"It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are." - Roy Disney (1893 - 1971), 

The meaning of core - the central or most important part of something. 

When we began to peel back the pages of the Bible to discover just how many times is the word core utilized? Hmm, It's not too surprising that they use the heart as a central part of things.. and not the word core.

I have always heard “Good to the Core”  But what does that mean ?? The apple is such a good example of a visual. Most of us have enjoyed that juicy ripened apple all the way to the core. 

But as we further study the goodness in man can anyone truly be “Good to the core”?  Biblical speaking if our heritage is to be free from sin then to be “Good to the Core” is almost an impossible mission! As we are told it’s in our nature to sin. As born-again Christians, this “goodness” should be our ultimate goal... But to all of us who strive to reach that almost impossible victory ring we see it as heaven. It is a slow and difficult but rewarding climb. 

I do believe we live in chaotic times. Many people have lost touch with the values that guide us to a greater understanding of who we truly are becoming ... Are we becoming everything God intended us to be?  Or is there that tiny worm 🐛 that has penetrated our soul to upset the goodness of life before us? 

We all have our struggles against the flesh. Our actions, our words, our kindness, our compassion, our forgiveness towards others, that tiny snide remark, or envious thought, or above all else our daily devotion and love for God our Heavenly Father. 

He gave us Jesus as a gift with a beautiful resolution .. Believing in Him is the only way. You are redeemed by His blood and His amazing grace.

But this gift is not a free ticket to heaven. We must put one foot in front of the other each day and give it 110 of ourselves.  We can not give our heart to Jesus and keep our feet in the path to destruction. Your innermost man will go to an internal war..  Doing the “right thing” can be a struggle but do not abandon HOPE.. because it’s is Jesus and the Holy Spirit that will give you the endurance and strength to be victorious over the worm 🐛with the mission to seek and destroy. Which in essence, will break down the goodness of the apple and it will become “ rotten to the core” 

I do not have the answers to tell you how to measure or deal with your earthly struggle. Because we all have them they are so similar yet uniquely our own. 

I can say I have witnessed and found out personally when we surrender to Jesus the easier life obstacles become. The stronger we become in our ability to ward off temptation. And His grace becomes a beautiful armor of love ❤. 

It is through the power of our Savior's precious blood that we find victory over things of this world... He is our light in our darkest hour. He is our strength when we can not withstand the heat!  He is our comforter when the world does not understand. He is our promise of HOPE. He is our role model. He is the biggest LOVE story ever told !! 

It’s Him. It’s always Him. 

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. proverbs 20:11 ESV

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 ESV

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 1 Peter 1:18-20

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music by (youtube) 

Christ the Rock - Lyric Video

"The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire." ~ Ferdinand Foch...

Meaning of Pentecost the Christian festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension held on the seventh Sunday after Easter.

There are 15 verses that refer to the word Pentecost in the Bible. The word Pentecost is from the Greek word 'Pentekostos', which means 'fifty'

What a powerful gift !! One that in my opinion does not get its rightful praise. 

Many many years ago on this very day which many call Pentecost sits an amazing event that changed history, and the church was born. 

One hundred and twenty believers in Christ, men, and women were instructed to go and wait for a comforter in the upper room. I can only imagine the anticipation, the whispers the nail-biting, and the prayers that filled the very walls of this location in Jerusalem..  Close your eyes and just try to envision this moment.  

This day marked the calendar as the 50th day from the Sabbath of Passover celebration. The celebration of the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:16).

Many celebrated wearing white because it is written that 3,000 people were baptized due to the outpour of this LOVE, on that monumental day. 

There were two promises fulfilled that day. One promise is in the Old Testament – Joel 2:28, which says "I will pour out my Spirit on all people", and one in the New, where Jesus says He will send another Counsellor, the Spirit of truth (John 16: 5-15).

If we could close our eyes and travel back in time. This moment would have to be an indescribable moment in time. It’s a moment that could have left the 120 people that obeyed Jesus speechless. However, it’s written that they spoke in a heavenly language that became known as tongues.  I have found that many today dismiss this as a possibility because of a lack of knowledge or fear of the unknown. But it had to be a beautiful moment that even the ones that uttered these words did not even understand. 

