Love is not just tolerance. It's not just distant appreciation. It's a warm sense of, 'I am enjoying the fact that you are you.' N.T.Wright  

Meaning of distant far away in space or time.

The word distant is in the in Bible 94 times...

Who are you? Do I remember you?? My memories of you are so faded and distant do I even remember who you once were??  I question how and why I allowed you to get so close to my soul??  

I do believe we are all born with a Godly purpose. A divine destiny..  I know in my heart our paths crossed for a beautiful purpose.  To LOVE... even if it was only for a fleeting moment in time.

In the beginning of my journey many began to distance themselves, from my life which wounded my soul... But I have learned that there are times, when God allows this distance so we can grow and find Him!  He will fill that void, that emptiness we feel in our hearts... He will soothe our hearts and speak songs of love to our souls... 

The most intriguing thing I found as people became distant... It afforded me the time to press into God’s heart more each day... As my life began to turn... I began to see things like never before. My soul began to breath a newfound freedom. And my relationship with my Heavenly Father grew into such a beautiful world of exciting wonder and unexplainable love... 

If you were one of the one's that could not find it in your heart to stay... You were not alone. ... Many chose not to stay or even call ...They have distanced them self, due to lack of kindness, compassion and or understanding.. Many walked away.... But I forgive you. 

Because I have found that it can be intimidating and a bit overwhelming for some to realize that God is a larger-than-life adventure... Many become squeamish just at the mention of His name.  Not all of us are ready to explore the possibilities of a love beyond this world... 

I do believe that this "distancing" experience is like being a beautiful rose bush that needs a little pruning of the dead leaves in our lives... As they truly serve no healthy purpose... They just hang on and drain life from the bush giving nothing in return... When we are pruned it makes us stronger, it allows room for the beauty of a deeper more meaningful growth to take place... It will breathe life into the very essence of who you are in your core.

God is an amazing gardener of the soul. As He removes things that no longer serves His heavenly purpose...  He will fill your life with such richness. You will appreciate life and love like never before. It is the most amazing experience!!! It defies all human imagination...  Things that you thought mattered will begin to fade... 

So, I can honestly say don't despair... If you are feeling alone, misunderstood? Or have experienced a wounded heart at the hands of another... Talk to God, speak from your heart... Or just call His name and invite Him to sit with you a while... He knows us better than we could ever know ourselves... He passionately loves all His children, and He only wants what will make us bloom into the most beautiful soul flower in His garden of LOVE.  

Don't distance yourself from God... Place your life in His loving hands...  

He is my gardener, my confidant, my all.... He wows me!! 

It's Him... it's always Him!

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit John 15:2

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Inspiring Music by (youtube) 

Ed Sheeran's "Perfect" LYRICS - Christian Version by Beckah Shae (feat. Damien Horne)

I felt the urge to paint the door to my home red... so I did it this week... and this morning I became curious. Is there a significance to a red door in the Bible...??? And I found out a very interesting tidbit of information. 

A red door provides protection. In Biblical times, the Hebrew slaves were instructed to smear blood of a lamb on their front doors to protect their first born from the angel of death. In old Catholicism churches painted the doors of the church red to represent the blood of Christ. Passing through the door would mean that you were on holy ground. Some believe a red door protects the occupants from evil.

It seems there are so many things I do without knowing why have a deeper meaning. and it always points to Him... are they just coincidences.??? It does make me stop and say Hmm 

Do you find His mystery intriguing?? 

Revelation 3:20

John 10:7

https://triunelovesme.blogspot.com/.../door-open-door-to...

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”
― C.S. Lewis 

Meaning of chase the act of pursuing someone or something.

Chase is in the Bible approximately 47 times... 

Have you ever heard the term play hard to get?  There is such a cat and mouse game in love... 

When I cracked open the pages of the Bible and tried to chase the reason the word came to me today... I am sorry to report I was not successful in my quest. It did not take me where I wanted to go???

There many verses that speak of chase but most if not all point to the word enemy...Not to a love that is the life source of life and the reason this “Book” even exist...

I can only share my experience and thoughts... When I look back at my journey. It looks much like a courtship. I know that is a funny word. But please indulge me and let me expound... 

I was not looking for God... I truly only knew of Him from movies... So, I did not know Him... I knew facts about His existence ... But one unexpecting day He introduced Himself to me. I was swept off my feet and as I tried to catch my breath. I found myself bewildered and confused... Because I had never felt a love like this!! And I did not know how to contain it nor did I even know how to share it... Wow! 

