Through the Lens of Worship: He is the Rock

From Drop Box

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Through the Lens of Worship: When the Questions Go Unanswered

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Happy Birthday Momma!

"My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck."  Proverbs 1:8-9

Today is my Momma's 60th Birthday! My original plans for this day were grandiose and quite awesome. It brought tears to my eyes thinking of the joy it would bring my mom if I had been able to accomplish it all. I had 2 years from when I first thought of it. In the end, it appeared that it would be too difficult at this time.  I am disappointed, but I may pursue that vision on a smaller scale soon.

Onto Plan B:  I want to tell you a bit about my mother, Linda. Linda is Spanish for pretty, by the way, and she is. I do not plan to be very organized as I tell you about her, I will be sharing as it comes to my mind and heart. She is a strong woman, and I don't mean in the human strength sort of way, but in the kind that matters:  love, faithfulness, kindness, generosity, hope, gentleness, integrity and so much more. She loves God and it shows in her speech and actions. She did her absolute best in raising my brother and I and we are so blessed to have her. Growing up was not ideal, but she showed strength, pressed on and took care of us. I know it must have been difficult so often, yet she did not give up. I look up to her in so many ways and know she is a phone call away when I need comfort. That is one thing I felt I received in healthy doses as a youngster, her nurturing comfort.

She wanted to be a stay-at-home mom while we were being raised, but circumstances did not allow that for long.  On and off she had to take on jobs and toward the end of my teen years she was working full-time and getting home long after school got out.  That did not stop her from making dinner, eating together at the table and regardless of where we were in our relationships with God, we prayed before dinner, holding hands, every time. That memory is one that speaks of the value of family, and to my mom, our family was very valuable and she invested all she had.

Momma I love you and honor you today... thank you for all that you taught us, sacrificed for us and for choosing to love and trust God in your trials, and to point us to Him in ours. You are an amazing woman and I am beyond blessed to be your daughter. I pray this year is incredible-- filled with continued growth and love and joy and blessings. You are an inspiration and a wonderful friend. I pray God continues to bless you and your legacy as you enrich the lives of your husband, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Happy Birthday Momma! (and many moooooooore!!!!!)

Through the Lens of Worship: Relative

This is a photo of my best friend and our Washington friends walking down the pier at Bellingham Bay on the 4th of July.  Hop on over to http://www.throughthelensofworship.com/ on Wednesday to find out what this is all about!

Through the Lens of Worship: Pretty Shiny Stuff

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

From Drop Box

In these verses Jesus is telling us to keep a heavenly perspective of sorts.  A perspective of the sort that does not hoard earthly possessions.  If we are to hoard anything, I suppose, it would be souls.  But not of ourselves, of course, but through the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is a reminder that the things of this world will pass away, but the things of God are eternal.  The apostle John puts it this way:

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17

I like stuff... pretty shiny stuff... you may like a different kind of stuff, but truth be told, we all like stuff.  I don't hoard material possessions to brag about what I have.  In fact, I am just sentimental and many things in my home have a special meaning or a special person or story behind them.  Here is the twist, would I be upset if something happened to one of my pretties?  The answer is that you better believe it and not be around when it happens.

From Drop Box

Jesus and the apostle John's words remind me that the true value in this brief life we've all been given is not what I want or how much stuff I have or even who gave me the stuff or whether I bought it, not at all.  The true value is in God's will.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophecies.  Test all things; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil.  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

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New Name. New Website.

My husband and I have launched a new website featuring the new name of our wedding and fine art photography business...

Adam + Sarah Photography

A little history:

Adam started our portrait photography business under Adam Allen Photography.  He began with an amazing first engagement shoot and continued by adding high school seniors, families and weddings.  I have been along for the ride and have shot every wedding with him.  We had packages that did not include me shooting, but we both knew I would shoot anyway. 

Now what?

So Adam + Sarah Photography is born so that every couple the hired us would have two photographers to capture that special day.  We also decided to add the fine art aspect to the website to allow me opportunities to showcase and sell my photos.  Adam will keep Adam Allen Photography for high school seniors and other work not wedding-related along with his blog As I Am Learning.  I will continue to use my photo blog to celebrate God's glory in our creativity as well as through the worship group Through the Lens of Worship.  I will also be featuring aspects of our photography business and experiences with our clients as this business would not exist if it weren't for God and His amazing work in our lives.

Thank you!

Thank you to those who have supported, influenced and hired us and to God for how He works all things together for good for those who love Him!

Through the Lens of Worship - A Lamp to My Feet

From In Sarah's Shoes

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