Change

This is what I included on the Scott's Thoughts portion of the FUMC Artesia youth newsletter for the month of May.  Hope you enjoy!  My thoughts this month are centered on change.  Here at FUMC Artesia we are preparing for some major changes over the next couple of months and so the idea of change has been on my.  People all have different ideas about change!  Some people thrive on change, loving the new challenges and experiences that change brings in their lives.  Some people are happy to go with the flow of life and when change does happen they are good with it; and when nothing happens they are good with that too.  Still there are others who no matter what form change is in they are opposed to it, they like things the way they are and change just messes all of that up.   To be perfectly honest; I am not always the biggest fan of change.  I usually try to do everything in my power to avoid change.  Often in my attempts to try and avoid change my obedience to God has taken a back seat to what I think should happen.  In the last few months I have had to take a hard look at my attitude towards the changes in my life that haven’t been my idea.  This week God pressed this question on my heart, “Why are you only ok with change when you are the one who thought of it?”  It is a hard question to answer, but I have found the answer to be a fairly simple answer.  The answer is simply that I am a selfish and self centered person who desires complete control of all aspects of my life!  When I see change on the horizon that I have no control over, whether it is good or bad, my first and strongest reaction is to resist the change!  On the other hand when the change is my idea; I want everyone around me to be excited about it and jump on board with the change.  How selfish of me to always want my way!  How arrogant of me to think that it is only my ideas that are of value!  How foolish of me to think that God does not inspire others to be vessels of change for His Kingdom!  So, what do we do when change that is not our idea and we have no control over comes a knocking?  It is pretty evident that resistance to it is futile and running from it only delays our dealing with it.  We must face the changes in our lives knowing that God is a God we can trust our futures to.  We have to understand that things don’t always have to work just how we think they should.  We have to be willing to lay down the agendas of our lives and accept the fact that there is a God who is working out all things for the good of those who love Him!  So as we each approach change in our lives let us approach it anchored to Christ and the hope that He brings!

Anchored in Christ,

sg

Phlint

A week ago Sunday I did my first ever photo shoot!! I was pretty excited about it!  Starting out I was pretty nervous and didnt really know what the crap I was doing...not much had changed by the end but I felt like we got a few good pictures! The pictures were for my good friends Brent and Phillip Hall's band named Phlint.  Im always up for critiquing so you photographers out there please let me know whatcha think!  (after uploading the pics I didnt realize that I had gotten my shadow in a few of the pictures, but oh well.. lesson learned!) 

Phlint

 Another one of the band

 some sepia tone!

 samore sepia!

 Jordan..

 Jarrod

 Brent

 Phillip

So there they are.. let me know whatcha think.

sg

Do We Take Sin Seriously??

I started a reading plan back in January where I will be reading the whole bible Old and New Testaments together over a year period.  I have gone through the books of Genesis and Exodus and am currently reading in the Gospel of Matthew and Leviticus.  One thing that has been so evident to me especially in the reading of the Old Testament (OT) books, and what will be clear when I get to Christ's crucifixion, is that sacrifice that atones for our sin is extremely messy!  With this, a question has surfaced in my heart.  It's not a new question, it's not a ground breaking question, it's an old question that I pray is life shaking.  Do we take our sin seriously?  In the OT the price/cost of sin was very close to the hearts and minds of the people and on top of that it was very messy process of atoning for their sin.  The price/cost was the life of one of their choice animals usually a goat, a lamb, or a bull.  This was no easy price to pay.  This was their livelihood it was a great price to pay for them.  Not only that, but it was crazy messy!  I don't know if any of you have watched the slaughter of any animal but saying that it is messy might possibly be an understatement.  During OT times the sacrifice of these animals took place in a very public place in view of the people.  It was a reminder of the cost and price of sin as well as just how messy things can become when sin reigns in our lives.  Later in the New Testament when Christ was sent to be the one time sacrifice for all times the requirements for sacrifice were forever met and satisfied.  I am forever grateful for His sacrifice and in my recent reading I am reminded of what it truly cost for my salvation and atonement!  It was the life of the Lamb of God it was the blood of a Choice Lamb!  A spotless Lamb, one without blemish!  But as soon as I say that, I find myself wondering if I truly take the sin of my life seriously?  Is the reality of the cost of my sin close enough to my life and heart where I am fully aware of it?  Do I see the messiness of what my sin has caused?  Do I realize that it truly was my sin that nailed my Savior to the cross?  Do I stand in the presence of my Lord in complete humility knowing that is only by His Grace that I have been saved.  Do I admit my sin and guilt before God or do I live a life as if God owed my salvation to me?  One of my favorite verses is Psalm 139:23-24 it says "Search me God and know my heart.  Test me and know my thoughts.  Point out anything in me that offends you God, and lead me on the path of everlasting life."  Is this the prayer of my life??  Is this the prayer of our lives?  Are we taking our sin seriously?  If our answer to these questions is no, I think we need to spend some time at the foot of the cross realizing the high cost of our sin and the great True Love that was poured out over us there.

crying out at the foot of the cross cause I know it is my sin that put Christ there,
sg

Some Pictures from Ignite

Here are some pictures from Ignite Student Conference 2010 in Lubbock, Texas.  The pictures are of The Afters and The Justin Coefield Band. (Thanks Penny for letting me borrow a couple of your lenses for this pictures!)

Lead singer of the afters.

 I just happened to be at the right place at the right time, probably one of my most favorite pics i have taken! Complete accident!

 love the spotlight coming across the picture!

 A pretty cool moment!!

I haven't posted pictures in a while.. Part of it is because the last few months have been crazy busy so my picture editing came to a stand still.  The sudden urge to edit some came from shooting the pictures last weekend and then also getting the Beta version of Adobe Lightroom, which I am learning and enjoying!! 
Blessings.
sg