As the Father has loved me, So Have I loved you. - Jesus Christ...

The Greek word for cross, σταυρός, is used twenty-seven times in the New Testament.

Meaning of Cross: an upright post with a transverse bar used in antiquity for crucifixion.

The symbolic cross embodies triumph, liberty, forgiveness, redemption, sacrifice, hope, and the most profound love we will ever encounter. However, the blood shed due to humanity's transgressions represents heartache, tears, and gratitude for an invaluable gift beyond repayment.

The pain, humiliation, and commitment the Son made to God the Father for His children are incredibly heartfelt. 

His life is an amazing, beautiful testimony of passion, life, and love. 

The action of crucifixion is a horrific, barbaric death. It shatters my heart and grieves my soul…

However, it is a profound demonstration of my Savior's love and devotion. He will stop at nothing to save our unworthy souls. 

With humility and compassion, He blazed a path on earth of living a life of unconditional love.  He humbly guides us toward cultivating a similar relationship with our Heavenly Father while teaching us how to love without judgment or prejudice. 

Despite being beaten and tortured, His spirit remains unbroken. Even when those who claimed to love Him abandoned Him, His love never failed. 

I understand the magnitude of this gift in my mind, but I'll never fully understand why He chose to give us so much of Himself. Why would He shower such intense love on such undeserving people? 

How did we NOT have the strength to prevent His brutal crucifixion?

This LOVE story did not die on the bloodstained wood of the cross. It is a monumental love story that has no end! 

He demonstrated supernatural composure and strength during His most terrifying moments.  

He is the most selfless soul I have ever grown to know! He shares a spiritual love that is beyond our understanding.

So when you look to the empty cross, may you feel His loving sacrifice, and remember the Man, the Deity, and the LOVE that remains, for His blood stains are eternally etched on every believer's heart.  

He is an inspiration to behold! He conquered death. No other soul on earth can make this claim!!  He is the greatest example of victory! He is the light of the world!

I owe Him my life, my love, and my deepest gratitude. I love Him beyond my understanding… 

It's Him, forever Him! 

Please take a moment, bow your head, and thank Him for His amazing gift of unconditional love!! 

“Christ died on the cross on my behalf. It is like I died there with him. So, I do not live my own life anymore. Instead, Christ lives in me. The life that I live now in my body, I live because I trust what he has done for me. He has loved me so much that he died on my behalf.”

Galatians 2:20 EASY

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 KJV 

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner  

Bible Collaboration - Joann Turnbull

SINNER'S PRAYER

Bible Verses: Easy & KJV: 

Inspiring Music: YouTube 

Agnus Dei (Official cover by Megan Tibbits)

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,“This cup is the new covenantin my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:25

The meaning of betrayal is to give over to an enemy by treachery.: to be unfaithful. betrayed our trust.

We located fifty-four verses in the Bible that speak of this heartfelt word… 

When we turn back the hands of time to an event that changed the world.  So many thoughts flood my mind… Why God, why did you send us such a beautiful soul to only have Him ripped from our lives in such a horrific way. Are we worth even an ounce of His precious blood?? In my mind, I say NO we are not worth it?  But in my bleeding heart, I am so grateful for Him. He has been such a monumental gift for all generations. 

Though tear-filled eyes I try to understand the lesson you have tried to teach us in this ultimate display of sacrificial LOVE… Why the betrayal? Why thirty pieces of silver? Why Judas? Your plan of salvation for mankind has so many clues? Do these details parallel our lives today??? We tend to see the past as history… But can we relate it to the present??? Have we betrayed Him? Many do not even know His name until it’s their back that is against the wall!! I see money, greed, and power rampant in our world… Have we sold our souls for things of this world??  I see many gathering riches just by exploiting His image, His name, and even the very gifts He has given us…

Are we wearing the Judus cloak ??? 

These are difficult questions to ask ourselves … I have not been given the task of judging.

Thank God! 

I can say let our conscience and the Holy Spirit be our guide… It’s a personal resolve between our Creator and us.

I can only pray that He holds my heart in His hands… and that I can live up to His expectations for my life… 

This is a difficult time of reflection… I thank Him for loving me beyond my worth… 

I will admit I have fallen in love with the Man, that walked so humbly on this earth so many years ago… and I am grateful to my Elohim that the story does not stop here… I know in my heart that He lives and He holds the keys to my future. 

It’s Him, it will always be Him…

The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born. Matthew 26: 24

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Josh Groban - To Where You Are

"The contemplation of beauty causes the soul to grow wings." ~ Plato 

The word "contemplate" appears 6 times in the Bible. 

