“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us.” (1 John 4:10)

The meaning of personal - of or concerning one's private life, relationships, and emotions rather than matters connected with one's public or professional career:

The word personal is referred to 121 times in the Bible.  

But what does it mean? Many of us have been taught that each man, woman, and child has their own space. And unless you are invited in, you must stay out or be ready to defend your position. 

(It could prove to be a painful experience) 

Like me, many of you have heard over the years we must have a “personal relationship with Jesus” to reap the benefits of His gift of life and love.  So, my question becomes ... How? Why? Where? And when? 

1. How - Just how deep do you want to feel His LOVE? 

2. Why - Because we will never be complete without Him.

3. Where - We think of a physical location! But it is a spiritual walk of the heart and soul. 

4. When - I feel the sooner, the better. Like many, I have had a late start but now feel I am in the race. 

I believe there are degrees of a “personal relationship” with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  

I can only speak of my experience. And how my walk went from head knowledge to feeling Him stirring in my heart to a love I carry deep within my soul. I will simplify them into Personal Phases. 

Phase 1

Over my many non-religious years, I knew the story of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; it was a clinical understanding derived from Hollywood Movies and the very occasional visit to some church for reasons other than learning about the Trinity. 

I knew of Him on a superficial level. 

Phase II 

I had a Holy Spirit encounter that planted a desire in my heart to know more about Him, and the chase began. He became an important player in my daily activities. I began including Him more and more each day. I spoke to Him like a friend I have had all my life, and a trusting relationship began to grow as I discovered deeper details about Him. 

My heart and mind began to open to the possibilities of a greater love.  It's a love greater than I have ever known. I began to appreciate His beauty, grace, and unconditional love. As I study Him daily, I find He is teaching me more about who I truly am. He has freed my bound heart and given me wings to fly.  I say I am a work in progress. And He is not finished with me yet. Isn't it a beautiful thought that our growing knowledge of Him will never end? 

Phase III 

Like any relationship, the more you invest in yourself, the more vulnerable you become and the deeper you let them penetrate your heart.  At that very moment, you realize you are free to surrender your heart and fall in love. It's no different with God, but His love is not of this world. It's a love greater than you have ever known. It's HIM! 

It’s a spiritual love greater than we have ever experienced. It’s a deep love from our soul. It’s when God becomes as important as the air we breathe.  We will find that place of intimacy in our soul.  We may be moved to tears of joy. We will feel this indescribable love, consume your soul. And life will burst into a beautiful rainbow of brilliant colors. 

You will find that this intimate place is reserved for a party of two you and your Creator. He knew that one day we would find Him waiting there to love us on such an amazing spiritual level. He has instilled a hunger within us from birth. To crave an intimate communion with Him that only He can satisfy. 

A friend asked me today who in the Bible had an intimate relationship with God and how we know that they did. 

I will turn to a favorite quote by Nicholas Sparks. 

The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that's what you've given me. That's what I'd hoped to give you forever. 

I believe that the ones we have grown to know in the Bible and in our lives have had or are in an intimate relationship with God. Are the ones that show it in their daily lives. With His strength, they forge the way for others. They openly speak of His greater love. They realize they are not perfect but walk in His mercy and grace. Even with doubts, they listen and act on His direction. They are a witness to Him by their actions, and they, above all, share His amazing love with anyone who will listen. 

I found this quote spoke to my soul many months ago. 

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

It’s Him; it’s always Him. 

The question becomes just how deep you want your 

"Personal Relationship" with Him to be???

Design & Written by Lori Garner

Photo by nappy from Pexels

Bible Verses From KJV, Easy  /  Sinners prayer 

Inspiring Music: Beckah Shae - Overflow - Lyrics

I can't make people fall in love withJesus, but I can arrange dates…Andy Stanley....

Meaning of dedicated (of a person) devoted to a task or purpose; having single-minded loyalty or integrity.

The word dedicated can be found 25 times in the Bible.

How does He orchestrate happenings in our lives that draw us to clues of discovering more?  

This week I stumbled across a movie called Mary Magdalene. I watched the movie and the next day I discovered that March is woman’s month … hmm 

Many would say that it is just a coincidence. But I have discovered that I love how He works.

Women have played such a significant role in the Bible. But when looking back with the exception of Mary the Mother of Jesus they seem to be overshadowed by the men… 

Do we try to understand the roles and the significance they played in such a male-dominated world?? 

When I began my discovery of Mary Magdalene I knew very little about her. But I soon discovered these facts. 

