What will America be like in 2020? Some believe we will be another socialist state modeled after various European countries. Others see an even more extreme form of totalitarianism in our future. Some believe a reaction to the recent radical turn to the left will result in an even more radical swing to the extreme right after the seemingly inevitable economic meltdown. However, there is another possibility. The following is a very possible scenario. In just ten years, America could have:

• the strongest and most secure economy in the world
• no unemployment
• the most productive and efficient manufacturing in the world
• a balanced federal budget
• no national debt
• independence from foreign energy
• virtually no pollution
• the best, most affordable, and obtainable
• health care system in the world
• the best and most affordable education system in the world
• the most powerful and effective military
• a welfare system that takes care of the truly needy with dignity—much better than we do now
• a social security system that honors seniors, allowing them to live in the dignity,  respect, and security they deserve
• more freedom, not less
• crime a fraction of what it is now
• a foreign policy that does not exploit other nations, but helps to elevate the rest of the world, while inhibiting the dangerous ambitions of rogue statesbelieve we will be another socialist

READ MORE…Where Will America Be in 2020? (57)

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So I was reading a new post by an author of one of the blogs I follow, Jeremy Cowart, he mentioned a quote, which you can read from HIS site. What a world we live in today. It seems to be going deeper into the whirlpool with no sign of stopping.

Which part of the jersey do you care about? Current American culture cares about the number on the back. what can I do to get my recognition, how can I market myself to make me more money, etc,etc. Where do you stand? As a photographer, as a human, as a member of the kingdom of The Most High?

As a photographer of people, Your very best… your VERY best… should be all about bringing the spotlight to those you photograph. How can you use the anointing and gift you have been given to bring fame to the subject in your photos and not so much yourself?

This works also in landscape photography… The goal is to bring the beauty of the creation to others. The focus is capturing the beauty of the MASTER artist, and leading the viewer to Him.

What about the musician, the potter, the painter, the gardener, the father, the mother? How selfish we can be, yet how humble we need to be. Humility is part of the armor of The Kingdom, the kingdom of love, whereas the armor of the dark is pride.

Re-evaluate. Are you working for the kingdom or for your own gain? What would you do if the giver of your gift took it away for a season? Scary, to say the least. I am challenged here. We all have our areas we need to change. I have never seen the forest for the trees, instead, I have always seen the forest as the art of a creator, however, I don’t want my family to starve either. What is balance? What, in the kingdom, will get me further and more “treasure” than I could ever know what to do with? Humility!

Humility is THE greatest thing under love to govern your life by. One should radically devote all of ones income of life, not just money, to love and humility. To do so is greater than investing in a flimsy old retirement plan (not that you shouldn’t invest in a retirement). You have a greater retirement possibility AFTER you are gone that we should be investing in. Think Kingdom economics!

So I will ask it again… What part of the jersey are you concerned with?

Man Of Integrity (part 2) | Above Reproach (Good Reputation)

Last time we met we discussed where we were going. Today we are going to look at our first point which is Above Reproach. The definition of the word is defined: 

above (or beyond) reproach such that no criticism can be made; perfect.

Before we can go any further, we need to look at this topic. We need to step outside ourselves and really evaluate where we are with this. With honesty, we can really open the door to a more mature life by answering a lot of questions about our reputation. This is one area where christians seem to get called to account on more and more by others. Lets take a closer look.

You will find a couple examples of this trait called upon in 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6,7;Acts 6:3 and 16:2

The term can be translated to mean a man of good reputation. Do you have a good reputation? A mature person will have a good reputation. This characteristic umbrellas all the other quality’s of a mature person and says so much about where you stand. If you think about this, I bet you can come up with a list of a few, but not very many, people you know who you would say are “above reproach”. Only three people come to my mind instantly. Are you above reproach?

If you are a person that is above reproach then your good reputation will create positive feedback. I believe you would begin to find that people will freely comment positively to and about you. A good reputation spurs people to talk positively about you. I find that when certain individuals names comes up in conversation, I automatically add positive comments in the conversation. It is hard not to because it bubbles up from the heart into the mouth. How many people are talking? What are they saying about you?  

