Life Is Hard...Look Around

Palmer Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Growing up I was blessed to have a friend who had been born blind. I say blessed because he helped me see the world with different eyes (and he usually beat me when we sparred at wrestling practice).

In Junior High we students had circuit in the hallways that we walked before the first class bell rang. My blind friend would often hang on to my elbow as we walked the halls. I don't remember much of what we talked about, but I do remember his smile.

At times I thought about what it would be like for him to see creation for the first time. What would he experience if he actually saw the sun?

"Having said these things, [Jesus] spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, 'Go, wash in the pool of Siloam' (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing." John 9:6-7 English Standard Version

The man whom Jesus healed saw the world for the first time as he, too, was born blind, and it is Jesus who gives him sight.

If Jesus has the power to heal physical blindness he also has the power to heal us of our spiritual blindness. Our sin keeps us from seeing Jesus. This sin has been washed in the pool of his blood shed for us on his cross.

Through faith, we now see Jesus. We see his compassion, mercy and kindness to those of us who have been blinded by sin. And he now invites us to look around and see both the beauty of his creation and the beauty of his redemption.

Today's Challenge: Go for a walk and stop somewhere on your journey. Take a few moments and take a deep breath and look around at the beauty of what God has made. As you look at creation, remember that God has opened your eyes to see Jesus.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Facing the Giant

Margerie Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

I live near fourteen thousand feet peaks with one of them, Pikes Peak, in my backyard. Mount Fairweather, the dot in the right hand corner of this picture, is only one thousand feet higher (15,325 ft.) than these peaks. But here's the difference: I live at nearly 7,000 feet, this picture is taken from sea level.

Mount Fairweather is a giant.

"Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall!" 1 Samuel 17:4 New Living Translation

Through David, God overcame Goliath.

We face giants everyday. Your giant is probably not the same as mine, but that doesn't matter. What is difficult for us to believe is that God has overcome our giants. We struggle with them day in and day out. We wonder if we'll experience any kind of victory over our giants.

Imagine the giants that Jesus faced on the cross for us.

As we move deeper into Lent we discover that it is Jesus who faced the giants of sin, death and hell for us.  And for a moment on that cross, he was overcome by these enemies but his resurrection secured his victory.

He overcame Goliath for you.

Challenge for Today: Identify that Goliath in your life that seems to have won the victory.  Picture Jesus in the place of David slaying that giant.  Your giant has not won the victory.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

"Do You See What I See?"

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Okay, I know that it's not Christmas but Lent, yet this question fits. Side-by-side, these two women do not see the same thing. Each one is looking in a different direction.

Glacier Bay Nation Park in Alaska is spectacular. You can't take in all the glaciers, terrain and wildlife that present themselves as you spend the day cruising this waterway. It shouldn't surprise any of us that these two women are gazing in opposite directions.

There is also a great deal for us to look at as we walk through Lent but only one thing on which to focus.  

"For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2 New Living Translation

As we move from Lent to Palm Sunday, to the upper room, to the cross and the empty tomb we focus on one thing, or rather one person, Jesus Christ.

Yet gazing at Christ is like sailing Glacier Bay. What he has done for us is so vast that we will always be discovering what it means that Jesus is our Savior.

Today's Challenge: Look for crosses in ordinary things of life.  Let these crosses help you focus on Jesus.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

I Couldn't Help Myself

Red Rock Canyon, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Red Rock Canyon is filled with miles upon miles of trails. And if you're tired of hiking in the Canyon you can slip over to Section 16 for more trails. Smack dab in the middle of these trails is this quarry. The Red Rock quarries were quite active in the latter part of the 1800's and provided Lyons sandstone to Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs and surrounding areas.

I don't like taking pictures of the quarry. As I hiked past the quarry I said to myself that I wasn't going to take a picture. But I did anyway. Even though I don't find it pretty, there is something that draws me to it.

After slaying his brother Abel, God said to Cain, "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it." Genesis 4:7 English Standard Version

Therein lays the problem: Sin does rule over us. We cannot free ourselves from that impulse to stop and take the picture; to keep sin from ruling over us.

When you think about what Jesus did for us by submitting to the cross it becomes evident that he allowed sin to rule over him, drag it to the grave and bury it there.

What we cannot do, Jesus did for us. By submitting to death he ruled over sin. You and I cannot master sin so Jesus did it for us.

