The meaning of a challenge to confront or defy boldly: dare.

I challenge you to reach further within yourself than you have ever been!! Is there something you would love to do in your life but have held back? 

Our days are filled with challenges. Some large, some small, and some may even be transparent…. 

When we take the first step towards our goal, emotions surface, including fear of failure and what others may think. Is this the fear the Bible speaks of? Is fear holding us back? Are we paralyzed?  

With gratitude, I reflect on my spiritual journey, where I once hesitated, afraid of not being good enough. But now, I stand in awe of my magnificent Elohim, who embraced me with unwavering love and tenderly set free the inner child within me. In His grace, we can experience life unencumbered and free….

He gives us the courage to step out of our comfort zones. He has taken me on an amazing journey of self-discovery. He has placed many new adventures in my path, including writing, podcasting, art, and music, inspiring me to embrace life's endless possibilities.

Two years ago, I began painting, with a primary focus on the face of Jesus. Despite the challenge of transferring what my soulful eye sees to canvas, my artful spiritual journey has been heartfelt. 

Today, this challenge made its way into my mind…

Paint a female ... 

I wrestled with this thought and could not decide how or who to paint… As I stared at the blank canvas… I picked my brush and began the heartfelt struggle because my soul wanted to paint Him… But my hands stayed on the given task… Unhappy with the result, I put my brush down, turned off the light, and went to bed… Only to wake up to this botched attempt on my easel.  I studied this face while I sipped a cup of tea and listened to beautiful music. I spoke to my Elohim within my mind as I do each given morning… 

I picked up my brush and began to add more paint to the dry existing image… and as I painted, He began to speak to my soul softly… 

“This is my bride… do you see her? Paint with your heart and let the colors flow…  feel her with your soul” … as I continued to add color, she began to appear… 

The Bride of Christ…

Our Heavenly Father places challenges in front of us to help us grow into what He knows we can be…

Let's courageously embrace the empowering tools He graciously provides us and never give up until He sees His Bride’s reflection in our eyes. 

He will always be our guiding inspiration. 

It’s Him; it’s always Him. 

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9. 

“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” – Psalm 18:32. 

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57

Art & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Click on the link below for Inspiring Music posted on (SoundCloud) 

Day of love in bloom 

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” Princess Diana.

The meaning of kindness - the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

Kindness can be found in the Bible 101 times.

Do we practice kindness from a genuine place in our hearts? Or do we show kindness only during a seasonal time of year, just for others to witness, or only when it’s convenient? 

I have witnessed and feel we practice these acts better at certain times of the year. Like Christmas and Easter. Why doesn't the act of kindness follow us every day for life? 

To truly see the ugliness of human behavior, we just need to scroll through our social media feeds or watch the news. It is a heartbreaker. 

We all have our daily battles. We have all been touched by sickness: war, famine, and nature’s fury. 

It's time to understand that we are doing this together. We must reach out with empathy, compassion, kindness, and, most of all, love for our fellow humans .... 

Why wait? Start TODAY! Open your heart, smile, and lend a hand where needed... 

To simplify this, I have always taught my children that they should not say anything at all if they do not have something nice to say. 

I hope our world does not become silent, unless it is to pray to our Creator to open our hearts to a LOVE that is greater than we will ever experience. 

It’s Him; It’s always Him. 

Let's make our Heavenly Father proud of His Children's behavior... one act at a time... 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. Galatians 5:22

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God Micah 6:8 

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Inspiring Music by (YouTube) 

Chris Tomlin - Love People (Lyrics) with Jimmie Allen

The meaning of fascinating, extremely interesting, or charming: captivating. 

I am so fascinated with the man who left His home to roam on the soil of this forsaken, turbulent land… Was He, in turn, fascinated with the gift of human life? Does fascination go hand in hand with love? Was His fascination extreme? Or was His capacity to love more profound than any superficial fascination? 

