Let’s pause for a moment and reflect....

The meaning of reflect:  To reflect deeply on a subject. To ponder or meditate depends on our fellowship with Him.

The thought of reflecting is used at least thirty times or more.

How often do we truly pause in the stillness of our lives to meditate on Jesus, the Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit?

Do we ever sit quietly with a warm cup of coffee or tea, and let our thoughts drift to the wonder of who They are?

These words came to me as I reflected in quietness.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus left the glory of Heaven to walk among us as a man. He stepped down from His throne, clothed Himself in humility, and took on the form of humanity. At His baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, marking a moment of Divine significance.

How did He relate to His brothers and sisters? How did He live among those who misunderstood Him? Scripture tells us He never sinned. The more I reflect on that, the more I marvel.  His entire earthly life—every thought, every word, every action—was without blemish.

He reached out to the broken.

He fed the hungry.

He healed the wounded.

He welcomed the children.

His teachings are profoundly life-changing.

And He understood the hearts of everyone He encountered.

How could anyone resist such relentless love and tender compassion? How can we not be so captivated by His presence that He fills our thoughts, not just in quiet moments, but always?

When I open the Bible during these reflections, I often feel as though the words were written just for me. Its pages speak truth, comfort, and direction. I find treasures there that I want to share with others. His heart is full of love, and that love is meant to be poured out.

The story of Zachaeus, a tax collector, comes to mind.  He was despised, dishonest, and hated by everyone.  Yet one day, Jesus saw him.   Rather than condemnation, Jesus offered him fellowship.

 He said, "I must come to your house today and eat with you,” 

That one encounter, His presence alone, was enough to transform his heart and redirect his life.                                                                     

So, passionately seek Jesus.  Let His life, His words, and His love touch your heart.

In Him, you will find peace, purpose, and a love that never fails.

“Behold, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear my voice and you open the door within, I will come in to you and feast with you, and you will feast with me.”

Revelation 3:20 TPT

Photography, Design by Lori Garner  

Written by Joann Turnbull   

Sinner's Prayer 

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Peace, Be Still: Christian Piano Music for Prayer & Meditation

The meaning of liminal:

(from the Latin limen, meaning “threshold”)

In Scripture, it reflects a sacred place of transition—

A state of in-betweenness,

Often experienced during seasons of profound change or uncertainty.

It is a space where one is no longer fully in their old life,

Nor fully arrived in the new.

A place of waiting… and potential transformation.

While the word liminal is not explicitly found in the Bible,

The essence of it echoes throughout—

In the wilderness, in exile,

And in the still moments between calling and fulfillment.

⸻

I am here, and You are there…

We are worlds apart.

Still, my soul remains craving more.

I believe love is a powerful gift,

One that transcends all distance and time.

It is the bridge that connects our worlds.

I remember the day the Holy Spirit touched my life…

And to my surprise, I didn’t even know it was Him.

He came subtly, softly —

Yet permeated every facet of my human existence with indescribable love. His presence carried the weight of majesty.

In that moment, my soul awakened, and my life took flight.

He touched something eternal within me.

I still do not fully understand the magnitude of that moment.

However, I felt like time stood still that day,

Yet I found my life must go on…

I try each given day to navigate this divine gift within my human existence; admittedly, it is a heartfelt struggle.

I carry within me a constant yearning for His nearness.

I find myself longing to return to His wondrous splendor—

To the greatest Love I have ever known.

And yet…

He gently reminds me:

There is still more… more life to live.

I must remain here—

Live this life,

Fulfill its daily responsibilities,

And carry His light.

He has touched me.

In the deepest chambers of my soul,

And I will never be the same.

I often say I am in flux…

My body remains earthbound,

But my spirit stands at the threshold—

Of something more.

Of something eternal.

I must learn the art of patiently waiting for His return.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come back and take you to be with me

That you also may be where I am.” — John 14:3 (NIV)

How can one life be so intimately transformed?

What is this longing I feel in my bones?

What is this insatiable love I chase?

Who is this magnificent, mysterious presence that has captured my heart?

It’s Him.

It has always been Him.

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner  

Bible Collaboration - Joann Turnbull

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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

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Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

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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

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“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

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The Real Me – Natalie Grant