“Don’t be afraid of being different, be afraid of being the same as everyone else!!

The meaning of different is not the same as another or each other; unlike in nature, form, or quality.

Have you ever felt just a little odd? You did not fit the mold??  When I look back at my life, I am sure I had the normal insecurities of wanting to fit in... Many children struggle with peer pressure...  

But do we ever really shed those feelings, or do we just get better at hiding behind that smile we wear... We learn to "fit" in the circles of life that we travel ... We become comfortable with who we have become... And our outward behavior is what others see as "Normal". But is that person they see the real you? Or just an image that you have created for approval by others?

It makes me wonder, who dictates what is Normal??? 

I thought I had grown into my "Normal".  Until one day due to a Holy Spirit Encounter my world swiftly flipped upside down. I found myself in very unfamiliar territory...I had been given a gift of supernatural love. And it seemed like overnight things were changing at record speed.  

My family and friends witnessed these dramatic changes that were happning to me and within me...

I indeed had become different... I had a new burning desire to know more about my Heavenly Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit.  God placed me in places to grow in love and understanding... He opened my heart for the world to see...  I have openly shared my journey with anyone that would listen. That in it self is so different from who I was... I did not share. I was a very private soul... And now here we are on a world wide blog where I have shared my thoughts and heart with you, my reader and almost another 30K souls.

Many people have said I need to write a book... It's funny because I never used to write before this life-altering event...

I do feel I have grown in so many different ways. I may not be "normal" according to earthly standards. But I am amazing and miraculously made. Just ask my Heavenly Father ... How did He make each of us so different yet the same??? I can only stand in awe in His Presence and mutter... 

It's Him! It’s always Him!!!

He WOWs me!!! His LOVE is so different. It's like nothing I have ever experienced in my life. But I do know it is not of this world... How could we not be touched by Him and not be different ?? He came to earth to so us how to live. How to love.  and how to be different...So when someone tells us we are different.. Remember we are in amazing company!!! 

And I.... am a work in progress.

Psalm 139:13-14 You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful Psalm 139:14 NIV

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. Matthew 7:13 

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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Micah Tyler - Different (Official Lyric Video)

“God’s real desire, in addition to displaying His glory, is to claim your heart and the hearts of those you love.” - Priscilla Shirer...

Fervent means to be hot, to boil, to show great warmth and feeling, the intensity of spirit.

Fervent is used 12 times in the Bible. 

Some often think that the Bible is a dry and cold book. But it is filled with emotions of every kind. It is not dry history.  It is teeming with the feelings and emotions of God and His children. 

We are made in the image of God. In us are all the 5 senses, as well as the sense of the Spirit living in us.  God is living, feeling, and full of emotions. 

We see in Luke 10 that Jesus sent out 70 disciples to go to every town and tell them that God’s kingdom had arrived and to heal the sick.  When they came back to report to Jesus, they were full of joy and excitement.  

In that hour it says that Jesus was overjoyed and rejoiced greatly(fervently) in the Holy Spirit.  The emotions He had were boiling over and fervent with excitement. Everywhere they had been there was a harvest of souls for the kingdom. 

What causes the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to be fervent?   What makes Them full of joy?  The harvest of souls!!!  

He has called us to share His love, His message to everyone.  May our soul be overflowing as we Talk about Him with fervency.

In another instance, in the Bible, we are called to be fervent in prayer.  Our prayers should be burning within us as we talk with Him.  He hears our cries.  He knows our hearts. 

Let us not be lukewarm or cold, but hot in our walk with Him.  And be fervent every day as we respond to His love.  Loving Him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.  212 degrees!!

fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
Romans 12:11-12 KJV

Photography Lori Garner Written by Joann Turnbull

Sinners Prayer 

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Katy Perry - Firework (Lyrics)

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times. -Martin Luther...

Meaning of confidence the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.

We located 20 verses that contain the word confidence. 

I am confident that a least one heart will connect with this heartfelt word... 

Can confidence be built? Or can it erode with time??? 

When I thought about this word I closed my eyes and I could clearly see a beautiful pool of water... I had the privilege this summer of watching my granddaughter's swimming lessons. Her Mom had hired a unfamiliar yet friendly teacher. 

Day one.... was shear panic, tears and crying out my name..."Grandma" as difficult as it was not to help her I had to stay in my appointed seat.. 