Our response is not to throw up our hands and say, "Oh well, there's nothing I can do." Our response is to humbly get on our knees and thank God for the grace that covers our lives and live our lives as a thank offering to him.

Today's Challenge: Lay at the foot of the cross that which causes you to throw up your hands and say, "Oh well, there's nothing I can do."

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Peek-A-Boo, I See You!

Red Rock Canyon, Colorado Springs

When you saw this title your probably thought today's blog would feature one of my grandsons. I'm sorry to disappoint you.  I happened upon this deer as I hike Red Rock Canyon. Since there are many people who hike, bike and run on these trails, this Mule Deer wasn't afraid of me.

But it still kept its distance.

"Draw near, O nations, to hear, and give attention, O peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that fills it; the world, and all that comes from it." Isaiah 34:1 English Standard Version

Some of us, if not most of us, want to keep God at a distance and view him through the branches. We don't want to get to close to God as it might mean that we'll have to change. We falsely believe that we must first change before God calls us to the cross.

It works the other way around.

We are called to draw near to Jesus Christ. His Spirit grabs us and brings us to cross. It is from the cross that God works his change in our lives.

This deer was afraid of me and eventually took off. There is no need for us to be afraid of God and bolt from his presence. We draw near to him because he first drew close to us with his grace and mercy.

Today's Question: What keeps you from drawing close to God?

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.

Don't Forget to Look Up!

Red Rock Canyon, Colorado Springs

The beauty of hiking a trail that you've never been on before is that you don't know what to expect. Granted you can do your best to follow a trail on Google Earth but it isn't the same as exploring a new trail.

Even when you've hiked a path numerous times and you could walk that path blindfolded, the weather conditions and time of day might cause you to see something you haven't noticed before, but you've got to look up to notice these details.

Hiking with my camera forces me to stop looking at my feet and gaze at my surroundings. Does that cause problems? When I took this picture I almost fell flat on my face as I stumbled over a rock. That's the risk of walking with your head up.

"Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in." Psalm 24:7 New International Version

On Palm Sunday. God will invite us to lift up our heads to receive the one who rides humbly into Jerusalem as our King. If we stare at our feet we might miss the beauty of this event.

Besides, if you lift your eyes, you might see something different about your King of glory as the Holy Spirit reveals to you the one who not only rides a beast of burden but who is that beast of burden on the cross.

Question for Today: Why is it hard to lift up your eyes to see Jesus?

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Black with Jealousy

Stanley

Stanley was our first introduction to parenting.  We picked him up at the humane society in Lincoln, Nebraska the year before Joel was born.  He wasn't happy when Joel came home from the hospital.  Shortly after his birth Stanley decided to get even with us by peeing on Joel's clean cloth diapers.  The next day we put him in a kennel for our trip to Oregon.  We never had a problem with jealousy again.

"Anger is cruel, and fury is overwhelming, but who can survive jealousy?" Proverbs 27:4 God's Word to the Nations

Most all of us have been on the bad side of jealousy.  Nothing good comes from envy.

Yet the best way to deal with our jealousy is to understanding that God is jealous...for us. God does not want us to give our supreme affections to anyone or anything but him.

Understanding that God is jealous for us can help us deal with our jealousy.  Other people's possessions mean nothing to us when we understand that God possesses us.  He is what we need more than anything else.

The water's of baptism are a daily reminder of God's jealousy.  We belong to God because he is jealous (and zealous) for us.  There is nothing that others possess that could take the place of what we have in God.

One day that bigger and better widget that we envy will end up in the landfill or junkyard.

We never will!

Today's Challenge: Identify one thing that you covet and imagine yourself handing this item to God and placing it in his hands...then walk away.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Life Is Hard...Time for a Drink

Grandson, Nolan's Baptism

You know that I will do anything to write a blog that includes a picture of one of my grandsons. This is Nolan on the day of his baptism, and yes this picture was posed. Nolan might have been thinking, "here we go again?" If you will notice, the water had been emptied from the font.

Water plays such an important role in our lives. I recently asked a group of people where their favorite body of water was located. The answers varied, but we all agreed that we loved being around water.

"Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'" John 4:13-14 English Standard Version

The Samaritan woman might have had a different picture of water than the people who answered my question. Everyday she might have been frustrated that she had to make the trek to the well: Everyday hoping there was water in the well, everyday tired of carrying the water back to her home.

