Final Assignment

So the semester is over and I am ecstatic. Ecstatic, free, scared, terrified of the unknown. What a mix of odd emotions. While I am out of control excited that I've finished the seven years it took for me to graduate I am a little sad about one thing. The only class I absolutely loved this semester was my photography class. It was great to actually be excited about something I was studying. I look forward to what the future holds and how I can put to practice what I learned in this fantastic class. Here is a look at my final project. The title of it was God speaks and it was a visual depiction of the different ways that God speaks to me. Hope you enjoy.

The man with the crooked face.

I once met a man with a crooked face.
It was the strangest thing I had seen any place.
I asked sir why is it that your face turns that way.
He said, son, sit down and I'll tell you a story today.
I once met a man with a crooked face.
It caused a commotion all over the place.
It made some people laugh and some people cry.
It made some people angry while others chose to die.
However, this man's face, unlike mine was bloodied and bruised.
For His love the majority of the people refused.
He saved me from a fate that I rightfully deserve.
So now He is the one that I faithfully serve.
Everyday I get alone and with Him I meet.
I find my only spot on my face at His feet.
So you see that is why my appearance is as such.
It is because I am on my face so much.
Now my voice may be warbled and I've slowed down my pace.
But I'm delighted to be known as the man with the crooked face.

God is in the details.

So I had to be at church at 6:30 on Sunday to help set up. Definitly got up at 4:30. Anyway, I ended up being the first one at church so I just sat in my car and enjoyed the sunrise. Please, take a journey with me through my wonderful day.


So my theme for the day was "looking at the details". Here's what I came up with, starting with footprints in the sand.

Pretty sure the ground isn't supposed to bubble.

A golf cart path.

Spring is here.

A super awesome tree.

My friend just arrived at church.

Sound board taken through the back of a really cool chair.

This is my closest friend playin' the geetar (that's country for guitar)

Super Fantastic Sunday

So I had a great day yesterday. I even got to take a bunch of pictures outside since it was so nice out. I'm having a little trouble getting these to upload right now and I have to go so here are just a couple of my wonderful friends. More to come.

Embracing Accusation

So I was listening to a song the other day and the chorus said: "If you want me, satisfy me." I thought, how often do we say that as Christians. "God, if you want me, then allow me to have a good day and bless me." What is that! It makes me sick, not because others do it, but because I know that I myself am guilty of having said this. I have been feeling the pressure of the weight of my sin lately and it has brought me sadness. I was reminded of this verse.

"For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." Romans 6:6-7

Why is it, then, that it seems that I am held captived to my sin so often.
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but
what I hate I do." Romans 7:15

The devil is preaching
The song of the redeemed
That I am cursed and gone astray
I cannot gain salvation
Embracing accusation

Could the father of lies
Be telling the truth
Of God to me tonight?
If the penalty of sin is death
Then death is mine
I hear him saying cursed are the ones
Who can’t abide
He’s right
Alleluia he’s right!

Oh the devil’s singing over me
An age old song
That I am cursed and gone astray
Singing the first verse so conveniently
He’s forgotten the refrain
Jesus saves!
~Shane and Shane "Embracing Accusation"

May I embrace my accusation and rest in the fact that my Jesus saves.

Photoshoot in the Park

Unbroken

So lately I have been just so humbled by listening to everyone's view on their Easter weekend. I don't really consider myself an emotional person so its difficult when I hear about the incredible sacrifice that my savior gave so that I can live freely. How does that not break me and bring me to my knees? I often feel ashamed that I can not feel the weight of the meaning of Easter. I feel ashamed that nothing emotional overflows from the knowledge of who my God is and what He has done for me. Why does the thought of nails the size of railroad spikes being driven though the arms and feet of a guiltless man not cause me to weep? Why does the realization that a human body that embodied the Creator of the universe coming back to life after being dead for three days not cause me to shout for joy? It seems to me that even from the most emotionless person should flow some sort of feeling from these insanely incredible miracles. The word of God tells us that even the deamons tremble at the sound of the name of Jesus. If they are trembling, why not I?

Today I am broken. I am broken that my stagnant emotion remains unbroken.

God I pray that I am broken for the fact that your body was broken and that I shed tears for the blood that was shed to cover my wretched sinful nature.