“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

Five years ago to date... I embarked on the most amazing journey... It has been filled with the wonderment of a child. I was placed on a fast-track learning experience that I did not choose. I am still perplexed about why or how it happened?? I did not have much of a religious background? So why? One day I asked Him why me?? And the answer I received was “ Why not you??” 

I am not special by any stretch of the means. I had no prior hardships like many testimonies that I have heard... I had no darkness looming in my past or present to speak of. I would be considered in many circles to be knocking at the door of the so-called golden years of life... I feel I fell into the better late than never crowd.. 

However I did learn that it is never too late to find a love that makes us reach for more, it’s a love that is beyond this world.. and difficult to contain. He touched my life, set my heart ablaze, and turned my dormant soul into motion... 

In 1,800 days we have created a blog to share His word. We have hit almost 41k worldwide views. He helped me find my voice... our podcast is almost 3, years old. We have touched 36 counties and 460 cities... I literally crawled out of my shell and opened my heart for the world to see..(HIM).. And if that was not enough He guided my eyes and my hands to search for His face through art. 

I have exposed my vulnerable heart and have experienced the growing pains to prove it... He has guided my steps, kept me safe, and wiped many tears. He has loved me through the process. The internet gave me the platform to share Him on a much larger scale than I ever dreamed possible!! 

(Matthew 19:26) 

I can only pray that in the course of my adventure with Elohim that perhaps you have been touched by His LOVE in some way.. I have not shared my love for Him for monetary gain. I share it with you because He gave me the gift of “His LOVE” to share... 

Every year on this date I place ribbons on the trees where He touched my soul... So if you see beautiful green trees with purple ribbons swaying in the soft summer breeze you will know that is where love fell from heaven into my soul...

And my life will never be the same!! Because... He loved me first!!!

1 John 4:19 

Wishing you a day filled with His abundant love! 

I am a work in progress … and yes He still WOWs me… 

Bible Collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Sinners Prayer

 If there are two persons praying, there are three. If three meet to pray, there are four praying. There is always one more than you can see. - S.D. Gordon...

The body is an external dwelling that reveals a person's status and lifestyle.

God created the body as a tabernacle for our spirit/soul to assist each of us in our quest to fulfill the full measure of our creation. Our bodies allow each of us to experience His great plan for our lives. 

When we think of our bodies do we see the miracles each of us possesses? Our first miracle is at conception… Our bodies are indeed a wondrous miracle of creation.

The vastness of the multitude of these creations can boggle the mind .. Each one of us is given the basic equipment but all have different colors, different genders, different faces, unique in every way… How does He do it??? 

But when we examine this marvel we must ask why? What is the purpose of this outer casing we show the world?? We all know that this body is only a temporary state..

However, our soul and spirit are eternal… 

We know so little about our spiritual existence… But we are told if we believe in Christ we will be with Him for eternity… wait what ???! Until the end of time… time as we know it….may not exist in the spiritual world... 

Our body was given to us as a Temporary Temple thus giving our soul a place to reside, a place to call home. This is where our soul has the ability to learn and grow… and experience life on earth… I believe that our soul silently muddles through life following our mind in search for something … It’s purpose?? 

But there is a day that will come… a day that is reserved for that soul alone. It’s a day when everything you have experienced will begin to make perfect sense… 

It is the day we are touched by our Heavenly Creator… That is when the soul becomes alive… Our soul will feel His brilliant love!!! There is nothing on this planet that can compare… Our soul will be drawn to Him like a bee to sweet nectar.. and the soul will rekindle a LOVE for Him in return !!! Because the soul has now found their purpose!!  Their true LOVE … Their Creator … the soul realizes without Him … life of any kind would not be possible !!!  There is an unspoken bond between our Soul and the Spirit of our Holy God!!! 

Take care of your temporary body… but nurture and care for your soul… Your soul holds the golden ticket to paradise!!!  

It’s with Him… it will always be Him!!

The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit, he gave us. 1 John 3:24

Bible Collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube) 

Hillsong - Spirit lead me (Lyrics)

"Passover is a time of reflection and joy. When we emerge from our cocoon of doubt to fly freely on the wings of faith." - Unknown.. I 

Written by Joann Turnbull 

The meaning of astonished: the state of being surprised, startled, stunned by some exceptional wonder, some overwhelming event or miracle. 

The word astonished is found approximately 106 times in the Bible

In the world today we are rarely astonished by anything. Nothing seems to surprise us. 

As we look at this word we see many people astonished at the words and actions of someone that walked on this earth over 2000 years ago. 
There were crowds of people in Jerusalem from every corner of the known world.  They had come to celebrate an amazing happening that took place many years before.  

