Blog

1 Corinthians 15:16-20

If corpses can't be raised, then Christ wasn't, because he was indeed dead. And if Christ weren't raised, then all you're doing is wandering about in the dark, as lost as ever. It's even worse for those who died hoping in Christ and resurrection, because they're already in their graves. If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries. - The Message

I ask this question:

Are we a Christian because we grew up Presbyterian... Baptist... Pentecostal... Roman Catholic... Methodist? Or, are we a Christian because we truly believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead?

I find the Apostle Paul to be the most amazing of the Bible Apostles. He virtually becomes the spearhead of the Holy Spirit to the world through his tenacity. He never walked with Jesus Christ in the flesh. But he became the biggest apologist for the gospel through a personal encounter after the resurrection. Peter was given a commission to spread the good news to the Gentiles, yet he stayed cooped up in Jerusalem. So, God found another to get the job done. Funny, but Christ chose the very one who was having the Christians killed to confound the ones who walked with Him while he was on the face of the earth. I guess it just proves that yesterdays reality can sit and spoil too. Paul had to come back some years later and set Peter and those in Jerusalem in their place for playing favorites.

So, do we (who confess to being believers) walk as though we are just passing through, or do we entangle ourselves in world affairs that can never be resolved until He finally comes and resolves them? Is He resurrected and "alive"... or is He just a good guy who showed up and preached some nice things? I would venture to say... the latter is not enough to call yourself a Christian. Christianity is not an inheritance!

God Bless! John 3:17



Couldn't help but throw this in for good measure. To you Justin!

I can't help but wonder why so many artists and photographers are in such constant "please help me with an idea" mode. They reach out to others like a ship relies on it's sales and anchors. No, I'm not speaking of a once in awhile thing. I'm talking every painting, every graphic, every photograph they are asking for creative guidance! If fortification is what is needed at every turn of the road, you are in the wrong business. In fact, that is best attained in a classroom atmosphere where constructive criticism is expected. A big part of finding yourself in this creative effort is inspiration from within. If you are not being moved to continue on and grow in this talent through an inner vision you are doomed for failure and destined to be constantly needing someone to pull you off the ropes. That's not fun!

I know, this is more of a rant than what I would usually be writing on this blog, but maybe it's because I'm on Internet overload.... or too much coffee and sugar. And perhaps it's just because I see supposed artists that have all of these major opinions about how life should be, who should rule our hearts, and who should rule the world... but then they cannot pick a subject for their next creation! Cyberspace is an interesting place! Too much... I gotta sit down and speculate what it's really all about! ;P (Where's my belly button?)

Wow... got that off my chest! I feel better now.

We can now go about moving around the cabin... God Bless!

Those clouds are angels’ robes. ~ Charles Kingsley

“Nature is a mutable cloud which is always and never the same.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed...It feels an impulsion...this is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons.”

-Richard Bach

"We shall find peace. We shall hear angels. We shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds." - Anton Chekhov

"There is nothing like a big sky to compare some of life's trivial matters to." - The Photographer

"Don’t forget: Beautiful sunsets need Cloudy Skies…" ~Paulo Coelho

God Bless!





Matthew 26:64

The Message (MSG)

Jesus was curt: "You yourself said it. And that's not all. Soon you'll see it for yourself:

The Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Mighty One,
Arriving on the clouds of heaven."

Yes, the illustration in the photo really hits home. Anyone can pick up a camera and start clicking away... but it is so much more! Especially in a day where technology makes even the most vacationist photos look good. The stakes are higher than ever, and the competition to get the right image is larger. And with folks struggling financially, art and photography is one option that has been turned to.

In all candor, there are just too many folks out there that do not understand the toil involved from beginning to end on a piece of artistic photography. From setting up the props to sitting in sub-zero temperatures, or getting up at 3 am to travel to the right spot for a sunrise, only to have bad weather blow the entire day! Looking at endless takes and editing... sometimes not finding one image that you feel is good enough to work with. The patronizing and the criticism... so much to get to the real truth.

I have a better understanding today. Buying the best equipment does not make you a photographer any more than picking a bushel full of apples makes you a farmer... Being technically sound does not mean that it will be purchased... as much as capturing the right moment in a sound way...

