Tag Archives: Landscape

Looking For A Lightning Bolt?

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Sometimes it seems we’re looking for that “lightning bolt” in our lives. Something to shock, dazzle, direct is off the spot we’re on. There’s no doubt that “lightning bolts” are impressive, yet, they’re not what makes up life for us.

When Jesus walked in Galilee, there were many who were dazzled by “lightning bolts,” i.e., Jesus’ miraculous works which, as the Apostle John writes, were “signs.” What do “signs” do? We deal with them all the time, and admittedly many don’t regard them. The person who parks in the handicap zone, and isn’t needing it, is a living classic. There are many more who miss the signs.

When Jesus returned from his first Passover in Jerusalem, he returns to Cana of Galilee, interestingly, it’s where the first “sign” John marks occurred. Some 10-15 miles to the east, in Capernaum, a tragedy is unfolding. A “royal official’s” child is near death, and while most in the Galilee area are only “dazzled” by Jesus’ “lightning bolts,” this man is different.

Our record in John 4.46-54 teaches us there’s more we need in life than “lightning bolts” which only last for a second and only dazzle!

This 2nd Sign of the “royal official,” whose child is near death, teaches us —

  • Faith that honors Jesus doesn’t hang back from Him but comes to him.
  • Faith that honors Jesus doesn’t wait to see what He will do.
  • Faith that honors Jesus comes to Him even knowing we’re not sure what Jesus will do, how Jesus will work, which way Jesus will direct. Yet, you come in faith and you step back into life in faith!

And when we come to Jesus in faith, we find Jesus is sufficient for LIFE!

Part of me dislikes a study like this! It convicts me for my own struggle with faith! Yet, thankfully, it also exhorts me to steady my faith and keep focused on the one who truly handles life. I’d encourage not just looking for a lightning bolt but looking for a lamp post that’s solid, sure, reliable, so we can find our way. This lamp post is Jesus!

John 1:3–5,

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Jesus said, John 8:12,

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

You can turn on the “Light” in your life today, not with things that simply dazzle for a moment, but solid, sure, powerful Light for living. Place your faith in Jesus, trust him for what’s before you, and step out in life! The Son is rising!

Photography For A Feeling

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The Early Rays

There are probably as many reasons to take a photograph as there are photographers. Of the reasons, not the least of which is to capture a moment for memory. Sometimes when you want to do some rummaging in older photographs, whether someone else’s or yours, note that many of the great photographs are literally “snaps” in time!

Catching that “moment, or smile, or tilt of the head, or “look” says it all for the scene. This is especially true with photographs of people. All this to say, don’t ever pass capturing that special “snap” of life.

Yet, where I’ve come in photography is different than the “snap” or “record,” i.e., I was there and this is what I saw. While totally legit, photography for my pursuit has become, “I’m photographing for a feeling, not simply to record an event.”

If you’ve never tried this, give it a shot. Ask yourself, what grabs you as you look at a scene or an animal, or even a person? What stirs something inside?

This “stirring” may be why some of the most popular images are sunrises and sunsets! In one way, they’re so cliche! Yet, in another way, they capture our attention, our mood, and have lots of feeling.

While the temperatures are in the nosedive where I live, there’s some warmth when you’re watching the changing colors of an approaching sunrise. So, enjoy the “feeling” as you photograph and tell your story with the emotion that captured you!

Here are some Sandhill Cranes just getting in as the sun was fading away . . . but, what a “feeling”! Home at last!

Home At Last

 

The Missing Year!

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Gate to a New Tomorrow

So what happened that a year has passed? One of the most glaring things in this “void” is a global pandemic that massively altered all our lives! To this we can all add “our stories” of life in the void. My family has confronted health issues, relocation issues, and some new directions for life issues. What a year!

Not only have photography trips fallen away, friends and family have been distanced, activities curtailed, and the list just goes on and on. There were weeks our church didn’t come together, something I’d have never expected, but . . .

This is not to say there have not been opportunities nor lessons in this “void.” The opportunity to enjoy some limited relationships with a few friends have been invaluable. Opportunities came to come alongside others who are struggling with jobs that seemingly disappeared. And many learned that you can see faces, keep up with loved ones, even do some teaching through online video.

Some lessons have certainly come from this time. One is to do a better job of staying in touch with people! Isolation is not a good direction! Along this line, I’ve begun a Monday morning ZOOM time with a couple of longtime friends where we catch up, encourage one another, and pray together for those things going on in our lives. In fact, this has been so positive I’ve added another Monday evening ZOOM time with another friend, again, premium for both of us.

