Distance is the amount of space between two things or people.

Sometimes I feel you so close… but I cannot see you! I cannot touch you… What is this chasm between our worlds… you are so close yet so far!  

Do we have the resilience to go the distance? Can we persevere and reach our full potential? Your world seems so enchanting, so ideal, and so beautiful! Can we ever transform ourselves to be deserving of walking alongside you? Where we can devote our time to getting to know your every step? Where we can be moved by your soothing voice? And where we can feel your indescribable touch.

How can our minds even hope to understand the magnitude of what we will experience? Will my heart swell with a love that cannot be put into words? How is it that you are so extraordinarily wonderful? I would find such delight in keeping you all to myself, but sharing you brings me a joy that is beyond measure. Is that part of your master plan?

Oh, my beautiful one I humbly pray that I can endure this earthly life and go the distance. Give me the strength to live a life that will lead me to you.  

This love you have shared is my guide, my strength, my soul. You are my North Star! 

It’s you! It has always been you! 

Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen. 1 Corinthians 13:7-10

We have a North Star and his name is Jesus.

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

Go the Distance / Jennifer Owens

My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite. William Shakespeare

The meaning of Harvest is the process or period of gathering in crops.  

The symbolic meaning of harvest in Scripture encompasses two main areas: God's provision for us and God's blessing for others. 

There are approximately 70 verses in the Bible that speak of Harvest. 

It’s is the time of year that most of us are more interested in Harvest than normal.  November is a beautiful time for for pumpkin patches, corn mazes and timeout with our families.. Many of us seem busy preparing for the grateful holiday of Thanksgiving...

But let’s stop for just a moment and ask, what does the good “Book” tells us about this word? Is there a deeper more profound meaning? 

Are we His harvest? Did He come to earth with the purpose to gather His Children ? For us to see the bounty in Him?? 

As I studied this word these thoughts danced through my mind... To grow anything there are needs and a few must have requirements... Food, water, light and Love... And these thoughts are scripturally sound and are written below. He is all the above!! He is our life source.  He is our bounty, and we are His Harvest.  

He just ask us to use the formula He has given us and GROW .... 

Many of us are like the fruit.. some are green, some are rotten and have fallen to the ground... But there are those who live and grow into everything He knows you can be... 

I don’t know about you but when the time comes, I want to be ready to say pick me I am ready... He holds all the answers!!! Pick Him!!! 

He is our  beautiful bounty from heaven above!

It’s Him !!! it’s always Him!!!

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35 

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning, and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. Revelation 21:6 

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube) 

Hearvest by Glen Campbell 

“Your greatest self has been waiting your whole life; don’t make it wait any longer.” – 

Dr. Steve Maraboli 

Meaning of self: The Christian “self - is real in the sense that he or she exists through God's grace; he or she expresses himself or herself in the created world of common experience in psychological terms and moral behavior. A person's essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action.

When I researched how many times the word “self” appeared in the Bible. I discovered that the word seemed to attach itself to other words. Like, self-examine, self-love, self-control, self-esteem, self-care, and I am sure there are many more. So for this word we will not share how many times the word self appears. But we are praying that if one of the subsets of the word “self” hits home that you will chase it down and study it for yourself. 

I also made an interesting discovery when I put the word self in the search bar for this blog.. It made me reflect with a smile on my face. 

Here are the words in order. Journey, Genuine, Character, True, Exposed, Righteousness, Commit, Scars, Unquenchable thirst, The Masters's hands… These words have all touched my soul. And they all have a piece of me within each page, I can be found in each word, and each thought…. But they do not point me to self… They all point me to Him.. to His Love.. and to His guidance. So, I must go to Him to understand this word self. 

Hello, it’s me again, You have taught me many things…You have taught me the importance of life and love.  You have taught me that we can not be brave enough to truly see ourselves…We can only see the mirror image of who we think we are?? 

How can I truly see myself? Humans have a tendency to hide behind a façad. Where is that true genuine self? The one that you so tenderly made? I can not do this without your help… It is a scary thing to be stripped bare, and look onto our own hearts? I can only hold my breath when I look into my soul… Can our minds even handle what our eyes must-see? What I must understand ?? Will you help me? Will you hold my hand? Will you carry me when the view is not what I want to see?

“Do not be afraid … It’s the light you reflect from your heart and soul into the world. That is the most genuine most truthful look at self.” 

So then, I ask you to search me, find me, and help me refine the light that shines from within…It’s not what I think of myself that matters most. It’s what you think of me that is the most important factor of living a life that will be remembered by the light that is shared... 

So when I look into the mirror I pray that others see you within me and not that inward word.. of self. But that outward word of LOVE. 

It's Him, It's always Him.

Photography & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses from KJV, ESV / Sinner's Prayer 

Inspiring music from YouTube 

Reflection of Your Love

“We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness.” 

~ Sapna Reddy 

The meaning of Sunrise; the colors and light visible in the sky on an occasion of the sun's first appearance in the morning, is considered as a view or spectacle.

