Methodist Church in Three Rivers.

Statue in Bowman Park. This was placed in honor of those who served in the Civil War.

Wall in front of church on Main Street in Three Rivers, Michigan.

First Presbyterian Church in Three Rivers, Michigan.

Christian, who are you?

I attended the funeral for the father of a friend this week, and it raised questions for me. What sets me apart from others as a Christian?

The bottom line answer is that Christ claims me as His very own. I am not my own, but I belong to Him.

It’s not that as a Christian I don’t sin. It’s not that I don’t do bad things or that I don’t swear, smoke, drink alcohol, or associate with certain people. I may do all of these things, and I can personally say that I do or have done each of these. It isn’t that I’ve sinned or that I continue to sin. It is that Christ has revealed Himself to me as the savior of the world and the savior of my very self.

I am a Christian, bought with a price, owned by God himself. I am a child adopted into the lineage of Abraham. I’m not adopted as a Jew, but as a chosen one of God. I don’t every fret or worry about this status.

What I struggle with is that fact that I sin. I sin daily, and I sin extravagantly. I struggle because deep inside me I don’t want to, but there is still a part that craves that rebellion. That rebellion doesn’t make me a “non-son” it humbles me and shows me that I’m nothing without God.

In eternity, we will be surprised by the scoundrels who are in heaven. We will also be surprised by the nice people who end up in perdition. I know I’m a scoundrel who needs a risen savior.

It’s not that I’m a hypocrite because I’m not perfect. Rather it’s that I need Christ because I’m not perfect. That sets Christians apart.

Picture: the Episcopal Church in Three Rivers, MI.

Jim's eye. With the new lens. I have to use my aux flash. See how the lens shadows the regular camera flash. Hmm.

The lovely Dana with my new lens

I didn't focus well. It was my third picture taken with the lens.

Got a new lens yesterday. I took a few pictures. I'll post a couple, but still need to practice.

SIGMA
15-30mm F3.5-4.5 EX DG ASPHERICAL

Jack Daniels

We went to the Jack Daniels Distillary in Lynchburg, TN on Wednesday, April 9. Took this pic of the distillary. Very cool tour. Everyone should try.

Olympic Park

So, we're in Olympic Park and Jen's like "pretend you're putting a bomb in the trash can." Ok...I'll just stand by the trash can... No bomb.

That girl was really upset that Jen was in the "C", but I was trying to take Jen's picture first.

The World of Coca Cola

Jennifer had a lot of fun taste testing at the World of Coke! There were wonderful as well as hideous carbonated beverages from the world over. There was a kiosk for each continent and three sets of 5 or 6 fountain drinks unique to each continent. It was riotous.

I think this was my best aquarium pic of Jennifer.

Deepo

Jen needed to have her picture taken with Deepo before we left the aquarium.

Day 3

This day we went to the Georgia Aquarium...largest in the world, CNN, and the World of Coca Cola. This picture is in the subway, and the woman statue in the middle has a pigeon resting on her.

The Trash

These trash cans are all over downtown Atlanta. This one was in the Underground area. I just cracked up the first time I saw it. what an advertisement. Notice that this is directly in front of the visitor's bureau.

The Oreo

I asked these two security guards to have their picture taken with Jen. They seemed very happy to oblige. after the picture the guy on the left said, "Hey, we done made an oreo." I said that I wasn't sure how I felt about the whole thing! LOL.

The Poet

This young guy asked us if we'd give him some money if he recited poetry for us. Jen gave him one word "eccentric" and he kinda rapped or slammed for about 5 minutes. I gave him $5. It was pretty cool and he was the first guy who didn't just ask for a handout.

Inside the Underground. The Underground is billed as "unique shops" and trendy cool stuff all in this underground mall. Basically, it is really a stink-hole of a tourist trap. Souvenier shops and cell phone kiosks. It's not really worth the effort to see.

On our 2nd full day in Atlanta we went downtown to the Alliance Theater and watched a play. We were going to tour the art museum but decided to wait. We went to the Atlanta Underground, and then found Rocco's a neat little neighborhood pub to hang out at in Marietta.

Jennifer on the back side of the Art Center.

Jen on the MARTA train.

My Favourite Southern Eatery.

Our First Full Day In Atlanta

Today, we went to the MARTA station and took the train into Atlanta. We went downtown and bought our City Pass and the High Art Museum. It was misting and raining, so we found a neat neighborhood bar and played some pool until the play at the Alliance Theater’s Hertz Stage. It was a great play, and we went back to play a little pool. Afterwards we went back to canton and explored around a bit. We ended up back in the hotel at a reasonable hour.

As we came up the escalator in the MARTA station “art center” I noticed a little mouse riding the escalator. It was hilarious to watch. He rode just like everyone else.

Tim and Dana

What a cute picture.