I can't make people fall in love with Jesus, but I can arrange dates.” — Andy Stanley....

Meaning of dedicated (of a person) devoted to a task or purpose; having single-minded loyalty or integrity.

The word dedicated can be found 25 times in the Bible.

How does He orchestrate happenings in our lives that draw us to clues of discovering more?  

This week I stumbled across a movie called Mary Magdalene. I watched the movie and the next day I discovered that March is woman’s month … hmm 

Many would say that it is just a coincidence. But I have discovered that I love how He works.

Women have played such a significant role in the Bible. But when looking back with the exception of Mary the Mother of Jesus they seem to be overshadowed by the men… 

Do we try to understand the roles and the significance they played in such a male-dominated world?? 

When I began my discovery of Mary Magdalene I knew very little about her. But I soon discovered these facts. 

1.        Jesus cast out 7 demons from her. Is it a coincidence that there are 7 deadly sins? (pride, envy, wrath, gluttony, lust, sloth, and greed) hmm

2.        She boldly left her family to follow Jesus

3.        She was a witness of the crucifixion 

4.        She was the first witness of the empty tomb

5.        She was mentioned in all four of the Gospels

6.        Her amazing story was one of darkness and torment until Jesus freed her from the bondage that raged within her soul… 

I do not want to take away from the important facts, but what impressed me the most, was not only her loyalty to her Savior … But beyond that was her deep love for Him… 

I believe she felt she owed Him her renewed life…

She must have felt spiritual, emotional, and physical death when He was taken from our world.… Losing the one who freed her.. the one who brought light into her dark world… It must have crushed her heart and made her soul bleed… 

But the “good news” was she was the first one to lay eyes on Him at His resurrection. She was the first witness… She was set apart. She was chosen. 

It was a woman that He appeared to first. It was a woman that He trusted with such monumental news. It was a woman that He trusted to share His amazing legacy of love and life beyond death to the world. 

She had such an unwavering trust, deep love, and gratitude for Him. She did not just love Him. But I believe she indeed fell in love with Him… It has been written that there may have been a physical attraction to Jesus. 

But a physical attraction is not necessary to fall in love with our Creator…It’s a much deeper love, it comes from a deep place within our soul... 

As I traveled on this journey I have been blessed to discover a few souls that carry this type of love for Him.  It transcends time, space, and human understanding … It’s a spiritual gift from Him… and Him alone.

I believe we get confused when we try to dissect this love… The hows and whys, the “scientific” result from testing.  

When speaking of the possibilities of Heaven, eternity, and the spiritual realms we will never fully understand. It contains such vastness and depth, just how do we wrap our human mind around it? 

That is why we must open our hearts and trust Him and love Him with the innocence of a child…. 

It’s Him… He WOWs me. 

I urge you… 

Love Him like Mary… love Him with that type of dedication… with that type of depth… fall in love with His soul… take your love to the next level… Don’t keep your love for Him restrained to what our world has deemed as acceptable…  Set your love free… Just as He freed Mary… 

I have discovered when dealing with Him there is always MORE!!! 

Jesus replied: “ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37 

“Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable like a little child, you will never be able to enter in Matthew 18:3 TPT

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1Peter 1:3 

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube)

Falling In Love - Phil Wickham (Lyrics)

I am a work in progress...

Art is standing with one hand extended into the universe and one hand extended into the world and letting ourselves be a conduit for passing energy. Albert Einstein.....

Meaning of describe:  give an account in words of (someone or something), including all the relevant characteristics, qualities, or events.

The word describe is in the Bible 19 times. 

This word came to me as swiftly as a new artful journey appeared in my life. 

Over the years I have had the occasional tasks of drawing a couple of standard characters for my grandchildren Santa, the Easter bunny, or perhaps a special request from the child. I have never really taken drawing seriously... Then approximately one month ago I had a meditation.  And I wanted to find someone who could draw what I witnessed in my mind. 

I found a talented artist only to find he was deceased. And then the idea crossed my mind maybe I could try. I quickly order a charcoal pencil set. With little knowledge, I started a new adventure on this amazing journey. 

I do believe God guided me here. 

As I looked at this blank paper before me, I began to draw the face of Jesus as I see Him in my mind... The images surprised many, even me. I had never drawn faces like this... But I found that no matter what I tried to draw I always came back to draw His Face!!  

Have you ever thought, what does Jesus really look like?  I do not mean the images that we see online. Or the ones of the actors who have played Jesus in the movies... What does He really look like... Is our memory based on images created by others? 

That said. If we are to have a personal relationship with Jesus..or God the Father do we see Him in our mind. If I ask you to close your eyes and think of that special person in your life. Now describe what you see in your mind. I am sure you can give me a pretty detailed description.  

