Linger is in the Bible in 10 instances. But the act of lingering can be seen in other scriptures. 

What causes us to linger? I think it’s our emotions. I read an article that sadness seems to be the emotion that lasts the longest. I do understand this as a concept because we have a tendency to dwell on what caused the sadness or pain… 

I also think there are levels of lingering… We have a tendency to linger at the dinner table to share stimulating conversation. We tend to sip a good cup of tea to linger and savor the flavor to the last drop…

So, where does the Bible outline the act of lingering? There are times written about in scripture when people lingered to see and hear God and or Jesus.

But the scripture does not address the emotion… Why linger? What do you feel?  There is a soulful feeling of communion. There is peace. There is a love like no other.  There is a feeling of human completeness that is hard to describe. 

How do you find this communion? Each of us is traveling on different roads at different rates of speed. Each one of us has to find what works for the individual. There is no set way, He individualizes our experience with Him. That is why we are all unique and loved by Him equally. 

I am not an expert and I always tell my readers I am a work in progress. But I am willing to share my heart.  These are tools that work for me.  Prayer, Meditation, Music, and Quieting the Mind (which can be a challenge) LOL. 

I do consider the things I outlined above the vehicle…But not the key. The key is opening your heart and inviting Him in…Be steadfast… Do not waiver until you feel His presence. Keep calling Him… And when you feel Him in your soul, tears may flow. And there is where you will know the true meaning of lingering. You will have stimulating conversations and want to savor the moment until the last drop.  It truly is a heavenly experience.

I have lingered on this project long enough… I am getting in my vehicle and going for a test drive .. zoom zoom.

It’s Him, It's always Him.

“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. “Luke 10:38 NKJV

“And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. So, the Lord spoke to Moses' face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle. “Exodus 33:9-11 NKJV

Sheppard - Lingering :) 

Friends are angels who lift our feet when our own wings 

have trouble remembering how to fly.” 

– Author Unknown 

There are 100 Bible verses about friends. 

A person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations. Someone to a list of contacts associated with a social networking website.

Do we throw this word around like confetti? Do we take these relationships for granted? We all know that there are degrees of friends… There are friends that become social media friends. Those only see your public persona. There are some that see your persona, but you let them in a few layers deeper and they get to know you just a little bit better.

And then there are the ones that see past your fears, buy into your dreams so you let them into your soul… They become those beautiful colors of your life. There is a caring and mutual love that happens, and they become a part of your chosen family.  They stay in for the count. They stay through every victory and every life trial.  These friends are a gift from God and should be cherished. This gift does not even need to be one that is felt daily or time-stamped. It’s an amazing thing that happens… No matter the time or location when these souls connect. Its like time stood still and magically life picks up right where you left it the last time you looked into their eyes.

Did you know that it has been proven that friendship can extend life expectancy, lower chances of heart disease, and even help us better tolerate pain? 

Through the years I have been blessed to have friends at all the levels above. And some have come, and some are now gone but all have helped me grow. I am still a work in progress. And for those who have touched my life, I say thank you for being you. You know who you are !!

However,  if this is a Bible word study, we need to ask how does the word friendship work in the Bible? I have found so many things in the Bible that when we listen and open our hearts, we can learn so much. Did you know you had an amazing friend from birth? Some of us are blessed to find Him early in our life. Some may never find Him. And the thought of that crushes my soul and makes me sad. 

I am not proud, but I am happy to report that I am one of those better late than never people. But I am so beyond grateful that I found Him and He let me pick up from where I left off. He has held me when there was fear and/or doubt. He bought into my dreams. He has invited me to be one of His chosen family members. The amazing thing I have found, as He gently guides me, and we share in this beautiful Friendship. He has taught me so much, He has taught me how to truly love and how to 

see the blessing of each friendship and each new sunrise.

Did you ever think you could be friends with a KING? Imagine if He was on social media … I wonder how many of us would ask to be His friend, but then only show Him their public persona. Or would you let Him into your soul? 

