Indiana is truly a beautiful state. We passed many farms and forests. Unfortunately I did not get the chance to shoot many pictures outside. The one shot I did get was on our way back and I shot it as we were driving. Here are some pics:
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Indiana Trip
As some of you may know I went along with Pastor Esdras on a trip to Indiana on Tuesday and Wednesday. he was invited to preach at the Pastor's Week event held by the Mennonite church in Elkhart. Esdras delivered a powerful message about the inportance of testifying to what God has done for us so that this can help others believe that God is NOT a fake....awesome stuff. We didn't have good weather Tuesday night and Wednesday morning my truck's doors were sealed shut because of the freezing rain that had fallen.
Indiana is truly a beautiful state. We passed many farms and forests. Unfortunately I did not get the chance to shoot many pictures outside. The one shot I did get was on our way back and I shot it as we were driving. Here are some pics:
Indiana is truly a beautiful state. We passed many farms and forests. Unfortunately I did not get the chance to shoot many pictures outside. The one shot I did get was on our way back and I shot it as we were driving. Here are some pics:
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
10 Commandments of Photography
ALWAYS Know Your Equipment - Know how to use your equipment, know what all the settings and options do, and know how they affect your photography. Be comfortable with your camera.
NEVER Try Too Hard - Have fun and learn as you go. The hard stuff will start to come naturally; you’ll just get frustrated if you try forcing it.
ALWAYS Break The Rules - Maybe not always, but don’t be afraid to do it. Know the rules of photography well enough to know how to properly break them.
ALWAYS Rediscover Yourself - Don’t forget about your past photos. Go back through them, look at them in new ways, and make something of them.
ALWAYS Try New Things - Don’t hesitate to alter compositions while shooting, use your equipment in a non-traditional way, explore the camera settings while shooting, and try new post processing techniques.
ALWAYS Mimic Those Who Inspire You - If you like an artist or a photo, figure out why. Apply that to your own work and mix it with other styles you’ve picked up.
NEVER Forget Your Roots - What got you into photography? If you’re ever lacking inspiration, go back to your roots. For me, it’s my kids.
ALWAYS Do It For Yourself - Don’t take pictures that you think other people will like. If you like them, that’s all that counts.
ALWAYS Get Your Priorities Straight - Your camera gear is expensive. Your pictures are worth more than money. But your knowledge of photography is invaluable.
NEVER Stop Learning - I try to apply this philosophy to life in general. You’ll never cease to be amazed at the things you can learn. And my favorite saying “The more you learn, the less you know” is so dang true.
NEVER Try Too Hard - Have fun and learn as you go. The hard stuff will start to come naturally; you’ll just get frustrated if you try forcing it.
ALWAYS Break The Rules - Maybe not always, but don’t be afraid to do it. Know the rules of photography well enough to know how to properly break them.
ALWAYS Rediscover Yourself - Don’t forget about your past photos. Go back through them, look at them in new ways, and make something of them.
ALWAYS Try New Things - Don’t hesitate to alter compositions while shooting, use your equipment in a non-traditional way, explore the camera settings while shooting, and try new post processing techniques.
ALWAYS Mimic Those Who Inspire You - If you like an artist or a photo, figure out why. Apply that to your own work and mix it with other styles you’ve picked up.
NEVER Forget Your Roots - What got you into photography? If you’re ever lacking inspiration, go back to your roots. For me, it’s my kids.
ALWAYS Do It For Yourself - Don’t take pictures that you think other people will like. If you like them, that’s all that counts.
ALWAYS Get Your Priorities Straight - Your camera gear is expensive. Your pictures are worth more than money. But your knowledge of photography is invaluable.
NEVER Stop Learning - I try to apply this philosophy to life in general. You’ll never cease to be amazed at the things you can learn. And my favorite saying “The more you learn, the less you know” is so dang true.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
10 reasons why Macs are better than PC's
After buying my Macbook in August of last year, many people have asked me why I didn't just get a cheaper Windows PC. The simple answer to that is you get what you pay for. Sure Macs are more expensive..but don't you want something more stable, that's gonna last you longer and you don't have to spend time troubleshooting as much? Here's 10 more reasons to get a Mac:
1. Easy set up - Macs are ready to use right out of the box. You unpack it, turn it on and get on the internet in seconds. Heck, most don't even come with written instructions like PC's do.
2. Designed better - Macs come with everything you need already built in...all you do is plug it in. No messy cords for this and that...no extra pieces to get lost or misplace. Also you don't have to spend time troubleshooting and fixing things...the point of a computer is to make life easier....Mac does that beautifully.
3. Better Operating System - Macs are the original OS...did you know that? Windows is nothing but a pirated version of the Mac; just look closer at Vista. Why mess with a cheap imitation full of bugs...not to mention Windows is a perfect target for all those viruses floating around...
4. Software - This is not an issue anymore. You can get the same software as PC's without the hassle. No more PC only files...the Mac opens them. Installation is a breeze.
5. Free stuff - There is more free stuff out there for Macs...utilities, games, business software. Mac users are more likely to share software...while PC users are always afraid that Microsoft is coming after them for sharing...puh-leeze!
6. Community - Mac users genuinely help other Mac users...no snotty attitudes...no little geeks pretending to be smarter than you when you ask a question. Mac users are more like a brotherhood and it feels good to know you're supported.
7. Get work done - Macs can handle word processing, graphs and tables probably better than a PC can. So even when you use it for work your creativity comes thru.
8. Play harder - Computer games simply are better on a Mac; the graphics render way better and the play is faster.
9. Everything connects - You can connect your external hard drives, printers, cameras, etc. without your computer asking you what you want or having to use some "wizard" for everything.
