I was running from my call and destiny. I want to encourage you today to STOP running! Run toward the destiny God has for you. Nicky van der Westhuizen...

The Hebrew word for “refuge,” machaceh, refers to a shelter from storms and danger.

This word is not a word that came to me… It’s a word that fell into the heart of another… 

This word seemed to haunt her thoughts. And as I pondered this word I became more aware of how my day unfolded… 

I stay swamped like most people in this troubled world… We can find ourselves distracted, overwhelmed… disenchanted with life… For some life seems to have lost its beautiful luster… But there is hope… 

Can I share my secret? Can I share my most hidden treasure? Can I share with you the beautiful love that I have discovered !!! 

When I get to that place when life becomes heavy and too difficult to understand …sad.. displaced.. unloved...

I think if only I had a place to hide? A place where no one could find me. Even if it is just for a moment in time… 

I close my eyes.. play the music that speaks to my heart and soul… and it is there where I find Him… My beautiful Savior!! He comes as soft as a summer breeze. His voice whispers a love song that speaks to my wounded soul … I can hear His heart rhythmically beating its peaceful life source into my very existence… 

He is my beautiful refuge. He is my peace! He is my first love… There is no other that can take me to this paradise found within…

Just breathe…  and take in His beauty… and a peaceful love will soothe your soul in this troubled world…

It’s Him... It’s always Him…

Thank you my beloved for clearing my mind and filling my heart and soul with you!!! I run to you...

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.. 

2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” And Philippians 3:14 says, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

Triune Loves me 

Art & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube)

Lady Antebellum - I Run To You (Official Music Video)

 “I am convinced that there is no great distance between heaven and earth, that the distance lies in our finite minds. When the Beloved visits us in the night, He turns our chambers into the vestibules of His palace halls. Earth rises to heaven when heaven comes down to earth.”

Meaning of between in the time, space, or interval that separates

The word between does not seem to be a word that appears as a word that has been counted.

Between day and night. It’s 3:27 am and darkness fills the air ... yet it's morning ... transition to daylight will come soon ... 

When we think of heaven and earth do we question what is the space between? Why are we earth-bound? Our bodies hold us captive. But our souls can move between worlds... do we tap into that resource? It’s a beautiful gift from our Creator ... Sometimes I feel a tug war between my heart and soul.. gravity may hold my body but my soul has been freed to soar to greater heights!!

We have a mission a purpose here on earth but there is a yearning in our soul to return to our Creator our spiritual home our First love. We are in the state of between... How does one reconcile this with our heart? How do we find peace in our souls? How do understand this with our limited mind? 

He gave us you... “Holy Spirit” You are our beautiful “between”. You are our between love. You are our between peace. You share with us a heavenly love, and gently teach us the greatness of Jesus and our Heavenly Father... You teach us what beauty awaits and you show us the way. You share the essence and beauty of a love beyond our human understanding... 

Just who are you? How did you come to dwell within our hearts our soul and our very thoughts?  I have felt you stirring since birth.  But I did not recognize who you were. I was between worlds .... and my heart was bound to things of this world... But for some reason far beyond my own thoughts, you freed my soul to newfound freedom and understanding... 

You are a beautiful gift from our Creator, our Heavenly Father, our greatest LOVE. He gave us the gift of His very breath... 

“The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). 

It’s Him, It’s always been Him. 

Our first love ... 

I live in a state of between.. while my body must remain on earth, my soul has yearning.. a thirst.. to know everything about this beautiful love. My heart will always feel that pull to one day returns home... I love you Holy Spirit. The very thought of your abundant beauty and knowing that You are God’s very breath, 

It is Your essence and Your abundant love. You have taken residence with my heart and soul... You leave me in awe of Your very existence... 

You still wow me... 🤩 

Written by Lori Garner

Photo by Kendall Hoopes from Pexels

Bible Verses From KJV, Easy  /  Sinners prayer 

Inspiring Music: Youtube 

Father, Son, Spirit (Official Lyric Video) // A Table Full Of Strangers // Jason Upton

 "To have God speak to the heart is a majestic experience, an experience that people may miss if they monopolize the conversation and never pause to hear God's responses."- Charles Stanley...

Meaning of Majestic: having or showing impressive beauty or dignity.

The word Majestic appeared in 76 verses in the Bible.

Some people use the word Majestic when speaking of mountains, or beautiful locations on earth. I have used it many times while writing for this blog. It has mainly been when I speak of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. After all, He is the Creator of all things even the ones that are considered majestically beautiful. 

It is only fitting to state that He is the highest Majestic Kingly soul we will ever encounter. Have you ever just closed your eyes and felt His presence? What do you feel? What do you see? What do you hear? 

I can share my experience with you. I have witnessed His beauty. I have felt their Godly presence deep within my soul. 

I have silently watched the sunset… And can see Him in the brilliant colors of gold, the soft pinks, and the majestic blues.  There is peace and a feeling of hope and wonderment. Every sunset carries a unique beauty of its own. How can we not believe in our Creator when we can witness the beauty that He shares with His children???  

He possesses such majestic traits. He is a powerful force that reigns over all the heavens and earth. He is kind, merciful, and patient.  He is omnipresent. He is all-forgiving… And of course I saved the best for last…. His love is more than my heart can understand. He holds no resentment or judgment. His arms are always welcoming no matter our circumstances. My soul craves to know more about Him with each passing day. To hear His soothing voice brings harmony to my mind, body, and spirit.  

When I am asked what does the word majestic means to me? It is simple. It’s the love I feel for the most amazing soul I have grown to know and love. He is my Majestic Splendor, My King. Many call Him God… Some call Him Father. I call Him my Elohim… My Savior, My three LOVEs… 

Its Him. It’s always been Him!!

He blows my mind…

"Who is like you among the gods, LORD? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, and working wonders? Exo 15:11

Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your majestic name! 1 Chron 29:13

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Kari Jobe - How Majestic (Live).

There is no changing yesterday... it was a learning experience... Now go and grow where God planted you. 

The season of the year between summer and winter, during which the weather becomes cooler, and many plants become dormant, extending in the Northern Hemisphere from the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice and popularly considered to include the months of September, October, and November

As fall colors began to burst forth our hearts and eyes turn to the breath-taking beauty of change... What is it that creates these eye-popping changes that our hearts have welcomed for centuries?? 

As I stood watching the orange tree leaves sway in the gentle breeze. Many thoughts danced through my head. To most of us, this time of year brings warm memories of family, friends, and sharing life. 

But when we stop and ponder what is it that is really happening. Our world seems to be preparing itself for the colder harsher days ahead... 

Before shedding the life, she tried so desperately to keep. She burst out of life in one final beautiful blast of colors. Making her final statement of being alive. 

Many farmers are busy gathering the last harvest she has produced from all her hard work.  She is preparing herself to go too deeply internal and dormancy sets in. When we witness these changes, they seem that life as we know it becomes gloomy and possibly dead.

I do believe God gave us so many visuals to learn from just by watching nature...

We all have seasons in our life some are cold as winter, others dormant like fall, perhaps hot like summer, or full of life-like spring... all point to change... 

Some of these changes can be physically seen some make us go internal where we can heal and prepare our hearts for things to come... 

But can these changes also be seen in our relationship with God? Can they be felt in our soul??  My experience and observation on how He has made everything so intricately woven my answer would be of course... But in our lives, our timing is not a yearly occurrence it consists of life occurrences and we still call them seasons. 

When I did not know Christ my soul was in a cold harsh winter place. I was unaware that I kept her there.  She was sadly waiting in the dark...My soul became dormant and unresponsive like the tall maple tree on a beautiful winter’s day!  Did I appear dead? Did the spark of life disappear? I was unaware that Christ was still working hard much like the farmer to preserve my life. Planning, prepping, and watering... And then He brought His beauty His light, His song of love, and slowly lead my lost soul out of the dormant state of existence.  Then suddenly with a burst of color, my soul could finally breathe. and life began to beautifully unfurl. And then with His abundant love and grace, He turned up the heat much like a hot summer day and my love for Him ignited and set my heart ablaze. 

Never be afraid of the change. We must look for our Savior’s light to guide our soul through the many phases of our lives... 

He is our solace in the harsh days of Winter. His is our soft place to Fall... He Springs forth new life in once dormant souls. and His love is as sweet and gentle as a Summer breeze...

