View allAll Photos Tagged BornAgain
Since I started taking pictures again in the fall of '10, I've wanted to do more and more macrophotography. Given the limited equipment I have — and believe me, for each picture I post there are a hundred I toss out — and the insane amount of plants and flowers that my parents keep around, I don't even need to get away from home. One of the key advantages is that I retain easy access to all of my equipment, and it's a comfortable location that I know well.
However, insects ("my models", as I jokingly refer to them) have been taking their sweet time this year. Aside from a couple of spiders, a fly and a couple of bees, I haven't seen any. It is still early, though, and the double snowfall has caused quite a few problems. The bush of daisies that butterflies loved to banquet on is gone, a 25-year-old ficus that exceeded the length of our balcony is on the edge of dying, and our oleander seems quite battered.
Roses, however, are slowly coming back to life, and so are many other flowers around the house.
Spring, after all, mustn't be too far away.
Before mom killed three of her four children she placed her sweater where it wouldn't get dirty. It was where she hung her sweater every night before she put her children to sleep. Her middle boy hated to sleep while anyone else was awake, often he would hide hoping to play a game. That night he hid in a new hiding place.
My Friend: I am asking you the most important question of life. Your joy or your sorrow for all eternity
depends upon your answer. The question is: Are you saved? It is not a question of how good you are, nor if
you are a church member, but are you saved? Are you sure you will go to Heaven when you die?
God says in order to go to Heaven, you must be born again. In John 3:7, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Ye must be
born again.”
In the Bible God gives us the plan of how to be born again which means to be saved. His plan is simple! You
can be saved today. How?
First, my friend, you must realize you are a sinner. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”
(Romans 3:23).
Because you are a sinner, you are condemned to death. “For the wages [payment] of sin is death” (Romans
6:23). This includes eternal separation from God in Hell.
“ . . . it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
But God loved you so much He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to bear your sin and die in your place.
“ . . . He hath made Him [Jesus, Who knew no sin] to be sin for us . . . that we might be made the righteousness
of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus had to shed His blood and die. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Lev. 17:11). “ . . . without
shedding of blood is no remission [pardon]” (Hebrews 9:22).
“ . . . God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8).
Although we cannot understand how, God said my sins and your sins were laid upon Jesus and He died in our
place. He became our substitute. It is true. God cannot lie.
My friend, “God . . . commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). This repentance is a change of
mind that agrees with God that one is a sinner, and also agrees with what Jesus did for us on the Cross.
In Acts 16:30-31, the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas: “ . . . ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ And they
said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved . . . .’ ”
Simply believe on Him as the one who bore your sin, died in your place, was buried, and whom God
resurrected. His resurrection powerfully assures that the believer can claim everlasting life when Jesus is
received as Savior.
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe
on His name” (John 1:12).
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).
Whosoever includes you. Shall be saved means not maybe, nor can, but shall be saved.
Surely, you realize you are a sinner. Right now, wherever you are, repenting, lift your heart to God in prayer.
In Luke 18:13, the sinner prayed: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Just pray: “Oh God, I know I am a sinner.
I believe Jesus was my substitute when He died on the Cross. I believe His shed blood, death, burial, and
resurrection were for me. I now receive Him as my Savior. I thank You for the forgiveness of my sins, the gift
of salvation and everlasting life, because of Your merciful grace. Amen.”
Just take God at His word and claim His salvation by faith. Believe, and you will be saved. No church, no
lodge, no good works can save you. Remember, God does the saving. All of it!
God’s simple plan of salvation is: You are a sinner. Therefore, unless you believe on Jesus Who died in your
place, you will spend eternity in Hell. If you believe on Him as your crucified, buried, and risen Savior, you
receive forgiveness for all of your sins and His gift of eternal salvation by faith.
You say, “Surely, it cannot be that simple.” Yes, that simple! It is scriptural. It is God’s plan. My friend, believe
on Jesus and receive Him as Savior today.
