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| This is a composite of 6 shots. There were 9 exposures originally but the software on hand could not create a perfect stitch. Also, the white balance on the D40 was apparently set to 'Auto' at the time because I was getting all sorts of bogus colors, cold to warm from left to right. You can see that is still the case here, even if these shots were taken from the original raw files and all set to 7600K. Despite the aforementioned setbacks I insisted on producing something from the set of exposures. Echo lake was just so beautiful that it couldn't all be taken at 18mm.. I remember we didn't have much time to shoot because we needed to be out of the park by a certain time. That, or my brother just wanted to make it home early. |
"For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died; And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Christ's finished work - His life, death, resurrection and ascension - was done for all, that we would be saved from a life of absolute failure. In Christ, we are not just saved and guaranteed an eternity in the loving presence of our Heavenly Father, but we are also revived, renewed, and redirected. As the verse mentions, the love of Christ (demonstrated and seen ultimately in His finished work) is what controls and urges and impels us - it is the driving force behind our thoughts and actions.
Let's face it - left on our own, even with the greatest of motivations and purest of intentions, we would crumble. If we wouldn't break down, any foundation we stand on will fail - save for the foundation of Christ Jesus! We call Him the Rock on whom we stand, for He is the only sure foundation we can count on. Though the heavens would come burning down, and though the earth fades into oblivion, the Words of our Savior will never pass away!
And do His words condemn us? No, for in Christ there is no condemnation! Any semblance of harsh legalism is misinterpretation unless it humbles us to the point that we realize that we never had any hope on our own strength, we never had any hope on our own, period! No, His words to those who are rejected and unloved are: 'God so loved the world (including them) that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.'
To those wracked with guilt and condemnation, He says, 'I do not condemn you. Go, and sin no more.'
To those who are anxious, He says more than once, 'Have no fear.'; and He does not discount the fact that there will be trouble in this life, but we are to take heart! For He says, 'I have overcome the world.'
If we are to meditate, let us meditate on His words! Let His words come to life, and let the signs and wonders follow!
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| Gaze of Concern |
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| Here's part of what should have been in the panorama. Now that I've tried with significant effort to add it (and failed), I think that any software would struggle with shots with variable lighting, caused by one strong source that changes within seconds - in this case, this sunset. |
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| Another view, in Black and White. note the fishermen in the extreme right. |
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email me at jibee@rocketmail.com.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you His Shalom. - Numbers 6:24-26