its an art // part 1

 

 

                     Welcome to a 3 part mini series I will be posting on Fridays! :) I thought I would share the little knowledge I know on a amazing endless adventure called photography since more and more bloggers like my followers are aspiring photographers. Good photography definitely helps in the blogging world.  I am not much for intro's, so lets hop the train and start chugging along here.

Before I get into the technical side of photography I wanted to take a whole post to focus on you as     a photographer. Wait, what? I want photography not photographer!!

                      Settle down there and just listen...okay, read on is what I should of typed.

But honestly what makes a photo isn't the equipment or skill of the photographer, but the soul and motive of the photographer. I want to get to the core of you as an artist and why/how that plays into your photographs.

 

 

 

 Here are some questions to ask yourself and if you like you can read past the question and read my answers too.

 

What are some things that make you giddy and jump up and down?

smiles, people, the gospel, authenticity, new places, chipotle, raw beauty,flowers.

 

What aspect of photography excites you/ what peaked your interest?

The way you can freeze time and capture 'a moment'. Middle child of a big family means the older siblings are moving out and the babies aren't babies anymore and you feel somehow the same, but everyone's changing. The good times I had with older siblings are suddenly different and they aren't there anymore. I like peter pan wanted to stay a kid forever I didn't like this growing up.

Plus I am on the artsy side so the aspect that you can not only freeze a moment ,but capture it the way you see it and edit it a thousand different ways.

 

 

 

If you were stuff capturing one thing for forever what would it be?

Moments.

Posed photography is nice, so is landscape shots, but I love how a moment can tell stories and speak to your soul.

 

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Those were 3 very basic simple questions you can start to see a pattern.

Moments of emotion between people in their element being real and authentic that's where I see beauty and I want to strive to capture that in my photography.

 

Your turn.

 

Comment below with these questions and your answers, see if you can sum up what motivates/drives your photography bug.

 

Or simply comment with thoughts or an aspect of photography that you want to grow in.

 

If you have an answer that's similar to mine or someone else who commented put down your answer anyway if its honest and true.

 

 

I am excited to see what you are aspiring to photograph and are pursuing.

 

no passport for my mission

                                                  Its easy to go overseas for a few weeks,a month or two, but the real challenge is doing what I am calling;

You don't need a passport or a whole lot of money.

Mission trip - community.

 I know probably not the most ideal, but we are a culture and generation of Christians that NEED to go on a mission trip to make us feel good and I am not saying all of Christians do this, I am saying I see a lot of young adults going for,

 a.experience (which I think is good not condemning that) b. its what Christians do. (I think this is a tricky motive is it for your image or because God wants you to go.) and c. to have an adventure.

 

None of these are inherently wrong its the selfish motives I see behind it. I to am guilty of this, I have never been out of the US, though I have been longing to go on a missions trip, not all my motives are or were selfish, but I admit that a lot of them were and that's wrong.

We are called to go and preach the gospel (Mark16:15) and make disciples, but that doesn't mean you can't bloom where you are planted, to borrow the phrase.

We need to stand up and stop being a selfish generation of lazy Christians.

Stop being passive we are meant to shine bright and love well in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, that others will see Jesus in us, giving glory and praise to Him for the work He is doing through us.(Matt.5) God didn't say where we are to shine for Him, but to do it.

We are so focused on the where, more then actually doing it. 

 Look around every where is a mission field, every person needs Jesus and every person is headed to eternal hell unless they have Him.

 You have Him... are going to keep Him to yourself and only let Him be seen on special occasions by your good deeds you post on facebook or let every life, every person you come in contact with see Jesus in you.

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Here are some simple ways you can have a mission field without spending a ridiculous airfare price and experiencing the pain of shots (I'm just not a fan of sharp objects being jammed into me)

                                           Nursing and assisted living homes- You have no idea what a huge mission field this could be! Plus you don't have to worry about them killing you or running away when you start talking with them because golly, they are lonely and love company and the younger you are the more excited they get. You have no idea until you visit one a few times and start building a relationship with the residents how much.  February 14th,valentines day, I can see this being a painfully lonely day for a lot of them. Why don't you take a rose (or any flower) and a hand made cut out heart with the words "Jesus loves you and so do I"?

