Showing people of color being spiritual in a friendly authentic way.
Showing light-skinned people being spiritual in an awkward hypocritical way.
Just another reason it's so hard to respect Hollywood.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Prejudiced Hollywood
Getting Better All the Time?
If generational progression is supposed to occur, and is the ideal, why is it that in so many important ways we are making strides backwards instead of forwards?
I could go on and on from a theological perspective, but instead, all one has to do is view National Geographic's observations and definitions of what separates an advanced modern society from a primitive culture and it's alarming that in certain aspects we are moving from a modern to a primitive society!
Perhaps Devo was not too far off in their songs of 'de-evolution'.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Loudmouth
When in a public place, it seems like the most opinionated person is also the one with the loudest voice.
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Friday, August 26, 2011
No Middle Ground
It's impossible to find neutral ground in spiritual warfare.
When someone attempts to hold neutral ground spiritually or persuade you to be neutral, they are in actuality taking a stance which is far from neutral.
___________________
When someone attempts to hold neutral ground spiritually or persuade you to be neutral, they are in actuality taking a stance which is far from neutral.
___________________
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Decisions
Would you rather take a HUGE risk with extremely bad permanent repercussions if you are wrong, or a small risk with far lesser temporary repercussions if you have erred?
What we say and what we actually practice are not always one and the same.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Censor Thyself
A person is better off censoring themself than letting someone else do it for them.
If you don’t like the concept of self-censorship (not the same as being censored by another person or government), just look at it as a form of editing. Quite often, we’re all better off for it!
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If you don’t like the concept of self-censorship (not the same as being censored by another person or government), just look at it as a form of editing. Quite often, we’re all better off for it!
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Info-less Highway
If reports; research; findings; and statistics fly in the face of what I believe or adhere to, then it must mean that my own personal view is incorrect, right?? Not necessarily. It just means I am challenged to look deeper into what I believe. Perhaps I am wrong… perhaps the source of the oppositional stats are wrong. By doing a little detective work, it’s often fairly simple to track-down possible, or obvious errors in how/why/where these findings are coming from.
I’ve noticed with this ‘information highway’ we rely on, there’s just about as much incorrect information as there is correct info. What’s alarming is how quickly people accept, quote, and believe every new ‘find’ which receives attention.
___________
I’ve noticed with this ‘information highway’ we rely on, there’s just about as much incorrect information as there is correct info. What’s alarming is how quickly people accept, quote, and believe every new ‘find’ which receives attention.
___________
Getting to the Top
Some cities have so many skyscrapers that one eclipses the other. Their height loses it's impressiveness since they sit next to another just as gargantuan.
If a building is to make it's own rules, just construct it surrounded by very few others that can compete. It helps even more if the building sits at or near the top of a hill or mountain.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Another Way to the Beach
Just in case you missed the last turn-off, you can always get to the sea by the other inlet.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Woke Up This Morning
Way back before I was a kid… back before technology and other wonders of the electronic age, most people stayed in one place. You didn't hear of too many people moving around. Normally, where you were born was where you died. This was reflected in an artist's works as well. That's one of the main reasons that artists of old churned-out a plethora of paintings which reflected subject matter similar to one another. (If I want to get mean, I could also add that many artists specialize in certain things, while they ignore other subjects that they're not all that good at painting.)
What's all that got to do with this image? Not much, except that someone commented that I only paint a bunch of rural scenes. Not the case really. I'm going to start including several of my 'cityscapes' for your visual consideration. With these you can gander at the geometric shapes reflecting the organic light illuminating and giving contrast to the view.
Oh yeah… I sure have moved far too many times in my life. It does get old.
Eiffel Tower
Composition Lesson #8
Guess what? You don't have to show the whole thing!
It's only natural to try and show (paint,photograph,render) an entire structure… no matter how large, wide, or tall it might be. If we see a large building, tower, mountain, etc, we try our best to get the whole thing in the image. This often means we have missed a better aspect-ratio composition than what we are showing.
