AWESOME WONDER

Those who reject the existence of God claim that the universe and everything in it was created by a gigantic explosion wherein everything just randomly and coincidently fell into place. They call it "The Big Bang Theory".

My question is, how can anyone deny a Creator when they are faced with such awesome wonder? As the Bible says, man is really without excuse!

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20

Technical Info: Heisler Park, Laguna Beach, California. 1/10 @ f/16, Canon 5D, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L, 0.9 ND Grad

SERMON NOTES/D GROUP QUESTIONS 3/27/11

Sermon Notes based on Matthew 17:1-8

1. God wanted to get Peter, James and John’s attention.
Isaiah 28:23; Deuteronomy 7:12

2. It is possible to focus on the wrong things in life.

3. Two central things God wants us to know:
a. The Glory of God the Son.

b. We must listen to Jesus.


D Group Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways do we ignore God and not pay attention to Him?
What are things that can distract us away from God?
What are some excuses that we can make?

2. In what ways does God get our attention whenever we are not
paying attention to Him?

3. What is S.A.D.D.? What is so dangerous about it?
How can it destroy our spiritual walk?
How can it destroy a church?

4. In a practical way, what does the “Glory of Christ” mean to you?
How does it affect the way you will live your life?

5. What is proof that you are truly listening to Jesus?

A TRIBUTE TO MOMMY GEMMA: 1/7/1923 - 3/16/2011

Last March 16, 2011, my wife's mom, Gemma Luis, went home to our Lord. We will miss her dearly, but we know by faith that because of our faith in Christ, we shall see her again one day.

On behalf of all the family, Cory and I would like to thank you all for your caring concerns, your support and encouragment, your unselfish help and assistance, and most of all your prayers.

The following is a link to a short video made by Cory's nephew Ryan Reyes about Mommy Gemma. This video was shown during the memorial service:
https://download.yousendit.com/VnBwM25LUEN6NE94dnc9PQ

John 11:25
I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.

PSALM 95:5

Psalm 95:5
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

Technical Info: Canon 5D, 1/3 sec @ f/18, Canon TS-E 24mm, 0.9 ND Grad. Taken at Heisler Park, Laguna Beach, California.

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

Long Exposure photography has always fascinated me. It can turn a scene that has been shot hundreds of times before into something special, something that the human eye cannot see, something that hasn't been created by a piece of computer software.

When photographing seascapes with longer exposure times, the final shot shows a smoother ocean because the camera cannot record detail in the water during the longer shutter speed. What is recorded then is just a softening surface mist that is traced through the area where the waves have passed. The longer exposure also records a scene that is brighter than what it really is because more light is able to enter the lens.

The picture below with camera and tripod in the foreground is a quick snapshot I took with my little camera phone about two minutes after I took the main photograph that is pictured above. The smaller picture below gives you an idea of just how dark it really was as well as the rough waves still breaking on the shore.

Because of the five seconds shutter speed that I used, in spite of the darkness, there was still enough light to enter the camera lens during the longer exposure. This resulted in a beautiful evening shot showing a calmer seascape, and the tail end of the sun's afterglow with its soft tones and wonderful pastels. It's amazing how even in the darkness - there is still light.

Have you ever experienced a life battle that seemed dark and hopeless? Well I sure have. But I've learned that no matter how dark the situation may seem, God still shines brightly through any darkness.

The psalmist says of God in Psalm 139:12,
"Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."

No matter what dark situation you're going through, God's light is still present and can pierce through the darkest of darkness. With God there is no such thing as a dark and hopeless situation. Put your faith in Christ, put your hope in Him, and His guiding and comforting light will see you through.

After I took the shot, I looked around me and realized that I was completely alone on that beach. There were no traces of human life, just freshly washed sand, the stark rocks, and the darkness. But even then I knew I wasn't alone in the dark because God's assuring presence and His radiant light was shining bright in my heart.

Technical Info: Canon 5D, 5 seconds @ f/18, Canon TS-E 24mm, 0.6 ND Grad. Taken at Heisler Park, Laguna Beach, California.

