When They Ring the Golden Bells

There's a land beyond the river,
That we call the sweet forever
And we only reach that shore by faith's decree
One by one we'll gain the portals,
There to dwell with the immortals
When they ring the golden bells for you and me.
(Dion De Marbelle, 1887)

Someday the bell is going to ring (I actually like thinking of the trumpet sounding a little better) and we'll be called home.  But the waving grain in front of this bell tower reminds me of the "fields white unto harvest".  So we press on for Just One More Soul!

The Little Chap Who Follows Me

Somewhere a few years back, young Emmaus picked our Ryan as his best church friend. Curious how God favors us with the challenge of revealing Him through the example of our life.  It makes me think of a poem I heard many years ago.

The Little Chap Who Follows Me

A careful man I ought to be;
A little fellow follows me;
I do not dare to go astray
For fear he'll go the self-same way.

I must not madly step aside,
Where pleasure's paths are smooth and wide,
And join in wine's red revelry~
A little fellow follows me.

I cannot once escape his eyes;
Whatever he sees me do he tries~
Like me, he says, he's going to be;
The little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I am good and fine,
Believes in every word of mine;
The base in me he must not see,
The little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go,
through summer's sun and winter's snow,
I'm building for the years to be,
A little fellow follows me.

~Author Unknown~

Short Final

What can I say -- I love airplanes!  This United B777 was on "short final" to Runway 27L at O'Hare.  The main gear wheel trucks seem to be reaching for the ground while the proud bird knows it belongs in the skies!

Always Winter Never Christmas

Fellow Narnia lovers will recognize this line from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.  This shot from the front door of our friends in Fort Wayne, Ind. reminded me of the line describing the effects on Narnia of the Wicked Lady’s curse.  As we search for signs of spring in the frozen north, let’s give thanks that the One who promises spring will follow winter also freed us from the cursed effects of sin by sending a Redeemer (John 3:16).  And He gives us lampposts along the way to guide us home!

The Breath of God

By the breath of God frost is given: (Job 37:10).

I don't know how I'd really add to that thought other than to ponder that if an infinite God has enough "time" to paint each crystal of morning frost by hand, He surely has time to hear my prayers.

Watch the Conductor!

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (Ps. 37:23).  Our "conductor" will lead in perfect time but we must keep our eyes on Him!

Yes, that's Nelson in the center of the sea of red and brass!

Out of the Mists

OK, the sun was all wrong for this shot...and it's more than a little hazy...(and there's a very good reason why I couldn't take much (any) time composing it)...but there's a payoff.  First, I like the misty feel and the way downtown Chicago seems to float in the clouds.  But it was after enlargement that the accidental moment was realized.  See if you can identify the serendipitous object captured just over the skyline. A good eye will see it in the above shot...but if not, try this one...

See it?  Yup, it's a Boeing 737 departing Runway 4R at Midway.  Cool, huh?  :)

L:ight from the Cross

How bright is the light that shone from an old rugged cross so many years ago, spreading light and warmth and the power of forgiveness to a sin sick world. Have you trusted Jesus and the cleansing power of His shed blood?

Tender Moments

How can you tell when a dad loves his daughter?  The poets expend countless words to explain what is expressed and felt in a single human gesture or facial expression.  There's seemingly no end to the nuance available to our faces.  I love how this shot captured the tenderness I know to be present between my cousin and his girls.

Let It Shine

Before Christmas is too distant a memory, I thought I'd add this entry.  It was taken when I was in that "new camera" phase of shooting pictures of everything that moved, or didn't as the case may be.

This lone bulb shining in the daylight reminds me of the Sunday School song "This Little Light of Mine".  Sometimes we may not feel like our example is seen -- but the power of this bulb after the sun sets is simply amazing.  Keep letting your light shine!

Perigee

I can't quite leave this subject -- somewhat prompted by a good friend having posted a beautiful picture of the same moon as it had just started waning from its fullness on 1/30/10.

This shot was taken the morning of 1/31/10 after the perigee (closest point of approach) full moon of January 30th.

Home of the Griffins

With a little help from the 300mm, this is the view from my office hallway to the local high school our children attend.  I've often whispered their names in prayer as I catch this glimpse across the way.  It's a little hard to believe that two (Greg & Ryan) have graduated from here already and Julie is rapidly finishing her Junior year. I'm thankful Nelson will give me a few more years (Class of '14) to enjoy the view with the children in mind!

Fresh Veggies

I really don't know what the auto-focus captured on this one.  And my left brain almost discarded it for that reason.  But I keep coming back to the intensity of the colors and can't quite let it go.  Surely God could have chosen to make fruits and vegetables colorless and bland.  He must delight in not only preparing tasty treats from the good of the land but in making them beautiful too.

Sunset at 6500'

Even a "lowly" Nikon Coolpix S52 can shoot a good sunset at 6,500 feet above sea level!  It's not SLR quality but it's hard to beat the view from a Cessna 182.  Extra points if you can correctly identify the torpedo-looking projection from the left wing.

Wingman

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:" (Eccl. 4:9-10)

It's harder than you'd think to capture a couple of geese headed to Florida at top speed, escaping the cold, gray winter.  This was shot right after I got the 300mm lens.  I like how the "wingman" is tucked under his lead just like a couple of Blue Angels.  If you look close you can see the landing gear up and stowed!

Patient Subject

 

Interpretation of this look: "My husband got a new camera and it's very cold out here but I'm going to sit here and smile because I love him!"  She truly is my best friend.

I was just starting to learn the autofocus settings on the D90 with this shot.  I'm trying to decide if the soft focus on her face (which was inadvertent) looks OK by accident.  I used the fill flash to help her stand out given the bright snow background but wish I could have bounced it off a ceiling.