I'm sure you've noticed I often crop-in close to my subject matter. I looked at dozens of paintings and photographs of the Eiffel Tower and noticed that every single one showed the entire height of the structure. I don't have a problem with that since the height is quite impressive and distinct. When I closely inspected and gave some thought to the tower, it's incredible four-footed base popped-out for admiration!
Here, enjoy the Eiffel Tower from a different viewpoint.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
D.U.I.
The definition of 'driving' now means you DON'T have to be driving to get a D.U.I.
You may as well toss out the dictionary. It seems so many words no longer have the same meaning they once did. It's like the word 'marriage'... somewhere in the last few years they created a whole new abstract definition for the term. Who knows anymore?
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You may as well toss out the dictionary. It seems so many words no longer have the same meaning they once did. It's like the word 'marriage'... somewhere in the last few years they created a whole new abstract definition for the term. Who knows anymore?
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Where's the Ocean?
Sometimes when we have something really interesting to look at, like the ocean, we tend to miss other fascinating things which are being over-powered.
I focused on the walk from the parking lot to the ocean, barely showing any of the water... emphasizing the sand, grass, and rocks instead. Our natural tendency is to gaze out at the majestic surf and only concentrate on the other elements when finding a spot to sit.
Friday, August 19, 2011
BUSTED!
The American court system seems to be shifting from the Latin 'innocent until proven guilty' system to the Napoleonic 'guilty until proven innocent' code. It definitely seems to be a 'money thang'!! There's an incredible amount of revenue to be made by the courts, lawyers, private businesses, and all involved with court cases. Even the innocent must spend a small fortune to prove their innocence. As if being arrested and tried is not bad enough, the family is also expected to suffer, not only the shame, but the financial burdens of seeing that the trial proceeds fairly.
Arrests seem to happen more frequently with areas which depend on revenue acquired through the legal system. With the record number of arrests in my area, I would guess that our county is basking in their new-found source of wealth!
__________________________
Arrests seem to happen more frequently with areas which depend on revenue acquired through the legal system. With the record number of arrests in my area, I would guess that our county is basking in their new-found source of wealth!
__________________________
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
What Can You Do Without a Dollar in Your Pocket?
One major difference in the way things operate today than they did many years ago: now everything is based around the paying-out of money for anything we can imagine! There's very few things we can do or participate in that don't either require huge entry fees; large sums for material costs; a day's wages for ticket costs; participation fees; and many other little 'extras' that at one time weren't even factored into the equation!!
The days of sending the kids off to any school event without money in their pocket are unheard of anymore.
Even when we're punished, our laws require such huge $$$ penalties for our crime that we have to get a loan just to pay the court costs. We're damned if we do and damned if we don't.
Of the many freedoms we are quickly losing, we can add the freedoms 'to be poor' and 'to be active recreationally without financial means' as two of them.
The days of sending the kids off to any school event without money in their pocket are unheard of anymore.
Even when we're punished, our laws require such huge $$$ penalties for our crime that we have to get a loan just to pay the court costs. We're damned if we do and damned if we don't.
Of the many freedoms we are quickly losing, we can add the freedoms 'to be poor' and 'to be active recreationally without financial means' as two of them.
Blessings of Who You Are
Some of us are naturally more likable than others... without even trying. If you are one of the truly likable people, consider yourself richly blessed!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Looks Like a Castle to Me
Looks Like a Castle to Me
Can't say I've ever spent a night here. I have heard the beds are pretty lumpy.
Not Down By the River
Look up! Thar it is. I told you someone built a big ol' place on top of that hill top. I guess we won't be goin' up thar no more to picnic and view the city lights. I wonder if they cut-down the ol' oak tree I carved my initials in?
Monday, August 15, 2011
Don't Quote Me
If you ever want to see how little in common you have with someone, just take a look at their 'Facebook/Tumblr/blog/other' and read their quotations. Who they quote and what they consider important enough to quote normally says to me, "Whoa! That person and I are on two different planets! I couldn't disagree more than with what they find valuable enough to quote."