He would come every day to share more and more... I found Him so loving. So mysterious So exciting...I could not wait to spend more time getting to know Him. I found I was getting to know Him a little deeper each time we met.... I did discover that He is greater and more powerful and any one we could ever encounter any where.  As the days passed there seemed to be a deep spiritual bond being built... I really did not even know how.... But I fell in love with who He is.. Not for what He could give me.. But for the kindness He showed! For the love He unselfishly gives.. For forgiving me for not chasing Him... Sooner... 

I think my souI had been waiting for Him to make the first move... All I can say is He WOWs me! 

I will admit there are days I feel He is just a little out if reach... And it makes my heart miss Him... It makes me long to talk to Him.. It makes me want to chase Him.. 

I think He knows the Art of LOVE and Romance better than any one.... 

He knows His distance will only make our soul crave His nearness...  

I have given Him my heart and will not stop pursuing Him. I will chase Him until the day comes that I can look into His beautiful eyes  and say Thank you for making the first move!!!! 😁. 

I think my soul has loved you long before I even met you!!!! 

Don't be a looker!! be a chaser... your life will never be the same... 

It's Him.. it's always Him! 

He is relentless in His pursuit of His children.  

People will say to you, "Look! There he is!' or "Look! Here he is!' But don't go and chase after him. Luke 17:23

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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Chris Tomlin - Chase Me Down (Audio) ft. RaeLynn

 “Don’t be afraid of being different, be afraid of being the same as everyone else!!

The meaning of different is not the same as another or each other; unlike in nature, form, or quality.

Have you ever felt just a little odd? You did not fit the mold??  When I look back at my life, I am sure I had the normal insecurities of wanting to fit in... Many children struggle with peer pressure...  

But do we ever really shed those feelings, or do we just get better at hiding behind that smile we wear... We learn to "fit" in the circles of life that we travel ... We become comfortable with who we have become... And our outward behavior is what others see as "Normal". But is that person they see the real you? Or just an image that you have created for approval by others?

It makes me wonder, who dictates what is Normal??? 

I thought I had grown into my "Normal".  Until one day due to a Holy Spirit Encounter my world swiftly flipped upside down. I found myself in very unfamiliar territory...I had been given a gift of supernatural love. And it seemed like overnight things were changing at record speed.  

My family and friends witnessed these dramatic changes that were happning to me and within me...

I indeed had become different... I had a new burning desire to know more about my Heavenly Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit.  God placed me in places to grow in love and understanding... He opened my heart for the world to see...  I have openly shared my journey with anyone that would listen. That in it self is so different from who I was... I did not share. I was a very private soul... And now here we are on a world wide blog where I have shared my thoughts and heart with you, my reader and almost another 30K souls.

Many people have said I need to write a book... It's funny because I never used to write before this life-altering event...

I do feel I have grown in so many different ways. I may not be "normal" according to earthly standards. But I am amazing and miraculously made. Just ask my Heavenly Father ... How did He make each of us so different yet the same??? I can only stand in awe in His Presence and mutter... 

It's Him! It’s always Him!!!

He WOWs me!!! His LOVE is so different. It's like nothing I have ever experienced in my life. But I do know it is not of this world... How could we not be touched by Him and not be different ?? He came to earth to so us how to live. How to love.  and how to be different...So when someone tells us we are different.. Remember we are in amazing company!!! 

And I.... am a work in progress.

Psalm 139:13-14 You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful Psalm 139:14 NIV

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. Matthew 7:13 

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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Micah Tyler - Different (Official Lyric Video)

“God’s real desire, in addition to displaying His glory, is to claim your heart and the hearts of those you love.” - Priscilla Shirer...

Fervent means to be hot, to boil, to show great warmth and feeling, the intensity of spirit.

Fervent is used 12 times in the Bible. 

Some often think that the Bible is a dry and cold book. But it is filled with emotions of every kind. It is not dry history.  It is teeming with the feelings and emotions of God and His children. 

We are made in the image of God. In us are all the 5 senses, as well as the sense of the Spirit living in us.  God is living, feeling, and full of emotions. 

We see in Luke 10 that Jesus sent out 70 disciples to go to every town and tell them that God’s kingdom had arrived and to heal the sick.  When they came back to report to Jesus, they were full of joy and excitement.  

In that hour it says that Jesus was overjoyed and rejoiced greatly(fervently) in the Holy Spirit.  The emotions He had were boiling over and fervent with excitement. Everywhere they had been there was a harvest of souls for the kingdom. 

What causes the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to be fervent?   What makes Them full of joy?  The harvest of souls!!!  

He has called us to share His love, His message to everyone.  May our soul be overflowing as we Talk about Him with fervency.