The Bible outlines how important relationships are in general. They have given us the tools of how we should treat and relate and love others. So, do we get it right? Or do we get too distracted, busy, or callous… Or do we hide behind our social persona… and keep ourselves hidden? 

I say find that friend that has been there since birth, and pick up where you left off and build those beautiful colors of life. He has an invitation with your name on it to be one of His chosen.  His gift is waiting for you. You just need to claim it. 

Friend…

It's Him. It's always Him. 

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." 

Galatians 6:2. "

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31

He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. Proverbs 22:11

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant, does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you John 15:13-15

Receive - There are 324 verses using Receive in 50 books

Receive is defined as to take, accept, experience, or welcome. An example of receiving is getting a letter in the mail. Another example of receive is someone being given a gift.

When we look at the word receive. We are taught we must open our hands and/or our hearts in order for the transfer to take place. The key to receiving is in the one that is receiving the gift… They can turn away and not accept this gift you are offering… 

It seems to be in our nature to run to the sale or free offers to receive that “amazing” gift. Well, I know of a FREE gift. It is the most amazing gift you will ever have the privilege of receiving… It comes wrapped in the most delicate wrapping.. And when you open this box…Your heart will leap with unexplainable joy. It will give you peace that you will feel in the depths of your soul. It will forgive your life scars. It will tenderly love you with a love beyond your understanding.  You will feel you have been touched by heaven.  There is no expiration. And will last a lifetime… and beyond. 

The only price is to open your heart and receive His gift of love. 

So, I do not understand why the masses are not lining up ???? They seem to line up for everything else?  Others are taking advantage of the wonderous offer. It's free !! what are you waiting for ?? Open your heart! 

And learn to fly with the best pilot ever known to mankind. He is ready and waiting to whisks you away on the greatest travel adventure you will ever have the opportunity to embark upon. Destination #LIFE.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
John 1:12 KJV

He WOW’s me.. And He is waiting to WOW you too.

It's Him It's always Him. 

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses From AMP   / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music: YouTube

Steven Curtis Chapman - The Great Adventure

Life moments that speak to your soul.. Will always become precious memories.

The word embrace is in the Bible 21 times.

Meaning of Embrace hold (someone) closely in one's arms, especially as a sign of affection. Accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically. “besides traditional methods, artists are embracing new technology"

Embrace is such a feel word.  It’s a human gift to embrace others. To hold them close. There are different degrees of embracing. A quick hello, to a deep lingering, I love you, or I have missed so happy to see you again.. 

I know many of my readers may be tired of hearing about my journey.  But I am finding it has a life of its own… And everything I touch, see or hear.. places me at the Father's feet. He draws me in and holds me close.

This gift of LOVE arrived in full force. I truly did not hug too much before this moment in time. My hugs were saved for a few chosen people.. Close family and friends. But when I felt a LOVE greater than anything I had ever experienced. He embraced me with a LOVE that left me wanting to share this amazing love with anyone willing to listen… I felt the need to hug even strangers… WHAT! Where did that come from ?? Hmm, so not me. But I can say the more I stepped out and followed His lead… The more I enjoyed hugging. The more I lingered. The more LOVE I felt.

The more I allowed this LOVE to penetrate my heart…The more amazing life became.

I am just a ripple in a small pond of His LOVE…

And then I found a virus that put my gift on hold. Then I was limited to hugging close family and friends.. and even those were affected. Social distancing sounds like an oxymoron. (side note does moron jump out at you too ) Elbow bumps? What is that ?? NO Human touch? How do you teach me to hug and let this gift dissipate like a vapor? 

But then I found myself in His embrace… How does He do this .. How does He embrace us without human touch ??  How is His love so moving? Where do the emotions we feel for Him even come from? 

So I went deep into my heart for answers… He LOVES with all He is… He holds our hearts so tenderly. He will linger as much as we allow Him.

So even if we are limited in our embracing others and we do not feel that human touch. He teaches us that we can reach out and touch life.. and how to embrace hearts.  He has given us that kind of power. 

He only asks that we share His embrace and LOVE with others. Our world needs to be embraced by His LOVE.

If you have read this to the end... closes your eyes... take a deep breath ... and feel His embrace. He will linger as much as you will allow.. 