To be overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit can send a rush of emotion, that is very difficult to describe and contain. To be overwhelmed by God's own spiritual breath. OMG... if only they had cell phones, who and what would they be texting .. imagine the selfies that would have flooded all social media networks ... The outpour of His Love was such a dramatic event that it could have even set the non-believer's heads afire. 

This miraculous moment gave all who yearn for something greater than this life "Hope" by sharing these seven gifts wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. 

As I finished writing the words that outline these amazing gifts.  I found they lacked something?  They lacked the life and the excitement the Holy Spirit brings into our hearts and soul. It is not enough to know the facts that are written in this marvelous book we have grown to love... We must experience that fire that ignites our souls... The Holy Spirit is a precious part of the Trinity. He is our Heavenly connection to our Heavenly Father. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all caring, all-loving. He lives within ... and He is truly is indescribable. He WOWs me. 

These seven gifts are associated with the giving of the Holy Spirit, an idea well-rooted in the Scriptures. These gifts were delivered to a group of believers who gathered as instructed. He brought a message of love, hope, and the gift of redemption through our relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior. This message was a message to be shared with all of mankind and to be spread to all corners of our world.. Resulting in what we now call church. But if the Holy Spirit does not breathe His fire into the hearts of its members it will be void of the beautiful essence of the greatest LOVE we can ever experience. 

During my journey, He invaded my heart and soul in such a unique and powerful way. But that story is for another day!! It’s His celebration day today!! 

However, I will share this moment, during my spiritual walk I questioned, Why is it I hear that people fall in love with God, they fall in love with Jesus. But I never hear anyone say I fell in love with the Holy Spirit ??? I found out that many do fall in LOVE with the Holy Spirit. I was just a spiritual child with so much yet to learn. 

However I am beyond grateful for the Holy Spirit He is my conduit to Jesus and to my Heavenly Father, He is my teacher, my confidant.. He is the very breath that has set this all-consuming fire in my soul.. He is forever a beautiful part of my 3n1. 

It's Him, It’s always Him!!! 

(Triune) = (Trinity) Loves Me) 

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.   Acts 2:1 -47 



But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John  14:26

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music by (youtube) 

CeCe Winans "Holy Spirit Come and Fill this Place"

So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are His lovers who have been called to fulfill His designed purpose. Romans 8:28 TPT

Loneliness is, therefore, a state of mind, an emotion brought on by feelings of separation from other human beings. The sense of isolation is very deeply felt by those who are lonely. 

There are approximately 108 verses that speak to the isolation feeling of loneliness. 

As I sit here alone with my thoughts many questions come to my mind.  I don’t know about you, but I have so many God why questions.??  

Do you ever question why God made man? He has a perfect home in Heaven. Why does He want to take time with us? Why does He love us so deeply? Many of us are familiar with the scripture. 1 John 4:7-8 God is Love. Love is an amazing gift! I believe the more love you give away the more you receive. 

I also believe He made man for the most important heartfelt reason “To love and to be loved.” 

It has been scientifically proven with plants .. the ones that receive care (love) flourishes..while the ones that were ignored withered away and were at risk of dying.  

God needs our love. He chases it. He craves it. 

In order for Him to grow His LOVE, it needs to be shared. He is the very essence of LOVE. It would be a tragedy if He had no one to share His gift of love with. He shares it in such a beautifully intimate way!! He inhabits that special place within our hearts and souls. 

Some will say He has Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He does not need man. Yes, that is a true fact. However, we have our mind, body, and spirit, (Man's Trinity).  Does this mean we are in our own company and should never feel lonely? 

Have you ever wondered if God is lonely? I have! And I would like to share this scripture with you. "And God said, "Let us make man in our image." Genesis 1:26-28

This points me to the conclusion that God experiences all the same emotions that man does. He knows the crushing pain of loneliness, and disappointment when His children turn away. 

I do think at some time in our life we have been touched by some form of loneliness. So we can relate to the sadness this word brings to our lives.

I will admit, there have times in my journey that I have felt deserted by some.  Because they did not understand the magnitude of this LOVE and pulled away... I have felt lost and I have felt lonely, and even betrayed. 

However, it was in my darkest hour and my loneliness day’s I found His LOVE. 