The teacher was scheduled to come twice a week... She patiently began to speak softly and give her deliberate directions. She started by teaching her how to put her face underwater and blow bubbles ... Then she held her as she floated...As the weeks progressed she began the process of building her trust. Soon the art of swim strokes followed... As the time passed I watched my granddaughter’s trust and confidence in her teacher grow... As summer faded ... She had mastered the task set before her of swimmimg.. And now with great confidence she stood at the edge of the pool she called out my name "Grandma" watch... She then confidently began a deliberate high jump into the deepest part of the pool... She was fully submerged underwater... And soon her little head broke the surface of the sparkling water... And there big as you please was her beautiful confident smile... She did it !!  

Many might think this word study would take me to the question “How much confidence do I have in God??” Much like the pool story above many of us may start out our spiritual life in shear panic, crying out and looking for our teacher to save us??  But as our teacher speaks softly to our hearts we began to let go of the edge of the pool... That is how our  trust in Him grows. With time, we began to tread water... and spiritually we get stronger each day.. There will be the day that we call out His name and with a deliberate jump we will land in deep water. And as we break the sparkling water's surface He will be there to see our beautiful confident smile... 

If we are lucky we have built that trust and confidence in our Heavenly Father by spending the time to know without a doubt He will always be at arms length ready to save us from the challenges of this life... 

But does it stop here or does this circle of confidence go beyond our confidence in God?? What about His confidence in His children?? Why were we chosen? Did He see something in us that gave Him the confidence to trust us with such a valuable message??? The message of His greater LOVE!!! As we look back in time there has always been a chosen few... A few that were willing to stand at the edge of the pool ready to jump and fully submerge themselves in Him and His gift of heavenly love...  I am confident that it’s our soul's desire to be being fully submerged in His sparkling light...

This word has taught me that confidence goes both ways... I have learned to trust Him with my life... I am confident that with His guidance I will be ready to jump into the deeper part of knowing Him ... 

He is my LIFE-savior... My mentor... My confidant... ❤

Its Him, Its always been Him.

We have been chosen to jump??   But the question is 

are we ready??? 

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35–36

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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SANCTUS REAL | CONFIDENCE - Official Music Video 

When you Run alone, It's called RACE? And When GOD Runs with you, It's called GRACE! - unknown...

The meaning of cautious is careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.

We located 7 verses that speak of the word cautious... 

Are we just being cautious? Do we tread lightly when we are unsure? There is so much to digest these days... So many instabilities... So much uncertainty? So many “experts” ??? 

I don’t know about you but it makes my head spin?? Am I being overly cautious or am I just dizzy from too much information from the so-called “experts”? Are we truly being bamboozled? 

We have truly taken our eye off the ball? If we look at the Bible we see many parallels... 

We see hate and discord with the Government. We see a division within the general population. Political, Race, Gender... We see blatant judgment... 

Centuries ago we had the opportunity to witness and love Jesus and we let Him slip through our fingers??? Was He cautious in showing His love? I say NOT! 

I do believe we must be cautious as we travel in our broken world... We must uncover all the facts... We must sift all things through our Saviors heart and our Father’s words... We must hear His protective cry before we take action... We must diligently pray for guidance. 

The vision that comes to mind is a horse race... So much training goes into each race. So much trust in his jockey.  Winning the prize is the ultimate goal..  and one of the best pieces of equipment the horse will wear are blinders...This helps him focus and only see what’s ahead... 

Again parallels. We are all in a race we call life... We are all training for that lifetime opportunity... We all must grow and learn to trust Jesus... Never, Never take your eye off the prize.  We must wear our spiritual blinders..and must stay focused on the days ahead.

It's His presence that will give us peace in our hearts in the midst of our uncertainties...  

Trusting Him has given me the ability to throw caution to the wind and blindly focus on Him!!! The prize of eternity with my Savior is my Heavenly goal... We do need to be cautious of the fleeting things of our world... One day they will all fall away. But His gift of Life and LOVE will never fade... It can only grow stronger in our hearts as we approach the starting gate, and the final bugle call is blown... and the race is on... mud flys.. and you can almost hear the announcer calling the positions of the race...  Are you in first place ?? Or dead last?  And as you go under the wire... in a faint small voice, we can say thank God I made it !!! 

It is there in the winners circle our focus becomes clear...

It’s Him, it’s always been Him!

So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the Lord your God. Joshua 23:11

“By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.”

