“When we leave the pen in His hands we will never be disappointed with the story of our lives.” 
― Eric Ludy,

Meaning of story a report about incidents or events: account Let's hear your story of what happened. 

“The Bible is often thought of as one book. However, it is actually a compilation of 66 different books written by 40 different authors. These authors were not all connected to each other, most did not even know each other because these books were written over a period of approximately 1500 years. “ 

How did the writers create such a masterpiece of factual wonder we know as the Bible? How many stories are stored within its pages??? Let’s think about that. Hmm, No Computers, No digital assistance? No spell checks. What! no technology? How did He do it ??

Most likely all the writers wrote each story by dim candlelight... with a rudimentary tool similar to what we know as a quill pen and ink ... They each poured out their heart and soul .... While God guided their thoughts and their hands... They were not in the physical presence of each other... They had no team meetings. No zoom calls... How did they organize their work to produce this amazing story? It’s the greatest literary phenomenon of all times... 

So many stories ... So many lessons... So much love poured into each chapter of the book ... But wait ... I ask you was the love poured into each page? ... or is it poured from the pages into the reader's hearts all over the world??? These chapters, these verses, these words ... are alive... 

I am sure the writers did not even know the magnitude of their work. They were not made rich and/or famous by earthly standards... But they are rich in our Fathers Love...  You ask how do I know this??? I can only relate with them on a very tiny scale... 

I had no interest in writing... But one day I had a Holy Spirit Encounter and my Heavenly Father opened my heart and soul. I began to listen to His melodic voice and words began to flow... and without hesitation, I began to document my thoughts, my experiences, and my love for my loving Triune. 

I do not write to compare my journey to any literary work... It is just happening... normally it’s in the very early morning hours. I sit quietly with my thoughts, and my mind drifts to a love that I felt on that beautiful day in May... and as I began to feel His beautiful presence my heart leaps with excitement.. and my soul stirs with great anticipation... and I surrender.

He is the author of my life... And the lover of my soul... I am but a quill in His loving hands... And as He pours His love into the pages of my amazing journey... I can only pray that my sharing Him with you touches your soul. 

And that the one heart He is trying so desperately to reach is yours... If it’s you, the day will come that you too will be swept away in the early morning hours. It’s then and there you will feel Him stirring in your soul and with the excitement and anticipation of a Child on Christmas Day you whisper it's Him ... 

It has always been Him...

He is the most amazing love story ever written... And the greatest gift to all mankind...

Oh, my goodness how He wows me... I will never be the same!!

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Ephesians 1:13 

In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. John 1:1-3 ESV

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Write Your Story by Francesca Battistelli Lyrics

“If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will, in the end, make no difference what you have chosen instead.”  William Law

Meaning of first In a general sense, “the first” are the privileged, prestigious, and selfish who get ahead in this life while defying God's commandments. But they will receive condemnation in the life to come. “The last,” though rejected by the world, will receive a great reward in heaven.

Run Forest Run... How many of us desire the thrill of winning the race? Is it that victory moment that speaks to our soul ... Or is it that superficial hidden desire to show the world we are first. 

I can not help seeing those moments in sports when another athlete gave up the victory of being first to help another struggling soul...  Here is a link to just one of the many examples.  

Rivals Help Injured Runner Across Finish Line

I believe we are in the greatest race of our lives... Back to our Creator's arms... What is the mission of each believer?  Is it to follow Jesus? Is it to feed the hungry? Is it to ______ ? There are so many things we could busy our Christian lives with? So many,  that we would have no trouble filling in the blank!! Do we call them works?  Are we busy filling our bag of good deeds to impress others or maybe to impress God? 

Or are we unselfishly filling our heart, soul, and mind with Him... 

Are we working on understanding His rules of engagement? He calls them commandments... Are we living within His guidelines? Are these commandments becoming a part of who we are? Are we getting ourselves ready for the race of a lifetime... 

Are we locking elbows with others to help them get in the race? Are we putting our own selfish desires to be first aside to help another soul across the finish line? 

It is a human desire to be first. But it’s a soul desire that we wake up soon and get in this Heavenly race ... 

Our soul craves to hear our Heavenly Father voice say .. 

You made it back!!  Thank you for bringing others with you !! Well done my child...  And as you fall into His powerful arms you realize we are all first in His heart... How does He do it !!! So many children and we are all first ??? 

It's Him, It’s always Him!!! 

His capacity of Love is more than our human mind can even begin to understand... 

