"Seen through the eyes of Salvation"'s photostream

The ministry of "Seen through the eyes of Salvation"

In today's hectic world people often take their surroundings for granted and fail to appreciate the beauty that abounds all around. Also disheartening is that when someone does stop to smell the roses of his surroundings, he often then credits the creation (whether human or nature) instead of the Creator (God). This is a serious mistake that frequently gets overlooked. Even if the subject of admiration is the result of "human ingenuity," like a suspension bridge or skyscraper, the credit most certainly still belongs foremost to God. It is He who instilled the requisite creativity, knowledge, skills, and leadership in the people who contributed to the project. It is also He who created the material resources, forces, pressures, energy, and mathematical principles that established the project's initial purpose and determined its ultimate success. In fact, He created the entire physical world in which all life dwells. That said, photography is simply about capturing and sharing the majesty and wonder of God, whether at a beach, in the woods, or even on the city streets. I implore you to please review these photos with that perspective in mind, and in your heart. If this perspective has you asking questions about where you fit into the scheme of things, and you realize that you are inspired to learn more about receiving salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, please take a few minutes to read my personal testimony below. I pray that it will encourage you seek God like never before. May God be with you and your family.

PHOTO INQUIRIES

Please direct all inquiries about the use and purchase of my photography to my business email, jaxproofers@yahoo.com.

MY TESTIMONY

I had always thought that I was a good person and considered myself a Christian. After all, I thought I knew the basics and for many years have prayed on a daily basis. Unfortunately, like many other people, I always felt uncomfortable discussing Christianity -- largely because of my own naivety on the subject. Here I had been an honors student all the way through school but was a dunce when it came to understanding the very faith to which I proclaimed to subscribe. Growing up I was familiar with some of the Bible stories that are commonly read to children but did not attend church except for on a few rare occasions. I was under the impression that being “born again” was something that convicts declared after doing hard time as a way of telling the world that they were all better now.

For years later, as a young adult, I knew that I should start reading the Bible someday and that I should look into finding a church someday. I just kept filing those thoughts in the back of my mind along with things like dream vacations to plan and new home improvement projects I could start. My wife also grew up without having regularly attended church. Despite this, we each pressed on with the notion that we were Christian and that we were both good, honest people who had the morals in place to do the right thing when push came to shove. After getting married, of course, the typical life events of married couples in their twenties (job woes, financial trouble, having children, crises with relatives, etc.), began to unfold, but each with its own unique twists, quirks and consequences that certainly could not always be described as textbook.

In 2006, my wife and I started reading the Left Behind series, which, of course is a fictional story based on Biblical prophesy, but it kindled our interest in reading the real Bible for ourselves. At the same time, a neighbor who has attended several different churches over the course of his life told me about a local church that he seriously felt was blessed. In the spring of 2006, we were born again, committing ourselves to Christ. We started attending the neighbor’s church (now our church), Celebration Church, in August of that year, bought a Life Application Study Bible in September, and dedicated our children in March of 2007. While I am certainly not by any means an expert theologian, I do know that the decision for Christ has truly changed my life. Seriously. I mean, I have always been a happy and optimistic person, but never before have I known the joy that I now feel. I used to wonder why people would act so overcome when praising Jesus on TV. I used to feel uncomfortable when someone asked me if I was saved or tried to hand me a religious tract. I used to be lost. I now know why those people on TV would act so overcome as I too get overcome. I know what it is like to feel this internal rush of joy when a revelation, a conversation or a situation arises to reminds me of how amazing Jesus is and how much He loves me!

While I still tend to be shy in social situations, I know there are other small ways that I can still spread the Gospel. For instance, I intentionally wear Christian T-shirts when I know that I'll be in public places like grocery stores or malls, hoping that just a quick glance at me might get a total stranger to at least think about our Lord and Savior. In addition, I also think that people with writing talent, an interest in photography, and online access can also enlist themselves to a calling higher than merely chronicling the latest family vacation or bragging about how lucky they are to live where they do. That is why I deleted the photos I originally had posted on flickr and replaced them with enhanced photos -- ones with embedded verses of Scripture. My whole photostream is now filled with Scripture! I hope that as you peruse my work, you will find something far more beautiful and captivating from the Word of God than what I or anyone else has captured through a lens. Please click on these photos with an open heart. It is my hope that they kindle in you a certain call for action – a desire to invite Jesus into your life today, so that you may live eternally with Him in the life beyond.

You need to know that many of the diplomatic events and technological developments unfolding across the globe are in fact setting the stage for once seemingly improbable Biblical prophesies to reach their fruition. You need to be ready. Jesus will come for His church "like a thief in the night." The fact that you have read this far is no accident. I myself am new at evangelism, but I know that behind the layers of doubt, self-preservation and the urge to dismiss me as total nut, is a longing in your heart and conscience to walk with the Lord. I am now very eager to grow in my relationship with Jesus and to step up, as all men should, to be the spiritual leader for my immediate family. Come to Jesus now, so that He will come for you.

Always remember and take to heart the fact that JESUS CHRIST IS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. Please humble yourself and surrender your life to Him with genuine sincerity. It is the most important decision you will ever make. He can move on your life in ways that currently you would never imagine! He loves you and has already paid the price for your sins. Please confess to Him that you are a sinner and invite Him into your heart as your Lord and Savior. Salvation only comes by the grace of God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ!

May God bless you!

p.s. Some map locations of photos are approximate.

citing: All Bible verses are taken from the New Living Translation (NLT) and researched either through www.Biblegateway.com or Life Application Study Bible published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. in Wheaton, Illinois, copyright 2004.

Here is a map of my travels (and places I would like to travel).

FAVORITE MAJOR CITY DESTINATIONS VISITED
Jacksonville, FL, USA
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Washington DC, DC, USA
Sarasota, FL, USA
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Atlanta, GA, USA
St. Petersburg, FL, USA
Saint Louis, MO, USA
Key West, FL, USA
Orlando, FL, USA
Nashville, TN, USA
Miami, FL, USA
Houston, TX, USA
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Tampa, FL, USA
Saint Augustine, FL, USA
Clearwater, FL, USA
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Denver, CO, USA
Charlotte, NC, USA

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