Skywatch Friday

I haven't entered a photo competition in a couple of years. Last Thursday I decided I would submit a few entries into the local county fair. It's not a huge competition but it is always exciting to see what others think of your efforts. I prepared four images for the competition. The judging took place on Monday and the fair opened on Tuesday. Tuesday afternoon I ventured out to the exhibit hall to see if I had any success. It was a good day.

This image was awarded first place in it's category.

This image took first place in the color division for "Sports/Action".

This image placed second in the Black & White division of "Sports/Action".

And this final entry placed second in the Black & White "Portraits" category. It was a very good day.
One thing about any competition is that it helps you know how you're doing. Your friends will always tell you that your photography rocks. That's what friends are for. But a competition places your work in front of someone with no knowledge or interest in who you are. They are only interested in the quality of the image. There is a dangerous side to this competition thing as well. Now I am giving considering taking a couple of these images and entering them in the Tulsa State Fair next month. Have a blessed week-end.

Inspiration Thursday - What a Friend

Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. (1 Samuel 18:1.)

Most all of us have people in our lives that we consider friends. Some of those relationships we consider close friends. But is there a friend in your life that is closer to you than family? There is an old saying that, "Blood is thicker than water". That is mostly true in our relationships with others. However David and Jonathan were the closest of friends and their friendship transcended their family ties. Their relationship is a picture of our relationship with Christ.
Jonathan was a prince, heir to the kingdom. David was a shepherd and had nothing to bring to the relationship other than himself. Christ is the Prince of Peace dressed in the robes of eternal royalty. We are dressed in the filthy rags of sin. Christ took off the robes of the kingdom, laid down his sword of righteousness and went to the cross to pay the price for our sins. His love for us and desire to have an eternal relationship with us is the reason He died for us. Through Christ and Christ alone, we can be joint heirs to the eternal kingdom of God. What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Wordless Wednesday

Kids Being Kids

 

AWE-some Mondays

Beginning in April and running through November, the first Friday of each month is celebrated with a street fair on the town square. There are food trucks, vendors, entertainment and plenty of people watching going on. There is a theme for each month and this past Friday was "Back to School". Along with the local high schools (we have two starting this year), several charter schools, the local community college, University of Arkansas, and a number of educational vendors were  present.

The Black & Gold of the Bentonville Tigers is now joined by the Blue & Gold of the Bentonville West Wolverines. Our town has grown to the point that a second high school will open in a few days, creating an instant rivalry in every sport.

For me, the entertainment highlight were these two local high school student hip-hop dancers. I was NEVER this flexible...never!

There was also a bike race. I don't know much about bicycle racing, but I believe that this was a 40 minute timed event. The course ran around the downtown area and included eight turns in a one mile course.

One thing that I do know is that few things are more colorful or more chaotic than the start of a bike race. It's a wonder that any of these guys escape having a wreck at some point in the race. For me, anything that involves a lot of activity from my knees has become a spectator sport. Have a blessed day.

Inspiration Thursday - It is Well

Whenever life deals us a harsh blow, we often feel anxiety. Whenever our society seems to be moving in the wrong direction at light speed, we become very apprehensive. We have been told that the upcoming presidential election is the most important in the history of this nation and that is probably true. So what is the Christian to do? Are we to wring our hands in worry? Do we rail against those who oppose even the most basic tenants of scripture? Do we run into the streets shouting our point of view into the face of society?
God says,"Be still and know that I am God."(Psalm 46:10) In other words, calm down and remember who you serve. Psalm 46:8-9 reminds us to, "Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two. He burns the chariot in the fire." We cannot change the world around us until we are willing to change ourselves.
If we want to see real change in the life of this nation then we must be obedient to His word and that word says, "...if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14). The change must begin from within. Then we can say "It is Well With My Soul."

Wordless Wednesday - Kind of

Last Saturday night we went to a concert featuring two Christian groups, Jeremy Camp & Mercy Me.
We had seats on the 5th row. Yes, it was loud, but it was very good. Here are a couple of examples of their work.

Jeremy Camp

 Bart Millard - Lead Vocals- Mercy Me

Aww Mondays - 44 Facts

I've been blogging since 2007. Back in the early days of my blogging there were fewer photos posted than now and some of the memes were more information based or called upon the participant to explore their creative side. One of my favorite memes Thursday Thirteen. Each week the blogger was required to come up with a list of thirteen items based on a theme of their own choosing. One of the favorites from my warped mind was based on thirteen ways to know if you're a bass fisherman. A couple of examples...
You might be a bass fisherman if;
1.   The engine on your boat has a higher horsepower rating that your wife's car.
2.   Your truck and boat are color coordinated, but your living room furniture isn't.
3.   Losing your tackle box would reduce your net worth by 25%
The other day a friend of mine posted 44 personal facts on Facebook. I thought it was fun, so here are mine. You might say Ahh or Aww, but it is unlikely that you will be in Awe of this list. Have a blessed day.

44 Odd Things You Don't Know About Me:

1. Do you like bleu cheese? No.
2. Have you ever smoked? Yes
3. Do you own a gun? Yes
4. What's your favorite food type? Mexican
5. Do you get nervous before doctor visits? No
6. What do you think of hot dogs? With chili and cheese
7. Favorite movie? Jeremiah Johnson
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee w/cream
9. What is your favorite piece of jewelry? Wedding band
11. Favorite hobby? Digital photography, fishing
12. Do you have A.D.D.? No, well maybe...oh look, a bunny!
13. What's one thing you dislike about yourself? Classified
14. What's your middle name. Rork (It was my mother's maiden name)
15. Name three thoughts at this moment. Fishing, Photography, Oh look, a bunny!
16. Name 3 drinks you drink regularly. Coffee, tea, Coke Zero
17. Current worry? What, me worry? Classified.
18. Current annoyance right now? Presidential election (I have grave concerns about both candidates)
19. Favorite place to be? Behind a camera
20. How do you ring in the New Year? Usually at home watching the ball drop on TV.
21. Where would you like to go? Holy Land
22. Name three people who will complete this. Clueless
23. Do you own slippers? No
24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? Blue
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No
26. Can you whistle? Kind of
27. What are your favorite colors? Sooner Red, High school Kelly Green
28. Would you be a pirate? Nope, I'm not that confrontational and salt water reminds me of getting sweat in my eyes during football practice. I hate it when that happens.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Nothing
30. Favorite girls name? Sandra, Jeanine, Katelyn, Emily, Alexis (My wife, our daughter and 3 grand daughters.
31. Favorite boys name? Mason, John (Our grandson and mine.)
32. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing
33. Last thing that made you laugh. Bart Millard (Lead vocalist for Mercy Me)
34. Best toy as a child. Bike
35. Worst injury you've ever had? Broken ankle, broken wrist
36. Where would you love to live? I am living there now, NW Arkansas
37. How many TVs do you have? 2
38. Who is your loudest friend? Classified
39. How many dogs do you have? No pets at the present
40. Does someone trust you? Of course, my wife, our daughter and the grand kids.
41. What book are you reading right now? Various scriptures
42. What's your favorite candy? Hersey's Special Dark Chocolate
43. What's your favorite sports team? Oklahoma Sooners
44. Favorite month? September/October/November...Autumn