Ok – this is my last post
So. . .I changed things up again to make it even easier. My new blog address is (wait for the drumroll) – http://www.daveanthold.com. Stop by and chat.
I’ve Moved (web addresses that is)
I have jumped to a self-hosted solution with MediaTemple and WordPress.org. Come check out my new digs at: http://daveanthold.com/blog.
This is my last post at this site. See you at the new location!
Faith at the Crossroads
A couple of weekends ago, I traveled to Alton, Illinois for a friend’s wedding. Several years back, I led a discipleship class for some high school seniors. This was no ordinary group. These guys, four including me, were committed to radical living through transparency. To this day, I have not been able to duplicate that level of transparency in a high school group, even though I desperately tried.
Sitting down to breakfast on Saturday morning, I became engaged in a faith discussion with the groom’s brother’s girlfriend. I became completely aware that this was one of those divine moments that God drops in your lap (or breakfast table).
Our journey of faith is not the same for everyone. We each have baggage that we carry along with us. We have preconceived ideas about what faith is and what it should look like. It’s not just Sunday morning living, it’s daily living – Monday thru Sunday – consistent living. We are human and flawed. We make mistakes. We don’t live consistently day in and day out, and that’s part of the journey; however, when we do more harm then good to those who are watching, we potentially do harm to that person’s journey.
As our conversation came to a close, I was reminded that living a life devoted to God must be transparent. We should reflect Christ in the words we speak, in the actions we do, and in the love we give. Hopefully, this young lady saw another person who loved her as Jesus loved her – not with a condemning heart, but with a loving heart that cares for the lost.
Common Cent$
In today’s economy, our finances are being watched more closely. Credit card companies are more stringent – wanting their money right away, jumping interest rates for any small mistake. We must be more diligent about our money.
For the past year, I have been applying techniques and principles of Dave Ramsey. I have to say it has been a slow process getting my financial ship right-sized, but it has been so incredible. Dave talks about being financially flabby. When we don’t make wise decisions with our money, we run the risk of becoming financially bloated.
I encourage you, if you are struggling financially, it is time to get gazelle intense and start working your way to financial health. We have no other choice today. Start your Total Money Makeover today.
Focused
I had been out sick this past weekend and so it gave a bit of time to rest and post up some pics from some recent photographic outings. I am slowly finding my voice or vision. Today, after work, I spent the afternoon watching my friends daughter play softball. These are perfect opportunities to practice new techniques and provide some great memories!
Recently, I have been reading David duChemin’s book Within the Frame, and it has greatly influenced the way I see a picture and surrounding pics. I typically scout an area before shooting. I look for unique moments in the crowd and on the field or wherever my eyes guide me. You can see some of my recent pics here. Enjoy!
Red Nosed Dave
Well, this morning I woke up and found my nose running for its life and my eyes so itchy I thought they were going to drop out of my eye sockets. As of this writing. . .my nose is still running for the border and my eyes still itchy.
Anyway. . .tomorrow is another day, but it looks like no work tomorrow either.
Book Tour
Here’s what I’ve been listening to, reading or simply just added to my collection and waiting for the green light of time.
Listening Selections:
- A Million Miles in a Thousand Years – Donald Miller
- Crush It! – Gary Vaynerchuk
- The Hiding Place – Corrie Ten Boom
- In the Presence of My Enemies – Gracia Burnham
- Jesus Loves You This I Know – Craig Gross and Jason Harper
- Stuff Christians Like – Jonathan Acuff
- The Element – Ken Robinson
Reading Selections In Process:
- The Freedom Writers Diary – Erin Gruwell
- Cast of Characters – Max Lucado
- Living Life in the Zone – Kyle Roth Jr and Dr. Joe Pettigrew
- Addicted Like Me – Karen Franklin and Laura King
Reading / Listening Selections to Come:
Experience Overload
I love the Catalyst experience! From the moment you walk on the campus of Mariner’s church, you are immersed in an “experience”. Since I go to a small church, I love the production value of the conference / large church experience.
Lights, camera, action! Right now there is a DJ rockin’ the stage-how sweet is that! Well, there will be more to come including some pics that my awesome Canon 5D took, but alas, you will have to wait for those.
Catwest is here!
Book Review: The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
In a small, little town in Holland lived a simple watchmaker and his family who loved God above all else. In The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, she takes us on a magnificent journey of faith, love, and hope. Corrie was a simple person who took after her father in the business. Her mind clicked when it came to restoring watches, but when the Nazi regime started snatching the Jews, she became part of the underground for hiding Jews.
This book chronicles her journey from the home where her family lived (along with her father & sister) through her imprisonment in some of the worst concentration camps. Corrie shares of her strong faith, and her lack of faith at times. She begs God for safe passage of people and Bibles. She begs God for divine appointments. And God grants her these things at times.
As I listened to this book, my heart became overwhelmed by the faith needed to do the things that Corrie did. To hide Jews. Could I do such a thing today? I would like to say “yes”, but I don’t know that for sure. I had started and stopped this book many times in my life, but this was the first time I had finished it – I guess my heart wasn’t ready to hear the message.
This book shares the story of faith, hope and love during one of the most troublesome times in the history of our modern life. I encourage you to listen to this story.
New Life Found on Easter
Following Christ is absolutely wonderful – here the stories of those who were baptized on Easter Sunday.