This Samaritan woman must have been completely confused by Jesus' words. She had come to the well to draw water and this Jewish man (who shouldn't be talking with her in the first place) tells her that he has water to give her that will spring up to eternal life. What a deal! Water that will last forever!

Like this Samaritan woman, we are in need of the water that Jesus gives. It is the water that brings life because he is that Water of Life. Being drenched in Jesus is to be drenched in eternal life. Let that soak in for a while.

Today's Challenge: Splash some water in your face and let it remind you that Jesus is your Water of Life.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Anxiety's Antidote

Courtenay, British Columbia

If you're getting the feeling that I enjoyed my time on Vancouver Island, B.C., you would be correct.  Yet it was also one of the most difficult vacations I've taken.  When I snapped this calming picture of sailboats in Courtenay, Colorado Springs was on the verge of going up in smoke. While Janice and I enjoyed some time of refreshment, friends were worried about their homes surviving.

For me this was a quick lesson on the unproductive nature of worry.  There was nothing I could do since I was miles away, even when my son called, panicked because he had to close the restaurant at which he worked.  The restaurant was under mandatory evacuation as the flames raced down the mountain carried by high winds.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 New Living Translation

There were many prayers offered to our benevolent God when the fire seemed ready to devour our community.  There have also been many prayers of thanksgiving for those who put themselves in harms way to keep the beast contained.

Prayer is an amazing antidote to anxiety for our prayers do not fall on deaf ears, but on the ears of the one who emptied heaven of his Son that we might no longer be consumed with worry.

Today's Challenge: Offer your anxieties to God, not merely in a quick one sentence prayer to God, but in a walk around the block prayer.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Fishing Is Not a Solo Activity

Campbell River, British Columbia

Many of us guys look at this man fishing for salmon and think, "now that's the life." We think of fishing as an independent activity, a time of getting away by ourselves with no one bothering us (and probably no fish "bothering" our bait).

It's funny, though, that learning to fish is very difficult if you try to do it without anyone's help.

My father, along with my brother, taught me to fish, something I did for the first time in a number of years this past summer.

"And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.'" Mark 1:17 English Standard Version

The operative words for the disciples are the words "follow me." To learn to fish for people requires following Jesus. We can't learn to fish for people with God's love and mercy if we haven't experience that mercy and love from Jesus.

The call to follow Jesus is a call to follow him to his cross, drenched in his blood, that all the world might experience grace.

You see, we don't learn about God's love in a vacuum. We learn about God's love from each other where we experience God's gift of community.

Question for Today: What part of fishing for people causes you anxiety?  Talk to God about this anxiety.

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

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

On Top of the World

Campbell River, British Columbia

It's common to see bald eagles along the coast from Alaska to British Columbia. This guy was looking for his next meal at the mouth of the Campbell River where it flows into the Strait of Georgia. And he wasn't alone as two or three other eagles were perched on poles close to the river.

"For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock." Psalm 27:5 English Standard Version

David mixes some interesting metaphors when he speaks of what God will do for his people. Two metaphors deal with God covering us during our days of trouble, but the other metaphor gives a different picture. Like this eagle perched high above its foes, God will set us high upon a rock.

Our troubles look different from high on a rock.

First, David reminds us that it is God who sets us on this rock. No climbing necessary. Second, troubles look differently when we're peering down at them and not looking up at them.

From on top, our troubles don't seem so daunting.

Question for Today: What do you troubles look like from the eagle's perspective?

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Waiting for the Storm

Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado

On the day that I took this picture I was being chased by a storm. It started snowing on my way to Westcliffe, Colorado. Things didn't look good to the north so I headed south, stopped a few times to snap some pics and then climb back into the car and took off ahead of the storm.

I drove over three hundred miles that day and did a good job of staying out of the storm until I got home. A wall of snow hit me once I reached Colorado Springs.

The storm had arrived.

"Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping." Matthew 8:24 New Living Translation

The question is not IF the storms will come but WHEN. You might be heading into a life storm, in the middle of one or on the other side of that storm. And you're thinking that Jesus is asleep.

With the disciples you cry out, "don't you care?!" (Mark 4:38) We're pretty self-focused when we're riding out a storm.  

In truth, Jesus was with the disciples and he did care. In truth, Jesus is with you and does care even when you experience his silence.