In the Bible, “contemplate" generally means to engage in deep, reflective thought or meditation on God's Word, nature, and works. It's a spiritual discipline that encourages focused attention on divine truths and can involve silently pondering, praising, and recognizing God's presence. 

As we remember Holy Week, how many of us genuinely seek a deeper understanding, or do we just follow the celebratory customs without pondering the emotional and mental journey of Jesus?

Was He disappointed that the masses did not heed His teachings? Was He given a deadline? On Sunday, we celebrated Palm Sunday, commemorating the day He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. I can't help thinking, there must have been a group of people who could have stood up for Him.

The days ahead are the most significant seven days in our history!

Did He not speak because He was introspectively preparing for the significant events that were to come? He knows all things; He knew He would be betrayed! 

He must have known that His death was imminent. Did He foresee the suffering that He would have to endure?  

Might it be possible that images of events that lay before Him could have been replaying in His mind repeatedly, a phenomenon known as rumination or intrusive thoughts, but in His heart and soul knew He had a higher purpose!!! Such a heartbreak struggle!  

He did not attempt to explain!!! He had no words!!! 

Now I ask you to reflect on what must have been going through His mind!!! Can we relate? After all, He had humbled Himself to share in the human experience. He felt emotion, He loved beyond understanding! He felt joy! He felt compassion! 

Did He ever have a moment of apprehension? Perhaps He was even frightened? 

For a moment, while He hung on the cross, He felt abandoned by everyone, including God the Father…That must have been the greatest pain His earthbound body had to endure!! 

What fueled His unrelenting strength to fulfill His mission with such impressive dignity and unwavering love? 

Only God, My Elohim! It's Him! Our beloved Savior! How could we not reflect His profound love with the same intensity and commitment?

It’s Him!  It will always be Him! There is no other… 

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

"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 

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

Love sacrifices all things to bless the One we love... 

One woman is mentioned in the Bible who will always be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. Her life story is told in three of the Gospels.  

Her family home was in Bethany just a few miles from Jerusalem.  It was a favorite stop for Jesus to stay when he and his disciples would come to Jerusalem. 

Whenever He visited the home, you would find this woman named Mary sitting at His feet, listening to every word He said. Her sister Martha would scold her for not meeting to the needs of the guests. Once, her sister complained to Jesus about this. His answer was: “Leave her alone; she has chosen the best.”  

On the occasion of her brother’s sickness and death. Mary and her sister called for Jesus to come.  When Mary saw Jesus, she fell weeping at His feet.  She knew if Jesus had come her brother would not have died.  Her love and trust in Him were so strong. 

Later, at the time of the Passover Jesus and his disciples came to the home of Simon the Leper. His home was near the home of Mary.   As they were eating Mary came in and knelt by where He was sitting.  She took her expensive vial of sweet fragrant oil and broke it open.  She poured all of it on His head. The sweet oil ran down and covered His body.  

She was immediately scolded by the disciples, saying we could have fed the poor with the sale of it.  But she said nothing.  

Jesus said she had done this in preparation for my burial and she would forever be remembered whenever the Gospel was preached. 

Today she is remembered because she sat at His feet listening to His every word, and for her boldness to sacrifice her all for Him.   

Are we willing to sit at His feet soaking up all He has to tell us?

Are we willing to be rebuked for showing extravagant love for Him?

Are we willing to show He is worthy of our all?

How will we be remembered?

Photography by Lori Garner

Written by Joann Turnbull

Sinners Prayer

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

I Surrender All by David Phelps

"And He departed from our sight and we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here."  Arthur Schopenhauer...

The meaning of gone; is no longer present.

We uncovered two hundred and ten verses that speak of the word gone.

Everyone is gone, and in the stillness of night, I find an inner peace that illuminates the darkness. The silence is a profound reminder of life's beauty.

As each day drifts by and each chapter of our life progresses, something or someone always seems to be gone.

Or are they??? 

As I tap into my faith, I find there are still so many mysteries yet to be discovered… Yet I feel a sense of loss… 

I closed my eyes and began to pray… are my thoughts of hoping to see Him again in vain?  Does the word “gone” bring back memories of a time I wish I could relive?? Did those precious times slip through my fingers… Did I not love Him enough? 

As I reflect on the past, my mind and heart stir with thoughts of Him, and I wonder if those moments are gone forever.

Has He abandoned me on this journey or is there still a greater force leading me to my ultimate destiny? 

I beg you, Lord, let me hear your voice, let me feel your presence, let me gaze into your soulful eyes…. And out of the shadows, He appears…

“I am not gone I am here!!! I am always with you!!! Can you feel me in your soul??  My love for you is never gone, it grows deeper with each passing day.”

