Nov 30, 2012

"Ode to Sunshine" by Kelly McGee

The Curved Wall and Ledge in the Coffee Bar

Ode to Sunshine
December 2 - January 6, 2013
Gallery @ Common Grounds

Original oil paintings and mixed-media on wood by Kelly McGee
 
To read the companion gallery booklet, The Heart Behind the Art, please click here or pick up a copy from the ledge in the coffee bar (as seen in the image above)?
 
 

Trust Your Intuitive Heart | You Will Find Me | How to Have Peace of Mind

The Gallery Booklet, The Heart Behind the Art

I AM

414

The Seed Within | Spirit Filled | Don't Hide Your Light

Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit

Nov 23, 2012

Friday Prayer



Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for the things that I have done that make me feel uncomfortable in Your presence.  The front that I polish so well for people to see does not deceive You. 

For You know every thought that has left its shadow on my memory.  You have marked every motive that curdled something sweet within me. 

I acknowledge, with sorrow and true repentance, that:
          I have desired that which I should not have;
          I have toyed with what I knew was not for me;
          I have been preoccupied with self-interest;
          I have invited unclean thoughts into my mind and
entertained them as honored guests.
          My ears have often been deaf to Your whisper;
          My eyes have been often been blind to the signs of
Your guidance. 

Make me willing to be changed, even though it requires surgery of the soul. And the therapy of discipline. 

Make my heart warm and soft, that I may receive and accept now the blessings of Your forgiveness. 

~written by Peter Marshall

Nov 20, 2012

Inklings, Finally!



You can expect to find copies of the Fall | Winter Inklings hot off the press by Sunday, 11/25 at LWCC. Sorry for the delay!

Nov 7, 2012

What Lens Do You See Through?




Prime, Zoom, Ultrawide, Wide, Telephoto, Specialty lens, Macro

All of these types of lenses meet specific needs in photography. Depending on what you are trying to capture will depend on the lens you choose. For me, there is another depth to the lens that I see through that is not quite as tangible.
 
About 4 years ago I began noticing things around me on my daily walk in a way that I hadn’t before. There was a depth to my outside world that hadn’t been there in my younger years. Discovering and absorbing God’s creation in a unique way became a new aspect of connecting with Him. Amazement in the wonder of sunrise, the beauty of clouds, the soaring of birds, the nuances in smells, the tones in sounds…many details that I hadn’t noticed before. 

Have you ever give that much thought? What if the enjoyment of photography was more than getting all the settings right or learning everything that your camera has to offer?

The next time you are out and about, as you are preparing to snap the next picture, take time for the depths of colors in the sky, watch the rapidness of the sunrise and how quickly the atmosphere changes, take time to count the variety of birds there are. Close your eyes for a few minutes and notice the sounds and smell in God’s creation, what do you notice that you hadn’t before? If you are not an outside kind of person, find a way to change what I have described to match with what you gravitate toward in photography.

Some questions you can ask God as you begin think about photography through a not so tangible lens…

What perspective do I need in this moment?
What lens am I seeing through?
What do You want me to see God?

Encounter for the month: The beauty in the fall colors have been lovely. Now that many leaves are on the ground take some time over the next few weeks and choose one or more of the questions above to ask God to help you be a little more intentional about what you are capturing. Please post your experience both in photo and in word. We would enjoy seeing and hearing about it!

Nov 1, 2012

November Exhibit at LWCC

The November Exhibit at LWCC
Seeing Beyond the Obvious
11/7 - 11/28
The Gallery @ Common Grounds
 
As a contemplative photographer, I am learning to see beyond the obvious. Because I couple my time behind the lens with a running dialog of conversation and prayer with God, His Spirit leads me to look at things that I’d usually walk past or simply ignore. What I’ve discovered is when I actually expect those nudges from Him and obey them, He reveals to me deep and meaningful insight through the most ordinary of objects. The camera causes me to slow down so that I can intentionally walk with God, inviting Him to show me what He wants me to see.  
September at The Studio was based on this passion of mine: To See Beyond the Obvious. It was a very meaningful month where people used their cameras to slow down and see in a new way through their lens, be it a point-n-shoot, dSLR, or cell phone camera.  
This exhibit is a result of their participation in September @ The Studio. You will see their images, which may seem ordinary. But then you’ll read their reflections about their images. It’s here where we hope you can also see beyond the obvious. 
Consider how God may be speaking to you through the photographers’ images and reflections.  
grace & peace, deAnn Roe
 
Here are a few pieces you'll find in the exhibit.... 
 