 So simple,so easy and some of you like me are, for no good reason are nervous around old people and nursing homes (its really stupid actually....-_- why are so many people scared of old people they truly are precious?).20 seconds of courage people!! Encourage families and friends to come with you and just simply stop in some of the rooms (ask at the front desk first, but usually some of the doors are already open).

    Coffee shop ministry- This is not a new idea, but what if you start buying coffee for the person behind you. I know that doesn't seem like much or that your even that your preaching the gospel, but yet here is another quote (I have a thing for quotes) "You can preach a better sermon with your life then your words."  This will start to speak in volumes you never know whos watching or who will be touched by this simple act that's showing Jesus. If you do it every time you buy coffee I bet sooner or later the employees will notice and know you as the coffee giver local coffee shop baristas are trained to learn the locals and their 'usual's.'

                                     Gas station notice- I feel like this could really make someone's day by buying a gas gift card with a special note attached and leaving it taped to one of the pumps would be a delightful surprise that I am sure will turn someone's frown or day upside down!!

                                           Family Alert- For me in a big family doing a sibling's chore without saying a word every once in a while blows them away and shows Jesus. Today I emptied and loaded the dishwasher without even saying anything and probably an hour later my youngest brother came running up the stairs, popped his head into my room with a smile on his face and a grateful heart thanking me for doing his chore (he really detests doing this task). Just doing odd jobs around the house is often very welcomed or notes of encouragement. My spiritual gift I would say is encouraging I have loved getting a little snack with a note of encouragement often a verse and putting it in my dads car as a surprise before he leaves for work the next day! Observe your families love language, certain siblings could care less to get a note of encouragement, but love seeing a chore already done for them, some are grateful for either. ;) You could make this a week by week of month by month project on switching up family members to focus on that week or month as a personal mission.

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There are so many ways and I realize not all of them are big and don't appear important, but believe me they each in their own way most definitely are! When we prove faithful in the little things God gives us bigger things to prove faithful in. David didn't become king right away it took years and years proving faithful as he shepherd his fathers flock, as a son, a servant to the king, obedient to the will of God listening not to his wants ,but what God would have had him do and doing it with his whole heart being faithful through every little thing that was served to him.

           

 

where is the honor?

                                                    

             The other day I was just simply pondering honor and that well known verse and command,

                      Honor thy Father and Mother...

                  {Matthew 15:4 ; Exodus 20:12}

                       The more I thought about that verse the more the word, honor resounded through my thoughts. What does it mean to truly be honorable? How does honor as apply to me as christian?

The more I thought about that word the more I realized I want to look up what honor truly means! Where else does a homeschooler look up a definition, but in good ole' Mr. Webster's 1828 Dictionary. :)

             Honor- To Respect; To manifest the highest veneration for, in words and actions;

                     Also I looked up just a few verses on the subject.

                   ( I'm not looking at just parents here)

                       

            Prov.3:9a   Honor the Lord with your possessions....

                          Having respect for things within your possession and treating them with respect with your words and actions. Whether its your car, dog, clothes etc... Are you complaining? Are you being careless or having a careless attitude with the things you own?

1Thess4:4a That each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor...

 

                            God wants us to treat our bodies with honor. Respecting ourselves, not boasting, but respecting our bodies. I know as a girl in this generation this is a huge thing to take in, not crossing out the guys on this note, but definitely more of a issue with girls of this culture. God wants us to know how to start treating our bodies with respect whether that's eating healthier and not sitting in front of a t.v all day or not talking in a way that's degrading our image. Your character is growing and developing and God created you, your body is Gods creation in which you should be thankful. If you feel you are fat/unhealthy then start striving for fitting in exercise and healthy eating to your lifestyle, but know your body, for me personally I am not built to be a size 2,so it would be foolish and dishonoring to my body and God to complain, starve and try to get to that unreachable point. There is a healthy balance of not talking yourself up out of pride and keeping yourself humble along with not tearing yourself down and like a lot of girls you seek flattery by someone disagreeing and pretty soon that's where you put your self worth. But this was a verse I knew needed to be in this post because honoring the body or vessel that God had given us is something very lost in this culture.

 

                      Prov.15:33b...before honor is humility.

         Prov.29:23b.... but the humble in spirit will retain honor.

The bible speaks a few times and the two verses above are my favorites on receiving honor. Not only do you need how to give it, but receive it! Its pretty clear on how you retain honor through humility.  True honor is accepted with grace and a humble spirit that means in case you didn't know the opposite of pride and arrogance.