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Lauren Daigle - First (Lyric Video)

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)

Meaning of wrestle 
take part in a fight, either as a sport or in earnest, that involves grappling with one's opponent and trying to throw or force them to the ground. “he wrestled with the intruder before being knocked unconscious". Struggle with a difficulty or problem. “For over a year David wrestled with a guilty conscience"

There are only five verses about the word wrestle... 

Life as we know it has many struggles... Some of our struggles are in our control some are not. Some of our struggles are spiritual some are physical. All rob us of our peace...and can affect our health, relationships, and ultimately our life.

I believe we must sift our problems through the three Rs...recognize, reconcile, and recover. 

You could try all three without any help. You may have a fifty percent chance of getting a favorable result... But I believe if you ask for God's help. Your odds will increase to 110 percent.. maybe even more!! 

There is a weight that is lifted when we ask God for His help. That is the first R recognizing there is an issue. As we lay it out for God to see we began to reconcile all the ugly pieces... and with God's help, we began to get clarity... 

In this process, we learn that He sees the good, the bad, and the ugly... and loves us in spite of ourselves. He loves us beyond the most difficult situation.

As we travel through the darkness we learn to trust Him. And our clenched fist began to open ... We learn to let go and let Him guide our actions and our hearts. The road to recovery may be a difficult road. But He will give us the strength to endure. 

You will feel freedom and recognize that He has never left our side.  He has loved us through any darkness and into the light. He has wiped every tear... And has held our hand every step of the way...

The question becomes why don’t we come to Him with everything? Maybe pride? Maybe doubt? Maybe ______? 

You fill in the blank ... 

I believe the biggest issue we can encounter is when we wrestle with God, Himself... We bring Him our problem... We take it back several times!! We may even say if you are so mighty fix this??? I give up. Life is too hard?

He could fix it just like that. But as our loving Heavenly Father, He would ask Himself what lesson would this teach? What would my child learn??  

As a parent, our role is to teach. Lead by example and love with a forgiving and understanding heart. All the while giving our child a soft place to land... 

This lesson is spelled out from the greatest teacher there was, there is, and could ever be... The question becomes did We learn the lesson?  Did we understand the assignment? Can we execute what He taught us??? or did we ask God just to fix it??? 

Do we find ourselves still wallowing in doubt and despair and self-pity?? 

Do we seem to still be wrestling our thoughts and with God??? 

Have we humbled ourselves before Him and asked He to teach us... Did we say? I cannot do this without you... Father, It's your will, not mine?? Did we truly mean it?

I can share a secret that I have learned... He knows what’s best for us ... way better than we could ever even begin to know for ourselves. 

I have thrown in the white towel of surrender and opened my heart to learn whatever lesson He is willing to teach me... Because I know with God all things are possible!!! 

It’s Him... It’s always been Him. And many of us are just too stubborn to realize it!!!

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Model: Gabriel Chacon

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

David Phelps - Interlude: Wrestling with God/I Surrender All from Hymnal 

The meaning of sit: adopts or be in a position in which one's weight is supported by one's buttocks rather than one's feet and one's back is upright.

Do you ever find life so busy that sitting still can be a challenge?? We seem to be so busy that we can not stop our minds from racing ?? Do we busy ourselves so much that we get lost in the LIFE shuffle??  

Where can we go to escape? Who will understand? Who will comfort us with no questions asked??? Where can we find that freedom of a child? There is an answer.

But are we too busy to see Him? Are we too busy to talk to Him? Are we too busy to love Him? Are we too busy to FEEL Him? 

I have found a safe place to hide in a world that seems to have gone mad... I want to share with you the answer...

He came to rescue us from the madness of our world... He is our first love... He is gentle, kind and our soft place to fall.. He loves us far greater and deeper than anyone.. in all the universe! 

I cherish each second that I sit in His presence. He comforts my anxious soul. He fills my heart with a love that engulfs my very existence. I see Him in all creation ... 

It’s at that moment..  when I feel Him that time seems to fade away...My heart and soul are freed ... to feel such amazing rest, peace, and acceptance, even when life seems to continue to spin out of control in the distance. 

I am swept away... 

Things of this world do not necessarily go away...  It’s our heart, soul, and mind that gets refreshed as we sit with Him... He brings such amazing balance, joy, and love... that the burdens of life seem to lift... You feel that you can finally breathe... 

If I have learned anything during this amazing journey I have learned... this, 

We must learn to sit still and open our hearts, talk to Him from the depths of our soul... Humble ourselves and surrender your entire life into His loving arms...

And love Him with ALL!!!! all your Heart, Soul, and Mind... 

