Nikon Sniper

First John One Five

2012-02-13T17:16:00.000-06:00

Air Traffic Jam

2012-02-13T17:15:00.001-06:00

Dry Creeks Of New Mexico

2012-02-13T17:14:00.000-06:00

Santa Fe Morning Light

2012-02-13T17:13:00.000-06:00

Albuquerque By Sundown

2012-02-13T17:12:00.000-06:00

Has Anyone Seen My Mittens?

2012-02-13T17:11:00.000-06:00

Eye On The Prize

2012-02-12T17:16:00.000-06:00

Follow, Follow, Follow, Follow, ...... Follow The Silver Steel Road

2012-02-12T17:15:00.001-06:00

Angry Seas

2012-02-12T17:14:00.000-06:00

Southwestern Colors

2012-02-12T17:13:00.000-06:00

You Shoulda Been A Cowboy

2012-02-12T17:12:00.000-06:00

Alternate Bird Of Paradise

2012-02-12T17:11:00.000-06:00

Handsome Like A $1500 Sicilian Donkey

2012-02-11T17:16:00.000-06:00

A Morning At Cannon Beach

2012-02-11T17:15:00.000-06:00

Emerald Bay On Lake Tahoe

2012-02-11T17:14:00.001-06:00

Roses Of Portland

2012-02-11T17:12:00.001-06:00

Wild Camera Ham On Oregon Coast

2012-02-11T17:12:00.000-06:00

Arizona Open Road

2012-02-11T17:11:00.000-06:00

Chicago River View To Trump Tower

2012-02-10T17:16:00.000-06:00

Northern Arizona Clothes Lines

2012-02-10T17:15:00.000-06:00

An Autumn Colored Gift

2012-02-10T17:14:00.000-06:00

Frosted Glory

2012-02-10T17:13:00.000-06:00

Michigan Avenue From The Riverwalk

2012-02-10T17:12:00.000-06:00

Lake Powell Coastline

2012-02-10T17:11:00.000-06:00

Bluer Than Blue

2012-02-09T17:16:00.000-06:00

Chevy Trucks Built To Last

2012-02-09T17:15:00.000-06:00

My Kind Of Town

2012-02-09T17:14:00.000-06:00

Picnic Park

2012-02-09T17:12:00.000-06:00

A Kangaroo With A Secret

2012-02-09T17:11:00.001-06:00

The Farm In 1971

2012-02-09T17:10:00.001-06:00

Occasionally an artist will take one of my photos and turn it into something even better! This painting was beautifully done by Francesco Acciaro from Milano, Italy. The painting was inspired by a photo I took a few years ago of a barn on Highway 14 just South of Woodstock, IL. The property is vacant now and sits on land the will likely be developed into housing or industrial building within the next 10 years. Check out more of Franceso's work on his blog. All I do is push buttons! What I do is more of a skill than an art. I really have an appreciation for what people can do with their hands. Great job Francesco!

Ranches That Won The West

2012-02-08T17:16:00.000-06:00

October Canopy

2012-02-08T17:15:00.000-06:00

Pacific Mud Bog

2012-02-08T17:14:00.001-06:00

Tangerine Alps

2012-02-08T17:13:00.000-06:00

Water Skiing Heaven

2012-02-08T17:12:00.000-06:00

Buck Toots Corn

2012-02-08T17:11:00.000-06:00

Lazy Escape Away From The Rat Race

2012-02-07T23:01:00.000-06:00

Skyhooking The Forest

2012-02-07T17:15:00.000-06:00

Sunset On Washington State

2012-02-07T17:14:00.000-06:00

Startled Whitetail Deer

2012-02-07T17:13:00.000-06:00

East Oregon Rustic Cabin Living

2012-02-07T17:12:00.000-06:00

Shootin' And Steerin'

2012-02-07T17:11:00.000-06:00

So, you're traveling 68mph in heavy traffic when the truck in front of you has a blow out that causes it to start doing a hard pull to the right while the rim is chewin' up the highway. What do you do? That's when I grab a camera and start shootn' and steerin'. It's all just like the Wild Wild West.
If you ever hear of my sudden demise. Check my camera! I'll hit the bottom of the cliff shooting all the way.

