Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Meaning of loyal giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution.

There are 65 verses in the Bible about loyalty 

Loyalty, is it that do or die feeling? Do we give our hearts away hoping that the one we give our heart to will take precious care of this amazing gift?

I have found that life scars can sometimes test that word loyalty. So how do we travel in our world and be loyal when we have so many unpredictable things happening around us ??  Sometimes perception can cause us to pause and question loyalty.   This word hit home with me when I was tested. And I had to make some difficult decisions. 

I have always felt I have been a loyal person and felt I would go to the mat for someone I love.  And I feel strongly that I still would. But please know if I am put through the test of being loyal to someone at the cost of going against what God is requiring of me. I do not want you to consider this a loss … Because if God is asking there is a very good reason for His request. And it may be pointing us to bigger things.

Now know my decision will not come without heartfelt pain of disappointment in your eyes. But know my loyalty to God will always come first. This journey has been a life experience that is beyond anything I have been through. It has placed me in some unfamiliar territory. It has tested me. It has taught me so many things about Elohim, Yeshua, and the Holy Spirit.  Together they have taught me about life and love. (I am a work in progress). 

As many of my readers know I am a firm believer in the 3N1. He WOW’s me. 

His loyalty to us is beyond words. His love for us is unwavering. He holds us so close. He wants us to be better, He wants us to grow into beautiful souls… When we look at loyalty, we need to sometimes look at the bigger picture. All things always point to Him.

It's Him, It's always Him.

We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! I say to myself, “The Lord is my God, and I trust him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor. Proverbs 21:21

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know that Yahweh your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commands. Deuteronomy 7:9

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Linger is in the Bible in 10 instances. But the act of lingering can be seen in other scriptures. 

What causes us to linger? I think it’s our emotions. I read an article that sadness seems to be the emotion that lasts the longest. I do understand this as a concept because we have a tendency to dwell on what caused the sadness or pain… 

I also think there are levels of lingering… We have a tendency to linger at the dinner table to share stimulating conversation. We tend to sip a good cup of tea to linger and savor the flavor to the last drop…

So, where does the Bible outline the act of lingering? There are times written about in scripture when people lingered to see and hear God and or Jesus.

But the scripture does not address the emotion… Why linger? What do you feel?  There is a soulful feeling of communion. There is peace. There is a love like no other.  There is a feeling of human completeness that is hard to describe. 

How do you find this communion? Each of us is traveling on different roads at different rates of speed. Each one of us has to find what works for the individual. There is no set way, He individualizes our experience with Him. That is why we are all unique and loved by Him equally. 

I am not an expert and I always tell my readers I am a work in progress. But I am willing to share my heart.  These are tools that work for me.  Prayer, Meditation, Music, and Quieting the Mind (which can be a challenge) LOL. 

I do consider the things I outlined above the vehicle…But not the key. The key is opening your heart and inviting Him in…Be steadfast… Do not waiver until you feel His presence. Keep calling Him… And when you feel Him in your soul, tears may flow. And there is where you will know the true meaning of lingering. You will have stimulating conversations and want to savor the moment until the last drop.  It truly is a heavenly experience.

I have lingered on this project long enough… I am getting in my vehicle and going for a test drive .. zoom zoom.

It’s Him, It's always Him.

“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. “Luke 10:38 NKJV

“And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. So, the Lord spoke to Moses' face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle. “Exodus 33:9-11 NKJV

Sheppard - Lingering :) 

Friends are angels who lift our feet when our own wings 

have trouble remembering how to fly.” 

– Author Unknown 

There are 100 Bible verses about friends. 

A person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations. Someone to a list of contacts associated with a social networking website.

Do we throw this word around like confetti? Do we take these relationships for granted? We all know that there are degrees of friends… There are friends that become social media friends. Those only see your public persona. There are some that see your persona, but you let them in a few layers deeper and they get to know you just a little bit better.

And then there are the ones that see past your fears, buy into your dreams so you let them into your soul… They become those beautiful colors of your life. There is a caring and mutual love that happens, and they become a part of your chosen family.  They stay in for the count. They stay through every victory and every life trial.  These friends are a gift from God and should be cherished. This gift does not even need to be one that is felt daily or time-stamped. It’s an amazing thing that happens… No matter the time or location when these souls connect. Its like time stood still and magically life picks up right where you left it the last time you looked into their eyes.

Did you know that it has been proven that friendship can extend life expectancy, lower chances of heart disease, and even help us better tolerate pain? 

Through the years I have been blessed to have friends at all the levels above. And some have come, and some are now gone but all have helped me grow. I am still a work in progress. And for those who have touched my life, I say thank you for being you. You know who you are !!

However,  if this is a Bible word study, we need to ask how does the word friendship work in the Bible? I have found so many things in the Bible that when we listen and open our hearts, we can learn so much. Did you know you had an amazing friend from birth? Some of us are blessed to find Him early in our life. Some may never find Him. And the thought of that crushes my soul and makes me sad. 

I am not proud, but I am happy to report that I am one of those better late than never people. But I am so beyond grateful that I found Him and He let me pick up from where I left off. He has held me when there was fear and/or doubt. He bought into my dreams. He has invited me to be one of His chosen family members. The amazing thing I have found, as He gently guides me, and we share in this beautiful Friendship. He has taught me so much, He has taught me how to truly love and how to 

see the blessing of each friendship and each new sunrise.

Did you ever think you could be friends with a KING? Imagine if He was on social media … I wonder how many of us would ask to be His friend, but then only show Him their public persona. Or would you let Him into your soul? 

The Bible outlines how important relationships are in general. They have given us the tools of how we should treat and relate and love others. So, do we get it right? Or do we get too distracted, busy, or callous… Or do we hide behind our social persona… and keep ourselves hidden? 

I say find that friend that has been there since birth, and pick up where you left off and build those beautiful colors of life. He has an invitation with your name on it to be one of His chosen.  His gift is waiting for you. You just need to claim it. 

Friend…

It's Him. It's always Him. 

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." 

Galatians 6:2. "

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31

He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. Proverbs 22:11

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant, does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you John 15:13-15