How far does your reputation spread? Are you the only one that thinks highly of yourself? There is something about a good reputation. It is beyond you. How far does your reputation go? Does your family think highly of you or are they constantly arguing with everything you say? How is your reputation in your spiritual community? Do others seek you out for wisdom and counsel? So you have a good reputation at home and church, but what is it like at work?  How far out your reputation precedes and what they are saying about you will give you a better picture of your inner qualities. A good reputation is the sign of one who is maturing and growing in Christ.

Let’s pause here to take a moment to write down some of the words that we would use to describe one who has a good reputation. How would you describe a man of integrity? Use the comment section and let’s hear it. I thought of:

• a man who keeps his word
• works hard even when no one is watching
• honest
• self-controlled
• manages his home well
• will not let you down
• fair
• faithful 
• consistent
• a good father

As you will see, most of the descriptions of a person of integrity or a good reputation are very similar to those that Paul lists in Timothy and Titus. A good reputation is something to be desired and is required for any sort of leadership. This includes leadership in your own home. Your children are going to follow your example. Are they following a man of integrity and of good reputation or one of a negative nature? What kinds of seeds are you planting. 

Here are some questions to ask yourself for further evaluation of YOUR reputation:

• What evidence do YOU have that you have a good reputation?
• Is your groups of friends and disciples growing more and more? 
• Are more and more people looking to share their lives with you?
• Do your relationships grow deeper and more significant the longer people know you? Do they grow strained and become shallow as people find out who you are?
• Does your circle of friends grow wider and increase in the number of people who admire and trust you?
• Do people recommend you for significant or difficult tasks without worrying that you will let them down?

If you find it hard to be honest with yourself and being objective in answering these questions, then have a close friend answer them. Answering these questions honestly will help open the door to dealing with future topics in this study. Most importantly, being a person of integrity, above reproach, a man of good reputation, helps us become a mature people.

Comments are open for discussion.

A thousand miles…

A journey of my life…

I have searched and I have seen things which can only be dreamed and things I pray never to see again. From the hypnotic spell of exquisite beauty to the very threshold of death. A long hard journey it has been. All the while enjoying it alone, yet wanting someone to share it with, a helpmate.

In all the years of all my travels, I have been counseled and raised by the master of all times. I have come to a place of looking beyond and between the eye’s that speak to me. To this day has my counsel given me all that I know. The eyes I look into… I am not fooled. I see the within.

Today I am presented with something different. Now, what I see is all that I have dreamed, all I need, all that is good. You are a voice, a touch, a guide, a warrior, a mother, but most importantly you are my friend. I see you! Yes I know who you are.

You are A Bride From My King.

I have made an oath to my King in front of you and a host of friends on December 7, 1996. Today, I reaffirm that oath, in front of everyone, as to be accountable, that:

• as long as the two of us live, I promise to accept my privilege and responsibility as the spiritual head of the home.
• I will join with you in initiating spiritual matters in our marriage, by leading devotions and by living a holy and godly example in front of you.
• I will diligently seek the lord the welfare of our family.
• I will strive to keep my personal walk with the king intimate and growing.
• I also accept my personal responsibility of protecting our family from physical, mental, emotional and spiritual threats.
• I promise, as a provider, to order our finances in such a way that is scriptural.
• I promise to do my best to order my priorities so that Jesus is first, you are second, our children third, and our ministry fourth.
• I promise to love you as an act of my will for the rest of my life, in the presence, or absence of romantic feelings.
• I choose you, Jenny, over every woman that I have ever met or will ever meet as long as I live.
• I will do my best never to raise my voice at you in a negative way – never to belittle you in or out of your presence,
• but, I will encourage and inspire you to become all that you can be in the kingdom of our king, Jesus.

I take this moment to apologize for every time I have so far failed you in this oath. I do not believe oaths are to be taken lightly. I am to be a man of integrity and a tender warrior. I ask for your forgiveness on every count.

I love you my bride,

Heath

The flower I see as I gaze upon the many.
The colors of them more than I can ever count. 
Yet out of the beauty of them all stands one reaching out above the others. 
It is calling to me with its sweet scent and utter self giving. 
This one is fiery gold, red and scarlet.
It draws me in, in to itself. 
as  it sings out… love, love, love.

