The Kingdom Belongs to These

Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany

The main reason we made the trip to Germany this summer was to baptize Grace Tisdale. As you can tell from this picture, the Tisdales have five children. They are still one shy of Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina, who had six children. What a privilege it was to baptize Grace in the City Church in Wittenberg where Luther baptized his children.

Whether you have one child, five or six, parenting can be the most difficult and rewarding task given to us human creatures. All of us in the Christian community, whether we are parents or not, carry a responsibility for children.

"When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children." Mark 10:14 New Living Translation

The children who were blessed by Jesus were probably not the disciples' children yet Jesus infers that they have a responsibility for these children. They were to encourage them to come to Jesus. We have that same responsibility.

Jesus entered human history for children. He died for children. He rose for children. He is the hope of children. Where do children see Jesus? They see Jesus in other Christians.

Either we can be like the disciples and prevent children from coming to God. Or we can be like Jesus and receive these children and be a blessing from God in their lives. I pray we choose the latter.

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

Dispelling the Darkness

Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany

I'm not a fan of basements. I like living rooms with lots of light. I know that there are basements that have plenty of natural light and your's might be one of them, yet there's still not enough light for me. This cellar is underneath the Luther House in Wittenberg. This cellar had no natural light. I'm sure that it was a nice, cool retreat on hot summer days, but I cannot imagine spending time here.

"O LORD, you light my lamp. My God turns my darkness into light." Psalm 18:28 God's Word to the Nations

We have cellars of our own creation. They are not physical cellars but those which we build in the inner core of our lives. We might not like to enter these cellars but we do. At times the darkness can be overwhelming. We might even feel that the darkness is getting the upper hand.

Not only does God light the lamp, he is the lamp. He dispels our darkness. He is not afraid to enter our cellars where sin resides and dispel the darkness that lives there. Darkness cannot stand in the presence of the light of God's love.

I don't know where the darkness dwells in your life but I do know where it resides in me. Thank God that he delights in making darkness flee.

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

The World Is Our Pulpit

Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany

This is the pulpit from the City Church (Stadtkirche) in Wittenberg. Though Luther is buried in the Castle Church he preached most of his sermons in the City Church and this was the pulpit from which he delivered the Word of God.

Where's your pulpit? Where is that place where you find yourself declaring the great things God has done for you in Jesus? Though Luther might have preached most of his sermons from this pulpit it was not the only platform he used to proclaim Christ.

"And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." Act 16:10 English Standard Version

The best place to begin preaching Christ is right where we are now. We don't have to travel around this nation, fly overseas or find some obscure tribe of people to proclaim Jesus as Lord. Our best pulpit is placed among our loved ones, friends and coworkers.

Sometime God may call us to "Macedonia" but until then, by our lives and in our words, we declare Jesus to be Lord.

In this sense, the world is our pulpit.

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

Handcrafted by God

Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany

Running through the middle of Wittenberg are two concrete canals. I don't know how long these canals have run through the city. They might date back to the days when Wittenberg was protected by fortress walls, but then again, maybe much later.

The water in these canals suddenly appears on the east end of Wittenberg and then disappears on the west end. On its journey through the town it adds both beauty and function to the city. You will note the beauty of the flowers that line this canal as well as the railing which serves as a bike rack for residents.

"Then God said, 'Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.'" Genesis 1:26 New Living Translation

Since we are created in the image of God and redeemed by the blood of Christ we add beauty to this world. We are handcrafted in the heart of God. There is no one like us. There is no one like you. You are an amazing work of God.

Since we are created in the image of God and redeemed by the blood of Christ we have a special function in this world. We are uniquely equipped to do God's work at this time in history. You are uniquely equipped to do God's work at this time in history. You are an amazing work of God.

Did you catch it? You are an amazing work of God.

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

Stooping Over

Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany

I was standing nearly three meters away from Martin Luther when I took this picture. Okay so he's been buried here since 1546 but his bones are still in this grave. In abbreviated Latin it reads, "Here is the body of the Doctor of Sacred Theology, Martin Luther, who died in the year of Christ 1546, on February 14, in his hometown Eisleben, after having lived 63 years, 2 months, and 10 days." At least that is what I'm told it reads since I don't know Latin.

If you do a Google search on Luther's grave you will see images that are much prettier than this one. Like the rest of the Castle Church it was encircled with scaffolding. I didn't know that his grave rested at the foot of the pulpit because you couldn't see the pulpit until you stooped underneath the scaffolding and looked up.

