God shows us time and time again that He does not call the prepared, but that He prepares the called.

The meaning of census is an official count or survey of a population, typically recording various details of individuals.

The word Census appears in 36 occurrences and in 9 translations of the Bible. 

The current world population is 7.9 billion as of February 2022 according to the most recent United Nations estimates elaborated by Worldometer. World Population

As of the year 2020, Christianity had approximately 2.38 billion+ adherents out of a worldwide population of about 7.8 billion people. Christianity_by_country

That leaves 5.42 billion souls possibly searching to fill a void in their life. 

What puzzles me the most is... When I look around...most people seem to find God at various times in their lives and in many different ways? There are no set rules of engagement.

But much like the headlines many of us only stop and listen to His voice or the ”testimonies” of others when there is a life-altering moment, trauma, or gripping pain involved.

Is it that we can only relate when we witness someone drowning in their own life challenges or do we relate to the difficult times.

Or are we drawn to like-minded people? To share our sorrows, bleeding hearts, and or thoughts on a superficial level?

What if I tell you that I know where you can find the most understanding heart... Without all the pain, without trama, without being in the depths of despair... 

Yes, He is the most magnificent healer.  In all instants... He will relate to you on all levels...You do not need to feel like you hit rock bottom to talk to Him. 

Why do we feel that we can only approach Him when there is a problem... Why can't we just talk to Him...all the time? 

I say take Him off the shelf. Treat Him as if He is alive (because He is) and make Him a part of everything in your life.

He has committed to His children that He will be with us always .. Always, means for all the good, bad and ugly. He loves sharing in every facet of our lives... 

My story did not come from a dark past. Nor was there trama in my life. 

When I hear some of the most amazing life-changing testimonies, my story seems mundane. But for me, it has been the most amazing 3.5 years of my life!! And I feel very blessed to share in His message of love and hope. 

It seems that like me there are so many souls that the flame of His love seems to be dim??? I ask why are we floundering? Are we even aware that we are spiritually drained? 

I am proof He can kick start the flickering flame into a raging fire.  I can only assume that out of 5.42 billion souls that are searching to fill a void in their life, they may not be looking in the right places...

Please... Look His way... 

Open your heart to His LOVE .. Open your mind to His amazing possibilities.. and open your soul to a beautiful spiritual awakening. Allow Him to rock your mundane world...and set your soul on fire once again. 

Together let's tip the scales of believers one heart at a time!! ...  

His world is only one breath away. Just whisper His name... 

Elohim

It's Him, It's always Him!  

He had me at Hello... ❤❤❤

The Lord writes in the census book of the nations, "This one was born there." Psalm 87:6

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube)

Count me in- early winters lyrics

“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.” - St. Augustine of Hippo

Meaning of find to discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly.

We located 148 Verses About Find from 32 Books in the KJV. 

I pray that you found yourself on this word study for a reason!! I know why and it's bigger than both of us. 

Ask yourself, what am I looking for..?? Was I just curious? Have you wondered, what is going on with the writer of this blog? She seems a little strange? not the norm? But what is it? There is something going on? I can not quite put my finger on what or why I was attracted to read this post?? I must have landed here for a reason ?? But why?? 

Hmm, what will I find ?? Maybe I should just ask ??  And as you gather the courage.. you ask?  
What is it?  What do you have? There is joyfulness! There is peace? There is a love that seems to show between the lines of what is written?? I want those things in my life!!! How can I get what you have? Can I buy it?? Where can I find it?   

“Well, pull up a chair... And let me share with you an amazing story of love... It’s Him... He will fill your heart and soul with a love that can not be contained!!  He is more valuable than all the silver and gold that can be gathered. More precious than diamonds or precious stones. 

The amazing news is, He has already paid the price for you... The only thing He requires is your love... . Seek Him, Find Him, and Love Him... 
Love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind!! Trust Him with your life!!! He will guide your path."

But be ready!  Your life will never be the same... He will show you wondrous things, many you may have thought were impossible.  You will travel spiritually deeper than you ever dreamed or even imagined. He will lovingly teach you about His world. And as the days turn into a night you will gain a greater understanding of who He truly is!!! 

You will witness the most amazing self-transformation. 

Many know Him as a MIRACLE WORKER... 

Some call Him God, Some call Him Lord. I call Him...King of my heart and lover of my soul... 

He blows my mind and whispers words of love to my soul... 😍

He is indeed an overwhelming and beautiful find !!!! ❤❤❤ It’s Him, It’s always Him !! 😁

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye. shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh. findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 KJV

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube)

Yeshua HaMashiach Lyrics

In the blink of an eye, everything can change, so forgive often and love with all your heart. You may never know when you may not have that chance again. - Zig Ziglar

Meaning of blink shut and open the eyes quickly.  it happens very quickly. It was all over in the blink of an eye.