Today's Challenge: Remember a period in your life when you experienced a storm and reflect on how Jesus was with you even if you cried out, "don't you care?"

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

One Way

Campbell River, British Columbia

I enjoyed my visit to the city of Campbell River on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Over halfway up the island from Victoria, it is known for its salmon fishing and its boating as evidenced by this harbor.

Off in the distance is a boat entering the harbor. There is only one way in and one way out of the harbor.

"Jesus replied, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6 New English Translation

Jesus' claim is both comforting and troubling. In our humanness we'd like to think that Jesus is one of many ways to the Father, not the only way. However, the claim of the cross is exclusive or the cross loses its power.

In reality Jesus' words are comforting. He is our way. He is our truth. He is our life. And through this Jesus we have access to the Father.

Today you and I have access to the Father. Tomorrow we will have access to the Father. Why? Because Jesus is our one and only way.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Life Is Hard...Start Over

Silver Falls State Park, Silverton, Oregon

We often take water for granted until that water disappears.

As many of you know, I come from Oregon. When people think about Oregon they usually think about rain...and for good reason. I grew up with plenty of water.

Living in Colorado is not the same thing. We're prone to drought in Colorado Springs. A few years ago we were only allowed to water our yards twice a week. Ugh. Needless to say, my yard wasn't very green.

Our lives are dependent on water.

"Jesus answered, 'Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.'" John 3:5 New Revised Standard Version

Jesus was speaking to a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus who had come to him at night. Jesus and Nicodemus got into a tug-of-war about rebirth. Nicodemus heard Jesus say that a person must be born again, when Jesus was actually saying that one must be born from above. The Greek word Jesus used means both "again" and "above."

Our new birth does not come through human will but from the Spirit of God; the Spirit of renewal that is given us through our washing in baptism (Titus 3:4-5).

You and I have been born of the Spirit and as a result today is not merely a do over, it is a start over. That's what God does when we're born from above.

Today's Challenge: As you take a shower or wash your face, remember that God has given you new birth by the washing of the Holy Spirit, and pray that God would give you the eyes of faith to see and believe in your new birth.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

"Don't Fence Me In"

Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado

Some people look at fences and wonder what's on the other side. Other people look at fences and give thanks for the protection they provide. Others wonder why fences are where they are. And then there are people like me who look at fences and get all emotional because fences do something to their psyche.

Fences are not neutral. And neither are God's commands.

"How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers! Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the LORD's commands; he meditates on his commands day and night." Psalm 1:1 New English Translation

Some of us look at the commands of God and believe they keep us from having "fun." Others of us look at God's commands and worship them as if they can save us. Still others of us wonder how far God wants us to go in obeying his commands. And then others of us look at the commands and get all emotional about their effect on our lives.

God's calls us to meditate on his commands. His commands are not neutral. God's law sets the boundaries of life. God's law leads us to the cross. God's law centers our life in Christ.

No matter our view of God's law, when we meditate on them we must conclude that apart from Jesus, we'd be lost.  He has kept God's commands and borne our sin.  His death was our penalty for not obeying God.  And in Jesus we're set free to view God's commandments from a position of life.

No matter our view of God's commands, they are his Word and they have the power to lead us to Jesus.

Question for Today: As a forgiven child of God, which of God's commands do you find yourself meditating on and why?

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

The Beavers Did It!

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

What is the reward for the beavers who built this dam? What is their reward for their hard work?

It wouldn't surprise me if beavers work their tails off until the day they die. Granted, this dam allows the stream to slow down so that they can built their home, but is that their reward?

It seems to me that part of the reward for the beavers has nothing to do with the beavers but with the rest of the ecosystem. Their dams slow down erosion, provide sill waters for other animals and establishes deep holes for fish to survive the winter.

"So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" Luke 17:10 English Standard Version

Hard work seems to be devalued in society. But even more prevalent is the idea that when I work, it is solely for my benefit. Have we forgotten how our hard work benefits others?

The question is, are we even doing our "duty"?

We have been graced by God through the sacrifice of Christ. It was for our benefit that he labored on this planet. We are graced so that we might grace the lives of others.

Today's Challenge: Look for ways that God uses your labor to be a blessing to others...then don't take credit for it.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Growing into Our Head

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

No, these are not some strange breed of cattle grazing the mountains of Colorado (though they are cows). I was playing hooky from our pastors conference in Estes Park, Colorado and ended up hanging out with these ladies in a picnic area of Rocky Mountain National Park.