If His plan is not perfectly clear, read this tract over and over, without laying it down, until you understand
it. Your soul is worth more than all the world.
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
Be sure you are saved. If you lose your soul, you miss Heaven and lose all. Please! Let God save you this very
moment.
God’s power will save you, keep you saved, and enable you to live a victorious Christian life. “There hath no
temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1
Corinthians 10:13).
Do not trust your feelings. They change. Stand on God’s promises. They never change. After you are saved,
there are three things to practice daily for spiritual growth:
Pray -- you talk to God.
Read your Bible -- God talks to you.
Witness -- you talk for God.
You should be baptized in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ as a public testimony of your salvation, and
then unite with a Bible-believing church without delay. “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of
our Lord . . . .” (2 Timothy 1:8)
“Whosoever therefore shall confess [testify of] Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which
is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).
Once upon a time I was 185 pounds and a size 15.
Just by being allowed to live my life, go outside, ride a bike, and not be force fed, I'm roughly a size 10 right now.
I’m not too sure why people try and reason or correct these born again folks. Although this woman had more Bible knowledge then most, Shadrak, Meshak, Abendigo, whatever his name is quickly pulled out a bunch of chapters and verses sending this poor woman to the fiery underworld. It is of my opinion this whole born again thing has nothing to do with God or Jesus and everything to do with “I’m right and you’re wrong”. I also believe them to be highly delusional in their belief of superiority. There were times I thought they may be the genuine article and actually believe all the stuff they were preaching, but after watching them on multiple occasions I have come to the conclusion they really just want you to be wrong and them to be right. There is no soul saving going on here.
I went to Lane Tech, graduating class of 2007. If you weren't aware, Lane is one of the largest high schools in Chicago, with over 4,000 students. It is enormous and the campus is ridiculous. I used to call it Hogwarts. I wish that I could have enjoyed the beauty of the school while I was there, but throughout my four years there, I was completely miserable.
It was both a safe haven and hell at the very same time. I could get away from my grandmother and be around a few people I called friends, but.... on this campus, I had friendships go sour, ridiculous drama, rejection from boys, pity parties, and got dumped during the Turkey Bowl in the stadium in 2004.
A deacon and worship leader at my church Metro Praise, one of my 7 roommates, but most importantly, my best friend. The girl who was there for me even when I hated her, the girl who lead me to Jesus, taught me about Him, and took me into her home when I moved out. Until/if/when my husband comes, she is the person I love the most on this earth and I would take a bullet for her.
Maybe there's a reason why I'm born again
There's something rare going on under my skies
You got to chill out, find a reason for your soul again
And judge the miracle by feel, not size
Infinite the reasons why I'm born again
The modern innocents have soul on their side
-Born Again, BADLY DRAWN BOY
--
Music is so inspiring, it can simply explain an untitlted photo, a candid moment, an inexpressive emotion, and all the things no one can ever explain.
I like listening to songs while editing photos, it makes me get into the photo itself. <3
yesterday was amazing. I got out of the house because i barely get to absorb happy energy there. Life lately has been so steady and very usual and i don't want it that way. Eric and I had to escape everything that's slowing us down.
and today, i woke up happily ever after. <3 Good Morning Flickr magics! <3
NO, I did not plan this photo after my Jesus Fish capture on Friday. And I did not even look at the bumperstickers till later in the library, on my camera :-)
Troy Public Library Parking Lot
Troy, Michigan
c. early 1960s. Card found in Winifred Sulley's papers depicting a Missionary Bible convention held in Japan.
I wish I would have captured the whole Bible in the photo but as long as it is somewhat obvious I am happy. This was shot during a particularly long and winded tirade and as he shouted out to the crowd one of those gross creamy spit things grew in the corner of his mouth. At one point people stared heckling him from the crowd about it. Although I was somewhat scared it would shoot off at me as I went in for the close up I just had to get a good shot of it.
from my testimony narrative.
testimony project | formspring | tumblr
this is my best friend; it feels weird to say her name is now vanessa vitale instead of vanessa vargas.. so i'll just keep titling my photos of her as "vanessa"...