It’s where healing begins.. mountains crumble, and clarity can be obtained.. and you will be loved far greater than you ever dreamed possible... 

I used to find sitting still difficult.... 😍 until now !!!  I now crave these moments...They are the reason I breathe... 

My heart is calling me now... I am done... 

I am going to my favorite place where I can not be reached by things of this world...

It’s Him! It’s always Him... He refreshes my soul... ❤and yes He takes my breath away... 

And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. Matthew 20:23 

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, Psalm 17:8

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Sit With You Awhile Todd Agnew

The word tower is used thirty-six times in the Bible.  

The Tower of the Flock was no ordinary place. 

Long ago on a cold winter night, shepherds were huddled together watching their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem.  Suddenly the sky lit up brighter than anything they had ever seen.  They were terrified.  But an angel appeared and said, “Don’t be afraid, I have come to you with good news.  Today a Savior has been born, Christ the Lord.  You will find Him wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”  At this saying, the skies were filled with angels praising God.  

When the angels had left, the shepherds were all talking at once saying, let’s go see this Child Who will be our Savior”.  So, with haste, they left the fields and found the Child lying in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes just as the angel had said. They told His parents all they had seen and heard.  Mary wondered at their story.   The shepherds went back to their fields full of amazement and praise telling this news to everyone.

Why is this story in the Bible?  Why were the shepherds the first to hear of this little Lamb of God?  How did they know where to find Him??? 

These shepherds were not ordinary shepherds.  They were hired by the Temple priests to raise perfect, unblemished lambs for sacrifice on the altar for man’s sin.  They would take the mother sheep ready to birth to a place called the Tower of the flock.  There they would check the lamb as it was born to see if it was perfect. If so, they would wrap it in swaddling clothes and lay it in a manger. 

Here less than six miles from Jerusalem on a hill in the Tower of the flock lay the promised Christ child, the Messiah, the Lamb of God.  One day He would become the final perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

The plans and purposes of God are so amazing.  He has plans and purposes for each of us.   He knows us and has loved us since the beginning of time.  

Let us love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind.

Below are two verses that were written by the prophet Micah some 700 years before the birth of the beloved Lamb of God.  Micah 5:2  

Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be the ruler over Israel for Me.  His origin is from ancient days, from eternity. 

Micah 4:8

As for you, tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come...

Digital Art by Lori Garner

Written by: Joann Turnbull 

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Dolly Parton - The Lord is My Shepherd (Audio)

The meaning of Christ comes from the Greek word χριστός (chrīstós), meaning "anointed one".

The word Christ appears 555 times in the KJV of the Bible.

After studying 530 words... and dancing through the pages of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation I have never tried to tackle the word, Christ... What a massive undertaking!!! I can only ask my Heavenly Father to guide my heart because I can not do this alone... 

His beautiful life is a living testimony and gift from God to every man, woman, and child... Did you know that the name Christ means ”the anointed one”? When I think of the name Christ I immediately think of Him as the infant. I am sure it is due to the famous song called “O Holy Night’...  I do believe when we think of Christ the infant many of us have no problem showing this Infant's LOVE and adoration... 

But as we look to Christ the man ... many are stuck... many find it awkward to love Him openly, in fear with what others may think... Why are we so hung up ?? Why are our hearts so earthly bound that we can not free our souls enough to love Him in the way He loves us?? 

As I traveled on this amazing journey my curious heart had so many questions, about the one that stole my spiritual heart ...  Who is He? How did He? And why did He reach down and fill my heart with a love that left me breathless and forever changed? 

He left me with a burning desire to know more about Him and the mystery that surrounds His life... Many speak of the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit as separate individual souls... I have grown to know their separate titles and roles... But the three have become one in my heart... When I speak to Him it’s to all of Him ... He is my Heavenly Father My protector, Christ the Son is my friend, my confidant, and the lover of my soul... And the Holy Spirit guides me as I walk through this gift we call life...  Together they offer us love not of this world... You can call Him many names... But in the end, it’s the one that resonates with your heart and your personal experience with Him... 

In my quest to know more, I asked a very wise-believing young man... As a woman, I understand this romance of the soul and how someone could fall in love with our Creator... However, many relate to Him in our mind as a male figure... Does that make loving Him awkward?  

And He said... Not at all 

LOVE is LOVE... such a profound statement...from such a wise soul. 

God is LOVE. And Christ was God in the flesh born to love and to be loved. He then sent the Holy Spirit, He came to dwell within each believer. To live through our lives... He came to guide and teach us. He came to tap into our emotions so we could feel His raw unencumbered love. So, His love could become an intricate part of who we could become... I say, open your heart and allow the three in one in... Each is patiently waiting to play that significant role in delivering this amazing Heavenly LOVE to your life... 

