miles at noc09 general session

thursday miles spoke at the general session at the noc(national outreach convention), where he shared about his new book, do something.   lincoln brewster and his worship band opened the session, leading us into God’s presence with some amazing worship.  miles set the tone for his time as soon as he got to the podium…

sharing with the session, how God has broken his heart with the realization that thousands of folks die everyday not knowing Christ as their personal Savior.  miles prayed that God would show him and every their, how they can best be used to reach the lost in this world.  do something: making your life count is all about using your gifts and talents for God.  to reach as many people with the Gospel, that none should perish…

miles’ book comes out in january, but if you go to the rock, you can get your copy early in december, as the rock prepares to go threw the book in our small groups.

to learn more about miles’ new book, please visit www.dosomethingworld.org and www.milesmcpherson.com

 

Simply Worship in the Sanctuary

“They came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him” – Matthew 28:9

Praise and Worship, musically speaking,  has always been one of my most favorite things to do. Even as a young child who loved to sing since I learned to speak, my first time singing a worship song was magical. I remember it was “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” and they had the words printed on paper for us.  I took the paper home and I sang it until I memorized it and I sang it over and over again. It was then that I knew I had a heart for worship. But it wasn’t until I grew older and more mature in my faith that I realized worship is much more than singing songs. In church it is a personal prayer and a fervent cry to God through song, but outside the building, it becomes each word spoken, each reaction to everything that happens to you, and the kind of heart you show to those you encounter each and every day. Worshiping God becomes a lifestyle and something that is continuous. It is much more than the 5 minute duration of lifting your hands, bowing your head, and reciting the words displayed on the screen. I love worship not only because the lyrics become my personal prayer, but also because I know my heart sings words that I cannot fathom when I lift my hands up to praise Him and smile knowing that he hears those unsung verses of my heart’s song.

It was inspiring and encouraging being able to witness the work that God was doing in the sanctuary. Because I was shooting the event, I experienced the event from a different perspective. Rather than facing the stage, I mostly faced the church, His people. I saw individuals pouring out their souls to Jesus as they prayed, cried, sang and danced. I love my images of brothers and sisters embracing one another as they both fixed their eyes on Him, I tried my best to capture those moments!

The last image is of three of my friends. I met them at Young Adult Cafe and over the last month and a half we have explored each others’ characters, daily lives, dreams, struggles, and walks with God. I look forward to every Tuesday night because I know they will be there to hear about my amazing week or comfort me if I’ve had a rough week. I love this image because I have a special place in my heart for these three. I suppose it’s because we all share the same heart for Jesus!

Do Something

Miles’ new book Do Something: Make Your World Count was released in a special edition for this years National Outreach Convention (NOC) in San Diego.  the book officially releases to the public in january.

along with the book they lauched the Do Something World website along with the redesigned Miles McPherson site.

Miles spoke to a bunch of folks yesterday, sharing the vision behind the book and explaining what it means to be a Do Something church.   if your not doing anything this afternoon, Miles is speaking in the general session at 1pm at the NOC09, at the Town & Country Hotel  and Convention center in mission valley.  come on down.

Photo Expo West San Diego 2009

November 14 & 15

Photo Expo West is five years old and we’re celebrating in a big way! This year The Expo will be held in the Exhibit hall with 55,000 square feet of vendors, seminars & live demos!

Help us celebrate this milestone event by enjoying a weekend filled with educational photography seminars, discounted prices on digital photography equipment from all of your favorite vendors, and a chance to get advice from the most well known experts in the field. Activities are available for all levels of photographers, from beginner to advanced professional. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity!

Seminar Schedule: http://www.photoexpowest.com/seminars.php

More info on the pros, I highly recommend the Nikon sponsored photographers if you want to learn something, otherwise sign up for a trip to the zoo with a canon photographer, it’s your prerogative: http://www.photoexpowest.com/pew09-pros.php

Comment if you’re attending and lets all meet up, the event is free however there is a $10 fee for access to all seminars.

Tech Tuesday: Adobe Lightroom 3 beta

Adobe just announced a beta trial of Lightroom 3.  if your using Lr already, give it a try….