In the #morning thinking about what is in a name. I am #bornagain in #Starbucks name & enroute to #Nantucket. #Enlle #waiting #Bronx #NewYork #SpuytenDuyvil
Bad to the Bone - George Thoroughgood
On the day I was born
The nurses all gathered 'round
And they gazed with wild wonder
At the joy they had found
The head nurse spoke up
Said, "Leave this one alone"
She could tell right away
That I was bad to the bone
Chorus:
Bad to the bone
Bad to the bone
Ba ba ba ba ba ba bad
Ba ba ba ba ba ba bad
Ba ba ba ba ba ba bad
Bad to the bone
I broke a thousand hearts
Before I met you
I'll break a thousand more, baby
Before I am through
I wanna be yours pretty baby
Yours and yours alone
I'm here to tell ya honey
That I'm bad to the bone
(chorus)
I'll make a rich woman beg
And I'll make a good woman steal
I'll make an old woman blush
and I'll make a young girl squeal
I wanna be yours pretty baby
Yours and yours alone
I'm here to tell ya honey
That I'm bad to the bone
(Chorus)
Now when I walk the streets
Kings and queens step aside
Every woman I meet haha
They all stay satisfied
I wanna tell you pretty baby
what I see I make my own
and I'm here to tell ya honey
that I'm bad to the bone
(chorus)
Taken during a short term missions trip in support of Cork Church, Cork, Ireland.
Kodak Kodachrome 200
I met this girl once that talked very little but smiled a lot and loved to dance. The one thing the Krishna’s brought to the table that the born again folks did not was cute girls and gifts of birdseed candy. Although I’m usually not one to enjoy seed as food, this little seed candy was pretty tasty. I am also of the belief that it’s much easier to win someone’s mind if you can please their palate.
Leilani: Metro Praise deacon, youth ministry worship leader, one of my 7 roommates, and one of my closest friends. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met, and has been there for me in times of need, always keeping her word.
Eli rocks, too. Really!
Circumstances at home didn't allow me to attend a Christian church with Vanessa. My grandmother, who I lived with, forbid me from going, and kept me smashed under her thumb of oppression in every way possible.
The devil had me in almost every kind of bondage you could think of, minus sex, drugs, and alcohol. I somehow evaded those things, but I was still miserable. I called myself a Christian, but I was slipping back into depression, suicidal thoughts, and hopelessness because of my loneliness and the abuse I endured.
" You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
I'm not going to say I was full blown bulimic, but I hated my body enough to try it a few times. After several failed attempts, I quit trying, but I tried to starve myself whenever possible.
Our campus at Texas State University – San Marcos has a part of the quad designated as free speech zone. This was done by the university several years ago when student protests for pro and con sides of a singular issues became just too distruptive of campus activities. So instead of allowing protests all over the campus grounds TXSTATE has a designated spot for these activities. Usually this space is used frequently and put to good use by our students. Every spring however Evangelical Christian Extremist Preachers also visit our campus and use this space to deliver their message.
In the past couple of years it’s been a pretty mellow 3-4 day event. This year was no different in terms of duration, they were on our campus for 3 days and preached all day long taking turns from a group of 3-4 preachers. While the schedule was the same, the messages were quite different this year. They were accusatory, damning anyone that had sexual thoughts, sexual acts out of wedlock, anyone who drank alcoholic beverages, smoked cigarettes, listened to rock-n-roll music, and of course their all time favorite the gay and lesbian community. Previous years’ preachers also had a few things to say about some of these issues but they had never ventured to level of graphic and insulting tone this years group delivered.. This years group of preachers certainly rubbed the students the wrong way by getting in their faces and calling them sinners and saying that they were all going to hell etc.