What amazes me about these cow elk is how skinny their legs are. Some of these ladies were about ready to give birth and they were quite large yet their skinny legs held them upright.

When it comes to the Christian church, the body of Christ, we also seem to be out of proportion.

"But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. From him the whole body grows, fitted and held together through every supporting ligament. As each one does its part, the body grows in love."  Ephesians 4:15-16 New English Translation

Though the legs of these elk look out of proportion to the rest of their bodies, they are beautiful. The body of Christ is beautiful though we might look out proportion to the Head of this body.

We are continually growing into Christ. Our God feeds and nourishes us in his Word, and through this Word we stay connected to the Head. Our connection to the Head is seen by our growth in love for each other.

Like these elk, may others see us grazing together on that food which God provides as we continually grow into Christ our Head.

Today's Challenge: Perform some random act of kindness to an unsuspecting person, and do it so that the person doesn't know who offered the act.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Protection

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

This cactus is beautiful.

Rocky Mountain National Park is known for its grand vistas, large herds of elk and occasional moose, not for its cacti. When I took this picture I was surround by a large number of cow elk (tomorrow's blog). But this cactus caught my eye.

There are many of us who are quite similar to this cactus. Because we are special creations of God and because we have been recreated through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are declared by God to be beautiful.

But we keep people at a distance. We live in fear that something bad is going to happen to us so we stick out our needles and keep people away.

"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 New Living Translation

I'm sure this woman who was caught in the act of adultery felt like nothing, wanting to keep people away. Yet nothing could keep Jesus from declaring her forgiven and beautiful. Nothing could keep him from urging her to leave her life of sin. Why? Because she was beautiful

And so are you. God has declared you beautiful.

Question for Today? How do you keep people at a distance to keep yourself from getting hurt?

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

There's Always One in the Group

SolVista, Colorado

There is a symmetry to this picture. These aspen lean to the right probably because of prevailing winds. But notice the one oddball tree, the one to the left of center that for some reason leans to the left.

So which of these trees best represents your life?

Your answer to that question probably depends on the situation. You might be known for going with the group in most situations. But when it comes to your family, you're the oddball.

"If you have no desire to worship the LORD, choose today whom you will worship, whether it be the gods whom your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But I and my family will worship the LORD!" Joshua 24:15 New English Translation

Talk about leaning in the opposite direction.

It might not be culturally acceptable to worship the Lord, but that is what we do. It might be easier to lean with society, but worshiping the Lord is what we do.

Worshiping God  is what we do because Jesus leaned against culture by living his sinless life, submitting to the cross and rising from the dead.

It's time for you and me to be known as "the one" in the group.

Today's Challenge: Pray for strength to not be like the crowd.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Head in the Clouds

Longs Peak, Colorado

Stare at this picture long enough and the clouds seem to float over Longs Peak, at least that is what I see since I'm known for being in a fog. I have often been accused of having my head in the clouds...and for good reason.

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with having your head in the clouds. I think Moses would agree with me.

"The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from inside the cloud." Exodus 24:16 God's Word to the Nations.

Where's your head today?

God invites you to stick your head in the clouds and to see his glory. For some of us that will mean pulling our heads out of the dirt where we, like an ostrich, have stuck it.

So, where is this cloud of glory?  It's as near to you as your Bible. It's as near as the Lord's Supper. It's as near as the drenching waters of Baptism.

God's glory still resides on earth through these means which give us a taste of that day when we'll really stick our heads in the clouds of heaven.

Today's Challenge: When you read your Bible allow it to show you the glory of God even if it isn't Mt. Sinai.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.  

Life Is Hard...and I Know Why

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Okay, so this is the second time that I've used this picture in the last month, but it fits my sermon theme for today.

On The First Sunday in Lent we recall Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. It is also the day we remember our fall into sin through our first parents, Adam and Eve. 

These are not "feel good" Bible readings, other than the fact that Jesus resisted temptation. We come face-to-face with our need for God to do something about our broken, sinful condition.

In the midst of the fact that death enters our world through Adam and Eve, there is also grace in this text. There is grace in the promise that the head of the serpent will be crushed, and there is an immediate grace in God clothing Adam and Eve.

