Broken and Forgiven

Mt. Sherman, Colorado

Gravity works even at high altitude.  

This picture is of the remnants of the Hilltop Mine on Mt Sherman (peak in the background). I can't imagine people working in this mine at such an altitude. How did they move the lumber to build this mine? How did they survive underground?

All that remains now is broken timber.

Brokenness is a part of our lives, similar to the brokenness of the woman who had been caught in adultery.

"Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, 'Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?' 'No, Lord,' she said. And Jesus said, 'Neither do I. Go and sin no more.'" John 8:10-11 New Living Translation

We'd like Jesus to stop with the words, "Neither do I." We struggle with his words, "Go and sin no more." Like that's going to happen. However, forgiveness has an amazing influence on our behavior.

Do I think this woman returned to her life of adultery? No, not when her life had been spared through the mercy of Christ.

Do I think that this woman lived a perfect life after this event? No, she remained an imperfect human creature.

This is our daily tension as Christians. We're forgiven and we leave our life of sin, yet we also know that we're not perfect. We live in a daily cycle of remembering that we are broken and knowing that, when we go to bed at night, we'll give thanks for God's forgiveness.

Like Martin Luther in his morning and evening prayer, we begin the day by asking God to keep us from sin and in the evening we pray that he would forgive us...and he does both.

That's our daily walk.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.

Passing On a Legacy

Leaving a legacy is a popular topic in Christian and non-Christian circles, but it is difficult to determine what that legacy ought to be.  

Whether it was intentional or unintentional, I see the legacy that my mother-in-law left behind when I look at my wife, Janice.  

"I have been young, and now I am old, but I have never seen a righteous person abandoned or his descendants begging for food." Psalm 37:25 God's Word to the Nations

Though this passage doesn't speak directly to a legacy, it does address the issue of righteousness. A right relationship with God is an eternal legacy.

A legacy of righteousness is greater than any physical inheritance. This is the legacy that my mother-in-law left behind. It is the legacy that my father left behind, and I pray that it is the legacy that I leave with my children and grandchildren.

Understand that a legacy of righteousness is different than a legacy of perfection. My father and mother-in-law were not perfect people. They would be the first to admit their imperfections. The Bible states that all of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23), but (and this is a big but) they were declared right with God through the merits of Jesus (Romans 3:24).

As you consider the legacy of your life, may that legacy be characterized by the righteousness of Christ. Your relationship to Christ will make a lasting impact on others.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.

Singing Our Thanks

Lillian Nickodemus

It saddens me that the anticipation of Black Friday has supplanted the beauty of Thanksgiving. Many commercials have filled the airwaves with the importance of Black Friday, but not near as many about giving thanks to God for our loved ones.

Though it has been more than two year since she joined the Church Triumphant, I still thank God for my mother-in-law whom I miss. I had not celebrated Thanksgiving with her a number of years before she passed away, yet I know that Thanksgiving once again this year will not be same without her at the table in Mt. Angel.

The jokes without punchlines, the songs resonating from the piano, and the expression of "glory" will be missed as always, but most of all, her presence will be missed.

Mom loved to sing.

"In that wonderful day you will sing: 'Thank the LORD! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is!'" Isaiah 12:4 New Living Translation

Today is the day to sing. God's mercy is greater than any electronic gadget, perfume or slippers. Mom wasn't afraid to let people see her heart of thankfulness to the Lord for his mercy. She wasn't afraid to sing.

She wasn't afraid to sing ABOUT her Savior.

She wasn't afraid to sing TO her Savior.

As you gather with family and friends today, don't take them for granted, nor simply mention them in a prayer. Listen to them. Laugh with them. You might even cry with them.  In short be present with them. This is our song of praise to God.

A blessed Thanksgiving to all!

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.

Sensory Overload

Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

A trip to Hubbard Glacier is a ride into sensory overload. Notice that there isn't one point of focus for these cruisers peering off the bow of the ship. The woman in the yellow jacket isn't even facing the same direction as the others (though this might have been due to the cold wind).

Viewing God's wisdom displayed by the church puts the unseen world on sensory overload.

"God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." Ephesians 3:10 New Living Translation

This is a difficult passage to understand. We'd be okay with Paul writing that the Christian community displays God's wisdom to the world, but to reveal this wisdom to the "authorities in the heavenly places" is difficult for us to wrap our brains around.

God's way of doing things doesn't make sense to us. It seems like a risk on God's part that a bunch of sinner/saints would make known his wisdom, especially to the heavenly authorities, yet that is how God works.

