“Life is deep and simple, and what our society gives us is shallow and complicated.”— Fred Rogers…
In the context of the Bible, shallow often refers to a lack of depth or authenticity, whether in faith, relationships or our understanding of God’s Word. It describes a surface-level connection to God’s truth, one that lacks genuine commitment, transformation, and intimacy.
Are we willing to peel back the layers and reveal our true selves? Or are we content to settle for a shallow existence one that doesn’t reflect who we were created to be? Do we wear masks, crafting a version of ourselves for the approval of others?
I’ve wrestled with this question, and now I ask you:
Who truly knows the real you?
I choose to dig deep. Because it’s there beneath the surface where I find the only One who knows me better than I know myself. Even with all my flaws and insecurities, He loves me with a depth I have never experienced elsewhere.
I cannot hide anything from Him. He longs for our love.
He is profoundly complex yet so beautifully loving and kind.
With Him, we’re drawn to grow, to reach higher, to go deeper.
Don’t remain in the shallow shades of grey.
Immerse yourself fully:
In His Word.
In His forgiveness.
In His eternal love.
When you do, the raw, beautiful soul within you will no longer feel bound by this world. You’ll begin to breathe, and the eyes of your heart will see the beauty of life.
That’s His master plan: to exchange a shallow, guarded heart for one that is wide open to Him, and to love.
To love deeper than you ever imagined possible.
It’s Him.
It’s always been Him.
And I’ll be honest, my love for Him has reached new depths.
It’s too vast, too intimate to fully explain. He overwhelms me…
I am undone in His presence.
Just… breathe.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”— 1 Peter 4:8
"I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself." Jeremiah 31:3 NLT
Tongues are mentioned eighty-five times within the verses in the Bible.
Tongues: used to describe a person's style or manner of speaking.
Tongues, what is this Heavenly language? What is this spiritual gift? There is so much controversy about this word and its activities among churches and people.
How can we better understand it? Is it a gift we should yearn for, or should we block or remove those scriptures from the Bible?
I believe firmly that if you truly believe in God’s word. You can’t pick and choose what parts we like and dismiss the parts we do not. I feel when we do not agree or find a question with the written word. Our job is to do our research and get our souls comfortable enough to embrace what is outlined.
So, I will admit I do not practice this gift. But I am at the infant stage of my understanding of this gift… However, if and when God wants to share this gift with me, I will be a willing vessel. If this is indeed a heavenly language and you plan to go to heaven one day, maybe we should be open to learning this language to communicate with the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Let’s put this in simpler terms: If you are planning a trip to an amazing destination and you will be staying there for eternity, do you think it would be wise to learn the language? Many of us find a translation app or a Berlitz online course to learn a few words.
So, if we look at the practice of tongues as just another language, I believe the stigma of tongues would fade, and we would be enticed to learn this heavenly language from the best teacher, God Himself.
If this gift of tongues is a language from God and He is love… this language must be the language of love…
From experience, I know that when I feel his presence, I do not want Him to leave, and I am willing to speak any language that would convince Him to stay.… So, speak to me. Teach me this language of LOVE…
And those truly blessed with any of His gifts are not out of their mind… Perhaps they are just in His presence.
It's Him, It's Always Him…
So, if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say you are out of your mind? 1 Corinthians 14:23
If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. 1 Corinthians 14:27-28
Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner Bible Verses From KJV, Easy / Sinner's Prayer
Inspiring Music: YouTube
Sandi Patty, Jessy Dixon - Love in Any Language [Live]
I have long believed that there are fundamentally two forces or emotions that drive our decisions - love and fear. Love has its many manifestations: compassion, gratitude, kindness, and joy. Fear often manifests itself in cynicism, anger, jealousy, and anxiety. I worry that many of us are being driven by fear. - Vivek Murthy
The word "cynicism" does not appear in the Bible. However, the concept of cynicism is reflected in various biblical passages.
In a biblical context, cynicism is an attitude of distrust, skepticism, and negativity, particularly regarding faith, the goodness of others, or the promises of God. It often manifests as a lack of faith, questioning motives, and expecting the worst in situations and people. Cynicism can stem from disappointment, disillusionment, or a hardened heart.