In another instance, in the Bible, we are called to be fervent in prayer.  Our prayers should be burning within us as we talk with Him.  He hears our cries.  He knows our hearts. 

Let us not be lukewarm or cold, but hot in our walk with Him.  And be fervent every day as we respond to His love.  Loving Him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.  212 degrees!!

fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
Romans 12:11-12 KJV

Photography Lori Garner Written by Joann Turnbull

Sinners Prayer 

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Katy Perry - Firework (Lyrics)

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times. -Martin Luther...

Meaning of confidence the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.

We located 20 verses that contain the word confidence. 

I am confident that a least one heart will connect with this heartfelt word... 

Can confidence be built? Or can it erode with time??? 

When I thought about this word I closed my eyes and I could clearly see a beautiful pool of water... I had the privilege this summer of watching my granddaughter's swimming lessons. Her Mom had hired a unfamiliar yet friendly teacher. 

Day one.... was shear panic, tears and crying out my name..."Grandma" as difficult as it was not to help her I had to stay in my appointed seat.. 

The teacher was scheduled to come twice a week... She patiently began to speak softly and give her deliberate directions. She started by teaching her how to put her face underwater and blow bubbles ... Then she held her as she floated...As the weeks progressed she began the process of building her trust. Soon the art of swim strokes followed... As the time passed I watched my granddaughter’s trust and confidence in her teacher grow... As summer faded ... She had mastered the task set before her of swimmimg.. And now with great confidence she stood at the edge of the pool she called out my name "Grandma" watch... She then confidently began a deliberate high jump into the deepest part of the pool... She was fully submerged underwater... And soon her little head broke the surface of the sparkling water... And there big as you please was her beautiful confident smile... She did it !!  

Many might think this word study would take me to the question “How much confidence do I have in God??” Much like the pool story above many of us may start out our spiritual life in shear panic, crying out and looking for our teacher to save us??  But as our teacher speaks softly to our hearts we began to let go of the edge of the pool... That is how our  trust in Him grows. With time, we began to tread water... and spiritually we get stronger each day.. There will be the day that we call out His name and with a deliberate jump we will land in deep water. And as we break the sparkling water's surface He will be there to see our beautiful confident smile... 

If we are lucky we have built that trust and confidence in our Heavenly Father by spending the time to know without a doubt He will always be at arms length ready to save us from the challenges of this life... 

But does it stop here or does this circle of confidence go beyond our confidence in God?? What about His confidence in His children?? Why were we chosen? Did He see something in us that gave Him the confidence to trust us with such a valuable message??? The message of His greater LOVE!!! As we look back in time there has always been a chosen few... A few that were willing to stand at the edge of the pool ready to jump and fully submerge themselves in Him and His gift of heavenly love...  I am confident that it’s our soul's desire to be being fully submerged in His sparkling light...

This word has taught me that confidence goes both ways... I have learned to trust Him with my life... I am confident that with His guidance I will be ready to jump into the deeper part of knowing Him ... 

He is my LIFE-savior... My mentor... My confidant... ❤

Its Him, Its always been Him.

We have been chosen to jump??   But the question is 

are we ready??? 

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35–36

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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SANCTUS REAL | CONFIDENCE - Official Music Video 

When you Run alone, It's called RACE? And When GOD Runs with you, It's called GRACE! - unknown...

The meaning of cautious is careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.

We located 7 verses that speak of the word cautious... 

Are we just being cautious? Do we tread lightly when we are unsure? There is so much to digest these days... So many instabilities... So much uncertainty? So many “experts” ??? 

I don’t know about you but it makes my head spin?? Am I being overly cautious or am I just dizzy from too much information from the so-called “experts”? Are we truly being bamboozled? 

We have truly taken our eye off the ball? If we look at the Bible we see many parallels... 

We see hate and discord with the Government. We see a division within the general population. Political, Race, Gender... We see blatant judgment... 

Centuries ago we had the opportunity to witness and love Jesus and we let Him slip through our fingers??? Was He cautious in showing His love? I say NOT! 

I do believe we must be cautious as we travel in our broken world... We must uncover all the facts... We must sift all things through our Saviors heart and our Father’s words... We must hear His protective cry before we take action... We must diligently pray for guidance. 

The vision that comes to mind is a horse race... So much training goes into each race. So much trust in his jockey.  Winning the prize is the ultimate goal..  and one of the best pieces of equipment the horse will wear are blinders...This helps him focus and only see what’s ahead... 

Again parallels. We are all in a race we call life... We are all training for that lifetime opportunity... We all must grow and learn to trust Jesus... Never, Never take your eye off the prize.  We must wear our spiritual blinders..and must stay focused on the days ahead.