Pick Of The Painted Ladies

2012-02-06T17:17:00.000-06:00

Finding God In My Photography

2012-02-06T17:16:00.008-06:00

This is a wonderful description of the photographic quest to capture God's wonders. I have often felt these thoughts when I am alone with my cameras. I can get lost in these places for what feels like minutes only to later discover that I was there for hours and sometimes even days. I often find myself praying that God will drag something "cool" that He made in front of me to photograph. Have you been there before?

My brother is a photographer. The images he captures are alive with color and motion that offer rare glimpses of God’s glory, like some sacred secret. Recently I received a photograph that shows him crouched beside his tripod, a dark silhouette against the blaze of a brilliant orange sky. It is a picture of intentional stillness.

Photographers understand this need for stillness.

My brother has told me of rain-drenched misery, sand-gritted wind, and long, cold hours where cramps turn muscle to knot, and restlessness nags like doubt. And still, he intentionally seeks these lonely, desolate places, confident that God’s beauty waits there for him.

Author Unknown

New Mexican Sundown

2012-02-06T17:15:00.001-06:00

Looking For The Turtle Wax

2012-02-06T17:14:00.000-06:00

AB-Original Art

2012-02-06T17:13:00.000-06:00

Golden View From Wishram Heights

2012-02-06T17:12:00.000-06:00

Reflection Lakes

2012-02-06T17:11:00.000-06:00

Dry River Canyon

2012-02-05T17:17:00.000-06:00

Memorizing 33 Verses In 10 Weeks

2012-02-05T17:16:00.011-06:00

33 Memory Verse Challenge Tools
Version A - 16 minutes
I have combined the verses into a 16 minute audio version with a bit of space to think between the verses so that I can listen to them while I am working on other things at my computer. The program I used forced me to put some form of video or photos in the background so there is no significance to the photos. I really intend to just listen to the audio while working on other things in the foreground.

33 Memory Verse Challenge Tools
Version B - 60 minutes
I have combined the verses into a 60 minute version with a relaxing audio background. You can mute the audio if it is too relaxing and it puts you to sleep while you are trying to memorize the words. Verses pop up about every two slides. Just image that the audio is eggs frying up for breakfast if that helps you wake up. Either one of these options can be made full screen.

Here are the 33 verses:
1 John 5:11-12, 2 Timothy 2:2, Ezra 7:10, John 16:24, Genesis 1:27, Isaiah 59:2, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, 1 John 1:9, Hebrews 9:27, John 5:24, Proverbs 3:5-6, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6, Matthew 6:33, 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 10:9, Philippians 4:13, Revelation 3:20, Galatians 2:20, Psalm 119:9,11, Joshua 1:8, Jeremiah 33:3, John 13:34-35, Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 9:7, John 14:21, 1 John 5:13, Psalm 122:1, Ephesians 2:10, and Mark 5:19.

The Lord will inded bless us for spending time memorizing His word.
NikonSniper Steve

Whoooo-RA From A Junkyard

2012-02-05T17:15:00.000-06:00

Stately Old Pelican

2012-02-05T17:14:00.000-06:00

Western Rail Yard

2012-02-05T17:13:00.001-06:00

God's Flower Gardens

2012-02-05T17:12:00.000-06:00

Dusk

2012-02-05T17:11:00.000-06:00

Hello From Tara At Fort Campbell

2012-02-04T18:00:00.004-06:00

We are constantly thankful for those of you who pray for our soldier. Our daughter, Tara is back in the USA after a year in South Korea. Tara is an Army Combat Field Medic and is now stationed with the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell, KY.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers. May God keep your soldiers safe from harm. May He lift them and encourage them when they feel exhausted and weary from being gone from you.