It’s a love that understands the heartbreak and the uncertainties that may accompany loneliness and this type of heartfelt pain.

But I found comfort hidden in pages of His word. I found my validation. In Deuteronomy 31:6, it says “Be strong and courageous; “He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I have found He that embraces you!   Day or night! He will hold your heart in His hands. And He will fill your soul with a love that will heal your mind, body, and soul... Find Him, Love Him. Spend time with Him.

Your life will never be the same.. and it’s all because of a love greater than we could even imagine! 

With Him, we are never alone. He is with us always, until the end of time.

It's Him, It’s always Him. 

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us. Romans 8:31-38

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

And I Love You So - Elvis Presley - Annie Moses Band

“Feelings beyond explanation.....the soul responds with unspoken words. The heart sings in splendor” ― Leela Reddy 

Love is a choice to reach beyond myself not once, but twice. First, I reach out to God to grant me the love that I don’t possess, and then I reach out to others to give them that love. And to be a conduit of this sort is to take love beyond the thin romantic notions of men and set it ablaze within me so that it might consume the world around me.

Craig D. Lounsbrough

The Meaning of reach - To extend; to stretch; in a general sense; sometimes followed by out and forth; as, to reach out the arm.

The word reach is used approximately 104 times in the Bible. 

When I reach for you will you be there? I run to you each day but you are always just beyond my reach. I feel you in my soul, I hear your gentle whisper. However, I yearn so to touch your beautiful face. 

What is this race we call life? What is this drive to love you, that lives in my heart? What is our purpose… 

I find this journey so simple yet so complex. 

It’s the midnight hour when I seem to reach for Him the most. I want to share my thoughts, my desires, my love with the one that holds my heart. The one who keeps the chaos from knocking at my door. The daily noise of life becomes a distant memory in His presence. … He is my fortress, my high tower, my protector, my escape to a spiritual existence. 

In Him I found life. He is such a gentle and kind spirit. I found a beauty that I never knew existed in this world. He fills our souls with an unexplainable love. It is so difficult to put it into words. His dream is for His children to share this great love! So, I ask you, how do we share this kind of heavenly LOVE ?? I can only pray that He opens your heart and that He gives me the words. 

He has given us this promise of this kind of love for eternity.  Once you have felt God’s Love there is no turning back…. I can only pray, that if we began to slip from His grasp. That He will reach for our hand and pull us lovingly into arms. I personally do not ever want to fall far from His reach.. 

It’s Him.  It has always been Him.

He breathed life into my soul. How did I not reach out sooner? How did I not respond ?? He tried to reach me so, many times…But I never stopped long enough to hear His melodic voice. 
He had to pour out His heart from heaven and touch my soul so deep, so profound that there was no doubt ... I knew in my heart it was Him. 

And life will never be the same. 

Thank you, my LOVEs my 3N1for never giving up…  

Psalms 139:7-11, 17-18, 23-24 TPT

“Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought! O God, your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, you’re still with me. Where could I go from your Spirit? Where could I run and hide from your face? If I go up to heaven, you’re there! If I go down to the realm of the dead, you’re there too! If I fly with wings into the shining dawn, you’re there! If I fly into the radiant sunset, you’re there waiting! Wherever I go, your hand will guide me; your strength will empower me. It’s impossible to disappear from you or to ask the darkness to hide me, for your presence is everywhere, bringing light into my night.

God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart. Examine me through and through; find out everything that may be hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares. See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting way— the path that brings me back to you.” 

Photo Design & Written by Lori Garner

 / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

John Barry - Somewhere In Time (Original)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:8-10)

Meaning of - Unequipped: not furnished with the necessary supplies, abilities, etc 

I searched and searched the pages of this ancient book we know as the Bible and could not find the word unequipped. 

I guess I am unequipped to understand why He loves us ?? Why He even takes the time. Why are we so important to Him?

When we humbly stand before our King, our Savior, Heavenly Father we feel so small ... so unequipped, so fragile...so small... But So .... So in awe !!’ 

What is it that He sees? Why does He feel the need to chase us, to love us, and to teach us His ways? It is part of His mystery. It’s part of His power and grace... and 

His insatiable need to LOVE. 