It's His presence that will give us peace in our hearts in the midst of our uncertainties...  

Trusting Him has given me the ability to throw caution to the wind and blindly focus on Him!!! The prize of eternity with my Savior is my Heavenly goal... We do need to be cautious of the fleeting things of our world... One day they will all fall away. But His gift of Life and LOVE will never fade... It can only grow stronger in our hearts as we approach the starting gate, and the final bugle call is blown... and the race is on... mud flys.. and you can almost hear the announcer calling the positions of the race...  Are you in first place ?? Or dead last?  And as you go under the wire... in a faint small voice, we can say thank God I made it !!! 

It is there in the winners circle our focus becomes clear...

It’s Him, it’s always been Him!

So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the Lord your God. Joshua 23:11

“By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.”

1 John 4:17 ESV

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Model: https://horsesthathelp.org

Sinners Prayer 

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The Cavalry Charge - William Tell Overture (Finale)

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest; heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.” – Author Unknown...

Meaning of quiet making little or no noise. 

We located 31 scriptures about the word quiet in the KJV of the Bible. 

Our world is spinning so fast...The hustle and bustle of life can be so loud... You can not even hear yourself think... 

Hearing is such a sensitive subject for me. When I was a child I lost 60 percent of my hearing... And as I adapted to this quiet world I began to read lips as a tool to understand what was being said... I have had several surgeries and now wear hearing devices to enhance my chronic hearing issue... 

But after many years I have come to the realization that this weakness is truly a blessing... I can at will turn off the noise of our crazy world... I learned the art of tuning out and tuning in to the beautiful melodic sounds of Music... Where I am whisked away deep with my thoughts... I have found that this quiet time allows me to hide deeper within myself than most...I can find that sweet space where the world fades away... It's there that I can take a deep breath... It's where my heart rate literally slows down. I close my eyes, relax, open my heart and invite my Heavenly Father in... And wait... 

I will confess sometimes waiting is more of a challenge than turning off the world... But as soon His serene peacefulness fills the air... and in my mind's eye, He appears... And my every thought is consumed with Him alone...It's in the quietness of the moment without an auditable voice, I can hear His gentle voice... As He whispers words of love to my soul...  It’s a silent world... of communion with the most beautiful ONE I have been blessed to love... There are no words needed, I do not have to read lips... because it's in those quiet moments I feel Him in the very depths of my soul...

So if you catch me quietly sitting on a park bench or in the middle of a crowded room... Beware my hearing devices may be turned off to the outside noise of our world...  Because I am tuned into a love song that God is singing just for me... 

I invite you to quiet your mind and wait with me perhaps you too will hearing His sweet song of love. Shh, listen with your soulful ears!  And get swept away in the quiet moments ... can’t you feel Him in your soul?? 

It’s Him!! It has always been Him. I love my quiet times with Him.

Quiet your heart in his presence and wait patiently for Yahweh. And don’t think for a moment that the wicked, in their prosperity, are better off than you. Psalms 37:7 

We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil, we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 TPT

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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(the autumn) - In The Stillness - Official Lyric Video

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

"If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own powers." - Mother Teresa

Meaning of pride: a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.

Ok stand back and brace yourself most if not all of us could use a hefty dose of humility when we crack open this word...

It just might hit you like a cold glass of water on a blistering summer day... Will it be a pleasant tune or just a bunch of white noise... 

I think we have hit a sensitive cord... Pride can be dark, it can be full of self... and the shrapnel it releases can wound unsuspecting hearts...

Is this word always an ugly word? Is there a time when pride can be an emotion that can drive us to a place of beautiful growth ?? 

As parents, we tell our children we are proud of their achievements... But when we take it to others in a boastful manner I think we have just shifted pride to a displeasing level... When pride points to self that is when we lose our humility.. our grace, and our focus on what truly matters... 

Would it be out of line if I said I am proud that I am a follower of Christ?  Or would I rather hear my Father say He is pleased with who I am becoming... I pray the latter.

When we do not own the word but give it the way it takes on such a beautiful meaning... 

The heart you gifted that emotion to may have needed your approval or just a few words of encouragement... 

When you weld this emotion mix it with a pinch of love and make sure it lands firm and does not boomerang. 

Be a humble encourager ... 

Be the most amazing soul you can be!!! Make our Father be delighted in the soul you have become.

Then suddenly the voice of the Father shouted from the sky, saying, “This is my Son—the Beloved! My greatest delight is in him.” Matthew 3:17

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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Selah + Pride Of A Father - Hillsong Young & Free //// Subtítulos en Españo