It is called the Passover.  By taking the blood of a lamb and putting it on the doorpost of their homes the death angel spared the firstborn of their house.  And the Hebrew people left Egypt by way of the amazing parting of the waters of the Red Sea by God. 

As the second day of the Passover begins many were up very early and looking for the man who had ridden into Jerusalem the day before on a young colt.  He had arrived in town in a very humble way.

Could He be the Messiah they had been looking for?  They found Him in the Temple. He was telling the men who were exchanging the coins from other countries to get out of the Temple.  He told them that His Temple shall be called by all nations a House of Prayer.  Jesus stayed in the Temple healing the blind and the lame.  The people were wild with excitement. Even the children were praising Him for the wonderful things He was doing and saying. 

 
Very early the next day the crowds were looking for Jesus.  They found Him in the Temple being questioned by the religious leaders.  The leaders were trying to trip Him up with their questions.  But He answered every question they had with great authority. Finally, the religious leaders sent a lawyer to ask Him a question.  

The lawyer asked, “Which is the great commandment in the law?”  His answer was, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  

After this, the religious leaders did not question Him anymore.  They began trying to plan a way to get rid of Jesus because the crowds were growing.  And the leaders said to each other the whole world is going after Him.  We are going to have to do something about Him. 

The rest of the day Jesus spoke to the crowds and His disciples.  He spoke with such great authority and power.  These people were having astonishing encounters with Jesus, the Son of God.  They had met the holy one. The one who loved them.  The day before He had wept over Jerusalem. 

Today He wants us to have astonishing encounters with Him.  It is Passover week.  Time to remember Who He is.  And four days before His death on the cross He was still teaching and healing anyone who would come to Him.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

Written by Joann Turnbull 

Photo by Pexel

Inspiring Music

Joshua Aaron - Hoshiana (Official Music Video) Jerusalem

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! - Psalm 150:6

Meaning of shout. (of a person) utter a loud call or cry, typically expressing a strong emotion.  

We located 52 verses that speak of the word shout… 

I will share with you, my readers. That I have had hearing issues since elementary school. I recently had a medical condition that robbed me of hearing the auditable word… My family turned up the volume in their delivery and shouted when necessary. But even that was difficult to understand. 

But I was taught a valuable lesson if we are presented with a difficult situation we must learn to lean into Him even more. 

This silence was surreal…  The sounds that we take for granted like the ticking of a clock .. or the water running in the sink or perhaps it’s as simple as a bird singing in the nearby tree… This kind of quiet is deafening… 

But as I try to find the silver lining … I feel a presence that fills my soul with the sounds that only I can hear. It is the sweet whisper of my beautiful Elohim… He can be heard within the deepest chambers of my soul… 

Today as I closed my eyes the heaviness of silence found me here… 

I could see a vision of tall swaying grass in a beautiful green meadow. The horizon was made up of beautiful white peaked mountains in the distance … I began to run toward the mountains… until I came to the large valley below… I stopped…  and tried to catch my breath… 

I have been told if you shout just loud enough you may hear your echo…coming back to you just as you said it.. 

With that thought, I slowly brought my hands up and cupped them around my mouth … 

I took a deep breath and shouted “I love you Jesus” and then I waited a few moments and to my surprise… it was not my voice I heard … But a voice that I have grown to love …. 

My soulful ears heard..

 “I love you too!!!” 

And I began to physically cry. He never stops romancing our hearts… 

This is proof no matter the circumstances or if our earthly body fails us, we can always hear our Masters's voice!!! Because He meets us where we are, under any condition… There is no one like Him. 

Shh, be still my soul… He is whispering my name… 

It’s Him, It will always be Him!!!

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs Psalm 100

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Meaning of time alone spent by an individual or a couple apart from others.

The word solitude appears 6 times in the Bible...

The early morning or the late-night hour is the most magical alone time for me. 

It's when I can feel the quietness of the moment. It's when the noise of our world has grown dim. It’s when I can get in tune with my innermost thoughts and find my true self... It's when my thoughts become most apparent. It’s when I can dream and be wide awake... It's when I can come humbly to my Heavenly Father, and shed tears of thankfulness. 

Where I can just be His accepted child with no restraints ... I can be held in His strong arms. ... I can laugh, I can play... I can be silly. I share my desires and open my heart to love beyond my own understanding ... I can love Him without boundaries.  I can feel the completeness, not of this world.

I can run with Jesus in a field of flowers... or just sit quietly by a babbling brook. or perhaps lay my weary head softly on His chest.  I can feel the soft whispers of my mentor the Holy Spirit as He resets my compass for life. I can gather them in my heart and tell them that I love them more than the air I breathe...They have filled my mind, body, and soul with happiness that cannot be found in earthly things.