Now close your eyes and let me ask you to think of Jesus or God the Father. Now describe what you see. Is your image one that has been created by others or do you have a personal view of their beautiful face? Some would be afraid to say something different than what has been displayed publicly.  But I have come to the realization They were inspired by what the artist or Hollywood envisioned in their mind. I challenge you to find where have these standards been certified correct? Who has the correct image?

During my journey, I have been able to close my eyes and describe them to you. The color of Their eyes, their hair their smile.. because I have seen Them in my meditation state of mind. 

I say we must make them alive so that when we close our eyes and hear Their name we have an image that automatically fills our minds.  

The image should be personal to you. 

Psalm 27:8: “When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'O LORD, I will seek Your face. '

I challenge you today to close your eyes and seek His face… Spend some time studying every line, look into His eyes.. and catch that amazing smile…

Get personal … 

With Him, it’s always Him. 

I will leave you with one last challenging thought. Once you have mastered God the Father and Jesus … Close your eyes and see the Holy Spirit.

I do believe that is why He asks us to change our way of thinking and become teachable like a little child. He loves us to use His gift of imagination😀. He possesses the greatest imagination there has ever been. 

“Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable like a little child, you will never be able to enter in. Matthew 18:3 TPT

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me” Proverbs 8;17

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29.13

The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you (2 Chr 15:2b)

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube)

Gorgeous Face - Rick Pino

The meaning of you: used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing.

You occurs 14,399 times in the English Standard Version. You occurs 14,480 times in the New King James Version.

Are you with me? Are you listening? Are you lost??  Are you who you think you are ??? Or are you a painted image that you allow others to see… Void of substance? 

Who are you in the deepest place in your heart??? Only you and God know the answer…

How do you become the best version that you can be??? Sometimes this is an ugly process… We all have that dirt we carry and hide from others… 

It truly is a cleansing of the heart and soul… it’s a process that you can not do alone… It takes a Heavenly intervention of stripping layers from your life. And then stand naked, raw and vulnerable… before our Creator. 

Then together and one day at a time He will begin to put this NEW version of you back together again… Some call it born again…But it does not stop at the rebirth… there is so much more to learn… If you allow Him to guide you … You may find the real authentic, beautiful you… and it may surprise you… you may just fall in love with you! 

How does He do this??? He loves you so much that He never gives up hope … 

He has had a plan to rescue you since the beginning of time… He knows in His heart that His children are not perfect. Mistakes will be made…But He loves you the perfectly broken child… Because you are His. You will always be His!!! His creation. His work of art… You are precious to Him no matter where you are in this earthly life… 

You… just need to love Him with all your heart and soul. He is the key to finding the real you... You matter !! 

It’s You and your Creator.. you are in this together… for eternity!! 

He has written this in the stars long before you were even born!!! 

It's you… my beloved. You are here … and I am undone…

Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict Luke 21:14-15

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube)

Sara Bareilles feat. Jason Mraz - You Matter To Me

My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world. Billy Graham

Meaning of time travel: travel through time into the past or the future

We located two instances in the Bible where time travel is a possibility. 

Are there three Heavens? Or three Hells… As a child, we believe in the impossible... We trust with a pure heart. But as we grow I am afraid we lose that natural wonder of our imaginations.   

As I close my eyes... I began to drift off I find myself drifting into another world… 

The aesthetics are beyond our comprehension. But the real value is not in the beauty of what is seen but a way of life. 

It’s where peace abounds and love can be felt deep within… The colors are so bright and beautifully rich… there is no war, no hate, no vengeance.. no negative vibes… It's clean, no litter, no sickness, there is only one power, one great love, one protector and creator of all things… music fills the air with a soft melody…  It has an aura of natural wonder it like nothing we have ever experienced here in this human life. 

Is this just my imagination? Or does such a place exist? I have been told by a very trusted source it does…(Revelation 21:1-27)

What is the price of admission?  

•          Matthew 22:37-40

•          Matthew 18:3

•          Matthew 5:8

•          John 3:5

•          Mark 1:15

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 19:24 

I know in my heart that the requirements to the place known as paradise are attainable and available to every man, woman, and child there is no discrimination. 

However change is necessary.. but the rewards are endless... 

Start your journey of a lifetime today… Bring your soul in alinement with our Creator. 

Time Travel is inevitable. Your destination is in your control… 

This life is but a fleeting moment… 

I ask you who can measure eternity? 

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NIV

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube)

Relaxing Space Journey. Beautiful Calming Music. Music Tribute to "Passengers" 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1. 

Meaning of secret not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others.

We located 65 verses that point us to the word secret.

