“Being kind means responding to the needs of others - and people can be kind, no matter how old or young we are.” Fred Rodgers...

My morning seemed to start normal, just like most days. But my quiet mood was soon interrupted by a call from my granddaughter… 

She could not contain her excitement!!!  She informed me that her mini donkey had had her baby. We had a new foal in our midst... She quickly told me we needed a name and wanted my help naming him. She wanted a name from the Bible. The Easter story was still fresh on our minds. So, this task placed me in the thought of that significant day when Jesus was crucified.   Thinking of that day along with this new little foal. I remembered where a lowly donkey played an essential role in Jesus' life. 

A donkey carried Mary to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. Another carried Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s decree to kill all baby boys two years of age and under. And a foal of a donkey carried Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  Amazingly, this humble animal bears the markings of a cross on its back.  

Many names raced through my mind… And then my thoughts stopped on the name Simon… 

He helped Jesus on the horrific crucifixion day. It was not the disciples; they bailed. Even Peter said, “he did not know Jesus."

After the scourging and other torturous beatings that Jesus endured, He was so weak He could not carry the heavy cross.  He was clearly struggling and would not make it without help. The soldiers grabbed Simon and forced him to carry the cross.

They gave Simon no choice!!! 

I can only imagine that the blood covering Jesus stained all of Simon’s clothes, his arms, and his face. It was a life-changing encounter. One that I am sure Simon would never forget. Simon had an up-close experience with the Son of God, and his life would never be the same. 

This statement is supported by a verse in Romans 16:13. It states that both sons and Simon became passionate witnesses for Jesus. 

Simon… a humble little donkey whose ancestors played a significant role in our Savior's life. Our new little Simon carries the mark of the cross upon his back to remind us of the significance of that day….

“And they compelled one Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear His cross.” Mark 15:21

“Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother…” Romans 16:13

Written by Joann Turnbull

Photography by MJ

Edited by Lori Garner 

Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

Little Donkey.

What is this magnetic pull you have on my heart? What is this love I feel so deep in my soul?? I yearn to hear you whisper my name forevermore you are my beloved and I am yours. 

Beloved is a quaint and lovely name for someone…

It is used 60 times in the Bible. 

We have lost this name over the years in the church.  We have gone after other things. How to start a small group.  A better way to save souls.  The best way to study the Bible. How to draw people into a beautiful Church. 

All this time we should have been seeking Him. The one who loves us so.  Seek me and find me if you seek me with all your heart.  When He comes, he draws all men to Him? His beauty and love open the door for His presence among us.  

Repent of seeking everything but the one who is worthy to be sought.  The Beloved who comes when we call.  The one who will shower down on you all the love you have ever wanted.  He longs for us.  His presence above all else will set our soul on fire.  He will envelop you in His arms.  He will hold you close.  He will never leave you. 

Seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.   Do not turn aside from this until you find Him.  You will never be alone.  All you will need to do once you have found Him is to just get quiet for a moment and say, Jesus, I love you.  He is there so willing to whisper to you how much He loves you and desires you. 

He delights in you and one glance in your loving eyes, and He is undone.  His love for us is so strong.  Yes, in His presence is where we want to be.  It is where we belonged since we were a child.  Loving Him. 

It has always been Him!  

Written by Joann Turnbull 

Photo by Ana Paula Lima from Pexels

Sinners Prayer

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

EVERYTHING // Lauren Daigle (cover)

How do we respond to choices that are before us?

Respond appears one hundred and four times in the Bible...

Respond means to say something in reply... 

This word came up in a group discussion, and it led me to think about how we respond to others. Thinking deeper, I found myself questioning how we respond to God. 

What was the first question God asked man in the Bible? I did not have to look very far. In Genesis 3:9, the first recorded question is found. 

Adam and Eve were in the garden. We don’t know how long, but long enough to know who formed them and placed them in an Eden full of everything they would want or need. A beautiful place where they could live and grow. The presence of God was a delight, and I am sure when they heard Him, they would come running to Him to share with Him all they were doing. 

