Thursday, November 12, 2009

Shoot-out: Places of Worship

This week, I have been extremely busy, with a granddaughter in the hospital for an operation (She's doing very well.) I was tempted to go to archives for church pictures , but most of you have seen them before. Here are some shots not featured before. I concentrated my efforts in the old city center.





We have a strong abiding faith in our home that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that, through His atonement, He redeemed our sins. I know that there may be some out there whose beliefs are not ours, but, I would like to share a personal poem written with the thought that how we live, regardless of our faith, may be more of an indication of our quality of worship than the number of times we attend a cathedral.
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Could We?
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Before the dawn of mortal man,
Before creation's eve began,
The Prince of Peace, salvation's King,
Foretold the struggle earth would bring,
And, He alone would lead the fight
Against the wrath of Satan's might.
If Christ would do His Father's will,
Could we not light a darkened hill?
Could we not sound the battle cry?
Could we not love and testify?
****
Before He faced Gethsemane,
Before the pain of Calvary,
That gentle man of love and grace
Foretold the death that He would face.
We cannot know what He endured,
That holy man, so clean and pure.
If Christ would give His life for all,
Could we not stand and heed His call?
Could we not sound the battle cry?
Could we not love and testify?
****
Before His resurrection day,
Before He rose above the fray,
The Savior of the world, indeed,
Foretold the strength that we will need
To overcome the bitter cup,
And then, through Him, be lifted up.
If He, as God, would freely give,
Could we not change the way we live?
Could we not sound the battle cry?
Could we not love and testify?
****
Copyright * Gordon Hand
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Thanks for visiting. Walk with faith.

18 comments:

  1. My mouth is agape with awe. These churches are stunning and your poem is written with excellence. Very good. I personally, don't believe in organized religion but I do have a strong belief in God and the bible.

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  2. Absolutely beautiful Our forefathers really love their God, and were willing to spend so much money.

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  3. The poem is wonderful it should be put to music! Yes, we need to remember the sacrifice One made for all and live accordingly!

    I knew there would be great architecture on your neck of the woods on this one. I happen to love the 2nd shot. Such clean lines but still interesting.

    Wonderful post today!

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  4. Remarkable architectural detail in these loving photos of the churches in your area Gordon.

    Once again, I just marvel at the beauty that surrounds you in St. Augustine.

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  5. There are some beautiful buildings in St. Augustine!

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  6. Your photos are beautiful but the words in your poem say it all Gordon.
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  7. your poem is very powerful Gordon. love it! the church shots are magnificent also. love the detail.

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  8. I love the different architecture and you captured it wonderfully. Something that holds my photography back is my constant desire for symmetry, yet your last picture is my favorite!

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  9. Very unique buildings and great poem.

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  10. Oh Gordon those turrets/towers are amazing.

    Many prayers and blessings for your granddaughter too. xxx

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  11. A wonderful post, as always. Hope you granddaughter is going well.

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  12. They are some spectacular buildings. I'm blown away by the variety and grandeur.

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  13. Beautiful poem, Gordon. What matters is what's in our hearts and how we live our lives; not the buildings we visit but what happens there.

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  14. Thank you for sharing your words and beautiful pictures. As Nan has just said, it is who we are on the inside as well as the deeds we do every day that matter. The buildings are just a testament to all of that. And your St Augustine buildings are just gorgeous: the steeples as lovely as wedding cakes...or perhaps ice cream cones. (Come to think of it, I'm actually quite hungry at the moment. Gotta go...)

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  15. I really love how you took some shots of the whole church but then also took some shots of the beautiful details of the buildings.

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  16. I am so sorry, I just realized I somehow missed your post this past week. I sometimes come here first, but guess I thought I had already...

    Beautiful photos, beautiful words, beautiful soul tread here...

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