recent ponderings...

The whole discipline of life is to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ. We recieve His blessings and know His Word, but do we know Him?

Fruit bearing is always mentioned as the manifestation of an intimate union with Jesus Christ.

The saint who is intimate with Jesus will never leave impressions of himself, but only the impression that Jesus is having unhindered way, because the last abyss of his nature has been satisfied by Jesus. The only impression left by such a life is that of the strong calm sanity that our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him.

Oswald Chambers

: random-ness :

John 16:14

God will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you...

-JESUS

God is wanting to reveal Himself to a watching world. He does not call you to get involved just so people can see what you can do. He calls you to an assignment that you cannot do without Him. The assignment will have God-sized dimensions.

-Henry T. Blackaby

Lunar Eclipse

Did anybody else see the earth cast its shadow on the moon last night?! Our family had a service, and afterwards I didn't have time to grab a tripod or anything, but I did capture this picture...

ISO 400 - f 5.6 - 1/320 - 300mm

Random cuteness

Introducing

Photography has been such a joy for me. To capture the exuberant grin of a child, the delicate details of a violet, the radiance of a bride, the glory in a sunset, the precious softness of a newborn; whatever it is -- what a joy it is to catch in still life the different facets of the glory of God's creation.

To me, that has been the highest aim of my photography. And not only my photography, but my whole life: that of glorifying the One who redeemed me and claimed for His own, Christ Jesus my Lord.



Thus I begin this new undertaking.

Whether you are a mom with children and just want to capture those precious 'little tot' moments, or you are an older sibling endeavoring to do the same...or maybe you want to be a professional -- and it is hard not to covet all of the latest equipment!! Whatever the desire or interest you have, there is beauty in life to be captured. It isn't equipment that counts. It isn't tons of money invested. Rather it is a love for life, and wanting to capture it the way you see it. To share one of my favorite quotes:

"Photography is not about cameras, gadgets and gismos.
Photography is about photographs.
A camera didn't make a great picture anymore than a typewriter wrote a great novel."

-Peter Adams

As I mentioned earlier, there has been an increasing amount of questions coming my way concerning photography.

What equipment do you use? What are some rules for framing subjects? What are your favorite resources? What courses have you taken? How do you edit/store our photos? What do you use for backdrops?

Not only will I be using "Fhoto Friday" as a way to share simple tips that I have learned, but I will also be using it as an opportunity to answer your questions...hopefully. Due to our family schedule, I'm not sure how often it will make an appearance, but I hope it is packed full of things that will enable you to capture the precious moments around you.

To the other photographers who far surpass me in skill and knowledge and yet read this blog -- be patient and forgiving with what I overlook or the simple nature of subjects I seem to cover. I would also welcome guest posts from you if you have time or tips to share. It seems that the more I learn, the more I realize how much more there is to learn! So your input would be greatly appreciated!

I do want to give special thanks to Ryan, who designed and put together the headline for "Fhoto Friday" for me. THANK YOU, Ryan!

And now after months of pondering this, (and the past month having it all ready to go -- just kept forgetting when Friday's came around!!) I am welcoming any further questions, ideas, input, or topics you would like to see covered as I begin this new venture. Flood the comment box, or drop me an e-mail -- I'd love to hear your feedback!

Happy Valentines Day!

Especially for the single young lady readers...

You're waiting for the day to be swept off your feet,

Dreaming of the blessed hour, when two hearts will meet.

It's easy to get caught up, lost in wishful thinking,

But a dream is just a dream until it becomes reality.

Let thine eye be single; guard your heart faithfully,

I know what is best, trust and abide in Me.

'Cause true love only comes from truly knowing Me.

I have a perfect plan - My child, wait paitently.

You are a king's princess, though maybe still a child,

With love I give these words:

Dream of Me and wait awhile.

-Jaclynn Robinson

Splashes of color in my day

:: smiles ::

:: flowers ::

:: notes from home ::

:: fresh cookies from Grandma ::

:: clean laundry ::

Giving thanks

A state of mind that sees God in everything is evidence

of growth in grace and a thankful heart.

Charles Finney

"I will magnify Him with thanksgiving."
Psalms 69:30

Driving lessons

"I wanna' know how to do that!"

"First you must start your engine..."

Give her a push.....

...and she's off!

Watch out, world!

More love to Thee

You cannot prove to yourself that you love God by examining your feelings toward Him. They are indefinite and they fluctuate. But just as far as you obey Him, just so far, depend on it -- you love Him.

Why do you try to do what you think will please Him? Because it is easy? Because you like to do what He likes rather than what you like yourself? It is not natural to us sinful, ungrateful human beings to prefer His pleasure to our own, or to follow His way instead of our own way, and nothing, nothing but love to Him can or does make us obedient to Him.

-from Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

Philippians 1:27

"Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ..."

Character in the saint means the disposition

of Jesus Christ persistenly manifested.

A. W. Tozer