Compassion Monday, March 30, 2009 | 3

I want to do something a little different today and not post a picture. Which I guess I haven't done in three days anyway.

Over on the right hand side of my blog, I have the latest updates to the Compassion International blog. Compassion International is an organization who helps feed children all over the world and let them know about the incredible love of Jesus. You can sponsor a child for $32 a month, which doesn't seem like a lot when you think about the fact that this feeds and even can help educate your sponsored child. If you are one of those people who give, you know that your giving each month is changing a life, but it is not often we can see a testimony of just how far $32 goes. This video is from the National Youth Workers Conference a year and a half ago. I posted this on my church's website about 15 months ago, and I would like to share it with you as well. I hope you are encouraged by what you see (and Patwari, know that Alison and I love you!).

"Jesus loves me. It is a simple yet life changing thought that has changed my destiny."

(Once I posted this, I noticed that the Compassion blog actually posted this video 3 days ago as well. Irony or divine? hmmmm)

kayaking in alaska Thursday, March 26, 2009 | 3

Here is a great shot from a special guest photographer - Alison. Nice one, sweets! I did some high pass sharpening and subtle vignetting just for the fun of it.

I'll take the forest Wednesday, March 25, 2009 | 3

This picture may be a repeat



A couple of hours ago, I was walking around Albertsons and spending way too much money on tv dinners, kleenex and dark chocolate hershey kisses. While there, I got the chance to see a mentally handicapped friend who I hadn't seen in months. This guy always brightens my day, and so it was great to see him, especially after a long day. Friends have a way of brightening your day and making things better, don't they?

I know that's the way God has planned it, and I know I have really needed a friend the last few months. While there is amazing beauty in the solitary tree, I'll take living as part of a forest any day.

I can't help thinking about those I had contact today that needed a friend: the youth minister on a youth mission trip who had to have an emergency appendectomy. The woman who thought she was going to lose her dad to a heart attack. The single mom who went into labor this morning. The woman who had to bury her spouse of 28 years (it's been a very long day -- on top of a long few months).

God intends us to live our lives uplifting and encouraging each other. Unlike this tree, we shouldn't ever stand alone. So, my goal for today is to be there for one person. To hurt with them. To laugh with them. To see the wonderful reflections of creation God sends our way. That's my goal for today.

If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

-Ecclesiastes 4:10-12

my changing mood Tuesday, March 24, 2009 | 5

I thought I was in a black and white mood and uploaded that picture, but then I saw the color picture I took right after the black and white one. So, I guess I'll just post them both and you can tell me which one you like better. These pictures are a fence along our river here in Carlsbad. I love seeing that bright sun reflecting off of the river.

from Alpine, Texas Monday, March 23, 2009 | 3

I ramped up the saturation in the camera for this one - turned out pretty intense.

Habakkuk 3: 3,4 Sunday, March 22, 2009 | 3

From Habakkuk's prayer:
His (God's) glory covered the heavens
and his praise filled the earth.
His splendor was like the sunrise;
rays flashed from his hand,
where his power was hidden.

As messy as my office Thursday, March 19, 2009 | 5

This is a tree from Alpine, TX which I took last May. The sad part is, this is more organized than my office. And for the record, I can't stand this picture, but maybe someone else will like it.

peepapalooza Wednesday, March 18, 2009 | 7

I never know what my job will hold for me on any particular day. Take today for instance; it started off as a normal day when I decided I needed some special photography for a 4 week series of icebreaker games (for our Wednesday night youth services). So, I pulled out the camera and I took marshmallow peep glamor shots.

Yes, I did say that. Marshmallow peep glamor shots.

This is actually my first photo shoot using a live model, and I will never do it again. This little dude was awful to work with. Besides never being able to get a decent smile out of him, he complained constantly. He hated the poses I wanted him in. He hated the hot spotlight sitting 2 feet in front of him. And he keep yelling jibberish things like, "I'm melting" and "I'm soooo firing my agent." He tasted fine though.