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


Saturday, June 30, 2012

Weekly Scripture

Exodus 14:13-14
But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. "The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."

Friday, June 29, 2012

Psalm 81:2

Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre. - Psalm 81:2

One of the things I found most interesting about this churche's stained glass windows is that they used white for all the skin tones.

Stained Glass Window
St. Paul's Catholic Church

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Christ Died For All

Even the Stations of the Cross were beautiful wood and stained crafted pieces of work.

Station 14 of the Way of the Cross 
St. Paul's Catholic Church

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Weekly Journal June 2012

The Weekly Journal

 New Format - I know I said in my side bar that I was happy with the layout and did not have any plans to change it. However, I found myself with some extra time on my hands and finally took a look at the New Blogger tools. Everything is so much easier that I just had to give some of them a try. Fifteen minutes later and my blog is sporting the new look you now see. I was actually thinking of moving my blog to a Wordpress theme until I discovered these new tools/interface.

 Along with the New Layout, Header and Background, I also cleaned up my Categories/Labels. You can now view all the post for a particular church just by clicking on its label. If you are looking for say post with stained glass windows just use the new Search Blog function located at the top left to search and find all the post based on the words you enter. I've tested it and it works pretty well.

Unlike my other re-tools where I just let the chips fall where they may as far as how well old post displayed in the new format -- I plan on going back and cleaning up all the old post so they display properly with the new format and to make sure that they contain the key words that can be detected by the Search Blog Function.

 Another added feature is just that -- Featured Post - This has been added to the left margin and is a quick and easy way to get to post that I have selected to be Featured in the blog. Sort of like a sticky post.

 Blog on a Diet. - In the process of the restructure I have decided to remove all post/material that is not Land of the Cross Tipped Churches related. These post currently have the tag/label of Remove. No time frame on this but it will happen soon. You will also notice that I have scrapped the Lets Talk About It forum. It just wasn't working the way I wanted/envisioned.

Saint Louis - North Star - I got to tour and take some pictures of this church earlier this month. This will be the July's featured church. I will also be using their Stations of the Cross for the next set of The Way of the Cross post once we finish up the St. John (Fryburg) series.

Weekly Scripture - I plan on continuing using this as a way to recycle some of my favorite pics from past post.

Pretty as a Post-Card - Look for a new Featured Series Titled Post-Cards. I am still looking for a Post-Card template that I like. I may have to make my own. Like the title suggest these post will have pictures of the churches that look like post-cards and may be from old or new images.

Blog on Auto Pilot - I take advantage of the Scheduled Post Feature of Blogger and usually have my blog set to auto post everyday for a month in advance. So while it looks like I am on here everyday, I am not and I do not mean to ignore your comments.  I try to post them as soon as I can and respond if necessary.

Russ Martin (AKA Steeple Chaser)

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Sanctuary Lamp 
St. Paul's Catholic Church

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Mother Mary

The statues in St. Paul's were awesome wood and stain sculptures.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Cross Tipped Churches - Poem


Cross Tipped Churches

Look upon the cross that,
withstands the wind.
Which will open up our hearts
and wipe away sin.


Where faith is a flower
and memories are forever.
Lend an ear dear father,
for our strength is prayer.


Cross tipped churches rise above
the sun soaked fields of grain.
like lighthouses leading us through
harbors of dark rocky waves of pain.


Candles of light that shine bright.
Where altars are aglow-
under stain glass windows
that tell tales from long ago.


A breeze whispers through the tall grass,
and gray stones that represent the forgotten past.
Look upon the cross that withstands the wind.


Written by David Martin Oct. 27th 2008
 

Christ Crucifide

Processional Crucifix St. Paul's Catholic Church

Sunday, June 24, 2012

IX - Jesus Falls The Third Time



We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. - Isaiah 53:6-7

Station of the Cross
Saint John Catholic Church
Fryburg Ohio

Scripture - The Way of the Cross Devotional 

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Weekly Scripture

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Friday, June 22, 2012

St. Paul Of The Cross

The way of the Cross is the road which leads to Paradise; it is the sure way to holiness. The Passion of Christ is the greatest and most stupendous work of Divine Love. -- St. Paul of the Cross


Crucifix
St. Paul's Catholic Church

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Peter and Paul

Paul visits Peter in Jerusalem.

 Stained Glass Window
St. Paul's Catholic Church

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Paul Sharing the Gospel with the Gentiles

Not sure where this is or what scripture would apply.

 Stained Glass Window 
 St. Paul's Catholic Church

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Saul At The Stoning Of Stephen

Acts 7:54-60 The Stoning of Stephen 
When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Stained Glass Window
St. Paul's Catholic Church

Monday, June 18, 2012

Paul and Barnabas

I am not 100 percent but I think this stained glass window shows Paul and Barnabas.

Stained Glass Window
St. Paul's Catholic Church

Sunday, June 17, 2012

VIII - Jesus Comforts The Women Of Jerusalem


A large number of people followed Him, including women who mourned and wailed for Him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me; weep for yourselves and for your children." - Luke 23:27-28


Station of the Cross
Saint John Catholic Church
Fryburg Ohio

Scripture - The Way of the Cross Devotional

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Weekly Scripture

Psalm 71:14
But as for me, I will hope continually, And will praise Thee yet more and more.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Saul On The Road To Damascus

And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. — Acts 9:3–9, ASV

Stained Glass Window
St. Paul's Catholic Church

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Baptismal Fount - St. Paul's

I am finding more and more ornate baptistries in the churches. I thought this one was pretty cool.
Also thought I would have some fun in the editing room.

Baptismal Fount 
St. Paul's Catholic Church

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Monday, June 11, 2012

St. Paul in Stained Glass

The St. Paul's Catholic Church large stained glass windows depict the scenes from Paul's life. Some of which I was familiar and some that I was not. I thought I'd start out with just a close-up of the Saint himself.

St. Paul in Stained Glass 
St. Paul's Catholic Church

Sunday, June 10, 2012

VII - Jesus falls the second time


Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5


Station of the Cross
Saint John Catholic Church
Fryburg Ohio 

Scripture - The Way of the Cross Devotional

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Weekly Scripture

James 1:5-6
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Vintage Holy Water

Most of the Holy Water containers I find in the churches are stainless steel. I was pretty excited to find this vintage porcelain one still in use.

 Porcelain Holy Water Container 
St. Paul's Catholic Church 

Thursday, June 7, 2012

St. Agnes

This is a statue of St. Agnes. This was a new find for me. I originally posted  this in error as Mary with Lamb, - Thanks Kyle for setting me straight.

Statue of St. Agnes
St. Paul's Catholic Church

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

A Study In Chalk

This really isn't a chalk drawing but a photo that I tried to make look like one. St. Paul has these awesome wood stained stations of the cross. I will be posting more later that capture and displays their true beauty.

Station of the Cross
St. Paul's Catholic Church

Sunday, June 3, 2012

VI - Veronica Wipes The Face Of Jesus


He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. Isaiah 53:3-4

Station of the Cross
Saint John Catholic Church
Fryburg Ohio 

Scripture - The Way of the Cross Devotional

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Weekly Scripture

Hebrews 13:5-6
Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?"

Friday, June 1, 2012

Welcome to St. Paul's

Well it took till year 5, but I finally made it to St. Paul's Catholic Church. It was a hot Memorial Day holiday, but it was worth the trip and sweat.
I visited this church over a year ago but I did not have my camera in tow. I was just driving around the country side when I spied an unfamiliar steeple on the horizon.
Like most of the Cross Tipped Churches, it has a very familiar look and feel but it still has it's own personalty.
You will be seeing a lot more of this church in up coming post.