A PHOTOGRAPH THAT SAYS ALMOST EVERYTHING
This black and white photograph was taken by my friend Spears, who is a wonderful artist. To me it is an image that speaks great meaning and truth. Spears seemed to discover his artistic gift first through his photography. Later he began painting watercolors and creating other works of art. But in photography he captured angles, lighting and beauty in unique views.
Around 1986, I served on our church Building Committee. One of my key responsibilities was developing materials and publicity for a capital fundraising project and ultimately, for the dedication of the new building. I hired Spears to do the photography for a full color campaign booklet and then for the dedication program.
At the beginning of the process, our church family chose a new name—Cornerstone. The architectural design was a two-story spacious modern building with all the usual features—sanctuary, narthex, offices, classrooms, and fellowship hall. But my favorite aspect was the separate stone wall at the end of the building with a simple wooden cross at the top. The stones were from the North Carolina mountains and the placement reminds you of the name Cornerstone. The cross reminds you of Jesus Christ our Cornerstone who gave His life to rescue us from sin and death. In this black and white photo, the angle of sunlight creates that brilliant radiance linking the building and the stone wall—Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
We had prints of the photograph made and framed for many who were involved with the building program and dedication. Over 30 years later, I have this framed print hanging in my Nashville home—reminding me of Spears’ artistic vision and the deeper meanings of this single photograph.
Seeing a story 