say hello to my little friend

hiding in a crack in the rock at the Eau Claire Dells, WI
taken with a Nikon D50 on July 16, 2007 by jls
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rippling brook

Eau Claire River at the Eau Claire Dells, WI
taken with a Nikon D50 on July 16, 2007 by jls
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catching the last rays

along the Prairie River just before it empties into the Wisconsin River, Merrill, WI
taken with a Nikon D50 on July 14, 2007 by jls
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storm passing

along Hwy 51, north of Wausau, WI
taken with a Nikon D50 on July 12, 2007 by jls
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God's promise

along Hwy 51, north of Wausau, WI
taken with a Nikon D50 on July 12, 2007 by jls
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field of orange

along Hwy 51, north of Wausau, WI
taken with a Nikon D50 on July 12, 2007 by jls
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sailing home

I have many friends that will enjoy this photo for the sailboat, but I enjoy it because of the clouds and the leasure that it reminds me of.

taken from the breakwater of Menominee Marina, Menominee, MI
taken with a Nikon D50 on July 7, 2007 by jls
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the beauty of flight

Menominee Marina, Menominee, MI
taken with a Nikon D50 on July 7, 2007 by jls
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my lake

There is a little story with this photo. For 4 years, I drove past this bog at least twice weekly. I fell in love with the location and the scenery; the water that you can see is only 70 or so feet across, but the marshy area is probably more like a 300 foot diameter. There are pines all around; it is just beautiful.

along Hwy 8, about 4miles west of Armstrong Creek
taken with a Nikon D50 on July 6, 2007 by jls
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leaning

Rib Falls County Park
taken with a Nikon D50 on June 29, 2007 by jls
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bad hair day

Rib Falls County Park
taken with a Nikon D50 on June 29, 2007 by jls
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searching for the light

along the railroad tracks, Brokaw, WI
taken with a Nikon D50 on July 3, 2007 by jls
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a little pride

A friend recently mentioned that he was disappointed that Christians sing better when singing "The Star Spangled Banner" than when singing regular hymns and was curious if I thought that there was a reason for this. I think that the reason lies in two parts.
The first is very easy to understand: we don't have a "Christian anthem." although we have many great Christian songs. We have many good patriotic songs, but only one National Anthem. While I am moved when we sing "Victory in Jesus" or "It Is Well With My Soul;" there is only one patriotic song that sends chills up my spine.
The other aspect of this answer is much more difficult to explain. My dad is a United States history teacher; and, as such, as a child I was more aware of our history than the average child. I remember my dad teaching, studying and talking about the War for Independance, the War of 1812, the Civil War & the World Wars. Our nation has much to be thankful for and nearly all of it was bought with soldier's lives and sacrifices.
While we don't have a perfect nation (and we never have and never will - if man is involved, it will not be perfect); as Americans, we have a tremendous debt to our 'forefathers.' They had the forethought to develop a system of freedoms that allow for our freedom of religion. They also used many Biblical and Godly principles as the basis for our laws; after all most of them were God-fearing men (notice I did not say that they were Christians - very few of our founding fathers believed in salvation by faith in Christ through the grace of God).
Above that, we as Christians should understand the benefits and liberties of the freedoms that we enjoy. The liberty and freedom that we take for granted is unique to our nation. No other nation has enjoyed such a lengthy period of freedom.
Perhaps that is why we are so cynical about our freedoms and casual in our respect of our United States. We have had it to easy for so long. What's more; perhaps that's why we are so carefree with out Christianity - we've had it to easy for to long.
I am daily reminded that we live in a priveledged nation; and this has caused me to be thankful to my God for His mercy on our nation; but when we sing that fantastic song, I'm proud, thankful, and overwhelmed by our nation's history.

So forgive me if I sing louder when we sing our National Anthem; that song and our nation means an indefinable amount to me; and, I promise, I'd sing twice as strong if we had a "Christian anthem."

shy

that's a quarter - he was kinda large :)

the Steven's flowers, Smith closet
taken with a Nikon D50 on July 4 & 1, 2007 by jls
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