We located 34 verses that refer to the blinking or twinkling of an eye. 

On average the human blink lasts only a tenth of a second which is 100 milliseconds.  That is incredibly fast. 

Is this a measurement of how fast time can rush by? I have lived long enough to witness how fragile life can be... Some feel they have all the time in the world to find out who they are? They have all the time in the world to hold loved ones close. They have all the time in the world to say I love you... They can believe in God and find Jesus tomorrow... Will tomorrow be too late? 

After all, we have witnessed many accept Him into their hearts with their last dying breath. I do believe we are all living on borrowed time. 

Just as no one knows when Jesus will return. No one knows when we will be called home.  It very well could be in a blink of an eye... Will your heart and soul be ready... or will you stammer and not know what to do or say... as you stand before Him... will there be regrets?  Will you feel you want a do-over? or will you feel you did not have enough time? 

If you, are lucky enough to realize this life is short and that each person you meet has their own struggles. Embrace them with loving-kindness... Be the most thoughtful caring human you can be... Love large.. be compassionate. 

Things of this earth, are fleeting and will not buy you a ticket to heaven! Knowing someone at the gate will not get you in! Being a member of an elite group does not guarantee you a seat... 

You will stand alone... 

You will not be able to hide your heart!  Will you be proud of authentic you? You are the only gift you have to offer God. Is it the best version of who you can be??? Or did you let this world darken your soul? 

God will see you with eyes that can penetrate your soul...He will hear the kind words you have spoken to others. He will feel the love that you carried in your heart. Is your gauge full or are you running on empty?

You may feel you have time to get your house in order... But what if you left us behind in the blink of an eye...  It's not too late... close your eyes and invite Him in... Let Him guide your heart ... 

Be ready today for tomorrow may not come. Don’t wait until finding yourself on the other side of your last breath. 

Find Him now, Love Him now!!! Love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind!

Be the most authentic loving person you can be... ( we are all a work in progress ) make today better than yesterday... 

Jesus replied: “’ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind Matthew 22:37

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52 

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube)

Joy Oladokun - Blink Twice (Lyric Video)

“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

God has given His children a written guarantee. It's a book that we have grown to love. His word... has served many souls.

A guarantee is a pledge given that a promise will be fulfilled, a deposit or down payment making fulfillment obligatory.  The word is used 15 times in the Bible. 

Did you get a guarantee on your car for 100,00 miles for repair?  Have you received a guarantee for anything for a lifetime or forever?  

What guarantee do we have that we can live forever with our Heavenly Father?  This question came up in a discussion recently. 

We do not have a guarantee that we can take our next breath.  Life on this earth is short compared to forever.  The quote “Seize the day” is an appropriate one for man to grab earnestly at any age. 

And we do have all of God’s promises guaranteed in and through Jesus Christ.  God is faithful.  His word to us is sure.  It is not maybe or let me think about it.  His promise that we will spend eternity with Him is a big YES. 

He paid a huge price for each man, woman, and child.  He died and rose again for each of us.  And He is not willing to see anyone lost.  His requirement from us is to repent and receive His love expressed on the cross.  And to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. 

With this response to Him comes a seal placed upon our hearts by the Holy Spirit. That seal is permanent. 

With that seal comes the promise that He is preparing a place especially for us in heaven. His love for us is so great.  And His plans for us were prepared before we were born.   

Come to Him who loves you so.  Claim all that has been guaranteed to you.  He will wrap His loving arms around you when you come. 

Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance? until the redemption. of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory 

Ephesians 1:14-16

Written by Joann Turnbull 

Photography by Lori Garner 

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube

Carrie Underwood - Blessed Assurance (Official Audio Video)

“And when your soul, the flame, the spark, meets with the divine fuel that is so pure and so strong, it results in immense enlightenment: the enlightenment of God. ― Zain Hashmi, 

Divine means relating to God or extremely good. ... An example of the divine is a person who always follows religious and moral codes of conduct.

We located 54 verses that point us to the word Divine... 

I can not remember using this word when describing anything...  have we lost this word? 

Is this word used when we speak of our Father? His Son or the Holy Spirit? I have found it written in text however I truly can not remember anyone saying it in a religious setting. 

I believe the word Divine does not adequately describe the   

goodness of God... Do we have enough words in all the languages in the world to describe Him? His beauty? His vastness? His depth of love??? His dedication to an undeserving people ??? 

Have you ever felt His Divine LOVE? It will blow your mind!  It will heal your sick soul... It can mend our broken hearts! It will bring peace to our troubled minds... 