First day the students were talking back to the preachers. The second day they had signs and were mocking them, shouting over them. Third day things got serious. The student body simply did not want this message of hate on their campus. The protest grew in size and volume making it necessary for the UPD to get involved. UPD had to escort the preachers off of campus and turned around and instructed the students to continue their protest only if they can do it silently. This is why if you look closely many of the participants have their mouths taped shut with masking tape that has the letters LOVE written on them.
The student protest went on all afternoon. The funny thing was even I participated in it by putting on my own tape over my mouth and standing with our students. This issue was close to my heart. It was refreshing to see our students react to a message of hate so strongly and stand up for their rights — claiming this campus as their own home and eventually kicking the intruders out.
There were many walking along South Beach that were pretty pissed off by the unwanted sermon and many of these pissed off people had visited the Bacardi tents once or twice too often. I can’t remember too well what this gentleman’s impromptu drunken sermon was as he stole the stage from the “You’re all going to hell” folks, but I know I heard something about Jerry Garcia and tie-dye shirts. The born again folks retort was that Jerry Garcia is in Hell!
Along came the Krishna’s, transcending upon the Bible beaters leaving them speechless. Although quiet, the leader of the Bible squad repeatedly motioned his Bible to the ground in a very swift downward motion. I am not 100% sure what that was all about, but I am guessing from past quotes out of his mouth it had something to do with them being condemned to hell. The Krishna’s are the happiest shiniest bunch of folks I have ever seen. Watching them dance and sing around the angry Bible waving crew made everyone around smile as well.
One of the many blessing Tony enjoyed during this year's Ambassadors' Academy season was the opportunity to present a message to the Academy participants entitled "Don't Quit." The response to the message has been such that those, at Living Waters, have decided to publish it as a CD.
Here's the artwork for the CD and slipcase cover.
Dale Jackson, the graphic artist for Living Waters, created the artwork. Dale used a photo taken by Chris Yarzab during the October Ambassadors' Academy and turned it into an oil painting. The photo captures the theme of the message.
You can read the story behind the picture by clicking on this link.
thelawmanchronicles.blogspot.com/2008/11/preaching-and-be...
Evangelism, when done biblically, is hard work. It should always be a labor of love, but it can be quite difficult at times. Whether you are a seasoned evangelist or just learning to share your faith in a biblical way, you must persevere.
"Don’t Quit" is an impassioned plea to Christians to persevere in every aspect of their evangelism efforts. Lives are at stake. If you love God and you love people, then you must never quit. This message will encourage you to stay in the good fight for the souls of lost people.
Here's one comment we received about the message, from on of our October Academy participants.
"The most important thing I learned from this message is that no matter what the response, how hard the labor is, how lonely you feel, or what the results seem to be, just keep on going and don’t even think of quitting." – Angela (New Zealand).
The CD and artwork went to replication, today. "Don't Quit" should be available through Living Waters, in 2-3 weeks.Tony will keep you posted.
We hope the Lord uses this message and the proclamation of the Law and the Gospel it contains to encourage the brethren and to evangelize the lost.
Pray with Tony and ask that the Lord does this, for His glory.
CD is now available
www.livingwaters.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&...
to the lady who shoots elk from a helicopter for target practice; non-USA, European contacts, Sarah Palin is the vice president camdidtate running for election with the conservative John McCain...she is an "ideal" "Hitler-jungen" her motto: Drill (for oil) and Kill!"
"You Always Want What You Cannot Have & Don't Want What You Have , To Be Self-Realized Just Reverse It"
Jim has gone trough changes in His life ~all good ones!~ and wanted to show the struggle between the old Jim & the new Jim via his Tattoo.
***************************************************************************************
at the bottom is a skull (originally applied by the famous Tattoo Artist , Mr.Miller Cotton , RESPECT TO YOU SIR) ...we added the demon horns & just cleaned-up the line work to represent the OLD JIM.
in the center of this 3 head totem is a face with Angel wings to represent the NEW ~BornAgain~ JIM.
at the top is a 1/2 face 1/2 skull with a Halo to represent the ongoing struggle to Keep The Faith.