A God Moment is that personal encounter one may experience where God's purpose, presence, and love is revealed. -Rev. Lewis Macklin

Meaning of moment: a very brief period of time:

There are approximately 126 times the word moment is used or referred to in the Bible. 

What makes a memorable moment?  Do we live moment to moment? How do we measure a moment in time? Our memories are a fragmented glimpse of images that flash within our Heart, Soul, and Mind... 

We all mark moments in time with significant events that happen to us as we travel this road we call life...  If I asked you what are the significant moments that flood your memories with heartfelt thoughts.. perhaps it's college, it could be the engagement to your significant other, maybe your wedding, or perhaps it's the moment you hear your newborn child’s cry as they lovingly place them in your arms! I am sure we have such a diverse, yet very similar list. 

What if I asked you the same question about your spiritual life? What are your significant moments? Did you feel the hunger in your soul when you were a child? Or were you dutifully going through the moments one Sunday at a time?  Was it your baptism? Or did you have a significant moment that turned your life to discover a greater love? I do believe we all have that pivotal moment in time when God whispers to our heart come my child it’s time to embark on a journey of discovery! He creates moments that will leave you in awe?  He will fill your soul with wonder. We then will begin to want to know more.. about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Some embark on new habits. Some of us study the scriptures, some meditate, some may start a journal. But no matter what tools we use we do begin building a new understanding and relationship. We realize that He and He alone can enrich our lives one moment at a time... 

Do we close our eyes and dream of future moments? Do we have hopes that our dreams come true?? Can you imagine that moment when we can gaze into our Creator's beautiful face! Just imagine!! 

Will we be scared? Will we be filled with a love that can not be contained? Will we fall at His feet in complete surrender? 

I do believe it will be a moment that will take our breath away... It will be a moment that will be the most monumental moment we will ever experience... Because it’s the moment that this love we have been feeling stirring in our soul, will consume our spiritual existence. We will see that void and hunger we have been feeling dissipate one loving moment at a time. For the first time, we will feel a completeness that will be hard to describe. He is such a feel thing... The things we feel for Him on this earth are only a fragment of the overflow we will achieve in His presence... You will be consumed in His gift of love. It’s at that moment in time you will feel a love for Him deeper than you ever dreamed possible. You will fall in love with the one who holds the key to a love greater than our human mind has been able to fully comprehend. 

It’s Him, It’s always been Him.

The Father, His beautiful Son, and His very breath The Holy Spirit... He is the Only One ❤

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 1 John4:16

“A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment–how good it is!” Proverbs 15:23 AMPC

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace, you have been saved…Ephesians 2:4-5

Design & Written by Lori Garner

Photography Jordon Benton

Inspiring Music

Encounter (feat. Dustin Smith) (Live)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:8-10)

Meaning of - Unequipped: not furnished with the necessary supplies, abilities, etc 

I searched and searched the pages of this ancient book we know as the Bible and could not find the word unequipped. 

I guess I am unequipped to understand why He loves us ?? Why He even takes the time. Why are we so important to Him?

When we humbly stand before our King, our Savior, Heavenly Father we feel so small ... so unequipped, so fragile...so small... But So .... So in awe !!’ 

What is it that He sees? Why does He feel the need to chase us, to love us, and to teach us His ways? It is part of His mystery. It’s part of His power and grace... and 

His insatiable need to LOVE. 

When we reflect on the ones that came before us... There is a common thread that we can see. 

They were not the biggest the most powerful .. or even the most popular among others... 

Many may have seen them as small like David? Crazy like Noah .. or struggle with words like Moses.

If we examine all the characters within the Bible we may see a little bit of ourselves in each of them. 

I am sure they felt inadequate and unequipped to accomplish what God asked of them. They had doubts.. but they trusted Him. 

There will be times in our lives that we feel unequipped. Much Like Mary... We may feel small in the vastness of our world. 

God placed a monumental task upon her heart. She may have been afraid of what others would think. But she trusted Him with all of her heart. 

How did they find that inner strength, that peace? 

How did they find the confidence that they forged ahead without validation from others? What set them apart? 

It's Him!!! It's trusting Him!! It's loving Him.