One day, that changed. They heard His voice calling them. His call that day was: “Where are you?” He was not met with the love and joy that had been there before. 

Adam’s response was: “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself”.

This was the first question and the first answer recorded for us to read. 

Is God still asking the same question to man today? And to get personal, Is He asking me the same question today? Am I eager and excited to hear His voice in my garden of life? He loves us and loves to walk and talk with us. But do we hide from Him? Do we fill our lives so full that we have no time for Him? 

“Where are you?” He has not left you. He is seeking you. He will be your beloved Savior, your hope, the joy of your life. Respond to His question today!

“God is faithful by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

Written by Joann Turnbull  

Photography by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer  

Inspiring Music by (YouTube) 

I Surrender All CeCe Winans

Love sacrifices all things to bless the One we love... 

One woman is mentioned in the Bible who will always be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. Her life story is told in three of the Gospels.  

Her family home was in Bethany just a few miles from Jerusalem.  It was a favorite stop for Jesus to stay when he and his disciples would come to Jerusalem. 

Whenever He visited the home, you would find this woman named Mary sitting at His feet, listening to every word He said. Her sister Martha would scold her for not meeting to the needs of the guests. Once, her sister complained to Jesus about this. His answer was: “Leave her alone; she has chosen the best.”  

On the occasion of her brother’s sickness and death. Mary and her sister called for Jesus to come.  When Mary saw Jesus, she fell weeping at His feet.  She knew if Jesus had come her brother would not have died.  Her love and trust in Him were so strong. 

Later, at the time of the Passover Jesus and his disciples came to the home of Simon the Leper. His home was near the home of Mary.   As they were eating Mary came in and knelt by where He was sitting.  She took her expensive vial of sweet fragrant oil and broke it open.  She poured all of it on His head. The sweet oil ran down and covered His body.  

She was immediately scolded by the disciples, saying we could have fed the poor with the sale of it.  But she said nothing.  

Jesus said she had done this in preparation for my burial and she would forever be remembered whenever the Gospel was preached. 

Today she is remembered because she sat at His feet listening to His every word, and for her boldness to sacrifice her all for Him.   

Are we willing to sit at His feet soaking up all He has to tell us?

Are we willing to be rebuked for showing extravagant love for Him?

Are we willing to show He is worthy of our all?

How will we be remembered?

Photography by Lori Garner

Written by Joann Turnbull

Sinners Prayer

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

I Surrender All by David Phelps

The choices we make day after day determine if we are pursuing God.   A.W. Tozer...

Did you ever wonder about why you were born?  How do you live on this fragile place called Earth?  How many years will you live on this earth?  And when you breathe your last breath, where will you go? 

Life is not an empty dream.  There is One who loves you deeply. When I say His name, you might say He is not the one who lived and died for me.  But He is the one Who created the Earth, the Sun, and the Stars for man to dwell here. 

The One who did this longed to share His love. So, He created a man in His image and kissed him with the breath of life. All of humankind came from this man and woman, including you and me.

If you are reading this, I don’t know who you are, but you live on this earth just like me. 

So, what do we do about this life we have been given? Many years ago, I had this same thought, and not by chance, someone told me about Jesus. 

They did not tell me much, but enough to make me want to know more about Him. So began my pursuit.  

I began to read about this one called Jesus.  I discovered that I did not have to do good things to have life forever.  He came to give me eternal life. 

I will not say more now.  

The One who created all of life is in pursuit of you.  He will not stop His pursuit until you receive Him. 

Who is this One who loves you?  This One who walked this earth 2000 years ago.  Seek Him!  

“To as many as receive Jesus, to them gave He, power to become the son or daughter of God….”  John 1:12.

Photography & Written by Joann Turnbull

Sinners Prayer

Carrie Underwood - I Surrender All (Official Audio Video)

“It really matters what you listen to. . . . Select music that will strengthen your spirit.” —Russell M. Nelson... 

O, the sweet blend of old hymns and new songs.  They met two thousand years ago to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. 

