Daily Archives: October 13, 2012
Some years ago I interviewed the NFL Atlanta Falcon’s quarterback, Steve Bartkowski. When Steve signed a football for me, he added below his signature, Glatatians 2:20. I went home and looked up the scripture and read it over and over. It had a very deep impact on me, and I decided to claim that same scripture for my life as well.
Galatians 2:20 (ASV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
Over the years I’ve put that scripture after my name anytime I sign a book, it reminds me not of who I am, but Who I belong to. When we accept Christ into our hearts we die on the cross with Him, to be reborn and forgiven when he came out of the grave, because of His monumental sacrifice for us. It is through faith in Him that I can live for Him, and only through His strength, that I can live, even close, to His standard. None of this is done out of obligation, but because of the desire to, the desire to serve Him, honor Him, and live for Him!!! Along with that comes the deep desire to reach out to and love others, into His presence.
Sometimes people send me emails, comment on the blog, and tell me in face to face conversations that they’re proud of me for being so open about my faith. While it makes me feel good, it is pretty far from the truth, the truth is I could not fail to do this, even if I tried. When you’ve been saved from all the agony that would surely have come my way, without Him, how could I do anything else. Let me make it very clear, I love my Saviour, Jesus Christ, I owe Him more than I could ever repay, in thousand life times! I can’t imagine getting up in the morning and facing one more day without Him by my side. Who would I turn to when I’ve failed my wife, my children, my friends? How could I ever face the future if I thought He would not be there for me!
No, I belong to Him, I have given Him every moment of my life, and I will serve Him every moment until He calls me home. Not because I have to, but because I want to, with all my being!
Be blessed,
the pilgrim
P.S. Yesterday I bought a t-shirt with that scripture on it, I will wear it proudly, and another that says; “A man who kneels before God can stand before anyone.”
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This entry was posted on Saturday, October 13th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
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One of the greatest compliments I’ve ever been paid was when Richard Small, a photographer who I greatly admire, called me the master of “Extraction”. While I’m not sure if master is deserved, I have worked very hard at learning how to extract what I hope are good images out of the overall scene. One of my favorite places to make images is Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santa Fe is a feast of colors, patterns, textures and wonderful art. We finished up after eight hours that started at 3;00 a.m. and after a nap, Jay Miller, his wife Susan, our new friend Greg, and I headed back up to Santa Fe to have a Bobcat Bite burger and walk up Canyon Road. If you ever visit Santa Fe, I highly recommend that you visit this little 3/4 mile long road, that is filled with one great subject after another. I took the D800 and one lens, the 24-120 VR, and a tripod, and spent an hour and half just strolling up and down this famous street. I hope you enjoy the take and I hope this is proof that a good range zoom and one body can help you make a variety of interesting images!!
I hope I’ve inspired you to get out and look for some things that get you excited! To all of you that are joining us in November out in Arizona and Utah, I can’t wait, this trip has gotten me really pumped!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
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This entry was posted on Saturday, October 13th, 2012 at 12:35 am
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