Visual Discussions

Transparency

photofied — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:13:36 +0000

This has to be one of my new favorite pics. Not because it’s a great shot (it’s actually pretty poor in my opinion), but because it perfectly illustrates how we are to let the light of Christ shine through us and onto the things we surround ourselves with. Often times it becomes easy to get distracted and lose focus on being a Christlike example in our everyday activities. Sometimes before I know it I’ve gotten frustrated at something so insignificant and meaningless, or I let something very small with non-eternal consequences steal my joy. This picutre reminds me that with Christ as the focus in my life, his light shines on anything and everything I surround myself with through obedience. It’s the obedience, the fragile centerpiece (much like the window above), that holds it all together.

Fresh Seafood anyone?

photofied — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:38:39 +0000

A couple of days ago I went fishing againg with some friends. Unfortunately I can’t show you any pics of any fish we caught, but my friend did go diving for some octopus and came back with these 4 beauties. Not bad for a couple hours of work.

I’m such a sucker

photofied — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:44:26 +0000

I’m such a sucker because for some reason little girs between the age of 2 to 3 steal my little heart. My Neice, Elena, latched onto me pretty soon (maybe because the day I proposed to MacKenzie we also had a b-day party for Elena) and ever since then i’ve been easily pursuaded to give all my attention to her when i’m around her. Well, apparently moving half-way across the world didn’t change that aspect of me. Alessia, above, is the 20 month old of Charlie and Shannon. I don’t remember if it happened exactly the same…mainly because I had to get over my fear of being next to her while she constantly chewed on bread and then so kindly wiped it all over me, but it has happened. Whenever Alessia sees me, she instantly says “Pawl” and then it happens again..i’m occupied for the rest of the day.

I can’t say I can complain about this new found interest..as I would love to have a little girl of my own one day to crawl in my lap and give me tons of cute little kisses like in the pic above. But until then, I’m O.K. with being a sucker for God’s little creations.

Gone fishin’

photofied — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:50:05 +0000

I really don’t think I have to explain myself to those reading this blog how much I love to fish. It’s been a pastime of mine since I was a little boy. My dad taught me at an early age how to throw an artificial worm…and after catchin my first bass on lake Claiborne as a young lad I was hooked. (i’m so punny) So, coming half way across the world didn’t stop me from pursuing a life-long passion. And lucky for me It just so happened that the pastor of this small little Italian church also likes to wet a line from time to time. Although I won’t show you any pics of my first Orata i caught, which fought like a bull, I hope you see in this pic the secret of fishin. It’s not about how many you catch, but about the good times with friends.

Psalm 62

photofied — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:35:47 +0000

My soul waits in silence for God only;

From Him is my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation

My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

How long will you assail a man,

that you may murder him, all of you,

like a leaning wall or a tottering fence?

They have counseled only to thrust him down from his position;

They delight in falsehood;

They bless with their mouth,

But inwardly they curse.

My soul, wait in silence for God only,

For my hope is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,

My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.

On God my salvation and my glory rest;

The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

Trust in Him at all times, O people,

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.

right idea, wrong recipient

photofied — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:08:44 +0000

What you are seeing is a picture of a miracle that takes place two times a year and only in Napoli. Here we have pictured a cardinal of the Catholic church with the liquid blood of Saint Gennaro. Saint Gennaro is said to be the patron Saint of Napoli because legend has it that he’s saved the city several times from destruction, mainly other eruptions from Vesuvius. But what is special about this event is that the blood turns from dried powder (?) to liquid every year. Supposedly it normally takes about 8 hours or so but catholics from all the city come to see this event. We just happened to be at the last event a couple of weeks ago and witnessed flocks of people like this begging to see the blood, kissing the vial, and even weeping. This truly saddens me. When I see someone get so overwhelmed like that it can only mean one thing… that people have placed some sort of trust…some hope, or faith in that person. Even living in the center of the catholic faith, I still have much difficulty finding any sign of hope or true life when everything they seem to worship is dead. Thank you Jesus that you are alive! There truly is no other need but you and only you.

NOT FOR TERESA (my mother-in-law)

photofied — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:12:45 +0000

As suggested in the title, I am NOT referring to my mother-in-law AT ALL when I write this post. I have actually been very hesitant to post this ever since I started this site, but after a couple of months i’ve decided to go for it. So, here we go.

This pasta pictured is a type of touristy pasta called “The mother-in-law tongue”. It’s named after the tongue of the mother-in-law…well becuase it’s a bit sharp around the edges and if you handle it the wrong way it might just cut you. (Have I been clear that this was not for Teresa?) The bible talks about the tongue being compared to a sword, meaning we have to be careful about what we say. What you probably haven’t read is that in the New Napoletana Version version of the Bible, it actually replaces sword with long, colorful pasta found only in Naples.

We’ve created a MONSTER

photofied — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:19:49 +0000

Many of you know about our cake party that we had at our house 2 Saturday’s ago. And with a little follow-up, most of you have seen that it indeed was a success. However, what I’ve so secretly kept from everyone is how my wife has transformed into a cake bakin’, icing makin’, decoratin’ machine! I don’t have to even slightly encourage her to practice what she learned two weeks ago, she’s taking every opportunity she can to make a cake for every situation possilbe. For example, last week she saw a dog outside our our apartment complex on the way home who was limping and she came home and made a cake saying “Get well soon” (o.k, that’s not exactly true, but I wouldn’t put it past her). Who knows, as much as people ask about our opinions of the presidential election we might be seeing some donkey or elephant shaped cakes in the near future.

photo by Vince Rice

Storage house

photofied — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:16:37 +0000

Certainly the people living in Pompei weren’t expecting their lives to end as they did. In fact, they lost their lives much like Jesus said he would return, “like a thief in the night” without anyone expecting it. As a result, almost 2000 years later we have found what types of things they consumed their time with. Pottery like this had many uses and from the findings we can gather that they spent “un sacco di tempo” ( a lot of time) making pottery throughout their days. This morning I was gently reminded of how I am spending my time. I hope that when it’s all said and done, I can say that I’ve spent my time storing up “treasures in heaven”, and not just something that moths will consumer or something that will rot away in the next 2000 years. It’s definitely something to think about. How have you been spending your time lately? Remember, tomorrow in never promised.

Ancient games

photofied — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:27:28 +0000

So, back in the year 79 when people were hanging out in their togas, spending 4 hours a day at a bath (I think 30 minutes is plenty of time personally) and hittin up the brothels like they’re Wal-Mart; apparently they had nothing better to do than chill out and play games with lego’s. I mean check this one out! I can just see people sittin around in a circle saying, “Man, did you see that column in front of Matthias’s house, the way he made it with marble was just dope.” O.k. probably not, but it is fun to think of it that way. Anyways, here’s a pic from a recent trip to pompei…with a really old lego block.