In January, I enjoyed doing a photoshoot with R. I loved how everything pulled together with the style of her outfit and the setting!
~*~
"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Philippians 2:4)
Friday, February 27, 2015
R | Photoshoot
I've not been posting photoshoots recently because, due to my dad's request, we've been trying to figure out what works. Here we are at the return of photoshoots! There will be several fewer pictures - but enjoy nonetheless!
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Truth Pics - Etsy
Some of my graphics designs on TruthPics will be discontinued tomorrow. They will be put in the archives and probably will not be relisted until requested.
On a side-note, I now have a page on my blog designated for graphics designs: http://withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com/p/graphics-designs.html
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Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Announcing . . .
It is with excitement and gratitude to my Lord that I present the first book from With a Joyful Noise:
Now available as a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD. Visit the digital store for details.
Keep on the lookout - Lord willing in the next month we'll have more digital downloads PLUS printed books available!
Keep on the lookout - Lord willing in the next month we'll have more digital downloads PLUS printed books available!
Word Wednesday #43
And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life.
(1 John 2:25)
Promises of God!!!
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Title my Story . . .
“Sabina, you dawdler!”
Impatience etched Gillota’s voice. “Mass is nigh over and Lord
Raboc will not be kept waiting!”
“And what pleasure have I this visit?” Raboc’s polite query contrasted his earlier tone. Sabina slipped to the doorway.
Sabina nodded mutely and balanced
her tray of bread as she piled on another loaf.
“Enough! Go!” The head cook
flipped her hands and Sabina quickly heeded the message.
In the dining hall, Sabina could
hear the low tones of Raboc’s laughter. At least he was in good
humor this morning. Sabina relinquished her load to the table and
returned to the kitchen for more. The rowdiness in the dining hall
only escalated as Raboc filled himself with food and wine.
With her task finished, Sabina
waited in a quiet corner for Raboc to leave the room. Her eyes
travelled to the narrow slit of a window. From her elevated
standpoint, she could see for miles down the well-worn road. In the
morning sunlight, a cloud of dust formed on the horizon. Sabina
squinted her eyes. No small company formed such commotion.
Raboc pounded his fist on the table
and Sabina jerked her attention to him. “More!” he commanded,
holding his cup out. Sabina rushed to fulfill the task then took
initiative to clear up the used dishes. Each time she passed the
window, she paused, her curiosity intensified.
“More!”
How much wine would Raboc inhale? It
was still early morning, but Sabina obeyed without word or question.
Finally, Raboc loitered to the next room and Sabina hurried with the
other girls to clean.
On her final trip to the dining
hall, a loud exclamation from the next room stopped her.
“And what pleasure have I this visit?” Raboc’s polite query contrasted his earlier tone. Sabina slipped to the doorway.
“No pleasure, but duty.” The man
speaking was surrounded by several guards. Sabina’s eyes quickly
took in the velvet cap and fur coats carefully adorned with peacock
feathers. The king himself. “It has been brought to my
attention, Lord Raboc, that you have taken control of funds and
misplaced them.”
(the first tidbit of
Ancel’s story)
~*~
After hearing a sermon on Matthew 18,
the story of Raboc and Ancel brewed in the back of my mind for a few
weeks. This week, the Lord allowed me to finish the rough draft of
Ancel’s story (2, 133 words). It is not my desire to retell
Scripture or reinterpret it neither is this story intended to be an
allegory. It is simply a story to demonstrate forgiveness and a few
of the lessons that I have learned in that subject.
I had fun jotting down this story,
doing several things which are new for me: 1) writing with an
omniscient viewpoint (following more than one character), 2) writing
mainly from the guys’ perspectives (yes, I am a girl and usually
write in the viewpoint of which I’m most familiar), and 3) writing
a story loosely {very loosely} set in feudal England (little did I
know that my research for a paper on feudal England when I was
sixteen would resurface to help me with a piece of fiction).
Now for the part which is of
semi-importance: I really need a title. The working title was “That
Thou Owest,” but after writing the story, I realize the title does
not display the content of the story. So, I have a favor to ask: I
need a title and would like your input! Of course, to know the
content of the story, you must take your time to read it.
If you are
interested in reading Ancel's story, please shoot me an email at
withajoyfulnoise(at)gmail(dot)com and I would be more than happy to
send you a PDF of the story. In return, I ask that you offer some
title suggestions – and while you’re at it, you can also give me
your critique of it, if you notice anything that needs to be addressed.