 

 

1Tim1:17b.... to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen.

 

I think this is a great verse to finish with because the one in which created us and the world is deprived of all the honor and glory He deserves.

He deserves to be honored in our actions on our hour to hour basis.

He deserves honor in our words.

The way you talk about His world (ex. weather),others, what He has given us and the way you talk about Him (this would include things like swear words in my opinion.)

 

 

 

 

 

What's your biggest area of struggle when it comes to honor? (listed or not listed above)

Where do you feel in our culture or just the environment your in, is lacking in honor the most?

time has one speed

                            Life and time is in tuned and going strong at one speed. Always.
 
Its funny how even when time feels slow or feels fast it never is you are just the one moving faster.
With life and time continuously on the move and our families move is coming up I have been capturing even before I left on video aspects about home that I will miss and Lord willing I will be able to share that with you after we move the other day I was itching to take pictures.My siblings hate when I get this itch, but they all together untied and complied. I feel like its some teaming up to prepare for the next time I have an itch that they all will deny me their time!

             

                                         "The Earth
                                         without Art
                                       is just Eh. "

 

Okay, yeah it was cold and we are missing one sibling that still lives at home (its hard to have everyone home at the same time)

 

Time keeps going on, life keeps going on, so cherish and remember every moment you never know when it will change or cease to exist.

 

But what if I fall? Oh,but darling what if you fly...

    

                           But what If?

         Those three words that form a question we often bring up when we want to justify our fear.

 

                                          We are afraid to love, out of fear of rejection & hurt.

                         

                                      We are afraid of trying, out of fear of failure & judgment.

 

                                                

We are a culture enveloped with fear and the question, But what if ? Ringing through our ears and in our lives, but what if we turn that word around instead of a question that causes fear and worry how about it becoming a question of excitement of adventuring into the unknown.

                              

                              As a Christian I strive to put my faith in God and all I am at His feet.

                                                  The bible tells me constantly to fear not.

 

 

                              I have nothing to fear, If God is for me then who can stand against me?

 

via pinterest.com

 

 

As a Christian I can put my rest in Him for He has a plan and a reason for ever aspect of my life (Rom.8:28), what if?  Shouldn't be a question of fear in my life, but a question of an excited adventuring soul longing to be all that Christ my Lord intended.

 

                  We  need to stop asking ourselves "What if we fall?" and start asking "what if we fly?"

Because when you put your trust in God, with Him the impossible becomes the possible and the unthinkable becomes not only thinkable, but also able to be done.

 

                                              With God I have nothing to fear.

                                                  Nothing to doubt.

                                          I don't have to be afraid of the unknown,

                                       because the unknown is known to my protector and provider.

                                                                                             {Isaiah 41:10 ; Philippians 4:6-7 ; Philippians 4:13}
                                                 

twenty fifteen | word

                                For this new year of 2015 I am choosing a word...yes, I did make 'resolutions' or goals that I want to see happen, but what I want to focus on mainly is implanting my word in my daily life for 2015. The great thing about it is its only two letters, its biblical and a child who can barely speak can say it.........

                                        

 

 

                                    My word without further ado is G O.

                  GO [goh] verb; to keep or be in motion; function or perform as required. 

 A two letter word, but with such meaning and opens the door to expand. That is how I want 2015 to be for me. Heeding my heavenly Father in whatever and wherever I am called or not called to G O. Go and serve my family, Go and serve a different country, Go be a listener for someone. Just to be audaciously Going where ever my Father calls, not holding back and hesitating because of what someone says or what Satan whispers in my ear, but truly being all and doing ...all God has in store because I am willing to go. One of my favorite things about this word is that it can apply to any area in my life and is a word Jesus spoke and commanded often, along with that just knowing that Jesus commissioned us throughout the scripture to G O and do the Fathers will as He, Jesus also heeded His Father when He said Go. Jesus willingly went all the way up to His death on the cross which changed the world and my life forever! I want to be like Jesus, I want my life to reflect Him, but I need to be willing to GO!!!!

                                   

          Have you made any resolutions or major goals for 2015?
                                                     
        Ever try doing one word to focus on for your overall year?
                                 
                                       
                                      


 

truth saturation in a lying media saturated world

                          

If you had to choose between an hour of watching a movie of your choice or an hour of reading the bible what would you choose?

