Wednesday's Words - Encouragement from God's Word

(C)  Allen Pearson

"The Lord is my light

and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold

of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?"

- Psalms 27:1, ESV

Honoring Military Veterans on Memorial Day

(C) Allen Pearson, All Rights Reserved

Today, I step away from my usual photography and gardening posts to say "THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!! to our US Armed Forces prior and active service members for their awesome work in protecting our freedoms.

Sunday's Thought

(C) Allen Pearson, All Rights Reserved

"so Christ, having been offered

once to bear the sins of many,

will appear a second time,

not to deal with sin but to save those

who are eagerly waiting for him."

- Hebrews 9:28, ESV

When Christ returns for those eagerly waiting for Him, I will be there in those numbers! Not because I am a perfect nor been a perfect Christian, but because I accepted Him as my Savior and giving my life to Him many years ago.

My parents were devout Christians, so naturally, I was taken to church from the second I was born until I was old enough to make my own decisions.  At the time, being a child, I didn't realize what an awesome blessing my parents gave me by taking me to church and teaching me things about the Christian faith.

I stayed involved in the church voluntarily working in various capacities up until I left for college and then, again, after I returned.  Unfortunately, for a few years, I decided to explore what I thought would be the "fun" things in life.  I found these things to be empty and unfulfilling. Not long after I returned to regular church attendance and involvement in various capacities.

As I grew older, I noticed how God was taking care of life for me. How? God was there in all situations to direct my path to what would be best for me. For decisions in my career, to a decision about marriage, to many other things along life's way.

Not too many years ago, my wife and I went through six years of unbelievable stress and frustrations as our first dog of 12 years passed away, we took care of our ailing parents, an unexpected death of a sibling, and an accident which led to passing away of a parent.  We were taking care of our parents and were working full-time jobs at the same time which became incredibly stressful. "Unbelievable!" was a phrase we used often.

Throughout those stressful years, I noticed a calm peace within me. It was an amazing experience where it never seemed that I was alone during the stress.  Later, I learned that my wife had the same calming experiences along the way too.

We were both amazed and extremely thankful for God's Blessing of being with us during those years of stress, frustrations and loss. He was there at every turn helping us making through life events we'd never experienced and giving us the comfort and peace that passeth all understanding.

A Christian's life is not perfect.  There are struggles, some of them can be beyond belief, but these make you a stronger and better person and God, who knows all, is there for you. You are not necessarily going to be rich, wealthy or well-to-do by accepting Christ and becoming a Christian, However, who knows- that could be God's Plan for you.

Whatever God has planned for you can be found and learned about by accepting Him as your Savior.  I can tell you by experience, it is the best life and a most awesome experience.

To learn more about God's Plan of Salvation, please visit Peace With God.  Will you be there when He returns?

Wednesday's Words

(C) Allen Pearson, All Rights Reserved

"Praise God for Today's Blessings!"

Sunday's Thought

(C) Allen Pearson

"The Lord your God is in your midst,

a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness;

he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult you with loud singing."

- Zephaniah 3:17, ESV

When I found this Scripture, I think it was through YouVersion's (An excellent Bible App) "Verse of the Day," I was overcome with God's Love and the thought of how much He loves me and will take care of me.  Now and forever.

As I look back over the years of my life, I am very thankful for God and His Love and I can see where He has taken care of me whether I was aware of it at the time or not. Also, He has given me a peace and contentment which is overwhelming calming in this day and age of constant barrage of crazy news stories.

I decided to go through several of my Study Bibles and Bible Apps to learn more about this verse. It clearly states how much God loves us- not just me- but all of us.

To understand God's Love for me goes way beyond any comprehension that I could ever muster in my human brain.  I know where I have been and what I have done but God looks passed that and loves me anyway.  Truly, the greatest love story the universe has ever known.

If you would like to know more about God's Love and His Plan of Salvation for mankind, please visit Peace With God,

Wednesday's Words

(C) Allen Pearson, All Rights Reserved

"This God-

his way is perfect;

the word of the Lord proves true;

he is a shield for all those who

take refuge in him."