He is our Divine Hope for our future... 

He is so much more than words can describe... It is when you are in His presence you can feel Him... His light and love will spark a fire in your soul. His greatness. His passion, His pure sweet love... can hold you captive as He whispers words of love to your weary soul... 

You will crave Him more with each passing day. 

His intentions for us are pure and untainted by our world. Yes, He does have an unwavering agenda... He wants to Love His Children far beyond our own human understanding and be that light that guides us Home... His desire is for us to acknowledge Him.. and to love Him with all our heart soul and mind. After all, He is LOVE. (1 John 4:16) 

We will always be Divinely His today, tomorrow, and forevermore... 

Close your eyes and feel Him... 

He is in your presence!! Call His name... 

Learn to love Him with all your heart, soul... and mind. Your life will have a greater Divine meaning and be filled with a new beautiful purpose. 

It’s Him, He is our King. Our Savior, Our first. Our Last and our Divine love until the end of time!   

He blows my mind!

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20

 For to us, God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God 1 Corinthians 2:10

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

“What you are is God's gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.” - Hans Urs von Balthasar

Love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause. “His courage and devotion to duty never wavered"

Did you know you can find a list of the top 100 devotional books on Amazon?   Priced just under $20.00.  Many are quite wonderful... But how do you choose??? It seems it's quite a big business. It seems to create such a lucrative income stream for many believers... I believe the writers are from all walks of life. Some are well-educated theologians. Some have had a personal experience. And some may just be good a crafting a literary work of art... 

How do we choose? It can be a confusing road to travel... 

There is not one that I could recommend.  I find most are short daily readings. Which to me is only the beginning.  Do we spend quality time with? God? Or do we read a quick devotional and close the book and scurry away into a day of the unknown??  It's like walking the plank into our unpredictable world in our underwear... 

Do we leave our home unprepared??  Are we prepared for the spiritual weather ahead? Have we eaten a balanced diet? Have we exercised our spiritual mind? 

One of the biggest hurdles I wrestle with, is putting a price tag on God. I am fully aware that many have chosen to follow, teach and share our magnificent gift of God with the world. I also realize that it takes funding to reach and help others to find His guiding light... I do believe we are all messengers of His word. But if we think about it He truly does not need us... Perhaps the work we do to help other souls find Him is self-serving. It's His way of pulling US closer to Him... I am not trying to judge those who create an income stream through religious teachings, books to guide lost souls or online classes to share our God experiences and teach others how to turn our walk with Christ into a money-making adventure... 

But where do we drawn the line. How do we know if we are buying into what feels like devoted time with God?  After all it is a multimillion industry. 

The word devotion summarizes what our hearts should already know.   “Love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause” devotion to duty never wavered" I do not see a cost associated with it? Hmm

Our commitment and devotion to the Triune is a personal experience! When and where has no boundaries. The words that we read are only a springboard into His heart... We should not be held by the constraints of a clock. He is always with us... No matter where, when or what time day or night... 

And if choosing the right book is a question?  I recommend look to Him for guidance. Look to Him for His word. Look to Him!! But wait?? He has already written a best seller... And I can only pray that whatever book you choose it is closely based on His teachings. 

I guess we must ask ourselves just how devoted are we??? Just how prepared do we want to be when facing our forever-changing world?  Are we spiritually ready to fight any adversary that may come?? You can bet they will come fully ready to fight, destroy, they will steal your peace, your love, and your heart. And ultimately your devotion. 

Be devoted to our Triune, learn from the best. Arm yourself with His word... Don't just devote a few minutes each day... Take Him with you were ever you go... Go fully dressed and prepared for whatever this crazy world may bring... 

I will add... A warning label to this post... Be warned when you devote your time, your heart will follow... And your soul will burst out and sing a new song. Many may think you have lost your mind... But if they would just take a few moments to truly know Him. They too would see and feel a love that is beyond the constraints of this world... 

He has been devoted to saving mankind from our own demise. 

What does He need to do to get our attention??? There is no price to know Him or His Gift of life and love... 

It's Him!!! He is priceless!  

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 6:24

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Jim Croce - Photographs and Memories (Lyrics)

"Perhaps love is like a resting place, a shelter from the storm. It exists to give you comfort, it is there to keep you warm, and in those times of trouble when you are most alone, the memory of love will bring you home." - John Denver. 

The meaning of fade to 
gradually grow faint and disappear." hopes of peace had faded"

The word fade appears 27 times in the Bible..

As each year passes and a new page is written in our life. It seems that many of our memories seem to fade into the distances..  

I believe many of us do not realize the importance of documenting our lives... Photographs, diaries, the written word... perhaps even a movie clip or two.... 