1 John 4:17 ESV

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

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Sinners Prayer 

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The Cavalry Charge - William Tell Overture (Finale)

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest; heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.” – Author Unknown...

Meaning of quiet making little or no noise. 

We located 31 scriptures about the word quiet in the KJV of the Bible. 

Our world is spinning so fast...The hustle and bustle of life can be so loud... You can not even hear yourself think... 

Hearing is such a sensitive subject for me. When I was a child I lost 60 percent of my hearing... And as I adapted to this quiet world I began to read lips as a tool to understand what was being said... I have had several surgeries and now wear hearing devices to enhance my chronic hearing issue... 

But after many years I have come to the realization that this weakness is truly a blessing... I can at will turn off the noise of our crazy world... I learned the art of tuning out and tuning in to the beautiful melodic sounds of Music... Where I am whisked away deep with my thoughts... I have found that this quiet time allows me to hide deeper within myself than most...I can find that sweet space where the world fades away... It's there that I can take a deep breath... It's where my heart rate literally slows down. I close my eyes, relax, open my heart and invite my Heavenly Father in... And wait... 

I will confess sometimes waiting is more of a challenge than turning off the world... But as soon His serene peacefulness fills the air... and in my mind's eye, He appears... And my every thought is consumed with Him alone...It's in the quietness of the moment without an auditable voice, I can hear His gentle voice... As He whispers words of love to my soul...  It’s a silent world... of communion with the most beautiful ONE I have been blessed to love... There are no words needed, I do not have to read lips... because it's in those quiet moments I feel Him in the very depths of my soul...

So if you catch me quietly sitting on a park bench or in the middle of a crowded room... Beware my hearing devices may be turned off to the outside noise of our world...  Because I am tuned into a love song that God is singing just for me... 

I invite you to quiet your mind and wait with me perhaps you too will hearing His sweet song of love. Shh, listen with your soulful ears!  And get swept away in the quiet moments ... can’t you feel Him in your soul?? 

It’s Him!! It has always been Him. I love my quiet times with Him.

Quiet your heart in his presence and wait patiently for Yahweh. And don’t think for a moment that the wicked, in their prosperity, are better off than you. Psalms 37:7 

We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil, we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 TPT

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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(the autumn) - In The Stillness - Official Lyric Video

Meaning of conviction: a formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense, made by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law. 

We located 40 verses that speak of conviction in the Bible... 

Guilty as charged ??? 

This word brought me to thinking of children... Have you ever witnessed a child in the act of doing wrong... And when confronted they have the ability to look us in the eye and say I did not do it!! It wasn't me !!! But the truth is written all over their face!! 

We all have been guilty of the same behavior at some time in our lives... We may think if no one witnessed the act we do not have to own up to the action... So then we try to bury it deep with our hearts... 

But who are we truly fooling??? 

Guilt can eat away at the lining of our soul... until we come clean. It will haunt our peace.. and can even make us physically ill. Because it comes from a dark place... But conviction is the Holy Spirit’s cleansing process... We must acknowledge the wrong... We must bring it to our Heavenly Father.. and ask for forgiveness... that is when the weight in our heart lifts and we are able to breathe again... 

His forgiveness, His grace ...His undying love... Works miracles in the field of guilt, conviction, and remorse... 

But we have some responsibility in the process ... We must meet Him where He stands... We must commit our unclean heart to Him... daily. We must work towards setting the wrong right... We need to acknowledge that in our human form we will always fall short of being perfect. Because perfect is not attainable and He knows it ... Striving for improvement every day ... Can only make us better... than the day before... He welcomes improvement, He watches the growth... And loves us through each challenge... I personally do not understand how He has never given up on His children??? How? Why? So many questions? 

How does every word, every thought, every day that my heart beats point to Him?? 

It’s Him! It has always been Him!! 

I must admit ... I am guilty .... Guilty as charged... Guilty of falling in love with Him and I pray that it is written all over my face !!  He WOWs me... 

I am a work in progress!!! But He still loves me, even with all my imperfections... 

Forever His.  

“This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” Acts 24:16 

“Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.”Hebrews 13:18

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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Conviction - Rachel DeLong Music

"If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own powers." - Mother Teresa

Meaning of pride: a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.

Ok stand back and brace yourself most if not all of us could use a hefty dose of humility when we crack open this word...

