When God heals and restores, He brings you out better than you were before. - Anonymous

Meaning of hurt a cause of injury or damage: blow this tower of granite, weathering the hurts of so many ages: a bodily injury or wound. Mental or emotional distress or anguish: suffering getting past the hurt of a bitter relationship.

There are ten Bible verses about hurting hearts.

There are many types of hurt. There is a physical wound. There is the hurting soul.. or a broken heart. I do believe there are degrees of pain caused by the wound. 

What is it in our human makeup that we seem to hurt others by cruel actions or words?? Are we that cold? Are we that self-centered? Are we that thoughtless?? 

We will experience times in our lives that we will be put to the test. Will we kind, will we be thoughtful?  Or will be so preoccupied, so self-absorbed that we won’t even take the time to understand or even care enough to have that understanding heart and run.

There have been times during this amazing journey that my heart has been wounded. My soul still carries the scars… Although this has been the most amazing spiritual journey I could ever experience.  There have been a few that have not taken the time to understand.  Unfortunately, as this happened, I began to question the authenticity of the relationship. Was it real or did you have ulterior motives? Was our relationship for selfish reasons?? These months have proven to me that when we have an unexpected curve in our lives…. The true hearts will rise to the top.. They will embrace us for who we were and who we are striving to become…

I have to thank those who did not take the time to understand. Your actions although cruel.  Helped me, by letting me focus on a love greater than I have ever known. This LOVE placed me on the most amazing spiritual heartfelt journey of my life. I found where my strength lies. It's Him. He is where life and love take on new meaning. My heart and life will never be the same. 

I thank my heavenly Father that I found Him… But in reality, He found me. And somewhere during these wonderful months of discovery, I found me. 

Thank you to the ones who took the time and opened their hearts. I pray that as you have witnessed the change in my life and through my experience, His love has touched your soul… I pray that one day when you are given the gift of Him. I will be the one who stayed… It will be a beautiful day to remember…It is because of Him, that scars left on our soul can become a beautiful work of art. 

It's Him, It's always Him.

He is the healer of my heart and soul… 

And for those that could not stay... I love you anyway... my life is an open book and I would love to share this amazing love with anyone willing to listen.. 

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalms 147:3

Fear Not, for I am with you. Do not be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalms 55:22

Inspiring Music: Kari Jobe - Healer (Lyric Video)

“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 hope to give you forever”― Nicholas Sparks...

The day His love descended from heaven and touched my soul, He filled my heart with a love like no other... Love flowed freely as He wrapped me in His warm loving arms.. It left me bewildered, confused but FOREVER changed..... 

He has taken my hand and asked me to follow Him ... 

His love is gentle, kind, and beyond words...  He has opened my heart and I now see life with all the beauty He intended. With His Love, life AND LOVE has a new meaning and it is nothing short of amazing ... 

I love Him with all that I am. I am forever His child... I will continue to share His amazing love with others and press my heart in, as close as He will allow. 

There are no earthly possessions that are adequate to offer Him in exchange for this beautiful gift of LOVE. I can only offer Him my heart and soul for eternity. 

However He is worthy of so much more!

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Bible Verses From KJV, Easy  /  Sinners prayer 

Inspiring Music:  Love Outran Me | WorshipMob Original

Strong's #5545: chrisma (pronounced khris'-mah) from 5548; an unguent or smearing, i.e. (figuratively) the special endowment ("chrism") of the Holy Spirit: anointing, unction.  

The word “charisma” does not seem to be in the Bible.. but I do believe the characteristics can be felt within its pages.

When I began to think about the word charisma, my initial thought was Jesus of course. But as I began to think of all the people that I felt had this extra pull on people’s souls... I began to see artists, politicians, activists.. kings, queens, even some with dark spirits have this charm ... And I do believe this list could go on and on. But we must remember when we examine the person with that “extra” we must also see the audience they attract and why? Is there a hidden agenda? Is it for a selfish motive? Or is it selfless? What is this special mojo that attracts others to follow, or to hang on to every word that spills from their lips? 

Is it looks? Is it wisdom? Is it power?  

Let’s investigate the characteristics that are tied to this word charisma,  and let’s see where this little journey of discovery might take us? 

Here is what I found: according to Forbes magazine these are seven traits that can be found in charismatic people. https://www.forbes.com/

•          Listen Actively

•          Speak Clearly

•          Smile from Within

•          Stand Up Tall

•          Spread Praise & Phrase

•          Remembers Names  

So my very first thought of Jesus was definitely on the right path! Jesus does possess all these traits... But He offers us so much more... His mojo has a divine connection... He wraps His charisma in the most amazing anointed love.  It flows from heaven above... This love has no price tag.. because it has already been paid from His unselfish heart... His only hidden agenda is to lovingly guide His children home... 

