All images are copyright © 2008-2013 Russ Martin,
(unless otherwise indicated). All rights reserved.


Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year

Found this passage of scripture an inspiring way to bring in the New Year.

Romans 12:14 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. (MSG) Russ Martin -- AKA Steeple Chaser

Monday, November 7, 2011

Luke 22:17-20


17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You, and with a lively sorrow for my sins, I offer You this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to Your will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in You and for You. Protect me in the midst of danger; comfort me in my afflictions; give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death.

St. Rose Catholic Church

Scourge

St. Rose Catholic Church

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Death of Joseph


Altar relief -- Saint Rose Catholic Church

Eucharist Stained Glass

Stained Glass Window
Saint Rose Catholic Church

St. Rosa Cemetery


Like a lot of the Catholic Churches in The Land of the Cross Tipped Churches -- Saint Rose has a cemetery. I have been trying for quite some time now to get a picture of the old style arch that graces the entrance that I liked. This is the best one so far.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Saint Rose Steeple

III


Left side of base for Station of the Cross III, St. Rose

Third Nail

The third nail had to be driven through both feet, which were turned outward so the nail could be hammered inside the Achilles tendon. With His knees slightly flexed Jesus was now crucified. As He slowly sagged down, He would have tried to support His weight with the muscles of His legs, an impossible position to maintain. In some cases, the victims' legs were broken, so that they couldn't support themselves in this way. Eventually more and more weight was placed upon the nails. The method the Romans had perfected ensured that crucifixion victims would hang painfully until their diaphragm went into spasm and they literally suffocated to death.
Jesus' Nails
St. Rosa Cemetery / St. Rose

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Blessed With Child II

This is the original I wanted to post but for some reason was not able to get the picture to load at the time.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

A Child is Born


Now out of the night
New as the dawn into the light
Oh this child, innocent child,
Soft as a fawn
This child is born
One small heart
One pair of eyes
One work of art
Here in my arms
Here he lies
Trusting and warm
Blessed this bond

DIANNE REEVES
"A Child Is Born"

Solid Rock Church

Made this rather interesting effect with my iPad 2 and 100 Cameras in one.

On Fire For The Lord

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Jesus is nailed to the cross

Station of the Cross - Garden Shrine of the Holy Relics, Maria Stein.

Taken and edited with the iPad 2.

Sand Sculpture - Country Fest 2011

Sand Sculpture Maria Stein Country Fest 2011. I almost made it to the festival this year but decided not to brave the heat any longer.

50 Foot Cross (retro)

Maria Stein Spiritual Center. Retro look created with 100 Cameras on my iPad 2.

Saint Sebastian

I took this awhile back. I was just playing around with it on my iPad so it may not appeal to all. This will be my first post in August and my first from my iPad. Yep I even created this post on the little burger. Pretty cool !!!!!!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Station of the Cross (Grunge)

As you can tell from the recent number of post; The Stations of the Cross are one of my favorite subjects. I took this with my iPad 2 and edited applying the drama and grunge filters to create the dreamy look you see here.

Station of the Cross (Garden)
Shrine of the Holy Relics
Maria Stein, Ohio

For You and Me

Jesus was hung on a tree for you and me.

Station of the Cross
Spiritual Center
Maria Stein, Ohio
Taken with my iPad2

Friday, July 8, 2011

New Look for Old Stations

The Saint John the Baptist church in Maria Stein recently added these wonderful wooden frames to their already awesome Stations of the Cross.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Jesus Carries His Cross

If you wish to come after me, you must take up the cross and follow me. If you wish to save your life, you will lose it, but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it. Matthew 16:25

Shrine of the Holy Relics, Maria Stein Ohio
Taken with my iPad2

Monday, July 4, 2011

Coming Face to Face with Jesus

Taken at the Shrine of the Holy Relics in Maria Stein Ohio.
Picture taken with my iPad2.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Memorare

Memorare
Remember, most loving Virgin Mary,
never was it heard
that anyone who turned to you for help
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
though burdened by my sins,
I run to your protection
for you are my mother.
Mother of the Word of God,
do not despise my words of pleading
but be merciful and hear my prayer.
Amen.

Madonna and Child Statue
Holy Angels Catholic Church
Sidney Ohio

Lord of my Life

Found this cool stained like glass on the cruise ship.

Fountain of Life


 Found this fountain in Cozumel Mexico.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Jesus Falls for the Second Time

O Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Offer me Thy helping hand, and aid me, that I may not fall again into my former sins. From this very moment, I will earnestly strive to reform: nevermore will I sin! Thou, O sole support for the weak, by Thy grace, without which I can do nothing, strengthen me to carry out faithfully this my resolution.

Seventh Station of the Cross
Saint Joseph Catholic Church
Egypt Ohio

Psalm 63:2-9



O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Stained Glass Window
Saint Joseph Catholic Church
Egypt Ohio

Saint Joseph Catholic Church Egypt Ohio

Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Egypt Ohio

I think this is a nice picture of this church. I would have photoshop out the power line but that is no easy task to remove it from the brick.  Maybe someday when I have more time.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Paschal Candle


The flame of the Paschal candle symbolizes Christ as light of the world and his presence in the midst of his people. The Paschal candle is sometimes referred to as the "Easter candle" or the "Christ candle." The term "Paschal" comes from the word Pesach, which in Hebrew means Passover. The tall white candle in many ways signifies the Divine pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that lead the Israelites in their Exodus from slavery in Egypt.
Text from wikipedia.

Saint Joseph Catholic Church Egypt Ohio

Saint Joseph Egypt 150 Year Banner



150 Year Recognition/Celebration Banner for Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Egypt Ohio. It is simply amazing how old and well kept these churches are.

Rosary Beads


"The beads are there for the sake of the prayers, and the prayers are there for the sake of the Mysteries."  (Maisie Ward, 1889-1975)

Saint Joseph Egypt Ohio

Luke 2: 34-35.


34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 

This is one of those that I kept trying and was never satisfied with the results until now. This is probably the 3rd time I taken pictures of this statue.

Saint Joseph Egypt Ohio

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Saturday, May 14, 2011

INRI (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews)

The letters “INRI” are initials for the Latin title that Pontius Pilate had written over the head of Jesus Christ on the cross (John 19:19). Latin was the official language of the Roman Empire.

The words were "Iesvs Nazarenvs Rex Ivdaeorvm." The English translation is "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."

Saint Augustine Catholic Church
Minster Ohio

St. Augustine / St. Joseph Parish Center

It has been quite some time since I have posted a Building/Documentary type picture. This is the Saint Augustine / Saint Joseph Parish Center located by the Saint Augustine Church in Minster. I am not sure of the history of the building. If someone would like to E-Mail me or leave a comment with some more information that would be great.