One afternoon after our move  the Lord Jesus spoke to my husbands heart and told him to go and get his checkbook.  When he asked him to open it up, he found that we spent all of our wealth on ourselves with very little for the poor (with the exception of my trip to Walmart). Then He asked him to open his Bible to Mathew 25 beginning in verse 31, Jesus is speaking:  ”  “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.  All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.  “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’  “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?  Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?  When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’  “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink.  I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.” Mathew 25: 31-46 NLT  During this time Jesus told my husband, “This is NOT a parable, this is going to take place.” After this happened we decided to get involved by helping local single moms in the area. A couple years later the Lord led our family to move to Florida.

It has been nearly thirteen years since my husbands encounter with the Lord and the words of Jesus still penetrate our hearts to this day. Ten years ago the Lord called our family to pioneer the first church in the history of our town, Ponce Church, located in Ponce Inlet, FL.  Over the years we have been faithful to obey Jesus and His commandment of Love which birthed our “faith” to action (James 2)  As a church we began by helping single Moms and feeding the poor.  We also worked with another church to help build a small church in a poor area of Reynosa, Mexico. As a church we adopted two children through World Vision. Currently we have  raised $2,600.00 to dig a traditional well that will provide clean water and sanitation for a village through World Vision. We have also started  a new ministry by asking each family bring a can of food each week for local charities. This is just the beginning, we have much more to do and we have made our choice to answer His call and teach others about what it means to “love your neighbor”.

I must admit, there are times when I think, “Does anyone else (in the body of Christ) get this?” We’ve been teaching and practicing these Biblical principals for years and sometimes I feel like, “are we the only ones that get it? Really get it?” Well, I am happy and encouraged to say,”No!” There ARE others. Just today I opened up our “World Vision – Journey of Love” Summer 2013 magazine and read about another family who has been called to do the same.  Even though this couple were givers and after they read “The Hole in Our Gospel” by World Vision U.S. President Rich Stearns, Jeff and Kari Patterson both believed they could do more and they did!  One year later after reading the book and hearing Jesus words speak to them, they decided to sell their dream home and give more by helping others in need.  “Exactly one year later, the house sold. The Pattersons first moved into what they described as a “dumpy” rental property but more recently bought a modest home in a much less affluent neighborhood…Jeff and Kari now share a bathroom with the kids. On the upside, downsizing slashed their mortgage payments by 75 percent and allowed the couple to give away a quarter of their income. They hope to increase their giving to half their income.  Kari considers the move the best decision they’ve ever made.  It was as though someone had “turned on a faucet” for them to receive more from God. “I definitely felt a greater sense of his pleasure, his love, and his provision.  I do believe that when we act in obedience, he blesses,” she says….Scripture too became more compelling: “When God speaks of the poor, and he speaks of his heart for the widow and the orphan and the downtrodden and the alien-all those things began to come alive,” Kari says. ” Excerpt taken from the article “Selling Out For Jesus” World Vision – Summer 2013.

After reading their personal story, I was greatly encouraged! Someone IS listening! Jesus is speaking to His church today, beckoning us to not forget His words and what they mean.  Some say, “well, were’ not saved by works” and I agree! Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.” But many preachers stop there, yet Paul is not finished writing, he goes on to say, “ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto (to do) good works (helping others), which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Simply stated, you’re saved by grace, BUT NOW THAT YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN, God has called you to keep His commandment of Love. A Love not with mere words (read James chapter 2) but a Love, His Love demonstrated by our actions of helping others in need! Whether it be housing, food, fresh water, clothing, visiting the sick and those in prison. Jesus says these are acts of love and compassion.

Are you ready for that day that Jesus tells us about in Mathew 25? If you’re a Christian, a follower of Jesus then His words will not upset you but spur you to take action and love your neighbor as He has called us to do!

Today during my surf session of local surfers I had the opportunity to capture shots of pro surfer Cory Lopez. Cory has been a “top ranked) contendor on the ASP world surfing circuit (ASP World Tour) for many years.  Cory and his older brother Shea Lopez grew up surfing the Gulf Coast of Florida and began competing in the ESA Menehune Division.

Cory travelled for many years on the ASP World Tour with brother Shea and best friend, Andy Irons. Andy and Cory shared the podium on more than one occasion, including the legendary “All Star” 2006 Pipeline Masters Final, when Andy bested Slater for the win and Cory placed 3rd ahead of Rob Machado.

