Category : blog

 

Amish families walking in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains N.P.

 

First Happy Fourth of July!   Now I’m about to really get in the weeds on a faith based topic.  If you are one of a few atheists or agnostics that come here for time to time, thank you, but you might want to walk away on this one.  It might trigger you and that is not my intention, I just want to give some thoughts to those that really want to do what the title says!  Please feel free to come back I value your readership, you’re always welcome!

 

O.K. serious questions deserve serious answers.  So here goes.  

 

1. Know your subject.  If you want to share meaningful things about our Lord and Savior, really get to know Him.  Read his word, pray and talk with Him, listen for His voice.  Ask Him to help you with your most difficult moments and your greatest victories too!  Never be afraid to ask Him, anything, after all, He willingly gave his life for you!  Ask him to use the Holy Spirit to guide you as you reach out to others in His name.
2. If you ask him, He will answer.  Whenever you ask for His help, you will hear from Him. He will make it very clear how to take whatever action you’ve asked him about.  Now comes the hard part, Obey Him.  When you know in your heart the directions He has given you are truly from Him, do them without fear.  If He sends you, He will equip you and give you everything you need to complete His task, after all it’s not you. Christ is doing the mission, it is Him, you are His agent earth. Trust that no matter how you think things went, He is in control and He will bring the result He desires.  In other words when we are obedient, we have not failed, and never will!
3. Always remember that this life is not about you!  To follow Christ we must use His walk on earth as an example.  He was always concerned about others, he was looking outward, not inward.  The world tells us that we are number 1 and that we have to take care of ourselves, trust that to Christ, who never fails, and the world always fails.  If He loved you enough to die for you, don’t you think He will watch over you, His precious child.
4. Forgive everyone that has ever hurt you or mistreated you.  This is a tough one, but oh so necessary!  The biggest wall that stands between us and a deep abiding relationship with Jesus is our unforgiveness, of others and ourselves.  When we forgive others it opens the door to more joy and peace than you’ve ever known and it draws you even closer to your Heavenly Father.
5. When you have great victories, and you will when you start truly serving Him,  ALWAYS give the Praise and Honor to Him.  It’s far more satisfying than trying to take credit for yourself, please believe me on this one!
6. Treasure and love your family and friends, bothers and sisters in Christ.  The greatest joy in life will be those wonderful relationships that will continue on in heaven for Eternity!  These are some of God’s greatest gifts to you, honor and treasure them!

Forgive me for preaching to the choir, I know than many of you are already doing this every day, but if you haven’t yet, start today to have the best life of service you could ever hope for!  Thank you for letting me share what’s on my heart, after all, God gave me this assignment!

 

 

Blessings,

 

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

Roadside barn art close to home!

 

 

“You gotta know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away, know when to run!”   fr0m The Gambler   –   Kenny Rogers

 

Thursday night there was a debate, and that’s all I’m going to say about that and the title of the blog entry is not actually about that, though it might be applied. No, this short blog entry is about knowing when it’s time, time to retire, time to admit that one phase of your life is coming to an end, knowing what to do when that reality hits!

 

For many, many years I drove over 700 miles a year to run photo workshops in most all the National Parks, then I drove and flew all over America working for Nikon as a Tech Rep, that was followed by another decade of traveling all over America to teach alongside my dear brother and friend, Jack Graham.  For the most part that is over.  I still do an occasional workshop or tour and I speak and teach when the opportunity arrives, but I’m finally actually retired!  There is a trick anyone facing this journey needs to learn, be sure you know what defines you!  For many men their profession is how they see themselves and when that is over they feel lost, because, well, they are not that anymore!

 

Some years ago I read a book that dealt with this situation and it has helped me tremendously!  The book asked you to ask yourself that, other than your chosen profession, what are the most important roles you’ve played in your life?  I came up with this:

 

I’m a follower and servant of Jesus Christ.

I’m a husband and father.

I’m a grandfather.

I’m friends with a number of great friends and Christian brothers and sisters.

I’m an amateur photographer who just enjoys the craft.

I’m a writer and love to share my thoughts with others through that writing.

 

That’s it.  The next question the book asked you to ask yourself is what are you not now that you once were?  That was easy, I’m no longer a professional, working photographer.  It was a was moment for me, that I realized most of what I love and am passionate about was still pat of my life!   That made it easy for me to transition into this new phase of life!

 

I’m happier than I’ve ever been, I find life still fulfilling and I still have much to learn and I really enjoy fellowship with the same friends I knew when I was working full time.  I have a few friends that have or will soon face this same situation, this is for them, I wish you as much or more peace and joy as I’m having!

 

Blessings,

 

 

the pilgrim

Nubble Lighthouse

 

 

If you has hoped to do a  workshop with me in 2024, this is your only chance!  I am joining Kirk Williamson for a tour of the Maine coast in prime Fall conditions!  October 23-27, 2024  We will tour some of the best lighthouse on the southern to mid Maine coast and also enjoy the wonderful New England Fall color!

 

We did this trip in the summer three years ago and we still get calls asking when we will offer it again!  So here it is!  It is limited to 10 students and we already have 5 signed up!  For detailed information and to sign up, contact Kirk Williamson at:  Cape Anne Tours/Kirk Williamson, or me at billfortneyphoto@gmail.com.  Here are jut a few of the great locations we will visit!

 

Portland Head Lighthouse at sunrise.

 

 

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

 

 

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse from the air, we teach Drone photography on this tour too!

 

 

Colorful boats in Cape Anne Harbor

 

 

Colorful chairs in a fishing village along the coast of Maine!

 

 

 

Hope you will join us for a great adventure this fall!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

The last photo workshop at Grace on the Hill Community Church. left to right, Gus Clouse, Tony Rogers, Myself, Jim Begley, Jim Haverstock and Carl Turner, all dear brothers and friends.

 

A little over a week ago we lost our dear brother and friend Gus Clouse from this earth.  He moved to a new address with his Heavenly Father in Paradise!  I have known Gus for over 43 years, ever since Sherelene and I moved to Corbin.  He served our church and community for most of those years and it seems I saw him several times a week!  Gus was more than a friend, he was an inspiration!  He was at every class I’ve taught at our church and he always stayed for the entire time, even the all day classes!  His life was a living example of the 13th Chapter of 1st Corinthians!

 

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim