Throughout the years, I have been privileged to capture many special moments in peoples’ lives.  It is such an honor that people have placed their trust in me and even though I haven’t always succeeded, I have tried my best and have loved every minute.  I have been asked many times why I haven’t  started a business.  For many years, it was because I was busy with my kids and our “real” business, Hornor’s Frame and Collision, LLC.  About 5 or 6 years ago it was my intention to turn our barn/garage into a studio and we even started that process.  However, we had a few events that kept us from getting it started and now I am really glad.  Why?  Well mainly because of the way businesses that provide services such as photography, baking, party planning and even members of clergy are being targeted by the LGBT activists as a way to push an agenda that goes again my faith.  Our country no longer honors religious conscience as a reason to not provide a service or to perform an action that you do not feel you can complete due to your convictions.  My convictions would not allow me to provide some services and so therefore, I will just continue to do this for friends and family and not become a photography business.  No I am not backing down, but there are times when your figure out what battles to fight and find a way to do what you love and let God take care of the organizations that promote ungodly actions.    For now, here’s a few moments I had the pleasure to capture.  THUS: PICS!

Now for a ponder….. last week Tamara and I went to a book signing where Ben Carson was.  He didn’t give a speech but he signed my book and we didn’t even really get a chance to talk, although I did tell him that it was nice to meet him.  He was smiling and laughing with everyone.  Just a quick impression is that he is a real person.  Imagine that.  It’s so funny because I have been reading his  books for a while now and had wanted to meet him for what I had read about his surgeries as much as his politics.  It was also interesting to listen to all the people as we stood in line waiting.  I heard people repeating things they had heard on the news or talk radio.  Some of it was true and some of it wasn’t.  I just want to encourage everyone to do your homework on each candidate.  I don’t know who I will support for sure but I do know one thing….NO MAN CAN FIX the problems in this country.  It is going to take a man or woman of God who follows Gods will.

Enjoy your week and find a way to take a stand.

I cried the night President Obama was elected.  I felt that America, as l’ve always known it, was in danger.  Now I know that my feelings were justified.  America has lost stature in the world.  There is great division between citizens, encouraged by the leadership of President Obama.  The overall “light” of America has dimmed.  This is sad!!!

A few days after the election I was praying for the country.  Because of comments from the new President, I felt that there was a possibility that the views of Christians wouldn’t be protected. Especially on social issues.  Little did I know how different it would be.

That day in prayer, God gave me the words to a song.  Most of the time, I share a song immediately but after writing this one, I felt that I needed to “put it away” until the time was right for it to have the impact that God wanted it to.

Here’s a recording, just Debby and me with Tammy videoing.  It’s not professional, it’s just so that the words can be heard and it is a message to Christians that is to TAKE A STAND!

Lyrics to I WILL TAKE A STAND:

VERSE 1:These days that we’re living in are filled with violence and sin

The world has denied King Jesus Christ

We’re told we can’t stand and have a word of prayer

We cannot display, the 10 commandments there..

CHORUS:  I will take a stand with His strength I’ll raise my hands

I will not deny my king in the presence of enemies

I will take a stand no matter where I am

I will not bow down to man, I will not deny my King

VERSE 2 But soon the world will see, they cannot deny the King

And expect His blessings, in the land of the free

They can take away my rights and bind my hands and feet

But I will be steadfast in worship of Christ the King.

___________________________________________________

In 2008 when this was written, it seemed somewhat farfetched that we might be challenged to Take a Stand as Christians.  Now we have had, in this country, people shot for proclaiming Christ. We are challenged when we pray at a football game or school events.  We are being told we must participate in events that go against our faith if we are in a business that serves the public.  We are called “ignorant” when we don’t agree with KILLING BABIES.  This is the time for Christians to Take a Stand for God!

2Timothy 2 :12 “If we deny Him, He will also deny us.”.

1 John 2:23. Whoever denieth, the Son the same hath not the Father, but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father.

ENJOY this beautiful fall weather.  Family photos are great with the vibrant color.  Find a way this week to TAKE A STAND.

So it’s fall and the leaves are turning.  I have already scheduled some photo sessions.  I love fall photos.  Here is one of my granddaughter.  Enjoy!