Crawdad Fishin' Crick

2012-02-04T17:16:00.000-06:00

The Bouncer Of Poulet

2012-02-04T17:15:00.000-06:00

Hog Season Is Coming Soon

2012-02-04T17:13:00.000-06:00

Blue River Winding

2012-02-04T17:12:00.000-06:00

The Mailman Hates Our Dog

2012-02-04T17:11:00.000-06:00

Pacific Coastal Real Estate

2012-02-04T17:10:00.001-06:00

Have A Great Weekend Bloggies

2012-02-03T17:20:00.001-06:00

Train Terrain

2012-02-03T17:16:00.000-06:00

Nevada Horse Farm

2012-02-03T17:14:00.000-06:00

Northern California Ranch

2012-02-03T17:13:00.000-06:00

Beverly Hills Gate To Great Basin Desert

2012-02-03T17:12:00.001-06:00

Burney Falls Late Afternoon

2012-02-03T17:12:00.000-06:00

Getting All Wide-Eyed

2012-02-03T17:11:00.000-06:00

Miss You Pops

2012-02-02T17:16:00.005-06:00

Five years ago today, on February 2, Ground Hog Day 2007, my Dad, the former pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Oakville, Ontario went to be with the Lord.
This is a photo taken at White Sands National Monument approximately 40 years ago with Dad and my two brothers, Daniel of Oakville, Ontario and Peter of Leander, Texas. I have always liked this photo because it looked like we were having a family meeting in the clouds. One day, this really will happen!
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
Miss you Pops! Stephen

The Outpost

2012-02-02T17:15:00.000-06:00

Deerz On The Move

2012-02-02T17:14:00.000-06:00

Tropical Tree Guy

2012-02-02T17:13:00.000-06:00

Harley Fire Chief

2012-02-02T17:12:00.000-06:00

Night Lights

2012-02-02T17:11:00.000-06:00

Northern Minnesota Summers

2012-02-01T17:16:00.000-06:00

Tub Rings Around Lone Rock

2012-02-01T17:15:00.000-06:00

Yep! We Blew The Roof Off That Barn Dance!

2012-02-01T17:14:00.003-06:00

Olympic Synchronized Smoke Signals

2012-02-01T17:13:00.000-06:00

Hera Moo Thera Moo Everwher Amoomoo

2012-02-01T17:12:00.000-06:00

Invisible Fencing In Colonial Williamsburg

2012-02-01T17:11:00.000-06:00

Darling Harbour

2012-01-31T17:17:00.001-06:00

Getting Near The End Of The Line

2012-01-31T17:16:00.000-06:00

No Private Property In Heaven

2012-01-31T17:15:00.000-06:00

Hamburger Blues

2012-01-31T17:13:00.000-06:00

A Day Down By The Crik

2012-01-31T17:12:00.000-06:00

I'm Leavin' On County Line

2012-01-31T17:10:00.000-06:00

My First Steps On MARS Since High School

2012-01-30T17:16:00.000-06:00

SprAY oN Building Art

2012-01-30T17:15:00.001-06:00

When You're Greasing Horses, Use WD-40

2012-01-30T17:14:00.000-06:00

The Benson View

2012-01-30T17:13:00.000-06:00

Cactus In Soft Light

2012-01-30T17:12:00.000-06:00

Who You Lookin' At?

2012-01-30T17:11:00.000-06:00

Mud Creek Bridge

2012-01-29T17:17:00.000-06:00

Are You Hiring A New Manager?

2012-01-29T17:16:00.007-06:00

A very short form of this letter was sent to me in a mass e-mailing last week. I have altered it almost completely. I wish I could give credit to the one with the original idea that got me thinking of how to present its words in a modified way that is more in line with my own personal experience.

God’s Cover Letter

To Whom It May Concern:

I have recently heard that you have been considering the hiring of a new manager for your life. I would like to apply for the job. I believe I am the most qualified candidate. I am the only One that has ever done this job successfully. I was the first manager of human beings. In fact, I made them. So, naturally I know how humanity works and exactly how to get people back into their proper working condition. Hiring me as your manager is to have the manufacturer as your personal mechanic.

If this is your first time considering me for this position, I would just like to point out that my salary has already been paid in full by the blood of my Son, Jesus on the cross. What I need from you is the acknowledgement that the price that Jesus paid is sufficient to pay for all of your sin. I need you to believe this in your heart and to tell somebody else about your decision with your mouth. See Romans 10:9-10.

The next thing I ask from you is that you choose to give me the right to change and fix your life so that you can learn how to stay close to Me. I will be making some major changes and revisions for the better. Even though some changes may feel a bit painful along the way, I guarantee you that when you look back, you will agree that the end result is way better than anything you could imagine now. At this moment, you don’t need to worry about these changes. I just need your permission to execute these changes in My way and in My time. I will change your desires and give you the strength to make the changes. Please keep your hands out of the way.

Please don't try to help me and don't resist me. I DO know what I am doing even when you feel like you're flying in the dark. I really do need your full commitment and cooperation. If you can submit to My control the process will go smoothly and will began to happen without delays.

This is your choice! So, here I AM asking you. Will you give me the job?

