Short trip to the park.
Leisurely stroll on the boardwalk.
Occasional photos that amounted to something.
Result? Here they are:
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Skateboard Animation
Harrison Eulett and his family went to Weedon Island with me. One thing Harrison wanted me to capture with my camera was this trick AND catch the stop action in the air. I think we both did a good job. Don't you?
(Click the photo to see the animation in action)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Without even firing a shot, the Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of our nation, which previously had stretched only from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River. President Thomas Jefferson hired Lewis and Clark to survey the new territory which had been bought. The Gateway Arch commemorates Jefferson’s vision of America’s expansion and the resultant three year adventure.
The Arch is an architectural miracle. Each half by itself makes for two weak links. However, touching at the top seals the strength required for stability and the endurance required for lasting beauty. This 630 foot monument stands magnificently in the sky, and should be a reminder that we who are weak receive needed strength when we reach out and touch Him who reigns above.
Another consideration is that each half by itself would have no support and collapse is inevitable. Marriages often fail because one partner forgets about teamwork.
The Arch is an architectural miracle. Each half by itself makes for two weak links. However, touching at the top seals the strength required for stability and the endurance required for lasting beauty. This 630 foot monument stands magnificently in the sky, and should be a reminder that we who are weak receive needed strength when we reach out and touch Him who reigns above.
Another consideration is that each half by itself would have no support and collapse is inevitable. Marriages often fail because one partner forgets about teamwork.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Little Grand Canyon of Georgia
Providence Canyon, located in western Georgia, is called the “Little Grand Canyon of Georgia”. Uniquely beautiful, the colorful landscape did not really come naturally. Poor farming practices in the 19th century largely contributed to the erosive factors that created these pits and gullies over such a short time frame. Settlers plowed up and down while planting their crops, instead of wisely making rows that should have gone across in tiers.
Considering this, it comes to mind that we often make terrible mistakes in life, errors that cannot be erased and are there for all to see.
We are encouraged, even commanded, in Scripture to confess our faults one to another with the purpose of healing wounded spirits, including our own. To cover up our faults would be akin to dumping truckload after truckload of loose soil into Providence Canyon, thus removing any beauty learned in the process.
God’s ways, however, allow us to obtain a humble spirit, and as time passes on we are enabled to become the source of beauty others may need. Though irretrievable errors may be made in life’s choices, hang onto the fact that hope will always be there, for God can still use us. No matter what!
Example? Simple observation. Look at the photo again.
Considering this, it comes to mind that we often make terrible mistakes in life, errors that cannot be erased and are there for all to see.
We are encouraged, even commanded, in Scripture to confess our faults one to another with the purpose of healing wounded spirits, including our own. To cover up our faults would be akin to dumping truckload after truckload of loose soil into Providence Canyon, thus removing any beauty learned in the process.
God’s ways, however, allow us to obtain a humble spirit, and as time passes on we are enabled to become the source of beauty others may need. Though irretrievable errors may be made in life’s choices, hang onto the fact that hope will always be there, for God can still use us. No matter what!
Example? Simple observation. Look at the photo again.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
David Encouraged Himself In The Lord His God
I'll be honest with you...sometimes it seems absolutely impossible to love the Lord when life offers sour lemons.
But, we don't have to stay in a mode of dissatisfaction. There is an escape, ...if we take it.
Neither you nor I know anyone living totally free of troubles. Their problems may not be visible to us, and they may deceivingly grin to hide it, but difficulties and challenges are most assuredly knocking on their doors at any given moment.
King David is known as "a man after God's own heart". Even before his sin with Bathsheba he had crossed numerous paths of danger and hardships. He succeeded in protecting his sheep from a lion and a bear. This much we know. What remains a mystery is how much effort and cunning it took to win those two battles. We are ignorant of other occasions in which he wrestled with enemies of his flock. It is even possible that some of the sheep were injured or killed before David prevailed. He may have even been injured. All we are aware of is what David tells us. He tells the good stuff.
David's choice of focusing on the blessings of life (revealed in many of the Psalms) are examples of what we should do when feeling defeated. When distraught with the onslaught of troubles...David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (I Samuel 30:1-6).
Yes, when going through fiery trials it is so easy to blame God. David could have done that. Anybody can do that! Many people have done it so often, never looking back to see what God was doing all along.
If David had blamed God he would have missed out on "Act 2, scene 3", where the hearts of the people of Judah and Israel turn to him and David becomes King. Because his focus was upon God, not self, he didn't miss out on that particular blessing!
