Reflecting………

Over the last few days I’ve received a half dozen emails from people that attended the New England Tour.  Almost all of them have expressed the same points; they had a great time, learned a lot, made some wonderful images, but most of all were blessed spiritually.  As Col. Hannibal Smith of the A Team used to say, “I love when a  plan comes together….”  My desire for His Light Workshops was that people would come to find great fellowship, great teaching, wonderful locations, and most of all,  to be guided into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ,  and their fellow photographers.  As I expressed in yesterday’s blog entry, one of the greatest joys for me as a workshop leader has been the great fellowship with my co-conspirators in these tours and workshops.   With the divine intervention of God, the plan has truly come together!

A few years ago, as I started to think about retiring some day, I wondered what I would do when I could set my own schedule.  I didn’t want to go sit on the porch and read a good book, though short stints of that seems like a pretty good idea, no I wanted to stay active.   But active at what? Well, I’ve been a photographer my whole life and I am more excited about it than ever, so I certainly wanted to continue to do that.  More importantly, in the last dozens years I’ve been drawn closer than ever to my Saviour.  I’ve experienced an intense urging from God to serve Him more faithfully, to follow His lead with more discipline.  I’ve been called to Obedience.  In the time that I have dedicated myself to rely on His strength, to answer His call, and  I’ve had the greatest peace and joy of my entire life.  I have been more blessed than I ever thought imaginable!   The wonderful people that have come into my life have brought me great strength and companionship.

I’m often asked by people that have wandered onto the Pilgrim’s Chronicles, “How do you live like a Christian and find this joy!!??”  My answer is simple;

1.  Know that God is real, that He knows  you intimately and loves you more deeply than you could ever understand.

2.  Know that He loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to pay the price of your sins.  Because of this ultimate act of love you can now be free from any penalty by accepting His free gift of forgiveness.

3.  Once you have accepted forgiveness, you can live a life free of guilt and condemnation, and you can enjoy the indescribable benefits of being a child of God.   Peace, Joy, Forgiveness, Grace, Comfort, and Fellowship.

4.  Having received such a rich inheritance, you can now love others with Christ’s love and lead them to the same wonderful life you’ve found  in Him!

Why would someone step out into the public light and share this kind of information?  I there risk in being so open?  Regardless of any risk I cannot hide the Light of the World under a basket.  This is the Good News of Jesus Christ, and it cannot be hidden from view.  His light streaks through all efforts to hide it!  I not only would not try to keep it to myself, I couldn’t.  How great is my love for Jesus?  He took away all that was terrible about me, and replaced it with His Love, and Grace, I would never go back to the life I knew before.  For the rest of the time He gives me here on earth, I will try to love others with His love, and  urge them to come to know Him and accept Him!  Is their a risk?  Yes, I would be eternally ashamed of myself if I failed to share His Good News………

the pilgrim