And from my experience, His love has the power and grace to bring us through all the seasons of our lives.  

He WOWs me!  

With Christ, the changes in our lives can and will be beautifully and physically seen...

It’s Him, It’s always Him

For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

 Rhys Lewis - Better Than Today (Lyrics)

Sweat equity is the most valuable equity there is.” — Mark Cuban..

Meaning of sweat moisture exuded through the pores of the skin, typically in profuse quantities as a reaction to heat, physical exertion, fever, or fear. 

The word sweat appears approximately 5 times in the Bible... 

Many of us have heard Jesus sweat blood🩸? But what does that mean? Do we even stop to understand the deeper implications or do we just pass over those words without feeling and pain in our own hearts?  

I did not even know that this was even possible, did you?

I did discover yes, that you can sweat blood... It was not just a symbolic view of a pivotal moment in history. 

There is an extremely rare condition called hematidrosis. The face and forehead are common locations for this to occur. Many people do not know anything about this condition. But many have heard about it from the Bible but how many of us have taken the time to understand the depth of this moment ??  

When we look to the Bible we see in Luke 22:44; “And being in agony he prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” 

The operative word is agony... The rare condition can occur with great FEAR... 

Have we ever stopped and lingered in this moment? Or do we rush past this moment straight to the cross? I do not want to diminish the suffering of any of these precious heartbreak moments... 

But I do know from my own experience there are times we suffer long and hard before the actual event occurs. 

He was suffering in the garden long before that heart-crushing day occurred ... He was left to suffer in anguish alone and fear gripped His mind with such magnitude that He sweat those precious drops of blood... 

Even though His mind knew what was to come His soul knew it was written and the moment must be fulfilled for all of mankind... He could have walked away... But He knew it was part of His Heavenly Father's greater plan. 

What a beautiful heartfelt gift of LOVE. His only crime was that  He wanted is to teach us how to live and how to love...Crucifying Him was the biggest crime man will ever encounter. 

So I can only ask what sweat equity have we given Him in return ??? That is a question that only you can answer... 

All I know is that it would be a crime if we do not surrender our hearts to His commitment of love...  He sweat those tears of love for you and me.

He is the most amazing gift our Creator has ever shared. He is the brightest star and our guiding light... Our love for life! 

It’s Him... it’s always been Him 

Turn up the heat for Him &.... Sweat 💦 

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling do And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Luke 22:44

Come to your senses !!! Your life with never be the same. 

Meaning of senses a faculty by which the body perceives an external stimulus; one of the faculties of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch:

The word senses is referred to approximately 21 times. 

If we would take the time to analyze our senses and truly see what an amazing gift they all are!! There is no way we could not believe in miracles! What kind of mind creates such magnificent wonders? How do they work so perfectly in unison? And then they feed our mind, our hearts, and our souls with such precise information in split-second timing?  Sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. Can you even imagine life without these precious gifts?  The richness of life would be a blank canvas and void of the beauty many of us take for granted. 

But as I began the exercise of discovering more about this word... I tried to relate this word to the Bible and I began to wonder do we give our Heavenly Father our all? Do we see Him with our spiritual eyes? Do we hear His beautiful voice? Do we touch His gentle heart? Do we know His scent? Do we taste His words and carry them deep within our hearts ?? Do we use all of our gifts, all our senses to thank Him for giving us the ability to paint a beautiful canvas of our individual lives..

Do you think He created these gifts for a reason? Perhaps to see His beauty? Perhaps to hear His voice? Perhaps to worship Him with all of our senses? Or do we only use a few? Or are we a blank page void of all the richness that He made available for us? 

In this journey, I have been blessed to see Him with my soulful eyes. I have heard His beautiful voice. I have felt Him deep in my soul. I have tasted His words as they flowed from my lips ... as yes I have smelled Him in a warm summer breeze. 

Not utilizing all our gifts only robs us of knowing our Heavenly Father intimately. We have difficulty understanding  His Power, His beauty, and His amazing gift of Love, and His brilliant colors. He is a beautiful wonder and we are His miracle children. 

I stand in awe.  When we say we LOVE Him? Do we love Him completely? Or do we only give Him a fragment of our true self!  He has proven it time and time again that He gives us His all!   