The word sunrise is in the Bible approximately 28 times.

Long before I knew you, I was drawn like a moth to a flame just to watch the majestic beauty of a morning sunrise … I sit in darkness, somber thoughts filling my mind, waiting for the first light to break and remind me of its presence. Without me, there would be no hope for tomorrow, no light to illuminate your path.

There is such a spiritual connection between man and nature… I know in my heart that we are all part of a much bigger picture. We are all part of a Divine Masterful Plan.

But who can Create such magnificent wonder? What kind of Mastermind is this? Every detail so carefully thought of, precisely connected, and executed with such love and care! How can we not stand in awe? How can we not be drawn to Him when we see the awesomeness of creation? Scientists have tried to dispute creation… But I have grown to know this Mastermind… He defies all the rules. He is magnificent splendor and beyond words. Man tries to rationalize and explain something that our human mind has difficulty comprehending. We are limited in our thoughts. He is the Creator of all things and cannot be put into a box, His greatness cannot be contained or fully understood while we still inhabit our earthly existence...  

When I watch how the light dances on the earth’s horizon. I can’t help but feel it’s ushering His message of love to all living things because, without it, our world could not exist… We would slowly succumb to the bleak cold darkness and all life as we know it would perish. 

Have you ever tried to describe a sunrise? Each daybreak is uniquely beautiful?  There is such an array of warm colors, reds, golds, and yellow…. I do believe the sun can feel her importance as she takes her time to make that slow and deliberate grand entrance… Can you even begin to wonder how many new days she has announced? I wish I could have been there to see the first sunrise. I think I would have fallen in love… Because I know I would have been swept up in the moment… And to watch Him work would have taken my breath away.  To witness the love He felt, as He created each amazing wonder …Especially His brightest star… His Son. The one whose majestic beauty can move heaven and earth… He is the reason the sun shares our Creator's message of hope with all mankind… 

I stand in awe as I see His Son's love in each new beautiful day... 

It’s Him. It’s always been Him…

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 

Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.

Ecclesiastes 11:7 

When God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was completely formless and empty, with nothing but darkness draped over the deep. God’s Spirit swept over the face of the waters. And then God announced: “Let there be light,” and light burst forth!"

Genesis 1:1-3

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Model Heather Plumberg

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Wonder (Spontaneous) - Amanda Cook (Legendado) // With Lyrics

There is no changing yesterday... it was a learning experience... Now go and grow where God planted you..

The season between summer and winter, characterized by cooling weather and dormant plants, spanning from the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice and encompassing September, October, and November in the Northern Hemisphere.

As fall colors begin to burst forth, our hearts and eyes turn to the breathtaking beauty of change. What creates these eye-popping changes that our hearts have welcomed for centuries?

The gentle swaying of the orange tree leaves in the breeze stirred up many thoughts in my mind. This time of year often evokes fond memories of family, friends, and life's moments shared together.

When we pause and reflect, we realize our world is readying itself for the impending cold and harsh days... In one glorious explosion of color, she made her final statement of life before relinquishing it. She lived!

As the last harvest is gathered, she prepares for a period of renewal and growth. The seasonal changes remind us of the cycle of life and the beauty of transformation.

God's gift of nature provides us with a blueprint for personal growth, reflecting our individual journeys through the changing seasons. As we navigate through the cold of winter, the renewal of spring, the warmth of summer, and the harvest of fall, we become empowered to embrace change and unlock our potential.

Some changes are visible, while others are felt internally, allowing us to heal and prepare for what's next... Can these changes also be seen and felt in our relationship with God? My experience says yes, and observing how everything is connected, it's clear that our timing is not just about yearly occurrences, but about life experiences, which we still call seasons.

When I didn't know Christ, my soul was in a cold, harsh winter place, unaware that I kept it there, sadly waiting in the dark. My soul became dormant and unresponsive, like a tall maple tree on a beautiful winter's day. Did I appear dead? Did the spark of life disappear? Unaware, Christ was still working hard, much like a farmer, to preserve my life, planning, prepping, and watering. He brought His beauty, light, song of love, and slowly led my lost soul out of its dormant state. Then, suddenly, with a burst of color, my soul could finally breathe, and life began to beautifully unfurl. He turned up the heat, much like a hot summer day, and my love for Him ignited, setting my heart ablaze.

Never fear change, for our Savior's light illuminates the path ahead, guiding us through every season of life. He is our refuge in winter's harshness, our haven in times of need, He brings new life to barren souls, and His love is as gentle as a summer breeze. With His love, we can embrace every season with faith and hope.

Through the power of His love, we can trust that every season of our lives will be filled with purpose and promise, as we evolve and flourish into the best versions of ourselves.

He WOWs me!  

It’s Him, It’s always Him

For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

 Rhys Lewis - Better Than Today (Lyrics)

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." Mother Teresa 

The meaning of forge: create (a relationship or new conditions).

The word 'forged' crossed my mind during Sunday's service, accompanied by the thought 'We must continue to forge ahead one day at a time.' However, this word did not captivate me like many others before it, so it sat dormant in my heart.