(I do occasionally find quotations which do hit home, but those are normally with people I already know and respect.)
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(I do occasionally find quotations which do hit home, but those are normally with people I already know and respect.)
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Sunday, August 14, 2011
Go ahead and Judge Me!
It seems like those who arrogantly cry "don't judge me" might just be the ones who have the most waywardness to be judged, and present the greatest need for mercy, love, and understanding.
Uncle Ben's Lament
"With great power comes great responsibility" Uncle Ben told Peter Parker (and we've heard it over and over and over again).
Power is not only strength and might, it can also be intelligence and technological advancements. Responsibility most often is manifested through wisdom. Arguably we are the most intelligent (at least, educated) people in history and the information we possess has never been equaled. What is bothersome is we are showing numerous signs we might just be amongst the least wise people to ever walk this earth.
Our great intelligence combined with our unwise decisions is like lighting the fuse against Uncle Ben's statement to Peter.
There is a simple one-sentence proverb that also warns about this situation. It states: "There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death." (14:12)
It is time to stop and evaluate your values and decisions... and perhaps listen a little bit closer to the warnings from 'the other side'. There are reasons things are not done a certain way. Learn, and ponder on those reasons.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
The Rock Quarry
Them ol' quarries always seem to fill with water. Seems they all have legends based on what lies under the surface... "that thang is filled with cars and trucks... some even have bodies in them!" Yep, heard that one about quite a few of 'em!
Beys he's stein
Schloss Neuschwanstein is a 19th-century Gothic Revival palace above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner.
The palace was intended as a personal refuge for the reclusive king, but it was opened to the paying public immediately after his death in 1886. Since then over 60 million people have visited. The palace has appeared prominently in several movies and was the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Awards
Don't show me your awards.
Show me what you can do and I'll decide if it's award worthy.
???
Does this mean I don't trust your abilities?
No.
It actually means I don't necessarily respect the judgment of those who gave out the awards!
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Show me what you can do and I'll decide if it's award worthy.
???
Does this mean I don't trust your abilities?
No.
It actually means I don't necessarily respect the judgment of those who gave out the awards!
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You Win
I'm sorry, but I just hate movies where the bad guy either wins or goes without being punished at the end of the movie. It happens far too much in real life to be entertaining.
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Friday, August 12, 2011
Stereotypes
Don't you just hate stereotypes?
Quite a few of our prejudices and divisions have had their basis in stereotypical misgivings.
But doesn't it also bother you that so many stereotypes contain enough truth that you could easily win bets based upon their accuracy?!
No? It doesn't?
Oh. Okay.
But...
Be quick to drop your personal stereotypes when there is nothing positive to be gained and they are bringing about the degradation of someone else.
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Quite a few of our prejudices and divisions have had their basis in stereotypical misgivings.
But doesn't it also bother you that so many stereotypes contain enough truth that you could easily win bets based upon their accuracy?!
No? It doesn't?
Oh. Okay.
But...
Be quick to drop your personal stereotypes when there is nothing positive to be gained and they are bringing about the degradation of someone else.
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The Psalmists Sonata - Winter Storm
The Psalmists Sonata - Winter Storm...
The Psalmist's songs and poetry inspire, comfort, elevate and reach to the very throne of God. Questions are answered and the full gamut of human emotions are covered. Honest, sincere love is expressed to God and our understanding of Him is greatly deepened. by taaos
More Information You Don't Need to Know
When you're a person who has to "go all the time", a business, store, or restaurant's restroom becomes almost as important as what they have to sell. When shopping at a mall, you keep a mental Rolodex of what stores have the best restrooms, and where they're located at.
Some of you will fully understand, others will have no clue what I'm talkin' about!
(M.I.Y.D.N.T.K.)
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Some of you will fully understand, others will have no clue what I'm talkin' about!
