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


Thursday, May 31, 2012

Weekly Journal 5/31/12

The Weekly Journal
It has been a busy month for sure. I was really happy when I was able to squeak in a visit to the St. Paul's Church. This was the last church I needed to visit that was on my original list. I do believe there may be a few more I may have missed. Either way there were a few churches that I would like to revisit with my new camera for sure to finish out the year.

As you may have already expected St. Paul's will be the featured church for the month of June. Not sure what July will bring.

 I am horrible when it comes to tagging my post. I have a lot of catching up to do in that department. So I hope to have that updated soon for all you folks who like to use the search/category feature.

I have not made my mind up completely yet on what I am going to do about the blog next year. I was thinking this might be the last year for me. Not sure. It' hard to walk away from something you have such a vested interest in. I just wish the local churches the ones that I take all these pictures off were more supportive of the blog. It would be nice to hear from them from time to time.

Jesus Appears to Thomas

John 20:24-29
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

 Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue 
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

SHOJ an inside look

Just a couple of interior shots of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
I was very lucky to be there while the choir was practicing. Not only was I blessed with their song but they turned the lights on.

Monday, May 28, 2012

One Nation Under God

Happy Memorial Day

I found this awesome image on my way to take pictures of the St. Paul Church. I caught this out of the corner of my eye and turned back to capture what you see here.

Cemetery Crucifix and Flag
St. Wendelin Catholic Church

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Lord, you have created us for your Glory, please help us by wiping the stains of our souls with your Precious Blood to restore your image in us.

VI Station of the Cross
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

Sunday, May 27, 2012

THE LAMBS BOOK OF LIFE

I TOLD HIM OF THE DEEDS THAT I HAD DONE
I TOLD HIM OF THE TROPHIES I HAD WON
BUT HE SAID TO ME HAVE YOU BEEN SET FREE
IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE

V - Simon Helps Jesus


A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. Mark 15:21

Station of the Cross 
Saint John Catholic Church 
Fryburg Ohio

Scripture - The Way of the Cross Devotional

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Weekly Scripture

Psalm 37:3-5
Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Old Rugged Cross

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Lyrics from the Hymn
"The Old Rugged Cross"

Chapel Crucifix
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Light Unto the Nations



Isaiah 49:6 ... I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Menorah
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church 

Monday, May 21, 2012

Sunday, May 20, 2012

IV - Jesus Meets His Mother Mary


Come, all you who pass by the way, look around and see. Is any suffering like My suffering that was inflicted on Me? Lamentations 1:12

Station of the Cross 
Saint John Catholic Church 
Fryburg Ohio

Scripture - The Way of the Cross Devotional

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Weekly Scripture

Hebrews 4:14-16
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Crucifixtion Witness

Sacred Heart of Jesus Church 
McCartyville Ohio

Regula Primitiva

Saint Francis in 1209 composed a simple rule for his followers ("friars"), (the Regula primitiva or “Primitive Rule”) which came from verses in the Bible. The rule was “To follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps.”

Sounds like a good rule to me.

St. Francis Statue 
St. Francis Catholic Church

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Cross and Crucifix

It might just be me, but I almost titled this "Breath Taking".

Cross and Crucifix 
St. Francis Catholic Church

Monday, May 14, 2012

Sunday, May 13, 2012

III - Jesus Falls The First Time


Here is My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on Him and He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise His voice in the streets. Isaiah 42:1-2

Station of the Cross
Saint John Catholic Church
Fryburg Ohio

Scripture - The Way of the Cross Devotional

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Weekly Scripture

1 Peter 5:8-10
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Angel and Censer

You can't help but marvel and find these works or art in stained glass beautiful.

Stained Glass Window 
St. Francis Catholic Church

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Regina virginum, ora pro nobis

Queen of Confessors, pray for us. 

Stained Glass Window 
St. Francis Catholic Church

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Saint Joseph

Oh, Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.

St. Joseph Statue 
St. Francis Catholic Church

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Guardian Angel

On my recent visit to St. Francis Catholic Church, I found several of these wonderful placards.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Philippians 2:10

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

This is another one of those jewels that I found on my way out.  I just love this type of simplistic art. 

Cross - St. Francis Catholic Church

Sunday, May 6, 2012

II - Jesus Carries His Cross


He emptied Himself and took the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7   

Station of the Cross
Saint John Catholic Church
Fryburg Ohio

Scripture - The Way of the Cross Devotional

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Weekly Scripture

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Colossians 3:2-4

Friday, May 4, 2012

A Terrible Time for Jesus

I came across this wonderful illustrated children's story titled  A Terrible Time For Jesus by the Bible for Children. This is the story of Jesus' triumph in the desert. However, unfortunately for most of us Christian's it is more like "Not now Jesus this isn't a good time. Could you just look the other way." -- What time does Jesus have in your life?

Sacred Heart of Jesus Clock 
St. Francis Catholic Church

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Pincers

The pincers were the pliers-like tool used to remove the nails when Jesus was taken down from the cross.

Stained Glass Window
St. Francis Catholic Church

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Miami County News

Found this neat article on the Cross Tipped Churches. A Visit to The Land of the Cross Tipped Churches. The article has a lot of good info and some nice pictures. The above pic is one of my own taken at St. Francis Catholic Church.



Hanging Crucifixes

I love the contrast of the crucifixes with the grain and texture of the door and the slight color that the beads add. I just love it when I find these pics.

 Rosaries -- St. Francis Catholic Church

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Spare Change?

Blessed are the hungry for they shall be fed. 

Food Drive Bucket 
St. Francis Catholic Church