Monthly Archives: September 2014

What a week!  I have to take a moment on Sunday and share my excitement!  The blessings of this past week fall into several categories so I’ll break them down as such;

 

PERSONAL  –  Shererlene and I really had a great trip together out to  Photoshop World.  She was able to get some well deserved rest!  We had some wonderful dinners and just had some time together away from the complications of home and work!  I find it hard to believe that after 45 years I fall more madly in love with Sherelene  every day!!  Then again, it’s not hard to believe at all!!!  God really blessed me when He allowed me to have her as my partner for life!!!  Not sure what He had against here though!!!

 

PROFESSIONAL  –   This was my fourth Photoshop World as a member of the team, and wow what a team it is.  Thanks to Scott Kelby I have a whole new family!!  As a photographer, working with this group,  is like being named to the All Pro Team in the NFL! Each team member has a certain following and I’m thrilled with gentle souls that come to my classes!  I gave my Americana program for the second time and had made lots of changes to it and I was thrilled that I had huge crowd and it was so well received!  I will always be in debt to Scott for making me a part of such a fun event!!!

 

SPIRITUAL  –   Those of you that come to visit me here now know what my mission is, but if your new, let me share it with you.  I owe all the blessings of my life to Jesus Christ.  Over 33 year ago I made the life long commitment to serve Him every moment of my life!  I want everyone to know the joy and peace of being His,  but I do not have that power to accomplish that in my owns power.   After much study of the Word,  I’ve come to the conclusion that the only way to adequately serve Him is to give Him each day, submit to His will, and love others with His love, the rest is all in His hands!   I went to Photoshop World committed to share my testimony in the evening panel program called the Art of Digital Photography.  I reached out to all of you to pray for me, that I would let go and allow the Holy Spirit to be in control, and your prayers were answered!!!  Since we are talking about a victory by, and for, Him, I can tell you that I got a text yesterday from Scott Kelby telling me he heard I “crushed it”, and his sources said it was one of the best programs ever!  Doesn’t surprise me, that’s what happens when you turn loose and let Him have it.  As long as you desire for Him to get all the glory, it frees you up to do your best, and leave the rest to Him!!!

 

FELLOWSHIP  –  I don’t get to see these friends but a couple of times a year, so the time we have is so incredibly sweet!  I enjoy every person I get to spend time with at Photoshop World, from those that stop you in the hall to pay you very nice compliments, to the team members that you enjoy moments of real fellowship!!  I love Scott, but he is in such demand that four days we rarely get more than a minute or two together, but I did get a lot of time with some of best friends at the event; Pete Collins, RC Concepcion, Matt Kloskowski, Glyn Dewis, Moose Peterson and his incredible family, Dave Black, Joe McNally, Anne Cahill,  (Joe’s wife), Corey Barker, Bert Monroy, Alan Hess, Scott Diussa, Ben Wilmore, Brian Smith, David Ziser, Eddie Tapp, Frank Doorhof,  Jack Davis, Jim DiVitale, Kevin Ames, Joe Glyda, Larry Becker, Richard Harrington, Terry White, and Tim Wallace.  The Photoshop World Staff are incredible as well!!!  Oh my goodness what a list, how incredibly blessed I am!!!!

 

So true wrap up is, “Thank you Lord for blessing me so much more that I could ever deserve!!”

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

A moment of thanksgiving to all those that were in prayer tonight for my presentation at Photoshop World!!!!  Things could not have gone better, and the Holy Spirit as usual, was spot on.  It gave me a great deal of comfort knowing that so many brothers and sisters were lifting me up.  Pete Collins prayed for me before the presentation and again after.  The response was overwhelming and many people came up after the program to share how God had touched their hearts.  All of you that faithfully lifted me up can share in knowing God’s work was done tonight!  It was daunting being on stage with Joe McNally, Dave Black, Jim DeVitale, Julieane Kost, Moose Peterson, and  Joel Glyda, a talented bunch for sure!  I wasn’t nervous about sharing my faith, but showing my work next to these guys was amazing!

 

It is such a rich gift to know that He never fails us and when we are obedient, all we have to do is show up and turn Him loose!  One more wonderful example of how much He loves us and touches others lives!

 

Blessings and thank you again,

 

the pilgrim

 

Sorry for being so late posting, but I have a good excuse!  Sherelene and I flew out to Las Vegas Monday and I’ve been enjoying my bride, and visiting with a lot of dear friends, but the work starts today!!!!  I have a meeting at noon to see a software package you will definitely be hearing more about, critiques from 1:30 to 3:00, and a lecture at 3:15!  Then the after hours party tonight.  Busy but loving every minute of it!

 

This morning I got over to Nikon’s sensor cleaning room and was able to see a lot of my old Nikon friends!  It was great to see them all, but Mark Kettenhofen, shown above “Peddling uphill” is a very dear friend with whom I had many great adventures in the Nikon years, some were peddling uphill!!!  Mark and I have faced a lot of challenges together and our faith and friendship has always pulled us through!  When I get to spend time with Mark I’m reminded of how much we lean on the Lord, and how He never fails us.  Friends like Mark are far and few between, I always feel grounded when we get a few minutes together!

 

Tomorrow is a big day for me at Photoshop World.  Jay Maisel was unable to make the show so I’m stepping in to do one of his two lectures.  I’m honored and petrified to stand on the same stage he would have occupied!  Dave Black is taking the other and we met for breakfast yesterday and both lamented that these are gigantic shoes to f ill!  I’m going to open my talk by saying. “Let’s get two things straight, first, I’m not Jay Maisel, and second, neither are you!  But together we will see if we can become better photographers together!”

 

I go straight from that lecture to my own, and later in the evening have a very special opportunity.  I’m on the panel for “The Future of Digital Photography”.  This is Photoshop World’s heavy hitter all on stage for a two hour share fest.  This is my first time to be on the stage for this event and I asked if I could participate.  In Atlanta Jeremy Cowart  shared his testimony, and tomorrow night I will be sharing mine.  I’m not nervous, or scared, or concerned about what anyone will think of me or  what I have to share, I am very concerned that people’s hearts will be open to hear a message that is far more important than anything about me!  I would covet your prayers for the audience, that their hearts will be open for what I pray will be a life changing experience for some that will be there!

 

My job is simple, get on the bike and ride, and leave the destination up to Him, and I know if it’s an uphill ride, He is more than able to get me there!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

I will report, I promise!