This past weekend I went to Bham to take the opportunity of taking my cousin and his Fiance's engagement pictures. This was my first engagement shoot and plan on getting into more. I got some good pics. Here is a sample.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Birthday Homie: Shannon K.
A very good friend of mine came to ATL for her bday and kicked it. Along with her were frat brother Julius Stevens and her friend Shakonda (who is really cool, hopefully I spelled it right). Shannon Kelley and I have known each other since my freshmen year and have been cool ever since then. She turned 23 last weekend. I posted on instagram about my wall and how everybody had to get in front of the camera when they stopped by, well here are hers. Enjoy, Lol.
New Lense: Sigma 17-50 f/2.8
I got a new lens and I'm extra excited to use it. Test shots should be coming soon as I get back to ATL this weekend from Savannah.
Gimme 50 feet!
If you read the post prior to this I talked about how Jesus was chilling in the back of the boat when the storm came and the disciples got all scared. I forgot to add something. Peep game: Okay the storm comes, Jesus in the back getting some ZZZzzz's, disciples in the front of the boat tripping during the storm.
BREAK DOWN: My brutha, my sister, my ppl, whoever you may be. If Jesus in the back chilling why would you be panicking. You need to fall back and let Jesus be in control. We all go through storms just like the disciples were but we fail to realize that Jesus has us. These storms are test for us to prove our faith so step up to the plate and pass the test. Just call on Jesus he'll be there just like he was with the disciples, but they failed to notice he was back there chilling. So give Jesus 50 feet, move back and let him lead you. If he chilling, you should already know you'll be fine in the end.
BREAK DOWN: My brutha, my sister, my ppl, whoever you may be. If Jesus in the back chilling why would you be panicking. You need to fall back and let Jesus be in control. We all go through storms just like the disciples were but we fail to realize that Jesus has us. These storms are test for us to prove our faith so step up to the plate and pass the test. Just call on Jesus he'll be there just like he was with the disciples, but they failed to notice he was back there chilling. So give Jesus 50 feet, move back and let him lead you. If he chilling, you should already know you'll be fine in the end.
The Reality of the Storm
Whats up everybody, been kind of busy with work and traveling last weekend. I was sent to Savannah for work yesterday. I'll be here until Friday. I'm helping catch some work up on a project we're building on Fort Stewart Army base. Anyway let me hit yall with a lil something.
Sunday was awesome and I learned something, which I always do. I went to Bham to do some engagement pics for my cousin and his fiance, which will be highlighted in another post. I went to church with them. The preacher talked about Mark 4 - Mark 5:20. This includes the famous story that involves Jesus and the disciples crossing the river, a storm comes, and they become afraid and are panicking bothering Jesus while he was chilling, sleep in the back of the boat. Jesus woke up and said to the sea "Peace, be still." He asked them, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?".
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). And I would like to add to that, ACCEPTING the word of God. The only way we'll have faith is by studying, hearing, and understanding the Word. The Bible tells us all the things Jesus did while here. The Bible increases our faith by showing us that Jesus is awesome and powerful and can do anything that you will ever need and provide you with things you could never fathom or imagine. But to gain and increase our faith we also have to accept the word we're reading and hearing. We also have to meditate on the word of God constantly to keep ourselves aware of doing righteous things in His eyes. I was studying one day and this hit me like a brick. When I read I don't say a word unless I'm reading aloud. Its completely quiet because I have to soak it in, meditate on it and carry it with me the rest of my days.
The key to accept the word is to have a heart that's like good soil and allow it to be sewn into our hearts, spirits, and minds. This links in with Mark 4:1-20 where Jesus teaches the parable of the sower. Seeds were thrown on soils in rocky places with little soil, nothing sprouted because the soil wasn't deep enough (you aren't allowing the word to penetrate your heart). Seeds were thrown on soils near thorn bushes, but the seeds were choked when they did grow (you get a little faith and do right, but are choked by the money, women, men, sex, greed, the list goes on). But some seeds fall on good soil, penetrating the soil and growing big and strong (you allow the word to get into you and stay.) This is how the battle is won.