The sound of His voice is sweet to us as He sings over us in the quiet times we spend with Him.  

The very rocks cry out, and the trees clap their hands in praise to Him.  And so should we. 

Angel choirs sing to those who cannot remember where or who their family is.  But when you let them listen to hymns from long ago, suddenly, they begin to sing every word!  It is amazing. 

From my youth, I sang many old hymns to music that allowed me to memorize the words.   So often, these hymns and songs come to mind.  A melody can evoke many emotions.  The melody touches the deep places in our souls. 

We could name many in the Bible that sang songs to Him.  Miriam, Moses, David, Paul, and Silas.  Some were in sorrow, the enemy surrounded some, some were in prison, and many were victorious.   

The priests at the temple's dedication that Solomon built fell on their faces, and they could do no work as he overcame them.  Let us cease from our works for a moment and sing praises unto Him, our Creator, our Savior, and our Lover.  Often, I desire to have a thousand tongues to sing His praises. 

So, let the notes of hymns and songs refresh us and prepare us to wield the sword of His word wherever we go. 

“I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”

Psalm 104:33 KJV

Photography Lori Garner 

Written by Joann Turnbull

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

How Great Thou Art | Elvis Presley 4K (Live Music Video) | Outtake - Elvis 

Redeem, Redeemer, Redemption is used 167 times in the Bible.  

The meaning of Redeemer is:  One who buys back that which was lost. As I was studying this word, a hymn came to mind.  “O, for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer 's praise.”  The last verse says: “Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye silent, your loosened tongues employ. Ye blind, behold your Savior come, and leap, ye lame, for joy."

The music draws us to Him, to worship Him.  We come closer to Him as we sing songs of love and joy.  We feel His love rise up in our hearts.  He deserves the honor and the glory!  

The word Redeemer encompasses many thoughts. It signifies redemption. Humanity has been lost, living apart from their Creator and the Lover of their souls.

Sacrifices and countless works by man could not restore that fellowship. After years of failures, we can see a bright glimmer of hope in numerous places in the Old Testament.

It says in Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore, the Lord HIMSELF shall give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name, Immanuel. (God with us)

Seven hundred years later the Son is born, and His name is Jesus.  

He paid a great price for you and me. He is that Redeemer sent from the throne above.  He bled and died to redeem us.  He gave His all.  Say, YES, I accept Him as my Savior and Redeemer. 

When we do we can rejoice in our freedom to follow Him.  And joy will fill our souls as we fellowship and walk with Him.  He will continue to tell us how much He loves us and desires us. 

Another song came to mind as I was writing this.  “Pass me not O gentle Savior, do not pass me by.”  He will not pass us by.  He has been seeking you and me all our lives.  

Surrender to Him. Feel His love and grace in your life. 

The longer you know your Redeemer the more you will love Him.  He IS our great Redeemer and Lover of our soul. 

Redeemed forever!

 “For I know that my redeemer lives….”Job 19:25

“O Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; Thou hast redeemed my life.”  Lamentations 3:58

Written by Joann Turnbull 

Sinners Prayer 

Photography by Lori Garner 

Inspiring Music: YouTube Video 

Song of the Redeemed

Occupy until I come!!!!

The word occupy means to take back and keep that which is His aggressively. 

Occupy is used 45 times in the Bible. 

He is coming again in the same form as He left. Two thousand years ago, He ascended into the clouds. Are you looking for His return?

While we wait, we are to occupy? What does that mean today? If you follow Jesus, what are you doing to occupy?

Are we taking a stand in this world? Do we have influence in government, entertainment, the education of our children, and the technology that every child and adult holds in their hands every day?

Do we complain there is no prayer in our schools?

If we are to occupy, take, or possess what is His, we must be bold. He has given us the talents and gifts we will need. He has given us His love, His power to speak, to write, and to share His wonderful message with the world. 

In the Old Testament, there was a man named Caleb. It says that when facing the enemy, he had a different spirit, and he followed God fully. That different spirit in Him said our God is mighty, and with Him, we can take the land, even the giants in it. 