As the church is engaged in living out her faith in the One who died and rose for her, she reveals both to the visible and invisible world the manifold wisdom of God. It is a wisdom that baffles even the heavenly beings.

By the way, writing as a candidate for the Hair Club, how does the bald man in the middle of this picture not have a hat on?

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.

Siamese Twins

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs

This rock formation in the Garden of the Gods is known as the Siamese Twins. Looking at the top of these rocks you can understand how they got this name.  

However, this not the usual picture people take of these rocks. If you look closely at this picture you will notice that at the bottom and just to the left is an opening in the rocks.  

If you do Google image search of the Garden of the Gods it doesn't take long and you'll view a picture of Pikes Peak through that hole. In fact, when I took this picture above I also to one through that hole, and it hangs in my office.

I took the obligatory picture, then decided that I needed to tell a different story; a story you don't find as often as the iconic one of Pikes Peak.

The story is of inter-relatedness.

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord." Ephesians 2:19-21 English Standard Version 

We are joined to each other in Christ's body. God intends that when people look at his church they see a unity flowing out of our relationship to the cornerstone, to Jesus Christ. God also desires that they see the uniqueness of each person who is tied into this cornerstone.

Like Siamese twins, we are joined together that world might see Jesus.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.

Redemption

Grandson, Nolan

Okay, so I'm a little proud of my grandson, Nolan...well I'm really proud of my son and daughter-in-law. And I can't forget about Nolan's brother, Eli.  

God is a God of redemption.

There is nothing from my past that says I deserve to have the family that I do. I'm not saying that I did everything wrong, but I didn't do everything right either, and I'm not saying that I always did my best.

My family is a place of grace, and I see that grace in my grandsons. They don't know my past. They accept me as their grandpa. Granted, Nolan is a little to young to understand my hugs, yet he allowed me hold him and talk to him for a short time soon after his birth.

"O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption." Psalm 130:7 English Standard Version

Nowhere has this truth been more evident to me than in my family.

For those of you who are grandparents (and others) I invite you to a very special blog, Grandma's Briefs, written by a member of my congregation, Lisa Carpenter. She is an amazing writer and an inspiration to me in writing this blog.  Here is the link to her blog.  Enjoy!

http://www.grandmasbriefs.com/

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

Held in His Hands

Grandson, Nolan with His Dad

When I downloaded this picture to my computer I was tempted to delete it, but I'm glad that I didn't. I tried to focus on Nolan's face, but ended up spotlighting Joel's hands. Those hands tell an important story.

Nolan can't put into words what his father's hands are doing, yet he knows their power. They lift him up and make him feel secure. Nolan's response to Joel's hands is one of contentment.

"See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:16 New Living Translation

God reminds the people of Israel that not only does he hold them in his hands but that he has written their name, the name of Israel, on his hands. The context of this verse states that God remembers the ruins of Jerusalem. He doesn't forget their pain because he cannot forget them. Their name is inscribed in his hands.

God cannot forget us. Through our watery rebirth in baptism (John 3:5), our name has been inscribe into God's hands. We are his elect, his church, and the name of his church has been written in blood in his hand.

Joel was not going to let go of Nolan no matter how Nolan felt.  He could cry, squirm or snuggle and Joel was not going to let go.  God never lets go of his people.

We might not be able to put this relationship with God into words, but we know the power of God's hands as they enfold us close to his heart.

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

Christ the Kings

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

Tomorrow is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday in the church year for those churches who follow a liturgical calendar.

Though this bench is not a throne, it does give the person sitting on it an amazing view of Fox Run Regional Park, especially of the pond that sits in front of these steps.

A throne gives royalty the ability to see everything.

"After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands." Revelation 7:9 New Living Translation

John gives us a picture of heaven, of the Church Triumphant.  The Lamb, Jesus Christ, stands above all peoples and sees all.

However, we don't have to wait until heaven to know that even now Jesus stands above our lives. He sees us. He loves us. He embraces us. This is the King that we worship and adore.

Though Jesus is seated above us, he stands with us...now. When washing dishes, changing diapers and rotating the tires, Jesus stands with us. When grieving, laughing and even sinning, Jesus stands with us.

Two things mark Jesus' reign: He sits enthroned above our lives, and he walks with us as we experience life. May we sense this all-powerful, ever present Savior, with us now and for eternity.

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

A Skill Worth Learning

Fox Run Regional Park

I'm not very good at the technical stuff of photography. Don't get me wrong. I'm a student of the trinity of photography; aperture, shutter and ISO. I understand how they relate to each other and the creative possibilities they open up for a photographer.