His presence leaves me in a state of awe…  

I am Speechless…  

My abandoned heart finds refuge with the one who fills my soul by night and loves me with no boundaries by day!! 

And it is there that I am transported to a sacred place in my mind where He resides! His wondrous ways draw me into a realm where my soul finds His inner sanctum, giving me the freedom to love Him beyond this ordinary world.

I bid you farewell, as I elevate to this new-glorious state of being. I just may never want to return…

It’s Him!! It’s has always Him!!! 

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him are gone out into the world. 1 Peter 3:22

“I love the LORD, Because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2 KJV

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

“If I know what love is, it is because of you.” – Herman Hesse

Meaning of crush: To press and bruise between two hard bodies; to squeeze, so as to force a thing out of its natural shape; to bruise by pressure.

Are we a broken and bruised society? Has life left us with scars? Has someone crushed your heart? or wounded your soul?? 

If you answered yes to at least one of the questions above that is a good thing...Now you might say a good thing? You're crazy! Who thinks of being crushed in any way as a good thing? I say it’s good because it makes us human... It makes us feel life...  I do feel when we are put under any type of pressure we are soulfully crushed to some degree.  

However, we must learn the life lesson set before us. I believe that being soulfully crushed can leave us better than we were before... I know you think. Impossible? 

So do not take my feelings to heart, together let’s discover what the Bible says??

The word “crush” wounded my heart as my mind wrestled with the thought of Jesus and how He was crushed for me and you!! His only crime was loving too much... 

His soul must have grieved so intensely as He prayed in the garden to our Heavenly Father. He knew the plan set before Him, but His hands were tied. He knew that He could not be released from the monumental commitment He had made. All of humanity depended on His sacrifice. He knew of the betrayal that would soon take place. He grieved not just for what was going to take place, but He must have grieved for the lost souls… The souls, that did not recognize who He truly was. The ones that His love could not reach … The hearts that He could not penetrate.  

I do believe the crushing of the body is severely painful. To think of what He must have felt. Must crush all believer’s hearts.  It was one of the most barbaric punishments a man of His time could endure. 

The pain and humiliation must have been off the charts. But the crushing of His soul by the betrayal of unbelievers is a wound that carried a pain far beyond our human understanding. It must have left scars on His heart that followed Him to eternity. It must still make Him sad… 

How did they not know Him? How did they not embrace Him… How did they did not love Him? How did they not protect Him and How did they not shout His message of LOVE…? 

History has proven there are many who over time have never let His love go. They pulled His love into their souls.  They have protected it. They felt His beauty, His warmth, His forgiveness, and grace… They have carried His torch of LOVE within their hearts to light the way for others.

I thank God for those brave souls that never gave up! For those that have dedicated their time to write His words. And I thank the Holy Spirit for teaching us and for showing us the way. 

The good news is our precious Savior will no longer feel the crushing of His Human existence. But I do feel He is still crushed by the unbelievers today. He gave Himself willingly to us all… He gave us His all… He did it for love…  So, let’s not let His act of LOVE go without learning the lesson He unfolded before our eyes. 

We must recognize the beauty in His pain. 

I do believe His sadness diminishes as each new follower is welcomed into His circle of LOVE… There must be beautiful music played and rejoicing that is felt across the Heavens… His mission is to save our souls has never been terminated. His circle of LOVE is never-ending… 

It's you. It's me… and It's for anyone that is searching for a LOVE that will change life as they know it … 

It's HIM!! It’s always been HIM… He gave us the gift of life for eternity… 

And I will admit to you. I have more than just a crush…I love Him more than the air I breathe. 

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

Who his own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 KJV

But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 KJV

Photography & Written by Lori Garner                                           SinnersPrayer    

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)                                                                         Refiner (feat. Chandler Moore and Steffany Gretzinger) - Maverick City Music | TRIBL Music

"If you don't know, ask. You will be a fool for the moment, but a wise man for the rest of your life." - Seneca

Meaning of ask: say something in order to obtain an answer or some information.

The word ask is mentioned 119 times. 

The first thing that came to my mind is the proverb  “Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies If you want the truth, better not ask directly.” It’s listed in the Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, this saying recurs throughout 150 years of English literature. 

Have you ever spent a day with a child when they are in the WHY stage?  Do we ever ask the hard questions? Do we ever ask God? Why me?  I have. Do we ever ask a stupid question? Wait a stupid question ??? Never? I come from the school of not asking, is a stupid question. Because not knowing the answer can leave you void of knowledge.  

