warm weather makes me want to be outside Friday, February 27, 2009 | 4

I was thinking tonight about worship (thanks for a facebook friend who defined it on her status update). I know that my job title includes "worship minister" in it, but that doesn't mean that I will worship when I am in a service. When I am in the middle of a service, it can be tough to quit focusing on what I am doing and what is coming up next and put that focus on the God who we are there to worship.

To me, I find being out hiking or taking pictures to be more worshipful than most of our worship services. That's simply because I tend to focus on the responsibilities over the moment. I'm not sure if that makes any sense, but there you go. Between that and these 90 degree days we've had are really put me in the mood to be outside. And worshipping while I am there. I hope you find a chance to spend a little time in worship today.

glorieta at night Wednesday, February 25, 2009 | 2

I need to go take some new pictures Tuesday, February 24, 2009 | 6

disbelief Monday, February 16, 2009 | 3

I can't believe that Alison and I have lived here for five and half years and still haven't climbed this (it's about an hour away). While you can't see it, the highest point in Texas (Guadalupe peak) is right behind this cliff face (El Capitan).

I'm also surprised at how much I've been enjoying using this weird looking effect on my pictures. Here is a tutorial which shows the basic steps I follow to create this look. I think the tutorial shows you how to create it in photoshop, but it also works fine in the paintshop pro version I use.

vintage look for a vintage plane Friday, February 13, 2009 | 0

snowy reflections Thursday, February 12, 2009 | 1

To the left of this little island, you can see some ice leading up to one of the Sawyer Glaciers off to the left of this picture.

funky clouds Wednesday, February 11, 2009 | 1

First off, the colors look funny, but this is actually all raw settings (meaning settings you can set in the camera). You can do so many funky things just straight from the camera.

As I was deciding to put up this picture today, I was thinking about the fact that this was taken up in British Columbia and how far away that seems from New Mexico. Ironically, I then noticed the song my zune software was playing - Be Not Far Away by Justin McRoberts. This song is a paraphrase of Psalms 22.

God, my God, where have you gone? Why are you so far off?
Day by day I cry out to you,
Night by night and still I hear nothing

You are enthroned as the holy one
The praise of our fathers, the hope of our sons
You have been known, Lord, to rescue us.
So why are you so far off?

Lord be my strength, Lord be my song.
Lord be my shelter. Be not far off.

big rock Tuesday, February 10, 2009 | 1

the stars at night... Saturday, February 07, 2009 | 2

caught by the cat Friday, February 06, 2009 | 3

Here's the continuation of yesterday's picture - which is identical placement. All I did once the cat showed up was to quickly change the exposure to last 30 seconds so I could capture his movement in the shot.

midnight snack Thursday, February 05, 2009 | 5

To be continued with tomorrow's picture - caught by the cat. It's a fun couple of days of pictures.

Speaking of fun - to whomever decided I needed a year's subscription to Elle magazine, I say, "Ummmm, thank you?" And the fact that you had it sent to the office is even more hilarious. Nice prank!

a lighthouse on the rocks Tuesday, February 03, 2009 | 5