in keeping you all to myself, but sharing you brings me a joy that is beyond measure. Is that part of your master plan?

Oh, my beautiful one I humbly pray that I can endure this earthly life and go the distance. Give me the strength to live a life that will lead me to you.  

This love you have shared is my guide, my strength, my soul. You are my North Star! 

It’s you! It has always been you! 

Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen. 1 Corinthians 13:7-10

We have a North Star and his name is Jesus.

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

Go the Distance / Jennifer Owens