We can also say this: The enemy is defeated. Our Father has given us the tools to occupy and stand strong. We can wield His sword and shine His light in the darkness that seems to be trying to take over our world. Let us join our hands and our hearts and hold fast our positions. I urge you to discover your talents and gifts and use every possible way to share Him!! 

He is our hope for a brighter tomorrow. 

“And he called his ten servants and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 

Luke 19:13 KJV

Image and Written by Joann Turnbull

Sinners Prayer

Digital creation by Lori Garner 

Inspiring Music by (YouTube) 

MORIAH - Stand Strong (Official Lyric Video)

“Consider your ways” were words spoken to some 42,000 people who had returned to Jerusalem in 538 BC after spending seventy years in captivity in Babylon.  

The king told them to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple that had been destroyed, and he gave them all the supplies necessary to do it.  

Fast forward 18 years.  The people had only the foundation of the Temple built.  But they had built themselves fine cedar-lined houses fit for a king.  They had plenty of food and drink but were still hungry and thirsty.  They had plenty of clothes but were not warm.  And plenty of wages, but they were put in a bag with holes. 

God said to them, “You, you have built your fine houses, and My house still lies in ruins.  Consider your ways!” 

What was the problem?  What did they need to consider?  Was it their priorities?   They had lived to please themselves instead of pleasing God. 

The Temple was the place where they could come to hear the words of God, read, they could pray, and feel His presence.  God wanted the people to have that beautiful fellowship with Him as they worshipped.  The younger generations could hear Him say, “Love Me with all your heart, soul, and might.”

The Scrolls containing His words had not been read, nor had they sung the Psalms together for seventy years.  

The words in this little two-chapter book in the Bible took place over 2,500 years ago.  What is it saying to us today?   He is still saying, “Consider your ways!  Examine your priorities.  He is calling you to come closer to Him.  To really get to know Him and love Him with all your whole heart, soul, and mind.”

The time is now, not next week or 18 years from now.  He is waiting with open arms.

Photography by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration & Written by - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (YouTube) 

Casting Crowns - The Change in Me, Only Jesus Visual Album

You walked among us so long ago... How is it that you have left your fingerprints on my Heart. The beauty of that moment is, I can recall it like it was yesterday (LG)  

The word recall means to bring a fact back into our mind that we have learned.  It is used 39 times in the Bible.

I celebrate the amazing mind that we have been given.  Often I will recall a song or verse that I have not heard in a long time and it will speak to my heart. 

Do some of you recall the love letters written to you with pen and ink?  You would find one in your mailbox and you would hurry inside to a safe place to read it in private.  You would quickly tear it open and even as you read ‘Dear..............’ your heart would begin to beat a little faster.  You might read it so many times you had it memorized. 

We have a greater Love Letter, the Bible, written to us.  Most people have at least one copy written in ink and many have it encased inside a slim phone that can be opened anytime you want.  

My question is:  Are we in love with the author who wrote this Love Letter to us?  

Do we meditate on it day and night?  Do we hide it in our hearts?  Do we have it so close that if our children have a question we can tell them what the Writer of this Love Letter says?  

In Joshua 1:8, Joshua was told to meditate upon the Word day and night.  There were few copies of the first five books of the Bible written 3000 years ago. He repeated these words over and over to himself so they became a part of him.  

Memorizing Scripture is a wonderful gift to give to God.  I had a pastor that memorized The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7.  There are 111 verses in this passage.  He would often be asked to repeat this from memory.  When he was over 100 years old he was still able to stand and recite all 111 verses.  What a sermon that was!!!

Now, what about us?  I must admit I don’t have that many of His words hidden in my heart.  But I would like more because it is a joy to remember them as I talk with Him.  Words from Him and words from His Love Letter to us.  The freshness at our recall washes over us as we feel Him in our spirit.  He loves to hear His words from us. 

Let’s memorize the following word as a gift to Him today. 

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength:  this is the first commandment.”  Mark 12:30

“Never mind searching for who you are. Search for the person you aspire to be.”-Robert Brault...

