Today’s life lesson is simple to understand, but hard to do, in fact in our own strength, it’s impossible, but with God all things are possible!

 

2.  Obey God and leave all consequences to Him.

 

I have shared with you over the past months that my church has been undergoing a mighty spiritual attack. Some members, a very few, have taken it on themselves to make major changes and with the power of their financial hold on the church they have succeeded in getting rid of a number of staff members.  The church is in turmoil.  I know the culprit, it’s Satan, and he is using these members to sow seeds of conflict.  I learned the other day that even though they got their way, and pressured our pastor into leaving, that wasn’t enough. One of the people causing all the trouble sent a letter to the church where our pastor is going, accusing him with all kinds of false accusations.  It wasn’t enough that they ran off a pastor than 99% of the congregation wanted to stay, they had to follow him to his next appointment and try to hurt him further!!!!

 

I was very, very angry and had decided it was time to strap on my guns and ride into town, (figuratively), and face down the bad guys!  Then Number 2. struck me!!!  My position is to be obedient to God and leave the circumstances to Him.  I searched the scripture and could not find a reference that said, “When some of God’s people act in union with the enemy, it is your job to go and attack and defeat them.”  On the cross, Jesus said, “Father forgive them for they no not what they do.”

 

That’s hard to do, but if it’s God’s will, it is the only course of action that will bring His results!  God has a plan, and He is far more capable of handling this than I am.

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

Today I finished the scouting for the Bio Communications workshop that starts Saturday morning.  Tomorrow I speak to the group at 10:30 a.m.  When you hit your knees remember me! I am never nervous about speaking, but I love these folks and I really want to do a good job for them!  On the way driving around the loop road today I listened to Contemporary Christian music on the rental SUV’s XM radio.  Two song really grabbed my attention and I’m using one for my ending slide show in the morning, a wonderful song by Jaci Valasquez entitled, Imagine Me Without You.  It is a wonderful worship song and I hope to make a strong statement with it!  As i walked virtually alone through the Acadia Gardens I experienced such peace and joy and did some worshiping myself, if you don’t mind my saying so, I think my take today shows some of that peace!

 

I hope you enjoy them, by-the-way you can get that song on iTunes, I think it will bless you!

 

Top shot with 55mm Micro Nikkor, Directly above 105mm Micro Nikkor, below 105mm Micro Nikkor.

 

 

The last two are with the 55mm Micro Nikkor.

 

Be blessed,

 

the pilgrim

 

On a recent trip to Dr. Stanley’s office to review his upcoming book, “I Love To Tell the Story”, I saw a framed print on the wall that listed; Life Principles To Live By.  I asked if they had a copy and they presented me with a nice book marker listing them all.  I want to go over each one in coming posts, so this morning please allow me to start with number one.

 

1.  Out intimacy with God – His highest priority for our lives – determines the impact of our lives.

 

In layman’s terms, the closer we are to our Heavenly Father, the more we will know His will and please Him with our fellowship, and the result will be the impact our lives make on others will be the most effective it could possibly be.  God loves us with such a profound and deep love, that all He could ever desire for us, is what is best.  He loves others the same and His concern for them leads Him to desire for us to take part in His plan of redemption for others.  Everything you do and say makes a statement about what you desire the most.  The more closely you walk with Him the more your desire, will be His desire, the return of the lost to Him.  If that were not enough, this walk with Him carries an additional wonderful benefit; peace and joy.  If you were to list all the attributes you would like to have in life, I doubt, after very careful consideration, that there are two that will do more for you, personally.

 

Peace is the knowledge that the still small voice in your heart is God, and that He is always with you, always loving you, and always watching over you.  No enemy can touch with out His permission, and He only allows that so that we might grow stronger and pull closer to Him.

 

Joy is the incredible state of well being, and happiness, that is not dependent on circumstances.  When things are going well, we all feel good about our lives.  In difficult times of trial and loss, we can still feel secure and loved, through His Joy and His Peace!

 

I send out His love, Joy, and Peace, to you today!

 

the pilgrim

 

Photo Note:  D800, 55 mm Micro Nikkor, hand held.

 

Life without God is like processing without Glamour Glow or Nik Silver Efex 2.0!  See below!

Enough said!

Day two was a lot smoother than day one, big surprise!  The light as better, well actually not as good, but brighter. Today, I made myself slow down and remember all the things I’ve been telling you guys, and it paid off!  Wow, I’m smarter than I thought or look!  So by working very diligently with live view to aid in focusing and being very careful with movement, (tripod, cable release, and mirror lock-up).  I didn’t get fearful about f 22, or even f32, and the results held up very well. The color from these lenses, is very sweet and pure.  I’m falling in love all over again with these classic Nikkors.  I knew from years of experience that the Micro Nikkors were just outrageously sharp, and that the 80-200 f 4.5  is one very sharp zoom.  The real surprise was to be reminded of just how wonderful the 24mm is.  O.K. sorry about that, I was starting to sound like a Nikon tech rep!!

 

The test continues tomorrow, but I’m getting really excited about shooting some more stuff and finished the scouting for the Bio Communication workshop!  I will try very hard to do some good stuff.  I know what your thinking, would I ever give up the new, autofocus glass?  Of course not, but this opens up some wonderful new windows, when the timing is right!!

Enjoy,

the pilgrim

 

Below, D800, 24mm Micro Nikkor

Below, D800, 105mm Micro Nikkor

D800. 24mm Nikkor @ f22

D800, 55mm Micro Nikkor

D800, 55mm Micro Nikkor.

D800, 55mm Micro Nikkor two version of Birch shot/