Monday, February 23, 2015
The Armor of God - GOSPEL | Ephesians Study
Ephesians 6:15
And your feet shod with the preparation of
the gospel of peace;
Shod
- NT:5265 hupodeo (hoop-od-eh'-o); from
NT:5259 and NT:1210; to bind under one's feet, i.e. put on shoes or sandals:
Preparation
- NT:2091 hetoimasia
(het-oy-mas-ee'-ah); from NT:2090; preparation:
Gospel
- NT:2098 euaggelion
(yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on); from the same as NT:2097; a good message, i.e. the
gospel:
Peace
- NT:1515 eirene (i-ray'-nay); probably from a primary verb eiro (to join);
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:
The
preparation of the Gospel of peace is to be bound under our feet. It gives the
image of directing our steps - going places where we can share this Gospel.
This
peace is the same peace that Jesus uses in John 14:26, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the
world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it
be afraid." It is by this peace that Jesus sends us, "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace
be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." (John
20:21)
Other
verses that came to mind are:
"How
beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,
that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth
salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" (Isaiah
52:7)
"And
how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are
the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of
good things!" (Romans 10:15)
Taking these verses into consideration, as believers, we
are responsible to prepare ourselves with the Gospel of peace. We are to have
it on, like shoes, ready to go when God may send us.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Word Wednesday #42
"The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them." (Ezekiel 34:4)
What a responsibility for the pastor is outlined in this verse. It's interesting to note the order: those in the sheepfold (though diseased, sick, and broken) come first to be ministered unto. Then those astray, then those lost. Interesting the progression: diseased - sick - broken - driven away - lost.
Monday, February 16, 2015
The Armor of God - RIGHTEOUSNESS | Ephesians Study
Ephesians 6:11-14
(11) Put on the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
(12) For we wrestle not
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places.
(13) Wherefore take unto
you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
(14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about
with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
The
second piece of armor is the breastplate - that which covers the chest and
protects it. This armor is righteousness (equity [of character or act];
specially [Christian] justification:). The simple definition and reference to
armor implies that this righteousness is more than what comes from us. It is something we must put on, not draw from ourselves.
-
We can receive all we need to know about righteousness from God's Word
"All scripture is given
by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Timothy 3:16)
-
Righteousness by faith in God
"And he believed in the
Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness."(Genesis
15:6)
"For we through the
Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." (Galatians 5:5)
-
Righteousness by keeping the law
"And it shall be our
righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our
God, as he hath commanded us." (Deuteronomy 6:25)
-
Clothing of righteousness
"I put on righteousness,
and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem." (Job 29:14)
"Let thy priests be
clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy." (Psalm 132:9)
"I will greatly rejoice
in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the
garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a
bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with
her jewels." (Isaiah 61:10)
"By the word of truth, by
the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the
left,"
(2 Corinthians 6:7)
"Let us be glad and
rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his
wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed
in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of
saints."
(Revelations 19:7-8)
-
God of our righteousness
"Hear me when I call, O
God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have
mercy upon me, and hear my prayer." (Psalm 4:1)
-
God's righteousness
"For the righteous Lord
loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright." (Psalm 11:7)
"Yea, the Lord shall give
that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall
go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps." (Psalm 85:12-13)
-
Path of righteousness
"He restoreth my soul: he
leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:3)
-
Righteousness comes from God
"He shall receive the
blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation." (Psalm 24:5)
"In thy name shall they
rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted." (Psalm 89:16)
"In his days Judah shall
be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall
be called, THE Lord OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."(Jeremiah 23:6)
"In those days shall
Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name
wherewith she shall be called, The Lord our righteousness." (Jeremiah 33:16)
"For they being ignorant
of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness,
have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the
end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." (Romans 10:3-4)
"For he hath made him to
be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God
in him."
(2 Corinthians 5:21)
"I do not frustrate the
grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in
vain."
(Galatians 2:21)
"And that ye put on the
new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:24)
"Being filled with the
fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise
of God."