Are you a manifestation of the world around you? Have you been disappointed by life? Is the stench of darkness seeping into your soul? Has your heart been hardened by the movie playing over and over in your mind?
Are you thinking that things look better in other people’s lives? Is it “facade”? Are they creating an unrealistic image of life? Are we disenchanted when we compare it to the real in our own lives?
Where has commitment, loyalty, and love gone? Is the human heart so hardened that we have forgotten why we are here?? Have we forgotten how to love?
I have often heard, ‘Are you a fighter or a lover?’ I believe we can be both... Fight for love, and those who have been in the trenches with you! The ones that have your back!! The ones that have held your hand and comforted your tired soul. The ones that have the strength to stand with you in these confusing and difficult times…
Has society become complacent and forgotten the value of perseverance in matters related to love, family, and friendship? Have relationships become so fragile that we readily relinquish them at the first sign of adversity?
I must admit we all should do a little soul searching?? Will we find that we are so confident in self that we feel we are perfect and need no one? I believe perfection is a virtue that is NOT attainable by anyone but Jesus!! We can only strive to be a better human each God given day…
So, how do we change our hardened hearts? How do we remove the layers of dust from our soul??? How can we breathe once again? How do we break this bondage on our lives, and learn to unleash the supernatural love that Jesus is willing to share with us? His love is far beyond our human understanding...
I know from experience we cannot do it alone… We must place our total trust in God!! Give Him our heart and surrender our life to Him…be vulnerable in front of Him and ask Him to search our hearts and teach us how to love like Jesus!
Mastering the art of humility, speaking with kindness, and leading with compassion can have a lasting impact on all people, places, and things we value most.
Even though some individuals may say they have tried this and faced disappointment, remember that the benefits of fighting for love and showing up for your people far exceed the cost.
Don't let this world and its trappings rob you of what is truly beautiful and important!!
Eternity with the Arthur and Creator of all things!!!
It’s Him!!!
It will always be Him!!!
His message is clear: love one another…. Sharing His love and light can illuminate our path as we journey back home!!!
My prayer is that you will not succumb to cynicism or fall into a downward spiral into darkness. Instead, look up and love as if tomorrow will never come!
Be the light! Keep Loving! It’s our only HOPE!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
Respond appears one hundred and four times in the Bible...
Respond means to say something in reply...
This word came up in a group discussion, and it led me to think about how we respond to others. Thinking deeper, I found myself questioning how we respond to God.
What was the first question God asked man in the Bible? I did not have to look very far. In Genesis 3:9, the first recorded question is found.
Adam and Eve were in the garden. We don’t know how long, but long enough to know who formed them and placed them in an Eden full of everything they would want or need. A beautiful place where they could live and grow. The presence of God was a delight, and I am sure when they heard Him, they would come running to Him to share with Him all they were doing.
One day, that changed. They heard His voice calling them. His call that day was: “Where are you?”He was not met with the love and joy that had been there before.
Adam’s response was: “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself”.
This was the first question and the first answer recorded for us to read.
Is God still asking the same question to man today? And to get personal, Is He asking me the same question today? Am I eager and excited to hear His voice in my garden of life? He loves us and loves to walk and talk with us. But do we hide from Him? Do we fill our lives so full that we have no time for Him?
“Where are you?” He has not left you. He is seeking you. He will be your beloved Savior, your hope, the joy of your life. Respond to His question today!
“God is faithful by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Do not concern yourself with what you know or what you do not know. Do not think about the past or the future, merely allow God's hands to write the surprises of the present on each new day. -Paulo Coelho...
Meaning of surprise - an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing:
The word surprise seems to appear in the Bible 46 times
Oh my goodness... Be still my heart!! How can our Heavenly Father be so full of surprises that I stand in awe most of the time???
The biggest surprise that happened to me was the day God’s love fell from the sky unto my soul. I only knew of Him from the celebrated Holidays and movies... I thought of Him very much like a character out of a book? I had no religious foundation and I was not searching for Him?
