Somewhere in my mind...in a filing cabinet labeled "Childhood," there's a title of a book called "I Can't" Said the Ant.  The purpose of the story was to teach the importance of having a positive attitude (accompanied by the equally important doing of the work required for a given task).  After nearly 57 years, i still find myself wishing i had learned and followed that lesson far better.

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For here i sit in front of a 19 inch monitor, making my first effort to...blog.  I had thought for a few years i would someday get around to this.  Thanks to this zen-derful web site providing the means, the time has come.  So—instead of just images, welcome to words!  Allow me to begin with these: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

That, is good news.  Perhaps the best verse in perhaps the best letter in undoubtably the best book ever written.  For those who trust the trustworthiness of its Author, it refers to the best (and only real) Life there is to be had.  And I pray you have it.  But why this message, and why from me…on this—blog thing?  Because the images i share may or may not be worth a thousand words, but a few actual words are in order to make sure you get the picture.   (Ahem...did it click?)

When i began pursuing photography in 1969, i was not a believer, though i did believe in God.   I believed the way to be okay with God was to be good enough (through one's own efforts) to win and maintain His approval.  This deviation from what the Bible teaches got corrected in my life by His grace in 1974.  But even prior to my believing in a just God Who meted out justice on His Son for my justification, i believed in a Creator God Who made the heavens and the earth, and proclaimed it “good.”  Accordingly, my efforts at photography have always been motivated by a desire to enjoy (and brag on) our creative Creator, Who provides us with information and instruction:

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made…”  Romans 1:20

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host.  He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deeps in storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”  Psalm 33:6-8

• The information:  God made and rules everything.
• The instruction:  Be impressed.

Or as Psalm 118:24 sums it, “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  Thus, before finding images and ideas to share with whatever throngs [ha!] may be bored enough to bear this blog, bear this underlying fact in mind: my mindset is to study and show some of the stuff our God gives for His glory, and for our joy.  (Thanks for that last bit, Dr. Piper  ; )    To quote the Creator, “Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them.  Splendid and majestic is His work; and His righteousness endures forever.”  (Psalm 111:2-3)

So thanks for enduring my initial effort.  I don’t know that there will be many efforts, but i do know i don't plan to spell out my motivation from here on.  Hopefully God will bless the images of His handiwork to His glory such that they say most all that’s needed, (and I merely supply some silly puns   : )

In joy,

king