I love reading when parables are present. It just presents that challenge of figuring it out and a challenge to understand the Bible. Everything I put on here are things I work on as well so we're all in this together. Just don't give up on what is the best decision that will be made in our lives, knowing Jesus.
Yall be easy.....have faith.
Sunday was awesome and I learned something, which I always do. I went to Bham to do some engagement pics for my cousin and his fiance, which will be highlighted in another post. I went to church with them. The preacher talked about Mark 4 - Mark 5:20. This includes the famous story that involves Jesus and the disciples crossing the river, a storm comes, and they become afraid and are panicking bothering Jesus while he was chilling, sleep in the back of the boat. Jesus woke up and said to the sea "Peace, be still." He asked them, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?".
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). And I would like to add to that, ACCEPTING the word of God. The only way we'll have faith is by studying, hearing, and understanding the Word. The Bible tells us all the things Jesus did while here. The Bible increases our faith by showing us that Jesus is awesome and powerful and can do anything that you will ever need and provide you with things you could never fathom or imagine. But to gain and increase our faith we also have to accept the word we're reading and hearing. We also have to meditate on the word of God constantly to keep ourselves aware of doing righteous things in His eyes. I was studying one day and this hit me like a brick. When I read I don't say a word unless I'm reading aloud. Its completely quiet because I have to soak it in, meditate on it and carry it with me the rest of my days.
The key to accept the word is to have a heart that's like good soil and allow it to be sewn into our hearts, spirits, and minds. This links in with Mark 4:1-20 where Jesus teaches the parable of the sower. Seeds were thrown on soils in rocky places with little soil, nothing sprouted because the soil wasn't deep enough (you aren't allowing the word to penetrate your heart). Seeds were thrown on soils near thorn bushes, but the seeds were choked when they did grow (you get a little faith and do right, but are choked by the money, women, men, sex, greed, the list goes on). But some seeds fall on good soil, penetrating the soil and growing big and strong (you allow the word to get into you and stay.) This is how the battle is won.
I love reading when parables are present. It just presents that challenge of figuring it out and a challenge to understand the Bible. Everything I put on here are things I work on as well so we're all in this together. Just don't give up on what is the best decision that will be made in our lives, knowing Jesus.
Yall be easy.....have faith.
Friday, July 20, 2012
TIPS AND TRICKS
My cousin got me on Our Daily Bread. I had always heard of it but I never really checked it out. Well the other day it was on point forreal. The headline was Proverbs 23. I've always loved Proverbs because it is full of wisdom, something I pray for every night. King Solomon had a chance to ask for one thing and he asked for wisdom. Long story short he ended up being one of the greatest kings EVA!! Well this particular proverbs was basically 30 verses full of tips. And it was crazy how all of it applied to something going on right at this moment. Im pretty sure everyone that reads it will find a verse they like. Some examples of the tips were:
- 4 Be wise enough not to wear yourself out trying to get rich.5 Your money
can be gone in a flash, as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle.
-9 Don't try to talk sense to a fool; he can't appreciate it. With fool being defined as often used for a wicked or morally corrupt person; one who acts contrary to sound wisdom in his moral behaviors or manners; one who follows his own desires, who prefers trifling and temporary pleasures to the service of God and eternal happiness.
- 13 Don't hesitate to discipline children. A good spanking won't kill them.14 As a matter of fact, it may save their lives. Not BEAT your children...Lol. My mom should have read this...Lol
-For the fellas: 26 Pay close attention, son, and let my life be your example.27 Prostitutes and immoral women are a deadly trap.28 They wait for you like robbers and cause many men to be unfaithful. And this is the reason why LOVE is hard to find. Men fall into the trap everyday.
- 17 Don't be envious of sinful people; let reverence for the Lord be the concern of your life.18 If it is, you have a bright future.
- 19 Listen, my child, be wise and give serious thought to the way you live.20 Don't associate with people who drink too much wine or stuff themselves with food.21 Drunkards and gluttons will be reduced to poverty. If all you do is eat and sleep, you will soon be wearing rags....... 29-30Show me people who drink too much, who have to try out fancy drinks, and I will show you people who are miserable and sorry for themselves, always causing trouble and always complaining. Their eyes are bloodshot, and they have bruises that could have been avoided.31 Don't let wine tempt you, even though it is rich red, and it sparkles in the cup, and it goes down smoothly.32 The next morning you will feel as if you had been bitten by a poisonous snake.33 Weird sights will appear before your eyes, and you will not be able to think or speak clearly.34 You will feel as if you were out on the ocean, seasick, swinging high up in the rigging of a tossing ship.35
I must have been hit, you will say;
I must have been beaten up, but I don't remember it. Why can't I wake up?