Adobe Lightroom 3

Announcing Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Beta.  Be one of the first to check out the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 beta.  Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is an intuitive digital darkroom and efficient assistant that helps both professional and amateur photographers easily manage, edit, and showcase their images.  The Lightroom 3 beta includes some of the new features that will be released with the upcoming version and gives you a chance to provide feedback on the product before its final release and preview a handful of the new features!  The Adobe Lightroom 3 beta is available to the public for a limited time, so hurry and try it today.

try Adobe Lightroom 3 beta NOW>

Photo Class 3: Framing & Composition

Photo Class 3
Framing & Composition
Wednesday 11/04/09
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Room 353

Come join us for another fun class to learn more about the fundamentals of photography. We will use the techniques that we have learned so far and add how to frame and setup your subject. This class will focus on the why are we taking a photo and understanding how slight changes to your technique can completely change the mood and message.

If you have any questions please let us know: photoministry@therocksandiego.org. I look forward to seeing you all in class.

Blessings,

Jim Wanglund
Rock Photographer

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. – John 3:21

2009 Men’s Retreat: Praising Him!

i started this blog sat nite at this years mens retreat…2 weeks ago now.  ive looked at all the pics jim and i took at the retreat, a few pics.  God continues to show me what a blessing it was to be there once again.  i think ive been to every retreat the motr (men of the rock) has put on, and every year its different and it can be a challenge to not see it for what it is… that the retreat is an opportunity to get away and be with God.  to worship and commune, to listen, and for me its a time to check for directions.  to make sure im heading in the direction that God wants for me.

when tommy asked on friday nite of the retreat, how many men were at their first mens retreat, it looked like 75%-80% of the men raised their hands.  that blew me away.  and it got me pumped up.  i had the privilege of being here to document what God was going to do in the lives of these men.

i tell the team often that id rather they be obedient to God, and not take pics, than they take pics and be disobedient to God.  theres always time to take pics, if its time to worship and pray, thats by far the better choice.  so as i was shooting, im always conscience of that, am i in Gods perfect will…am i shooting for him or for me, am i shooting what He wants me to show folks.

it was truly a blessing to be at this years mens retreat.  as i was capturing what God was doing, i couldnt help but praise Him.  strange in my mind, that i can praise Him with my camera, taking pics of these men, who were praising God.  it was a thought id never really considered.  im a firm believer in the fact that we can praise and worship God in everything we do, but id never really considered the fact that in documenting His work, i can worship Him.

after all, my desire and our desire as a team is to honor Him as we document His Work.  a praise offering in the form of images taken with my camera.  understanding that the gift of photography, the gear He provides, the ability to see…its ALL from Him!   Praise God!

ive chosen a few more pics that have stood out to me, i hope it blesses yall as it has been a blessing to look at these pics again.

to see more pics from this years retreat, please visit the rock photo-galleries or click HERE.

Rock Homeless Ministry at Balboa Park

the rock homeless ministry was out in force this past saturday, ministering in balboa park.  to see more pics from saturdays event please visit the rock website or just click HERE.

rock photo-classes: select student pics

the rock photographers have begun a new season of photoclasses.  the pics below are just a few of the pics that have been shared in class.  the classes are free, yes FREE!  every wednesday, at the rock in room 353.  feel free to come join us.  for latest info on classes you can check the tab labled “photo classes and events.”

these are pics i chose for various reasons.  first in my mind is what catches my eye and draws my attention.  bottom line, photography as in art, “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.”   what i might find interesting, another may say, “eh…” not for me.  it doesnt mean its bad,  just that it didnt interest me.  as many times as ive thought ive taken a great picture, i show it to someone, and they say “oh, thats nice…what else you got…”  you never know.  as long as your shooting something that your passionate about, the creative process and the resulting pics bring you joy, there you go, youve won.

now get out and shoot, have fun!

Halloback 2009: Photo-booth Pics

Halloback 2009:   pics are up on Rock website from the photo-booth!  to see pics click on BOO SOMETHING!