It’s Him, It’s always Him. 

Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Psalms 115:3-8 

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Annies Song with Lyrics John Denver 3d BEAUTIFUL :)

Meaning of regret a feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over something that has happened or been done:

Regret is discussed approximately 28 times in the Bible. 

I regret to inform you that this word may tug at your heartstrings. It may cause deep thought and possibly anguish. 

Do we cause our own pain? Do we dismiss our actions because we do not want to pay the price or face possible failure? Or do we justify our behavior by labeling it that we are only human and the temptation was far too great!  

If I ask you to share the biggest regret in your life what would it be? Possibly education, Possibly relationships, Possibly life choices?? I do believe we all have regret in our life to some degree...  I will share my biggest regret... But I want you to do the same... Get out a piece of paper and write these words... I regret... And finish the sentence... Here are my thoughts on the word regret... 

I regret that I did not face them sooner... 

I regret... That I wasted time... I wasted love... I wasted getting to truly know my Creator. I wasted the opportunity of growing my knowledge of Him... 

Now that I recognized and faced my regret. The question becomes what can be done to reverse or to change the outcome of my regretful heart??

I could say I don't need to do much because the Holy Spirit touched my soul and that is enough. But something changed and my regret changed to desire... Desire to know more about my Creator... But in order to do this, I need to invest time. I need to invest in love.  And as I study Him my knowledge will grow... 

So I can say if we can clear our hearts of regret we can be feel accomplished even if it is only slightly each day. Our life can be richer.. My only regret is that I did not recognize this regret sooner... But I am grateful to Him for capturing my heart and for allowing me the time to love Him and change this regret from regret to a love that I admittedly do not fully l understand.  But I do know that my life will never be the same. 

Because I am on a quest. And each day is an opportunity to grow from regret to a beautiful relationship... not only with my Creator. But a relationship with myself.  Getting to know yourself a little better can be a daunting but amazing experience. You may find that you are indeed a beautiful soul... Because God made you that way... ... So I say look at your regret as an opportunity to grow into everything He knows you can be... For me, I feel blessed to grow in Him, His Word, and His beautiful LOVE. 

It's Him, It's Always Him. 

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Act 20:24

Photography & Written by Lori Garner 

Model: Robyn Z

Bible Verses from KJV, ESV / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring music from YouTube 

Tenth Avenue North - Greater Than All My Regrets (Lyrics)

Does our soul thirst for more? Do you ever feel there's something missing from your life?  But we are not quite sure what that might be? Do we long for a love that seems to be just beyond our reach?

Join me as I travel back in time. And I share a word from our Bible word study and meditation. I have fused them together to create a self-narrated story called "Unquenchable thirst" 

Deuteronomy 32:2 “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.”

"Real faith never disappoints because it is in God, grounded on His character, promises, covenant, and oath." ~ Aiden Wilson Tozer...

Meaning of oath a solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior: something (such as a promise) corroborated by an oath. 

There are approximately 35 Bible Verses about Oaths. 

What is an oath?  Is it a vow?  Is it a promise? Maybe a commitment?  

Do we even take oaths any more?  I have witnessed politicians and many US Presidents take oaths as they lay their hand on top of the Bible and repeat these words  “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Do you ever wonder why or how this tradition came to be ?? Why the Bible? 

Well, it is interesting that swearing on the Bible, seems to have started back in President Washington’s day, it was seen as basically promising God you would do what you swear to do, with fear of God punishing you keeping you from breaking your oath.

When we place our hand on the leather-bound pages of God's word... Do we go through the motions to show others that image? In hopes, they see something that may be a superficial ritual. But it may convince others that they have God's blessing. 

I wish we had the ability to see their heart? Do they truly know what even happened between the pages from Genesis to Revelations? Have they studied our Heavenly Father's word??? 

Many think that being President is the most powerful most important position in our world... 

But I met someone that reigns with the utmost power. The utmost grace. The utmost Love... There is no one anywhere that can even come close. He wows me. 