When we reflect on the ones that came before us... There is a common thread that we can see. 

They were not the biggest the most powerful .. or even the most popular among others... 

Many may have seen them as small like David? Crazy like Noah .. or struggle with words like Moses.

If we examine all the characters within the Bible we may see a little bit of ourselves in each of them. 

I am sure they felt inadequate and unequipped to accomplish what God asked of them. They had doubts.. but they trusted Him. 

There will be times in our lives that we feel unequipped. Much Like Mary... We may feel small in the vastness of our world. 

God placed a monumental task upon her heart. She may have been afraid of what others would think. But she trusted Him with all of her heart. 

How did they find that inner strength, that peace? 

How did they find the confidence that they forged ahead without validation from others? What set them apart? 

It's Him!!! It's trusting Him!! It's loving Him.

It’s His insatiable desire to love His children. It's His passionate dream to see them grow into everything He knows they can be. He knows our deepest thoughts, strengths, and our weaknesses. 

He knows how to touch us in the deepest part of our hearts and soul. He knows how to lead us through every life experience from the simplest to the most difficult.  He knows that each experience holds a life lesson that will become a part of who we are.

He has promised to never leave us to face those hurdles alone...

We must learn to wait and trust Him with our mind, our heart, and all of our soul.

He knows when to hold us close.. and when to open His arms and whisper fly my beloved I am here.  

He is the foundation beneath our feet and our safety net if we fall. 

It's Him, It always points me to Him...

God doesn’t, however, save us by His grace and power and then intend for us to go off in our own wisdom and strength, to figure it out on our own. Rather, “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6)

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner  

Inspiring Music: YouTube

Ben Platt - 'Grow As We Go' Lyrics

Photography, design & Written by Lori Garner

Bible Verses From KJV, Easy  /  Sinners prayer 

Inspiring Music: PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM + spontaneous worship // one-take cover

It's on the mountain that God reveals to us our weaknesses and insecurities. We find in our relationship with him a strength we didn't know existed.  - Jarrett Stephens...

Meaning of mountain - a large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level.

Mountain formation refers to the geological processes that underlie the formation of mountains. These processes are associated with large-scale movements of the Earth's crust.

The word mountain is referred to 55 times in the Bible. 

When we look at the word mountain we can stand at the foothills or rise to the beautiful peaks.  

There have been times I have stood at the foothills and looked up to what I felt were impossible odds. I have cried and asked my Heavenly Father to remove this mountain before me!! I have opened my eyes and I thought nothing changed... I felt alone, unsettled, and felt like my prayers went unanswered. 

But as I traveled this path of life. I knew “I” would need to prepare myself with everything I could think of for this difficult climb. Ropes, climbing shoes, gear... And with an uncertain heart, I began my journey living life one day at a time.  As difficult as some of the terrains became to overcome I found comfort, the strength I did not know even existed. There were days that were without challenges smooth and unencumbered. But then there were treacherous places that I wanted to quit, throw in the towel..and just withdraw from my very existence. 

But like most I too have been guilty,  in final desperation, we seem to cry out to our Heavenly Father help me I need you !!! 

Only to realize at that moment He has been traveling beside us every step of the way.  He has danced with us through the beautiful light and through the darkness of despair. 

He held us tighter when we began to slip and lose our grip... and as He holds us we can hear “Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you” ( Deuteronomy 31:6). 

In my journey, I have stood at the foothills and traveled to the mountain peaks... I find that He is always at my side. there are times I think .. where are you? You are so distant! He was always there ... I am sad to admit it was me who moved. 

But to my surprise I found that He is my constant, He is my rock at the foothills and the wind beneath my wings at the mountain peaks. 

So grateful that He plans on never letting me go...I have been on a spiritual climb each and every day...So much to see, So much to hear, So much life to live... With Him, mountains are a beautiful path to the heavens gate.   Where we can feel Him in the wind... See Him in the beauty of the open sky ... and hear Him whisper to our soul.

It’s Him, it’s always Him 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2 NIV

 Photo design & Written by Lori Garner

Bible Verses From KJV, Easy  /  Sinners prayer                                                                                       

Inspiring Music by Jaci Velasquez - Imagine Me Without You (with Lyrics)