Develop your gift, cultivate your talent, use the tools afforded you to the best of your ability... and upgrade whenever possible!

Oh...and always respect the efforts of others....

God Bless!

Took a flight out of California and landed in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on Wednesday December 21st. The purpose was to share driving back to the coast with my 22 year old son, who was relocating. I didn't want him rushing across the states alone because I knew that he might get road weary... and, quite frankly, I didn't want a phone call from some authority telling me they had found his vehicle in some ditch! Plus it would be an opportunity to spend some time with him, something that I have not been able to do for the past four years.

I am glad that I went... but man did I learn a lesson about being on a mission... again. He was focused and intent on arriving in California as fast as possible. He did not want to miss the Christmas Holidays in "any" way. As for me, I knew that we would make it back in plenty of time as long as the weather held out. Highway 10 just winds itself right to my back yard... give or take 15 miles. I wanted to stop and smell the roses... at least a little. A road trip to me is an opportunity to record images and view changing terrain. Little did I know that my son is an aggressive driver that had the tendency to drive through driving (barely visible) Texas rainstorms in the fast lane, in the middle of the evening, 15 feet from the bumper of the semi in front of us, my hair standing on the back of my neck, while calmly encouraging me to get some shut-eye on his shift. SHUT-EYE? It was like trying to sleep on the ledge of a cliff! I was glad that nobody was applying their brakes ahead of us... and even more glad when I took the helm! That was the first night. The second night we hit a snow storm rolling through New Mexico... but I wasn't about ready to be caught in the passenger seat. Yes, I'm a control freak when it comes to who is doing the driving.

Along the way I did have the opportunity to stop in New Orleans on a foggy night, almost run out of gas in the middle of nowhere in Texas, catch a beautiful sunset in Texas, a morning sunrise in Arizona, and some highway shots... when my son would allow me to stop for a couple of moments. This is one I caught "On The Fly". Yeah, we made it home in one piece two days and 2150 miles later. I was just hoping to have at least 24 more hours of opportunity! There's lot's more to the story... but that's for another time. Just being with one of my best friends was plenty fine for me... despite his maniac tendencies! (Ha Ha) Definitely took after his mother---> on the driving side :)

God Bless! John 3:17



P.S. I'm thankful that my son loves music that adds to the soul instead of taking big chunks of it! One of his favorites:

Happy New Year to everyone who makes a stop to visit... and even to those who pass by! I'm certainly hoping that the misfortune that the nations and the people in them have faced in the "uncertainty of these times" will take another direction this year. And if circumstances do not change, I hope that our hearts and attitudes will somehow change for the better.

Better to be at peace from within rather than to rely on the unreliable for calm.

Here is the latest slide presentation of my first 10 pictures in the gallery. 5 have been released on January 1st, 2012. God Bless you all!

For many years I had been considered to be a square, conservative, type of person because of my personal Christian beliefs and more conservative leanings. Being pigeon-holed is never easy, and when I try something new it is not easy for others to believe that I have a taste for something a little more surreal. But being eclectic is fun, and as long as I am not hurting anyone by my enigmatic experimentation... I'm happy. In fact a great friend for 30 years just purchased a couple of my new pieces while also mentioning that he "never realized that I had this talent and desire in me".

2011 was a trying year, but a great year of personal growth in photography, and photographic digital manipulation. I'm pretty exhausted, but pleased with the progress and the fact that interest has picked up. I was just signed into a Limited Edition Agreement with a growing printing and marketing business. (more on that in another blog). I expect 2012 to be even more illuminating and look forward to a new launch in it. I'm making a new commitment to the original Pen and Ink Pointillism that really intrigued me from the outset. Also to re-visit my digital files to upgrade some of my previous releases.

With that said... it's siesta time. Time to reassess... time to take a look at the compass. Leave a message as to what you are looking to do that's different in 2012. Always interested in what is happening with my friends and peers.

Here's a newer black and white release! God Bless!

I learned a couple of days ago that I was going to be traveling from Florida to California... by car... for the Christmas Holiday. A check of the weather along our route shows that the possibility of a winter storm is substantial. As an adventurous sort, that seems alright to me. But, since we are pressed to make it back into California for the 25th dinner at my mother's home, I hope the sailing will be a little more calm than predicted.