Sitting in my dark room, wrapped in a warm blanket and listening to music this morning, thoughts of my lovely Elohim danced in my head as the word 'forge' again whispered to my soul.

My loving Holy Spirit is a gentle yet unwavering teacher, and in obedience, I embarked on the journey to learn more about the word 'forge'. Again, He gave me a wow moment. 

I started my quest by searching the word 'forged' and these words jumped off the page and into my heart...

Forging in life’s meaning: is consciously choosing to do good, to create beauty and abundance for the ones you care about, and to become a better person every day. 

Forging a life is a beautiful statement. If only everyone in our troubled world could see it as a mission statement, we could forge a path to a brighter tomorrow. It only takes one person to touch a life. I pray it begins with me and continues with you.

He has remarkably forged a path for us to a love greater than we can imagine! 

It's Him! It will always be Him!! And yes, He still wows me, and I love Him more every day.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:19

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Inspiring Music: YouTube Video 

Katherine Jenkins - Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace

Darkness will not gain victory over the light of Christ. In faith, there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't.

The meaning of dark the absence of light in a place: darkness, blackness, absence of light, gloom, gloominess. 

Dark in the Bible is referred to 225 times.

Dark or Darkness I believe touches everyone at some time in their life... I chose this word today because as I write about this word I am sitting in the darkness of my room... 

Darkness can be an overwhelming scary place. It’s where creepy things go bump in the night... It is the anticipation of things unknown. We can become paralyzed due to fear.  It can rob us of so much life. During my journey, I did experience a time of darkness. It made me feel a loss in my soul, it made me cry, it made me bewildered and sad. Looking back I found out that in my darkest hour I found out a lot about me.  I do believe there are times we are given life trials so we can grow. But I also found out that no matter how sad or difficult things might seem I was never alone. I did find out that God never left my side. His gentleness and love held me when I felt lost. He became my best friend, my confidant, my guiding light...The darkness that tried to consume my soul had no choice but to flee... 

I did learn over time to appreciate the darkness, those “stillness” moments, those quiet times when the house is void of light and family noise! This dark hour is when I find my Heavenly Father, my quiet time with Him, and His word breathes light into my soul. He fills my heart with a love that is difficult to contain. If I love Him? Is no longer a question. It becomes IF I get up a few minutes before everyone ... I will find my golden hour ...my solace, my LOVEs ... 

There is no darkness that can rob me of His eternal light.  You see this darkness is not a place, It not something we can see with our eyes. It's a place deep within our souls. And I have found when we invite God into our lives,  His light begins to shine from within.  He gives us that light that shines even in our darkest hour. Because we can be confident that we are never alone. We do not have to fight life demons by ourselves. He is victorious over all things we may encounter. He stands tall, strong, and ready. So pick up the light sword and be ready for any battle that may rage from within... Being ready is half the battle... 

The power of light that we feel is from within... 

It’s Him!!  It’s always Him.

Photography & Written by Lori Garner Bible Verses From KJV, Easy  Sinners prayer Inspiring Music: YouTube

God's Light Shines in the Darkness 2011

"The only way love can last a lifetime is if it's unconditional. The truth is this: love is not determined by the one being loved but rather by the one choosing to love." ~ Stephen Kendric.

Enamored means filling or inflaming with love and being affected by strong feelings of love, admiration, or fascination.

The word Enamored only appears in one instance in the Bible. 

How do I love thee? What is this love that has ignited in my soul? How are our hearts drawn to this Heavenly adoration for the Godly man who walked the earth so long ago? 

It is a baffling spiritual phenomenon that is so hard to put into words…  and, at best, difficult to understand? 

Do we burn with a love for Him? Does His spiritual existence consume our thoughts? Do we accept His teachings? 

Or do we treat Him like a passing fancy? Is He here to fulfill our wishes?? Do we take Him for granted? 

He is so much more—so loving, so deep, and such a beautiful soul. 

Once smitten by His love, there is no turning back… You will be drawn to the overwhelming love, peace, and joy that He brings. You will yearn to feel His presence. You will crave those personal quiet moments with Him! Your world will seem brighter and filled with Hope… He teaches our hearts the art of forgiveness and completes a void in our souls… 

How does His Holiness love us so deeply that He has never given up?  He has defied a torturous death to save us. He shares a burning love that cannot be contained. It spills out on His children, and they, in turn, share it with others…  It’s a tidal wave that I pray will one day cover the earth. 

He has taken residence in my soul, and I will openly admit I am enamored with Him and His love story!  His love has smitten me, and I know in my heart and soul only He holds the keys to my future.

The Godly man who walked the earth! The God who created me in His loving hands… And the Spirit that dwells within my soul…Are my 3n1. 

It’s Him! It will always be Him.

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us. From the beginning in Eden, God's love has always pursued us, and He continues to pursue us through the love of Jesus Christ.

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Inspiring Music: YouTube Video 

Reckless Love (Official Lyric Video)