Do we really know our identity?  How would you describe yourself?  How do others see you?  How does God see you?  

For years we may not understand our identity.  Or we may know it and refuse to be who we really are.  Because of our age, either young or old, we do not speak up. 

 I want to share two stories I recently heard. 

At the end of WW2, there were many orphans in Europe.  They did not know their identity.  One day a Jewish rabbi came to see them. He began speaking the Jewish prayer that is repeated twice a day by Jewish families.  As he spoke many of the orphans were in tears as they remembered these words spoken to them by their now-dead parents.  “Hear O Israel the Lord is One God, love Him with all your heart and soul and might.”  These words from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 identified who they were.  

The other story was from a friend that had moved to a new location and she was missing people who would talk freely about Him. What she said really spoke to my heart.  She said maybe it is me. I have not been who I really am.   

Do we act, think or speak as who we really are?

If you are a believer the Lord will show Himself in our actions, and we will speak about Him.  He is our Redeemer, our Protector, our peace, our King, the Lover of our souls, our Savior, our Confidant, our Beloved and so much more. 

We should be so excited about Him that we share our love for Him every chance we get. This was a lesson for me. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul and might”. Deuteronomy 6:5 hit me right between my eyes over the last two years. Everywhere I went I saw this verse.  On paper napkins and most recently in an estate sale.  There were the words printed on parchment paper hanging on the wall of the house. I could tell it had been there a long time. I could not leave it there. I bought it brought it home and painted the old frame.  It now hangs on my wall as a constant reminder of His love for me and what He wants from me. 

Stop and think!

Do we love Him more than anything or anyone? Do we seek Him with all our hearts?   It is the first great commandment.  It is repeated by Jesus three times in the Gospels.  

Will we be identified by this verse?

“Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul, and might.  And teach it to our children and grandchildren......”

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

inspiring Music by (youtube)

Lyrics~ The Great Pretender-Platters

A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie...

The word expectation is in the Bible 37 times. 

The meaning of expectation is to look forward to what will come. 

That day had finally come for one elderly man. His day of expectation had come. He was led by the Spirit to be in the Temple. 

Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to the Temple to dedicate Him forty days after His birth. As they walked into the Temple suddenly an elderly man came up to them.  He took the child Jesus and cradled him in his arms. As he held Him I can imagine the tears of joy rolling down his wrinkled face. 

Who was this old man?  And why did he take the baby from Mary’s arms? Let’s look and see.  There is always a rich nugget that our Father wants us to learn.

His name was Simeon.  He was a good man, a lover of God who kept himself pure, and he was a listener of the Spirit.  Actually, the meaning of His name is one who listens. 

Simeon believed that the Messiah, the Encourager of Israel would soon appear.  The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Messiah. 

At the very moment Mary and Joseph arrived in the temple with Baby Jesus, the Holy Spirit led Simeon to them.  Simeon had waited so long for this moment.  

As he held the Baby close in his arms he began to speak these words, “Lord, I am your loving servant and I have seen today with my eyes the Savior You have sent to the world to be a Light, and an Encourager to all.” 

Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon was saying about their Child. The promise of His coming was revealed that day to Simeon.  He was overcome with joy. 

The presence of God had returned to the Temple as Baby.  The One who would feed thousands, the One who would speak with authority, and the One who was the fulfillment of every commandment. 

The One we would love with all our heart, soul, and mind.  All He would ask us to do was to love Him and follow Him.  That beautiful Lamb of God.  

He was revealed to shepherds, wise men, and an elderly listener and lover of God named Simeon.   But there is one more that saw Him that day, but that story will have to wait. 

With my own eyes I have seen your Word, the Savior You sent into the world. He will be a glory for the people of Israel, and the Revelation-Light for all people everywhere. Luke 2:31-32

Written by Joann Turnbull 

Sinners Prayer - link by Lori Garner 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

 Photo by Nasimul Islam from Pexels

Expectation (feat. Joshua Miller)