It’s His insatiable desire to love His children. It's His passionate dream to see them grow into everything He knows they can be. He knows our deepest thoughts, strengths, and our weaknesses. 

He knows how to touch us in the deepest part of our hearts and soul. He knows how to lead us through every life experience from the simplest to the most difficult.  He knows that each experience holds a life lesson that will become a part of who we are.

He has promised to never leave us to face those hurdles alone...

We must learn to wait and trust Him with our mind, our heart, and all of our soul.

He knows when to hold us close.. and when to open His arms and whisper fly my beloved I am here.  

He is the foundation beneath our feet and our safety net if we fall. 

It's Him, It always points me to Him...

God doesn’t, however, save us by His grace and power and then intend for us to go off in our own wisdom and strength, to figure it out on our own. Rather, “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6)

 Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner  

Inspiring Music: YouTube

Ben Platt - 'Grow As We Go' Lyrics

Meaning of quit leave (a place), usually permanently.

We located twenty-five verses that talk to our hearts about the word quit. 

I QUIT!!!!! 

Things are just too hard... I cannot take another step... People just don’t understand!!!  What am I doing wrong? Where am I failing???  Is it me?  Is there just one person in my world who understands??  

They say we should be happy, but they do not conclude by saying not all are happy.

It's been a trying time for many hearts over the last few years. Many of us struggle to put one foot in front of the other due to medical, financial, job, and political issues, as well as war and rumors of war. Where and when will it end? Problems seem magnified at this time.

 How do we go on.. our world is so fractured... My heart is heavy... The air is thick, am I drowning... How do we heal? How do we mend our own hearts??  What can we do to settle our minds and soothe our souls... 

Have you heard that nagging whisper in your soul...? 

Quit!!! Thrown in the towel... Life is too complicated to continue!

We know these are not the words that God would whisper... Get to know God's voice ... Do not be fooled  by the impostor. The impostor will rob you of the beauty of life.  

 Let’s open the book that contains God's own words and see where His words lead our hearts... 

I feel I must go to the man I have grown to love and trust... Many have heard the stories of His life trials and what He had to endure. 

Do you ever wonder how many times Jesus felt like saying to our Heavenly Father,

I am tired of trying... they just don't get it !! They just do not understand! 

"I quit!"

There is a saying ... Do not judge until you have walked in their shoes... 

He was a gentle, kind soul with a mission to love... He was persecuted, shamed, spit upon, tortured?? I cannot even imagine?? The thought crushes my soul. But I thank God and love Him for having the strength to persevere... 

But what was it that set Him apart???  

His mission looked like an enormous mountain, way too difficult to climb...  He indeed must have felt discouraged, depressed, and perhaps overwhelmed... He even asked His Boss (God) to take this cup from me... 

Why didn’t He just say I quit?? He could have quit so many times... He could have just walked away... He could have taken the easy way out... 

But where would that have left us ??? All of humanity would have been lost and our existence may have become extinct ... 

However, there is good news.

He knew that one day you and I would need Him... There would be a day that we would cry out bewildered and confused. HELP ME Lord, I can not face this alone.

He knew without a doubt that He LOVED us far beyond our own human understanding.  He knew in His heart that He held everything we could ever need in the palm of His scared hands. 

Can you even imagine being loved by this kind of love ?? He loves us more than He loved His own life...  How were we so blessed to receive this beautiful gift from heaven??  How did He find the strength to endure life struggles on earth?? How did He show such strength during His death?? How? Do ever ask “Where did this inner strength come from??” He felt pain and shed blood and He carries the scars of life just like you and me.  

But what made Him different, What set Him apart? 

He carried a secret in His heart ... He knew He was special in the eyes of God... He was chosen ...  His Heavenly Father loved Him with a love that defies all human logic... Before He arrived here on earth, He must have felt His Father’s, great love. He felt how amazing this gift of love can be. He knew that He craved it and would do anything within His power to return to His Father's arms. He never wavered He kept His eye on the prize.

But that was not all He knew... 

He knew all of God’s children are special in God’s eyes. As a child of God, we were also chosen, and He loves us far greater than any love on earth...  

And when we turn our page to  Jeremiah 1:5 we can see that we felt our heavenly Fathers' great love... even before we were born... How amazing is that!   