I'm not a student of pixels, APO lenses and whether Nikon is better than Canon (besides I shoot with a Sony).

However there is a very important skill that I'm trying to refine. It is the skill of NOT taking pictures. Let me explain.

On an outing to Fox Run Regional Park in Black Forest I determined that I was going to work on macro photography, that is, closeup photography. Now that I have decent macro lens I thought I'd give it a shot.

I didn't take one macro picture.

It was a beautiful day so, strapping my camera bag to my back, I started walking a trail around two ponds. A bench overlooking these ponds invited me to sit while keeping my camera in the bag. After sitting for a few minutes it happened.  I took out my camera and things went downhill.

I like the pictures that I took that day and enjoyed writing blogs related to those pictures, but if I had it to do it over again, I would've paused longer on the bench and taken fewer pictures.

I know that sounds odd, but I'd like to develop the skill of taking pictures of what I'm seeing.

The emphasis in this skill is "seeing." I'm beginning to understand that art of taking pictures (good or not so good) is first about seeing. Taking a "good" picture shouldn't be my goal, but to see what God has placed before my eyes, then try to capture what I see in pixels.

"The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein." Psalm 24:1 English Standard Version

It is important to see this truth before clicking the shutter.

So, here's my advice: Take your camera and put it in your bag. Go sit on a park bench, beach or grassy knoll and don't touch your camera for an extended period of time. See what you're seeing. Afterwards, take out your camera and carefully frame what you're seeing and adjust your camera settings. Take one picture and go home.

I would then love for you to post that picture on the Praying With The Eyes Facebook group page.

Happy seeing!!!

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

"Do You Take..."

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

This gazebo reminds me of weddings.  In fact, I have been blessed to be a part of two weddings under this gazebo.

I have often told the story at weddings of a couple on their wedding day where the pastor, instead of using the wedding service, turned to the baptismal service and asked the the bride, "Do you renounce this devil and all his works and all his ways?"

Marriage can feel like renouncing the devil. Marriage is the one institution where we can taste both heaven and hell...and in the same day.

"That's why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will be one." Ephesians 5:31 God's Word to the Nations

The mystery of being one flesh with another human creature is something that both scars us and attracts us.

On the one hand, we want to be known by another person, to be vulnerable and intimate with someone else. We want to experience a taste of heaven through another human being.

On the other hand, such intimacy scars us because we don't like becoming vulnerable and known to another person. As a result, marriage can be a taste of hell, of separation.

Over this mystery of becoming one flesh is the covering of God's mercy in Christ. Whether we're married or not, anticipating marriage or content with being single, we are the Bride of Christ, and he continually calls his Bride to himself in grace and mercy.  

As a result, his desire is for this grace and mercy to weave it's way through your marriage.

I know that some of you reading this blog have marriages that are struggling.  Don't give up!  It is my prayer that you sense the forgiveness of Christ pulsing through the blood of your marriage.

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

Forgiveness For the Scars

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

Our lives might feel like the accumulation of scars. 

These two aspen trees have seen far too many people express their never ending love in their bark, and from all appearances, it doesn't seem like people are finished.

The older we get the more our lives reflect these trees. Our lives are marked by the accumulation of the scars inflicted by others and by our own poor judgement.

"Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13 New Living Translation 

God calls us to forgive others as he has forgiven us.

God calls us to forgive ourselves as he has forgiven us.

The scars on these aspen trees have not killed them. The scars we experience do not have the power to kill us because of God's gracious gift of forgiveness.

The gift of forgiveness is the gift of letting go; letting go of the pain that others have caused, and the pain we have inflicted on ourselves. It is the gift that flows from the cross of Jesus Christ where we are freely and fully forgiven.

The scars in Jesus' hands, feet and side guarantee this gift of forgiveness.

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

Reflections

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

It's obvious from this picture that the trees on the water are a reflection of the trees next to the shore, yet sometimes it's difficult to distinguish whether you're looking at a reflection or the real thing.

We have been redeemed to reflect Christ.

"And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ." 1 Corintians 11:1 New Living Translation

We are invited to imitate Paul, or as is the case today, those who are mature in their faith. God doesn't want us left to our own devises to figure out what it means to walk in Christ. He gives us godly examples for us to imitate.

My favorite baseball player as a kid was Willie Mays. I'd stand in the street and throw a baseball as high in the air as I could then imitate Willie's patented basket catch. Like Willie, God has raised up mature followers of Christ for us to imitate. 