I have attached a copy of my resume below if you need more convincing. Please let me know soon.

Yours Sincerely,
GOD
P.S. I created the heavens and the earth. I AM.

ATTACHED BELOW IS MY RESUME
_______________________________________

God’s Short Form Resume

GOD
Address: I AM everywhere. I AM beside you right now.
Phone: No dialing necessary. I have direct connect to you. Just start talking, I hear you. If you don’t know what to say … I hear your thoughts. I even hear your feelings.

EXPERIENCE
From the beginning of time to forever! In fact, I made time.

ABILITY
I AM All Powerful. I can do anything! Seriously! Anything! I can even use YOU to do incredible things for Me if you will let Me.

PRIOR EMPLOYMENT
I created the universe and the galaxies. I made man and then I formed woman from man. Cool huh?
I also made flower petals, the wings of geese, rugged mountains, and powerful rivers. I made beautiful fish that live at the bottom of the ocean that only I get to see. I made it all. I made the softness of a horse’s nose. I made the uniqueness of YOU! I established the heavens and earth by My spoken Word and I AM currently holding up the world by My power. I gave you that last breath you just took.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING
I AM and I have all knowledge.

CHARACTER REFERENCES
Here is just a few things I can do for you. I have already put these promises in writing. There are way too many to list them all here but you can find them all in the Bible.

I give wisdom! James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
I give comfort! 2 Corinthians 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.
I AM truth! John 8:32 - "and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
I AM the healer! 1 Peter 2:24 - He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
I supply strength! Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
I promise to forgive! 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I AM the provider! Philippians 4:19 - And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
I AM merciful! Ephesians 2:4 - But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us.
I AM good! Matthew 19:17 - And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”
I give peace! Romans 14:17 - For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

AVAILABILITY
I AM willing, ready and able to take over the management of your life. I want to put your life together again. I will bring all of who I AM into your life in order to give you love, hope and real joy … even when it’s tough to feel these things. I can start right now. I will transform your life if you let Me.

SALARY REQUIREMENTS
The fees associated for continuous work for good in your life and for your eternal security have already been paid for through the blood of My Son, Jesus. Your only responsibility is to accept that payment and then commit one day at a time to trust and obey what Jesus has done and wants to do in your life.

REFERENCES
I have millions who testify as to the great things I have done to improve their life today and their eternal futures. None of them are perfect yet … but they are allowing me to manage their lives and I am in the process of accomplishing everything I have intended for them. Even before I am finished with their changes, I AM using them to help others and to tell them about Me.

NikonSniper Steve is just one of them! Steve knew he wasn't ever going to be "good enough" to get to heaven ... but he asked Me to take control of his life a long time ago and even though you have probably witnessed many of his bumpy days … I love him and continue to work on his changes. Steve can tell you how I have changed him even though he still doesn’t understand all the “whys” for the hard things he has endured. I have some surprises for him down the road. After some very tough days, Steve is now back on track and he keeps trying move toward Me even when life is hard.

YOUR LIFE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
This is your choice! I urge you to consider this most important choice with your whole heart. Some of you weigh the options of a new car purchase with greater consideration than your own eternal destinies. Don’t you think you should spend more time thinking about eternity and where you are headed?

If you accept me for the position of managing your life now you also receive eternal life with Me.

There are many options for life management and I know that the world is offering these options every day. Most of you are self-managed. How is that working out for you?

Truth is very narrow!

Most people today walk around thinking that they will be good enough in the end to get into heaven.

Wrong!

People that have never read the Bible think that it teaches that good little boys and girls get to go to heaven.

Wrong!

Want to get to heaven? Well, here’s the requirement!

Matthew 5:48 - You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

How are you doing with that? Not good! In fact, you are a sinner by your very nature. But way more importantly than that, you yourself personally ARE a sinner. Your words, thoughts and actions and actions condemn you every day. My standard is perfection and you aren’t making it on your own. You may think that you’re good enough. But that isn’t my standard. That’s yours! And you are wrong if you think your standard will be acceptable at the gate of heaven.

Let’s agree that it is better for you to find out these facts today and not after you can’t do anything about it.

Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

This is a serious problem for you! You are permanently flawed and unable to get to heaven by being good. This isn’t new. I have told you this before!

