Emerald City Qualifier (Part One)

So on Thursday and Saturday I had the opportunity to photograph the Emerald City Qualifier.

This is a speech and debate qualifier for speech and debater students of high school age wanting to go to regionals. One of the cool things about it was that (if I remember correctly), not counting nationals, this is the second or third largest S&D tournament in the US!

It was also really challenging to shoot at times...there were several rooms that had extremely low and bad lighting...

...but there were also those times when I couldn't be shooting in more perfect lighting!

One thing that amazed me was all the different things that go on at a S&D tournament other than debate. Here are a few of them...

Juggling: Quite a bit of juggling went on and there were several excellent jugglers there!

Chess: Each day a few debaters found time to play a game or two of chess (how...IDK)

Frisbee: A fun game and easy to do between rounds when you have nothing else going on. :)

Music? (bluegrass...in Seattle?): Yup! Several of the guys were musicians and brought their instruments with them, so they jammed around playing...bluegrass...it was really cool and they were really good!

Dancing: Fun, relaxing (I guess), and enjoyable! Look at them go! :)

Annnd...its getting late so I guess I'll stop here and in a day or two continue with part two and get into the competitions more! :)

The Alter Of God

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. --- Psalm 43:3,4

What is an altar? An altar is a place that is designed or separated for worship unto God; a place of fellowship with God. It is a place where praises and prayers are rendered unto God. An altar symbolizes holiness and represents the presence of God; a higher place where untarnished [spotless, blameless] services are offered to God. An altar is a place of refuge and comfort from the troubles of this world. In other words, an altar is some place that brings you closer to God and where there is a constant flow from God to you. Throughout scripture people were always (it seems) making alters to God...a special place where one can commune with the Creator of all...a special place specially set aside where one goes to hear God speak. Hmmm...just take a minute or two to think about that. Where's your alter? How often do you and God meet there to commune?

Mountains!

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. --- Isaiah 55:12

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. --- Genesis 1:9,10

There's something about the scale and height and majesty of mountains that implants awe in the beholder. A visible strength and power is seen in them. Mountains have oftentimes been a source of protection and refuge for those needing rest or a place to hide. In Psalms 121 it says " I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." God is so much more powerful than the largest mountain and its in Him that we find true protection and refuge.