However, imitating other human creatures falls short because sin. Even Paul had a hot temper that got him into trouble (Acts 15:36-41). Ultimately we imitate Christ. As we imitate Christ we reflect his imagine. There are days when the reflection is better than other days. In fact, some days it doesn't seem that we're reflecting his image at all.

Even though we might not perfectly reflect Christ, we continue to strive to mirror him. The gift of forgiveness is that amazing gift God hands us each day, that we might once again strive to display his love.

Maybe God is using our faith for someone to imitate.

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

A Mother's Love

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

If you look closely at this picture you'll see a young mom and her two children walking up the bank on the opposite side of the pond. Before heading up the hill, this mom had placed one child on a rock and held the other in her arms. With great care not to let go of child in her arms, she took a picture of the other on the rock.

Mom's are amazing.

"So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy." Proverbs 23:25 New Living Translation

 I'm not saying that moms are perfect or somehow more holy than others, but many moms carry their children in their hearts until the day they die. As many of us dads know, don't get between mom and her children. You'll lose...every time.

Think of the pain that Jesus' mom felt watching her son's crucifixion. Not only did she see him brutalized by the Romans, but she witnessed her own people mocking him. She was there when he breathed his last. She took a mental picture of that event that she carried with her until her death. That's what mom's do.

God's love for us is reflected in a mother's love. Like this mom in the picture, he takes time to dwell with us, hold our hand and maybe even take our picture.

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

The Dance

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

Dancing does not come easy to me, but it seemed quite natural for these ducks as they gracefully swam with each other.

God calls us to dance with him.

"Once again I will build you up, and you will be rebuilt, my dear people Israel. Once again you will take your tambourines, and you will go dancing with happy people." Jeremiah 31:4 God's Word to the Nations

The people of Israel had chosen the wrong dance partner. They had chosen to dance with the idols of surrounding nations. God was patient, waiting for them to return to the dance floor with him. Finally, he turned his back on Israel and sent them into exile.

But God cannot forget his first love and his desire to dance with his people, so he frees them from captivity and dances again.

God desires to dance with us. He cleans us up. He dresses us in his righteousness. He invites us to his dance floor.  He takes us in his arms and sings over us.

There is no dance like that in our Saviors arms.

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

The Gift of Cooperating

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

I am not a wildlife photographer, but when I have cooperative subjects it might appear that I'm an expert. I had two cooperative Mallards on a recent outing at Fox Run Regional Park. It was like they were posing for me.  

How much easier it is to do God's work when we cooperate with each other.

"Don't be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 God's Word to the Nations

Ever since the fall into sin in the Garden our eyes have been focused on our needs, wants and desires. It was at their moment of rebellion against God that Adam and Eve discovered that they were naked, and we're not any different. Our eyes are focused on me, myself and I.

Jesus was stripped bare on the cross, but his eyes were not focused on himself, but on us. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34 English Standard Version)

We are forgiven for our selfishness as we stand under Christ's cross. In view of the cross, we see each other differently. Our brother and sister in Christ is not a competitor for the affections of God. We are fellow saints walking the same road of life.

It is much easier to walk this road when we cooperate with each other as baptized children of God. Too many of our churches are characterized by fighting, backbiting and anger that we do not accomplish the work that God has placed on our shoulders.

Being a child of God frees us to see each other in a new light, and in turn to see what God is doing through us as we cooperate with each other.

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

The Gift of Coexisting

Ansbach, Germany

St. Johannis Church is one of two churches only blocks apart. The church of St. Gumbertus (not pictured) was the primary church for the royalty of Ansbach, being in close proximity to the royal Residenz, whereas St. Johannis was frequented by the general population.

Can two churches exist adjacent to each other?

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the Christian community that I'm blessed to serve, is at the corner of Constitution and Murray in Colorado Springs, but so is Rustic Hills Baptist Church and Sunnyside Christian Church.  Each one of us play a significant role in our community.

"In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well." Romans 12:6a New Living Translation

There are definite theological differences between our churches on Constitution and Murray, yet all of us are engaged in ministry in our community. Remove one us from this neighborhood and something important is missing.

As it is with individuals so it is with churches: God has gifted us to do certain things well. Notice that Paul did not tell the church at Rome that their gifts were intended for them to do things perfectly, but to do them well. There are no perfect people nor are there perfect churches.

However, we are gifted to do what we do and to do it well. Your church is a special, forgiven community of God's people and no matter how close another church might be to your church, all of you play a special role in your community.