I can't even lie I actually burst into laughter, like literally after that last tip about drinking. I can think of plenty of times when I was like that. Tryna tone down on the liquor consumption. Lil sip here and there, but the stories like the above will TRY not to exist anymore on my behalf. Besides it sucks feeling like that anyway.
Yall be blessed man....
AND STOP JUDGING FOLKS....YOUR SINS ARE JUST DIFFERENT.
- 4 Be wise enough not to wear yourself out trying to get rich.5 Your money
can be gone in a flash, as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle.
-9 Don't try to talk sense to a fool; he can't appreciate it. With fool being defined as often used for a wicked or morally corrupt person; one who acts contrary to sound wisdom in his moral behaviors or manners; one who follows his own desires, who prefers trifling and temporary pleasures to the service of God and eternal happiness.
- 13 Don't hesitate to discipline children. A good spanking won't kill them.14 As a matter of fact, it may save their lives. Not BEAT your children...Lol. My mom should have read this...Lol
-For the fellas: 26 Pay close attention, son, and let my life be your example.27 Prostitutes and immoral women are a deadly trap.28 They wait for you like robbers and cause many men to be unfaithful. And this is the reason why LOVE is hard to find. Men fall into the trap everyday.
- 17 Don't be envious of sinful people; let reverence for the Lord be the concern of your life.18 If it is, you have a bright future.
- 19 Listen, my child, be wise and give serious thought to the way you live.20 Don't associate with people who drink too much wine or stuff themselves with food.21 Drunkards and gluttons will be reduced to poverty. If all you do is eat and sleep, you will soon be wearing rags....... 29-30Show me people who drink too much, who have to try out fancy drinks, and I will show you people who are miserable and sorry for themselves, always causing trouble and always complaining. Their eyes are bloodshot, and they have bruises that could have been avoided.31 Don't let wine tempt you, even though it is rich red, and it sparkles in the cup, and it goes down smoothly.32 The next morning you will feel as if you had been bitten by a poisonous snake.33 Weird sights will appear before your eyes, and you will not be able to think or speak clearly.34 You will feel as if you were out on the ocean, seasick, swinging high up in the rigging of a tossing ship.35
I must have been hit, you will say;
I must have been beaten up, but I don't remember it. Why can't I wake up?
I can't even lie I actually burst into laughter, like literally after that last tip about drinking. I can think of plenty of times when I was like that. Tryna tone down on the liquor consumption. Lil sip here and there, but the stories like the above will TRY not to exist anymore on my behalf. Besides it sucks feeling like that anyway.
Yall be blessed man....
AND STOP JUDGING FOLKS....YOUR SINS ARE JUST DIFFERENT.
Phocused
Gotta new tripod, tryna work towards having a studio in my place. Found out that this wall in my spot is just as good for fun anyway. It will be utilized by me frequently.....
Monday, July 16, 2012
Follow the Man, don't hide from Him
Joshua 7
The idea of changing the reason of my blog really fills me with a good feeling. Me trying to help people get closer to God is helping me get closer because I feel like I'm being held accountable to help others. Maybe thats a bad reason but its working for now. Even if only one person is reading I'll feel like I've done a little something. Lately I've been reading the book of Joshua. When it started I thought about reading Romans and James but God blessed me the Comers who blessed me with this bible I'm reading today. That was five years ago. For some reason Aimee Comer, she's like a mom to me, wrote inside of the cover Joshua 1:9 which states, "Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified or discouraged, God is with you wherever you go." That's why I started reading and its been a blessing what I've gained from my studying.
In chapter 7 of Joshua it starts after Joshua and the Israelites fought and won the battle of Jericho, which was in the Promised Land of Canaan; the land flowing with milk and honey. God promised this land to Abraham and this why they were on their battling journey.