Romans 3:20 - For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Obeying the law was never designed to save you. The purpose of the law was in order to make you aware that you were a sinner and did not meet my standard of perfection. If there was no law, there would be no sin ... so the law had to be written so you fully understood why you could not meet the demands. I had to send you a perfect sacrifice that you have to accept.

Trying to be good has never saved anyone! Not even back in the Old Testament. Guess how they were saved in the Old Testament! Read Hebrews 11. It was by faith not the law!

Hebrews 11 verses:
v4 By faith Abel …, v5 By faith Enoch …, v7 By faith Noah …, v8 By faith Abraham …, v11 By faith Sarah …, v17 By faith Abraham …, v20 By faith Isaac …, v21 By faith Jacob …, v22 By faith Joseph …, v23 By faith Moses …, v29 By faith the people …, v31 By faith Rahab the prostitute …, v32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - v33 who through faith …

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

I hope you got it this time. You are trying to be good enough by your standards in order to earn heaven. This was never the plan. The world is offering you the “DO GOOD” plan. You are trying to self-manage this plan and I AM telling you it will fail. It isn’t a plan at all! You are trying to meet your own standards and I am telling you it doesn’t meet My standard of perfection.

But there is good news!

I knew there was nothing you could DO to earn perfection. You would be bound for hell if I didn’t intervene in this situation. I loved you so much that I sent you a way to be forgiven. Even when you were lost in sin, I sent you My most precious and perfect One, Jesus to sacrifice His life in your place. He paid for your sin if you will accept that payment. I sent Jesus so that you could start living life today!

I have no intention to force you to accept His Lordship in your life. I want your love! I made you so that you could really love Me. I didn’t make you a robot. You have a choice. You can accept My Son and live life to the fullest or you can really reject Him. I want REAL love from you. I want you to really choose Jesus, not just phony words that you say for show. That won’t work! And you can’t fool Me!

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8 -but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 10:10 -The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

I knew sin was too enormous for you to handle. Perfection remains My standard. If you could get to heaven by your “DO GOOD” self-management plan then you are saying that Jesus died for nothing and that you will not accept My perfect offering for you.

Galatians 2:21 - I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

In love I gave you My very best. I gave you My Son, Jesus as a sacrifice for your sins. I gave Jesus when you could not meet My standard of perfection. I made a way for you to go to heaven through Him. If you reject Him, you are telling Me that My plan doesn’t matter to you. You may wish to investigate what happened to people who rejected Me in the Bible. I AM Holy and Just. I AM going to judge the world for rejecting My Son.

So, the GOOD NEWS is very simple but it costs you control of the management of your life. You have to surrender that control to Me as an act of your will. You have to choose to give it to Me and accept My Son as payment for your sins. You really DO NOT want to test me by rejecting my Son. I gave you My best. I won’t take any fake act of surrender in return for what I AM offering you.

Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

There are many in the world telling you that My Son is just one of the options to get to heaven. They'll say Jesus works for you ... but ___________ works for me.

Which one of these “fill in the blanks” was perfect? Which one of these died for your sins? My standard is perfection and I have given it to you in My only Son, Jesus! There is only One Way!

Matthew 7:13 - “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
John 10:7 - So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
John 10:9 - I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Acts 4:12 - And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
1 Timothy 2:5-6 - For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
1 John 2:23 - No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
Romans 5:21 - so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 5:11-12 - And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
John 3:16-18 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

SUMMARY
Have you spent more time considering what to watch on TV than thinking about where you will spend eternity? I urge you to earnestly pray daily, “Lord Jesus, if you are really there, please help me to find you”. I want to intervene and be the manager of your life. I want to show you the great plans I have for your life.

Matthew 7:7-8 - “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Maybe you realize these words are talking straight to you and for the first time you understand them. I urge you to invite me to take control. Pray, “Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. Forgive me. I know you died and rose again. I want to live for you. Please take control of my life and help me to commit daily to live for you. I accept the gift of salvation. Help me to find a church and a Bible that will teach me more about you and how I should live. In Jesus name. Amen.

If you prayed these words, find a Bible and start reading the book of John. Look for a church that meets every week and tell someone about the decision you made to make Me your personal life manager.

Romans 10:9-10 - Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Cactus Country

2012-01-29T17:15:00.000-06:00

Northern Arizona Blizzard

2012-01-29T17:14:00.000-06:00

Flagstaff Alps

2012-01-29T17:13:00.000-06:00

Birthday Candles

2012-01-29T17:12:00.000-06:00