So when the imposter whispers in your ear, “quit”!

Remember God loves you... Keep your eyes on Him ...  He will give you the gift of inner strength.  He is the magnificent prize that awaits...

He is whispering in your ear... 

Follow me!!! Follow me, our Father awaits ... 

It’s Him, it’s always Him!!! 

He never will quit loving us far greater than we even deserve... 

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 

A fountain of life was in Him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness. Light that darkness could not overcome! John 1:4-5 TPT

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

Don't quit - Help is available ... Talk to someone... YOU ARE LOVED!

HELP IS AVAILABLE - CLICK HERE

In the Bible, seven often symbolizes perfection, completion, and divine order. It's also associated with the Holy Spirit, rest, and God's creative work.

The number 7 appears over 700 times in the Bible, including variations like "sevenfold" or seventy. 

This week marks a significant moment in time! Seven years ago, I experienced a love so profound, so heartfelt, and so eternal that it changed my life… 

I often wonder why me? I did not have a radical lifestyle! I have been blessed with relatively good health. No major setbacks? So, why me? So why now?  So why did God lavish me with such a rush of His powerful love??

I invite you to journey with me back in time. But first, let me preface by saying I didn't have a religious foundation before my encounter. 

On May 4, 2018, while driving my car, I observed the sun slowly sinking below the horizon as I headed home. It was just an ordinary evening. Then the unexpected happened, I experienced the most amazing love!!! It’s like nothing I have felt or encountered in my lifetime… A warm light filled the car, and a peaceful love fell upon my heart and soul…  Only minutes passed, but this moment seemed to make time stand still! It was so powerfully moving that I had to stop my car on the side of the road and catch my breath. I was bewildered and confused because I lacked the book and spiritual knowledge of God and His many wonders. 

These moments ignited a desire in my soul to discover more about Him and the love He shared with me that day!  My world and thoughts were consumed by the hunger to know more… more about Him and His beautiful, unselfish love!  For He profoundly shifted the trajectory of my life… within seconds… 

Many who witnessed the metamorphosis that seemed to be taking place probably thought she had lost her mind!! Or she has found religion??? I will admit many tears streamed down my face as the layers of life fell away… and I moved towards a more profound appreciation of the gift I had been given!!

Discovering my Heavenly Father has been a truly incredible experience!  I stand in awe of His forgiving heart and endless love.  He is my muse, my first love, my everything! Jesus, His Son, is remarkably kind, humble, and the most understanding soul I've had the privilege of loving. The Holy Spirit taught me so many things. However, I will admit from experience, He has extraordinary patience. How could we not love His gentle soul? 

Together, they are my 3 in one, my gentle Elohim, my loving Savior, and my beautiful teacher of life, the Holy Spirit. 

I could spend an eternity describing their goodness, love, and amazing grace.  But I believe it’s only through experiencing Him in your soul that you can fully comprehend what my heart feels.

I am in awe of their majestic splendor!!! 

Just wow!!! 

I will boldly admit … I fell in love with Him!!  All of Him!!!  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

There is no greater love.  They have blessed us all with the privilege of getting up close and personal!!  But the choice is ours!! 

Every year, I return to this sacred place and tie ribbons on the trees to mark the day I found Him!!! 

But I will humbly admit He found me!  Even when I did not even know I was lost!!! 

It's Him I will eternally seek!!  It's Him that loves me beyond my earthly understanding!!!

It’s Him! It will always be Him!!! 

So, when I ask Him again why me??? I heard in my soul, “Why not you?” 

My love story is only seven years young, but I happily share that it has no end…

John 5:24 states, "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life." 

List of Seven in the Bible

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Inspiring Music by (YouTube)

Who you say I am – Hillsong Worship

“Your greatest self has been waiting your whole life; don’t make it wait any longer.” Dr. Steve Maraboli

Meaning of self: The Christian “

self - is real in the sense that he or she exists through God's grace; he or she expresses himself or herself in the created world of common experience in psychological terms and moral behavior. A person's essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action.

When I researched how many times the word “self” appeared in the Bible. I discovered that the word seemed to attach itself to other words. Like, self-examine, self-love, self-control, self-esteem, self-care, and I am sure there are many more. So for this word we will not share how many times the word self appears. But we are praying that if one of the subsets of the word “self” hits home that you will chase it down and study it for yourself. 