Feel Him! It's the most amazing hug you will ever experience. 

He taught me and told me, "Let your heart fully embrace what I have to say; keep my commandments and live! Prov 4:4

His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. Song of Solomon 8:3.

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses From AMP   / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music: YouTube

Peter Katz - Halo (Beyonce Cover)

The word feel appears to be in the Bible only one time. 

Meaning of Feel: to experience something physical or emotional: 

To feel is to know you are alive. To express these feelings can be difficult.  I find it so curious that the Bible does not speak of the feeling that can flood your heart and soul when you can feel the presence of God?  

He has provided every detail imaginable from the past to the present, to the future. And the word feel is missing? Or is it ??  I say no it is not missing it is just not written about .. I feel that it is written on the blank space of the pages...Because how can He be the beautiful example of LOVE and leave out how His LOVE makes us feel?  How can we settle and not discuss it? It seems it would make it a one-way relationship? 

There are songs everywhere about his great LOVE.  And when we hear them the feels can flood our hearts.  The room can be filled with amazing exuberance, tears of joy can stream down faces, and smiles can be seen, as arm’s stretch to the sky. 

I believe it was not discussed because that would appear boastful on His part .. And that is not who He is! He gives us this LOVE in hopes that we will LOVE Him back. He does say how much He loves us .. You see it’s up to us to express our love for Him. That is the most beautiful gift you can give Him! It is a gift that goes straight to His heart ❤.

Take that step,  feel Him 🥰 and write your love for Him on the blank spaces of your heart.  It will build a relationship of Love, Hope, and Peace.  You will find joy like you have never felt. 

Its Him, It's always HIM.  🥰

“That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from every one of us:” Acts 17:27 KJV

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being].”

Deuteronomy 6:5 AMP

“And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants [that is, He will remove the desire to sin from your heart] so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul, so that you may live [as a recipient of His blessing].”

Deuteronomy 30:6 AMP

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses From AMP   / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music: YouTube

You Are The Reason - Calum Scott cover by Alexandra Porat

 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings

 like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Meaning of wings a modified forelimb that bears large feathers and is used for flying.

There are 58 Bible verses about wings. 

Wings, such a curious word… When I think of wings I think of birds, planes, and a beautiful open blue sky. I think of freedom… 

Have you ever wanted to fly? Have you ever wished you had wings to soar above the clouds, catch the warm breeze beneath your wings and drift with such freedom and grace, that you could see the beautiful world below?  It must be amazing and so peaceful…

Can we only dream of this type of freedom…? Or is there a way to obtain it. There are degrees, we can buy a ticket and experience flight in a plane, helicopter, or hot air balloon. And although it might be beautiful for a short ride. It may not fill a void in our soul. And we will continue to search for this kind of freedom and this peace. 

I have found the ticket that allows our hearts to feel light and our souls to take flight like never before. Here you will witness a beauty that will take your breath away. The freedom you will gain will be like nothing you have ever felt in your lifetime. 

In my short time of knowing my Heavenly Father, He has held my hand and kept me in the shadow of His wings…He has given me wings and He has been teaching me to fly…I can relate to the baby bird we see in spring, as they try to learn to fly. The mother bird flies beneath them so they do not crash and risk injury and or even death. He has been that engaged and that important to my life fight pattern. 

It is not a physical flight… It’s has been a soulful fight …It has been the most incredible journey one could travel. It is filled with amazing LOVE. Amazing care. Amazing kindness. It will open your heart, to appreciate the beauty of LIFE, The beauty of LOVE, and the beauty and importance of relationships… And your soul will soar to heights that you never dreamed possible… There you will obtain the beauty and the freedom that your soul has been searching for….. 

Its Him, It's always Him…. 

I am an open book and willing to share where you can buy your ticket to the best flight adventure you will ever have the opportunity to experience. 

The verse below found me early in my word study and has been one of my favorites… It's my safe place in our unpredictable world. 

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses From NIV   / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music: YouTube

Marc Andre Fortin / The Wind Beneath My Wings