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Mike Colon

June 18 2008, 12:24 AM

I'm on my back in a hotel room in the dark thinking about life. Its
4am on the East Coast and I'm still on West Coast time so I can't sleep.

Something Julie said to me last night before we went to bed is still
ringing in my head. It was something she has never said to me before
and it kinda felt weird hearing her say it. She said "You're big
time." She's always told me how proud she is of me but has never
straight up told me I am "big time" before. I have to admit that for
a second it gave me a big head, but I quickly realized that everything
we have accomplished in our business and in life has been 100% by the
awesome and undeserved grace of God. Although we have worked extremely
hard, I simply can't forget about the dozens of times God bailed us
out of sure financial disaster!

This is what i know: Life is fragile! I screw up often! The more I
live the more I realize that God is involved in every area of my life,
holding it together so it doesn't crumble beneath me.

My secret to success: Get right with God (often). Pray every night for
wisdom, blessings, forgiveness, safety, and to be used by Him.
Remember to thank Him for everything good in your life!

Thank you Lord for my beautiful wife and two boys. Thank you for
always taking care of us! Help me not to live in vain but to do your
work and share your love with others.

Ok goodnight all :) God bless!

***Sent from my iPhone*** http://www.mikecolon.net/blog/2008/06/wide...hotel-room.html

K.C.

June 18 2008, 08:22 AM

Thanks for that bit of inspiration!! I love how you are so open about your faith

God is great.

Lisette

June 18 2008, 08:25 AM

This was just what I needed to hear. Thank you!

{ashley}

June 18 2008, 08:29 AM

I am going to print this out and dangle it in front of my face for an indefinite period of time!!! Ha! But seriously... thank you. That was like a kick in the pants but with a soft shoe

Ginger

June 18 2008, 08:41 AM

It's so nice to know I'm not the only one having these long, deep discussions with myself and God in the wee hours of the morning. Thanks for sharing, Mike.

This post, more than any I've read before, makes me sure that you are indeed a cool

individual. Hope we can cross paths someday.

Blessings!

Graeme Ottley

June 18 2008, 10:26 AM

Mike, this was brilliant. Timing is so wierd. God is really in control of everything. There really isnt anything like coincidence. Imagine, my photography isnt full time although Im feeling the call. I do have a day job and I just received an offer to leave this day job to start another. The current day job gave me a lot of the flexibility to move my photography forward and it certainly has grown over the last year. The current offer is a joke and Im sure my photography would have been affected negatively by moving. This has to be God at work. He is saying, stay on your course. This is the course I have chosen for you. I just have to believe that this is what is right for me and my family.

Thank you Mike and Thank you God!

Mark Christensen

June 18 2008, 11:56 AM

Hey Mr. Big Time, does that mean I can scratch you off my prayer list? Just kidding Mike. I pray for you and will continue. I've only met you once in passing and also appreciate your openness with your faith. I need to again start praying for the ministry I had dreamed of early on which was raising support in order to go photograph missionaries in order to help them tell their stories.

Thanks for sharing Mike.

Jessica Parkison

June 18 2008, 12:01 PM

Your awesome and such a blessing to so many people. I agree, I also have some serious conversations with God, just discussing life and my purpose. Lately I feel like he is really telling me what my ministry is (going to be).
Can't wait to make it happen!

MikeWarren

June 18 2008, 07:00 PM

You continue to be an awesome inspiration Mike!!!

Lucky Red Hen

June 18 2008, 07:19 PM

QUOTE(K.C. @ June 18 2008, 09:22 AM)

I love how you are so open about your faith

...without violently shoving it down everyone's throat. Your gentle nature is evident

Pam

June 28 2008, 06:15 AM

Mike: I am inspired by your words and your work. GOD IS GOOD! I want to get in on a workshop with you. When is the next SoCal workshop?

Lisa Lukas

July 9 2008, 10:23 PM

QUOTE(Mike Colon @ June 18 2008, 01:24 AM)

I'm on my back in a hotel room in the dark thinking about life. Its
4am on the East Coast and I'm still on West Coast time so I can't sleep.

Something Julie said to me last night before we went to bed is still
ringing in my head. It was something she has never said to me before
and it kinda felt weird hearing her say it. She said "You're big
time." She's always told me how proud she is of me but has never
straight up told me I am "big time" before. I have to admit that for
a second it gave me a big head, but I quickly realized that everything
we have accomplished in our business and in life has been 100% by the
awesome and undeserved grace of God. Although we have worked extremely
hard, I simply can't forget about the dozens of times God bailed us
out of sure financial disaster!

This is what i know: Life is fragile! I screw up often! The more I
live the more I realize that God is involved in every area of my life,
holding it together so it doesn't crumble beneath me.

My secret to success: Get right with God (often). Pray every night for
wisdom, blessings, forgiveness, safety, and to be used by Him.
Remember to thank Him for everything good in your life!

Thank you Lord for my beautiful wife and two boys. Thank you for
always taking care of us! Help me not to live in vain but to do your
work and share your love with others.

Ok goodnight all

God bless!***Sent from my iPhone*** http://www.mikecolon.net/blog/2008/06/wide...hotel-room.html

I am new to OSP and I have never posted...but I just have to reply to this. I am a 42 year old mother of 5. I homeschool and I am a photographer...only I don't do it as a business because I have a huge circle of family...and friends who are family and they keep me busy. Also, I do it for ministry at our church of 12,000 members. My husband is a deacon and we go to church 3 or more times a week, yet putting God in His proper place--giving Him my time and my whole heart and devoting my days to Him first is sometimes hard, I have to admit. I have so much reeling in my mind most mornings the second I wake up and I am tempted to get up and get going. I guess we all are. I have to tell you, I knew you were a Christian and I have read your comments before and have been so proud of your boldness when it comes to proclaiming your faith, but I have wondered about your walk. What I mean is, if it is so hard for me...and I am home with my kids and I don't do photography "as a business", and yet I fall so short so many times, how do you do it, as busy, and as "big time" as you are? You just do, right? You haven't forgotten the One who gave it all to you and you still give Him all glory and praise and most of all, your heart and time. You are an inspiration, thank you.

Click to view attachment

K.C.

July 10 2008, 11:03 AM

QUOTE(Lisa Lukas @ July 9 2008, 11:23 PM)

I am new to OSP and I have never posted...but I just have to reply to this. Click to view attachment

Welcome Lisa. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Nice looking family have have there.

Lisa Lukas

July 10 2008, 05:47 PM

Thanks for the welcome, and the compliment, K.C. Nice to meet you.

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