It just might hit you like a cold glass of water on a blistering summer day... Will it be a pleasant tune or just a bunch of white noise... 

I think we have hit a sensitive cord... Pride can be dark, it can be full of self... and the shrapnel it releases can wound unsuspecting hearts...

Is this word always an ugly word? Is there a time when pride can be an emotion that can drive us to a place of beautiful growth ?? 

As parents, we tell our children we are proud of their achievements... But when we take it to others in a boastful manner I think we have just shifted pride to a displeasing level... When pride points to self that is when we lose our humility.. our grace, and our focus on what truly matters... 

Would it be out of line if I said I am proud that I am a follower of Christ?  Or would I rather hear my Father say He is pleased with who I am becoming... I pray the latter.

When we do not own the word but give it the way it takes on such a beautiful meaning... 

The heart you gifted that emotion to may have needed your approval or just a few words of encouragement... 

When you weld this emotion mix it with a pinch of love and make sure it lands firm and does not boomerang. 

Be a humble encourager ... 

Be the most amazing soul you can be!!! Make our Father be delighted in the soul you have become.

Then suddenly the voice of the Father shouted from the sky, saying, “This is my Son—the Beloved! My greatest delight is in him.” Matthew 3:17

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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Selah + Pride Of A Father - Hillsong Young & Free //// Subtítulos en Españo

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” - Rumi

Meaning of brokenness: a person has given up all hope; despairing. 

There are approximately 27 verses that point us to the word brokenness... 

As I sat meditating on this word my thoughts and the silence in my mind became broken by the sounds that began to race in my head... 

This word I am afraid will make me bleed... There have been times in my walk with God that my heart felt broken and my soul had become severely bruised... I found myself in a fetal position with my face buried in the ground before me... I cried from the deepest heart-wrenching place in my soul... 

I had a war raging within... I felt like I was coming apart at the seams... My heart was indeed being peeled back like an onion for the whole world to see... I was in such unfamiliar territory... I reached out but could not find a hand to hold... I felt misunderstood and alone. I retreated… I was struggling to understand and find my balance

Even knowing that I had family and friends that loved me I still felt lost... Who would understand this spiritual encounter? You see I did not know my Creator, so I looked for comfort in others, someone who could enlighten me and give me perspective. But this gift of love I was given was way bigger than most have ever encountered... Many did not know how to respond. Many thought maybe I was losing my mind… 

But I felt like I was being driven by a gentle force. It is difficult to put into words… I just knew I had to keep moving forward, keep discovering more about Him and this love I felt in my soul. I had this unusual desire to share His love…But, I was so unequipped… and way out of my comfort zone… I had this unexplainable joy rippling through my veins.

It was a struggle.. where do I fit in? with whom do I share?

As I traveled each day, I discovered my Heavenly Father was always there guiding me. He held me as I felt the growing pains of shedding my old skin, I became stronger as I discovered more about Him... His beauty... and His LOVE. He healed my broken heart and filled my days with beautiful wonder... I was like a child in a candy store... So much to see, so much to taste and so much life to live. 

My brokenness gave me heartfelt pain. My state of not finding someone to hold my hand… Lead me to Him. My brokenness allowed me to reach a place where I could build an intimate relationship of trust, faith, and love with the most amazing spiritual soul I have come to know... 

I found the beauty in the pain.

I found Him! It’s always been Him!!  

And I would not change not even one day… He helped me… find me…

He is my soft place to fall. My strength when I am weak ... And He is my love when no other human understands my heart!!  He is the light that I seek! He is the whisper in the wind that I yearn to hear... He is my gift of LOVE from above. And yes, He is bigger than anything in this life! And I love Him more each day…

He wows me !!! 

Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’Isaiah 41:10

This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalms 91:2 

And He said to all “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) Lyric Video

"I want to know how God created this world. I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know God's thoughts, the rest are details." -Albert Einstein

Meaning of “think” has a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something. Direct one's mind toward someone or something; use one's mind actively to form connected ideas.

We located 14 verses that speak to the word “think”.

Hmm, hold that thought!! What were you just thinking this very minute? The human mind is an amazing gift. Did you know there are 39 different types of thought processes?   Our thought process is a type of cognitive activity in our brain. It allows us the ability to uses our mental capacity to complete and understand certain functions of our human experience. Many of these activities give us the ability, to problem solve, make split and long-term decisions, create, and evaluate any given situation.

