On Mission Photography by Bryan Nowak

Let me encourage you to stand firm in your faith... even if it means standing alone. It's easy to go along with the crowd. It can be difficult when you are the outcast or considered odd, religious and out of touch, or when you are ostracized for publicly and privately taking a firm moral, ethical or spiritual stance. How is it possible to remain pure and faithful to the Lord in these circumstances? 1. Watch yourself. If necessary, get an accountability partner for support. 2. Stand firm on biblical truth. To do this you must first KNOW God's Word. 3. Walk the talk. People believe what they see and not so much what they hear. 4. Depend on the Holy Spirit for strength -- for where you are weak, He is strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

UGH... NOT YOUR BEST WORK, BRYAN! Okay, I'll be the first to admit that this is not a "wall hanger" but it speaks to me. Why? Because this was once the residence for the owners/operators of the Ogeechee River Mill in Georgia. For decades this house was a family home with memories of love, laughter, rest, play and a lot of work. Now it has deteriorated to the point where perhaps the tangle of over grown vines is the only thing holding it together. How easily a home can fall apart without ongoing maintenance. How easily our lives can also fall apart when we neglect to care for it physically, emotionally and spiritually. We can become so entangled in our occupations, hobbies, secret sins and pleasures that we are not even mindful of the damage done to ourselves and those closely connected to us. Before you know it our clean house is a heap of waste and debris. In running that race called life, we are encouraged by these words: "Let us throw off ev...

I've had people ask why they bothered to cover bridges in the old days. There were several reasons but primarily to help them last longer. The wood below would not be exposed to the harsh wind, rain and sun that would eventually cause decay. The same is true for your home. Put a good roof on it and it will be leak free and damage from weather will be minimal compared to a h ome with an exposed wood roof. The old tin seen here has seen better days but still keeps this old timer looking pretty good on the back roads of Georgia. Likewise, our covering is vitally important too. The Psalmist used the analogy of a parenting bird to help us visualize our Lord's protection for His children. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 There are a lot of things in this world that will bombard your mind and heart. Find refuge under God's roof and He will faithfull...

Who says religion and education cannot co-exist side-by-side? It certainly was no problem for the people in Jewell, GA as they constructed these buildings in the middle of town -- actually setting aside green space as well so this would be a center point of their life and lifestyle. Scripture tells us, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. " (Proverbs 1:7) Oh that we would not sacrifice faith and godly wisdom at the altar of scientific hypothesis and theory. And by the way, can you tell on which of the two that Mr. Jewell placed a greater value? The church is exquisite in every way especially considering its dedication date of 1870. It was built using handmade local bricks during a time when most churches were white wood-framed buildings. Jewell Baptist Church and Schoolhouse Jewell, GA

I thought it a little strange that we could not find a sign that gave a name to this church building. It is still in use and a neighbor told us the name (although I cannot remember it now). I do recall it was a Baptist congregation that met there. This got me thinking today about how we frequently memorialize a person or identify with a community when naming a church buildi ng, and too often we're guilty of worshiping the structure rather than the Savior. Just go to some "business meetings" and you'll see how right I am. God warned the Israelite nation just how tempting it can be to give preference and honor to something tangible, but that we ought to seek after the One who, though invisible, is truly Lord over all creation. In one of the books written by Moses we read: There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Hi...

Rust is my favorite color for old, abandoned vehicles. I imagine this was a workhorse for many years though. It's amazing how fast a vehicle can deteriorate and become rusty and crusty once parked and unused. May I encourage you - regardless of your age - that you do not just park yourself, rust in place (RIP) and suddenly find yourself unusable by God. You m ay be physically immobile but you can be a prayer warrior on behalf of others to God. If you are mobile, then find something to you can do to help others or meet a need.   For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)   Just don't be ORD.

In my younger days I enjoyed rock climbing (yes, that is actually me). This is a route in Toccoa, GA called "All I Wanted Was a Pepsi." It takes a lot of faith to climb 100 feet up the side of a cliff. It takes faith in your own skills but even more so in the one who is your belay (French word for "guy holding your safety rope.") I recently had a discussion with a perso n who told me that "faith is all you need." He went on to say that it made no difference in what or whom you placed your faith, but that faith alone was what will pull you through life. Well, I do agree that faith alone is all the Bible says is required for salvation, but the object of one's faith is where I strongly differ. For I can have all the faith in the world in my own abilities, on a friend or spouse, in my possessions or my employer but none of that will carry me on into eternity with God in heaven. It is Christ alone who has the power to save. It is fai...