Category : Pilgrim’s Chronicles

 

 

I have been increasingly concerned, worried and fearful about what might befall America if we continue on the path we are on today.  Our nation is severely divided on politics, race, and faith.  God has blessed America and I believe He wants to continue to bless our nation, but real change must come, and not in our politics, but in our hearts.  We must replace hate with love, and strife with peace, and we can’t do that alone.  I ask you that starting this weekend that my readers would share this with everyone they know that is a believer and I ask that we start to pray fervently for God’s intervention in the trouble our nations faces.

 

I have been very stressed about preparing for the possible, and I’m afraid very likely, difficult times we could face as a nation and as a people.  I called my dear brother Dr. Charles Stanley this morning to share my concerns, and as always, He had a wonderful word for me.  He believes it is not to late for our nation to turn back to God and honor Him and He will honor our nation.

 

He gave me the scripture to read, and absorb into my spirit, I hope it brings you as much comfort as it has me!  God is in control, we need to be on our knees before Him!

 

 

Psalm 62    New Living Translation (NLT)

 

For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David.

 

¹ I wait quietly before God,
for my victory comes from him.
² He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will never be shaken.

 

³ So many enemies against one man—
all of them trying to kill me.
To them I’m just a broken-down wall
or a tottering fence.
⁴ They plan to topple me from my high position.
They delight in telling lies about me.
They praise me to my face
but curse me in their hearts. Interlude

 

⁵ Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
⁷ My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
⁸ O my people, trust in him at all times.  Pour out your heart to him,

for God is our refuge. Interlude

 

⁹ Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind,
and the powerful are not what they appear to be.
If you weigh them on the scales,
together they are lighter than a breath of air.

 

¹⁰ Don’t make your living by extortion
or put your hope in stealing.
And if your wealth increases,
don’t make it the center of your life.

 

¹¹ God has spoken plainly,

and I have heard it many times:

Power, O God, belongs to you;
¹²     unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.
Surely you repay all people
according to what they have done.

 

This is the most serious issue I’ve ever brought before you, please join me in asking God to save our nation!

 

Be blessed in your pursuit of Him,

 

the pilgrim

 

Finally, I can talk about it!!!!  For the last two months I have been shooting the new Fuji X-T2.  Today I can tell you all about it.  Now, there are tons of article coming-out that review all the features and and changes so i won’t hash all that out again.  What you want to know is should I buy one?  The answer is YES!  However there is more to it than that, so let’s get started!

 

Is it better than the X-T1?   Absolutely.  It inherits all the great advancements that came out in the X PRO 2.  With a 24.3 mega pixel sensor, a much faster processor, greatly improved viewfinder and LCD, better attention to the buttons and dials, and the deal breaker, the new focusing joystick it is a must upgrade from the X-T1.  Now a little love for the X-T1!  It is still great camera and I would not throw mine away, (o.k. I had three and I sold two)!  I plan to keep one around since I still love it and will find a good use for it!  But yes, Virginia, the X-T2 is everything you hoped it would be and more!

 

Is it better than the X PRO 2?  No, it’s just different.  It is better suited for those that enjoy a SLR type camera even though it is not an SLR, it handles and operates for those that are more comfortable  with that style camera.  The X-T2 has a better LCD, it tilts both horizontally and vertically!  It has 4K video!  The electronic viewfinder has faster refresh rate, almost twice was fast, and it is much brighter, and has more magnification all great things!  It is smaller than the X PRO 2, which is good or bad depending on which you prefer.  It has a much faster frame rate, with the battery compartment it will do a blazing 11 frames per second!!!  The battery compartment is also much improved, fits tighter, and has it’s own shutter release and joystick, much needed!  If you love rangefinder type cameras, the  X PRO 2 is still your cup of tea!

 

What am I going to do?   I am going to buy one!  Then I’m going to shoot it along side my X PRO 2 and decide which one will get a sibling!  Don’t I already know??? Actually the camera we had the opportunity to shoot early did not have the final firmware so they were less than ready for prime time.  This is normal, but I still will have to shoot a full blown production camera with the final firmware to know some of the things I need to see.  I know this much for sure, it is a very worthy successor to the wonderful X-T1.  I’m sure I will end up with a pair of them, and the X PRO 2 will be my other camera, but since I promised you I would always shoot straight with you, so I will tell you more after I’ve shot the production camera for a while.  All indictions are it is going to be the one you will want.  Dang Fuji, wish they hadn’t made the X Pro 2 so fabulous, both have there charms!!!!  Stay tuned on this soap opera!

 

What about Image Quality?  My estimation is it’s fabulous, all I could have hoped for!  But I will let you decide, these are images made over the last few months with the X-T2.

 

 

 

 

 

While this image below was not shot with the X-T2 it was shot with the X PRO 2 in Acros monochrome mode which is also in the X-T2 and is the greatest break through in forever for monochrome shooters, it’s simply wonderful!

 

 

 

So, to wrap it all up; The Fuji X-T2 is a fabulous edition to the Fuji X System!  It will be an even bigger hit than the X-T1 was and with good reason, Fuji did what they do best, they listened to the customer and made virtually every change we asked for and added some on top of that!  I guess I will be buying a pair of them!!!

