Canopy of Love

Fountain Valley Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

I love how these trees lean into each other and create a tunnel of light.

God calls us to lean into each other and point to the Light. The purpose of our caring for each other in the Body of Christ is not to pat ourselves on the back and say how loving we are, rather our concern for each other points to the light of God's love in Christ working among us.

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 New Living Translation

God brings us into community that we might care for each other. Struggles face us each day and it is difficult to endure these struggles by ourselves. Pain has a way of isolating us from others, but God's intent for the church is that we lean into each other during difficult times.

As a result of our genuine love for each other, people see Jesus. Our love for each other is a reflection of Christ's passion for us through his suffering and death.

People notice when the church cares for others. When the church cares we reflect the power of the cross.

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

A Table Prepared

Black Forest, Colorado

This is what a forest looks like when fire mercilessly pursues its next victim. Over the past two summers the Colorado Springs area has been ravaged by fires. This fire was only a few miles from my home. I will never forget returning from a doctor's appointment watching the fire grow. These fires have changed lives forever.

On the other side of the road from where I took this picture were trailers with people living in them. My guess is that they had returned home, not to the house where they had once live. It was only ashes. They returned to that piece of property that was filled with memories.

The return of these people begs the question, what is home?

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5 English Standard Version

Where is our table prepared?

For many of the people of Black Forest, their table is prepared among the ashes of what use to be their homes. The enemy of fire has destroyed their dreams. Those who have been claimed by Christ know that it is God who prepares this table in the presence of their enemy.

There are different kinds of fires that we human creatures face. King David saw these fires as his enemies, yet he did not despair. God prepared a feast for him even while surrounded by the fires of life.

May you sense God's presence in your fire.

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

Eyes on the Lord

Fountain Valley Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

This is the same gnarly cottonwood tree from yesterday's blog. What you see in this picture might be different from what I see. Like looking at images in the clouds, our imaginations see things differently. I see a frightened old person.

Fear has much to do with the future and the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring.  

King Jehoshaphat might have looked similar to this tree when he faced an uncertain future as nations rose up against Judah. In his fear, Jehoshaphat prayed, "We don't know what to do, so we're looking at you [God]." 2 Chronicles 20:12 God's Word to the Nations.

God spoke to Jehoshaphat through the prophet Jehaziel.  "'You won't fight this battle. Instead, take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the LORD for you, Judah and Jerusalem. Don't be frightened or terrified. Tomorrow go out to face them. The LORD is with you.'" 2 Chronicles 20:17 GWN

We might be facing an unknown future and we're frightened. We don't know what to do. Jehoshaphat, along with the people of Judah, chose to look to the Lord. May that also be said of us.

Though we might not know the enemies we'll face today, we do know that the Lord is with us. The guarantee of his presence is the cross. Jesus confronted hell to assure us that even though we might face our enemies today, he is with us.

We may not know what to do, yet we keep our eyes on the Lord.

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

Character Comes with Age

Fountain Valley Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

We become gnarly with age.

This cottonwood tree at Fountain Valley Regional Park has seen a great deal of history pass over its roots. It has weathered many snow storms, droughts and floods.  It has been shaped and formed both by its DNA and the conditions of life.  

I'm sure this old cottonwood looked more pristine at  a younger age. It was probably straighter, slimmer and more symmetrical, but age has changed this tree. Its character has been shaped by age..

"The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old." Proverbs 20:29 New Living Translation

Like this old cottonwood, we become gnarly with age. Our bodies become gnarly. Our thoughts become gnarly. Our emotions become gnarly. Our DNA and experiences of life shape our character, yet Solomon did not see aging as negative but writes that "the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old."

We might become more gnarly with age, but aging doesn't change the power of God's love for us in Christ. His mercy transforms the young, the old and the 'tweens.

God's love is as active in those whose bones creak as it is in those whose bones are still forming. No matter our stage of life, God shapes our character as we age. And the greatest influence on this character is his grace.

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

You Are Who You Hang With

Steamboat Springs, CO

Okay so this picture borders on self promotion. I never said that I wasn't vain, but you've got to admit there is some resemblance between Ben and me: Lack of hair (sort of), glasses and gut. In reality I'm more like Tigger on my shirt than Ben.  