I can only share from my heart my fascination with this amazing love story that took place so long ago… This beautiful story has kept generations in awe for centuries… 

In this case, I believe my fascination goes hand in hand with a love so difficult to put into words…He is charming and kind. And loves me with no pretense or boastfulness. He charmed me with His soft, subtle touch and unwavering love. He ignited a fascination within my soul to discover more about the man who left all His Kingly possessions just for me… 

He came to teach all of us about His life, His home, and how to gain the beauty and richness of life while walking on this turbulent soil…He endured a torturous death as a sacrificial gift to give us everlasting life and love… 

Somewhere in my fascination, I wanted more. It has been told that I fell in love, not with the story of His life… but I fell in love with the man who has been so fascinated with me that He fell in love with my soul even before I was born. 

He is my hope for the future… He is the most fascinating love I have ever had the experience of discovering.  He has captivated my heart.  He has shared with me that I have only begun to find the clues He left for His children to find. I believe He did this so we would never lose interest and find our way home to see His love light forever burning. Like my love, my fascination will carry me closer to Him each God-given day… Where He awaits with bated breath for my return… 

Its Him. It will always be Him…

He fascinates me!!  

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 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Art & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

Allie Crummy - Fascinated by You (Official Lyric Video)

Its Him. It's always Him!!!!

Sitting in the warm summer sun, I feel the gentle breeze gliding effortlessly across my face. I close my eyes and drift into a place of peace and relaxation. My soul is drawn to a sanctuary of epic beauty and love, a place where time knows no boundaries.

“It really matters what you listen to. . . . Select music that will strengthen your spirit.” —Russell M. Nelson... 

O, the sweet blend of old hymns and new songs.  They met two thousand years ago to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. 

The sound of His voice is sweet to us as He sings over us in the quiet times we spend with Him.  

The very rocks cry out, and the trees clap their hands in praise to Him.  And so should we. 

Angel choirs sing to those who cannot remember where or who their family is.  But when you let them listen to hymns from long ago, suddenly, they begin to sing every word!  It is amazing. 

From my youth, I sang many old hymns to music that allowed me to memorize the words.   So often, these hymns and songs come to mind.  A melody can evoke many emotions.  The melody touches the deep places in our souls. 

We could name many in the Bible that sang songs to Him.  Miriam, Moses, David, Paul, and Silas.  Some were in sorrow, the enemy surrounded some, some were in prison, and many were victorious.   

The priests at the temple's dedication that Solomon built fell on their faces, and they could do no work as he overcame them.  Let us cease from our works for a moment and sing praises unto Him, our Creator, our Savior, and our Lover.  Often, I desire to have a thousand tongues to sing His praises. 

So, let the notes of hymns and songs refresh us and prepare us to wield the sword of His word wherever we go. 

“I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”

Psalm 104:33 KJV

Photography Lori Garner 

Written by Joann Turnbull

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

How Great Thou Art | Elvis Presley 4K (Live Music Video) | Outtake - Elvis 

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us.” (1 John 4:10)

The meaning of personal - of or concerning one's private life, relationships, and emotions rather than matters connected with one's public or professional career:

The word personal is referred to 121 times in the Bible.  

But what does it mean? Many of us have been taught that each man, woman, and child has their own space. And unless you are invited in, you must stay out or be ready to defend your position. 

(It could prove to be a painful experience) 

Like me, many of you have heard over the years we must have a “personal relationship with Jesus” to reap the benefits of His gift of life and love.  So, my question becomes ... How? Why? Where? And when? 

1. How - Just how deep do you want to feel His LOVE? 

2. Why - Because we will never be complete without Him.

3. Where - We think of a physical location! But it is a spiritual walk of the heart and soul. 

4. When - I feel the sooner, the better. Like many, I have had a late start but now feel I am in the race. 

I believe there are degrees of a “personal relationship” with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  

I can only speak of my experience. And how my walk went from head knowledge to feeling Him stirring in my heart to a love I carry deep within my soul. I will simplify them into Personal Phases. 

Phase 1

Over my many non-religious years, I knew the story of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; it was a clinical understanding derived from Hollywood Movies and the very occasional visit to some church for reasons other than learning about the Trinity. 

I knew of Him on a superficial level. 

Phase II 

I had a Holy Spirit encounter that planted a desire in my heart to know more about Him, and the chase began. He became an important player in my daily activities. I began including Him more and more each day. I spoke to Him like a friend I have had all my life, and a trusting relationship began to grow as I discovered deeper details about Him. 