What have we missed out on? Better yet, what will we miss out on if we continually fail to encourage ourselves in the Lord our God? Don't keep looking down in despair at the sour lemons. Instead, look up, then seek for fresh fruit and fresh perspectives that will enable you to be encouraged.
But, we don't have to stay in a mode of dissatisfaction. There is an escape, ...if we take it.
Neither you nor I know anyone living totally free of troubles. Their problems may not be visible to us, and they may deceivingly grin to hide it, but difficulties and challenges are most assuredly knocking on their doors at any given moment.
King David is known as "a man after God's own heart". Even before his sin with Bathsheba he had crossed numerous paths of danger and hardships. He succeeded in protecting his sheep from a lion and a bear. This much we know. What remains a mystery is how much effort and cunning it took to win those two battles. We are ignorant of other occasions in which he wrestled with enemies of his flock. It is even possible that some of the sheep were injured or killed before David prevailed. He may have even been injured. All we are aware of is what David tells us. He tells the good stuff.
David's choice of focusing on the blessings of life (revealed in many of the Psalms) are examples of what we should do when feeling defeated. When distraught with the onslaught of troubles...David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (I Samuel 30:1-6).
Yes, when going through fiery trials it is so easy to blame God. David could have done that. Anybody can do that! Many people have done it so often, never looking back to see what God was doing all along.
If David had blamed God he would have missed out on "Act 2, scene 3", where the hearts of the people of Judah and Israel turn to him and David becomes King. Because his focus was upon God, not self, he didn't miss out on that particular blessing!
What have we missed out on? Better yet, what will we miss out on if we continually fail to encourage ourselves in the Lord our God? Don't keep looking down in despair at the sour lemons. Instead, look up, then seek for fresh fruit and fresh perspectives that will enable you to be encouraged.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Osprey At Night
I miss seeing the special osprey that roosted in a tree in my front yard for several days. Perhaps I took too many pictures and the annoyance of my clicks "chased" it away. But I got some wonderful photos while taking time to do so. For that, I trust you will also enjoy the beauty I saw. That is the reason for these next few photos.
Notice the marking on the face, similar to a mask. This is all that was needed to know the difference between an osprey and an eagle. Taken at 9:00 pm on February 17th, you know it was very dark outside. But my Nikon P100 draws whatever light is available and utilizes it to make fantastic night shots. Love it!
Small moon, but still a great shot. A branch towers at an angle at the top of the moon.
Radiant moon directly behind the bird and the barren tree.
Ghostly appearance, wouldn't you say? It was pretty spooky when I was standing with my camera, clicking away, when all of a sudden the osprey must have been glaring down at me with two very, very red eyes. But I was a brave soul and continued doing what I love, capturing the beauty of the moment.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Bees, trees, and water fountains
Enjoyed snapping a few photos at lunchtime today. While much of the US of A is under snow, here in Florida blossoms have started to appear. Blossoms mean the world to bees. Today, bees and I shared the same domain. These few photos reveal some of their activity, while displaying some of what I was focusing on.
While on the way home from work I finally stopped to capture a water fountain at night time. I've been thinking about doing this for several weeks, and I am so glad I took the time. You'll probably agree with me. As you can see, I have every reason to be impressed with my Nikon P100. The camera was a wonderful gift from my wonderful wife in April of 2010.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Photos of Mission Trip to Natal, Brazil - August 2010
1. The Work
Day 1: Lots of dirt, not much more.
By the end of Day 1, big improvement!
Day 2: On the scaffold already.
Day 3: Rounded wall for the front of the church sanctuary.
Day 4: We keep hanging in there, and the work continues on!
Colleen Turner (right) gets to lay a brick
Day 5:
View from existing church balcony, indicating that much brick has been laid,
concrete poured, and shows the progress Starkey Road Baptist Church has made for
our sisters and brothers in Christ while working in Natal.
concrete poured, and shows the progress Starkey Road Baptist Church has made for
our sisters and brothers in Christ while working in Natal.
Colleen Turner was one of several hard workers.
This was truly a teamwork effort. Many hands made light work, for the purpose of shining the Light of Christ in this neighborhood as a testimony of our heartfelt interest in them for Him.
Taking a break from work to share the Gospel with curious children.
Other work activities:
Lots of flannelgraph Bible characters cut out ALL week long!
2. The Wonder
Though limited, we did have opportunity to relax by enjoying the scenery and delighting in different foods.
The Dune is a main tourist attraction in Natal, Brazil.
Dining, Brazilian style.
3. The Worship
Church service begins with a prayer that we did not understand, but we knew the heart
of the one who prayed and the God to whom that prayer was directed.
of the one who prayed and the God to whom that prayer was directed.
