KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

Many good responses above.

Although you may spend a considerable amount of time on and at photography, I don't think you have made it an idol, nor do you worship it. Your attitude shows that you want to give God the glory. He knows that and He knows your heart.

You are a witness and an ambassador for Him just by being on this forum and posting pictures of His glorious creation. Not to mention other ways you do and have done that in your life. You have given of yourself in the past and still do now.

Your profile says that you're retired, so relax and enjoy it. No need to feel guilty just because you enjoy photography so much. As long as you're serving the Lord, in many ways, it doesn't mean you can't experience JOY while doing it.

CSand Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

By witnessing to those I am around I do not mean attacking them in any way. I love and enjoy my photography friends, even the lost as known by their fruit not as a judgement. I do confess Him often as He is just my life. When questions come up, and sometimes they do, I tell then how He has changed me and loved me. One fairly close young friend is very confused and terribly mistaken in her beliefs, for ex. reincarnation, and we have open conversations. She knows my thoughts and yet we enjoy shooting together and I love her. God opens these situations and it is my privilege to guide others into His truth. I hope I am not seen as a fearful person. There are times however, that though we trust in Christ, we can be fearful. It is part of our human flesh. What we do with that fear is what is important. He gives us courage and strength for those moments. He helps us remember who He is and what He has done before. He increases our faith and gives us peace and calm. My original post had nothing to do with fear.It is good to look to God first with questions and I am growing in this. I am also just seeking guidance from fellow believers. Love and blessings to you. I pray you will be safe.

d3200prime

Now you are seeing it! Please don't fret about enjoying photography. As far as time balance I don't know what you mean. Christians are not called to balance their time on a scale between their worship and pursuing life. Some serve more some serve less. You mentioned witnessing. In your photography travels do you meet people? Look for opportunities to tell them about the Lord and what He has done for you. Spread the good news! Weave the gospel into your conversations. You might be surprised how much of an impact you will have and God will get the glory as you mention the gospel and people respond positively or negatively. Plant the seed! It's their choice as God does not force Himself on anyone. May God bless you and surely He will guide you

CSand Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

Thank you KT. Your words and responses from others have help me order my thoughts. I believe I have been told to spend more time in His Word as it is our foundation of truth as well as fellowship with Him. Then go forth with photography and all else, letting Him use me as He chooses. Appeciate you. Stay well.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

CSand Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

Thanks Karin! Stay safe.

duaneweir Loc: Meridian, Idaho

We are called to be witness for Him, live your life in Christ as you are involved in photography.

CSand Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

I needed this today and yes as you said, I will go forward in Him. Don't know why this keeps coming up. Just yesterday, a moment of question, and in my thoughts I heard, "Use them". Was looking at camera gear on my bed. Thank you Duane.

StanRP Loc: Ontario Canada

**************


Hi Sandy,

This COVID-19 is changing the way we look at things and consider their importance. A good way is to look at limits - Minimum and maximum. Take ‘Studying ‘the word’. The Bible is a collection of books. The Jewish Christians have the Torah - the Old Testament. The early Gentile Christians had nothing - because new testament had not been written - yet it was during this time that the early church spread over the whole Roman Empire - most of the known world. Today the church has both the old and new testaments and use it to condemn each other on points of doctrine. A Lawer asked Jesus “What is important?” Matthew 22:35-40. More than most, Jesus could have quoted the Torah for the rest of the day - but - what did He say? “ Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”.

Just before going to the cross, Jesus gave his disciples a ‘pep talk’. A Bible study? No - just one command recorded in two verses -John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Yes Sandy, it is good to read and study the Scriptures, but it is more important to give priority to what both God (Father) and Jesus commanded - to reach out in love to those around us, and using the gifts that God has given us. You have been given the gift of photography. How can you use it to serve God? Let me give you one suggestion. There are old people living alone. About 60% living in nursing homes have no family, no visitors. Take some nice photographs, some of the local community - make some large prints and visit these seniors, have a talk with them and leave a picture on the wall where they can see it when in bed. You have little idea of how much this will bless them - especially in the night when they feel lonely. (Matt 25:35-40 )

This is the lakeshore park where many go for a walk:

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

We all do. Myself included.