Another opportunity of the “void” is to learn some new skills and do some more reading. Both of these have proved very helpful, not only for filling the void, but for preventing stagnation!

This time has also provided a stimulus to give some serious consideration to what’s really, meaning “really,” important in life. This has taken me to spend some great time reading and thinking about God’s Word. Recently I’ve been reading and rereading Psalm 121.1-2. (This post and following ones from Ps 121 can be found @ https://www.facebook.com/Research-Center-377234732358058 – Research Center — Help That’s More Than A Hand — Our Helper is the LORD-Maker — Ps 121.1-2)

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

What a great encouragement looking at the “mountains” ahead! I’d encourage you to spend some time growing in your relationship with the Lord. And, if you’ve not begun this spiritual journey, John 3.16 gives us the doorway to begin in the love of God and a new life . . .

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

And, this time has not prevented photography although where you go has probably been changed. Local photography has far more to offer than most have imagined. This attention to local opportunities for capturing images has become my new focus and will be the direction ahead, and hopefully, slipping in a few outings along the way.

So, with all this said, Lord willing, fresh images and insights will again be flowing on the Dasya’s Photography website . . .

The Flight Has Begun – New Things Ahead!

Transitions

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Transitions are often challenges. Transitions in life, health, friends, our communities pull us often in two directions. One side beckoning us onward to something hopefully better, but in reality an unknown. The other side holding on to us with what we understand and where we’ve fit and found life.

I find this tension very present in these looks at “Prairie Statues” from the great farm areas of our country. They remind us of those solid and reliable days “when the train stopped here.” But, it doesn’t stop here anymore! Things have changed. Transitions!

This image speaks to me. The full moon that is setting in the western sky has run this route long before these days of transition, long before this “Prairie Statue” ever sat in this place, long before the train came, stopped, and now travels on!

Yes, transitions are always upon us, always beckoning in one direction and holding us in another. The place for certainty, stability, steadfastness isn’t in the “Prairie Statue,” or the train, or even the moon. The place of certainty is in the great God whose certainty is eternal, whose glory is eternal, and whose love for us in transitions is eternal! (See John 3.16)

Maybe this look at one of the B&W series will draw you to know that there is a peace that passes all understanding, even in the transitions.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in the Messiah Jesus.

Philippians 4.6-7

On Moving To The Dark Side

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The phrase “The Dark Side” is weighted by those who are Star Wars fans where it became a key part of the plot. There’s another “Dark Side” that’s far from ominous! It’s the Dark/Light contrasts of B&W photography.

The Look

Black & White has long been a medium for expression and continues to hold our attention in photography. In many ways B&W communicates the intricacies of an image in a superior manner. Color often overwhelms our perception and the subtleness of a scene is missed.

Toward “Moving To The Dark Side” is taking some steps toward learning to digitally develop B&W images, a process which is still very much in development.

The following images are part of this growing process of expression. If you find yourself interested in growing in B&W processing, I’d highly recommend Blake Rudis and f.64 Academy. Blake is working with Jim Welninski and they’re excellent for developing your B&W artistry.

B&W artistry prints are also available. Enjoy “Moving To The Dark Side” . . .

The Last Light

 

Delta Cotton

 

Boulders and the Big Guy

Rooted

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While photographing in Monument Valley, located on the Utah and Arizona state line, I came across this lone tree that caught my attention. This valley is known for its red-sand, beautiful buttes, and a very desert-like climate. Here rainfall is in the neighborhood of seven inches per year. Needless to say, a tree is something quite special.

While the buttes seriously caught my attention while exploring this area, it was this little tree that kept catching my eye and filling my thoughts. It’s definitely an illustration of not just being tough with what comes against you, it’s about having a root which will hold you and sustain you is some long dry times.

The Word of God speaks to “roots” in various ways. Interestingly, this “root” is often in the truth of God, i.e., his Word declaring life.
The writer of Proverbs comments, Proverbs 12.3,

A man will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be moved.

The psalmist doesn’t use the word root but the implication is clearly understood for one who lives out God’s life. Psalm 1.1-3,

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the instruction of the LORD, And in His instruction he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Rooted, probably something worth thinking about for my own life. This lone tree might be a good place to reflect and ask where my life is rooted.

If you find you’re lacking a root in God’s New Life in Jesus, then that root begins by your faith in Jesus. Check out John 3.16, it’s worth a read. Here you can begin to grow, stand firm, and be sustained even if the times become long and dry. Rooted, is this where you are today?