 

Check out Jack Graham’s excellent review as well, on our Fuji Workshop Site:

 https://fujiphotoworkshops.com/2016/07/07/fujifilm-x-t2-first-impressions/

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

* Disclaimer;  I want to share something sent to me via the internet (in blue below).  I did not write it, but I don’t disagree with it, either.  I am a Patriot, a Christian, I love my country.  I believe we should live by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, since it is the 4th of July weekend I think this is appropriate subject matter for today.  Who you support in the upcoming presidential election is up to you, and none of my business.  Since this is a personal blog and people are free to read it or never come here again,  I feel fine in sharing thoughts I think are important.  Let me tell you why I will not, nor would ever support a Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid.

 

I cannot vote for a President that I believe to be deeply dishonest, disingenuous, that lies, steals, and makes deals with powers that are directly in conflict with the United States.   Seriously?

 

I cannot vote for a candidate that does not believe in the rule of law.  Read Clinton Cash.  Consider that she is currently under CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION by the FBI!  Consider one of the counts being investigated is CRIMINAL ESPIONAGE.  Seriously?

 

I cannot vote for a candidate that has said, “Under our laws a fetus is not a person up to the very moment before birth.”  Seriously?

 

I cannot vote for a candidate that believes the Obama Immigration policy has worked for the good of America and plans to increase the worst parts of it if elected.   Seriously?

 

If any person in our society deserves our respect and honor it is our military and law enforcement people.  Hillary has shown a severe disdain and disrespect for both.  Imagine that you’re a secret service agent and you have vowed to take bullet to protect her and you pass her in the White House hallway and say good morning, and her response is “go F— yourself”   This is the worst form of a lack of respect and appreciation for those that are there to protect you!   Seriously?

 

So it is a tough political season but this may help you understand why I why I am a TRUMP SUPPORTER.

 

 

WHAT ARE MY  CHOICES?

The folks speaking out  against Trump are helping me make up my mind a little more every  day!

Is he the Perfect  Candidate whose thoughts mirrors mine on all fronts?   NOPE

Does he say everything the  way I wish he would say it?  NOPE

 

 

Am I absolutely sure that  his motives are absolutely Pure?  NOPE

Can I point to any other  Dem Politician that I like better?  NOPE

Is there any of the  other RINO Politicians I like better?   NOPE

Am I going to sit home,  refuse to Vote, and let Hillary win; because he is NOT  Perfect?  NOPE

Do I like what I have seen  for the last 7-1/2 years with the Jerk that sleeps in my White  House?  NOPE

Do I like the “fundamental  changes” that same Jerk has brought about in MY America?   NOPE

OK, your turn to decide  what you are going to do in about 4 months!

 

 

Trump’s presidential  qualifications…

 

 

Obama is against  Trump… Check

 

The Media are against Trump…  Check

 

The establishment Democrats are against Trump…  Check

 

The establishment Republicans are against Trump…  Check

 

The Pope is against Trump… Check

 

The UN is  against Trump… Check

 

The EU is against Trump…  Check

 

China is against Trump… Check

 

Mexico is  against Trump… Check

 

Soros is against Trump…  Check

 

Black Lives Matter is against Trump…  Check

 

Move On is against Trump… Check

 

Koch  Brothers are against Trump… Check

 

Planned Parenthood is against  Trump….Check

 

Hillary & Bernie are both against  Trump … Check

 

Illegal aliens are against Trump …  Check

 

Islam is against Trump … Check

 

Kasich is  against Trump … Check

 

Hateful, racist, violent Liberals  are against Trump.. Check

 

NOW THAT BEING  SAID…

 

It seems to me, Trump MUST BE the  Best Qualified Candidate we could ever have.

 

If you have  so many political insiders and left wing NUT CASES— all SCARED  TO DEATH, that they all speak out against him at the same  time!

 

Most of all, it will be  the People’s  Choice…

 

PLUS

 

He’s not a Lifetime  Politician…Check

 

He’s not a  Lawyer…..Check

 

He’s not doing it for the  money…Check

 

He’s a Natural Born American Citizen born  in the USA from American parents. . .

 

Bonus points  !

 

Whoopi says she will leave the country…

 

Rosie  says she will leave the country…

 

Sharpton says he will  leave the country…

 

Cher says she will leave the  country…

 

Cyrus says she will leave the  country…

 

The Constitution and the Bill of Rights will  prevail….

 

Hillary will go to  jail…..

 

The budget will be balanced in 8  years….

 

Americans will have first choice at  jobs…..

 

You will not be able to marry your  pet….

 

You will be able to keep your gun(s) if you  qualify…
(Not a criminal or crazy, etc.) & being a member of the NRA will not be considered a criminal act! 

Only  living, registered U.S. citizens can vote….

 

MUST SHOW  ID TO VOTE…

 

 

You can  have and keep your own  doctor…..

 

You can say  whatever you want without being called a racist, Islamophobic,  xenophobic,  etc….

He will make  AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

 

Come  to think of it, we have no place to go, but  UP!…

 

REMEMBER IN  NOVEMBER!!!!!!!

Pass  it on and God Bless America!!

 

Have a great 4th of July weekend and if you deeply disagree with what I’ve shared, please keep it to yourself, It will keep both yours and my blood pressure under control!

 

Blessigns,

 

the pilgrim

 

O.K.   If it is killing you to respond,  here are my ground rules;  If you want to counter this and want to list things bad things about Trump, you must list one significant accomplishment of Hillary’s in her public life for every negative listed for Trump.  That should keep the negatives down!

 

 

The Nashville Event with Ricky Skaggs, Joe McNally and myself has been SOLD OUT for months, but a spot opened today with a cancellation, move fast if  you want to join us!   Contact me at: billfortney@earthlink.net    First email get the spot!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim