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Monday, April 30, 2012

Heather and Gary

I spent Saturday evening photographing a couple who have such a love for the outdoors. When Heather called me to ask if I'd do her engagement pics she asked "well what do you think about going off road?"...I thought to myself... ahhhh... how off road could it get. Boy was I wrong....lol We met in Oneida and hopped in a jeep and started making our way deep into places that it seemed time had long since forgotten. This couple loves to hike and explore and I wanted their pics to convey exactly that. I will be photographing their Wedding at Natural Bridge on June the 23rd. I can't wait! Here are just a few of the places that they took me too. 
In the pic above we all kinda came to the conclusion that this must have either been an old school or church. Only the frame remains.

This was quite a site simply because it was this huge massive rock out in the middle of a field that looked like it had just been dropped from space. We couldn't quite figure out how all those trees had took root there.

The thing I love most about the pic above is that I know most people would just pass it by and think how ugly and bothersome all that kudzo vine is. In my eyes I see a beauty in all that draping. 

Women In Ministry By Michael Davidson

So, a couple weeks ago I was at a function and there were some people from the community and our church. Well before everything got started a couple people I was with was asking me who was who and what their roles were in the church.  Someone decided to chime in and ask about a particular person that I was talking about. I was telling them what they do and all that. I probably should have been prepared for it because when you have 2 people together you will find something you disagree on. Always. That's just the way it is. There's ways to express your opinions though and that's the part I've never understood. If you're unsure, unclear, or just flat out disagree there's a way to ask without being condescending and degrading. You would've thought I just stomped a kitten right in front of this man! I've never seen someone so offended.... until about 2 seconds later when he responded! Basically he flat out says that the church I attend clearly doesn't read their word. Something I don't understand is why people who don't even take time out of their day to read the bible or attend church service even bother to debate it. (If you've read it and understand it- there's nothing to debate honestly) He says he feels women shouldn't preach and that the bible says women shouldn't be preachers. Well my church has two of the best women preachers in the world two women who are two of the best preachers in the world! One is holy ghost and fire filled and brings the house down. The other is more quiet but there isn't 2 minutes that pass that she's not got a scripture coming out of her mouth. She is probably the most educating minister I've ever heard. I love both styles and I love both women. I think they're amazing and quite frankly I bit my tongue so hard it almost started bleeding. Now I know that you shouldn't get upset when someone tries to make you that way, but boy, when people start talking about my church family and my preachers I can't help but to get a little offended. So for everyone who thinks women shouldn't preach, and who have read in the bible somewhere that women shouldn't have a significant role in ministry; this is for you.

Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Romans 16:1-2: "I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also."

Phoebe was designated to serve with the overseers of the church. Why would Jesus want a woman to serve with the overseers of the church if he didn't feel they should have important role in ministry?

Acts 18:24-26: "And a Jew named Apollos,  born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."

Now, if Jesus doesn't think women should have important roles in ministry why would he have a woman explain his way more adequately to other people, including men?

These aren't the only women. Mary Magdalene & Mary Salome (found in all four gospels) Joanna & Susan (Luke) Tabitha & Lydia (Acts) Julia (Romans) Deborah (Judges) all played significant roles in the bible.

1 Corinthians 11:5
: "But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven

Why were women encouraged to pray and worship accustomed to the times and be prophecies, if they weren't supposed to be a disciple and spread the word of God?

Oh, and that's not all! Numbers 22:28: "And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?"

Seriously, God speaks through a donkey (who just so happened to be a female donkey!) but he can't speak through a woman?

Now I know where the confusion comes in. 1 Timothy 2:8-15 talks about the women and men in church.

Verse 8 says: "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere..." like I mentioned, 1 Corinthians 11:5 encourages women to pray accustomed to the times. Why are women encouraged to pray if they shouldn't?  To me, maybe I'm wrong (but I don't think I am) "the men" refers to a group of public worshipers in general. Kinda like the mysterious "they" people refer to in today's times. Prayer is part of Christian worship. The bible is full of scripture regarding the power of prayer as well as female Christians.