My time alone … is filled with the most precious souls… 

So when my family says “You should sleep more” they have no idea that my time alone with my Creator does more for me than anything we can ever do in our time on earth… 

Time … is fleeting use it wisely. 

I choose… 

Him… it will always be Him! 

By the way, as a believer, there is no such thing as solitude. Because He is always with us no matter where we roam! 

Oh, my precious LOVEs thank you for our time together!  You have blessed my soul. 

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Art & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

“God provides the wind; Man must raise the sail.” ― St. Augustine...

The meaning of wind- Wind is the horizontal motion of air, due to the pressure difference between two places.

We located 54 verses that speak of this earthly atmospheric phenomenon. 

Today as I sit in the safety of my home I am watching the wind storm that has blown in from across the state of Tennessee…

As this word came to my mind I decided to venture outside. The powerful wind grabbed my front door and slammed it shut behind me… 

I walked into the middle of my yard and planted my feet approximately 18 inches apart...  And began to look at the heavens. And as I watched the still bare trees sway. I felt that the trees seemed to be reaching for something greater in the blue sky ... 

The wind blew with great force... I swiftly turned my hat to a backward position, and my clothes and my loose hair began to wave in the wind with such a fury. They seem to dance to the rhythm of this mighty wind...

But as I felt its power, I ask “Will He caress my soul with His powerful gust?” Or can I hear His sweet voice if I quiet my heart? At that very moment in time, I felt a freedom that could only be a gift from my Heavenly Father... 

He appears to us in so many ways. 

I have grown to love the wind. Because I have learned to press into the moment and feel His invisible power as it brushes against my skin. I can hear His voice and feel His presence.

And I can only whisper...  Is it you? 

Can you hear Him? Do you see Him? Can you feel Him? 

He is the Spirit that travels across our land, our minds, and our hearts...  

O Breathe on me O mighty wind.

The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit John 3:8.

Photography, Art & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull
Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

“Examine your motives to make sure you're not showing off when you do your good deeds, only to be admired by others; otherwise, you will lose the reward of your heavenly Father. Matthew 6:1...

The meaning of impressed feeling or showing admiration or respect for someone or something.

We located 34 verses that point us to the word impress. 

What is the driving force to attain status, fame, and fortune? Why do many watch with envy in their hearts?  

We live in a world where status and beauty are sold on every media and corner known to man… 

So I ask, Why are we so impressed with things?  Beautiful homes, fast cars.. and looks? 

I have studied many who have achieved everything they thought would satisfy them mentally and spiritually… 

Many will agree they missed the true essence of life…  They were so busy gathering things … that life passed them by. 

Most will agree they are just “things”. Things that you will have no alternative but to leave behind on that faithful day that you are called home.  

“Things” are temporary… 

God gifted us life to teach us what is truly important. 

And the Love of earthly possessions did not make the top 5 in a dying man or woman’s list of importance.

So I challenge you to make a list what impresses you? I will share my list.. 

1.        Kindness 

2.        Compassion

3.        Commitment

4.        Forgiveness

5.        Understanding

6.        Gentleness

7.        Humility 

8.        Sharing

9.        Thoughtfulness

10.    And the one that is my heartfelt favorite is LOVE…

I occasionally witnessed these traits in some people.. . 🤔 But to tell you the truth some muddy up the gift with selfishness. 

God has shown me these beautiful traits on a consistent basis…  I stand in awe… I am indeed impressed by His miraculous and beautiful soul!!  He has the ability and the power to impress the masses with just a wave of His hand...But He humbly waits for each of us to acknowledge Him. He is gentle and kind in His approach… and He loves and forgives even the self-centered soul… 

He wows me… He is the greatest gift. There are no earthly possessions that can even compare… He has given us the freedom of choice… 

If you were told your life will end today… Would you be impressed with the choices you’ve made??? 

The richest love that we can ever receive awaits. 

My adoration and love for Him run deep… He is perfection at its finest… 

And I am a work in progress. 

 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.) Revelation 19:7-8

Photography, Art & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull
Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Desperation Band - Amazed (Lyric Video)

Meaning of movement: a change or development.

We located 24 verses in the Bible that speak of movement. 