"And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them." Genesis 3:21 English Standard Version

God's promise of crushing Satan's head has been fulfilled in Jesus. Because of Jesus' victory we are also people of the promise of Jesus' return not only to crush Satan, but cast him into the Abyss for all eternity. That's what we look forward to on this Lenten journey, yet God's grace is not limited to some future event.

Like Adam and Eve, who were clothed by God, we experience his grace today. That's why the picture of snow. Believe me, the snow covers a multitude of problems in my yard. They are no longer visible, covered by the grace of snow.

Your sin has been covered by the grace of Christ. Your sin is no longer visible to God. Yes we wait for Christ's return, but that doesn't mean we can't experience his presence now. His presence is known in forgiveness.

Question for the Day: If you were to take a picture of God covering your sin what would that picture look like?

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-14 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR

Sunrise, Sunset

Palmer Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Some of us are sunrise people and others are sunset people. I'm not talking about whether one is more beautiful than the other. They are both equally stunning and nondescript. They both happen over mountains and oceans, over plains and deserts.

Sunsets and sunrises signify two different views of life.

Sunrises compel us to look forward. Sunsets compel us to look backwards. Sunrises stir anticipation about the future, sunsets inspire us to look back on what has been.

There are those of us reading this blog who would describe our lives in terms of sunrises not sunsets and those who would describe them in terms of sunsets not sunrises. Our description of lived lived in either one or the other is not about age, but about what we're experiencing.

One is not better than the other; just a statement of reality. What's important is that our loving God is with us at sunrise, sunset and the time in between.

"From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!" Psalm 113:3 English Standard Version

Whether we find ourselves at sunrise, sunset, or somewhere in between, God's name is lifted up by his forgiven and restored people.

Question for the Day: Would you describe your life as lived in the sunrise, the sunset or in the tension between the two? Wherever you find yourself, don't forget to lift up the name of Jesus.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-14 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR

Where Do We Go from Here?

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

If I hadn't hiked this trail before I might guess that it leads to the base of this rock formation in the Garden of the Gods. It doesn't, but let's imagine that it does. In fact, lets imagine that we must somehow climb this rock formation to make it to the other side.

Given that task, we might give up. It looks impossible to climb this cliff.

As we journey though Lent, and see this journey as a reflection of our lives, we might want to give up.

"When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36 New Living Translation

Jesus looked at people and saw them as confused. The sheep are confused by the many voices heard in their world.

Jesus looked at people and saw them as helpless. What Jesus saw was the futility of people's attempts to grasp meaning in life.

We come up against a rock cliff and life becomes confusing and pointless.

When Jesus faced his cross he wasn't confused, but he was helpless. He knew that there was no avoiding the cliff that was in front of him. He accepted the cross. He embraced his cross. And in the end he committed himself into his Father's hands.

And so do we. In our own power we cannot scale the cliff that makes life seem helpless and confusing. Instead we grasp on to the one who embraced his cross, his cliff.

It is Jesus who gives our lives clarity and hope as we face those things that tempt us with confusion and helplessness.

Question for the Day: How does embracing Jesus help you scale the cliff you're facing today?

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-14 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR

The Journey of Lent

Jones Park, Colorado

The hike to Jones Park is a long and difficult climb (and getting more difficult with my creaking bones).  Reaching this aspen grove is not for cowards.  Yet no matter the time of year, you will be rewarded by the kiss of God upon this special part of his creation.

Lent is a journey inward and it too is not for cowards. Richard Foster, in his book, Prayer: Finding the Hearts True Home, identifies seven prayers that drive us inward.  These prayers are reflected in our Lenten journey: The Prayer of the Forsaken, The Prayer of Tears and The Prayer of Relinquishment to name three.

"And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'" Matthew 26:39 English Standard Version

Jesus was driven inward by the call of the cross.

His inward prayer turned upward when he called out, "not as I will, but as you will."  The Lenten journey is not meant to be glorified naval gazing but a journey up into the Father's arms, outstretched like the father of the prodigal son, ready to embrace his loved children.

Though the journey may be difficult, it is worth the trip.

Question for the Day: What do you see when you think about your heavenly Father stretching out his hands to welcome you into his arms?

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-14 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR

A Bridge to Nowhere

Willamette Valley, Oregon

As I thought about Ash Wednesday this simple can sitting on a ledge in an unused covered bridge tells an important tale.