Hello, it’s you… 

Welcome to my secret place as many of you know it is reserved for a very special soul. I hold it so close to my heart… I guard it with my life… It is where I can come as I am, broken and bruised and He knows what to say to settle my mind and soothe my soul… 

And then there are times I just share the details of my life, my desires my hopes, and dreams. However, I have grown to love quiet times. When no words are spoken … Where He just holds me close..and teaches me about this wonderful love He so freely gives… 

It’s a place where I can hide from our broken world… It’s where clarity can be gained… It is where answers are heard in the stillness of my mind. And I can reflect on my actions. What was my motive?  Did I act with the purest of heart?  If not, I can confess and ask for forgiveness and as He pours out His amazing grace… 

It is where His beautiful love can overflow from His nonjudgmental heart to mine. 

I truly bear the deepest secrets that I have hidden with my soul… Many cleansing tears flow. There is such amazing freedom found in His presence.

There is no one that I trust so intimately.. only Elohim…. For His love is beyond my understanding. He loves without boundaries.. and touches my soul with such tenderness... 

l love my special place… it is always open no matter the time day or night… 

I am closing my eyes now.. and opening my heart and soul …find me there !!!! 

Shh… He is here…. My beloved. 

It’s where He molds us into who He wants me to be… We are but putty in His loving hands.

However, I have been taught that this secret place should not be a one-way street… I have learned to ask Him to let me be His secret place where I can love Him without the boundaries of this world. Where I can listen to His deepest desires.. and give Him refuge within my heart…from the unbelieving souls within our troubled world.

It’s him, It’s always Him 

Elohim you are my secret place...  My Heavenly Father, Jesus His beautiful Son.. and the forever caring Holy Spirit.. …  

He shares the right of passage to all who go to the secret place in their hearts and invite Him in. 

Trust Him ..  your life will never be the same.

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6 

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

he will lift me high upon a rock. Psalms 27:5

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube)

Feels Like Home: A Live Worship Experience

Thoughts from the journey of a spiritual child’s experience. Armed with little to no “religious” knowledge I had a Holy Spirit Encounter… And they have taken me on the most amazing journey of my life… I am still a work in progress… because I know He is not finished with me yet. 

God the Father, is our Creator, protector, our first love, and keeper of all things in our universe and beyond. He is Love...

Jesus is the human side of Him where He comes to us and relates to us on a human level. He is our savior, warrior, king, and lover of our soul. He is the greatest romance we could ever experience.

Holy Spirit is the spirit of God that has been gently placed in our hearts… He is the sage in our lives. He is our GPS. He is the hands-on teacher of life and love. He guides us towards home each and every day...

Home where the 3 are one in my heart, mind, and soul and where He awaits with open loving arms… 

The world was created by God as a beautiful paradise. But darkness has tried to choke out her beauty… Not all men have not taken care of this beautiful gift. I have discovered a remnant of followers that appreciate the wondrous gift of life on this broken planet.  We stand united with our Beloved Elohim as tears trickle down our faces as we watch our broken world suffer. 

We pray that when the doors of heaven open that all men will have learned the lessons they have set before us… To love without boundaries. To appreciate all things from the smallest to the monumental, And to never to take our Creator for granted. We should love Him above all else. Love Him with all of our hearts, soul, and mind. Treat others with kindness and let the love that they have placed in our hearts flow from our hearts so bright that it lights the path for others to find their way… 

Be the light in this broken world… Together we can make a difference…

Stand united with Him… 

It’s always Him… our sweet Elohim…

Did you know?

Elohim is plural … 

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.. 😍

And yes I am His child and YES He still WOWs me.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Art 

Pencil drawn 

Digitally painted

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube) 

Celtic Woman | Going Home

Triune Loves me / Podcast 

Seek Gods Face 

I ask, what is it that you desire of me? Why do pursue me with such relentless vigor? What can I possibly have that you desire so? I have nothing that is worthy of you. 

I can only give you my heart ... my love? 

Don’t keep me waiting to hear your answer? The anticipation is all-consuming.. all distracting ...  It fills me every waking moment. 

This all-consuming magnetic pull on my vulnerable soul.. is beyond my understanding. 

I wonder when I am in your presence will I have the courage to speak? Or will your majestic splendor render me speechless?

To hear more click on the link above 

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

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube) 

Phil Wickham - Face Of God (Official Audio)

My Escape has a name... I call Him Elohim...

Is your head spinning? Is your heart heavy... Is your soul crying in despair ?? 

There is a place to escape this troubled world … 

He says come and sit with me a while…. 

As we linger in His presence time will seem to stand still… and this broken world will fade… 

Your thoughts will be on Him and Him alone. 

You will feel peace and a love that surpasses all understanding. 

Escape. He is with us where ever we go .....❤🕊☮.

He is our Savior... this is my SOS prayer for you... 

SOS... Save our souls 

Be still my heart... It's Him. It's always Him... 

If I am missing... And you try to find me... chances are I am with Him... 

Lori has left the building... Escape... 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

#nofear #escape 

Art 

Pencil drawn 

Digitally painted

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull

inspiring Music by (youtube) 

Be Still - Hillsong Worship