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

An Invitation to Drink

Ansbach, Germany

This is the same water fountain pictured in Wednesday's blog, but with the Orangerie to my back. There is something compelling about water fountains. Some of us would say that it's the sight of the water shooting into the air, others that its the sound of the water pounding in on itself, and others would probably say that it's both.

It doesn't get more basic than water.

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost." Isaiah 55:1 New International Version

Scientist say that we can live three weeks without food, but only three days without water. I'm not suggesting that you try either.  Believe it or not, the adult human body is 50-60% water. It's a wonder we're not a puddle on the kitchen floor.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God invites his people to come to him to satisfy their thirst and placate their hunger. This is also the invitation that Jesus offered to the Samaritan woman as they conversed at Jacob's well (John 4).  This is God's invitation to you. He satisfies your thirst. He placates your hunger.

As I write this devotion our hearts are heavy for the people of the Philippines. Not only do they need Jesus to satisfy their spiritual thirst. They literally need water. Such great suffering comes with such an amazing opportunity for us to reach out both in prayer and in aid to help relieve their suffering.

We are the vessels through whom God delivers relief in suffering, both spiritual and physical.

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

Help for Spicing Up Your Christmas Newsletter

It's hard to believe that Christmas is less than two months away which means that the dreaded deadline for the Christmas letter is near. I realize that some of you have already completed your letter. You've made your list and checked it twice. But for those of us who haven't, let me share some tips for adding portraits to your letters.

1. Focus on the eyes.

The saying is true; the eyes are the window to the soul. Fortunately, today's cameras can help. Many point-and-shoot cameras as well as D-SLR's have face detection. In other words, the modern camera is smart enough to detect when it's pointed at someone's eyes. In your Christmas' portrait you want the eyes to be tack sharp.

2. Fill the frame.

We've all received Christmas letters with family portraits where we can't tell who the family is. Believe it or not, people want to know that the picture is of your family. Besides, you want them to post this picture on their refrigerator, don't you? Make sure that you fill the frame by standing closer to the subjects or zooming in on them. Seeing who's in the picture is more important than viewing your shrubbery in the background.

3. Don't take your portraits in direct sunlight.

A couple of things will happen when you take pictures in direct sunlight. First, your family will squint their eyes if they're looking into the sun. Second, the sun will cast deep shadows. When you take your family pictures on a cloudy day or in the shade the light is diffused and gives your picture a softer tone.  And don't be afraid to use your flash.  It will help fill in details.

Taking portraits of your family and adding them to your newsletter is something all of us can do. Granted, there is something special about having a professional photographer take your family picture. However, many of us struggle financially and paying for a professional photographer is not in the budget. Given this reality, I hope these tidbits are helpful in sprucing up your newsletter with your own portraits.

May God grant you a blessed holiday season.

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens
with the saints and members of the household of God." 

Ephesians 2:19 English Standard Version 

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

The Death of Death

Ansbach, Germany

Across the street from the Residenz (yesterday's blog) in Ansbach is the Hofgarten mit Orangerie. The Orangerie pictured above was finished in 1743 and houses more temperate trees in the winter such as orange, lemon, pistachio and olive trees.

There is another kind of covering that is spread over all people. Instead of protecting us from the elements this covering takes away life. The covering of which Scripture speaks is that of death.

"And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken." Isaiah 25:7 English Standard Version

Remove the covering from the Orangerie in winter and the trees die. The shroud of God's protection was removed from Jesus on the cross and he died, yet through his death we live.

The day is coming when the shroud of death will be removed from us. The day is coming when every tear will be wiped. The day is coming when God will remove the reproach of his people.

All of this is guaranteed because Jesus was exposed to the winter of our sin.

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

Trusting the Eyes and Ears of God

Ansbach, Germany

This is the courtyard of what is known as the Residenz der Markgrafen zu Brandenburg-Ansbach (Residence of the Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach). If you view the courtyard from above you would note that the Residenz is symmetrical and that the only way into the courtyard is through the palace.

In essence, everyone in the courtyard was protected from the outside world.

What are the walls with which you protect your life?

     * An attitude of overconfidence?
     * A stoic shell?
     * A laugh-at-anything demeanor?

All of us carry scars from the past. Some of these scars are of our own doing and others are the result of pain we suffered at the hands of others. We don't want to feel the pain of the past so we set up walls that prevent this pain from entering our courtyard.