(Philippians 1:11)
"And be found in him, not
having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through
the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" (Philippians 3:9)
-
Sacrifices of righteousness
"Then shalt thou be
pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole
burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar." (Psalm 51:19)
-
Righteousness of God's Word
"Mine eyes fail for thy
salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness." (Psalm 119:123)
"The righteousness of thy
testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live." (Psalm 19:144)
"My tongue shall speak of
thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness." (Psalm 119:172)
"All the words of my
mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them." (Proverbs 8:8)
-
Promises for righteousness
"The righteousness of the
perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be
taken in their own naughtiness." (Proverbs 11:5-6)
"Righteousness keepeth
him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner." (Proverbs 13:6)
"He that followeth after
righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour." (Proverbs 21:21)
"Sow
to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for
it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."
(Hosea 10:12)
-
Righteousness by truth
" He that speaketh truth
sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit." (Proverbs 12:17)
-
Righteousness: reflection of our love for God
"The way of the wicked is
an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after
righteousness." (Proverbs 15:9)
-
Righteousness and peace
"And the work of
righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and
assurance for ever." (Isaiah 32:17)
"And the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3:18)
-
Seeking righteousness
"Seek ye the Lord, all ye
meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek
meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." (Zephaniah 2:3)
"Blessed are they which
do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6)
"But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you."
(Matthew 6:33)
"But thou, O man of God,
flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness." (1 Timothy 6:11)
"Flee also youthful
lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on
the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22)
-
Our members as righteousness
"Neither yield ye your
members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto
God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of
righteousness unto God." (Romans 6:13)
"Being then made free
from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." (Romans 6:18)
-
Righteousness and believers
"For the kingdom of God
is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14:17)
"Awake to righteousness,
and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your
shame."
(1 Corinthians 15:34)
-
Righteousness by chastening
"Now no chastening for
the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it
yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised
thereby."
(Hebrews 12:11)
-
Wrath defeats righteousness
"For the wrath of man
worketh not the righteousness of God." (James 1:20)
-
Saved for righteousness
"Who his own self bare
our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live
unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24)
-
Suffering because of righteousness
"But and if ye suffer for
righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither
be troubled;" (1 Peter 3:14)
As
believers, it is but our duty to be righteous in the Lord. We must seek righteousness - and seeing as God's
Word is profitable for instruction in righteousness and is righteousness
Itself, we must again turn to the Bible to know how to live righteously.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Creating a Watermark in Photoshop Elements
Last week, we saw how to create a simple watermark in Adobe Lightroom. Using Photoshop is a little more complex but (in my opinion) is worth the better effects!
Next, just for the ease of visuality, I colored the background.
Now it's time for text! Find a text that you enjoy and that captures the genre of your photography.
If you like, add some extra little elements. I added a butterfly (with the elements shapes) and a swirl (using the text Nymphette) to create a fun, cute logo.
This will give you a few layers (see bottom right corner). Select all of your logo layers.
Right click and select "Merge Layers" (or press ctrl+E). This will pull all of your layers together so that you will not accidentally select only part of your logo.
With your logo selected, use the move tool (on the left it is the top left option - image of the cursor and "plus"). Right click on top of your logo and select "Edit layer styles."
A new window will pop up.
Select "Bevel." It automatically will give you a 5px bevel. I usually like this option so select "okay" when done.
Now, lower the opacity of your logo so that it is translucent. I selected 25% opacity.
From here, you can drag the logo from your workspace directly onto a photograph in Photoshop.
Another option is to prepare your logo to be used in Lightroom. First, crop the logo so that there is little excess space around the edges.
Then, hide the background layer (deselect the eye in the layer box). This will make your logo completely translucent.
Save your image as a PNG file.
When it gives you the PNG options, select "None."
Now, back to Lightroom, go to the watermark window (same as when you made a simple logo). Under the first option, select "Choose."
Open the PNG file that you just saved from Photoshop.
As with the simple watermark, you will need to play around with size and position until you get what suits you.
Save this as a new logo.
Export your picture (or hundreds of pictures) and there is your logo!
~*~*~
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
(2 Corinthians 10:5)
Friday, February 13, 2015
Guest Post . . .
My friend, Alicia, graciously allowed me to guest-post on her blog today! Hop on over: http://aliciaannewillis.blogspot.com/2015/02/herein-is-love-guest-post-by-amanda-tero.html
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Word Wednesday #41
"And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD." (Ezekiel 14:23)
God never moves without purpose or plan but wisely works for His pure and perfect cause.
Monday, February 9, 2015
The Armor of God - TRUTH | Ephesians Study
Ephesians 6:11-14
(11) Put on the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
(12) For we wrestle not
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places.