It truly boggles the mind... so while our mind is trying to make sense of it all... Our heart and soul will be been swept away into the arms of our first love... 

It's Him... It's all of Him... And yes He wows me!!! And if you have read this to this point... 

I pray that you feel Him stirring within the depths of your heart and soul... And that He WOWs you too!!! 

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16 ESV 

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:9-11

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Somewhere in Time: John Barry

“From Mary, we learn to surrender to God’s will in things. From Mary, we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary, we learn to love Christ, her Son, and the Son of God…Learn from her to be always faithful, to trust that God’s Word to you will be fulfilled and that nothing is impossible with God.”- St. John Paul II

Meaning of Mary mother of Jesus. 

The name Mary is in 46 verses... 

As we approach one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays, known as "Christmas". 

I would like to ask you to indulge me for a moment as we stop and give thanks to a woman who gave the world such a monumental gift...I say woman but she was only a child, maybe in her early teens...Who was she? Why did God favor her so? He trusted her to fulfill a prophecy that had already been put into motion since the beginning of time... 

I struggle with trying to understand her unwavering commitment, her faith, and her love.. at such an early age. 

Would we have the strength to say yes Father your will not mine... I will carry the shame when others do not understand, I will be your living vessel. I will deliver forgiveness and a love that goes deeper than most people can even comprehend. I will do my part to save all of mankind. 

Was she even aware of the magnitude of this moment when she became God’s own chosen mother on earth...

Let’s travel back in time... Let me set the scene. God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee. To deliver a message of the highest importance... This message can be found in Luke 1:26-38. 

The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor  with God. You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. 

How many of us would have been so unafraid? How many of us would have only asked one question? Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’m a virgin.” The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God. 

Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”

UNWAVERING FAITH...  such responsibility... such Love and commitment at such a young age. 

How could she share this news with her parents? Imagine a young unmarried girl telling her parents, family, and her fiancé I am pregnant... With God's child... ??? 

How many of us would believe such an unbelievable story?? 

While trying to understand this moment my mind traveled to Him... This beautiful innocent baby had been placed in her womb for the most incredible mission that man could even begin to understand. What did she feel? Did her emotions run away with her? 

I have been blessed with children and I know the feeling of a tiny life growing within... What an amazing God-given miracle... What excitement and joy when you feel the baby move for the first time... But what do you feel when you know you are carrying the Son of God??? Are these feelings magnified? Or are they what every new mother has felt. Excitement, Love, Apprehension maybe fear? 

Will the delivery be painful, Will my baby be healthy? Will I be a good mother?? Every child born is a miracle from God but to be singled out to carry God's own Son... What a larger-than-life, heaven-sent responsibility!!!! 

Have you ever witnessed childbirth? I have had the amazing privilege of photographing such a miracle... The love that filled the room that day could only be from God... 

I wish I could have captured this beautiful moment that happened so long ago... I can only close my eyes and envision this moment in time... Childbirth is a painful bodily experience...But soon,  birthing pains are all forgotten, all the questions disappear and you are caught up in the beautiful moment of seeing the angelic face before you... all activity around you seems to fade into the distance ... You hear, see and touch nothing but this precious new life... and time seems to stand still for just a few moments... 

I can only wonder, As she gently kissed His beautiful face... Did she think I am kissing the face of God... or at that tender moment was the newborn baby her precious beautiful baby boy and her gift from God?  

All believers are given the miracle of God's own Son... to dwell within...  He is our gift from God ... Do we cherish Him? Or do we feel shame and apprehension when we share His message with friends and family? Do we feel excited and overjoyed when we feel Him within our very soul?  Are we set apart for a purpose? Do we have faith enough to be His willing vessel! Will we care for Him as He grows in our hearts and becomes a part of our very existence?

There is a miracle of new life that happens within each believer. As you feel His presence in your daily life things of this world will fade into the distance ...You see His  Face and He will become as precious to you as a newborn babe... 

And your heart will whisper ... 

It’s Him, It has always been Him. My precious one...My gift from God... 

He WOWs me!

So when that day comes, you will know that I am living in the Father and that you are one with me, for I will be living in you. Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands. Whoever passionately loves me will be passionately loved by my Father. And I will passionately love him in return and will reveal myself to him.” 

John 14:20-22 TPT

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Model Megan Mahoney

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Amy Grant - Mary's Song (Breath Of Heaven) [HD] (lyrics in comments)