Seeing Jesus

Estes Park, Colorado

After our first year of parish work, Janice and I met friends from college and seminary at a dude ranch in Montana. I could barely walk after a few short hours of riding on our first day.

I rode the same horse the entire week. Granted this was thirty years ago and I don't remember my horse's name but I do remember one of his characteristics: He was blind in one eye. This made for an interesting experience our last day.

We made a trip along a beautiful river. On this journey there was one section where the bank dropped off quite steeply on one side with a rock cliff rising on the other. On the way in to our destination my horse's good eye was toward the river, on the way out it was toward the rock cliff. There wasn't any problem on the way in, but the way out was a little scary when all he saw was the rock cliff.

"I will not put anything wicked in front of my eyes. I hate what unfaithful people do. I want no part of it." Psalm 101:3 God's Word to the Nations

When our thoughts and intentions are focused on wickedness our life's journey is different then when they are focused on Jesus. When our eyes are focused on Jesus the journey of life takes on a different character than when we focus our eyes on wickedness.

I'm not saying that things will be easier or better when we focus our thoughts and will on Jesus but that the character of this kind of life will be different than when all we see is that which breaks God's heart.

May we turn our eye to Jesus and see what the journey brings.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Focused Eyes

Estes Park, Colorado

I'm a city boy and did not grow up around horses. From my childhood I remember riding the little Shetland ponies in circles and riding larger horses a few times, but let's be honest, these are big, intelligent animals. Horses can be intimidating, especially when their eyes are focused on you.

Yet the day that I snapped this photo this horse kept her eyes focused on me because she expected something from me.

"My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net." Psalm 25:15 English Standard Version

What's your net? What has you trapped with the feeling that you can't escape?

For some of us reading this blog our net is some form of addiction, for others our net is chronic illness, and for others it is a past sin.

Our eyes focus on Jesus. It is Jesus who has plucked our "feet out of the net." He has plucked our feet out of the net by stepping in that net for us...for you. It is one thing to remove the trap it is something else to take our place in the net. The cross was Jesus' net and through that cross you have been set free.

I can't think of better reason to keep our eyes on the Lord expecting his grace and mercy.

CONTINUED PRAYER NEEDED as the two major fires in Colorado continue to burn. A serious issue is the wind that kicks up in the afternoon. It is difficult for us in Colorado Springs to watch the news and see homes burning and the beautiful forest consumed in flames.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

The cost of harmony.

A couple of days ago I wrote about how bark can symbolize God's protection of our relationship with him. Another image comes to mind when I look at this picture of bark. Looking closely at this bark it appears that it is made up of many layers. These layers build up over time to create a thick bark.

We form layers around our lives in an attempt to prevent us from being hurt by others. For some of us these layers have added up over the years to form a massive layer of protection.

Nobody wants to be hurt so we do what we can to protect ourselves.

"Live in harmony with one another." Romans 12:16a English Standard Version

If we continually add layer upon layer of protection to our lives how can we live in harmony with each other? The absence of fighting doesn't mean we're living in harmony. Often the absence of fighting means that there is also an absence of human contact.

Harmony in the Christian community begins at the violence of the cross. Jesus was stripped of everything on his cross that he might wear our sin; sin that was then buried with him in his grave. Through the power of his resurrection we now live in harmony with God; the bark of sin stripped from our lives.

As the forgiven people God, may we resist the urge to layer ourselves with things that would protect us from being hurt and take the risk of becoming vulnerable with each other. Then, in that vulnerability, discover the gift of harmony.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Exposed to the Light

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

The bark changes color not because of some genetic behavior, but because of the light or the lack of light. The dark shadowy portion of this tree is less defined, its true character is hidden. That bark which is exposed to the light is known. It's vulnerable. There's no hiding its character.

One of the reasons we don't like to come to the light of God's love is that it exposes our character. There is no hiding who we really are when Jesus shines on us.  So we stay in the shadows and hide from the light.

However, when we remain in the dark we remove ourselves from the warmth of God's love. Yes God's light reveals our true character, but it exposes that character to his gift of forgiveness.

In forgiveness is true acceptance.

"For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light." Psalm 56:13 New Living Translation

It's time to stop thinking that we'll experience life in the shadows. Instead, it's time to bask in the light of God.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

An always present protection.

When I'd walk through the forest of Oregon with my father he would identify a tree by its bark and needles.  He had spent many years in the timber products industry and delighted in sharing his knowledge. He took great care in his oil paintings to accurately depict specific trees.

Bark has a very important task. It protects trees from those things that would kill them.

"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy." Psalm 5:11 New Living Translation

As many of you know the Pine Beetle has done a horrific job of destroying trees in Colorado. Even much of Rocky Mountain National Park has been affected by this predator. The bark was not able to protect these trees.

We might question God's ability to protect us. We, too, have been affected by horrific events that have shaken us to the core, but so had King David who penned this psalm.

Satan, though alive and well, cannot penetrate so deeply through God's protection that your faith in him is destroyed as you take refuge in Christ. The worm of death destroyed Jesus on his cross, yet through that death he conquered death in his resurrection to life.

What's the name of your "Pine Beetle"? What's trying to penetrate the bark of God's protection and destroy the relationship he has established with you? I encourage you to put a name to it and know that as you take refuge in Christ he will spread his protection around you.

Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.