My New Toy

The Tax Man provided me with a new Camera the Canon T3i 600D. 18MP and 1080 Full HD Video. Oh what fun I will have now. One of the coolest features besides the video is being able to use my Speed Light as a Salve Flash with the on-board camera flash. I know too much Camera Geek Speak. In Short I will have even more creative options for when I take pictures of the churches. Look Out Churches Here I Come

Isaiah 11:1

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

I do apologize for so many stained glass windows post but this last photo outing I forgot my flash so I was limited in what I could do. Having said that. This is a popular scene in many of the Catholic Churches either in stained glass or statue. It shows a very young Mary and her Mother Anne. The banner in Latin translates into the verse above.

I really like the way this one came out. It is now one of my favorite Stained Glass Windows Pics.

Stained Glass Window

St. Wendelin Catholic Church

Love For All

Love For All 

 

A description of a life lived with Jesus Christ as the center of this one human universe. Herein I praise Him, herein I put my heart on the outside for all to see. It's my "Love For All."

Check out Kelline's blog Love For All just click on the link above... Oh and don't forget to feed the fish.  Great Blog Kelline keep up the great work.

 Stained Glass Window 

St. Wendelin Catholic Church

Weekly Journal March 2012

 It has been sometime since I've posted a Weekly Journal so lets get right to it.

 Images on this Blog are NOT to be used without permission. I have found several of my images For Sale and or Download. I get request all the time for permission to use my work. I have yet to deny a request and usually do not charge even if it is for commercial use. My normal fee is credit for the image. I have and do sell prints upon request. So if you see something you like feel free to send me an E-Mail.

 E-MAIL ME - I have created a new E-Mail Address for the Blog the old one will continue to work but I would like for you to use the new one - russsteeplechaser@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you. It is always uplifting when I get an E-Mail from one of my followers.

 Lets Talk About It Forum - I am playing around with adding a forum to the blog. I am currently testing one that you can find at the bottom of the page. Feel free to play around.

500 POST - I only need 49 post to reach 500. I can't think of a better way to celebrate my 5th year of taking pictures of the churches.

 Piqua YWCA Cross Tipped Church Tour - I will be accompanying a group from the Piqua YWCA on a tour of the churches October 2. I have already given one presentation of the churches at one of their meetings with one or two more to come before the tour to generate interest. Who knew my photography would lead to a speaking gig.

 Russ Martin AKA Steeple Chaser

Pour Out Your Heart

Psalm 62:8
 "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us" (ESV).

 Did you notice what comes before pouring out your heart? Trusting in God--at all times, no matter what's going on in your life. It's a lot easier to pour out your heart or share what's really on your mind with someone you trust. Do you trust God with what's on your heart? He is the most trustworthy Friend you could ever have. Not only that, He's the only one powerful enough, wise enough, compassionate enough to take care of you.

What do you need to pour out to God today? Picture it filling a bottle or pitcher. Don't be afraid of what God might think or say about your struggle. Just pour it out; empty it from your heart and into His capable hands.

 The above text comes from the Back to the Bible - Bible Study - Pour Out Your Heart.

 Copyright © 2012 The Good News Broadcasting Association, Inc. (Back to the Bible) Lincoln, Nebraska, USA Used by permission. All rights reserved http://www.backtothebible.org

I love the way these pictures I took of the stained glass windows at St. Wendelin went so well with the story.

Stained Glass Windows

St. Wendelin Catholic Church

The Twelve Voices of Easter

Many years ago I happened upon a radio broadcast Back to the Bible and they were featuring  this audio tape collection called The Twelve Voices of Easter. I fell in love with them and quickly sent off a donation and order. I have since listened to them many times. My set is old fashion cassette so by now I thought they would be on CD but much to my surprise you can listen to them for free.  Just click on the link in the above text and start your own journey into Easter with a new perspective. I hope you enjoy these as much as I have over the years.

The Road to Emmaus

and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.  But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. (Luke 14:14-16, ESV)

I Found this wonderful discussion on Christ Revealing Himself to the Disciples on The Road to Emmaus. Chaplain Andrews - The Road to Emmaus. Here is just one of the many nuggets. In our doubts, Jesus reveals who he is. And as we see who he is, we see that he loves us. This is well worth the read.

Stained Glass Window 

St. Wendelin Catholic Church

Lent Prayer

Father, teach me your way this week. Teach me how to leave my selfish, sinful ways at the foot of the cross, and teach me how Jesus my Savior is willing to bear those sins in his own body and be punished for them. Lord, how can I thank you for this great salvation? I worship you and your amazing power: Jesus is greater than death, and could not be conquered. When he died, I know that my sins were destroyed: it happened "once for all time". And when you raised him three days later, you taught us that we too could be raised. I confess my many sins Lord Jesus: I lay them down at the foot of the cross. I turn away from them and ask you to give me a new way of living in the world. Walk with me this week, Father. Teach me your way.

Crucifix - St. Augustine Catholic Church (Minster Ohio)

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

Luke 9:23 
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

Station of the Cross 

St. John Catholic Church Fryburg Ohio

Psalms 141:2

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Mural St. John (Fryburg Oho)

The Easter Lily

 The Easter Lily. For many, the beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers symbolize purity, virtue, innocence, hope and life. The spiritual essence of Easter.

Stained Glass Window

St. Sebastian Catholic Church

Bruised For Our Iniquities

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  Isaiah 53:5

Stained Glass Window

St. Wendelin Catholic Church

Let The Children Come To Me

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

Stained Glass Windows

St. Wendelin Catholic Church

1 Samuel 16:23

Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

Stained Glass Window

St. Wendelin Catholic Church

Philemon 1:4

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

Statue -- St. Wendelin Catholic Church

St. Wendelin Fort Recovery Ohio

Wikipedia -- Land of the Cross Tipped Churches

Wikipedia -- Land of the Cross Tipped Churches

Thanks to whoever took the time to set this up.

Easter Prayer of St. Hippolytus

This very modern Resurrected Christ can be found in the St. Henry Church in St. Henry. The modern interior of this church differs greatly from the other churches in the area.

Click the above image for a larger picture.

What's In Your Parish

ADAM'S ALE - DEFINING YOU CHURCH - PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Great Blog and Post about how to document your Church

O, Christ Crowned in Shame!

O, that Your head was compassed about!
Compassed about with flowers
A wreath of laurels befitting my King

O, that You were anointed!
Anointed with precious ointment
Running down Your head to Your beard

O, that You were crowned!
Crowned with the finest jeweled diadem
A diadem befitting Your justice

Alas, Your head is compassed about!
Compassed about with thorns
A wreath of thorns insults my King

Alas, You are anointed!
Anointed with Your own precious blood
Running down Your head to Your beard

Alas, You are crowned!
Crowned with the most torturous diadem
A diadem befitting my sin

O, that I could remove!
Remove that crown of shame
and wipe Your face clean

Alas, I shall join!
I shall join my suffering to Yours
And with Your grace endure
After the example of my King

_________________________________________________

Poem from fireofthylove.com

Stained Glass Window
Immaculate Conception Church
Celina Ohio