I have long believed that there are fundamentally two forces or emotions that drive our decisions - love and fear. Love has its many manifestations: compassion, gratitude, kindness, and joy. Fear often manifests itself in cynicism, anger, jealousy, and anxiety. I worry that many of us are being driven by fear. - Vivek Murthy

The word "cynicism" does not appear in the Bible. However, the concept of cynicism is reflected in various biblical passages…

In a biblical context, cynicism is an attitude of distrust, skepticism, and negativity, particularly regarding faith, the goodness of others, or the promises of God. It often manifests as a lack of faith, questioning motives, and expecting the worst in situations and people. Cynicism can stem from disappointment, disillusionment, or a hardened heart. 

Are you a manifestation of the world around you? Have you been disappointed by life? Is the stench of darkness seeping into your soul? Has your heart been hardened by the movie playing over and over in your mind? 

Are you thinking that things look better in other people’s lives? Is it “facade”? Are they creating an unrealistic image of life? Are we disenchanted when we compare it to the real in our own lives? 

Where has commitment, loyalty, and love gone? Is the human heart so hardened that we have forgotten why we are here??  Have we forgotten how to love? 

I have often heard, ‘Are you a fighter or a lover?’  I believe we can be both... Fight for love, and those who have been in the trenches with you! The ones that have your back!! The ones that have held your hand and comforted your tired soul.  The ones that have the strength to stand with you in these confusing and difficult times…

Has society become complacent and forgotten the value of perseverance in matters related to love, family, and friendship? Have relationships become so fragile that we readily relinquish them at the first sign of adversity?

I must admit we all should do a little soul searching??  Will we find that we are so confident in self that we feel we are perfect and need no one? I believe perfection is a virtue that is NOT attainable by anyone but Jesus!! We can only strive to be a better human each God given day… 

So, how do we change our hardened hearts? How do we remove the layers of dust from our soul??? How can we breathe once again? How do we break this bondage on our lives, and learn to unleash the supernatural love that Jesus is willing to share with us?  His love is far beyond our human understanding... 

I know from experience we cannot do it alone… We must place our total trust in God!! Give Him our heart and surrender our life to Him…be vulnerable in front of Him and ask Him to search our hearts and teach us how to love like Jesus! 

Mastering the art of humility, speaking with kindness, and leading with compassion can have a lasting impact on all people, places, and things we value most. 

Even though some individuals may say they have tried this and faced disappointment, remember that the benefits of fighting for love and showing up for your people far exceed the cost.

Don't let this world and its trappings rob you of what is truly beautiful and important!!  

Eternity with the Arthur and Creator of all things!!! 

It’s Him!!! 

It will always be Him!!! 

His message is clear: love one another…. Sharing His love and light can illuminate our path as we journey back home!!! 

My prayer is that you will not succumb to cynicism or fall into a downward spiral into darkness. Instead, look up and love as if tomorrow will never come!

Be the light! Keep Loving! It’s our only HOPE! 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

Garth Brooks - If Tomorrow Never Comes (LIVE) Lyrics 1989

Meaning of conviction: a formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense, made by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law… 

We located 40 verses that speak of conviction in the Bible... 

Guilty as charged ??? 

This word brought me to thinking of children... Have you ever witnessed a child in the act of doing wrong... And when confronted they have the ability to look us in the eye and say I did not do it!! It wasn't me !!! But the truth is written all over their face!! 

We all have been guilty of the same behavior at some time in our lives... We may think if no one witnessed the act we do not have to own up to the action... So then we try to bury it deep with our hearts... 

But who are we truly fooling??? 

Guilt can eat away at the lining of our soul... until we come clean. It will haunt our peace.. and can even make us physically ill. Because it comes from a dark place... But conviction is the Holy Spirit’s cleansing process... We must acknowledge the wrong... We must bring it to our Heavenly Father.. and ask for forgiveness... that is when the weight in our heart lifts and we are able to breathe again... 

His forgiveness, His grace ...His undying love... Works miracles in the field of guilt, conviction, and remorse... 

But we have some responsibility in the process ... We must meet Him where He stands... We must commit our unclean heart to Him... daily. We must work towards setting the wrong right... We need to acknowledge that in our human form we will always fall short of being perfect. Because perfect is not attainable and He knows it ... Striving for improvement every day ... Can only make us better... than the day before... He welcomes improvement, He watches the growth... And loves us through each challenge... I personally do not understand how He has never given up on His children??? How? Why? So many questions? 