Be honest with yourself what seems the most appealing?!

If your like most of the world you would most likely choose the movie.

We live in a world that is full of lies, all about self and is promoting this right straight into our homes, minds and hearts every.single.day.

 

         As a Christian my longing is to be saturated in truth, the truth of Gods word.

via pinterest.com

The truth that He is my God, the great I am that He is faithful and my/your provider, I am loved and chosen by Him. Those are the truths...facts, but we are so involved with a world that argues the facts that we are continuously sinning against our God through doubt in His word.

We live in a culture here in America (and I'm sure this is true in other countries as well) that is telling us God is whoever we want to be God. Buddah, Allah or ourselves?! But all the while cancelling out the only one true God, Yeshua. We live in a culture constantly telling us we aren't good enough, we need other things or people to be loved, that we aren't chosen, but we are random chance. A culture that tells us that we have to provide for ourselves that no one is looking down from above and caring, that is something weak people say for comfort when they have no where else to turn!

Every time we doubt and worry we are believing the lies of the world.

 

 

 

 

You cannot probably count how many times you are bombarded with lies a day.

The lies of a media saturated self serving culture.

 

How many times are you checking social media a day?

Checking out the latest news in the world today?

Game scores?

movie trailers?

All of this is coming from a world set on drawing you in and away from what matters.

I am also guilty of choosing to give ear to the easily accessible lies and not giving time for the truth of my Savior.

 

We make excuses that (and probably the biggest) I don't have time to spend time in the word or prayer right now. If you don't have time you better make time because the devil is making time every minute of every day to distract you from the truth.

 

 

Why is it so easy to heed the lies of the world to spend time on facebook vs the Bible?!

Because you are letting your wants and your desires to rule instead of giving the drivers wheel to Jesus to drive your life away from that of the world and unto Him.

Thus the result we are allowing ourselves weaken spiritually and strengthen our fleshly wants as we are sucked into the lies in which we are being feed.

We are given a choice flesh our sinful nature) or spirit?

via pinterest.com

Isn't it crazy to think if you are a Christian then the spirit inside of you is the same that was in lets say the apostle Paul?! The difference is Paul heeded the spirit and abandon the flesh. Yes, he was still tempted and yes, he sinned, but he choose to be saturated in truth to not give ear to all the lies.

Daily,whether its out shopping, hanging out with friends our media saturated culture is there feeding us the lies that it is and your wants more important then Our Lord!

Nothing is more important the God!!

We so often with our friends talk about, clothes, movies, what each of us have planned for the week, but how often do we bring up Christ!

In America we are free to talk and share Christ,but what are we choosing instead? We are choosing what we are being saturated in....the world.

I am not saying this stuff is wrong to talk about, but what is ruling you? What are you thinking about?

How many hours do you spend per week or month watching movies full of sin and lies ( I don't care if your skipping scenes muted words or not they are there and you know it!) vs. time in Gods word allowing Him to speak truth into your life?

 

 

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Galatians 5:17

(NKJ)

 

We need to be saturated in the word of God in His truth that we may strengthen in and through Him when temptations arise and we say no, no more will I heed my self desires, but go after what God desires me to pursue ( truth, pure, noble, and praise worthy things {phil.4:12} )

 

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (man), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Eph.6:11-13

 

 

 

What ever you are being feed that is what will take root and sprout in you life are you choosing to be saturated in truth or in a media lying self absorbed culture?

 

The battle and struggle is real, so choose who and what your fighting for and fight, do not turn back, but keep moving foreward.

 

 

 

via pinterest.com

 

 

 

5 Things to start purging/being aware of with a media saturated world in your daily life.

 

1.What are your 'time' priorities for the day? (facebook,prayer,movies,bible time)

 

2. Is what I am watching or listening to aligning with the bible?

(Phillippians 4:12 is a great reference for this)

 

 

       3. How much time am I spending on social media?

 

4. Am I looking to social media instead of Jesus for fulfillment?

(example:when I am bored am I surfing the web,scrolling through facebook instead of reading my bible or prayer.)

 

5. Am I looking to others through media for my standards on the way I live?

 

 

 

 

 

Tip: If you feel social media is starting to control you start using it as a springboard for prayer every person you see on facbook,instagram,twitter..etc... take time to pray for each person every time you check it. Using what satan wishes to distract us and turn it against him and the work he is trying to do accomplish.