I compare my experience to that of Peter and John at Jesus' tomb. "The two were running side by side, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and came to the tomb first. He bent over and looked inside the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there but didn't go inside." John 20:4-5 God's Word to the Nations

There is no tomb in Jerusalem where you can stand three meters from the body of Jesus. We could visit tombs that might have been the one that his body rested after his death, but he is alive. Stooping over to look into the grave of Jesus John only saw the linen clothes. Later he would see the risen Christ and we will too.

The day is coming when Luther's body will rise from the dead. The day is coming when all the dead in Christ will rise to new life. On that day we will not only stoop but kneel with faces prostrate to the ground before our risen God.

On second thought, we're not standing three meters from Jesus. He's standing next to us. "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20b English Standard Version

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

PBPWMGINFWMY

Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany

You wouldn't know it by looking at this picture but this is the inside of the Castle Church in Wittenberg (or Schlosskirche in German).  Wittenberg, along with much of Germany, is preparing for the 500th anniversary of Luther's posting of the 95 theses in 2017.  We saw a lot scaffolding on our journey which was quite disappointing.

A saying that you might run into at times goes something like this: Please be patient with me.  God is not finished with me yet (PBPWMGINFWMY).  The scaffolding lining the walls of the Schlosskirche is a reminder of this truth.  We are a work in progress.

"It's not that I've already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me." Philippians 3:12 God's Word to the Nations

There are seasons of our lives when God has to make minor adjustments such as changing our attitude or helping us see something from a different angle.  At other times we need a major overhaul as the Castle Church is presently experiencing.

Whether we're in a time of minor or major life adjustments, we need to remember that it is because of God's love that he continues to make these adjustments.  He doesn't get his kicks out of seeing you and me in pain.  Yet he is constantly forming us, causing us to forget the failures and successes of the past and pressing on to his future.

I hope to return to Wittenberg and see the finished product until then I must be patient with the process.  And my prayer for you is that you PBPWMGINFWMY.

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

Standing Tall

Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany

"But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord. Always be ready to defend your confidence in God when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15 God's Word to the Nations

It took almost twenty years to built the Castle Church in Wittenberg and was completed only 8 years before Luther posted his 95 theses on the church door. This round tower was not a part of the original building. A different tower stood in its place during Luther's life. A band near the top reads, "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott," which you know better as a "a mighty fortress is our God."

This tower can be seen throughout the city of Wittenberg.

For centuries this tower has proclaimed that God is a mighty fortress. Through wars and tragedies, it has stood proclaiming the might of God, even during atheistic Communist rule.

What about our lives? Are they similar to this tower? Do they continue to proclaim the love of God in Christ no matter our life circumstances?

The reality is that we don't always stand tall, but we do stand under the cross.

May people see Jesus and his compassion for sinful humanity in you and me. He is our mighty fortress.  On this fact we stand tall.

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

Turning the World Upside Down

Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany

Here is where the Reformation publicly began. This is the entrance to the Castle Church in Wittenberg where Luther posted his 95 theses on All Saints Eve 1517. The doors are not the same. The oak doors on which he posted his items for debate burned and bronze doors now stand in their place. Though the original doors no longer exist, the 95 theses still do as they are engraved in these bronze doors.

Luther probably had no idea that his posting of these theses would have such a a cataclysmic effect in Germany and the world.

The world has always been turned upside down by those who were willing to stand on the word of God. The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel turned their world upside down. The apostles Peter, John and Paul turned their world upside down. You also know people who have turned their worlds upside down because they have lived by faith.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2 English Standard Version

What's your 95 theses? What is God calling you to do that will turn your world upside down for him? Standing on God's Word has the power to change things.

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

It's Just a Fantasy

Portland, Oregon

I don't know when movie theaters became a part of the mall scene, but I do know that this cineplex is a long time resident on the upper level of the Lloyd Center. After the reality of inconsiderate shoppers and inattentive clerks people can escape into the world of fantasy only to return to reality when they leave the theater.

Movies have the ability to lead us into a fantasy where we can be someone that we've always wanted to be. We can save the world, fall in love and score the winning touchdown as we're absorbed into the lives of those portrayed in movies.

Then we reenter the real world where we cannot save our jobs, or hold together our relationships, or catch a football.

"And [those who had conquered the beast] sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!" Revelation 15:3 English Standard Version

We are the work of God's hand and therefore are a part of his "deeds." He saved us. He loves us. He has won the game. And he did it all for us. Sin has been conquered. Though it points its ugly finger at us and tells us the we'll never amount to anything sin has no power over us.

