Just a coincidence?

One year ago (plus a couple of days), I went to Crossroads Christian Church to videotape a friend who was giving a "green" message there. Matthew Sleeth, MD has traveled throughout the US since his hit book, "Serve God Save the Planet" hit the stands. He and his wife Nancy had become dear friends of mine so it was not a job to meet them there and shoot some "B" roll footage. By the way, in the last couple of years, he has spoken to over 400 universities and churches.

After an entertaining and thought provoking message, I was introduced to Melissa Cheeseman, who also happened to be an MD. We were talking in the lobby and somehow the topic of suffering came up and I shared that I had been enrolled in the school of suffering since I had lost, Sally, my wife of 20 years. "Missy" mentioned they had done a series recently on Heaven and I told her I would like to hear it since most people want to go there but we don't know much about it. The idea of floating on a cloud playing a harp is not that appealing to many, myself included. She disappeared and then returned after raiding the bookstore giving me an album of CDs.

The next morning, I popped the CD in as I was getting on I-75 to go to work. Yes, even as a photographer, there are some days that qualify as work. Much to my surprise, it was the voice of Missy speaking. She failed to tell me that she was unpaid staff at the church and that she is part of the teaching team in addition to the outward focus which is missions and any kind of service activities beyond the walls.

So, I found her on the web site and popped off an email. We exchanged a few notes and then saw each other most every day. Got married 6 months later. Talk about eating your words! Before meeting her, I had been telling the Lord that I was not interested in dating or being with anybody and that I would be content just to work myself to death, thank you very much. Fortunately, He is God and knows much better about what I need than I do. We celebrated this weekend our one year dating anniversary, after Missy spoke at all three services and treated the Sleeths to dinner at Giuseppe's. Just a little Thank You for bringing us together. It was the least we could do on behalf of our "coincidental" meeting. We are so happy we don't quite know what to do with ourselves! God is faithful.

This image was shot in the Spring of 2007 one morning while heading out Bryan Station Road in Lexington. I still remember the moment. What a delight.

Spring blossoms

The Lexington Cemetery has to be one of the prettiest places anywhere, in the spring. After attending worship on Easter 2008, I went to the cemetery to shoot these pink weeping cherries at their peak. Many times, I will visit a place and make a note when would be the best or most optimum time to create a beautiful photograph. Since the cemetery is near my studio, I checked on it a few times to gauge the perfect day to shoot a photograph for my upcoming book, "Kentucky Wide II". 

I have always been a big fan of cemeteries and spent many, many hours mowing the cemetery at my family's cemetery that was owned by the funeral home. A long time ago, I did an exhibit of cemetery art and created Polaroid transfers on 100% silk.

Take a break and stop by Lexington Cemetery most any day for a little respite and retreat.

The empty tomb

A few years ago, a friend and I were discussing the resurrection and he brought up something that he thought would surprise or upset me. Actually, I laughed. A few years earlier I had read a great book by Josh McDowell called, "The Resurrection Factor". It explains the attempts of skeptics to discount or explain away the bodily resurrection of Jesus with the Swoon (or resuscitation) Theory, the Hallucination Theory, the Conspiracy Theory, etc. What makes each of these theories so silly is that the Roman executioners were very efficient killers. 

Not even Jack Bauer of my beloved 24 TV show, could escape the reality of consequences from the horrendous act of crucifixion. As I told my friend, these theories require much, much more faith than does the Scriptural teaching of the bodily resurrection of our Lord. The apostle Paul (a former persecutor of Christians who wrote much of the New Testament) records that "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born."    I Corinthians 15:2-8. 

So, an empty tomb? I'd bet my life on it.

The image above was shot in Orlando at the Holy Land Experience, processed in Photoshop and de-saturating most of the colors except red.

Easter sunrise

7:07 am at Crossroads Christian Church.

I love Easter sunrise services. Jump out of bed, throw on some jeans and celebrate with friends you would normally never see that early in the morning. It is usually pretty chilly but it is an awesome moment when the sun rises over the trees, typically accompanied with with a shot of adrenaline. When I was attending St Andrews UMC, every year we would have a sunrise service and a huge breakfast afterwards. Since the church was on a 30 acre horse farm, the setting was particularly peaceful and most every year a flock of geese would fly over and serenade us as an extra benefit. "He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy". Job 8:21.

"Good" Friday?

About 700 years before the birth of Jesus, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote these words:

"He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:2-7

These words came true at about 3pm when the Christ gave up his life, on what we celebrate as Good Friday, almost 2000 years ago. The world, as well as my own life, has never been the same. Saying "thanks" seems so impotent.

This image was shot last week, while in Orlando at the Holy Land Experience.

Not Billy Donovan!

Did you ever watch "Flipper"? In case you were born after 1960 or so, there used to be a cool show about a dolphin named Flipper (kind of an "aquatic Lassie") and also on the show was something every boy could only dream about. To drive or ride on an airboat! Last week Missy and I attended a medical conference in Orlando. It was a fun gig that a friend was hosting. She was moderating a panel discussion and I shot some photos of the event and golf outing. After the conference, we hung around a few days to play, eating at some great restaurants, going to Downtown Disney and seeing a performance of Cirque de Soleil. Our last day, we hired a private airboat at Boggy Creek Airboat Rides. Those puppies can run even on dry land. It had a V8 - 502 motor and one very large propeller with speeds capable of up to 45mph. We saw lots of birds, a few water moccasin snakes and several alligators. It was a blast. 

For a trip down Memory Lane, maybe you would like to sing the theme song?!

They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning,

No-one you see, is smarter than he,

And we know Flipper lives in the world of wonder,

Lying there under, under the sea!

Everyone loves the king of the sea!

Ever so kind and gentle is he,

Tricks he will do when children appear,

And how they laugh when he's near!

They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning,

No-one you see, is smarter than he,

And we know Flipper lives in a world full of wonder,

Lying there under, under the sea!

Very good singing boys and girls. See, I knew you could sing! Now wipe the tears of joy from your eyes and go back to work. You have credit card payments to make!!