"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry." Psalm 34:15 English Standard Version

These walls we erect can't keep out the pain, and often contribute to the experience of more pain. Rather than trusting in the walls, God calls us to trust his promise. God's ears lean into the cries of his people, and knowing that his eyes are on the righteous transcends the pain we experience.

I'm not saying that we ought to act naively and let down the gates, opening ourselves to being hurt. I'm suggesting that we hold on to the promise of the one who was exposed to our sin. I'm suggesting that we trust God's attentiveness to our pain and struggles.

His eyes of compassion and his ears of mercy are attuned and focused on us.

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(Click on picture to enlarge.)

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

3 Keys to Improving Your Landscape Photography

We've all had the experience of being awed by an amazing landscape, taking a picture of it and then being disappointed when we upload the picture to our computer. What we saw and what we captured are two different things. Let me share with you three quick keys to help you improve your landscape photography so that what you see on your computer looks much like what you remember viewing.

1. Pay attention to light

Photography is all about light. Light is not good or bad, it just is, but knowing what light is doing is critical. Pull up a few pics on your computer and study the effect of the light. How would a different lighting scenario change the picture? You may have already noticed in your pictures that those you took in the morning and evening look much different than those taken at one or two in the afternoon. Or that colors look different on a cloudy day verses a sunny day. Knowing what light is doing will improve your photography.

2. Look for leading lines

The photo above has a subtle leading line that winds with the trees to the right and then snakes back to the left. This line leads the eye deep into the picture. Lines have the ability to add a three dimensional aspect to your pictures. You might consider adding a trail to your photo. Trails have a magical quality of taking you far into a photo, especially if there is a bend or two.

3. Use your viewfinder

There is nothing magical about using your viewfinder verses your LCD, yet using your viewfinder can help you make a critical decision. It can help you determine what you will include and exclude in the picture. The temptation in landscape photography is to try to capture the entire scene. The key is limiting your landscape to what is important. Because your viewfinder crops out all the clutter, it is easier to focus on what to include in your landscape.

In landscape photography there is nothing more satisfying than knowing that the picture you took is what you remember seeing in the beauty of God's creation.

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.

5 Things Every Amateur Photographer Needs to Remember

In this digital era most every one of us has a camera even if it’s only our cell phone. With these digital cameras we capture moments in time. As long as we have a computer, these time capsules don’t cost us anything to develop. As a result, there are more amateur photographers than ever (including yours truly).

Here is my list of five things that every amateur photographer needs to remember

1. Take your camera with you…everywhere.

This isn't difficult if you have a cell phone. The key is remembering that you have a camera on you. You can also make sure your camera is in your car.

2. The camera will only take you so far.

No matter what Canon, Nikon and Sony tell you, there are limits to every camera. The camera can only take you so far, which leads to the next fact.

3. You’re more important than the camera.

The camera was not created in the image of God, you were. You’re a created and redeemed child of God who sees the world as only you can.  It is this worldview that you attempt to capture in pixels.

4. It’s all about telling a story.

Our worldview is told through stories.  A beautiful picture captivates us because it tells a story even if it’s a landscape. When you’re ready to push the shutter button ask yourself, “Why is the picture important to me?” More than likely, it’s telling you a story.

5. The story we tell is God’s story.

Most importantly, with camera in hand, remember that this story is connected to God’s story of your life. His redeeming love in Jesus is reflected in your slice of time captured on your camera.

Feel free to add to this list in the comments below. I’m anxious to see what you write!

Don’t forget to have fun! That’s what photography is all about.

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. 

All Saints Day

Circular Congregational Church Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina

This is not the first cemetery in which I have taken pictures but it is the oldest, in fact it claims to be the first cemetery in Charleston (ca. 1695 which is only 139 years after Martin Luther's death).

Though some of these graves have been here for over 300 years, this is not the final resting place for those who have died in Christ. We often mistakenly call graves the final resting place. To do so we then must deny the reality of the resurrection.

As many of you know, both my father and sister have died and joined the Church Triumphant. I know that one day their ashes will be raised from the dead.

Until then, there is a temporary rest for them from their labors: from pain and struggle, from sin and sorrow.

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' 'Blessed indeed,' says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!'" Revelation 14:13 ESV

On this All Saints Day it appropriate for us to celebrate the unity of the Church Militant (that's you and me) and the Church Triumphant (those who have died in the Lord) in the mystery that is the Communion of Saints.

I thank God for my father who left a legacy of faith. I thank God for my sister who left a legacy of grace in a life lived with muscular dystrophy.

Think about those who have left a legacy for you and thank God for their testimony to Christ that lives on in your life.

"For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!"

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