If we believe these words from Revelation there is no need to escape into fantasy, trying to be someone we're not. Instead God calls us to be that uniquely crafted and wonderfully saved people that we are.

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

Dealing with Difficult Decisions

Portland, Oregon

These chairs were designed for the men whose wives are shopping. I was sitting in a similar chair opposite these two...and Janice was shopping. So, why aren't these chair occupied by other men? I guess they were smarter than I was and stayed home.

Malls can be places of complete exhaustion. Shoppers move from one store to another, examining first clothing then accessories then appliances. Not only is there the physical exhaustion of walking the miles of corridors there is the mental anguish of decisions that must be made on the spot.

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1 New Living Translation

Making decisions can be exhausting. The decision to not make a decision can be exhausting. How often have we wished for God to write on the wall, give us a dream or speak audibly to us about an important decision and God is silent, there is no dream and the writing never appears, yet the decision must be made.

God promises rest in his shadow even in the decision making process. He invites us to sit and rest while the commotion of decision making rages in our brains. His attitude towards us will never change, his forgiveness will always be present even in the difficult decisions of life.

God's Spirit draws us into the "shelter of the Most High." Whatever difficult decision you're facing, may you find rest in the "shadow of the Almighty."

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

Connecting with Kids

Portland, Oregon

How do people connect with children when they shuffle them off to their own seating area? Don't get me wrong I think it's cool that these children have tables and chairs that fit them, however, the concept of separating children from adults to connect with them doesn't quite make sense.

"But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God." Mark 10:14 English Standard Version

It would appear from the gospels that Jesus connected with children. We don't know if Jesus played with children, but he did receive them in his arms and linger over them with a blessing.

When was the last time that you connected with children? When you came home from work did you get on the floor and play with your children or grand children, toss a ball with them, maybe even play a video game with them? Did you show by your example and in your words that God loves them? Did you hug your children or grand children?

We know that children are vulnerable. They always have been. For this reason it is all the more important that the Christian community connects with children. Granted, it might be annoying when children cry in public or don't show respect, yet this doesn't mean we ignore them and act like they're invisible.

How about the next time you see a child you bend to their level and say, "hi!" You might be surprised at their response.

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

Rest for the Soul

Portland, Oregon

I was impressed that this man could actually sleep with all the commotion going on around him. Shoppers were passing in front of him, ice skaters were skating below him and children were eating close by. He barely moved as the world moved busily around him.

Have you ever felt so weary that you could sleep in a mall?

"Rest once more, my soul, for the LORD has vindicated you." Psalm 116:7 New English Translation

What causes your soul to be weary? Does your weariness come from disharmony in relationships? Is your weariness caused by the voices at war in your head? Are you weary because of the uncertainty of the future? There are multiple reasons that you might feel weary.

The psalmist calls you to find rest in the Lord because he vindicates you. That doesn't mean that the future will turn out great, or that the voices in your head will stop, or that your relationships will automatically be restored. Many of you have shared with me your heartache over prayers that God hasn't answered the way you had hoped. What it does mean is that God has the final word over everything that causes your soul to feel weary.

Your rest today is found in the one who experienced the unrest of crucifixion, death and the grave for you. Everything that brings anxiety into your life was borne by Jesus on his cross. You can cast all our anxieties on Jesus knowing without a doubt that he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7) and he will give you rest.

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

What's in a Name?

Portland, Oregon

This is not an advertisement for Macy's or any other store (sorry had to use and apostrophe instead of star). Like I wrote in an earlier blog, I don't like shopping. I don't know what makes Macy's different from Walmart (okay maybe I know a little).

Whether it's Macy's or another department store, their names are prominently displayed at the entrance to their stores. Why?  Imagine walking though a mall for the first time and not knowing the store names. You'd probably waste time and never visit that mall again.

Names identify us.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7 English Standard Version

God's name stands for everything he is, therefore, his name can be trusted.

In today's world, and especially our American culture, it sounds strange to say that we trust in the name of someone but lets go back to Macy's. For those of you who are shopaholics the name Macy's pictures for you certain products and service. If you hear the name Walmart you think of different products and service. Because of the name you might trust one store over the other.

God's name can be trusted because his name represents justice, mercy and forgiveness. His name was revealed to us in the physical presence of a man named Jesus.  We trust in his sacrifice. We trust in his resurrection. When we say the name Jesus it represents who he is and everything he has done for us.

God's name can be trusted.

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

Waving the Flag of Freedom

Portland, Oregon

Smack dab in the middle of the Lloyd Center mall is this huge U.S. flag. I purposefully placed a person in this picture to give you some perspective on just how big this flag is. You can't miss it.