1. Jesus cast out 7 demons from her. Is it a coincidence that there are 7 deadly sins? (pride, envy, wrath, gluttony, lust, sloth, and greed) hmm

2.She boldly left her family to follow Jesus

3. She was a witness of the crucifixion 
4. She was the first witness of the empty tomb

5. She was mentioned in all four of the Gospels

6. Her amazing story was one of darkness and torment until Jesus freed her from the bondage that raged within her soul… 

I do not want to take away from the important facts, but what impressed me the most, was not only her loyalty to her Savior … But beyond that was her deep love for Him… 

I believe she felt she owed Him her renewed life…

She must have felt spiritual, emotional, and physical death when He was taken from our world.… Losing the one who freed her.. the one who brought light into her dark world… It must have crushed her heart and made her soul bleed… 

But the “good news” was she was the first one to lay eyes on Him at His resurrection. She was the first witness… She was set apart. She was chosen. 

It was a woman that He appeared to first. It was a woman that He trusted with such monumental news. It was a woman that He trusted to share His amazing legacy of love and life beyond death to the world. 

She had such an unwavering trust, deep love, and gratitude for Him. She did not just love Him. But I believe she indeed fell in love with Him… It has been written that there may have been a physical attraction to Jesus. 

But a physical attraction is not necessary to fall in love with our Creator…It’s a much deeper love, it comes from a deep place within our soul... 

As I traveled on this journey I have been blessed to discover a few souls that carry this type of love for Him.  It transcends time, space, and human understanding … It’s a spiritual gift from Him… and Him alone.

I believe we get confused when we try to dissect this love… The hows and whys, the “scientific” result from testing.  

When speaking of the possibilities of Heaven, eternity, and the spiritual realms we will never fully understand. It contains such vastness and depth, just how do we wrap our human mind around it? 

That is why we must open our hearts and trust Him and love Him with the innocence of a child…. 

It’s Him… He WOWs me. 

I urge you… 

Love Him like Mary… love Him with that type of dedication… with that type of depth… fall in love with His soul… take your love to the next level… Don’t keep your love for Him restrained to what our world has deemed as acceptable…  Set your love free… Just as He freed Mary… 

I have discovered when dealing with Him there is always MORE!!! 

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

“Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable like a little child, you will never be able to enter in Matthew 18:3 TPT

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1Peter 1:3 

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube)

Falling In Love - Phil Wickham (Lyrics)

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11

Meaning of overshadow: 1. To throw a shadow over; to overshade. 2. To shelter; to protect; to cover with protecting influence.

We located forty verses that speak about the word “overshadow”… 

As I sat in my cold dark room, I became mesmerized by the soft glow of the golden light that spilled so softly on the table by my side… There 

I began to think about this word that my friend placed gently in my lap. “Overshadow” is such an ambiguous word.

With those thoughts rumbling in my head,   I was drawn to the shadows that danced on the walls of my room my mind drifted to a time so long ago…

It’s that pivotal day when a tiny life was conceived, a life that would change the world…

“The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35 NIV

And as I my heart opened to the scripture before me the words [ the power of the "Most High” ] resonated with my soul…  

What causes God to speak to us in such a powerful and profound way? Why are only a few chosen to feel Him in an overshadowing experience?  Is there significance? 

I like you have so many unanswered questions? As many of you already know I had a Holy Spirit Encounter that changed many things in my life… 

When I read the scripture in Luke  1:35. 

I began to question could my experience be called “overshadowed by God..? 

Now don’t miss understand I am not in any way comparing myself to such an amazing soul we know as Mary the Mother of our beloved Christ… 

I can only try to understand what must have gone through her mind? What and how did she feel? Was the change she felt immediate? Or did it grow along with her unborn child? 

I do not have the intimate details about Mary's amazing moment in time… 

But I can share my thoughts about mine… I was driving on a dark lonely road … I was not looking for God I thought my life was on track… When suddenly I felt a love like I have never known. I felt a warm feeling in my soul and a warm light filled my car… The moment was surreal ... my heart began to race and I became bewildered and confused because I was not sure what had just happened. I pulled my car over and sat there for a while…. 

I was not like Mary chosen to save humanity nor was I asked to carry such a beautiful precious soul we know as Emmanuel. 

But I can say my soul's rebirth happened that day… 

Did He overshadow me? or did He love me beyond my understanding?  I will let you decide… As I stand in awe and only whisper... 

It’s Him! It has always been Him. 

He is such a lover of souls. His presence is what we crave… it’s a yearning of the heart that will never be satisfied until our eyes can gaze upon His beautiful face!! 

Life as I know it will never be the same. 

Photography, Art & Written by Lori Garner  

Inspiring Music: YouTube

Overshadow Me (Ruach)

True love is about what happens beyond this Life. It's about a loving relationship with our Creator and cherishing the greatest gift you will ever be blessed to discover... It's Him!!! 

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

“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

"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