Anywho, while conquering the people of Jericho they were ordered to put valuables into the treasury of the house of the Lord. Well, one lil dude, wanted to be a thief. His name was Achan. As a result of this, during their next battle at the town of Ai they lost 36 of their men in the attempted fight. All this happened because of one man within land of Israel. God found out as always. Him and his family and belongings were erased. Achan tried to hide something from God. Never do that! His family was held liable because, one way or another, they had to know he stole from God. So they were punished as well. Sucks...
Main Points
- Don't intentionally associate yourself with people who you KNOW are intentional in betryaing, robbing, etc. God and anybody else. You will be just as guilty. Yea, yea we all here "Birds of a feather flock together" but they'll be shot down/punished together as well.
- Don't steal from God. He blesses us with life, jobs, money, valuables, EVERYTHING. Don't cheat him in his 10%.
- If there is a snake in the grass and you don't know about it God will reveal it, get rid of it and everything included. In your world it may be a leader in the church, a family member, a co-worker/boss, spouse, anybody. Just trust and keep faith in God, he'll deliver you from the situation.
- As a man that will be "the man" of a household one day I plan on sticking with God. Men need to find God so that we can lead our future families and others on a straight path to Jesus and Heaven and not end up like Achan who led his family to death and satan.
The idea of changing the reason of my blog really fills me with a good feeling. Me trying to help people get closer to God is helping me get closer because I feel like I'm being held accountable to help others. Maybe thats a bad reason but its working for now. Even if only one person is reading I'll feel like I've done a little something. Lately I've been reading the book of Joshua. When it started I thought about reading Romans and James but God blessed me the Comers who blessed me with this bible I'm reading today. That was five years ago. For some reason Aimee Comer, she's like a mom to me, wrote inside of the cover Joshua 1:9 which states, "Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified or discouraged, God is with you wherever you go." That's why I started reading and its been a blessing what I've gained from my studying.
In chapter 7 of Joshua it starts after Joshua and the Israelites fought and won the battle of Jericho, which was in the Promised Land of Canaan; the land flowing with milk and honey. God promised this land to Abraham and this why they were on their battling journey.
Anywho, while conquering the people of Jericho they were ordered to put valuables into the treasury of the house of the Lord. Well, one lil dude, wanted to be a thief. His name was Achan. As a result of this, during their next battle at the town of Ai they lost 36 of their men in the attempted fight. All this happened because of one man within land of Israel. God found out as always. Him and his family and belongings were erased. Achan tried to hide something from God. Never do that! His family was held liable because, one way or another, they had to know he stole from God. So they were punished as well. Sucks...
Main Points
- Don't intentionally associate yourself with people who you KNOW are intentional in betryaing, robbing, etc. God and anybody else. You will be just as guilty. Yea, yea we all here "Birds of a feather flock together" but they'll be shot down/punished together as well.
- Don't steal from God. He blesses us with life, jobs, money, valuables, EVERYTHING. Don't cheat him in his 10%.
- If there is a snake in the grass and you don't know about it God will reveal it, get rid of it and everything included. In your world it may be a leader in the church, a family member, a co-worker/boss, spouse, anybody. Just trust and keep faith in God, he'll deliver you from the situation.
- As a man that will be "the man" of a household one day I plan on sticking with God. Men need to find God so that we can lead our future families and others on a straight path to Jesus and Heaven and not end up like Achan who led his family to death and satan.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The Sharps
Saturday I had the honor of taking pictures at the future Mr. and Mrs. Sharp's engagement party. It was fun although I was working. I saw a lot of familiar faces. But I wish them all the luck in the world with their future.
