Tag: Photography

MERCY

Posted on by Stan Hillard

The God I serve is not an angry, unforgiving, impatient God. He moves in small ways that we cannot perceive to affect the changes that, should we become aware of them, would bring us into perfect harmony with Him. As I consider the beauty He has made, I am constantly reminded that those small merciful changes he has offered us are ours to grasp, to hold on to so we will become aware and give Him the Glory for what He has done. His hand is everywhere. Should we look closely enough, we would be awestruck by the Majesty of His Mercy. Most importantly of all is how slow He has been to judge us. Second, third, innumerable are the chances He has given us to come into his presence and ask forgiveness for the horrors we have perpetrated on this planet and on ourselves. His Mercy is free. Pause. Take time to let Him in.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 34:8

Color Too Far

Posted on by Stan Hillard

 

365296E0-EC89-4069-9CBB-5DBCD6C4EFDFWhen I think of the importance of color I am overcome.  There is no visual element that means more to me.  When I get to heaven I hope that I will be allowed to assist the Creator in the mixing of the colors He uses.  I would never presume that I could do a better job of making color choices than He does.  However, I believe that the gifts and abilities He has given me are part of His eternal plan.  I pray he will use me there as He has here.  He has given me an understanding of the intresic value of specific color relationships. Knowing that color is never random or arbitrary but intently specific validates for me that there is order and He is in charge of it.  I am blessed.

DAD5166E-DFF3-4366-9EA9-1F1CC057D997

When I play with color I often allow myself to go too far. It is my hope that the use of extreme color will force the viewer to abandon expectations of the natural world as it is and enter the realm of the unexpected. My aim is to alter reality to the point of abstracting it and in turn giving an enhanced view of creation. I am not questioning God’s perfection. Instead, I am hoping to help others look more carefully at it, to see it anew.

84240080-04CA-4EA0-9609-A0825F83C29F

My love affair with God’s creation continues. I can’t give it up. No I won’t do it.  It inspires me to search for new ways to give evidence that I have Him to thank for all I have and all I can do.  Praise be to Him!

For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the skies
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies
Over and around us lies

Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our joyful hymn of praise

For the beauty of the hour
Of the day and of the night
Hill and vale and tree and flower
Sun and moon and stars of light
Sun and moon and stars of light

Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our joyful hymn of praise

For the joy of human love
Brother, sister, parent, child
Friends on earth and friends above
For all gentle thoughts and mild
For all gentle thoughts and mild

Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our joyful hymn of praise

For each perfect gift of thine
To our race so freely given
Graces human and divine
Flow’rs of earth and buds of heav’n
Flow’rs of earth and buds of heav’n

Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our joyful hymn, our joyful hymn of praise
This our joyful hymn of praise

John Rutter

 

The Chimney Tops

Posted on by Stan Hillard

Everyone needs a place to go to be alone with God. Mine is at the entrance to the Chimney Tops trail in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. I am blessed to live close enough to go there whenever I feel the need to to be especially close to my maker. Sadly, this trail has been closed for a while due to the wildfire damage. It is open again and I am happy to say that God still joins me there. I cannot explain what happens to me when I see this place. It is my ideal church setting. I can talk freely and God responds with absolute beauty that demonstrates to me that he is listening. I praise Him for being the kind of God who cares to let me be that close to Him. I took many photos the day I was there. I am still trying to process all He revealed. I will share one image that spoke of His sovereignty and power.

IMG_0213

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

FALL IN THE SMOKIES

Posted on by Stan Hillard

I found a new place to take photos today. Since I have not been able to go to my favorite spot (fire damage from last fall), I have been forced to look elsewhere for my subject matter. I hope these images impact you the way they hit me. I love playing with color. Unrealistic color will help me when I start making drawings and paintings from these photos. For now, all I can hope for is that you will enjoy something I have done. My prayer is to glorify the God who made this place. I cannot improve on natural beauty so I alter things to better understand the creative process that God has tasked me to explore. Check out my latest excursion.