I also made an interesting discovery when I put the word self in the search bar for this blog.. It made me reflect with a smile on my face. 

Here are the words in order. Journey, Genuine, Character, True, Exposed, Righteousness, Commit, Scars, Unquenchable thirst, The Masters's hands… These words have all touched my soul. And they all have a piece of me within each page, I can be found in each word, and each thought…. But they do not point me to self… They all point me to Him.. to His Love.. and to His guidance. So, I must go to Him to understand this word self. 

Hello, it’s me again, You have taught me many things…You have taught me the importance of life and love.  You have taught me that we can not be brave enough to truly see ourselves…We can only see the mirror image of who we think we are?? 

How can I truly see myself? Humans have a tendency to hide behind a façad. Where is that true genuine self? The one that you so tenderly made? I can not do this without your help… It is a scary thing to be stripped bare, and look onto our own hearts? I can only hold my breath when I look into my soul… Can our minds even handle what our eyes must-see? What I must understand ?? Will you help me? Will you hold my hand? Will you carry me when the view is not what I want to see?

“Do not be afraid … It’s the light you reflect from your heart and soul into the world. That is the most genuine most truthful look at self.” 

So then, I ask you to search me, find me, and help me refine the light that shines from within…It’s not what I think of myself that matters most. It’s what you think of me that is the most important factor of living a life that will be remembered by the light that is shared... 

So when I look into the mirror, I pray that others see you within me and not that inward word.. of self. But that outward word of LOVE. 

It's Him. It's always Him.

Photography & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses from KJV, ESV / 

Sinners Prayer

Inspiring music from YouTube 

Reflection of Your Love

“We all make choices, but in the end, our choices make us.” - Ken Levine...

The meaning of consequence in the Bible, a consequence is the result or outcome of an action, decision, or behavior, whether positive or negative. It emphasizes that choices have a ripple effect, impacting ourselves and others. The Bible teaches that obedience and disobedience to God's will have consequences, with obedience leading to blessings and disobedience leading to punishment or correction. 

The word "consequence" appears in the Bible, though not with the modern-day meaning as a noun. It's used in the context of actions having outcomes, both positive and negative. 

Life's challenges present us with choices that shape our journey, leading to consequences that can be transformative. Some consequences are immediate, while others emerge when we reflect on our experiences and choices, impacting not only us but also those we love.

Although it's tempting to take the easy route, those who overcome obstacles and dedicate themselves to preserving are rewarded. 

They will ultimately experience the joys of life; they will witness the lasting impact of their choices. 

Life's journey is a powerful affirmation of the profound impact of our choices. As we look back, we'll discover that when our actions are motivated by love and wisdom, we have the remarkable power to create a brighter, more compassionate world. Did we tap into this power to create a lasting legacy? Or did the easy road hinder us from embracing the opportunities that could lead us to being the best we could be???

One day, we'll face the reality of our choices, and we will be humbled by how our choices have affected not only ourselves but those we love the most.

The day will come when we seek God! Will we have regrets? Will we ask for forgiveness?  Will our soul carry the scars we made by the choices we made?  

How we love is where change and healing can be felt!! Change starts with you!!! Love can open hearts and soothe wounds… 

God has extraordinary blessings in store for your future… But we must give Him our heart … ask Him to guide us!!  Ask Him to teach us how to love like Jesus… ask Him for the strength to make the right choices. 

I've lived long enough to confidently share that choices in life will profoundly impact your life today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your life… 

Life is short… Know that you will always be loved in spite of your choices… however, life may become difficult. 

It is so much easier to try to live life with no regrets…

Remember, consequences can be positive!!! 

Don’t let life and relationships slip through your fingers… Shine the loving light that lives within you…

Never forget you are blessed and loved by Him, and others more than words can even express.

Choose a positive consequence!! Choose … 

Him! It’s always Him! 

Now all discipline seems to be painful at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace ...Hebrews 12:11

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Inspiring Music by (YouTube) 

Bring Me Back |A Cry for Redemption and Peace/ English-Hebrew Messianic Worship Song