- Psalms 18:30, ESV

"Norfolk Southern at Horseshoe Curve"
(C) Allen Pearson, All Rights Reserved

Did you know that nearly everything you own, has taken a railroad trip at one point or another to get to you?  The most efficient way to ship is by rail. Thanks to the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, the east met the west in May 1869 and traveling became only a few days endeavor instead of a month-long journey.

My passion for railroad and photography are coming together, slowly but surely, to create some exciting images for you.  Please take a look at my Railroad Gallery-

These two images were created at the Horseshoe Curve Historic Landmark, Altoona, PA.

"Entering Horseshoe Curve"
(C) Allen Pearson, All Rights Reserved

Sunday's Thought - Mother's Day

Used by Permission, GraphicStock

Today is a sad day for me. Nowadays, I stay home on Mother's Day and rest, relax and goof off with my wife and dog.

Understand, it's not that I have bad memories of Mom or don't like Mom or anything negative at all.  Very much the opposite.  My mother did quite a bit to make me the man I am today.  We shared a lot of love and laughter over the years. Throughout my life, I took time to visit with my Mom even after I got married.  She, as well as my mother-in-law, were very important ladies in our lives.

When she passed away in 2011, it was a difficult time. I'd never lost someone that close, like a parent, before.  So many memories of her awesomeness came back and I hold to them tightly. When the Spring arrived, I kept wanting to call Mom and ask her for gardening advice or ask her to come over to help me plant or design the garden.  It was odd not to have her there.

So, I stay home on Mother's Day because I miss my mom incredibly and will shed a few tears more than a few times usually at the most inopportune moment and sometimes even bawl like a baby.  I think of that and realize she was an awesome lady. And, it's really alright for a man to cry in public- if its not, I don't want to know.

Among many and several bazillion things Mom did for me over the years was instilling the a faith in God, Jesus, Christian values, the importance of going to church, Christian friends and their importance, and many other Christian ideas and thoughts which I'm sure have slipped out the back of my mind.

And, you know, she was right.  We don't like admitting that when we are younger and its usually not something we would ever consider possible until we are older.  Even at that, we don't.  We should though.

Anyway, I would not want to live this life without God, without knowing Him or having ever attended church or making a Christian friend.  I am thankful for Mom's influence in this area. At an earlier age, I became a Christian by following the steps and praying a simple prayer as shown in this graphic-

(C) Allen Pearson

More information can be found at Peace With God!

I will miss Mom today and think of her often.  At some point, I will wonder what I would give her as a gift if she were around, She would tell me, "I don't need anything..." I would buy her something anyway and would be sure to say, "I love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day!"

Wednesday's Words

(C) Allen Pearson, All Rights Reserved

"Though you have not seen him,

you love him.

Though you do not see him,

you believe in him and rejoice

with joy that is inexpressible

and filled with glory,

obtaining the outcome of your faith,

the salvation of your souls."

- 1 Peter 1:8 - 9, ESV

Tributes! Dog Photography, Cat Photography

"Tributes Photography"
(C) Allen Pearson, All Rights Reserved

Dogs have a way of coming into our lives and making us happy.  They become part of our family.  Companion, Protector, Exercise Buddy, the list can go on and on and on.  My buddy Noah is with me most of the day now that I work in my studio.

Several years ago now, I was working in an office building when I happened to get on an elevator with a fellow dog lover.  Her dogs were very important to her and she never hesitated to share with me their awesomeness.

However, this morning was a little different. When we got off the elevator, she said, "I tried to find you this weekend!" I was surprised since we didn't work together so I wondered what was up. She went on to say, "With my dog's illness progressing, I decided to hire a photographer to capture the beauty of my dogs while I can." An excellent idea, but, why contact me as I was still working in the area of nature photography- for the most part. She continued "the photographer was awful, he had no respect for the dogs and kept making remarks about the marks on the face and so on. I knew, if I could find you, that would not have happened!" She was right- it would NOT have happened as I love dogs and will work to bring the best out of every situation. She stated, "You need to offer a service for people in this situations. Given your love for dogs, it would be great service."  I had a cat too, at the time, and loved him dearly- so I extended the service to cat owners.

