Lost?

Tip: When traveling, always look for the little details that help sum up your experiences.

One problem with big cities is parking - there are so many people and so little space that you cannot simply park in front of the business you wish to go into. The result? Pay-to-park lots and garages are scattered about the metropolitan area. 

On a recent trip, a friend and I had to use one such space. Little did we know, the lot we chose was part of a chain of parking areas, all baring the same title and scattered about the nearest several miles. Due to this and the fact that we somehow managed to pick the one lot that would not show up on the GPS or any web search, we ended up lost, roaming the streets of Seattle for two hours before we finally found the car. It was a relentless search, indeed!

If one can seek a car with such intensity, how much more determined should we be in our pursuit of knowing God? He is of far more value than our earthly transportation, yet, when we lose sight of Him, His words, and His will for our daily lives, would we spend a solid two hours searching non-stop to get reconnected? Tough as it may be, I promise you, it is worth it.

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

Amazing Providence

Tip: For smooth water falls, use a low ISO (100-200), 

a slow shutter speed (1/10-1/15), and a small aperture (F18-F22).

This photo is special for me. Not only because I finally was able to get this water effect right, but because I nearly didn't get to take the photo at all.

This past weekend a good friend and I took a trip out to the Seattle area. Nearly 40 minutes into the drive, it hit me: my camera had been left at the house. I had been waiting for seven years to get to make a trip to Western Washington with my DSLR, and now that I was finally on the road, half the reason I'd been dying to go was left sitting in the living room. I did the only thing I could do: convinced my friend to drive us back to get my camera; I was more than happy to cover the extra gas cost. On the way back, she realized something, too: she had forgotten the tickets to the comedy show we had planned to attend- the entire reason we had originally decided to take the trip! Had God not willed for me to forget the camera, we would have been greatly disappointed.

It all goes to show that sometimes the things we feel are our biggest mistakes at are really all part of God's master plan- a plan that ends in Him being glorified. The two of us were certainly praising Him as we turned the car around!

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:36)

Lesson From A House Painter

Tip: Pay attention to textures; when you find a particularly interesting one, 

play with angles for close-up images. 

I was talking to an acquaintance who makes his living from house painting. He loved his job, but said that in some respects it could have just the slightest hint of discouragement; he knows that every eight years or so the houses will need to be repainted. "We either have to keep up a steady repair," he said, "or things will deteriorate." Right he is - and in more areas than just our homes!

Have you ever experienced spiritual deterioration? It begins with the feeling that you don't have enough time to study the Bible. Over time, you put it off a little here and there, and before long, you find yourself completely out of touch with God's word. When this goes on, over time what good intentions you had of eventually getting back into it will fade and you'll be left without a desire to study and know what God has said at all. It is truly a tragedy.

Are you in a slump right now? Don't wait in hopes of the problem fixing itself! Just like a house or anything else, your spiritual life needs constant attention or it will fall into decay. As God said to Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8). A successful spiritual life is one that knows God and his revealed word as best as possible. May your desire for him ever increase.

False Alarm.

Tip: Set up object shots on a plain, neutral color background to make your subject pop.

Do you believe that God is in control? I know anyone who considers themselves a Christian would jump to say yes, but stop for a moment. Think about it. Are you part of the masses that are freaking out about this upcoming election?

Not only that, but do you, like many others, complain about and badmouth our current leadership? Do you make snide remarks and call them bad names? Sure, they don't uphold your ideals, but that does not justify blatant disrespect- whether they are in the room to hear it or not.

Luke 6:45 says, "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."

So, the question now is, what does your speech indicate about what's going on in your heart these days? We must continually stop and consider this question. Alongside that, take heart and know that those in office are not a mistake. God has said so Himself:

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." (Romans 13:1-2)