2011 has been an odd year and it seems to be ending on the oddest of notes. Our family is doing non-traditional things for Christmas. The health of some has taken a dramatically different course, others will be in other states, and another year older seems more like 40 with some. One of my daughters told me the other day that she doesn't want to hear any more disrupting news for the year and is just wanting 2011 to go away! Yeah, Christmas is going to be a great challenge this go round... the end of the most difficult of years.

I didn't write this to garner any kind of sympathy. There are always silver linings to find, and obstacles for everyone to hurdle. Just read again about how the holidays are the grayest of times for people on the brink... not the gayest of times. That is my reason for this trip... to help someone in the grayest of times... and hopefully bring lots of cheer to an otherwise dreadful experience. A good friend of mine, a very successful lawyer who underwent a huge bout with depression, found a fulfillment in serving Christmas dinner meals to the homeless at a local food bank. Our church has a Christmas Tree full of peoples hopes written on paper ornaments that can be pulled and addressed by others. Yeah, it's that time of year to dig a little deeper... and in the meanwhile maybe some of my issues will be addressed too.

Acts 20:35

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” The Apostle Paul

Just praying that the weather holds... and perhaps I'll even catch a couple of really nice photographs. Silver lining... you know.

1 John 1:1-4

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your[a] joy may be full.

John, the instrument of this writing, was considered to be the closest to Christ, according to what some scholars and ministers have derived from their study of the scriptures. He was always part of Jesus inner circle and because of it I believe there was a point of view imparted to him that stands out from the others in his writings. He reasons with the reader about his authority,credibility, and humanity to write about Christ... letting us know that he is an expert witness. There is nothing about his approach to his testimony that would smack of some conspiracy to dismantle other religions, governments, civil discourse, etc. He just lays it out there in a God given peaceful, yet authoritative manner... knowing that those who will be listening are looking for the same thing... full joy in Christ. At the time that he wrote these words he is considered to be the last remaining of the original twelve disciples. He was so convinced, as he attests to, that legend has it that he had been boiled alive in oil by those who wanted him to recant his faith... but he survived! Then he penned these incredible words... Truly his wellspring of life must have come from the inside. It certainly didn't appear that he was living the good life vacationing on the island of exile... sipping ruby red wines and gobbling Mediterranean fruit. But he was drawing his life from a different source

St John 14:13-15

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,
but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw"

That woman realized that she was drawing from a temporary source. She was tired of constantly having to quench her thirst in temporary ways. Life was not settled for her and she was looking for answers... through many different men. This one was not looking for the same thing as the others... but he was offering something eternal...

St John 7:37-38

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

This living water... was it a doctrine? Was it an earning? Was it a brownie button?

Verse 39 tells us what it is ... Look it up.

God Bless!

"A painting in a museum hears more ridiculous opinions than anything else in the world."
Edmond de Goncourt

"All empty souls tend toward extreme opinions."
William Butler Yeats

"Any clod can have the facts; having opinions is an art."
Charles McCabe

"Art is a subject that is inundated with opinions. In fact, that's all it is about is opinions."
Chick Corea

"As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed."
James Madison

"Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots."
Victor Hugo

“We probably wouldn't worry about what people think of us if we could know how seldom they do.”
Olin Miller

“The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed, in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a wide-spread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible”
Bertrand Russell

“Make sure you have a different opinion and people will talk about you”
Arab Proverb

The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.
- Leonardo da Vinci

I Cut and Pasted this definition from dictionary.com:

1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.
3. the formal expression of a professional judgment: to ask for a second medical opinion.
4. Law . the formal statement by a judge or court of the reasoning and the principles of law used in reaching a decision of a case.
5. a judgment or estimate of a person or thing with respect to character, merit, etc.: to forfeit someone's good opinion.

I was just thinking about God's opinion of me. Well... based on the exercise of thought about opinions and definition above He must have thought a great deal about me since he laid down His life for me... according to the scripture. I don't think that I was worth it... but He does. And since God really doesn't need an opinion... because He already has "all" the facts... and a monopoly on truth... I think I'll get in line with His opinion of me... and of you. We are an obsession of His, and not a byline. That's why John 3:16... and 17 are the most popular quoted New Testament scriptures in the world...

John 3:16-17

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.