Brick Tower
This is the tower of an old factory in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have no idea why a tower was necessary, but it is a beautiful feature with great detail. This kind of ornamentation on a factory/warehouse is surprising to our modern mind-set, but wonderful nonetheless. This is an era long and sadly past.
Red Roof Windows
Dormer Windows
Windows of the Point Betsie Lighthouse on Lake Michigan. A wonderful architectural composition.
Blind Faith
This is a photograph of a portion of an old church in rural South Dakota. As I walked around the little used and poorly cared for building, this image caught my eye. It has a striking graphic quality which, in my mind, stands alone, without any other interpretation. It can simply be enjoyed just for that.However, as I was composing the photograph, reflecting upon the image, it made me think of the gradual retreat, withdrawal, and blindness of the church of the past few generations. We seem to be solely concerned with what is happening within our own walls; a valid concern to be sure. But there are people outside of our faith communities who need to be invited in; people with real questions, problems, and needs. We, however, seem to be occupied more with building fortresses, finding ways to keep people out, rather than bridges that invite people in.
I speculate that part of this has to do with the politicalization of the church. We have, to borrow from Ed Dobson and Cal Thomas, been blinded by the political might we've gained over the past thirty years. It's time to tear the covering off our windows, replace the pious stained glass with clear, and engage our culture in a conversation about truth, life as it is supposed to be lived, about Jesus.
Arched Windows
This is an old warehouse in St. Louis, MO. The rhythm of the arched windows caught my eye, as did the aged character of the building.