Wesley Chapel rural Montgomery County, Kansas

Another 4X5 contact from my old view. This is the Wesley Chapel in rural Montgomery County, Kansas near Coffeyville. In 2000 when this was taken the church was being used. Many rural churches are in similar shape as rural areas depopulate and get poorer. But of course God is not interested in buildings, He is interested in hearts. I hope your heart is right with Jesus?

Another shot from my trusty old Master View. This is an old log in my back yard. Black and White Photography is an art that I love but keep trying to master. But I have lots of fun practicing.

I shot this with my old Kodak 4X5 master view about 2 months ago in my back yard. Film is Kodak T-Max 100 with lab processing and a contact print. God's creation is beautiful.

I chose this photo today because it is Easter. I took this in Springhill cemetery in Coffeyville, Kansas in 2000. I don't know who Ada Pearl is. I do know that her parents must have grieved 100 years ago just as parents grieve today who lose a child. I also know that Ada is with Jesus because "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord".
The main thing I want you to see is that 2000 years ago Jesus was put in a grave after His death. But we don't visit his grave and tombstone today because on that first Easter Sunday the angel announced to the women "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not hear, He is Risen". Jesus rose from the dead conquering death.
Christ is alive!!
All who have placed their trust in Christ alone will also live. One day when Christ returns little Ada's grave will open, along with the graves of all who believe and we shall forever be with Christ.
Today is Easter, Rejoice, because Christ is Alive!

This old house

I photographed this old run down house near Coffeyville, KS in 2000. I see in this image two symbolic messages.
The first is what our lives look like without Christ. Sin wears us and breaks us down until we are only a shadow of what we should be.
The second message is reminiscent of the old song "This ole House". The song is a reflection of an old person who is a Christian and realizes they are nearing the end of their life and are ready to leave the old worn out body and to be with Christ. The song goes something like this, "Ain't gonna need this house no longer, ain't gonna need this house no more, ain't got time to mend the windows, ain't got time to mend the floors, ain't gonna need this house no longer, gettin ready to meet the saints."
Are you ready to meet the Saints? If your sin has turned your life into what this house looks like, I invite you to trust Christ and let him rebuild your broken down life into a who new gleaming palace.

This is a shot of the Canadian Air Force Snowbirds aerial demonstration team. I took this at the McConnell AFB airshow in 2004. Our northern friends did an outstanding job.