Meaning of Resurrection is the concept of coming back to life after death.   

The word “resurrection” appears 56 times throughout the books of the Bible. 

Whenever I have heard or hear the word  “resurrection” I have always thought of Jesus... Even before I truly knew Him... But I knew enough of the story from movies that this word seemed to always point to Him... 

But as I travel on this spiritual journey ... Words that point me to God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit have taken on a deeper meaning.  So how do we understand this phenomenon we call resurrection? 

The Bible is always a great source for our soul to understand the spiritual essence of where we come from and where our final destination resides. It's our road map to life and beyond.

Resurrection is such a beautiful and yet powerful word... 

One must die in the flesh before this activity can begin. This concept is truly mind-blowing. 

But wait. If we truly believe in the Trinity and the promise of eternity, we are taught that we serve an amazing God and that all things are possible.

As we are resurrected, we will all travel into this amazing spiritual dimension, like everything we experience in life. 

Jesus did the same. He came to experience the humanistic side of life on earth. His mission here was to lead us by example and teach us many lessons about life, love, and our Creator. 

His resurrection taught us of His heavenly power. It taught us about His undying love for mankind...He taught us to not fear the things we can not understand. He taught us to trust our Father with our life. 

As He inhaled His last breath, He uttered these painful words...  “It is finished. Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit." 

I can only imagine at that very moment in time there was a love outpouring from our Heavenly Father that is so powerful it breathes new life into His beautiful soul. It's a LOVE that gives us newfound freedom and understanding. We will experience peace and joy that is beyond man's limited understanding.  Our soul will be resurrected and transition to a new spiritual existence with our loving Creator. What a beautiful travel destination. Jesus spoke of this paradise. 

Jesus’s gentleness, His Love, and His resurrection have always been the light force guiding us home. 

I thank my Heavenly Father for loving me so much that  He resurrected my once dormant soul... because I was spiritually lost... He tried many times over the years to get my attention... But I was not tuned into His frequency... It actually took an act of God to get my attention...  and on the day the Holy Spirit touched my life, He awakened my spiritual soul...It's been an amazing journey of discovery.  And due to my experience, I feel that there seem to be many forms of resurrection. 

But as we all know, Jesus is the ultimate example... because He could be physically seen by those who loved Him... His resurrection confirmed to the world that His mission was complete, and now His followers need to pick up His cross and continue to share His Love and legacy for generations to come. His life is such a love story!! It speaks volumes to our thirsty souls. Yes, He is alive, can't you feel Him? Can't you hear His sweet voice whispering your name? His love will tug at your heartstrings until you are willing to surrender your heart.

It’s Him. It’s always Him. 

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:21

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Inspiring Music:

Auli'i Cravalho - Feels Like Home (Lyrics)

“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...

Have you ever wondered about the profound impact of these three pivotal days? Was His absence a purposeful act? He taught us to forgive, saying they know not what they do. Did the people eventually grasp the far-reaching consequences of their actions? Did some hearts swell with sorrow? Did some souls demonstrate remorse? Did some kneel in humility, seeking forgiveness? Was redemption still within reach?

Jesus raised Lazarus from death's grip almost instantaneously, so why did the events surrounding His death and resurrection take 3 days?  

It is not written. But I believe He needed to heal Himself spiritually.

Did the heartache of abandonment pierce His heart and wound His beautiful soul?

Have you ever contemplated whether the pain diminished on the cross, or did it persist as His spirit underwent a divine transformation, atoning for the sins of humanity is a monumental task. As His glory returned, His Spirit was liberated to restore Him to His divine Holy state.

Who goes through such a horrific event unscathed??  Did the Holy Spirit of God take Him in His loving arms and soothe His pain? 

God made us in His image, and He also grieves. He grieves when we fail to acknowledge Him as our supreme Creator, our heavenly Father, our glorious three-in-one - the Holy Father, His beautiful Son Jesus, and the magnificent Holy Spirit!

I humbly ask you to bow your head with me and recognize Him as your amazing Savior! The Holy One!!! The only one true God!! 

It's Him! It will always be HIM!! 

 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NIV

Significance of the Number Three: The number three is often associated with the concept of completion and divine intervention in the Bible

Prophecy:

Jesus himself predicted that he would be raised on the third day, a prediction found in the Gospels

Design & Written by Lori Garner  

Bible Collaboration - Joann Turnbull

SINNER'S PRAYER  

Inspiring Music: YouTube 

WHERE WERE YOU - FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI (LYRICS)

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