Cory stunned the surfing World in 1999 and again in 2003; winning two Surfer Mag ‘Guts for Glory Awards’ by pushing the limits and “defining” what was possible at Teahupoo Tahiti. A perennial Top 10 presence in the Transworld Surf Media ‘Exposure Meter’ Rankings; Mr. Lopez won Surfer Magazine’s Tube of the Year award in 2009, for the discovery of the “mile long” left point at Skeleton Bay, Africa. Cory placed #10 for over-all editorial exposure in the 2010 Transworld Surf Media Exposure Rankings; besting 2X World Champ, Mick Fanning, at #11.

In December 2011, Mr. Lopez received yet another ‘Top 5′ Nomination for Surfer Magazine’s ‘Barrel of the Year’; for his ‘no straps’ death defying tube ride at Teahupoo Tahiti, during the 2011 Billabong Pro (infamous ‘Code Red’ Day). Once again demonstrating Cory’s tube riding skills are as relevant today, as they were when he first made history at the same venue in 1999.

Cory’s sponsors include: O’Neill; Rockstar Energy Drink; Anarchy Eyewear; Freestyle/Shark Watches; Placebo/Mayhem Surfboards, WaveJet and Nekton Surf Shop.

Information provided by: Cory Lopez-Wikipedia

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Years later my family and I  moved to one of the most beautiful places in the country just blocks from the ocean.  During our walks and bike rides on the beach I began to notice throngs of  local surfers at the jetty here in Ponce Inlet, Florida, especially during hurricane season when the swells have been known to reach up to 12 feet!  I found myself  mesmerized by this amazing action sport that I started to bring my pocket size Kodak Z915 complete with a 10x optical zoom.  I know, I know, you’re probably thinking “what in the world! What kind of action shots can you capture with this tiny little camera?” I thought the same thing until I came home and loaded the images on my computer. I must say I was pleasantly surprised! I found that I had actually captured some pretty amazing shots with this tiny camera!  As I saw the clarity of my photos, I decided to share them with others, especially our local surfers by creating a page on facebook titled: “The SURF Life of Ponce Inlet, FL”.  Not long after I submitted my work to a local surf magazine: “Local’s Only” and they published 3 of my surf photos in their May/June 2010 issue.  I realized then that this is what I wanted to do during my spare time which can often consist of a couple hours a day during favorable surf.  Two years later I decided to purchase a more powerful camera that captures even more professional images.

So what constitutes being a professional photographer?  Does one have to attend photography school to be considered a professional? Can one study this profession in their own home and hone their craft by trial and error?  To be a “professional photographer” does one need to purchase a camera and lenses that cost thousands of dollars? Can you be considered a professional photographer if you do it only as a hobby?  I remember years ago desiring to be a writer, I knew it was inside of me to write even though I chose to be a stay-at-home mom. I searched our local library for books on what it takes to be a writer and found a woman author that encouraged women like myself to do what was in my heart to do. She encouraged her readers to get published, even if you didn’t make a dime for your literary work. She instructed us to write one to two paragraphs about a previously published article  and submit them to our local newspaper editorial section.  She said if your pieces are selected and printed then we were considered a “published” writer even if you didn’t get paid for it.  When I took her advice and submitted work, they were published! This instilled confidence in me to continue to do what I enjoyed. I was later published and paid for my work in local magazines.  I was even given credit as a contributing editor in one of those magazines.

You may be thinking, “What does this have to do with photography?” Everything! No matter what it is you aspire to do, if you have the desire, passion and more importantly,  if you believe in yourself you can accomplish anything in life and you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to do it! During my online research I have read numerous articles by many photographers (some of which are very successful)  encouraging other photographers to do what’s in their heart and to not compare their work with others. I remember one photographer who specializes in newborn photography saying that she owns all the fancy expensive equipment for lighting but no longer uses them because she has found that natural lighting makes for the best newborn portraits. She and many others like her say to photograph by windows and door walls that have the brightest light.  You have no idea how that encouraged me as I was preparing for my very first newborn session!

Even though I do not photograph as a full time profession, I do consider myself to be a “professional” Why? Reason one, I love to do it! And because of my passion for photography, I aspire to provide the best photo’s for my clients. I strive to improve each and every time. I study the art as often as I can. I love learning from other professionals who have been doing it much longer than I have and I appreciate that they are honest and share from their own mistakes and triumphs.  I am not saying that you should not take a class or two. If that is something that you desire to do then by all means do it! But if you’re like me and you don’t have that kind of time or money, then study on your own. The internet is full of helpful information in the world of photography.

Remember to be who you are as a photographer! Follow your heart and always be willing to improve. But don’t feel pressured, move and learn at your own pace.  Also, try not to get caught in the competitiveness of the industry by comparing your work and equipment with others. Be content with what you have now.  And remember to always have fun!     See what I’m up to on Facebook at Nina Tidwell Photography

Another scripture that helps to explain why some get it and others don’t is found in 1Corinthians 3:5,6  “We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us.  I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.” For some they are hearing it for the very first time and it needs watering, just like the newly planted seed before it can grow.