And one day wham!!!! It was the most amazing moment of my life... That moment has been the biggest life-altering surprise that I have ever experienced!!! To feel His great love will consume your soul, speak loving words to your heart, and blow your mind...
Is it our limited thinking? His greatness? Or both that give us doubt? What is it about Him that keeps us so enamored?
I have come to the realization that the whole concept of God is not of this world experience. Many think He lives in Heaven sitting on His throne in all His glory wielding out Kingly demands... But if you truly get to know Him. You will find that He can even surprise the doubters...
You will discover even with all His power, and vastness... He is so attainable. So alive, So kind, So full of love that it flows like a rushing river ... He has been surprising man, since the beginning, of time...
When I turned to the Bible to look for His many surprises... I found there are many peppered throughout its delicate pages. But the surprise that drew my attention would be His beautiful Son Jesus...
Why would Jesus leave His beautiful secure home? Why would He leave His Father’s loving arms? Why would He separate Himself from the amazing presence and safety of God and the Holy Spirit?? Why?
To my surprise I have been taught that He did it for the deep deep love and affection He has for His Children!!! Who is it that can love with such depth? Who possesses such gentleness, forgiveness, and grace? Who?
It's Him, As I pursued my desire to know more about Him...He surprisingly stole my heart... And my soul felt Him deep within the most intimate place of my very being. It has been the most amazing honor to grow to know Him ... He is so alive!!! So loving... So beyond our wildest imagination...
It's not surprising that I fell in love with the very essence of who He is... All of Him... My Heavenly Father, His beautifully sensitive Son, and the quiet but equally as powerful Holy Spirit!!!
Each day that I am given the privilege of walking with Them. I stand in amazement and I am filled with a child-like wonder and thirst for more.
Some of His surprises are large making them easier to spot. But I think I love the small subtle ones the best... Because with time I have learned that if we maintain an open heart and look with our spiritual eyes, quiet our mind... And just wait on Him...
We will be able to find that alluring sound of His voice... Our heart can tune in to Him on an intimate level... And we began to see the tiniest surprises He makes in our lives... So when we are privileged to see the small things that God is doing.
We can begin to recognize that the feeling that we have felt stirring within is our soul, Is our soul being intimate with God's own heart.
These are the gems of love He leaves for us to find...
Intimacy with Him should become a vigilant daily pursuit. But know this... You may be swept away in His incredible LOVE in the process.
Falling in love with our Creator should not be such a surprise to any of us!!! Because I believe He made man for that very simplistic purpose. To love Him and to be loved by Him...
Are you Surprised!!! He has thought of everything!!!
He WOWs me!!!
It's Him, It's always Him!!
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15: 9-12
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure - St. John Paul II
Meaning of adventure an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity:
Are we ever ready for the Great Adventure?? How do face life? Are you timid and shy? Are you a risk-taker? Do savor the moments or are you so self-consumed you let the beauty of life pass you by ??? Do we grab life with gusto? Or do become complacent and stand in the mundane?
To complicate matters what does the Bible say about adventure? Is there excitement? Is there a thrill for the risk-taker ?? Many people feel this old dust book we call the Bible is boring and old! Why bother? To tell the truth, I was one of those people... Boy was I wrong... lol
I have been on the most amazing adventure... Sometimes I never left the comfort of my own home. You may think that is impossible?
But, I have discovered the key 🔑. To life and Love... it’s the biggest treasure this world has to offer!! I have to admit I was not in control of this adventure, my journey has been in the hands of another...
It’s when I let go and let Him have control of my life is when life began to take on new meaning, and the mundane became alive! Even that old boring book began to come alive, words started jumping off the page and into my heart!!! I began to sing a new song and had a bounce in my step. I began to look at each new day with the excitement of a child at a new theme park !! I could not contain my enthusiasm! I had a smile appear and it seemed to radiate from within. It could not be wipe from my face ...