But how does our thinking process affect our emotions? our mood? Does our thinking affect how we act and react towards life and others? 

In most cases, our thought process stimulates some type of emotion… I found that most times is not the outside world that causes the emotion it is our internal filtering system. Life experiences weigh in heavy in this process… 

Have you ever witnessed someone that always seems to be at peace even when they face difficult times? They seem to have a positive outlook. Do they have an inner joy??? What is this gift of positive thinking??

How do we rewire our thinking??? How to shift our mood from darkness to light?? Where can we find this product that they seem to possess???  

This may not speak to everyone. But perhaps these souls have tapped into something much deeper something so simplistic and available to every man, woman, and child?? 

What does the good book reveal? What is it that keeps us coming back? There seems to be a medicinal phenomenon that lies between its pages… There are so many nuggets of wisdom hidden here… When we dive in and meditate on these beautiful words our mind becomes filled with the love our Heavenly Father placed in each written word… 

It has been proven that if I say a word… you will automatically think of the object. Your life experience with that object will begin to race to your thoughts. And your emotions and sometimes all your senses will come rushing forward.  That object will become your focus. Other thoughts may try to invade your headspace… But stay focused!!! Are you ready to test this theory?? Close your eyes and think of…

God... His beauty... His Love... His power, His grace, FOCUS on Him, and His love for you. You are His beautiful, forgiven, child… I pray your heart feels HIM... Because your emotions will kick in… and your thoughts will be filled with HOPE and the most amazing LOVE known to man... 

WOW, He truly knows how we are wired?? He gave us Psalms 1:2 for a reason… Meditate on Him and His word day and night… This type of thinking can and does shift our thoughts… It has been proven… But the question becomes… How much of the day or night do you give Him?? Some share a quick devotional in the morning, some pray before bed. Some hit church on Sunday… But is that enough to change how you react to our miss guided world? 

He has given us the gift of thinking, use it wisely… 

It's Him, It’s always been HIM…. He can change the way we are wired to think!!!

THINK of HOPE, THINK POSITIVE THOUGHTS, THINK of His AMAZING GIFT OF LOVE … 

THINK of HIM.. and maybe your thoughts will become that ripple of love that our world needs to meditate on day and night… Be the change…

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditates day and night. Psalms 1:2 

The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps. Proverbs 14:15

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise. And apply your mind to my knowledge; Proverbs 22:17

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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Consume Me -Grace Williams

 "To have God speak to the heart is a majestic experience, an experience that people may miss if they monopolize the conversation and never pause to hear God's responses."- Charles Stanley...

Meaning of Majestic: having or showing impressive beauty or dignity.

The word Majestic appeared in 76 verses in the Bible.

Some people use the word Majestic when speaking of mountains, or beautiful locations on earth. I have used it many times while writing for this blog. It has mainly been when I speak of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. After all, He is the Creator of all things even the ones that are considered majestically beautiful. 

It is only fitting to state that He is the highest Majestic Kingly soul we will ever encounter. Have you ever just closed your eyes and felt His presence? What do you feel? What do you see? What do you hear? 

I can share my experience with you. I have witnessed His beauty. I have felt their Godly presence deep within my soul. 

I have silently watched the sunset… And can see Him in the brilliant colors of gold, the soft pinks, and the majestic blues.  There is peace and a feeling of hope and wonderment. Every sunset carries a unique beauty of its own. How can we not believe in our Creator when we can witness the beauty that He shares with His children???  

He possesses such majestic traits. He is a powerful force that reigns over all the heavens and earth. He is kind, merciful, and patient.  He is omnipresent. He is all-forgiving… And of course I saved the best for last…. His love is more than my heart can understand. He holds no resentment or judgment. His arms are always welcoming no matter our circumstances. My soul craves to know more about Him with each passing day. To hear His soothing voice brings harmony to my mind, body, and spirit.  

When I am asked what does the word majestic means to me? It is simple. It’s the love I feel for the most amazing soul I have grown to know and love. He is my Majestic Splendor, My King. Many call Him God… Some call Him Father. I call Him my Elohim… My Savior, My three LOVEs… 

Its Him. It’s always been Him!!

He blows my mind…

"Who is like you among the gods, LORD? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, and working wonders? Exo 15:11

Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your majestic name! 1 Chron 29:13

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer 

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Kari Jobe - How Majestic (Live).