Through the Lens of Worship

I'm so excited to finally be sharing this with you. And if you love taking pictures and love God, I'm inviting you to join me. (I know this is the photo blog and this post won't have many photos, but please bear with me. I need words to explain what I'm asking you to join me in.)

Sometime during last summer, I got this crazy idea to start a photo group with a few girls from Epic that love photography as much as I do. It wasn't going to be a typical photo group though, where a bunch of photographers go take some pictures together (although we would definitely do that), or learn from each other (although we would definitely do that too), or even grow as a community of people who share a passion for photography (I'm thinking that is going to happen too!) No, this photo group was going to be focused on worship.

Or more precisely, it was going to focus on using our photography as an act of worship.

So towards the end of summer I approached the girls (who were just as excited about the idea as I was.) We met over some yummy Panera. I shared my vision for the group.

They shared things that made my vision grow, and so it began.

We called ourselves the "photo worship group" (although we knew we had to get a better name than that!)

Here's how our group works:

We get together on the first and third Saturday of every month for an appointment with our Bibles, cameras and most importantly, God. (And we have an assignment to have alone time with God with our cameras in hand too.)

Once, a month we meet early, grab some coffee, have some shared devotional time and then venture out together with our cameras.

And the other time of the month that we get together, we settle in with at least one print that came from our alone time with God. And we share how God met us - maybe what He taught us, or how He revealed His glory to us. We have a shared worship experience.

This group has been amazing for us in more ways than I can explain in this post.

But our vision isn't to keep it under lock and key. It's about inviting you to join us via the web (or if you're in Hanford, maybe on a Saturday morning?)

Here's how we thought it could work:

You start having an appointment with God with your camera in hand at least twice a month.

On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month I will put up a Mr. Linky right here on my blog, where you can link to a post on your blog, displaying one of the images that you took during your quiet time and explaining how God met you. You might have a lot to share or maybe just a scripture. Then on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, I will highlight one of the posts that was linked the week before.

This has been so very rewarding for me (I know it's going to be for you too) and I am so excited to read your posts about how God meets you and your camera.

I love Colossians 3:12-17.
It's all about how God wants us to behave as Christians in everyday life.
Here's the summation of the passage in verse 17:

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Let's build an online community that does photography in the name of the Lord Jesus!

I'll share more of my vision for this group in another post.

(I think this post has enough words already)

Oh and we have a new name now too:

Through the Lens of Worship

Happy 2010!

I really feel like 2010 is going to be a productive year!
I have GOD-SIZED dreams for Exposing Grace, and already some of those dreams are being worked out.
I would really appreciate prayer as you think of me!
Here are some tangible things that I'd like to happen this year:

1. I need to get business cards printed.
2. I need to get a website.
3. I need to learn more about running a business. I have had some profits this season, but outside of the half that I have given back to God and the small amount used for some photo props, the money sits in the bank. I'm really afraid to touch any of it until I understand the legalities better. I really DON'T want to get in trouble with the IRS.
4. I want to upgrade my equipment, although this is not a necessity. I'm finally at the place where I feel limited by my camera, but it is still working and I thank God that I even have what I have.

I'm also working on some projects that God is bringing my way. One of them is teaching a basic photography class and the other is a photo group that I have started that you will be hearing more about VERY SOON!

I'm filled with excitement as I look toward the New Year.
I know that my dreams have come from God and I am anxious to see how He uses me to fulfill them.

And if you hired me to take your Christmas photos, you helped support Lamb Orphanage, an orphanage for the abandoned children of Swaziland. THANK YOU!!!

And what would a photoblog be without photos?
Here is the first group of family pictures (Bruce's extended family) I took this past Thanksgiving.
(We had over 40 family members gather in Hanford, and we had an amazing time.)