God was my biggest risk. In the beginning, I treaded lightly and I was unsure how this adventure with God would be perceived? So I held back ... I was shy about sharing my excitement. But as I trusted Him, I began to let go and let Him guide my life. And my Love for Him grew. ( His love is out of this world) My vulnerability became less of a stumbling block ... And I found new freedom... He freed the child within ... It's when I let go. I found me... He has been the Greatest adventure my heart and soul have ever experienced!!!
Be a risk-taker ... Risk-loving God with all your heart, all of your mind, and all of your soul!!
Turn the key. Give Him control and you too will have that adventurous smile... Feel Alive!!
It’s Him, It’s always been Him...
Zoom zoom 😀😀😀
“Go,” the LORD said to me, “and lead the people on their way, so that they may enter and possess the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” Deuteronomy 10:11
Hide yourself in God, so when a man wants to find you, he will have to go there first. - Shannon L. Alder...
Meaning of self-absorbed: preoccupied with one's feelings, interests, or situation:
“So, God created man in His own image. So, where and when did our spiritual journey go off track? Where are the life and love teachings of Jesus? Are our core values on vacation??? Have they eroded with time?
Are we so absorbed in our work, interests, or hobbies that we've lost sight of what's truly important? How do we find our way back to a simpler, more meaningful way of living where love, relationships, and life itself are the priorities?
It saddens me to see our relationships and our world in such an eroded state. It wounds my heart to think that we've lost our grip on reality.
Have we become callous-hearted?
Are we driven to pursue dreams with infectious enthusiasm, fostering a culture of kindness and compassion that inspires others? Do we seek to understand diverse perspectives before we disregard how our actions may affect others? Do we leave scars with our actions? Are our words thoughtful or full of judgment?
Are you one of the genuine hearts that truly care?
Are we a society that prioritizes selfishness or selflessness? Do we demonstrate authentic care and compassion, or do we simply walk away and move our attention to the next issue? Are we full of self? Are we disengage, or do we put in the work to create a meaningful and lasting impact in our own lives and the world and the people around us?
God created man in His image, which also includes our heart... Does our heart reflect His love? Or have we dimmed His light? I do not claim to have all the answers, however,
I do believe we can make a difference...
We can beless aggressive... we can be more understanding, more loving, more caring, or KIND.
I challenge you to start today, be that heart that can make the difference in someone’s day with just a smile and a kind word...
or just STOP...
And say simply say I LOVE You... God loves you ... and mean it!
Let’s not be a hollow image of God... Let’s learn how to shine in His light once again... let’s learn to live this life from the best teacher I have grown to LOVE... Jesus...
It’s Him. It’s always Him.
And I am a work in progress! Never forget GOD LOVES YOU!
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness, I have drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3).
“The work of restoration cannot begin until a problem is fully faced.” Dan Allender..
The word restore is used 136 times in the Bible.
It means to repair, renew or bring back that which has been lost.
As we go through life, we have to restore things quite often. Such as restoring a wooden porch that has been out in the weather for years. The boards have begun to rot and mold. Or we might need to restore a friendship that has been neglected for years. The most fun might be to restore a wardrobe that has clothes from the ’90s.
All of these things we can do ourselves. But there is one thing WE cannot restore. It is an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. Sometimes we do not realize that this relationship needs to be restored. We have traveled our journey of life for years without Him. We have made our own plans and left Him out.
There may have periods in our life when we hear something about Him and we might really try to get a hold of what we hear and we will be enthusiastic about Him for a time, but we will soon go back to our ways. We may even go to Church on Sunday and Wednesday, but it is from habit and looking good in the eyes of others.
How do we restore the relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?
How much do we desire His presence?
How do we return to the excitement and joy we once may have had. It can happen when we hear a song that really speaks to our hearts. It may be a word we read or hear. Or it may be a story someone tells us that ignites the spark in you to seek Him with all your heart. This will be the start of the pursuit of Him. We will not be disappointed. He will restore our soul to all the joy and love He has.
