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Snapshots

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments
Not every week is free to spend a few hours with photoshoots and editing. But, as my photographer brother reminds me, the important thing is to simply use the camera. So, here are some shots that I took between January 15-20 just around the house. The Lord has allowed our family to begin building a house and it has fallen into my hands to document the journey. As I’m just taking “snapshots” of our days working, why not have a little fun? Here’s a little tip for those of you whose photography interests lie only in family fun: try to zone in on individuals so that when you see the picture, you are not distracted with everything else going on.
Without more jabbering, here are the pictures.
(Click on a picture and scroll through them to view larger)

Sawdust flying – oh yeah!

Sunbeams really have me captivated right now – probably because I just figured out how to capture them on camera

Sunbeams. What can I say?

For those of you who are making snowmen right now, enjoy our Southern rendition 🙂

Credit to my sister, Naomi

I’m supposed to be capturing the buliding process not the sunset? Oh. Whoops!

The clouds were just amazing. And the walls? Super exciting!

Someone may or may not have eaten almost the whole bag of peanuts . . .

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“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” (Psalms 127:1)

Free Intermediate Piano Arrangement

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Occasionally, I’ll put free arrangements on With a Joyful Noise‘s website. Last week, the Lord allowed me to complete a late-intermediate arrangement of “Blessed Assurance.” Head on over and download it for free: http://www.withajoyfulnoise.com/blog/free-piano-solo-blessed-assurance-intermediate

Word Wednesday #38

Published on by Amanda Tero6 Comments
“For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.”(Mark 6:52)

It is almost encouraging to read this of the disciples. Jesus was patient to teach and mold them when their hearts were hard. He did not give up on them at this point, but continued to work in their hearts.

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Be Strong in the Lord | Ephesians Study

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Finally – after instruction to the church and individuals, Paul is wrapping up his letter with final thoughts.
We are not to find strength within ourselves and our abilities, but our strength comes from the Lord.
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” (Ephesians 3:16)
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Peter 5:10)

As long as we walk in our strength, we are but weak and powerless.

Pictures from December

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments
Here are some random pictures from December that I recently got around to editing.
Taken with a Nikon D90 (no, I don’t own a Nikon, but my pastor’s wife lent me hers to help her learn how to use it):

Tree roots:

And old, dilapidated barn down our road:

And . . . pictures of people! (Sidenote: remind me not to take pictures of people in full sun again as it creates horrible “hot-spots” and harsh shadows on their faces :))

Walking down the road with friends:

And more pictures with my family and friends:

What have you taken pictures of recently?
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“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” (Psalms 143:8)

Word Wednesday #37

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments
Mark 5:24-30
24 And Jesus went with [Jairus]; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
In every instance of Jairus’ story, there is the interruption: the woman with the issue of blood. Jesus stopped and patiently tended to the need of the interruption – even though to human eyes, this delay cost the life of Jairus’ daughter. What is it in my life that I think “interruptions” will harm? Do I forget that God is able to fix any “problems” that may result when I follow Him to serve in an interruption?
The rest of the passage (because it’s just amazing!):
 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

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Commands for Masters (Bosses) | Ephesians Study

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
Ephesians 6:9

And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

“Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”(Colossians 4:1)
After instructing the servants, Paul turns to the masters and says, “do the same.” In other words, just like the servant should remember that they are ultimately serving God, they are servants of God, and should be doing the will of God. They are not to seek the applause of men or do that which is right in man’s eyes, but their goal should be blameless before God, realizing their testimony of the doctrine of God and the reward which comes from God (or punishment for doing wrong).

Added to that, masters are not to threaten but remember that there is One above them – God Himself – and they are accountable to Him. Then, there is a reminder that in God’s eyes, all men are equal. He holds the same judgment for the servant as well as the master.

Word Wednesday #36

Published on by Amanda Tero9 Comments
“And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.” (Mark 4:24)
We have a responsibility to apply what we hear. The more we apply, the more we’ll be taught.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)

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Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you’d like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

 
 

A Couple of Random Pictures . . .

Published on by Amanda Tero8 Comments

I didn’t have much time to play with new photoshoots last week (and if you noticed, didn’t post on Friday due to being away from my computer), but here are a couple of pictures that I took in the beginning of December that I just got around to editing. With these pictures, I played around with cropping – because sometimes a fun crop makes the picture pop.
For example, the picture of us friends . . .
This was taken with a wide-angle lens so you see the whole angle of sky and ground. And it gives it a neat look as a 4×6. However, crop it as a 4×3 and you see:
Your eyes are instantly drawn to the people and not the surroundings (after all, if I wanted a picture of the ground, field, and sky, I could have easily done so without the people). I personally like this crop better (or perhaps I have just “discovered” my new favorite crop and like it in many different pictures :)).
And the picture of my sisters (credit my friend Julia for the cute pose idea – I just sneaked beside her and snapped my own picture ;)) . . .
When cropped to a square, you again are less distracted by the excess of trees and ground.

Have you played around with cropping recently? What has been your favorite experiment? 
And for those of you who have been bugging me about more photoshoots, I took another sister out on a photoshoot this afternoon. Come back Friday to see who my newest captive was. 😉
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“Remember that thou magnify His work, which men behold.” (Job 36:24)