During my discovery of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  I asked a question on Social Media? Who do you pray to? God? Jesus or the Holy Spirit? And that brought a mixture of responses. Even  “that's a stupid question?” I did not take it personally I genuinely wanted to know? And I asked openly so others that may be too timid to ask could also grow. 

I will ask you who do you pray to? Some say I pray to God. Some say I pray to Jesus. Few say I pray to the Holy Spirit. Some say I pray to the Father in Jesus' name? Some say, Lord. Let’s not cloud the issue with the multitude of names they are known by all over the world. Now I will ask do you believe in the Trinity? Do you believe that they are one? Do you believe that they are all the Father? 

Hmm, so now I ask you who do you pray to? 

I can only share my answer...During my journey with the Three, each of them playing a significant role in my life. It was a struggle to know who direct my thoughts and prayers. But it unfolded like a beautiful flower. One day during prayer to my Heavenly Father I said these words, Father, Father is too formal I have to call You something else. I then said I know I will call You LOVE because that is what I think of when I think of You! ❤. And then roll it forward a few months and I found myself deep in the meaning of Easter. And with conviction in my heart, I felt I was leaving a part of my new Divine friends out of my prayers and out of my life.. and on that very day, I started calling them LOVEs. So when I pray I address My LOVEs and that is for My Heavenly Father, Yeshua, and the Holy Spirit.. You see for me They are all one in my heart. 

So now I will ask you who do you pray to? 

Ask Him the important questions. My Father in Heaven knows His Children are full of whys and He loves to hear our thoughts. He may chuckle but He does this in the most loving way. He knows by asking questions is how His children grow. 

Have you ever thought of the vast amount of questions and thoughts that are asked of Him on a daily basis?  When I thought of this statement I had to change my direction and my questions turned into the following: 

Good morning LOVEs. Let me ask You what can I do for You today? How can I lighten Your load? What do You want of me?... 

And now I will ask My LOVEs why me? And His answer is Because I love you! And that is a WOW. Because I have felt His LOVE... and it will blow your mind... 

I will end this with my thoughts. Find the name to call your LOVEs that resonates with your soul. There is no stupid answer. It’s a personal choice that will fit in your heart perfectly. And He will wrap your voice in His loving arms.

It’s Him, It’s always Him

Photo Design & Written by Lori Garner

Inspiring Music: YouTube

Austin French - Why God (Lyrics)

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.

Meaning of long-suffering having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.

This word is not a word that I wanted to research or even feel… 

When we look at Galatians chapter 5 verses 22:23, we will find the  “Fruit of the Spirit” listed as follows: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;. 

Life has its beauty but how do we learn to appreciate the beauty? I believe we must have opposite feelings, so we have a base of comparison… 

For instance, how could we recognize Joy without knowing sadness?  Peace without conflict?  Patience’s without impatience? kindness without unkindness ??  And the list goes on??? 

Strangely enough, when I looked up the opposite of long-suffering, I found the word blessed!! 

But how can we find the blessing in Long Suffering?  If I transpose the words they would read Suffering long!!! 

No one in their right mind would want to own these words...  But for this exercise, I will put my mind on hold and look at this word with my heart and soul... 

How could that be a blessing?   

Long-suffering is a heart-crushing feeling that leaves scars... It has no defined timeline.

But what life has taught me is Long-suffering is a great teacher!!! Those scars serve a beautiful purpose.

We live in a beautiful but challenging time. So many things to experience in one’s lifetime.

The pain and suffering are real but always remember you are not alone...  He stands by our side through all our trials. He wipes every tear... And His beautiful peace will engulf your soul and joy will come in the morning... 

It's Him... He is our joy, our love our peace... 

However, do we even think of His suffering on the cross? Do we think of His daily suffering? 

When many souls do not even acknowledge Him. (sad)

Do we not love Him as much as He loves us?? I believe It wounds His soul and breaks His beautiful heart... 

How deep? How long?  Will we let His Long-Suffering go on??

He had to ask Peter 3 times in order to get the true answer “ Do you love me? “ 

If He asks you today!  Do you love me? How would you answer??

Would you hesitate or would your answer roll off your tongue like sweet honey... 

Yes!! I love you. You know I love you.  

I feel it is in each one’s power to lighten His long-suffering one heart at a time... 

It's truly about Him! It's about loving Him with all our heart, soul, and mind... 

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. “This is the first and great commandment” 

This is the greatest blessing a person could ever achieve!!

After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10). 

Written and Multi Media Art by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Oh How I Love You Lyric Video 

Jackie & Stacy Baker Worship | © 2018 Jackie Baker