He will gently take our hand and walk with us as He restores us with a delight in Him that increases every day. He is that Treasure we have longed for. He indeed is the restorer of our souls. Hold tight to Him and with an overwhelming heart give Him all your love and praise.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. Joel 2:25
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.”Psalms 51:12 NASB
Photography by Lori Garner
Written by Joann Turnbull Bible Verses From KJV, Easy / Sinners prayer
Inspiring Music:
Vertical Worship - Restore My Soul (Live Performance)
"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:6
The meaning of Storm: a storm, a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow. A tumultuous reaction; an uproar or controversy: Move angrily or forcefully in a specified direction:
The word "storm" appears in the Bible one hundred and nineteen times.
Storms can come when we least expect them. Many can come with complete knowledge, allowing you to prepare for the worst... When I think of storms, I think of Florida, where in my lifetime I have weathered many violent storms.
As I think about these storms, I have witnessed the devastation they can cause to life and property. In life, there are storms we face that rage within.
Let’s look at the storms of life that we feel in our soul… It starts with a distant rumble. We can see grey clouds moving swiftly across the sky… Lightning crashes and bolts of light furiously light the dark sky. The winds pick up speed… And we hear the sounds of the rumbling get closer and closer … Everything in its path is showing signs of being battered and worn…
The human soul will hide in fear, thinking that it will not be able to stand the violence felt. But when our soul retreats and goes deep. Something amazing happens, we find God's gift. He instilled a resilience and a hunger for life in each life He has created... as soon as we find Him there, these storms lose their strength and soon die. And our soul finds a strength we did not even realize existed. It’s at these times that we begin to understand the beauty of our Heavenly Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit.
He is our rock, our anchor, our Savior. Find Rest in Him when you face any storm life may throw your way. Get anchored and feel Him in your soul….
It's Him, it's always Him.
And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. Matthew 8:24
“I am convinced that there is no great distance between heaven and earth, that the distance lies in our finite minds. When the Beloved visits us in the night, He turns our chambers into the vestibules of His palace halls. Earth rises to heaven when heaven comes down to earth.” — Charles H. Spurgeon
Meaning of between in the time, space, or interval that separates
The word between does not seem to be a word that appears as a word that has been counted.
Between day and night. It’s 3:27 am and darkness fills the air ... yet it's morning ... transition to daylight will come soon ...
When we think of heaven and earth do we question what is the space between? Why are we earth-bound? Our bodies hold us captive. But our souls can move between worlds... do we tap into that resource? It’s a beautiful gift from our Creator? Sometimes I feel a tug war between my heart and soul.. Gravity may hold my body but my soul has been freed to soar to greater heights!!
We have a mission a purpose here on earth. However, there seems to be a yearning in our soul to return to our Creator our spiritual home our First love. We are in the state of between... How does one reconcile this with our heart? How do we find peace in our souls? How do understand this with our limited mind?
He gave us you... “Holy Spirit” You are our beautiful “between”. You are our between love. You are our between peace. You share with us a heavenly love, and gently teach us the greatness of Jesus and our Heavenly Father... You teach us what beauty awaits and you show us the way. You share the essence and beauty of a love beyond our human understanding...
Just who are you? How did you come to dwell within our hearts our soul and our very thoughts? I have felt you stirring since birth. But I did not recognize who you were. I was between worlds .... and my heart was bound to things of this world... But for some reason far beyond my own thoughts, you freed my soul to newfound freedom and understanding...
You are a beautiful gift from our Creator, our Heavenly Father, our greatest LOVE. He gave us the gift of His very breath...
“The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).
It’s Him, It’s always been Him.
Our first love ...
I live in a state of between.. while my body must remain on earth, my soul has a yearning.. a thirst.. to know everything about this beautiful love. My heart will always feel that pull to one day return home... I love you Holy Spirit. The very thought of your abundant beauty and knowing that You are God’s very breath,
It is Your essence and Your abundant love. You have taken residence with my heart and soul... You leave me in awe of Your very existence...
You still wow me... 🤩
Written by Lori Garner
Photo by Kendall Hoopes from Pexels Bible Verses From KJV, Easy / Sinners prayer
Inspiring Music: Youtube
Father, Son, Spirit (Official Lyric Video) // A Table Full Of Strangers // Jason Upton