As a seasoned photographer, I have been blessed by capturing so many memories for clients to cherish for a lifetime. You could say, that I have witnessed life through my camera lens..  Weddings, Birthdays, Births, Anniversaries, Sporting Events...  and the list goes on... 
I even had the privilege of capturing the images of a full-body burial at sea...  

I felt it was an amazing honor to freeze such special slices of time...

But one-day things flipped... It was my turn. I had a monumental event that changed my life. I had a Holy Spirit Encounter!! This encounter has been accompanied by many spiritual events. Which seem to be happening faster than I could even understand... 

But due to my photography training ... I began to record my experience by snapping images on my iPhone ... Photos of people, places, and things!  They all became a beautiful part of my recorded journey... 

This has been such an amazing gift of love from my Heavenly Father... Something I never want to forget or even let fade away... Not even the tiniest detail. 

I understand why I started the process of recording these images on my iPhone.  

But...

God seemed to want more... And out of the blue, I began to write my thoughts, my prayers, and my meditations ...  And then my journey of words began to take on a life of its own...  

Many may already know I had no religious background, and I had no desire to read this old boring book we call the Bible... However, God never wavered His relentless love prevailed ... 
If He taught me anything on this spiritual journey. It is when wants something.. He usually gets His way... 😍

Actually, I believe that is how He blesses our lives... 

It’s been a little over three years.  And as I look back on this wonderful journey...  I do think that if I had not taken the time to record my experience, some of the precious details would have to be lost and possibly fade away ...  I will admit my memory Is not the best!! 

I fear with time I may begin to think it was just a dream?

I must confess I selfishly created a podcast as a media platform to record my story ... The very thought of my memories being lost from such a beautiful time in my life wounds my soul...

Unfortunately, we all get so busy with life that many of us can not even remember what we ate for dinner yesterday... 

Life is fragile, time is short... don’t let your memories fade into the distance.  Record the gift of love in your life... No matter how insignificant or unequipped you feel... Our life, our memories, and our love are all a gift from God... 

I did find a strange phenomenon happening on this spiritual journey... As I ran toward my Heavenly Father..my relationship grew deeper and things of this world began to fade and they became less significant. 

Funny I have not even missed them... 

If I ever find myself doubting or feeling distant from Him. I can reminisce with the greatest love I have ever known!!! My emotions come racing from my heart as  His love fills my soul. And as tears of love softly roll down my face.. I whisper it’s you ! 
It’s always been you! 

It’s there that I can see and feel Him, and fade into His loving arms. He is writing His love story across my heart. Where time stands still and memories never fade.

It’s Him!!  It’s always Him! 

Proverbs 23:18

For then you will have a future, and your hope will never fade.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

For then you will perceive what is true wisdom your future will be bright, and this hope living within you will never disappoint you. Proverbs 24:14-16

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

 Jim Croce - Photographs and Memories (Lyrics)

“Do you know that you could catch a cold from, the ice inside your soul?” Is there a remedy? 

Meaning of cold of or at a low or relatively low temperature, especially when compared with the human body.

We located 29 verses in the Bible that references the word cold... 

Do frozen tears stream from cold hearts ... How do we penetrate such a hardened heart??? What are these cold hearts afraid of ??  Or are they so consumed with themselves that they have nothing left to give ?? 

Cold hearts make my soul sad... Because I feel that I am not equipped to reach into their darkness. I have tried to find that spark in their eyes... I have tried to hear their heartbeat... Their breath is so shallow... so distant... I question is there a glimmer of life left inside?? Or is their soul withering away?? 

How can we reach them?  

I have a burning desire in my soul to share a gift of love that was so graciously given to me!!  

It’s Him! He has that healing touch!! 

I have discovered the path to a warm place... a place that can melt hearts in this cold world... It's a safe place filled with abundant amazing love...

If I could drag you along I would... But He had made my heart too light... 

I will extend my hand please follow me to this wonderland ... 

You must find the strength to take that first step...  You must desire this love with all your strength, soul, and heart!! 

Don’t be afraid... Trust Him! 

He gives us the freedom of choice... But a am afraid time is like a ticking bomb!!! 

Choose Him !!! Before it’s too late !! 

Choose...

It’s Him, It has always been Him 

He is the answer to any question. He is the answer to all desires. He is the remedy... Only He can fill the void in your soul... 

He is the reason my heartbeats. He poured love into my heart that ignited the spark of life into a raging fire... 

He is the fire within!!  Get lit! 🔥

He WOWs me!   

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3: 15-16

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:5 

“For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. '” — Jeremiah 29:11.

Proverbs 25:13

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Foreigner - Cold As Ice (Official Lyric Video)