(M.I.Y.D.N.T.K.)
____________
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Judging
We are not called to judge the motives of a person's heart.
That is not our place!
Does that mean we're not supposed to judge at all?
Well...
We are called to judge a person's actions.
Their actions and decisions tell us so much, we can make our own decisions based around theirs!
A world without wise judgments is in more danger than a world with no judging at all.
____________________
That is not our place!
Does that mean we're not supposed to judge at all?
Well...
We are called to judge a person's actions.
Their actions and decisions tell us so much, we can make our own decisions based around theirs!
A world without wise judgments is in more danger than a world with no judging at all.
____________________
Absolute truth??
Sure, there are tons of absolute truths. It's just another of our many fallacies believing there are no absolute truths. Even people who say they don't believe in absolute truth actually do believe… or they would never get out of bed in the morning!
It is our innate understanding that so much of our life is guided and dependent upon absolute truths that allow us to function and go about our daily life.
______________________
It is our innate understanding that so much of our life is guided and dependent upon absolute truths that allow us to function and go about our daily life.
______________________
Monday, August 8, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Sailing Ship
The wind has been a great assister for as long as people have had a desire to explore the vast expanses of lakes and oceans. Other means of sailing power come and go but the winds have consistently done their part to help.
Our Adultery
The song "If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don't Want To Be Right" is unintentionally prophetic in the message it brings about modern shallow love. When it was released back in 1972, it had no idea of the flood of 'easy come, easy go' relationships which would become the norm in the years to follow. It also sadly sums-up the attitude we have developed regarding what we loosely call love... we could care less if it's the right thing to do, we're going to do what we want no matter what!
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Saturday, August 6, 2011
Fall Foliage
Some things are more attractive after they've died. Well, maybe leaves are the only thing that are.
Proper Perspective
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
(Isaiah 55:8-9)
Friday, August 5, 2011
An Evening with the Arts
We went to First Friday this evening. We viewed the original art; listened to the singer-songwriters; ate some cheese and wine, and took on the persona of art snobs. Oh yeah, we also had a good time.
Summer Heat
One statement seldom heard this summer: "Let's take a walk in the cool of the day."
Why not?
Because that time of the day has been practically nonexistent.
Conversation Stoppers
Within a normal conversation the average question or statement can be answered with either the thirty second answer or the three minute answer. Some people aren't able to narrow it down to just three minutes… when thirty seconds would have really been much too long!
_________________
_________________
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Moral Collision Course
It doesn't take a prophet to see we are on an inevitable collision course. It's simply a question of whether it will happen in my life time or in that of my children's children.
(A fallout shelter and hoarding food is not the way to be prepared!)
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Evil Dads
My son was upset that I was taking so many pictures of him. He screamed, "Quit taking my frigging picture!"
I responded, "Luke Skywalker's dad tried to 'force' him over to the dark side and you're mad that I'm taking pictures of you!?"
I responded, "Luke Skywalker's dad tried to 'force' him over to the dark side and you're mad that I'm taking pictures of you!?"
Friends in High and Low Places
Friends are important!
Sometimes a person wins awards; garners recognition; excels over the competition; and takes home the prize… all because of the friends they have in their arsenal.
Whether few or many, friends can make all the difference in the world.
_____________________
Sometimes a person wins awards; garners recognition; excels over the competition; and takes home the prize… all because of the friends they have in their arsenal.
Whether few or many, friends can make all the difference in the world.
_____________________
When Your Faith is Tested…
the Bad: It happens through trials; hardships; persecution; and other unpleasant events which most of us would love to avoid.
the Good: You grow; become a better person; draw closer to God; and are much more spiritually useable.
_____________
the Good: You grow; become a better person; draw closer to God; and are much more spiritually useable.
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Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Pink and Green
Do you think I know what I'm doing? Do any of us?
At least I can paint with my eyes open.
No Longer Lived In
You see old dilapidated homes like this all over rural areas. Much history come and gone.
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