This flower has opened itself as wide as it can…
To take in all the Son and give away all of its heart, its beauty.
Unafraid.
Unlike men, so afraid to open their hearts.

You see flowers give.
Whether seen or not, trampled or not, always completely giving love.
In this the King was right when he told me,
“nothing in all the kingdom compares to the beauty of a simple flower…
Or to one of us that has our heart opened wide to the son”.
 
Open as can be exposing its beautiful heart…
Such should be me in a way that I could never depart.
 
If you don’t choose to stop and admire the flowers,
they will go unnoticed in your colorless world.
You must stop and see the beauty in life’s brief moments…
or it will become greyscale habits.

Flowers ©2009 Heath McConnell

Just because this is my site and I love my wife, I wanted to share my joy for her and her accomplishments. Jennifer has a gift like no other. She has a God-given gift in teaching children.

I am so amazed every time I am with  Jennifer (and even when I’m not) and I overhear people, co-workers and parents, praising her as if she has some supernatural power, which, by the grace of God, she often does!  This gift, or as I call it, an Anointing, is very awesome and has given her a reputation the precedes here.

Jennifer has been teaching since 1988,  and since 1994 in the Montessori method.  She also is one of two trainers in the Main Street Montessori Associations teacher-training program. She also has opened, taught and directed her own school, The Children’s House, here in Harrisburg.  Jennifer has spoken at a handful of national Montessori confrences and is available for speaking/training engagements.

Jennifer is the first of two Montessori teachers to win a Teacher Of The Year award and is very excited about being the only one to represent Oregon. The award is sponsored by the Terri Lokoff/Tylenol Foundation.

I have included a link to the scan of the article below (click on image and you will be able to zoom after it opens).

 Teacher of the year article (43)

Jenny also runs The Children’s House Montessori in Harrisburg, OR.

Do you have a purpose in your life?
A vision for your life?
Do you know where your headed?
Or where your going?
Swirling aimlessly out of orbit?

Do you feel you are running from need to need?
From crises to crises?
Do you have hope for your life to make it till tomorrow?
A flower underfoot?

There is a hole in your heart that is longing to be filled.

There is  Hope.
There is  Peace.
There is Joy
There is  Love.

The more I am with you the more I have hope and clarity in my life…
The more I know where I’m headed.
There is no confusion only inexhaustible smiling and joy that comes from true peace.

The more I am with you the more I am in Love.
The more life becomes free and my spirit soars away.

You are the lover of my soul
How can I NOT spend time with you?

Have you ever known real hope?
Have you ever known real peace?
Have you ever known real joy?
Have you ever known real love?

He is all of this and He is waiting for you with arms wide open!

You have reached HeathMcConnell.com which is the sum of all he is… Photographer, Musician, Worshiper… and lover of the outdoors.

This site serves as a one-stop landing pad for all Heath’s Photography, Music, Worship, and Outdoors endeavors. On this page  you will find all of his various posts listed from Heath’s other sites for immediate dissemination.

If you are interested in a specific topic or category, go to the right sidebar and choose that category and the blog will list only those posts. Should you wish to subscribe choose your method from the three choices above (posts, email, comments). Should you wish to subscribe to a particular category, subscribe here.

We are enjoying a lovely Snow Day here in the valley. Everything is closed, kids are home, Christmas music is playing, wood stove raging and most importantly… Coffee. It is a lovely day.

I came accross this stop motion video while over at nickonkenconnection blog . I love this little inspiring video and thought I would share it.

A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION from Carlos Lascano on Vimeo.

After talking with the Director of marketing communications at Trimble, Omar, I have decided to put together a portfolio of all those things I love to do but have never specifically let anyone know , “Hey I can do this” (like this website). I don’t know that I am going to actually market myself on these skills, but at least people will know I have the skill and can create something similar for them.

The Portfolio Page will slowly start as I have time and will be quite random. I will have things related to Web, Imagery, Audio and computing in general. If you have ever wondered how you could have “one of those” or looked at a photo and wondered, “Wow! How did they do that”, Check back here. I will say that Adobe makes wonderful professional products for creators like me.

I just changed the Video page layout and added more video.