Why is it that we only witness political or highly connected figures taking an oath .. ( now I am sure there are oaths that are taken daily but they are not given such worldwide media coverage. )

But I would like to simplify and personalize our oath process .. God has given us many oaths but my favorites are His unconditional love. His forgiveness is like nothing I have ever witnessed. A gentleness soft, kind, and a commitment to never leave us for eternity.

As children of our Heavenly Father we pray, we worship, we claim to love Him! But are we willing to take an oath, a vow, a promise? Are we truly committed 💯 percent? 

Here are my thoughts on an oath.

I will make this oath with an open heart, and soul! And I will try with all my might to listen to His whispers and follow His direction. 

Oath ❤❤❤

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute to the best of my ability the words in this amazing book we know as the Bible. I will commit my heart to follow my Savior Jesus Christ and my Father in Heaven and will vow to listen to the Holy Spirit and learn more about them each day. I will work towards living a life that will reflect His teachings and light. I will share His love with others... I will commit to not just lay my hands on top of the leather-bound book we know as the Bible. But I will commit to open the pages from Genesis to Revelations ... and discover what He wants to reveal to my heart. I will continue as long as I have a breath, to love, honor, and discover more of HIM. 

It’s Him, it’s always Him 

I challenge you to write down your oath.. Make that commitment. 

“And I will send the fulfillment of the Father’s promise to you. So stay here in the city until the mighty power of heaven falls upon you and wraps around you.””Luke 24:49 TPT

”I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back,That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance. Isaiah 45:23

Photography and Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses from KJV, ESV / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring music from YouTube 

You Promised (Lyric Video) - Corey Voss [ Official ]

If this world was made by a triune God, relationships of love are what life is really all about. 

Timothy Keller...

Meaning of Him: used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified.

"his wife survived him". Himself.

The word Him is in the KJV 5,465 Instances. Wow, but that does not surprise me.

For those of you who have joined in on our enlightened word study. You have come to the realization that I end most of these posts with the statement It’s Him, It's always Him. Some will think in their heart of God the Father. Others will think of Jesus, and yet others will think of the Holy Spirit. I do believe there is no wrong answer. Most will think of the dominant one of the Trinity. The one they relate to or spend the most time with.  

For me when I speak of Him, They are one... They are one in my mind, one in my heart, and one in my soul... During this amazing journey of discovery of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit it became crystal clear. He is all... It is Him. He is ONE. 

I do believe there are some that struggle with this concept. Because I know I did, I found it confusing. I even asked, Who do we pray to? But I feel they slowly opened my heart, my soul, and then my eyes, to an enlightened spiritual understanding.

I personally find His ability to be everything to everyone, A major part of His beauty. His willingness to love those that seek Him is such an amazing gift. It does not matter who you are or where you have been, or what you have become. He loves you without boundaries. Without judgment. Without self motives… It's pure, It's light, it's beyond our earthly understanding. 

When we seek Him it will be for different reasons? It will be at different times in our daily lives. It will depend on where we are in our lives, which facet of Him you will see, feel, or hear. 

Again I do not claim to be a scholar or to have all the answers, I can only share from my experience and my heart. When I look for deep wisdom or unconditional love I seek my Heavenly Father. 

When I feel lost or need a friend, or just need to be loved on a spiritual level or if I feel my life’s struggle is beyond my capability I find Jesus. He relates to life as a man who walked the earth.  He has been loved unconditionally by our Heavenly Father and has felt the intimate sorrows and victories that life can bring. He knows how it feels and can soothe our souls.  

And lastly but equally as important the Holy Spirit. He is our confidant, our teacher, our friend He brings God, and Jesus alive in our souls. He is the very essence of God's breath… They are so beautiful and intricately woven. Their bond of love is the most powerful bond in all the heavens and earth... And they willingly open their hearts to anyone that seeks their face, anywhere anytime, and in any circumstance. 

I call them LOVEs… Because I see ONE LOVE. A love that transcends all time and space.  So when I use the words LOVEs or Him. Know that to me they are all-inclusive they are my Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I love the ONEness of Him. 

It's Him. It's always HIM.

“In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.”

John 1:4 AMPC

 “And you are in Him, made full and having come to the fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].”

Colossians 2:10 AMPC 

Photography Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses from KJV, ESV / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring music from YouTube  

This I Believe (The Creed) - Hillsong Worship