THE DAVID ALLIANCE

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Garth Heckman

Ever shoot a roll of film and not have film in the camera… I know this world in 2025 probably most of you have no idea what that was like, but it happened a few times to me….

I sent some boys out in a car to take pictures of street names that would tell a story… 30 plus miles all over the city of Madison… it took them a good 4 hours… they came back and had no film in the camera… BUMMER. 

Its not the subject, or the film or even the skill level that makes a great shot… 

If you take a camera and smudge the lens

If you keep the cap on it

If you choose not to focus it

If you shoot it in the dark without light

If you take pictures of just one color or one object up close…

Upon his retirement as CEO of the Coca-cola Company Donald R. Keough spoke

to the graduating class of Emory (1993). To those young men and women who

would soon be facing a very tough and critical world, he said, "I have an

architect friend who says, 'I can take the newest building, built by the

finest builders anywhere in the world, and if you give me a camera and the

ability to focus various lenses, I can make that building look like it's

about to fall down because I will find five or six minor imperfections,

focus on them and convince you that the entire structure is about to

topple.'"

The point is clear… whatever you focus on is what you will see and what you will find. 

Now in photography focus has two thoughts. One the camera itself needs to be in focus, but also the subject matter that you choose to focus on to take a picture of is critical. 

Phil. 4:7-9 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Isn’t it interesting that twice in this passage it says if you want to have peace in your life, it all depends on what you focus on. Focus on what is true… well thats hard in todays world…

Are cold plunge baths good or bad…

Are eggs good or bad

Is Carnivore good or bad…

But beyond this… focus on what is true according to scripture, focus on what is lovely, admirable excellent praiseworthy… THINK on these things and you will have Gods peace. 

What you focus on is what you will focus on… and it will either bring unrest or peace.