How does every word, every thought, every day that my heart beats point to Him?? 

It’s Him! It has always been Him!! 

I must admit ... I am guilty .... Guilty as charged... Guilty of falling in love with Him and I pray that it is written all over my face !!  He WOWs me... 

I am a work in progress!!! But He still loves me, even with all my imperfections... 

Forever His.  

“This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” Acts 24:16 

“Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.”Hebrews 13:18

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Conviction - Rachel DeLong Music

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

Meaning of lost: unable to find one's way; not knowing one's whereabouts.

The word lost is in the Bible forty-nine times.

Lost, have you ever felt lost?  Have you ever witnessed a child when they have lost sight of their parent and panic sets in… They are afraid, tears stream… cries can be heard!! I do believe we still can feel that panic and anxiety as adults. However, as adults, we learn to internalize those emotions or choose to suffer in silence.

The lost feeling can manifest within for many reasons. This life can be unpredictable and difficult at best. Each day is a difficult hill to climb. But how do we cope? How do we hold on to a rope that seems to be unraveling?  Darkness and doubt can overcome our very existence.

Where do we turn when our hearts are longing for relief? Where do we go when our souls are aching for answers?  It sometimes seems to hurt so bad that we bleed. 

I am not a doctor or even qualified to give medical or clinical advice. But I can share my heart. I have found a healer, a therapist, a friend and a lover of our souls. That if you will open your heart and let His light in He will heal every scar. He will fill every void. He will bring peace to your soul that you will have difficulty in understanding.  Where there was once darkness, you will feel a warmth from the love that will glow from within.

There is no medical insurance needed, no copay. His heart is open 365 days a year, rain or shine… I can’t recommend Him enough. 

So, how do you contact His office? Go to a quiet place. Close your eyes and call His name and wait on Him… Open the life manual He provided. It’s a best seller and holds a wealth of information…It’s called the Bible. Meditate on the words between the pages day and night.  The most important action is to chase Him with all you are worth. Never give up, the rewards are endless… 

The only true cost is to LOVE Him… He will return love to you, far greater than you ever knew could exist. So, now I will ask you who in our troubled world could not use this type of LOVE.  

It’s Him, It's Always Him!!

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV

Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. Luke 12:3 ESV 

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner   

Bible Verses From KJV  / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music Freya Ridings - Lost Without You

A Journey of Self-Discovery and Love.

I have found my first love in the sanctuary of my spiritual mind, body, and soul. He is my escape from the outside world and my forever hiding place. With Him, I am embarking on a wondrous journey of self-discovery as He patiently guides me through the intricate labyrinth of my soul. He is the missing piece to the earthly void that chases me.  He is the one who completes me and makes me whole. With Him, I am never alone.

He patiently awaits… with open arms, yearning to listen to my deepest thoughts, secrets, and desires … He accepts me as I am, even with all my frailties and flaws… He guides the vulnerable child within me as I stumble through each God-given day… He fills my heart with an intoxicating love that breathes life into the mundane existence of human life. He is a spiritual experience that radiates a peaceful state of soulful surrender, satisfying every fiber of my restless soul…  He is the Master of hearts, holding mine gently as I forge a path.

I will always wonder why it took me so long to find Him!!! I was not blessed to know Him as a child… I only knew of Him. I will admit, I found His beauty in the latter years of life… However, I cannot take the credit because He found me. Silly me, I didn’t even know I was lost.

I have missed so much by knowing Him only for such a short time. So, the hunger you see to know more about the Soul that has impacted my life wondrously is fueled by the knowledge that my life is ticking by, and I do not want to waste another moment without growing my knowledge and love for Him. 

With every tear that falls upon my face, I am reminded of His unwavering love and awe-inspiring presence.

I humbly hear Him gently whisper to my soul … 

“My child, there is so much more to discover. The sweetest gift lies beyond your world." "It lies within me… Close your eyes, take my hand… and let’s embark on the journey written for you alone!”

And my heart whispers … 

It’s Him! It will always be Him!! 

And I am undone… 

He is... 

My sanctuary! My spiritual love from another world.  He is my spiritual guide home…There is so much I have yet to comprehend fully!! 

I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to love Him!! My Elohim! 

Let us go to the sanctuary of the LORD; let us worship at the footstool of his throne. Psalms 132:7

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

Tori Kelly - Soul’s Anthem (It Is Well)