JUST A REFLECTION

Strolling along the beach at Heisler Park, Laguna Beach last Friday, I was blessed to have come across a beautiful warm sunset. As the sun started to kiss the horizon, I couldn't pass up the chance to digitally record what my eyes saw that evening - the reflection of the sun on the shimmering wet sand. The reflection of course is only a reflection, and doesn't even come close to the magnificence, brilliance, and radiance of the sun itself.

As Christians, we believe that Jesus is continually molding and transforming us into His likeness. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 3:18,

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

Just like the sun's imperfect reflection on the wet sand, even in our imperfect and sinful condition, there are times when we can actually reflect the Lord's glory whenever we exhibit Christ-like behavior, such as humility, and love, and forgiveness.

Every time we make the conscious choice to say no to gossip, and slander, and hatred, and unforgiveness, and immorality, and divisiveness, we in effect "leak-out" a little reflection of our Lord God Jesus Christ...and we make Him smile.

But no matter where we are in our spiritual growth, we must humbly remember that we're just a reflection of the one true God, and it is He who gets ALL the glory, honor, and praise.

Are you reflecting the glory of Christ?

Technical Info: Canon 5D, 1/4 sec @ f/18, Canon TS-E 24mm, 0.3 and 0.9 ND Grad Stacked together.

CHAOTIC OCEANS

I've noticed through the years that oceans can display their own moods. Sometimes they're calm, sometimes happy, sometimes peaceful, and sometimes even unsettled and out of control.

The above picture that I took in Laguna Beach near Goff Island shows an ocean that seems unsettled, agitated, chaotic, maybe even irritated as it is buffeted by the wind. I felt silly taking this picture on this cold and windy day because not only were my shoes constantly sinking in the wet sand, but I kept picking up my tripod to run away from an incoming wave!

Sometimes life can seem to be chaotic, unsettled, even out of control. But during those times its always good to be reminded that God is always in control.

Our own life can sometimes be out of control because we try to take control, when all we need to do is give God the right to be in control. God is often working on bigger pictures than we can see, and our role is simply to stand still and let Him work.

God said in Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Sometimes we can feel isolated and silly, slowly sinking in the wet sand of our own chaotic lives. But if we will put our faith in Him and be still and wait, God will bring together the right elements and we will receive the blessings He has for us.

Technical Info: 0.6 seconds @ f/16, Canon 5D, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L, 3 stop Neutral Density Grad.

"AFTERGLOW"

Last year during the summer months, our church had several beach outings at Huntington Beach, California. It's always a wonderful time to hang-out at the beach to just have fun, barbeque, eat, play, catch up with what's been happening with church members, eat some more, and even time to take a little nap.

Every time I've gone to Huntington Beach I've always seen the pier as a photographic challenge. With the iconic Ruby's Diner at the very end of the pier and the lifeguard tower looming somewhere in the middle, I've always asked myself, "What is the best angle to photograph the pier?" And also, "How can I take a picture of the pier without all the crowds of people interfering with my shot?" Well last February 27, I finally took up this personal challenge of mine.

When I arrived at Huntington Beach, the first thing I noticed were the many people enjoying a day at the beach and strolling along the pier. Great for them, but not for the shot that I envisioned in my head. So I just had to wait, and wait, until the crowds thinned out.

For the meantime, I had to figure out how to compose the shot. Should the pier fill up the frame horizontally? Should it be straight-on from the entrance of the pier? In the span of about three hours, I had walked north and south of the pier trying to gage the best angle.

As the sun was close to setting I knew I had to make my decision, so I positioned my tripod where I finally thought was best in my mind's eye, set up my camera, and waited. But I still had a problem...the crowds of people still walking along the beach and on the pier.

As the sun started to set I started taking my shots, but still not very happy because of all the people walking across the pier. As the sun finally disappeared behind the horizon I still didn't have a shot that I was content with because of the crowd. But I still had one more chance - the Afterglow.

