Hello!
I hope you've all been doing well here lately. I've been busy between trying to catch up on some things here at home, and visiting my folks and friends in VA. Recently I've been trying to figure out some ways to protect my photographs on the internet, but there seems to be no good solution. I've asked people and friends about how they protect their photos. I've looked at computer programs, I've thought about big ugly watermarks across my images, and I've even considered not posting anymore pictures here on my blog.
This morning I was thinking and praying about these things, and I remembered that all that I have is not my own. Any talents that I have are given to me by God. And I am to use them for His glory. The photos that I have taken are His to begin with. Christ gives them to me on loan here in this life. I believe that the old saying, "You can't take it with you" is very true because It's not ours to take in the first place. It all belongs to the Creator.
This is so simple, and I don't know why I didn't see it this way before, except that maybe because of my fallen condition, I forget sometimes that He upholds everything, and does with His creation what He wishes.
Maybe I forget sometimes that it's never been all mine, and it's always been all His!
Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely think it's alright to protect my images (and I plan on continuing to try and find a way to do so) because I believe that God expects us to take care of what He's given us. I pray that people would resist the urge of stealing anyone's photos on the internet! The bottom line for me is that I'm going to use my pictures for the Lord. Where they end up is ultimately up to Him.
One major thing Christ tells us is that we have to be willing to loose everything we have in order to follow Him (Matthew 19:21). Therefore, I'm not to worry about it...period!
I feel so much better about this because my photos are as much a part of this blog as anything, and I've always wanted to share them (ever since I've been taking photos) and let folks see the truth and beauty in what the Creator has done, and given to us since those first six days that are recorded in Genesis.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. -Colossians 1:16-17
The weather is trying to warm up! Don't stay indoors. Get outside and go exploring!
In Christ,
Kevin-