Americans, Canadians and Russians alike are proud to wave the flag of their countries. Our flags are more than pieces of cloth, they represent everything for which our nations stand. For us in the United States our flag stands for freedom.

Freedom is also the flag that we wave in the Christian community.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 New International Version

The freedom of which Paul speaks is our freedom from sin, death and the devil. The power of Jesus' sacrifice for us is the power to set us free. Our freedom consists in the fact that the devil cannot damn us, death cannot rule us, and sin cannot control us. Though we will struggle with sin, death and the devil, Christ has set us free from their power.

When Paul states, "and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" he encourages us to continue to wave the banner of freedom that is ours by faith in Jesus. Satan would have us doubt our liberty, but we are free.

It's time for us to proudly wave the flag of God's freedom.

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

Unstoppable

Portland, Oregon

"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." Luke 11:9-10 English Standard Version

When children learn what's behind the glass of these containers they're relentless in bugging mom and dad for a coin to buy that special treat. I remember bugging my mom for a penny (maybe it was a nickel) so that I could buy gum. You might remember being relentless in childhood as well.

Children are tenacious, and we adults could learn from them especially when it involves prayer.

Knowing what's behind the glass of God's love is what causes us to be persistent in prayer. What's behind the glass is the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). It's not a new car, home or boat. What we need more than anything else is the Holy Spirit.

It is this Spirit who brings us to faith in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:3).

It is this Spirit who works his fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control in our lives (Galatians 5:22).

Through the work of the Holy Spirit the early church turned the world upside down. What might happen if Christians today persistently asked God to pour out his Spirit on us?

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

Sticking Out

Portland, Oregon

I was cruising my way through the middle level of the Lloyd Center mall when I noticed these young martial arts students making their way to who-knows-where. Their presence seemed out of place. They weren't there to buy jewelry, pick back to school clothes or even purchase toys. They were there to practice their craft.

This picture represents the Christians community.

"But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior." Philippians 3:20 New Living Translation

Through our redemption in Christ, we don't have the same goals as others. Our purpose in life is rooted in the fact that we are "citizens of heaven" and not citizens of the world. Our purpose is different.Our values are different. Our goals are different.

We're martial arts students walking through the mall of life.

As I observed these children it didn't seem to bother them that they stood out from the rest of us. By God's grace may we have that same confidence as we walk through life.

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

Go Ducks!

Portland, Oregon

Those of you who know me well shouldn't be surprised that I'd take a picture of these University of Oregon hats. I didn't have the cash to buy one of these hats.  Had I purchased a hat it would've said something about my personality.

Though I root for the Ducks, I wouldn't wear two of these hats. The one on the left is too busy and the one on the right scares me. The one in the middle is my style, but no matter which hat people wear, they support the same team.

You and I wear different hats in the body of Christ. Some of us are workers. Some of us are planners. Some of us are talkers. Some of us are listeners. Yet we're on the same team, working for the same God who has washed us in the waters of baptism.

"May God...help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6 New Living Translation

There is a reason why these three hats are grouped together. Rather than focusing on one individual hat my thoughts are centered on the team these three hats support.

When we in the Christian community live "in harmony with each other" we experience the dynamic that what we are together, even with our differences, is much greater than we are as individuals. That is why I so often write of the church as the "Christian community." God calls us to walk side-by-side each other and in doing so the world sees Jesus.

And for those of you who follow college football, watch out Alabama. Here come the Ducks!

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On a personal note, today I give thanks for my beautiful bride Janice as God has graced us with 35 years of marriage. What an amazing journey. Yes, our marriage has resembled the Jantzen Beach roller coaster, but the ride has been great.

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

Walking into the Light

Portland, Oregon

The butler in Mr Deeds proclaimed that he was "very sneaky." That is how I felt when I took pictures with my iPhone at the Lloyd Center mall. I was very sneaky. When I took this picture (and a bunch more like it) I was sitting on a bench. People walking by thought I was checking my phone. They didn't know that I was taking pictures of their feet.

In this picture these feet are moving out of the darkness into light.

"[Y]ou are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9 New Living Translation

The path out of darkness into the marvelous light of God is a road that Jesus walked for us. Much of Luke's gospel is about Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, a journey that had only one purpose: to save you and me. He walked this journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem he walked into the darkness of death and yet rose to life.

Our journey is one out of the darkness of sin into the marvelous light of God's mercy. This journey has already been accomplished for us in Jesus and God invites us to join him.