What is an afterglow? Fifteen to thirty minutes after the sun sets, as the rays of the sun now shoot upward from below the horizon and as it passes through the atmosphere, it causes a wonderful "afterglow" with deep colors of various shades of reds and oranges and yellows. On this cloudless early evening, this is now what I was waiting for and hopefully the crowds on the pier would have thinned out by then.

Sure enough about 15 minutes after the sun had set, the first signs of the afterglow emerged. The great thing was that by this time, the crowds on the pier had greatly diminished! This was now my chance, so I took several exposures hoping for the best.

The picture above was taken about 20 minutes after the sun had already set, and with a shutter speed of 1.6 seconds I was able to record the beautiful colors of the afterglow. As you can see in the shot, the crowds on the pier were mostly gone except for a lone individual sitting calmly and undisturbed on a bench beside a light pole on the pier....I can live with that because it actually enhances the serene and peaceful scene that I was looking for.

Assessing the overall picture, it kind of looks like the darkness is in fear of the light, trying to keep its distance from the bright rays of the sun's afterglow. This reminds me of what Jesus said in the Gospel of John:

John 3:19-21
"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

We know now that Jesus is that light. He said in John 12:46,
"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."

Have you put your faith in the Light of Jesus Christ? The Bible is clear - you are either in the light or in the dark. So where do you stand?

Technical Info: 1.6 seconds @ f/16, Canon 5D, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L, 1 stop Neutral Density Grad.

About my composition (if you're interested): I finally decided to stand south of the pier to frame its very end at the center of the shot with the pier jetting out at an angle from the right. Because of the cloudless evening I needed something to replace the boring sky, so the looming lifeguard tower worked out perfectly. I also tried to balance the overall height of the picture with the top of the lifeguard tower with the top of its reflection on the water. Lastly, the heavy dark reds and oranges on the left nicely balances with the pier itself.

RUNNING "TOWARDS" THE STORM

It's been said that Landscape Photographers can easily be identified because while the general public tends to avoid stormy weather by seeking warm and dry shelter, the Landscape Photographer is the one running towards the storm to get the perfect shot. Why? Because stormy weather is usually the best time for dramatic lighting and spectacular cloud formations.

Just yesterday (March 3), the weather report was for stormy skies so I took the chance and drove to Treasure Island in Laguna Beach, California. When I got there I was really disappointed because with a thick cloud cover and a fog that was rolling towards the shore, the sun and horizon could not be seen and everything seemed to have been painted the color gray.

While I was standing there with my hands, ears, and nose freezing, I had to make a choice - leave now and call it a day, or just wait it out and see what happens. I chose the later.

About an hour and a half later something spectacular happened - the sun broke through! It was as if God tore a gigantic hole through the clouds! At first it was just a glimmer of light, but as it slowly emerged through the dark storm clouds the light became warmer and caused everything around me to liven up! It's so amazing to see the power of light as it turned a dull gray landscape into a warm, colorful, and vibrant scene!

So there I was, hands frozen but still trying to manipulate the settings on my camera to get the right exposure. Fortunately I was able to fire off several shots with various exposures before the sun disappeared again behind the dark clouds. The picture above is my favorite shot which shows the dramatic lighting and spectacular cloud formations that I was hoping for. (just click the above picture for a better view)

In all of this, I knew that God was teaching me something. God was reminding me that even times when the clouds are dark and everything seems to be gray, times when I am emotionally, physically, or spiritually weak, it is during those times that God puts me in a prime position to witness firsthand His power working in me. When all seems gray, I just need to patiently wait on God.

As people, our first instinct is to avoid the storms in life, to run away from them. But God has a reason why He allows the storms to come to us. It is during times of weakness that God reminds us that He is with us, and it's an invitation to depend on Him.

God has promised us in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."

Dwelling on our situation or others' wrongs against us only leads to resentment and self-pity. But if we seek the Lord and rely on the truth of His Word, we will discover the comfort and strength of His presence. Courage will enter our souls, empowering us to endure hardships and loneliness, and finish the course God has set for us.

Technical Info: 1/6 sec @ f/16, Canon 5D, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L, 2 stop and 3 stop Neutral Density Grad stacked together.