When I receive a message from the Lord or in my husbands case a series of messages at a time,  I am so excited about its truth and power of how it can improve our lives that I want everyone else to “get it” too, because I know that “when” they do, it will change their lives!  But the truth is, everyone is at different levels of listening, hearing and learning.  And then there is the competition of the world just as Jesus mentions above: “The worries in life, the lure of wealth and the desire for other things” Plainly said, things “creep in’ and can literally choke, kill and steal the very life changing word of God from the hearts of  those listening.

As a minister of Jesus Christ I need to be reminded as to why some get it some don’t. I have on occasion witnessed those who began to “get it”, but then something in their lives (troubles, worries, fear etc) distracted them and it seems that everything they’ve been learning just goes out the window.  Our hope as ministers of course is that everyone “gets it” and continues to get it which would be what Jesus describes as the “fertile soil” This is the point in their lives where they guard and protect everything they are learning.  A maturity in their Christian walk to where they recognize distraction, they see the evil that is trying to “steal” the word of God that has been planted in their hearts and they don’t allow anything to take it from them. Just like that seed that has been planted, it needs watering, it needs care and it needs protection from everything that would keep it from taking root and growing up into the plant that produces fruit just as God intended.

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As you can see here the Lord is not saying that you cannot “think” for yourself. He is merely clarifying that while we’re making life long plans  he is encouraging us to remember to “Seek HIS will in ALL (we) set out to do”.  Another scripture that comes to mind is found in Isaiah 55:8-9 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts” says the Lord.“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” That’s not to mean that we cannot “know” his thoughts or his ways when it comes to our life.  In fact the word of God says, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding of what the will of the Lord is” Ephesians 5:17 King James Version. God has given us the ability to have wisdom and understand what he has planned for us.

We do not have to worry or fear about today or our future. Your Creator knows everything about you and he knows “exactly” what his plans for your life are, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a FUTURE and a hope. In those days when you pray I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will  find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord”  Jeremiah 29:11-14 NLT

So how is it that we can really “know” God’s direction and plan for our lives? Great question! In my 30 plus years of being a follower of Jesus and pastor for 10 years I have learned to do exactly what the word of God instructs me to do:
ASK “and you shall receive”
SEEK “and you shall find”
KNOCK ” and the door shall be opened…”  “For EVERYONE who asks receives, to him who seeks finds, and to him (she) who knocks the door shall be opened” Mathew 7:7 and Luke 11:9 teachings of Jesus.

When you understand that God has created you and has mapped out a plan for your life, you no longer have to worry about today or the future.  You can know that you and your future are in HIS hands, and that His plans for you are for good and not evil.  After all just as his word says he “formed” you while you were in your mothers womb (Isaiah 44:2) and that we belong to him…He sent Jesus to bring us back into the same kind of relationship Adam and Eve experienced before the fall in the garden. He also promises that we will not “slip” when we seek him with our whole life and trust that he has the best plan for our lives….far better than what we could plan for ourselves.  Remember to trust in the Lord in “ALL” you do and be comforted that we belong to him. “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you (the believer, the Christian) and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price (Jesus death and resurrection) so you must honor God with your body (and your life).” 1Corinthians 6:19-20  “Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and his righteousness (his way) and ALL these things shall be added (given) to you” Mathew 6:33

Pastor Nina Tidwell
Ponce Church, Ponce Inlet, FL Follow Ponce Church on Facebook

I also love to capture family memories, couples, weddings, maternity and newborns.

To schedule a photo session and to view more of my work I invite you to follow me on facebook at Nina Tidwell Photogaphy.  Thank you and I look forward to capturing your family beach memories!

As I shared what I did not like about the show, my husband said something that I must agree with and that is, “You can blame Madonna for it” and he’s right! I admit, I liked Madonna and some of her music growing up, and I remember the video of her coming out with an outfit very similar to Beyoncé’s, she may have had a pointy bra but at least her breasts were covered up! I’ll also admit, I do like the lyric’s to Beyoncé’s  song but I think you’re taking away from the power of those lyrics by dressing provocative when you’re advocating the importance of a man respecting the woman he loves by putting a ring on her finger.

Don’t get me wrong, if you want to dance sexy and half naked for your husband (in the privacy of your bedroom), go for it!  If I looked like she does and if I was her age, I’d be probably do the same. My point is there is just a place and time for activity like this and in my personal opinion, it’s NOT during Super Bowl halftime when little children are present.

I pray that the parents of these young children have a sense or moral compass to monitor what their children are exposed to, even during Super Bowl Sunday!