Daily Archives: September 22, 2012

Please let me share a story with you. The picture above is of myself and Dr. Charles Stanley, he’s Charles to me, at his 80th birthday celelbration in Atlanta Friday night. He had just presented me with a copy of his beautiful new book “I Love To Tell the Story”, a compilation of some of his finest work from the past 40 plus years as a serious photographer.  Wow, what an honor, I’m amazed, and very humbled!  Now it’s time for the story, and please stick with me, no matter how self aggrandizing it may sound, it won’t end that way!

 

Well over 40 years ago I was a young photographer, who desperately wanted to become a great photographer.  I was a beginner and like all of us, I was not very good at the start.  A nice man that was trying to help me become a better photographer advised me to study the work of successful photographers, and I did.   The more I saw of good work, the more I wanted, even more desperately, to become really good! I worked very hard and, of course,  with hard work my photography improved.  There was one big problem, I wanted to be really good for the wrong reasons.  I wanted to feel like I was somebody, and I didn’t love myself very much!  Over time the Lord showed me that my worth was not based on what others thought of me, but on His sacrifice for me!

 

Once I started to do my photography with the right motives, it took off.  In the last fifteen years things have really come together, I produced 5 books, two of which were runaway best sellers, I was named a Fellow by the North American Nature Photographers Association, I had an image in a portfolio of images than won the Pulitzer prize, I started a workshop company, (the GAPW) that went on to being the top rated nature workshop company in America, and became friends with many of the most successful photographers in America, and several around the world.  I’ve spoken in front of thousands of people and  have had my share of standing ovations, and Friday night my dear friend Charles Stanley thanked me for writing the forword for his new book, with tears welled up in his eyes!  I realized God had allowed me to touch someone else’s life!!!

 

The point of my story is that none of this would have ever happened had I not turned my talent, career, and much more importantly, my life, and my heart over to God.  I have not shared this story to recount the meager accomplishments of my life, but to encourage you to know that there is a much more important reason to give your heart fully to Him.  Success, even when it is considerable, is not worth one minute of true peace and joy.  Success can’t give you peace or joy, it can make you temporarily happy, but not joyful. I want you to read what the Holy Spirit gave me to write about Charles for his book, trust me, only God can deliver these thoughts.  Charles is the kind of man, I hope to become someday, these words express truth about his life.

 

As a life long photographer I’ve greatly enjoyed seeing and sharing in the vision of others.  What is in a man’s heart, will find it’s way into the images he makes.  The extraordinary work in this book is a testament to the heart of Charles Stanley. 

 

I’ve been honored to call Charles one of my best friends, for many years.  We’ve shared great photography adventures together and he has had a profound impact on my walk with our Lord.  I, and many others of Charles friends in photography, have encouraged him, for years, to produce a book of his favorite work.  I’m so pleased to see this project come to fruition.  Charles is a masterful story teller, teacher, and mentor, and in this book you get a glimpse of his vision of God’s great creation. 

 

For decades Charles Stanley has taught and inspired Christians all over the world in their daily relationship with God.  Now you can share in this intimate look at his passion for photography, and share in the great joy God has given him through the practice of this craft.  We learn in scripture that God desires to not only meet our needs, but also to give us the desires of our heart.  I know that God has blessed Charles with the renewing pleasure of photography in his life.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy your journey through this wonderful collection of Charles work.  In it you will discover the authenticity of a man, whose heart belongs fully to God, and whose vision has been inspired by that relationship.

 

I promise, you will be blessed.

 

                                                                                                                                       Bill Fortney

                                                                                                                                       Galations 2:20

 

So, a man, who had a dream, and never deserved it, saw it come true, and was yet, blessed beyond belief,  by a loving Heavenly Father, who everyday, makes me feel truly honored, utterly amazed, and unbelievably humbled.  I pray the same, for everyone reading these words.

 

the pilgrim