Monthly Archives: September 2017

 

 

Yesterday my pastor preached a sermon few pastors would approach and I really appreciated it because it clarified some things all Christians should pray about and consider.  Our pastor provides a outline and we fill in the blanks, which is a good study method.  I am going ot share the outline points.

 

Sermon Title:  “There is one true God and We can know Him.”

 

Quote about Political Correctness:  “There is no idea so absurd but if repeated often enough will eventually come to be beleived”  William James

 

Two World Views:

 

The Biblical World View                      The Secular World View

Eternal Life – Hope                                         No Hope.

Jesus Christ – God’s Son                                Jesus Christ  –  religous leader

Basic nature of man is sinful                         Inherent goodness of man

Absolute Standars revealed (Bible)              No absolutes  (moral relativism

                                                                                                                and tolerance)

Creation  –  God                                             Evolution  –  ?

 

Christians believe God is the                      Secularist  believe the world evolved

designer of our world.

 

Obviously it is apparent why we are at odds with each other in this world, Chrisitans and Secularists.  After all, we have two very different world views.

But how can we, as Christians,  find peace with one another and establish civility?

 

Four Steps to take in response to the politically current emphasis today.

 

A.  Be humble, and accept God’s revealed word as truth.

 

B. Be couragous and speak truth “in love” regardless of the response from the world.

 

C.  Be a vigilant guard to the gate of your house for the sake of  your children. (teach your children the truth)

 

D.  Be confident God’s truth will prevail in the end.

 

We live in a world where some will be adamantly opposed to our Chrisitan beliefs, and a certain segment will attempt to destory us becasue of how opposed they are.  We can’t let that cause us to walk away from the basis of our faith; Love, Foregivness and Grace.  It’s hard, very hard, but their souls are worth more than the temporary satisfaction of loosing our calm spirits.  Pray for one another as we struggle with the world we must live in.

 

Thank you Pastor!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Personal Note:  This sermon was very helpful to me and hope it will be to you as well.  I beleive that the only way to progress as a person,  is to seek truth and test it and then stand by your findings, and for that reason I posted this entry.  I offer it in love.

 

 

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of shooting with the new Fujifilm XF 80mm f 2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro Lens!  The new macro lens is abaout 40% larger than the current 90mm f 2 and takes 62mm filters.  It will be priced at $1,195.  Compared with the 90mm f 2 below!

 

The question is, is this lens worth twelve hundred dollars?  That depends, but first let me share some of the images I made with it and then I will draw some conclusions!

 

 

On a 10 point scale:

 

Optical quality: 11  This the sharpest lens Fujifilm has produced in the XF line, with the possible exception of the 90mm f 2 which may be equally sharp!  With each new lens Fujifilm proves that they are among the very best designers and builders of truly exceptional lenses. This macro lens is as good as any I’ve ever shot and I’ve shot all the classics.   It is tack sharp right from f 2.8 and with the lens modulation built into the cameras even the defraction at f 22 is minimal. The contrast is that perfect place between punchy and smooth.  It works fantastic with the Fujifilm automatic extension tubes and the real plus is it works with the teleconverters, which is a real bonus!

 

Build Quality:  10  While the lens is substantial, it is not too large and the controls function perfectly.  The manual focus ring is smooth and has the perfect touch when manually focusing which you will certainly do in critical work , (or should)!!  The OIS is very handy when shooting a moderate to infinity distances.  It works great in close too, but you will likely be using a tripod when you get down to 1:4 ratio and closer.

 

So, is it worth it?  It depends, if you do a lot of close-up work it’s a no brainer, I’d say it’s a  12!!  If  you just do close-ups occasionally, the 90mm f 2 with extension tubes and diopters will serve you well.  The 60mm Macro is small, compact and incredibly sharp and half the cost!  Do  you need a little more working distance and a lens that focuses all the way to 1:1 ratio, without accessories?  This would fill the bill, but that’s your call!  I know what you’re thinking, will I buy one?  Well since I’ve bought every other lens, and do a lot of macro work,  I certainly plan to!  If you want one though, I would get on a list, I feel it will sell very well and it will take a little while to get one!

 

Hope that helped!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

You guys know that I don’t recommend a lot of films, but this one is a must!  Have you ever had a freind that you have prayed for constantly, and couldn’t get through to.  Someone that just can’t accept the exisitence of God?  This film is based on the true story of Lee Strobel, a reporter who set out to prove that God did not exist and that the crucification and resurrection of Christ never happened!

 

After exhaustive research he came to the only conclusion that pure historical evidence leads to, the truth!

 

Please get this film and be as inspired and reminded OF God’s love as I was!!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

The Portland Fuji Summit was a great event, great attendees, a wonderful team, and lousy weather, fires, and lots of smoke.  The one morning we went out to do a landscape shot we got only th breifest of color, above, but it was still a lot fun!

 

Dan Bailey, Dan Westergren and Jack were all in high form, as usual, and the guests had a good time.  We went to a Dahlia farm and we all had fun shooting the tons of varieties!  I’m not a flower photogrpaher, but even I had fun, some samples below!

 

 

The top shot was with the Fuji 100-400 all the flower images were made with the 90mm f 2 lens.  Up next the Grand Tetons!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim