We're in N.Y. this weekend for Ellen and Peter's wedding. Steph is off doing 'bridesmaid duty' -- which consists of getting her nails done and going out to lunch.
In the meantime, I'm hanging out at Panera.

For possibly the first time in like a year, I have my Bible, a Jonathon Edwards book, good coffee, free internet, and 3 hours with nothing to do.

I do believe this post will get filed under 'worship'.

Today is a good day :0)

Labels: distractionary, photography, worship

I listened to a fantastic message yesterday about mommies (iTunes podcast URL here). It was the mother's day message from Mars Hill church in Seattle, by pastor Mark Driscoll, who I've been learning a lot from. It made me thankful for my mom, and excited about the future and seeing my wife become a mommy too.

Here are some photos from when we gave my mom her birthday present, Gracie.

Mom, you're awesome :0)

Labels: family, musings, photography

It's 6:30 in the morning and I've already been up for a while....

There are a million and one things that are in my heart and that I want to write about, but they'll have to wait until I have time. In the meantime, here are a couple of quick notes:

Today is Stephanie's birthday! Call her and tell her that you love her!

God has really been changing up our plans and our lives. It's been good, bad, and painful :0)

We're more serious than ever about the possibility of going to seminary. Right now, the most likely choice is Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Got a suggestion?



Steve Fee re-released "Burn For You" as "We Shine" on INO records. Looks like the ol' boy is hitting it big. The song list looks almost the same, with the addition of "Happy Day" (from Tim Hughes?) and "Lift High". Now they're just calling themselves "Fee". Wow. Catchy.

Been listening to a LOT of Mark Driscoll while working. I do believe that God is raising up a new generation of dudes who get it. Click here to subscribe to the podcast.

Steph and I hung out at the beach after work the other day (we're dog-sitting like five minutes away). I'm no professional photographer, but her are a few shots:

Labels: introspective, music, news, photography

Steph took me to the Big Apple last weekend.

Here are a few shots from the trip.

If you want the stories too, you'll have to have us over for dinner or something ;0)

Labels: news, photography

I finally got my hands on some of the photos from Katie's wedding besides the ones that I took.

More to come...

Labels: family, photography

I share things with my wife that I don't usually tell people. Recently, I mentioned to her that I was always a little disappointed in college, because I went to tons of fun birthday parties, but everybody was always home for the summer when my birthday rolled around.

Well, apparently she took this information to heart... she started planning a party for me, which happened yesterday. She invited my whole family, cleaned our house from top to bottom, and made my Mom's lasagna recipe for dinner (one of my favorites... and no small undertaking).

Not only did I have an awesome time enjoying my family, but I think I can say that my loot (i.e. gifts) this year were the best ever.

I got two books I really wanted:


The title "Sex God" probably gives you a funny look on your face, and makes you wonder exactly what effect too much Starbucks can have on a soul. But rest assured, it is not a modern version of the Kama Sutra, but a masterful exposition by one of my favorite Bible teachers, Rob Bell, about how everything in life -- including sex -- was designed by God to point us up to Him. Rob's last book, Velvit Elvis, fundamentally changed my life. I read it twice, and then bought the audio book off iTunes and listened to it some more. If this is the first time you've ever heard of Rob, then you also need to know about Nooma. 'Nough said



"Blue Like Jazz", by Donald Miller, is a book I have heard nothing but great things about, and I'm excited that I'm finally going to get to read it!





I started on 'Sex God' last night, and I'll probably finish it in a hurry, but "Soul Cravings", by Erwin McManus, would have been at the top of my list if I hadn't just bought a couple of weeks ago. I'm mentioning it because you need to pick it up too :-)



I also got some new jeans (much needed), and a pair of shoes that I've been lusting over for at least a year.

As if that weren't enough to make a boy very happy, Steph made me a framed scrapbook of sorts, with pictures and articles and memories from our whole first year together, and... oh yeah, she's taking me to New York this weekend.

Y'all... God is good and my wife is the best gift I ever got :0)

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Labels: musings, news, photography

Mom took a trip back west to visit most of her 11 brothers and sisters a couple of weeks ago. The quite extensive St. George clan is a beautiful bunch of folks. Have a look:

Labels: news, photography

Labels: photography

Hey boys and girls!

If you don't check out the 'Astronomy Picture of the Day' on a regular basis, you are missing out!

Check this out*: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0707/pelicanzoom_alves.mov

*Be patient: It'll take a couple of minutes...

Labels: creation, god, perspective, photography, worship

Hey Everyone,

I know we have been really, really slow getting our wedding pictures and stuff together... What can I say? Life comes at you fast!

Have a look at this wedding album that our photographer from always.autumn.studios did for us:

http://www.alwaysautumnstudios.com/rieslandalbum/

Labels: news, photography

In case you don't check TheRieslands.com very often, there are some new photos up. Here's the slideshow:

Labels: creation, photography

Labels: photography

Alright people, I still haven't heard anything about the video I pointed you to in the last post. I know it takes a whole 3 minutes to watch it, but I'm excited to hear what you think!

Also, there are lots of new pictures. Eventually, I'll change the template on this blog and get some photos up for ya, but for now, you can see some new church photos here:
http://www.acts242church.com/photos.html

and new Riesland pictures here:
http://www.therieslands.com

Labels: news, photography

This is an artist's mockup of a planet that was recently discovered about 20 light-years away. They say it is the most earth-like planet that we have found so far, and that its parent start (sun) is the right brightness and distance to make our climate possible.

Read more here

Labels: creation, god, news, photography

Wow! Can I just say that today's Astronomy Picture of the Day will rock your socks off! No wonder Jesus said that if we don't worship, the rocks will cry out!

Labels: creation, god, photography, worship

Labels: photography

I finally got around to posting a few of the pictures we took on our honeymoon in St. Thomas. Have a look at: http://photos.zackweb.net

Labels: news, photography

You can go check them out here:
http://alwaysautumnstudios.instaproofs.com/collection.php?event=15684

You can order pics there and please send us the links of the ones you think we should get!

Also, the non-pro photos from our wedding, along with thousands of others from the past several years, are available online here: http://photos.zackweb.net

Labels: photography

Here is some fun I had with 'Comic Life' (free on a mac :0)

Click on the images to see larger versions, and, as always, more is at http://photos.zackweb.net

Labels: news, photography

Yeah, as in hitched, wedded, linked, joined, cleaved, bound by covenant...

And a year ago at this time I was about to get kicked out of a muslim country for sharing the Gospel!

There are lots and lots and lots of fun pictures to sort through.

For starters, we put a few up from the rehearsal at http://photos.zackweb.net. Lots more to come in the next few weeks!

*If you have any pics from the wedding, please, please, please pass them along!

Labels: news, photography