My heart and mind began to open to the possibilities of a greater love.  It's a love greater than I have ever known. I began to appreciate His beauty, grace, and unconditional love. As I study Him daily, I find He is teaching me more about who I truly am. He has freed my bound heart and given me wings to fly.  I say I am a work in progress. And He is not finished with me yet. Isn't it a beautiful thought that our growing knowledge of Him will never end? 

Phase III 

Like any relationship, the more you invest in yourself, the more vulnerable you become and the deeper you let them penetrate your heart.  At that very moment, you realize you are free to surrender your heart and fall in love. It's no different with God, but His love is not of this world. It's a love greater than you have ever known. It's HIM! 

It’s a spiritual love greater than we have ever experienced. It’s a deep love from our soul. It’s when God becomes as important as the air we breathe.  We will find that place of intimacy in our soul.  We may be moved to tears of joy. We will feel this indescribable love, consume your soul. And life will burst into a beautiful rainbow of brilliant colors. 

You will find that this intimate place is reserved for a party of two you and your Creator. He knew that one day we would find Him waiting there to love you on such an amazing spiritual level. He has instilled a hunger within us from birth. To crave an intimate communion with Him that only He can satisfy. 

A friend asked me today who in the Bible had an intimate relationship with God and how we know that they did. 

I will turn to a favorite quote by Nicholas Sparks. 

The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that's what you've given me. That's what I'd hoped to give you forever. 

I believe that the ones we have grown to know in the Bible and in our lives have had or are in an intimate relationship with God. Are the ones that show it in their daily lives. With His strength, they forge the way for others. They openly speak of His greater love. They realize they are not perfect but walk in His mercy and grace. Even with doubts, they listen and act on His direction. They are a witness to Him by their actions, and they, above all, share His amazing love with anyone who will listen. 

I found this quote spoke to my soul many months ago. 

To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him is the greatest human achievement. St. Augustine of Hippo

It’s Him; it’s always Him. 

The question becomes just how deep you want your 

"Personal Relationship" with Him to be???

Design & Written by Lori Garner

Photo by nappy from Pexels

Bible Verses From KJV, Easy  /  Sinners prayer 

Inspiring Music: Beckah Shae - Overflow - Lyrics

The meaning of behind at or to the far side of (something), typically to be hidden by it.

We located 102 verses in the Bible that refer to the word behind...

Who are we really?? I do believe we all hide behind a mask at some time in this crazy thing we call life. We seem to have a tendency to hide the rawness of what is truly happening in our lives. We have all been guilty of only showing the world what we would like them to see ... Many of our social media accounts reflect our dreams, our hopes, and a life that we have fabricated for others to LIKE and or possibly envy.

We hide our vulnerability and show that beautiful hardcover we have painted of ourselves. I find that many are overly concerned with what others may think... 

What are we afraid of? Why is it so important to fit in? I sometimes feel like a round peg trying to fit in a square hole... 

But the questions that spoke to my heart brought me here.. Are we willing to risk being different? Are we willing to walk alone? Are we willing to be set apart? Are we willing to bring the walls down that we hide behind... Are we willing to show the world our true colors? 

But then I asked,” What is the price??”  It's a heartfelt moment in time... And many times our insecurities will get the best of us and the loneliness will creep in and it may even wound our hearts. 

But what does the Bible reveal? I found myself asking ”What have I learned throughout my journey that I can share? Can I step out from behind the walls I have built ?” Can I be raw? Can I stand alone? Can I risk being different?

I have been taught that we must share the rawness of life it frees our souls. I have come to grips with being vulnerable and found it shows we are all human and wrestle with the same fears, dreams, and hopes. 

I have grown to love God beyond my own understanding. I have been taught that I am never alone... My savior is always with me. He is my mentor, my love, and my forever friend.

I have been enlightened and I have readjusted my value system. 

Life is a gift. Relationships are precious... Memories will be our legacy... Don't hide behind a mask, be the most authentic soul you can be... Make a difference in this world. Love our sovereign God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 

Because one day He may ask you  ”Do you want ordinary or do you want me?? ” and our answer should always be YOU!!! 

It's Him, It's always Him!  

Step out and let your light shine for Christ so others can find their way... 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:17 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Lauren Daigle - Rescue (Official Music Video)