Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Coveted Stylish Blogger Award


So, It's a fact.
I am the worst blog award accepter in the world! So many of you send me these kind of thingys to place on NikonSniper. I usually just thank you for mentioning NikonSniper and for dropping by to see the photos.

Generally speaking, the awards are kinda similar ... however, it's just the rules to receive the awards that seem to vary greatly.
Some want you to tell your life story in a short form novel. Preferably in paperback form.
Some want to play word association games. When I say "PeeWee Herman" ... you say?
Some ask for your birthdate, social security number, recent photo and your bank tracking records.
Some ask for 3 things about you, 7 things about you, 9 lies you've told, etc.
Some ask you random questions like Potato(e) or Rice?

OK, … I gotta nuther award. This time it came from Child of God. So thank you Child of God for passing on the coveted Stylish Blogger Award that has eluded me for years. I would often lie awake in bed wondering why this one award kept dodging me. Is it my style? Is it the black background on the blog? Is it the Sniper part of the name? So, Child of God, congratulations on your Stylish Blogger Award and for being willing to pass this wonderful treasure along to me. I will certainly sleep easier tonight!

NikonSniper Stylish Blogger Rules
1. Tell your readers 10 things about yourself that indicate exactly how weird you really are.
2. Select one bloggie to give the award to so they can have their 15 minutes of fame.

So here are the 10 things you might know (or might have assumed) about me:

1. I ate "A LOT" of lead base paint chips when I was a child.
2. I spent many years of my youth handcuffed to a water fountain in a Texas grade school.
3. My favorite movies are Uncle Buck and What About Bob.
4. I would like to see every member of the House of Representatives and Senate defeated by a newcomer in EVERY election.
5. I have a crazy psycho large jazz collection. I decided to buy this instead of college education for my children. To me, it was basically a good decision because man those CD's sound good.
6. I would like to take all my bloggies on a field trip to Australia for a serious photographic field study.
7. I fell out of the front of a trailer being pulled by a tractor when I was 10. The trailer wheel went over my head while I was on the ground. Thanks for stoppin’ Gramps!
8. I spent time doing standup comedy on a dare in Canada in my mid-twenties. I didn't find myself funny enough when the big guy in the front kept shouting, "That's Not Funny, ... I Said, MAKE Me Laugh".
9. My father was a pastor in Canada during my most trying teen years. That was his bad luck not mine.
10. I am amazed every day of my life by God’s mercy, grace, love, and provision for me.

By the way, ... those lead base paints chips still taste good.
And now … ending my short-lived fame, I would like to bestow the coveted Stylish Blogger Award upon MontanaGirl. I have always enjoyed viewing her photography blog and the wildlife in that beautiful part of the country. Congratulations MontanaGirl.

All the best to you. I hope you all have a great weekend!

NikonSniper Steve

Some People Think I'm CrAAAzzzzY

Friday, January 28, 2011

A Powerful River In Spring, A Trickle In Fall

Tired Dog Needs Rest

So, … Do you ever get that blahhhhh feeling in the middle of the winter? Maybe not if you live in the far South. Like, … it sure would be great to wake up every day in Sydney, Australia right now.

I feel like life is taking me through a quiet season. Things have been very tough in this business climate. I am honestly just thankful I even have a job. I feel like I am hearing God speak to me more these days. Maybe He wants to move me somewhere else. Maybe not!

Sometimes when I feel exhausted or discouraged, it helps for me to meditate on the fact that two seconds after I kick the bucket, … none of these day to day trials will matter at all to me.

The Bible teaches us to be careful as to exactly what we hold important in life.
In Luke 12:15b-20, it reads …

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
After reading this, I know I need to chill and rest in the fact that I am God’s child through faith in Christ and that nothing is more important in this life than seeking FIRST the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:25-34).

If I could reach out and hand you anything I have … it would be His peace. Jesus loves you and wants to give you eternal life. Say yes to Him. (John 3:16).

I just believe this is the most important thing I can say to you today. I wouldn’t intentionally try offend any of you.

God bless you all. Thank you for your kind words left on this website.
NikonSniper Steve

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Monday, January 24, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011