But the truth remains; we are who we hang with.

"And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves."  Matthew 17:1 (ESV)

These three disciples hung with Jesus. I envy Peter, James and John. What a privilege to hang with Jesus and to see his glory on the Mt. of Transfiguration.

Then again, do I?

To be like Jesus means picking up a cross and following him. It involves dying to self and serving others. It requires praying for enemies and those who persecute us.

If it is true that we are who we hang with it is no wonder that many people don't want to hang with Jesus. However, because these disciple hung out with Jesus, God transformed the world through them. Could God do the same in your world simply because you hang out with Jesus?

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Where Does Your Light Shine?

Brauner Household

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:10 English Standard Version

Just lines in our hallway floor.  

I got up early the Friday after Thanksgiving a few years ago when no one else was stirring in the house. I decided to practice taking pictures in black and white. Taking this candle I positioned it throughout our house  to see the effect its light would have in the places where I set it. I didn't care how far the light shined, but where it shined.

This candle begs the question, where does your light shine? What are the crossroads of your life where God shines the light of Christ through you?

The candle is positioned at the intersection of two lines. Your life has its own intersection.

Where you are right now is where God wants your to shine.

Paul understood the power of God's light shining in our weakness. "

Often we want to be somewhere else rather than where we are. Today, at the crossroads of your life, is where God calls you to shine, even if it is in weakness, hardships and calamities. It might not be pleasant. You might dream of being somewhere else. But where you are is right where He wants you to be.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

High Anxiety

Monarch Mountain, CO

You've got to worry about a ski run labeled "High Anxiety." I  picture myself heading down this slope looking like Mel Brooks plastered against the elevator window in the his Alfred Hitchcock spoof by the same name.

The first time I traveled a black diamond run was with a ski instructor. I was quite anxious but I knew he had been there before and he knew how to get me down. I fell (multiple times) but I continued on.

The anxiety caused by a ski run is only temporary. There are other things that carry with them a greater sense of foreboding. Jesus Christ has carried these anxieties.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 English Standard Version

He cares for you. It might be hard to see his compassion. You probably go through times when you don't feel that compassion. Yet the truth stands. He cares for you and has carried your anxieties on his cross.

Once in a while I muster up the courage to ski an expert run, yet I'm sure I'd never take the risk if it hadn't been for my instructor. We can address our fears because of the One who travels the slopes with us.

Maybe this year I'll face my fears and try High Anxiety...Then again, probably not.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Got Tension?

Yaquina Bay Bridge, Newport, OR

The Yaquina Bay Bridge is an icon of the Oregon Coast. Standing for over seventy-five years, the bridge is as much art as it is a practical way of traveling Highway 101. Something unseen holds this bridge together. This "something" is built into the concrete and metal. It allows the bridge to withstand the tortures of traffic and weather.

The bridge is built with a proper amount of tension.

Too little or too much tension and the bridge crumples into the estuary of Yaquina bay.

Our lives are no different. Our goal is not to get rid of tension but to live with a proper amount of tension.

Too little tension and we're eating Bon Bons while watching reruns of Barney Miller.

Too much tension and we resemble Dug from "Up" on steroids.

In our struggle to maintain balance we hear the words of Jesus, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30 English Standard Version

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Storms of Life

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO

You've got to love a good storm...or do you?

I feel like I'm on a roller coaster in midst of a storm. When I'm on a roller coaster I'm sure that I'm going to die. I can picture myself flying off a corner and crashing to the ground. 

Being in the middle of a storm can feel that way too. Flooding, lightning and strong winds can put a person on edge. At first, being in a storm might energize us, but after a while we need to escape. We realize that our lives could be in danger.

"And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.  But [Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?'"  Mark 4:37-38 English Standard Version

What storm is threatening your life? Mental illness? Cancer? The death of a close friend?

"Do you not care...?"

The one who calmed the storm is the one who was killed by the storm, by our sin. Yes he cares. Does he keep the storms from rising? No. He sits in the boat with us.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

The Human Element

Balloon Classic, Colorado Springs, Colorado

It is easy to get caught up in the sights, sounds and smells of the Balloon Classic and forget the human element. Each balloon carries people. Without these people the balloons will never soar.