Verses 11-13 says "...Let a woman learn in silence. I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over man but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve." Well obviously like I just provided, women were encouraged to pray accustomed to the times. So no, they shouldn't be silent. & Like I mentioned earlier, in the book of Acts we saw Priscilla educate Apollos on the way of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:11-12 says "Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God." Acts 10:34 says that God is no respecter of persons. All people are created equal in God's eyes. Jews, Gentiles, Men, Women.... all the same. For women to not have authority over man refers to not forgetting who they learned from. 2 Timothy 3:14 says to continue on the path of what you have learned but never forget where you learned it. You always hear people say to respect your elders. Its kind of the same thing, in my opinion. You will never have authority over who molded you into the person you are today. You grow up, you move on, but you never forget where you came from. You learn the word, you speak the word, you spread the word, but never forget where you learned it. Obviously with Adam being created first,  Eve (the woman) learned from man. Verse 13 alone should put an end to any doubt you have about that scripture, but for some; it doesn't. By saying that all women should learn in silence is referring to your attitude while learning. Get in your prayer closet, read the word of God, learn it, and become a true believer. This isn't just for the women, this is for everyone. To seek God is to know God.  Matthew 6:16-18 says "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." Again, you see people as a whole referred to as "men." Scriptures on the power behind fasting flood the bible (Matthew 17:20-21, Daniel 9:3, etc) If you seek your father in silence you will be rewarded. So by saying that women should study in silent wasn't saying they should be ashamed and they're not allowed to do so.

Humble yourself and give yourself unto Him and you will find the answers you're seeking for. God answers all prayers whether they come from men or women. God wants his work done by all. Don't ever let someone try to stop you from worshiping to your full capabilities. Stand up, speak out, spread the word.

Proverbs 31:30 says "...a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Not mocked, not dissed, not put down for her efforts. Praised! So the next time you see a woman serving the Lord and ministering to others before you shrug her off and blow hot air and make comments like "oh, somebody needs to read the bible" maybe you should read it for yourself first

The bible can be interpreted many ways. You can read a piece of scripture here and there and make it mean what you want it to, so you have the right to disagree with me if you would like, and that's fine. Maybe I'm the one interpreting it wrong; but I don't think I am. 

By Michael Davidson

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Friday, April 27, 2012

I Was Made To Praise

Hope

Holy women put all of their hope in the Lord. We are called to not rely on our husbands, finding a husband, our appearance, or our own strength. Most of the people that society are captivated by are those who have known struggle, known defeat, but have still found a way to be triumphant in battle. As women following Christ, that banner we raise as we walk to the front lines should be the truth and promises from Jesus Christ. Many times this needs to be a concentrated effort. Prayer, re-reading His Word, and being still in His presence are all beneficial when trying to lift that banner high.

Fearlesness

When we have hope rooted in the soil, fearlessness can then begin to grow within us. Proverbs 31:25 says this about a beautiful woman, “25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” This does not mean that she is under that impression that her life will lack hardships. She is not naive. In fact it implies that she aware in full that struggle is on the horizon; and yet all of her hope is deposited in Jesus, leaving her with nothing left to fear. Without fear entangling her in chains, she is free to go about her responsibilities, have confidence, and glorify God.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Beauty

So often I thank Jesus for enjoying beauty. How much more lovely is it to serve someone who likes and creates beautiful things? I was humbled to realize that if He is the Creator of all we see, then beauty originates from who He is. He is beauty. He is light. He is art. He is color. We serve a God who makes everything of worth eternal. When He is passionate about something, He doesn’t hold back. He made our souls eternal, our relationship with Him eternal, and beauty eternal. Therefore, He adores beauty that won’t perish, more specifically, “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit”. Oh how much more He cares about your heart than your outer appearance! (Praise God!) Here’s the good news for ladies like me! We don’t need to be quiet and flawless, but the workings of our heart, mind, and soul are to be at peace. Our stress and tendency to micromanage everything was created to be smoothed over with a gentle spirit. How is that spirit cultivated? Especially today with families, jobs, and confidence being eroded by this world? By putting our hope in the Lord, becoming fearless, and allowing that to shine through as our beauty. Make up, jewelry and clothing aren’t evil! But we give the enemy an upper hand when we allow those things to define our beauty. In reality, the airbrushed, magazine look is unattainable. However, we have a loving Savior who wants to unveil to us our strength, our beauty, and our specified function to reveal who He is to those around us. Adorn yourself with Him and you will never lack a beauty that is eternal.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Cecile and Mitch

I spent yesterday evening shooting a couple through out parts of Big Creek and the Red Bird area. We were literally in the middle of no mans land. Not a soul for miles. lol I can't believe we found our way out. He He! I was exhausted by the end of the session but it was so worth it. Cecile and Mitch plan on tying the knot on June 30th. I can't wait to photograph them on their wedding day. Enjoy some of their sneak peeks.










Sister Keta Howard(The Stronger Man)4-18-12














Saturday, April 21, 2012

Reflection Of Him

Voice of Truth

Temporary

He's Good All The Time

Tennis Anyone?

I got the opportunity to catch Mack in a match yesterday evening at the high school. I'll tell you one thing if you've never seen him play you are missing out. Mack is super talented at tennis and showed such poised concentration while he played. Here are a few shots from his match. Enjoy!