Our group gathers at the front for a photo.
Goodbyes and Gratitudes.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Kindness of Strangers
Photography is one way to capture memories. Another way is to write about it. That is what I attempt to do today.
The kindness of a stranger can be the brightest thing we'll ever see when things are bleak and dreary.
This happened to our young family in 1977. My wife, three year old daughter, and I had purchased two and a half acres of undeveloped land outside of Brooksville, Florida. We knew no one in town, and had hired a transfer company to haul our 14 x 70 mobile home from New Port Richey to our new property.
Problem.
Our acreage was 600 feet off the paved road and we wanted the front of the trailer to be nearest the dirt road. So, I suggested that the driver back our trailer down the path and advised where he ought to begin turning. He no sooner got the back tires of the semi-truck off the pavement and they began to spin and bury themselves. He disconnected the truck before the tires got too far down into the earth. Fortunately he had a farm tractor with his equipment. Hooking it to the trailer those giant wheels gave us opportunity to applaud the instantaneous progress! But as soon as the steering wheel was turned THOSE wheels began to dig away at the dirt. He unhooked the trailer from the tractor, told us he did everything he could do, and left us defenseless in a strange land. We felt absolutely deserted!
Picture this: a one lane dirt road, vacant lands on both sides, and a 14 x 70 mobile home stretching across both sides and beyond. We wondered if our new neighbors, whom we had never met, would be agitated, angry, or worse.
And we were broke, having no money to stay in a motel. The three of us stayed in that trailer for at least two nights with no electric, no water, and no hope. At night, we wondered if someone would drive into the trailer, shoot at it, or attack in some other way.
Again, we knew no one, but we drove to town trying to find answers for our questions about this involuntary dilemma we were in. If a farm tractor can't move that trailer from that sand pit, what would? And how much would that cost us?
Through a variety of folks it was finally advised that we contact an excavating business. Our hopes began to rise as the plan unfolded. After spending the last two days and nights in hopeless wonder we were grateful for anything that appeared to be positive reinforcement.
The kindness of a stranger can be the brightest thing we'll ever see when things are bleak and dreary.
This happened to our young family in 1977. My wife, three year old daughter, and I had purchased two and a half acres of undeveloped land outside of Brooksville, Florida. We knew no one in town, and had hired a transfer company to haul our 14 x 70 mobile home from New Port Richey to our new property.
Problem.
Our acreage was 600 feet off the paved road and we wanted the front of the trailer to be nearest the dirt road. So, I suggested that the driver back our trailer down the path and advised where he ought to begin turning. He no sooner got the back tires of the semi-truck off the pavement and they began to spin and bury themselves. He disconnected the truck before the tires got too far down into the earth. Fortunately he had a farm tractor with his equipment. Hooking it to the trailer those giant wheels gave us opportunity to applaud the instantaneous progress! But as soon as the steering wheel was turned THOSE wheels began to dig away at the dirt. He unhooked the trailer from the tractor, told us he did everything he could do, and left us defenseless in a strange land. We felt absolutely deserted!
Picture this: a one lane dirt road, vacant lands on both sides, and a 14 x 70 mobile home stretching across both sides and beyond. We wondered if our new neighbors, whom we had never met, would be agitated, angry, or worse.
And we were broke, having no money to stay in a motel. The three of us stayed in that trailer for at least two nights with no electric, no water, and no hope. At night, we wondered if someone would drive into the trailer, shoot at it, or attack in some other way.
Again, we knew no one, but we drove to town trying to find answers for our questions about this involuntary dilemma we were in. If a farm tractor can't move that trailer from that sand pit, what would? And how much would that cost us?
Through a variety of folks it was finally advised that we contact an excavating business. Our hopes began to rise as the plan unfolded. After spending the last two days and nights in hopeless wonder we were grateful for anything that appeared to be positive reinforcement.
The "tiny" Caterpillar was pulled on a trailer behind his pickup truck. He hooked the pickup to the front hitch of our trailer, then drove the Caterpillar to the rear of our trailer. Chains were connected to the axle, allowing the "Cat" to pull it. Long story short, it worked!
We had no idea what this "expensive" equipment would cost, and I suppose the owner was in a predicament regarding how much to charge the newcomers. His kindness has been remembered over the past thirty three years, because a meager fee of $50 was all the bill came to. Wow! Relief! Hope returned to our damaged hearts and we could see light again! All because of a stranger's kindness.
PS: Our neighbors ended up being wonderful folks, each of whom we loved dearly!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)