Monthly Archives: October 2012

11 years, 5 months ago 2

Yesterday we started a good conversation on how to witness.  This mornings lesson in the In Touch Daily Devotional  from Dr. Charles Stanley was an an amazing reminder that when we are in tune with His spirit we will reach out with His word!!!  It was such a confirmation thatg we asrte on the  right track.  Here is today’s scripturte and devotional;

 

John 16:7-11   New Living Translation (NLT)

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

 

Jesus assured His disciples that it was to their advantage that He go away so that the Helper could come (John 16:7)–God sends Him to convict people of their sin. Since the Holy Spirit is unlimited by time or space, He can reach out to every individual on the planet. However, His work differs with regard to believers and unbelievers.

 

With regard to unbelievers, God’s Spirit penetrates the heart and brings awareness of wrongdoing. He reveals that according to God’s holy standard, they have sinned and stand condemned by their transgression. Unbelief is the greatest sin against God, so every prick of the heart is meant to point out their need for the Savior.

 

As for believers, the Holy Spirit deals with them on the basis of their relationship with Jesus Christ and convicts us of disobedience to Him. In other words, He makes us aware of specific sins and the Lord’s attitude about them. But He also prompts us to be accountable before Christ for our wrongdoing by confessing it and repenting.

 

 

Convicting believers of sin is an important part of the Holy Spirit’s job, but He is equally delighted to make them aware of the Lord’s approval. God commends righteous living, obedient actions, and loving acts done in His name.

 

While conviction is often uncomfortable for unbelievers and believers alike, it’s a beautiful demonstration of God’s love. He desires to bring us into the center of His will and keep us there for our good and His glory. The Holy Spirit’s work makes that possible, if we choose to follow His promptings.

 

While it is never comfortable to be under conviction, it is a vital part of our walk to seek conviction.  It is the critical link that keeps us on our knees, and in His will!

 

Be blessed,

 

the pilgrim

 

* Today’s image is from our dear friend Raymond Jabola, one of the best shooters I know!  Raymond is recovering from some surgery and I would ask everyone to pray for a speedy and full recovery!  We miss you Raymond, won’t be the same out west without you!!

 

11 years, 5 months ago 16

You’ve heard the old saw many times, Don’t rock the boat!!  When it comes to sharing our faith, it doesn’t apply!  I’m not suggesting that sharing our witness should agitate people, far from it, I’m saying that when you share something as profound as your experience with Jesus Christ, some people are going to be taken back.  Our goal should be to love others the way Christ loved them, and in that love, they will want to know more about the Man that sacrificed everything for them!

 

Last year when I worked the Masters Golf Tournament, upon leaving for the day each afternoon I saw a group of committed Christians attempting to witness, I’m afraid it was not effective on 99.9% of those they had hoped to reach.  Standing on a box a man held a large sign that said REPENT! While the message was true, and the scripture to back it up is certainly something the world needs, the approach was harsh.  Is it harsh to call mankind sinners?  No, it’s truth, but it seldom makes someone want to throw down their sin, repent, and ask God for forgiveness.  I’m sure someone has been saved by such a stark dose of reality, but I believe that what the world is looking for is evidence that being a Christian really does mean we are truly different. That we are not judgmental, but offering a love that goes beyond what the world offers!  Showing kindness, forgiveness, compassion, concern, and care speaks much more deeply to someone that calling them out for their sin.  Let’s not white wash the human condition, it’s clear, God has proclaimed t hat we are all sinners, everyone of us, we have “all” fallen way short of what God had planned for  us.

 

So if we are all sinners what hope do we have?  Only one, Jesus Christ!  Our heavenly Father saw the wickedness of man and made the ultimate sacrifice so that we might be forgiven and made holy.  He allowed His only Son to die for us!  Does that make me want to stand on the corner with a sign that says REPENT?  It does, but I know a sign that says GOD LOVES YOU has a better chance of making someone consider how great a promise that is!  Repentence and redemption always follows the recognition of how far we are from God, let’s start by bringing others closer to Him, and then guide them to take the neccesary steps to accept His magnificant gift of forgiveness and eternal life!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

11 years, 5 months ago 5

Well, it’s only a week now, actually less than!!!!  I got back in Saturday night and it’s been nonstop un-packing and re-packing.  I am reall;y pumped to join our friends in Monument V, Saturday night, I’m really on the run, will blog longer tomorrow, please do me a big, big favor??!!  Please pray for everyone’s safety, and that we will provide them a great week!

 

Bless, you, I’ll do better tomorrow I promise!!!

 

the pilgrim

11 years, 5 months ago 4

I am a very big proponent of using a cable release!  If you want really sharp images a good solid tripod and head and a remote release are crucial.  A wireless remote is even better because their is no chance of shaking the camera even from the cord on the remote.  Many Nikon camera going back to the D70 and D70s and all the way forward to the just released D600 use the wonderful little ML-L3 remote which sales for around $29., but can often be found on Amazon from some dealers for as little as $15.  While in Walmart the other night, I saw a similar remote form Targas for $9.95.  It stated on  the package that it worked with all the same Nikon cameras as the ML-L3.  I bought several to test, and sure enough they worked just the same with my D7000 and D600.  From ten feet away they both work fine and of course closer, but beyond ten feet the Targus will not fire the camera, but the ML-L3 continues to work all the way out to 30 feet, or at least that was as far as I could get away form the camera in my hotel room!!  I like the Targus because of it’s size, not as hard to loose! and price, but both work great, but give the edge on range to the official Nikon ML-L3!

 

My favorite wired remote is a lot harder to find but worth the effort.  is the Nikon MC-25 ten pin remote short cord, with a MR-3 remote release button attached.  MC-25 Cords can still be purchased through most Nikon dealers, the MR-3 is long discontinued, but can sometimes be found in a lonely drawer at a big camera dealer!  This arrangement is sturdy and not so very long that you tangle over you own cords!!!  I use it all the time on the D800, D700, D3s and D4.  I sure wish those cameras had included and receiver port for the little ML-L3!!

 

 

Lots of third party remotes exist out there, but just test first before attaching anything to your Nikon that does not say Nikon on it!!!  It’s always safer, and best to use your manufacturers official accessories!

 

Happy remote shooting,

 

the pilgrim

 

Late Breaking News:  Nikon announced a few days ago a great new lens for landscape and travel shooters.  The new 70-200 AF-S VR f 4 IF-ED lens is smaller and lighter than the f 2.8 II version. The big news is that it focuses a full foot closer, so with diopters this lens could be a great field lens. I hope to have one up in November, and will give you guys a full update.  This is a top notch pro lens that includes fast focusing, Nano Crystal Coatings, and a new version of VR that is supposed to give 5 stops of range!  See it below: