The NikonSniper

I follow the blog of the Nikon Sniper. Other than being a fantastic photographer, he writes an amazing blog. He speaks boldly for Christ and in his latest blog he wrote the following. His latest post, which I've partially posted below, leads me to say "Shouldn't I want to tell you?" Check him out, it'll be well worth your time.

I also want to be clear with all whom I am fortunate enough to encounter in life’s remaining days. This includes you! Follow me here.

If I truly believe, AND I DO, that Jesus is the only way to get to heaven (John 14:6, Acts 4:12), shouldn’t I want to tell you? I mean, if I say I care about you, AND I DO, and I truly believe you might have missed the most important decision in life, … Shouldn’t I say something?

If I truly believe that a wrong choice for your eternal salvation would lead you to a horrible eternity, … Shouldn’t I say something? Not according to the world! The world wants me to shut up. I know that!

The world says, “Just tell people you care about them, even help them with a little cash when they are struggling (if ya have to), … but don’t try to tell them anything that will assist them in finding the source of real love and eternal treasure.”

You can call me a hypocrite! I fall on my face all the time. I’m not perfect. But I know the King of Kings. I know the Lord of Lords. I know the author of life. I know the deliverer of lost sheep. I know the One who lifts the broken-hearted. I know the ONLY way, the truth and the life. And one day He will make me cease to stumble. And Jesus can deliver you from whatever life’s trials are and grant you eternal life in His presence.

And if I don’t tell you about Jesus … I should be considered an even bigger hypocrite! If a “believer in Christ” ISN’T telling you about Him, you should be asking them, “Why”?

That is what is important to me in my remaining days here. I must declare to you that I can’t throw a football … but I know Jesus! I am not speaking to you today of fuzzy feelings. I am talking about the Lord who died for your sins, If only you will accept it and allow Him into your life.

No one will care in eternity that I could throw a football when I was young. The only thing that will matter there is what I did here with God’s Son, Jesus Christ. These are the most loving and caring words I can urge you to hear. The world insists I am not politically correct! But Jesus is ALIVE! Something happened 2000 years ago that shook up the world … and He is still ALIVE and coming again. I hope you will seek Him today.

Your friend,
Nikonsniper Steve

Herb Kane - Hawaiian Artist Extraordinaire

It has been a while since I wrote anything on Hawai'i and its art. This is a piece done by the world renown artist, Herb Kane. I've always admired his art, not only for its Hawaiian historical content, but he is also an amazing artist who makes the past of Hawai'i come to life. I want to share his work with all of you.




In 1795, Kamehameha invaded Oahu with a large army. The 19th Century historian Kamakau wrote that the canoes were so many that they were beached from Waikiki to Waialae. Kamehameha also had acquired several ships of European-American design, along with cannon and swivel guns, beginning with the schooner Fair American.

PAINTING AND BEYOND

Although I love to paint, there is another “craft” that I thoroughly enjoy and that is scrap booking. Of course, like anyone else, I did have photo albums of children and other family members with descriptive phrases to identify each photo. However, even before the scrap booking “craze” started I was journaling and adding embellishments to my photo albums. I discovered it was something I really enjoyed doing. Not only was I leaving a pictorial legacy for my children, I was leaving them family history. Some drawbacks to scrap booking is that it does take a lot of time, it makes a mess, and it is never finished. I know these will be enjoyed by family in later years. Even now, my grandchildren (10 and 6) enjoy looking through them.

A painting can take a lot of time, it can make a mess, but it does come to completion. Even though you may start anew, each painting is a project that you can bring to completion.

Here are first two photo pages out of my “Ohana” (family) scrapbook.





You may notice that the photo of my son and his wife on the first page is a photo of a painting that I did of them.

Remember Them!!

I was so moved by the "story" (I perceived) behind the photo and its composition that I just had to sketch it. HAPPY 4TH. Most importantly REMEMBER ALL OF THEM.



Thank you for them Lord.

Outside My Comfort Zone

Yes...this was totally out of my comfort zone. My son commissioned me to do a painting for his upcoming contemporary country music album "It's All About The Money." He told me what he envisioned and I put it down on canvas. It is multi-media and was, without doubt, a most challenging piece. It measures 12x12 - a size that does not lend easily to detail work. Anyway, I took on the challenge and this is the end result.

The whole concept is how one "who makes it" burns their money on the luxuries of life: mansions; bling, bling and more bling; race cars; race horses; etc.; etc. I must say that although a challenge, I enjoyed doing it - very surrealistic.

Shine Through Worship Art Festival

Last weekend we opened on our Annual Art Festival. The theme this year was "Shine Through Worship." Opening day was so much better than we anticipated. In fact, the turnout of viewers for the first day was much, much better than last year....and that was with the threat of severe thunder storms and potential for tornadoes. The Lord kept the severe weather at bay and near the close of the show, I stepped outside and there in all its glory was a full rainbow arching over the church's sanctuary. I know God blessed the show, after all it was all about praising and glorifying Him.

Here I am with the painting I had just finished and created for the show. It was just for display and was entitled "Fishers of Men."


Here is a closer look at the painting.

First Place in Photography category, Professional Division and "Best of Show."


First Place in Pencil Category, Professional Division - "The Power of Prayer." The same artist also took first place in the Pastel Category - shown hanging just below.


First Place, Painting Category, Professional Division


"Hands-on" art for the children, which was a huge success.


And artists who did demonstrations throughout the show...all of the artists were students. They did a wonderful job.

All in all, the show was enjoyed by all who came.

Another Diversion

http://www.reverbnation.com/cashcreek?eid=A1428970_8095925_34132250

Yes, as I said in my last posting...my granddaughter is one of my diversions. Here's another..."Cash Creek." The dad of that beautiful little girl is my son Kimo Forrest (to your far right) who leads this contemporary country band. Other than just recently being commissioned to design an album cover, my involvement is to sit anxiously on the "end of my seat" waiting for his album to grab hold and take off. So, go hear Cash Creek, just click the above link, read about him and the band, then listen to the tunes. I'm sure it will get your foot tapping.

As a footnote; I did a painting for him last Christmas of him on the road in performance, see it here.