This past week I heard someone say that you need to KNOW how you will react before you are put into situations where you will have to react.  You should know yourself and plan how you WILL react not how you should or how you wish you would.  So here’s some questions to ask yourself:    If confronted by a person with a gun, what WILL you do?  If an authority figure asks you to do something immoral what WILL you do?  If our country demands we give up our right to bear arms, what WILL you do?  You must know where you stand BEFORE you are asked to take a stand for or against an issue. And ultimately, if our government demands we denounce our true God or our Savior, Jesus Christ?  Will you deny him or will you TAKE A STAND?

From the first Democratic debate……   On Monday, Hillary gave a speech saying a president needs to be the president for ALL the American people, however when asked in the debate who are the enemies she has made that she is most proud of, her answer was the Republicans.  So my question is…… are Republicans not American citizens to be represented by the president?  Just one of the many questions that the debate left in my mind.  In all my life, all the Presidents before this one (OBAMA), I never heard them call the people who are members of the other party, enemies.  It would certainly be more helpful for Hillary to call out our real enemies, such as ISIS the Islamic terrorists.

An update on my 49 in 49.  One of my 49 goals is to workout this year on a consistent basis.  Eric and I joined Chesterfield/ Doling Family Centers.  I finally got over the horrible cold I had and started walking this week. What a great time I have had walking and worshiping.  Thank God for His strength to fulfill the goals He put in my heart.

Ok, so one last thought… Our responsibility as a Christian is to spread the message of God.  Matthew 28:19-20.  Go ye therefore teaching all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  We are to be fishers of men.  We can have all the “ministries” we want, but the most important is to love others and tell them about salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ.  I hear a lot of Christians that complain about others who say bad things about them or in some way hurt their feelings, or attack them because of their ministry.  Well, I am not sure why they complain about it, that is what we are told  will happen.  If you are just wanting others to praise YOUR ministry and proclaim how wonderful YOU are then you have the wrong idea.  The ministry is to bring Glory to God, not you or any man.  It is not for us to worry about who likes us or what they say about us.  Our mission is to do what God tells us to do and He will handle the rest.  Believe me, He is far more capable than we are to deal with the naysayers.  And we don’t need to continually be threatening that God will take care of the ones who speak bad about us if we are in His will.  Just rest in the knowledge that He is taking care of everything and remember the verse in Matthew 5:11, Blessed are ye, when me shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  God has it covered.

Have a great week and find a way to Take A Stand!

Wow!!!  What a picture.  These are my cousins on my mom’s side.  You know through the years, we have all taken different paths in our lives.  But when we see  each other, we are ALWAYS cousins.  No, we won’t always agree and we are each strong in our opinions and beliefs but, we will ALWAYS be cousins.  Family is so important and I have been blessed.  I am closer to some than others and know some better than others.  In the end, with all differences set aside, we will ALWAYS be family.  Like it or not……..Just Kidding.  Love you all.

Now for complete separate direction……there was a shooting in a college last week where Christians were targeted.  I would hope that I would be brave enough to Take a Stand.   I pray daily for God’s strength and I know that He has a plan for me.  So with that said, I am sure that as time goes by it is highly likely that Christians will be targeted and at some time and place we will all need to Take a Stand and state whether we are followers of Jesus Christ or not.  Draw off of the strength of other Christians around you also and join together to be a support to each other.  Let’s pray for the families in Oregon and in all other countries where Christians are persecuted.

Last thought, Dr. Ben Carson has taken a lot of criticism for a statement he made when asked how HE would react if in the situation of a mass shooting.  He stated that he wouldn’t comply with the shooter and he would encourage the others to join him in rushing the shooter.  If you know you are going to get shot, the whole group of you might as well join together and try to minimize  the loss of life.  He can’t shoot everyone at once.  This is exactly what my husband has said since the Virginia Tech shooting.  I think a lot of people feel this way.  Just watch the media tear people apart for stating an opinion.  Dr. Carson is a threat in some areas to Democrats and even establishment Republicans.  I wish people would listen to all statements from someone instead of just taking small portions.  I am not decided on a candidate yet.  We should listen to all use common sense in what our reactions to statements are.

A warning to all who listen to the NBC, ABC, CBS, MSNBC and sometimes CNN and FOX, you have to watch the full speeches to see the true meaning of statements.  You need to do your duty as a citizen and not expect the media to do your job of researching for yourself.  And pray that God will show you the best choice.

Find a way to Take A Stand this week on a subject that means a lot to you.