The Current
Red Letter Prayers:
His Words Shape Our Lives
Mark 14:32-42
Luke 22: 39-46
Through life we all come to a point where it's like we're in a current getting pulled towards something that we don't wanna experience or face. It's like getting pulled into a black hole. Like knowing your cancer is getting worse, knowing that a family member is getting sicker everyday or knowing you have to face a literally physical battle with people (shoutout to the soldiers in the armed forces). Jesus went through this as well. Throughout the 8-10 chapters of Mark Jesus mentioned his death 3 times. Although we know Jesus is the almighty, all powerful, all things possible Jesus, he was distressed about this current that was pulling him, a current dragging him to his Crucifixion. That's where he dropped down and prayed to our father God. In verse 36 is how we need to learn to pray. Before this prayer Jesus was overwhelmed but afterwards as we see in verse 41, he came back with such a courageous, non fearing, strong demeanor. We can't fight the current alone but we can ask God to help us remove the problem or help us through it if it's his plan for our life. When times of tribulation come we have to get down to pray to overcome the obvious temptations of anger, sorrow, pride, etc. When Jesus faced his fate of the Gentiles. Peter fell into the temptation of anger and cut off a man's ear. Everyone fled and left him. We can't sleep like the disciples we have to pray thru it ALL. Peter denied Jesus and Judas sold him out for mere pieces of silver. They couldn't withstand the situations, they didn't pray through it, the disciples slept. Prayer changes things. In Luke 22:39-46 you can see where after Jesus prayed God sent an angel down to strengthen him to get thru his struggle of facing the Gentiles. Pray though it, God will provide medication for your sickly sorrow, pain and fear.
His Words Shape Our Lives
Mark 14:32-42
Luke 22: 39-46
Through life we all come to a point where it's like we're in a current getting pulled towards something that we don't wanna experience or face. It's like getting pulled into a black hole. Like knowing your cancer is getting worse, knowing that a family member is getting sicker everyday or knowing you have to face a literally physical battle with people (shoutout to the soldiers in the armed forces). Jesus went through this as well. Throughout the 8-10 chapters of Mark Jesus mentioned his death 3 times. Although we know Jesus is the almighty, all powerful, all things possible Jesus, he was distressed about this current that was pulling him, a current dragging him to his Crucifixion. That's where he dropped down and prayed to our father God. In verse 36 is how we need to learn to pray. Before this prayer Jesus was overwhelmed but afterwards as we see in verse 41, he came back with such a courageous, non fearing, strong demeanor. We can't fight the current alone but we can ask God to help us remove the problem or help us through it if it's his plan for our life. When times of tribulation come we have to get down to pray to overcome the obvious temptations of anger, sorrow, pride, etc. When Jesus faced his fate of the Gentiles. Peter fell into the temptation of anger and cut off a man's ear. Everyone fled and left him. We can't sleep like the disciples we have to pray thru it ALL. Peter denied Jesus and Judas sold him out for mere pieces of silver. They couldn't withstand the situations, they didn't pray through it, the disciples slept. Prayer changes things. In Luke 22:39-46 you can see where after Jesus prayed God sent an angel down to strengthen him to get thru his struggle of facing the Gentiles. Pray though it, God will provide medication for your sickly sorrow, pain and fear.
A New Sense of Life
Whats up people. I've been wanting to start my blog back up for a while but with my senior year of college consuming me and new to this "career" thing I couldn't really do what I wanted. But I'm bringing this back with a whole new meaning and direction. Many people know me and many people know of me. But what most may not know is that I work hard everyday to make my relationship with Christ closer. Its so hard to find Jesus in the world we live in and are used to. This blog will continue to have pictures displaying my photography, but Im going to also use it as a form of spreading God's word. The thing is that I've done this before via facebook but I only read the Bible and made post about it when I didn't have anything to do which is just terrible, Lol. Im challenging myself to help myself and others better their lives by learning, studying, and applying the Bible to everyday living. I've always been into my spiritual self, but i need to get deeper and more committed which is quite the task. Thats actually why I named my site just what it is "phocused rebel". It may be corny, but I've always considered myself focused on God, which, if you think about makes me a rebel to society. I want to be a leader in the church and the world one day and will be. For those that may be discouraged of reading the bible because its hard to read or seems boring to you Ill be posting what Im learning and breaking it down to. I hope yall use my blog as a place to rely on to uplift your spirit and emotions and to bring you closer to God. Yes, Im still the same Rod and but I have a more sense of my relationship with Jesus. Yea I still go out and "kick" it and have fun, but Im working on it and you should too. Plus, just because you love Jesus doesn't mean you can't have fun. Jesus knows all of our hearts. With that being said check me out son!
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