These words have been twirling in my head for weeks… 

Movement, revival, revolution.. what do they really mean?  As you know I have been on the most amazing spiritual journey. It’s almost been 5 years…I was told this quest to seek Him would temper with time! It would cool down…  I do believe if you are ever touched by Him your life will never be the same… 

In my journey, I have felt alone even when I have been in a room of like-minded souls… 

No matter how many gather, I believe it’s a personal walk with Him that many can understand. We can relate and have many similarities but each one of us is so special to Him. So we are treated according to our needs. We are loved according to how we allow Him to love us.. and our relationship with Him is according to how much of ourselves we are willing to surrender to Him.

When I see, the movement, the revivals, the revolutions..  or even the movies sharing Him… I stand in awe… because His love goes beyond what we can even fathom… 

Many Christians and Non-Christians have become judgmental. They throw stones at what they do not understand..  Instead of seeing the big picture unfolding before their eyes … they look for the small cracks to erode these beautiful moments. 

It’s Him… and as His children gather… we will show the world His love can not be hidden, it's a love that can not be stopped. He gave us this unique gift of life for a beautiful purpose. We are called His remnant… and He is ours, our first love.. our Savior, our King … 

I can only ask, do not be critical of what you may not understand. He is using many souls to tell His story. If it does not agree with what you deem as acceptable… 

Pray and step back and watch Him work… 

He has promised to come back. However, when? 

I can only imagine… and pray that I am ready when He calls.

Be still my Heart. 

It’s Him… It will always be Him 

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

1 Corinthians 13:8

Photography, Art & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull
Sinners Prayer 

Anne Wilson - Living Water (Official Music Video)

Asbury College - LIVE

- The meaning of insanity: is extreme foolishness or irrationality.

It”s crazy that words you would think are not in the Bible are there pressed within its wisdom!! It was no different with the word insanity we found 23 verses! 

We are all a little judgmental when we view others.  If their behavior is not what we consider “normal”  we tend to think they are a little crazy or insane…

But I ask who placed the boundaries on what is “normal”?  Or what is “acceptable” in our circles of life? 

During my journey, I have seen and felt this judgmental spirit… To the point of questioning my own sanity and behavior. 

On the very first day of my spiritual encounter, things began to change… The mundane everyday existence that I had grown comfortable with began to unravel. Things became new and exciting and God's love began to teach me that there is MORE… 

And my thoughts shifted and my “normal” behavior began its spiritually enlightened journey and my once bound life took flight… Many thought that I had lost my mind… perhaps I would need medical advice? Mid-life crisis? But none of these was the correct diagnosis… 

I had been touched by God… And for that, there is NO cure… because there is no illness. 

Loving Him is our soul's purpose. (Matthew 22:40). I will admit He gave my life new meaning…. I grew closer to Him as others watched. Some judgmental souls became distant. But their curious hearts continued to watch me unfold from a distance. 

I gained so much more, more depth, more love, more understanding… He made my life richer, and my quest to know more about Him continues… He placed a hunger in my soul that cannot be contained. 

I believe this word came to me today as I watch what many people will view as insane behavior as it unfolds… on all social media. 

Asbury college has caught the spiritually enlightened bug of love from God. People are watching, some like me have this desire to go there and connect with the souls that have felt His stirring in their parched souls... Some will raise their hands and praise Elohim where they stand in unity.  Some will think these young souls have lost their minds… “insanity” is rampant at Asbury College. 

I am triple their age… and Had my own experience almost five years ago. I know first hand God shows no favoritism in color, race, age, or gender we are all His children. And He is calling all His beautiful souls…  But to the world, the ones who listen are seen as chosen… 

Are you listening?

We live in a world of judgment especially when we do not understand. 

I have lived in His love and have difficulty putting His amazing spiritual love into words… 

But if I am labeled as insane I know it's because of many people's lack of knowledge.. and I am ok with that. I would not change His gift of love for all the riches on earth. 

So as we watch our youth raise their hands and utter prayers with new and beautiful excitement. Don’t judge … fall on your knees,  listen…and find your purpose!! 

We were created to love! By the master of love, God Himself... (1 John 4:7-21)  It truly does not matter what others think.  

Yes, I admit I am crazy… crazy about Him… it will always be Him. 

He gave me the courage to stand up and be counted... as HIS.

He gets me more than anyone. He knows me better than I know myself… and yet He except me with all my flaws and promised to love me to the end of time. 

I am excited to witness His love touching our youth. They are our future … They will carry His name and His love for future generations.  They are all His legacy... 

Let’s raise our hands where we stand in unity for one day we will all be one people, under the one and only living God. 

Elohim…

What’s the definition of insanity again?

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Albert Einstein 

Who would not want to feel loved over and over again? Is that insane??  I say not. I pray, you agree… 

If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God . . .

- 2 Corinthians 5:13

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9

Photography, Art & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull
Sinners Prayer