Is Kenosis a paradox and a mystery since "emptying oneself" in fact fills the person with divine...

In biblical terms, Kenosis, derived from the Greek word "kenos,” meaning "empty," refers to the self-emptying of Jesus Christ in the Incarnation.

While the noun "kenosis" itself isn't directly used in the Bible, the concept is drawn from passages like Philippians 2:7, which speaks of Christ "emptying himself" by taking on the form of a servant and becoming human.

Wow, this word seems so cold to look at… nothing special .. But as I began my journey to discover more…. My heart engaged, and tears began to flow as I thought of Him…

He left a perfect home to come and save an imperfect world… His entire existence has been a sacrifice that goes even deeper and further than the cross… I do not understand His kind of love!! It’s so selfless, so gentle, kind… and endearing…

How can I humbly love Him in the way He loves me?  How do we feel this word Kenosis in our souls?  How do we empty ourselves when our world is a constant reminder of worldly things? It’s a human struggle… and a spiritual tug of war… 

I do believe this word can never be accomplished without Him… 

As we share our life with Him… He begins the process of blowing the dust off our soul… and igniting the dormant flame within our heart… and as this flame burns brighter and brighter, things of this world will grow dim… You will find that as you crave more of His grace and love… You will open your once clenched fist and let go of things that do not serve the greater purpose of loving Him above all else… 

It’s Him. It’s always Him!!!  

He is the key to the freedom of self-emptying love… 

Wow, He is the most amazing teacher and the lover of souls!

Practicing Kenosis

1.        Embracing Humility and Service.

2.        Letting Go of Ego and Control.

3.        Showing Empathy and Understanding

4.        Cultivating a Spirit of Generosity.

5.        Practicing Forgiveness and Reconciliation.

6.        Finding Joy in Self-Giving.

Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature (a) of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:7

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

Kenosis – David Linder 

True liberty consists exactly in self-determination in the direction of holiness. Man is never freer than when he moves consciously in the direction of God. – Louis Berkhof...

In the Bible, liberty primarily signifies freedom from sin, the law, and spiritual bondage—all are possible through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s not simply the freedom to do whatever we want, but rather the freedom to live according to God’s will, to serve Him, and to serve others.

This liberty is a gift, not a right, and it comes with the responsibility to use it wisely, not selfishly.

The word liberty appears twenty-seven times in the King James Version of the Bible.

When we utter the word LIBERTY, many of us immediately think of:

“We the people,” country, red, white, and blue, grills, and fireworks—all the liberties we have inherited by birth.

But is it luck? Or are we part of a global inheritance?

Many regions in our world are still struggling for human liberties and freedoms. Many people live under systems of oppression, governed by powers that restrict and control their daily lives and environment.

Yet I believe there is a deeper truth: while earthly liberties can be given or taken away, the freedom that comes from God is a spiritual gift—one that can never be controlled or extinguished by man.

So today, as we celebrate July 4th, let us pray for those around the world who are still fighting to have the freedoms many of us have been blessed to enjoy, simply by the place of our birth.

I ask you to pause and reflect:

What if you were born in a suppressed country, just fighting to survive?

What would liberty mean to you then?

I pray that one day we will all have the liberty to live in a world where love and peace are not rare gifts, but everyday realities, where loving and worshiping our Creator is as natural and essential as the air we breathe.

It is written that one day, this spiritual liberty of love will come…

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

—Matthew 24:36 (NIV)

It’s Him.

It’s always HIM.

Galatians 5:1

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

It Is Well (In The Wilderness) (Official Music Video) | Liberty Worship Collective

“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

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (YouTube) 

The Real Me – Natalie Grant 

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

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

Garth Brooks - If Tomorrow Never Comes (LIVE) Lyrics 1989

How do we respond to choices that are before us?

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.” 

Written by Joann Turnbull  

Photography by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer  

Inspiring Music by (YouTube) 

I Surrender All CeCe Winans