That was when my "Tributes Photography" session was born.  "Tributes" is a tribute to the love dogs and cats have provided their humans over the years as the sessions are designed to be for pet parents whose dog or cat has recently been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

What is the difference between a Photography Session and a "Tributes" Photography session?  Not much, I just do my best to drop everything to accommodate the session request and the pricing is different too.  However, some quality work and products.

#dogcancer #catcancer #dogterminalillness #catterminalillness #dogphotography #catphotography

Iris Day! Blue Bearded Iris, "My Grandmother's Favorite"

"My Grandmother's Favorite"
(C) Allen Pearson, All Rights Reserved

For Iris Day, I'd like to share a post of the "The Blue Bearded Iris" which was my grandmother's most favorite flavor.  Besides it's intrinsic beauty, I'm not sure why she loved them so much.   Either way, I dedicated this photo to her and presented one in a frame for her birthday many years ago.

Sunday's Thought

Used by Permission, GraphicStock

Resurrection Life

by Rev. Bud Hance

21"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

In every sense, Christ was perfectly innocent and sinless. God knew this, yet called upon His only Son to voluntarily assume/take the place of man. It pleased the Father to lay on Jesus the deep sorrows of the evil of man’s sin. Christ endured such great suffering in order to maintain the truth, honor, and justice of God, as if the guilty (man, us) had themselves endured the penalty of the Law.

The whole process of salvation takes its beginning from God. It was because God so loved the world that He sent His Son. It is not that God is estranged (alienated) from man but that man is estranged from God. It is not God who erected the barriers, but man. God’s message, the message which Paul preached, is an appeal from a loving Father to erring and wandering and to estranged children to come home where love is waiting for them.

Men and women are continually trying to change their lives. Many Christians, too, are continually trying to change their lives; but God calls us to experience the exchanged life. Christianity is not a self-improvement program. It is not a reformation project. It is resurrection! It is new life! And it is expressed in terms of a total exchange of identity. Jesus Christ identified Himself with us in our death in order that we might be identified with Him in His resurrection. We give Christ all that we were - spiritually dead, guilty sinners - and Christ gives us all that He is - resurrected life, forgiveness, righteousness, acceptance.

This is the glorious good news of the Gospel. God the Father, made Jesus, Who knew no sin a sin offering for us who knew no righteousness, who were inwardly and outwardly nothing but sin. Had this atonement not been made, all of mankind would be consumed by God’s divine justice. This, by the way, is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions. Becoming a sin offer is a commendation peculiar only to Christ. This truth is more than reason enough, to come to Jesus in full surrender, repentance, love, obedience and worship.

Risen for me, risen for me,

Up from the grave He has risen for me.

Now evermore from death’s sting I am free,

All because Jesus has risen for me. - W.G. Ovens/Gladys Roberts

To learn about God's Plan of Salvation for man please visit Peace With God!

Reprinted and used by permission of Rev. Bud Hance.

Timeless Thursday! Daisy's After the Rain

"Daisy's After the Rain"
(C) Allen Pearson, All Rights Reserved

Another perennial which gets my attention, and I absolutely love, is the Shasta Daisy.  In a garden at one of my previous houses, I planted several of these and had one grouping to become a  fabulous plant.  It is definitely a plant which needs to have plenty of sunlight.

The plant which did best received more light than any of the others in the yard. While I thought the others would receive plenty of light, it turned out they get less than part day. An important part of gardening is understanding and noting how much sunlight the garden will receive throughout the day.

If you enjoy gardening, please visit my Garden Perspectives gallery.



 

Wednesday's Words

(C) Allen Pearson, All Rights Reserved

"I love you, O Lord, 

my strength."

- Psalms 18:1, ESV

Railroads and Photography

(C) Operation LifeSaver

A few months ago, someone was killed while having their photograph taken because they were on the railroad tracks.  Since they heard the train coming, they got out of the way only to step in front of a train going to opposite direction.  As a photographer, with an interest in railroads, I want to share this graphic to remind photographers not to take your clients to railroad tracks to have their photographs taken.