10. It does Windows - Did you know that you can run Windows on a Mac? It's like having two computers at once...how awesome is that? Try that on your PC....
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Macbook Air!!!
So, Apple which makes the best computers in the world period, has just released its new laptop...the Macbook Air. it is the world's thinnest laptop and weighs only 3 pounds. It comes with a ton of features which you can check out at apple.com. Once again another innovative product which I'm sure PC's will waste no time in copying....as always.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
A Letter From Hell
Check out this hard-hitting video. We must tell others about Jesus; the consequenses could be devastating.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Michael W. Smith - Healing Rain
This is an amazing song that assures us that no matter how low we sink, we can never be outside of God's love. The song is such a blessing to me and I hope it will be to you as well.
Healing rain is coming down
It's coming nearer to this old town
Rich and poor, weak and strong
It's bringing mercy, it won't be long
Healing rain is coming down
It's coming closer to the lost and found
Tears of joy and tears of shame
Are washed forever in Jesus' name
Chorus
Healing rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I'm not afraid
To be washed in Heaven's rain
Lift your heads, let us return
To the mercy seat where time began
And in your eyes I see the pain
Come soak this dry heart with healing rain
And only You, the Son of man
Can take a leper and let him stand
So lift your hands, they can be held
By someone greater, the Great I Am
Healing rain is falling down
Healing rain is falling down
I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid
Healing rain is coming down
It's coming nearer to this old town
Rich and poor, weak and strong
It's bringing mercy, it won't be long
Healing rain is coming down
It's coming closer to the lost and found
Tears of joy and tears of shame
Are washed forever in Jesus' name
Chorus
Healing rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I'm not afraid
To be washed in Heaven's rain
Lift your heads, let us return
To the mercy seat where time began
And in your eyes I see the pain
Come soak this dry heart with healing rain
And only You, the Son of man
Can take a leper and let him stand
So lift your hands, they can be held
By someone greater, the Great I Am
Healing rain is falling down
Healing rain is falling down
I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid
Motivation
"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed...every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle...when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The eyes have it...
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. If that is true then these souls look pretty interesting....
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
My problem with the car...
Back in the 80's there was this cool show called Knight Rider about a secret agent (Michael Knight) who drove a super car named KITT that was inderstuctible and could talk. The show was a complete hit. To see that car take a look at this video:
Now, NBC is doing a sequel to the series with a brand new car. The new car is a Ford Shelby GT...totally awesome car. Here's the problem: the new KITT has not one scanning lights but two....TWO!!! Come on Hollywood!!!...true fans of the show will want to see that familiar single scanning light moving eerily back and forth...not two lights moving in opposite directions. I wish they'd get it right.
Anyways, this is the new car:
Now, NBC is doing a sequel to the series with a brand new car. The new car is a Ford Shelby GT...totally awesome car. Here's the problem: the new KITT has not one scanning lights but two....TWO!!! Come on Hollywood!!!...true fans of the show will want to see that familiar single scanning light moving eerily back and forth...not two lights moving in opposite directions. I wish they'd get it right.
Anyways, this is the new car:
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
My favorite band of all time!!!
This is Stryper...the most awesome christian rock band ever. These guys were out there rocking before any of the current christian bands were even imagined. In a world of bands promoting sex, drugs, and bad attitudes, these guys were going on tours telling people about God. I was in high school when I first heard about them and after I bought their CD I was hooked. Their concerts drew thousands and after each one they tossed Bibles into the audience...the crowds loved receiving them. Unfortunately they broke up in the early 90's.
Now, after years apart they are back and better than ever. Their current CD, Reborn, is awesome and millions of fans around the world have been anticipating the return of Stryper. Check out this video shot in Puerto Rico. They are singing a song called "To Hell With The Devil", one of their top hits in the 80's. The audio is not too good so I posted the lyrics below.
To Hell With The Devil
Speak of the devil
He's no friend of mine
To turn from him is what we have in mind
Just a liar and a thief
The word tells us so
We like to let him know
Where he can go
[Chorus]
To hell with the devil
To hell with the devil
When things are going wrong
You know who to blame
He will always live
Up to his name
He's never been the answer
There's a better way
We are here to rock you
And to say...
[Repeat Chorus]
Now, after years apart they are back and better than ever. Their current CD, Reborn, is awesome and millions of fans around the world have been anticipating the return of Stryper. Check out this video shot in Puerto Rico. They are singing a song called "To Hell With The Devil", one of their top hits in the 80's. The audio is not too good so I posted the lyrics below.
To Hell With The Devil
Speak of the devil
He's no friend of mine
To turn from him is what we have in mind
Just a liar and a thief
The word tells us so
We like to let him know
Where he can go
[Chorus]
To hell with the devil
To hell with the devil
When things are going wrong
You know who to blame
He will always live
Up to his name
He's never been the answer
There's a better way
We are here to rock you
And to say...
[Repeat Chorus]
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Jeremy Camp
This guy is awesome!!! His music is so amazing and he reaches millions of teens in his concerts. The first clip is him singing "My Desire" in concert, the second is the video for his awesome song "Take You Back".
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year!!!
I hope y'all are staying warm out there cause it is sooo cold here. Had another bad snowfall....I hate the stuff even tho it makes for some pretty pictures. Since I was off work yesterday I went to some nearby woods and forest preserves to look for some interesting scenes and I found a few. Then I was off to my mother's house where the family got together to enjoy some food and each other's company. Right now I'm at work eating some hot chili and posting. Check out the pics I took yesterday.