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

The Risk of Embarrassment

Portland, Oregon

As I mentioned earlier, the Lloyd Center mall in Portland has an ice skating rink. When I was growing up this was the only public ice skating rink that I was aware of and it was one hundred miles from my home. As a result I've never ice skated. I've skied down black diamond runs, roller skated the hokey pokey and attempted skateboarding, but I've never lace up the ice skates.

What makes this ice rink even more "dangerous" is the ever changing gallery of people watching. Tables from the food court sit above it. People stand around it. Macy's department store even fronts the ice rink. That is way too many eyes for a 57 year-old to attempt ice skating for the first time.

The possibility of embarrassing ourselves has kept many of us from sharing Christ with others. We've never done it and we're never going to do it.

"For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-- the Jew first and also the Gentile." Romans 1:16 New Living Translation

Did Paul ever "fall" in his attempt to share Christ with others? We don't know. Some would say that he wasn't at his best in Athens (I disagree). I have a feeling there were times that Paul stuck his foot in his mouth and didn't know what to say. He was human, but he wasn't ashamed of the Good News of God's love for him in Jesus Christ.

There is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about when it comes to our faith in Jesus. We are forgiven children of God. He is passionate about us even when our passion for him is at an all-time low.

Maybe it's time to lace up the skates and risk being embarrassed. If I never take the risk I'll never know the unique feeling that comes with ice skating.

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

Frozen in Time

Portland, Oregon

I never went to the mall to have my picture taken in a photo booth with a girl friend. Nor did a group of my friends pack a booth to have our faces immortalized forever, but I'm sure that many of you reading this blog spent more than your fair share of time in a photo booth similar to this one.

Photographs have a way of doing something that nothing else can do. Photos stop time. If you dig through your dresser drawers and find a row of pics from a photo booth they capture what you looked like on a specific day, at a specific time.

When you look at pictures from the past do you think of them as representing the good old days?

"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:14 New Living Translation

It is easier to look to the past and think of them in a better light than they really were. It is more difficult to look to the future and realize that the best days are ahead.

For many of us the future is uncertain. For others of us the future is quite certain and we are afraid of that certainty of aches and pains, of brokenness and heartache, of death and dying.

However, no matter what we face this side of the grave, the best days are ahead. These best days have been guaranteed through Jesus. We have a certain future, even if we can't see it or even imagine it. This future is ours in Christ.

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

Seeing Jesus

Portland, Oregon

I don't think that these mannequins lost their heads so that they'd fit in the display window. My gut tells me that the reason their heads are missing is to force us to focus on the clothes, besides who looks like a mannequin anyway (with or without heads). They're Ken and Barbie on steroids.

When people look at our lives what do they see?

"So these [Greeks] came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus.'" John 12:21 English Standard Version

When people come to us they want to see Jesus.

Granted, we can't lead them to the physical presence of Jesus on this planet as Philip could, yet people want to know that the Jesus we believe in is real. The expression of who Jesus is and the forgiveness he has offered to his people is seen in us.

This is more than a simple bracelet acronym: WWJD. We will never live up to who Jesus was when he dwelt among us.  People see Jesus in us when we walk in grace. Grace is not something that you and I can conjure up. It is wholly and completely a gift of God through Jesus' sacrifice.

Grace is about God and not about us. We lead people to Jesus when they see his grace at work in us.

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(Click on picture to enlarge.)

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

Heading in the Same Direction

Portland, Oregon

Growing up I broke my parent's piggy bank on shoes not because I purchased so many but because my feet were long, narrow and flat. Yes, I'm special.

When it came to purchasing shoes, my choices were limited (unless I wanted blisters and sore toes).

What catches my eye in this photo is not whether these shoes will fit my feet but the fact that this great variety of shoes is heading in the same direction.

God's intent for his people is that we head in the same direction. As I have often written in this blog, there is a great variety, a vast array, of people who make up the Body of Christ. Each one of us is uniquely crafted by God and etched into his hand, but as a community we're often heading in different directions.

"Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus." Romans 15:5 New American Standard Version

I had a conversation recently with an atheist whose argument against Christians was the fact that we don't agree with each other. In many ways, we Christians are not "of the same mind" because we have forgotten that this same mind has its roots in Christ Jesus.

Because of sin we will always struggle with unity, with heading in the same direction. However, God has given the Christian community the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who day in and day out places us in the right direction just as these shoes have been placed by the clerk.  

I pray that our various worshiping communities scattered throughout this world will acknowledge this work of the Holy Spirit as we point to Christ with one mind.

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

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

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