Entry: Your Choice June 25-29

Only one entry this week, but I'm posting all three of his pictures - THANKS Steve!

We have these lillies in a planter in the back yard on the pool wall. We’ve had them for a few years and have not nurtured them very well but they keep coming back each May. When they bloomed this spring I was just so taken by their beauty I had to photograph them. We had noticed their beauty before but had not taken the time to do anything with them. Maybe my being retired now has something to do with it (hmm, there may be some lessons to be learned here). I actually moved them over by one of the shrubs and set them up on some concrete blocks to keep the weeds in the yard from showing.


Submitted by
Steve Mackin

New Theme & Announcement!

The theme for this week - June 25-29- is "YOUR CHOICE." This category was so popular last month, I've had requests for it again, so I'm going to make the last week of each month a "YOUR CHOICE" category. Submit any photo and any type of writing piece (please limit to 500 words) by Friday to be entered in this week's contest.

The rest of the rules are in the right column.

The July issue of the PIX-N-PENS newsletter goes out next week. Be sure to sign up in the right column to get your copy. I'll have some special announcements in there this month that you won't want to miss, so encourage your friends to sign up too.

All newsletter subscribers will receive an extra entry in the Grand Prize Drawing in December, and for each person you refer to the newsletter, you'll get TWO additional entries when they sign up. Just send me an email, telling me you referred them, and I'll put two entries into the bucket.

The Grand Prize has a value right now of over $200 - and it continues to grow. It has gift cards, chocolate, books, music, and MORE!!! Get signed up for the newsletter and enter our weekly contests here,too, for your chance to win!! Tell your friends so they can play, too!

Entry: Nature June 18-22

Contrasts of Life

The variety of God’s flowers grow in harmony to create a cascade of radiant beauty. When taking a walk or driving to the store, we admire this rainbow of colors in someone‘s yard. Upon closer examination, we are able to notice the minute delicacy and splendor of each petal. Each flower, on it own, gives us a sense of pleasure. However, all together this array of flowers refreshes us; we are left with a sense of inner peace.

The same is true with human life. We are each created in the image and likeness of God, yet have been blessed with our own distinct characteristics. We each have our own unique talents and gifts to be used for the benefit of all. Together we complement one another to help make our world a better place in which to live.

We must take time to admire the beauty of flowers growing in our midst. We must also take time to reflect and to cherish the rainbow of human beauty around us every day. When you see someone walking by, look deep into the heart of that person; you will see God’s love smiling back at you.

Submitted by
Carolyn Kenney

New Theme - NATURE

Happy Monday, Pix-N-Pen'rs!

Our new theme for the week is NATURE.

Send in your best photos and written piece revolving around the theme of nature. It's a glorious time of year for a wide variety of photos.

This week's winner will receive a $10 amazon.com gift certificate, entry into the grand prize drawing in December, and the usual promo perks.

Entries are due by midnight Friday, but I'll post them as they come in, so early entry means early posting, more exposure.

More details are in the right column - if you have any comments or questions, please send me an email.

Blessings to you this week,
Tracy

In Honor of...Pop

This weekend, I'd like to pay honor to my own dad - I called him Pop. We had many rough years - he was an alcoholic - but most of my memories of him are wonderful. Many of those memories revolve around fishing.

My dad loved to fish. He taught all us kids to fish at an early age. I was using a regular-sized fly rod easily by the time I was five years old - and I still own and use that same rig.



Once, Pop took me fishing and the fish were biting. So quick and so fast on my line, he finally put down his own pole and said, "Just keep casting. As you bring 'em in, I'll take 'em off, and you recast." That was a major deal - one thing Pop had taught us from the beginning was baiting our own hook and removing the fish we caught. He also taught us how to clean them, too. But that day, he wasn't catching a thing, so he gave up his own fun to help me - and we were able to take home more fish that day than ever before!

Great lesson in that story, but it was only one of many he taught me. He went home to Jesus several years ago, and I miss him dearly. He left a great legacy behind - he taught me to fish, love life, dream big, and pass it all on to the next generation.

I'd love to hear about your dad - post your comments below.

Happy Father's Day!

Congratulations, Jan Winslett!

Congratulations to the SUMMER FUN! winner - Jan Winslett!

Jan Winslett is married to a wonderful man with two adult children. Her son is a junior in college and her daughter graduated in 2005 from college. She is a homemaker and enjoys taking care of her incredibly wonderful family. She is also very involved in her church where she teaches Sunday school to adult ladies. She loves the Lord and has dedicated her life to serving Him.


Be sure to check out details for the new theme in the right column - we're honoring dads this week, so get your photos in by Friday!

Voting is Open!

The voting is now open for the Summer Fun contest entries!! Cast your vote below - winner will be announced Monday.

Entry: Summer Fun! June 4-8

Two of the many beautiful things in this world God has given us to enjoy are the sunset and the beach. What a gorgeous combination of the two.

Submitted by
Jan Winslett

Entry: Summer Fun! June 4-8

I was able to spend a week with my friends from my church who moved to Florida a few months before. They mean so much to me and I am so thankful I was able to visit them. This photo was taken at Sea World as the little girl I was with was able to touch the dolphin. And the dolphin even happened to be smiling for me :)

Submitted by
Rachel Winslett

New Theme - Summer Fun!

We're celebrating summer this week on Pix-N-Pens with the SUMMER FUN theme! Submit your photos and writing selection by Friday to be entered in this week's contest!

Full details and guidelines - and the PRIZE - in the right column.

Congratulations, Beth Pearson!

Congratulations, Beth! You've won a copy of The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby.

Let's get acquainted! I asked Beth to tell us a little about herself:

My name is Beth Pearson. I am 31, married, and live in Harvest, AL. I became a Christian in 1995 during my first two college years. I never graduated because I enjoy doing a little bit of everything to where I couldn't nail down one particular degree. I didn't want to be a professional student either. I like to take pictures, listen to music, swim, hike, travel, cruise, teach, counsel, crochet, and write. I got married in 1996 after my last full year of college.

Currently, I own a small business called Dreamweaver. I started it in 2005. I crochet anything and everything from traditional blankets to blankets with emblems on them to dog sweaters. You name it, I can probably make it even if I have no pattern to go by. All that make, I sell online and at craft shows. Hope you'll come visit my website.

I am a member of myspace and shoutlife. I enjoy meeting new people from all over the world.

Voting Now Open!

Cast Your Vote for one of the five "Your Choice" entries posted below this poll!
You can only vote once; winner will be announced Monday.

Entry: Your Choice May 28- June 1

The Skull of Golgotha, as referred to in the gospels. In Hebrew the name Golgotha actually means Skull. When looking upon this hill, the holes in the rock face form eyes, a hollow nose and mouth to resemble a skull, taken by my husbands camera in Israel during a visit to the Garden tomb where Yeshua was laid to rest for three days and then rose again. One can only imagine what it must have been like to be there on that day, both a dreadful and blessed day at the same time. If Yeshua had been saved from crucifixion, we would not have been saved from death. But through His death and His sacrifice on this hill, every person can now take part in the glory of being reconciled to the one true God. Now upon this hill are littered many Muslim graves.

Submitted by
Deborah