Then that's an issue for sure. We all struggle with it.



You could just go out with the intent of witnessing :) Lots of folks do that.

[/quote]I am asking Jesus to please give me His perspective and I am listening for His answer. [/quote]

Here is how you communicate with Jesus; you read what He's written (the bible) where it's relevant to your question, and then you behave accordingly. There is no "listening for His answer". Jesus talks through the written revelation he's provided...not feelings or voices.



It's up to you; your conscience. You should be discussing this with your pastor or elder, have him point you to relevant passages, read them, meditate on them, and react accordingly.

We've all been there...you aren't alone in this. :)

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Then you haven't read your bible closely enough.



Doing so DOES please God, it cannot become a religion, that's ludicrous.



Wow....what a twisted view of the bible's content.



They were known because they boldly proclaimed the truth of Jesus, His sacrifice, and that all other religions were false, and they were willing to die for that truth.

I'm betting you don't attend any church, there is no way a person could sit under orthodox teaching week after week and have this skewed view of what the bible says.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Please, don't.

There is no "waiting for his leading"

Here is how orthodox Christianity works.

You read God's revelation to man (the bible) often, every day. You study it, you meditate on it...you hold it in your heart..you memorize it.

By doing so, you learn about God...what He's like, what he wants, what you should be doing and not doing.

Then you make the proper decision based on what you know. (what God has said)

That's it.

It's not Christian-mysticism...that's a false gospel that's been infiltrating the church for decades.

StanRP Loc: Ontario Canada

Hi Sandy,

RE: "When questions come up, and sometimes they do, I tell then how He has changed me and loved me." That is BEING a witness - telling what God has done for you. All too often the church re-defines 'witnessing' to mean "judging and condemning:" telling people they meet "You are a sinner and going go hell - unless..." When people ask or question, they are ready to listen - and they will only ask if they see in you something that they like and want for themselves.

You write: " I love and enjoy my photography friends, ". This is fulfilling what Jesus said in "John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Your friends like what they see in you and want what you have for themselves. Your love of photography
along with your love for that friend was the means of telling her about Jesus, giving guidance relating to reincarnation etc.

Blessings,

Stan.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

too bad that's not the gospel. (the good news)

The good news is that all humans are condemned to be punished in Hell because they are sinners who hate God but because God is a merciful and loving God He has made a way of escape, to repent and turn to the only one who can save them....Jesus Christ who suffered in place of His elect, taking the wrath of God so that they won't.

That's the gospel. Not "see what He's done for me!"



And bravo to them...all too often though folks like to water that real message down (as you have) and thereby neuter it of the truth.



Once again, that's not biblical. Folks are sinners, haters of God, lovers of self, they are to be told the truth of their condition and unless God changes their heart, they will stay in rebellion forever. Sinners don't want God...period.



Which is a totally separate issue than what we are commanded to tell pagans.



Not if you are truthful about the gospel message they won't.

If you whitewash it and don't tell them the truth of course they will like it! you are tickling their ears with a false gospel that cannot save.



Not sure what reincarnation has to do with Christianity....hmmm

StanRP Loc: Ontario Canada

re:Here is how orthodox Christianity works. You read God's revelation to man (the bible) often, every day. You study it, you meditate on it...you hold it in your heart..you memorize it. By doing so, you learn about God...what He's like, what he wants, what you should be doing and not doing. Then you make the proper decision based on what you know. (what God has said )That's it.
It's not Christian-mysticism...that's a false gospel that's been infiltrating the church for decades.

Hi, Checking "Christian-mysticism "
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_mysticism.
The attributes and means by which Christian mysticism is studied and practiced are varied. They range from ecstatic visions of the soul's mystical union with God to simple prayerful contemplation of Holy Scripture (i.e., Lectio Divina).

This reads like what you describe.