There is a human element to the sights, sounds and smells of God's creation.

I love landscape photography because of creation's beauty. God declared all of his creation good, and in its goodness, creation is delightful. God created human creatures to enjoy his creation. We cannot forget this human element.

"So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God." Ecclesiastes  2:24 New Living Translation

Enjoying the beauty of God's creation, whether soaring above it or walking on it, is a gift from the hand of God.

For those of us who have been baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-4) there is an important dimension to our observation of creation. We see it through the eyes of redemption. Christ has redeemed us that we might no longer abuse his creation, but care for it.

I'm not promoting a political agenda but biblical stewardship of what God has declared good. As redeemed human beings, God calls us to enjoy his creation that we might be good caretakers of this precious gift.

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

Fiesta!

Balloon Classic, Colorado Springs, Colorado

FIESTA! This Spanish word characterizes the atmosphere of the Balloon Classic. The colors, the sounds and even the smells of the Balloon Classic tell us that something special is taking place.

"For seven days you must celebrate this festival to honor the LORD your God at the place he chooses, for it is he who blesses you with bountiful harvests and gives you success in all your work. This festival will be a time of great joy for all." Deuteronomy 16:15 New Living Translation

God called the Israelites to celebrate his goodness and grace. At the Festival of Booths they were to celebrate both their bountiful harvest and the success of their work.

Worship is a Fiesta not because of the fantastic music or the amazing sermon. Worship is a  Fiesta when the people of God gather to celebrate his bountiful gift of forgiveness and when they stand amazed at the success he has given them in doing his work.

The sight, sounds and smells of the Balloon Classic can be overwhelming for newbies attending their first Balloon Classic, yet they'll crave to return the next year.

I pray that the same can be said of our worship experience. I pray that those who have never been exposed to worship, though slightly overwhelmed, will desire to come back week after week because God's people celebrate his forgiveness and his amazing work in their midst.

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

In Time and Space

Balloon Classic, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Novelty balloons draw a great deal of attention at the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic. Most of the balloons are typical bulb shapes, yet every year there is at least one balloon that doesn't fit the standard.

Like the sun, this balloon had a rising and setting.

"Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!" Psalm 113:1-3 English Standard Version

This Scripture can be contemplated in two spheres.

First of all, it can be viewed from the realm of time. The sun marks the time of day. It reminds us that our God walks with us from our rising until we go to bed, and even as we sleep.

Second, the psalmist's word can be examined from the realm of space. The sun marks the place where we live.  As it travels through the sky, the sun reminds us that no matter where we live God walks with us.

Whether we observe these words of the psalmist from the position of space or time, we are called to praise the name of the God who walks with us at all times and in all places.

Today we are called to praise the name of the God who has revealed himself to us in the Son of Righteousness, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

I have posted all of pictures of the 2013 Colorado Springs Balloon Classic on Flickr.  You will find them at http://www.flickr.com/photos/43769731@N04/sets/72157635575423565/

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

Thanks!

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

This is a blog of thanksgiving. Today marks the 365th blog. That's right we've come to the end of the first year of Praying with the Eyes. I have never done anything like this. So, as I reflect on this past year, I must give thanks.

First, I give thanks to God.  "The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." Psalm 28:7 English Standard Version

There were times that I wasn't sure I had the energy to write another blog. At times the only thing that kept me going was my commitment to write 365 blogs. For me this has been a God sized adventure and I give thanks to him for seeing me through this journey.

Second, I give thanks to you.  "I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." 1 Corinthians 1:4 New International Version

I don't know a great deal of details about those of you read this blog but I do know that slightly over 100 people read this blog each day. That's a total of over 37,000 page views this year. That blows me away. I thank God for your faithfulness and pray that these devotions have been a blessing to you and will continue to be a blessing.

As for the future, I will continue to write new blogs but intermix them with old ones. If this blog has been helpful to you, please continue to invite others to join in reading it.  I don't receive a dime from any of these blogs.  I'm privileged, as a pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, to write these blogs as a commitment to being a faithful shepherd of the Good Shepherd.

By the way, I think this picture of the Garden of the Gods is my leading candidate for next year's youth auction.

To God be the Glory.

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