Striking Contrast
The second night of September @ The Studio was titled “Drawing with Light.” We were encouraged to capture our images that evening in black and white, as it’s easier to pay attention to the effects of light on an object when shooting in monotone.

I used a close-up kit on my dSLR to get this image of striking contrast; it’s a vase on the counter. When I look at this photo, I am reminded how dark our beautiful world is and I’m keenly aware of the deep need for the Light of Christ to cast out all shadows. I want to be a carrier of His Great Light… 

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 The Message 

By deAnn Roe




Imperfections
Our house was built in 1900, or so says the deed. Every single time we dig a hole in the back yard to plant a shrub, we find interesting stuff from decades ago. Often we find very old bottles; some broken, some fully intact. This image is a close up of the neck of one of our non-descript backyard bottles.  

As you look at this bottle, it’s easy to point out the imperfections by way of the bubbles buried in the glass. Obviously, this was a useful bottle at one point in its life, maybe delivering life-saving medicine, maybe offering a cool drink, or maybe held a strong cleaning agent. 

I am this bottle. Bubbled up with imperfections and flaws, yet my Heavenly Father still sees value in me. He has a purpose for me and my life. He longs to have a loving and lasting relationship with me and asks me to surrender to His will… when I say, “yes, Lord,” He uses me to fulfill His purposes, despite my many flaws. He loves us despite our imperfections and we become perfect in Him.
 

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

 
By deAnn Roe


Mesh Shadows
The real beauty of this picture was only evident when I sat down to edit it. It was only then that I realized the silhouettes of my four sons, black and nearly featureless, still expressed their personalities perfectly! The daring one, the casual one, the timid one, and the showman. It was an amazing revelation to me! 

By Tim Trexler



Surrender
This little leaf vividly revealed to me the virtue of surrender.  I was drawn to how small, fragile, and flawed it was, its yellow hue slowly fading away. This dying leaf reminded me how I must continue to die to self and surrender completely to Christ in order to experience new growth in Him.   

I am so thankful that Christ has accepted me with all my flaws, defects, and brokenness.  Like the dying leaf, I must learn to let go and rest in Him, knowing that He will catch me when I fall.    

By Karen Shreiner


 
Unexpected Change
I am always running out of the house to photograph a sunset.  On this particular evening, I noticed that the light from the sunset was shining in the window onto the African Violets.   

I got curious and took a picture of the light reaching the flowers.  The light was reflecting on several different areas in the room.  Those reflections were captured by the camera and created colors and shapes that were unseen to my eyes.  This was unexpected and was truly a gift to me. 

Often the picture we see isn’t what God sees.  He sees what we are becoming as the reflection of His light and beauty reaches our lives. 

Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  Isaiah 43:18 – 19 

By Penny Heilman




All Creation Points to The Creator
I don’t consider myself a photographer. I just enjoy taking photos with my point and shoot camera using the automatic setting. I totally depend on my camera to do all the work, while I have fun with composition.     

On the evening of the first pre-sunset photo shoot, I was drawn to a tiny white wildflower I had never seen before. I thought little of it when I snapped the picture. But I was completely blown away, when I got home and blew up my photos on my computer screen!
 

This picture is pretty grainy, but if you study the center of each downy soft flower, you will notice the detail that captured my heart and inspired the title I chose to accompany my print. At the core of each blossom is a very distinct arrow; a unique indentation that appears to be stamped into each tiny white flower segment.   

I’m still amazed every time I look at the picture! I stand in awe, as I have a deeper appreciation for the creativity of our God! That He would include such a remarkable detail in a miniature member of the plant kingdom is mind boggling to me. On any other given day, I would have stepped over this example of God’ artistry, and I would have missed such a special moment with my Creator! 

I’m so thankful that He drew me closer to His heart by inviting me to capture His artwork through the lens of my camera. I was also so blessed by the pink ribbons of grass and the rosy stems that linked the petals to its’ life source.  

Thank You, Lord, for not letting me miss this special encounter with You. Through Your awesome creation, You helped me to “See Beyond The Obvious.” 

By Renee’ Barnhouse