He is the complete package... He is perfection at its finest...He is the King of charisma and my heart. 

How does He do it?? He touches so many souls... His charisma is who He is and by the way, I can without a doubt state it’s timeless. 

It’s Him. It’s always Him. 

He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. John 12:45

I and the Father are one. John 10:30

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Design & Written by Lori Garner

Lion & The Lamb Image by Jeff Jacobs 

Bible Verses From KJV, Easy  /  Sinners prayer 

Inspiring Music: King Of My Heart - [Lyric Video] Kutless

Valor is a gift. Those having it never know for sure whether they have it till the test comes. And those having it in one test never know for sure if they will have it when the next test comes.

The meaning of valor: great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle. 

The word valor is referenced 53 times in the Bible... 

When I think of the word valor I see these words. Leadership,loyalty, devotion, and risk. 

When I hear the word valor in a speech or the written word many times it is attached to someone that showed great bravery... But at what cost? Perhaps life itself! 

I have an uncle who was honored with a Purple Heart 💜. But he sacrificed everything so you and I could have the freedoms we sometimes take for granted... Sadly He was a statistic of the Korean War.  His life ended prematurely over the battle of Pork Chop Hill... I was born after his life ended but his valor and beautiful memory still remain within his family's heart... I did not get to grow up knowing him... But my father who also served his country in the same war still speaks and remembers the bravery of his younger brother...

Now that I am grown I would like to salute two brave soldiers (my dad and uncle) who sacrificed their time and part of their life for me...! 

Like my uncle, we have lost many brave men and women. To that ugly word war... 

We must do a better job of embracing our differences and cherishing life... Because there is a price that has been and will be continued to be paid by our loved ones, for that beautiful gift we know as freedom.  

I understand the big picture of war.. but I find it such a heartfelt pain that many innocent lives have had to endure.

Life is a precious gift... All life !!! Everywhere !!! 

I do believe valor sometimes goes unnoticed.  I have witnessed what I call silent valor... I have witnessed people that have struggled with an illness, but they show such deeply centered bravery...  I have witnessed single moms or dads step up to the plate to face life and raise amazing children.  I have witnessed many unsung heroes that show amazing strength and determination... It makes me wonder why and how do they have such courage, such strength, such loyalty? and such determination??? 

Some will know and tell you where their valor comes from! Some will surprise themselves and embark on a journey to discover how it happened. There may be those that have bravely lost their battle ... But they will not go unnoticed there valor will be witnessed in the hearts they have touched...  However, after my investigation of this word.  I can without a  doubt say ... there seems to be a common denominator... 

It’s no surprise to me where their strength, their loyalty, and their valor comes from ...

It’s Him, it’s always Him.  

Because with God all things are possible... 

But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37 

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Model Image: Dad 

Inspiring Music: 

Faith Hill - There you'll be (lyrics)

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)

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"  Psalms 107:1                      

So excited to share the news we hit 20k views... The blog was inspired by God, Friendship, and you the reader... Never underestimate what God can do! He has taken someone that had no interest in writing on one of the most amazing journey of discovery Thank you all for your love and support !!

XOXO

special thanks

Joann Turnbull

Meaning of fresh: not previously known or used; new or different:

The word fresh is in the Bible approximately 82 times. KJV 

As we move forward towards Spring...I had these thoughts. Spring holds a freshness that can be vividly seen... New fresh flowers will be springing up from the once dry crusty ground... We will begin to see new fresh green leaves sprouting out the many trees across the rolling Tennessee hills... We will see thunderstorms move across the valleys as they wash the landscape clean.  We will feel the freshness in the warm breeze as it touches our skin.  I love running through the hills and just breathing in the freshness of spring.  Such an amazing gift... 

I must admit I have found a spiritual freshness that clearly has no expiration date, no matter how hard we search the package! This freshness came into my life unannounced.  He found me in such a vulnerable state and gently breathed a beautiful freshness into my once stagnant soul... 

He came as soft as a summer breeze... He gave me a wondrous fresh feeling as He touched my soul... Fresh vibrant colors seem to explode before my eyes, as He dazzled me with His beautiful words of love and life. 

I could once again feel Him in the deepest chambers of my heart... I felt His presence light, airy and fresh. It's a Fresh love that will inhabit our mind, body, and soul. His breath is soft and tender as a newborn babe... His voice is sweet and He sings a love song to our once parched souls...He renews our heart, our soul, and our mind.  

Who is He? Where can you find Him? It is not top-secret information! Search your heart He is quietly waiting to hear your voice whisper His beautiful name... 

It’s Him, It’s always Him... 

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6 (ESV)

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

May the LORD grant you dew from the skies, and from the fertile land; may he grant you abundant grain and fresh wine

Genesis 27:28

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Inspiring Music: Atmosphere of Heaven Grace Willaims