(13) Wherefore take unto
you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
(14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about
with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Put
on the armor of God . . . take unto you the whole armor of God . . . now STAND.
The
first part of armor to help us stand is truth; girding (gird all around, fasten
one's belt) ourselves with truth.
Truth
-All
of God's paths are in truth.
"All the paths of the
Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." (Psalm 25:10)
-All
of God's works are done in truth.
"For the word of the Lord
is right; and all his works are done in truth." (Psalm 33:4)
-God's
law, commandments, and words are truth
"Thy righteousness is an
everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth." (Psalm 119:142)
"Thou art near, O Lord;
and all thy commandments are truth." (Psalm 119:151)
"Sanctify them through
thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17)
-God's
truth will preserve us.
"Withhold not thou thy
tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth
continually preserve me." (Psalm 40:11)
-God's
truth is a shield and buckler to us.
"He shall cover thee with
his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy
shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:4)
-God
has given us His truth to lead and guide us.
"O send out thy light and
thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy
tabernacles." (Psalm 43:3)
-God
desires truth in our inward parts.
"Behold, thou desirest
truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know
wisdom."(Psalm 51:6)
-We
are to study and rightly divide God's truth.
"Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
-God
wants us to speak the truth.
"These are the things
that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the
judgment of truth and peace in your gates:" (Zechariah 8:16)
-We
have the choice whether or not to walk in God's truth.
"Teach me thy way, O
Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name." (Psalm 86:11)
"I have chosen the way of
truth: thy judgments have I laid before me." (Psalm 119:30)
"For I rejoiced greatly,
when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou
walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk
in truth."
(3 John 1:3-4)
-Truth
helps to purge iniquity.
"By mercy and truth
iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil."(Proverbs
16:6)
-God
lives in truth.
"And thou shalt swear,
The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations
shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory." (Jeremiah 4:2)
-Jesus
Christ is truth.
"And the Word was made
flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only
begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
"Jesus saith unto him, I
am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
-The
Holy Spirit is truth.
"Howbeit when he, the
Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not
speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he
will shew you things to come." (John 16:13)
-Man
can deceive himself to believe something that is not God's truth - they can
change God's truth in their minds.
"Wherefore God also gave
them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour
their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie,
and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for
ever. Amen." (Romans 1:24-25)
-Man
can disobey, reject, and resist the truth.
"O foolish Galatians, who
hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus
Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" (Galatians 3:1)
"Even him, whose coming
is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And
with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they
received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
"Now as Jannes and
Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt
minds, reprobate concerning the faith." (2 Timothy 3:8)
-The
way of truth will be evil spoken of by evil men.
"And many shall follow
their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken
of." (2
Peter 2:2)
Even
believers can deny God's truth and ignore it. To do so is only opening our
lives to a direct attack of satan. It is so very vital for the believer to be
rooted and grounded in the truth. How can we use the Sword of Truth if we do
not even know the truth? I don't believe there is any "coincidence"
that truth is the very first weapon
mentioned. The first step of the believer should be to read God's truth, study
God's truth, seek God's truth, and follow God's truth. By doing so, they are
putting on the first weapon in their armor.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Creating a Watermark with Lightroom
I'm gradually learning more and more in working with Adobe Photoshop
Elements 10 and Adobe Lightroom 3 (both programs which I recommend for any
photographer who is serious about their pictures). One of the "big
things" right now with photographers is creating a watermark. You can do this easily in Lightroom if you are just looking
for a simple watermark.
First, import your image to Lightroom.
After you have edited your picture, export your picture (under "file>export").
In the window that opens, you have various options. Scroll all of the way down until you see the option "Watermarking."
You will need to create a new watermark (or, if you have a watermark already - like I do - click to edit watermarks at the very bottom).
A new window will open. Notice that I circled the place where you will type in your watermark. I did "www.withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com"
On the right, notice that you have various options: Image options (if you want to get advanced and have a logo instead of text), Text options (where you can select different fonts, styles, etc.) and if you scroll down . . .
. . . you will notice Watermark Effects (opacity, layout, etc.).
From here, you will play around with your watermark until you have placed it where you like, have it large or small enough, and so on. Just play around with it.
When it looks pretty, select "save." It will pop up with a screen for you to title your watermark - this makes it easier the next time you decide to watermark you pictures: it will be there, ready and waiting.
Export your picture as usual and there you have it! Your picture has its watermark!
~*~*~
"Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:" (1 Timothy 1:5)