Skywatch Friday Thoughts and More

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The Broadmoor - Colorado Springs, CO

I was on a business trip last week.  The event was held at The Broadmoor, in Colorado Springs, CO.  This is one incredible place to spend a few days.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  You are looking at the most clouds that were in the sky during our four day stay.  

The Broadmoor opened in 1918 and for many years was the exclusive resort to American royalty and dignitaries from around the world.  It has been a 5-star resort for over 50 years.  The service is incredible and the accommodations are unlike anywhere else.  This place is as fine a place to stay as money can buy.  Still, it does not compare to that place that is prepared for those who name the name of Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Christ said that He has gone to prepare a place for us, and where He is, we will be there too.  I cannot imagine what my Lord has done for me.  I know one thing, I deserve nothing, but His death on the cross and my relationship with Him has reserved a special place for me in heaven.  One of these days I will join God's family and live forever with my King.  When I think about this promise, I have to ask myself, "Who Am I?"  Enjoy.

Have a wonderful week-end.

Wordless Wednesday

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Dana House - Springfield, IL

Architect:  Frank Lloyd Wright

Ruby Tuesday

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Ugly Duck

Skywatch Friday Thoughts and More

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This photo was taken on a pleasant July day at a local golf course during a charity event.  Our office sponsored one of the holes, so I was manning my station, with camera in hand.  As you can see, it was a wonderful day.
It is days like this, that I can look to the heavens and be ever thankful to the God of all creation for this life.  I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams.  I am not rich, by the standards of this country in which we live.  I live in the most blessed country on the planet.  God has shed His grace on the United States in unbelievable fashion.  However, regardless of how blessed I am here, it is nothing compared to the place that he has prepared for me.  There will come a day when those who are called by His name will rise.  I pray that you will join us, because, in that Resurrection Morning,  "We Shall Rise."  Enjoy.

Hallelujah & Amen!

Wordless Wednesday

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Abandoned

Ruby Tuesday - Decatur Illinois Church Tour - Final Chapter

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This edition of Ruby Tuesday brings us to the final stop on our tour of Churches in Decatur, Illinois.  This is the First United Methodist Church.  As best as I can determine, this structure was built around 1906.  I did not do a close inspection of the exterior, but I doubt if that red was the original finish on the building.  Still, the basic Gothic architecture is in tact.

Well, that concludes our visit to the Churches of Decatur.  As I said earlier, I would LOVE to schedule a return visit to each of these churches and photograph the stained glass windows from the inside.  I know they will take my breath away.  Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Skywatch Friday Thoughts and More

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 Autumn is just around the corner.  It is my favorite time of the year.  I don't expect the colors to be that great this year, due to a long, hot, dry summer.  There are a lot of dead trees in the woods because of the heat and lack of water.  Still, autumn can provide some of the nicer sunrise and sunset photo opportunities.

 I captured these two shots on the way to work the other morning.  I try to keep a point and shoot camera in the car at all times.  You just never know when the next great photo will appear.

Happy Birthday Big Guy!

The Big Guy turned seven yesterday.  He's the only grandson and he has three older sisters.  Pray for him, please.  We had pizza, cake, and ice-cream...all of the basic food groups.  It was a school night, so a real party is scheduled for next week-end.

Sunrise reminds me that each morning is a new beginning.  A new day has arrived and it is filled with opportunities and choices. I read something the other day that said we should start each day by making the Devil say,"Oh no, he's up."  I like that.  Unfortunately, most of my mornings do not strike fear into the heart of Satan.  In fact, I doubt if I cause him much concern.  How about you?  God is constantly reminding me of His love for me, His concern for my welfare, and His desire to spend time with me.  I need to do a better job of holding up my end of the relationship.  Like everyone else, there was a time in my life when I was lost and separated from God.  It was His love that saved me.  Like the song says, "Love Lifted Me."  Enjoy.  Have a great week-end.  Come back for a new week.

Decatur, IL Church Tour Part III

Next up of our Decatur Illinois church tour, is the Presbyterian edifice.  It is a relatively compact structure.  You may notice a striking resemblance between the bell tower here and the one at the Episcopal church that I posted Tuesday.

This entry is located to the far left of the bell tower and main gable in the first photo.

We have one more stop to make on our tour of Decatur Churches.  Since it is a red building, I will save that one for next week's Ruby Tuesday post.  However, don't forget to stop by tomorrow for Skywatch Friday.  See you then.

Wordless Wednesday

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Details

Ruby Tuesday - Decatur, IL Church Tour Part II

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This week's Ruby Tuesday takes us to the second stop on our Decatur, Illinois church tour.  This red door and red sandstone gem is the Episcopal Church.  It is located across the street from the Catholic church that I featured earlier.  Scroll down to see it.

Something tells me that these red doors are going to become a Ruby Tuesday badge very soon.

I have got to get inside this church and photograph these windows!

You have to love the rusticated stone details.

Those fish-scale shingles are a wonderful detail.

Decatur, IL Church Tour

As I mentioned last Friday, my wife and I took a few days off to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins in Decatur, Illinois recently. While there, I took a morning to drive downtown and photograph some great looking old buildings. Churches are among my favorite subjects and some of the one's in Decatur are just stunning. You will get to see several of them over the next few days. First up is St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Scroll down to see one more view of this structure. Come back Tuesday to see the next installment.

Skywatch Friday Thoughts and More

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St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Decatur, IL

Last week we took a vacation and went to visit my Aunt, Uncle and cousins in Decatur, IL.  While driving into town I noticed several wonderful churches that I just had to photograph before our visit was complete.  You will be seeing more of this building, as well as the others in the days ahead.  I would pay money to go inside these structures and photograph the multitude of stained glass windows.  Next year, I just may call ahead and see if I can't schedule an appointment to see the interiors of these wonderful buildings.  At any rate, our visit was great.  My cousins are the closest thing I have to brothers and sisters.  We laughed, joked and just enjoyed a few days together doing family stuff.  I was a wonderful four days and a much needed break from the office. 

This week I will share another song from one of today's artists.  These wonderful old churches remind me of the time when this country held the church in high regard and the church held Christ in the highest regard.  There was a time when activities like little league didn't take place on Wednesday's because that was church night.  Today, we have soccer tournaments on Sunday mornings.  We fit Christ and the corporate worship of Him into our schedule.  If it is convenient for us to worship, we do so. If not, no big deal.  At best, we have become lukewarm in our attitude towards our Lord and His church.   Unfortunately, we will have to answer for this attitude one of these days.  In the book of Revelation, Christ has this to say, "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." Ouch!  There will come a day when everyone will acknowledge Christ for who He really is.  Philippians 2:10 tells us, "that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

There is no better time than now to cry out to Jesus.  Enjoy and have a wonderful week-end.

Wordless Wednesday

American Masterpiece