Beside Quiet Waters, Going to Waterfalls, and Cityscape Photos

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Beside Quiet Waters, Going to Waterfalls, and Cityscape Photos
Gentle to Rapids
"...he leads me beside quiet waters" (Psalm 23:2). We all want a bit of rest; a time where we can relax and enjoy the calm around us. We need it to function. Yet how often do we look to God to lead us to where we can find the most rest? Do we follow His lead not only through the rough moments when we have no certainties, but also through the quiet times when all seems easy and predictable? Deciding that the calm, easy, restful times are something that we can control sets us up for disaster. We become complacent, no longer faithfully following in every moment, believing that because the times are easy, we can manage. Then the road becomes rocky, the waters beside turn to rapids, and we suddenly scramble to find His steps again, perhaps on our hands and knees having stumbled. What if we stayed in step with Him? Would the change from calm to rocky, from quiet waters to rapids, even be as noticeable? Would we even be as attentive to the struggles versus the peace around us?
Skyscrapers to Waterfalls
I am by no means a morning person. I do not dread mornings and am not an angry person in the morning (unless you wake me early... then stay away), but likewise I do not jump out of bed singing at 5am (or 6, or 7...). So it took all my self-convincing to get out of bed for a dawn shot of Cincinnati from the hotel room. The night shot was easy, since it was when we had returned to our hotel room. I never was very happy with any of the compositions of my 25 shots, but oh well. Tomorrow we head to a place more along my type of photography: West Virginia. From city shots to mountains and waterfalls, which you know me for. Probably no post tomorrow, but I should be able to continue posting Friday and Saturday. Where would you rather be right now: downtown in a city or deep in the mountains?

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Words cannot describe just how jealous of you I am right now. I miss WV soooo much. Just to see ONE mountain would be awesome! It's been an entire year since I've seen anything that resembles a mountain. Have fun, and take LOTS of pictures!
- 6/13/2007 10:47 AM
- all_american_girl (message)
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Those are very breathtaking pictures!
- 6/13/2007 11:06 AM
- Phuong_Phan (message)
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DEEP in the MOUNTAINS!!! i'd pick mountain over the city in a heartbeat. however, i love going new places in general.... so visiting cities is always exciting for me... as long as we don't stay there for too long
- 6/13/2007 11:08 AM
- SkyL1ght (message)
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Just like Peter, when the stormy waves roil about us, we need to look to Jesus and listen to His, "Peace, be still."

I would definitely rather be in the mountains than the city, but more than that, I would rather be along the ocean, listening to waves ~
- 6/13/2007 11:09 AM
- fwren (message)
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The mountains!
- 6/13/2007 11:18 AM
- jimpurcell (message)
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I would go for the city.
- 6/13/2007 11:51 AM
- TheTheologiansCafe (message)
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Oh, that city is BEAUTIFUL. It depends: If I was in New York, I would LOVE it-with friends, of course.

But overall, the mountains or the beach-with some very close friends.
- 6/13/2007 12:03 PM
- Annalyn04 (message)
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The morning shot is my favorite....and I like both the city and the mountains, but my choice at this particular moment would definitely be the mountains.
- 6/13/2007 1:12 PM
- gandywhite (message)
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I don't know where I would rather be. I like both, but mountains are nice. However mountains mean bugs and I don't like bugs. Cities mean rude people and smelly air... but... I don't know. I guess you could really go on and on about this.... but I won't.

RYC: yeah, it took me a long time to come up with that!!
- 6/13/2007 1:34 PM
- popper22 (message)
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THE MOUNTIANS. I just got back from a 7 mile hike in the South Carolina mountians. I already miss them!!!
- 6/13/2007 1:38 PM
- Happy_Feet_99 (message)
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Your comment made me laugh heartily my friend.
- 6/13/2007 2:20 PM
- babygirlbanister (message)
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In younger years, I would have preferred the city... but these days, I would definitely prefer the peace and quiet of the mountains.
- 6/13/2007 2:53 PM
- Athaleyah (message)
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Right now I might prefer the city, or at least the city I'm in, because I can walk (or bike) to anything I need. There's also an arboretum nearby that is usually nice & quiet, and full of plants & animals -- unless there's some inconsiderate fellow there, speaking very loudly into his cell phone, which was the case last time I went.

Maybe in WV there aren't any cell towers, and you won't be bothered by such behavior. Maybe.

But I will say my city lacks waterfalls.
- 6/13/2007 3:09 PM
- sublibrarian (message)
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MOUNTAINS!!!! I love the city...but I would choose the mountains ANYDAY over the city!!! I can't wait to get to WV tomorrow!!!
- 6/13/2007 3:24 PM
- jamzjen (message)
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Mountains no question!!! ryc I guess 40 comments isn't so many when I leave the post up for 5 days. I am posting only once or twice a week these days. Also at least a half dozen of them didn't even bother reading the post or at least responding to it in any way. Maybe the next one will grab their attention.
Tim
- 6/13/2007 4:40 PM
- casey_at_bat (message)
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RYC: I agree, I do love to do portraits. And I don't get the chance often enough. But do enjoy it when I can. :~)
- 6/13/2007 5:35 PM
- jimpurcell (message)
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Deep in the mountains for sure!!!!

The skyline at dawn is beautiful, glad you got the picture!

Loved your first paragraph. I've read a book on Ps.23 that made that chapter come alive for me.

RYC--My youngest son is almost 2. I also have a 4 year old boy, a 7 year old girl, and 2 more boys--10 years and 9 years.
- 6/13/2007 9:48 PM
- purpleamethyst76 (message)
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Jason, Jason, Jason..you seem to be so discontent with your photos lately...yet they've been beautiful. I'm glad you're heading for the hills, I think you soul needs them. May the Lord bless you with rest and delight
- 6/14/2007 1:07 AM
- broncomom (message)
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You reminded me of a time when God was VERY evident in my life . . .I may just blog about it . . .Also, your post really spoke to me as you could obviously tell from my last post. You are very insightful in your writing as well as your picture taking!

Oh, and I would pick the mountains hands down!!!
- 6/14/2007 7:48 AM
- brosarl (message)
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Ahhh ... a man of understanding. How is it that we so easily succumb to the illusion that we are in control when things are going well? How is it that we so easily slip into living life on our own steam as though God is not involved? This is undoubtedly why God allows trouble ... so that we will continue to seek Him.

Mornings and mountains are great. The older I get the earlier I seem to wake up though I must admit that it would be nice to be able to sleep in sometimes. As for the mountains ... our whole state is one big mountain range. Flat spots are a rarity ; ) If you want to shoot mountains come to Northern Vermont!
- 6/15/2007 7:11 AM
- allenbacon (message)
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I'd rather be at the beach during a gorgeous sunset...does that count? Hope you're having a great trip and..

Happy Father's Day!
- 6/17/2007 4:56 PM
- mommyfish (message)
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Mountains, the city is nice, but I don't like people.
- 6/17/2007 7:16 PM
- PinStripedZootSuit (message)
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yeah, i know. it's taken me long enough to comment. oh well. at least i'm here now anywayz...there are times i'd rather be in the mountains, but most of the time, i'd rather be in the middle of a big, busy city!!! i love it so much!!! i miss NYC! i need to go back soon!
- 6/30/2007 9:53 AM
- befernie (message)
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MOUNTAINS! fo sho! hey that city looks familiar
- 7/2/2007 12:20 PM
- Scottyups (message)
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How you doing?? Sharon
- 7/31/2007 6:13 PM
- justhopingnow (message)
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