I love covered bridges and Oregon has plenty of them. This picture was taken inside of the Crawfordsville Bridge (circa 1932) over the Calapooia River. It was difficult to take pictures here as state highway 228 runs within feet of the bridge. Travelers no longer cross this bridge.  It is actually a bridge to nowhere.

Sin has taken amazing creations and disconnected them from God. And hidden in the corners of these creations resides garbage.

"'That is why I will judge each of you by what you have done, people of Israel,' declares the Almighty LORD. Change the way you think and act. Turn away from all the rebellious things that you have done so that you will not fall into sin.'" Ezekiel 18:30 God's Word to the Nations

Jesus didn't fall into sin, instead our sin fell on him.

Repentance is an act of faith which trusts in the absolute forgiveness of God. Our repentance never ends with despair but with joy, knowing that even before we sit in sackcloth and ashes, even before we impose ashes on our foreheads, we are forgiven.

Repentance is not a bridge to nowhere. It's a bridge, built with God's own hands, that carries us back to him.

Question for the Day: What is that one thing in your life that is best represented by the trash in this picture? Bring that item before God today knowing that he has already forgiven you.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-14 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR

An Invitation

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

This picture invites us to walk down this path. The view from which this picture was taken is wonderful, but it wouldn't be complete without stepping down into the Three Graces rock formation.

God has waiting for us an invitation that we cannot resist.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.'" Matthew 25:34 New Living Translation

This passage comes from the parable of the sheep and the goats. We often miss the point in the text that the sheep and goats are already goats and sheep when they stand before the King. In other words, our faith in Jesus Christ or lack of faith already has declared us sheep or goats.

Since you and I are already declared to be sheep through the blood of Christ, we hear the King's invitation to enter his presence now. Do we fully taste the life that awaits us when we stand in the presence of the King? No, but God does give us a sample of that life.

That taste of heaven comes in the fellowship of the baptized...but not perfectly.

That taste comes in the bread and wine of our Lord's meal...but not in its fullness.

That taste comes in the wonder of creation...but not in perfection.

We are privileged to see a glimpse of what God has in store for us even in this world that is filled with sin and death. The invitation is in the mail.

Today's Challenge: Look for evidence of God's invitation as you walk through your day.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-14 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR

Stars and Sun Alike

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

The setting sun is frightening for many people as light gives way to darkness. It is not that people are actually afraid of the setting sun, but of the darkness that follows.

Where is God in the darkness?

"Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun." Psalm 74:16 New Living Translation

There are bad things that happen in the dark, yet these bad things also happen when the sun is at its apex. There are good things that happen in the light, yet these good things also happen at night.

The psalmist reminds us that God is as much in the darkness as in the light. He holds both in the palm of his hand. Both the light of the sun and that of the stars are the work of his creation.

God is not afraid of your darkness. Because God made the stars to rule the night he also rules in the darkness that surrounds you. He is present in your fight against disease. He is present in your struggle with your spouse. He is present in your dead end job.

God is present where darkness resides.

One day we will no longer fear the darkness, but until that day may God give us the faith that trusts his eternal presence both in the light and in the darkness.

Today's Challenge: If you feel that you are presently afraid of the darkness, that is, of some struggle in your life, put a name to that struggle, then pray, "Father, you made the light of the stars as well as the light of the sun. I give you my struggle knowing the light and darkness are both alike to you.  Amen."

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-14 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR

Hearing God's Voice

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

I don't care if it is the Blue Ridge, Rocky or Cascade mountains, there is something majestic about driving among these ranges.

Jesus spent time in the mountains.

Today is Transfiguration Sunday for many churches. It is the day that we remember Jesus climbing a high mountain, and experiencing his post resurrection glory. It was here that he once again heard the voice of his Father affirming his anointed ministry.

What happened on the mountain was more important to Peter than naming the mountain.

"For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain." 2 Peter 1:17-18 English Standard Version

Peter, James and John heard the voice of the Father speaking directly to his Son. Can we hear God's voice today? Does his voice ring in our ears? Peter wrote these words many years after Jesus' transfiguration and shortly before his own execution, yet he could still hear them.

God speaks in worship today. God speaks through sinner/saint pastors. God speaks through water. God speaks through bread and wine. God speaks in the community.

Today we're Peter, James and John and we're given the privilege of hearing God. His voice comes in the ordinary, not the dazzling white of the transfiguration, yet it is God's voice nonetheless.

Are we ready to listen?

Today's Challenge: As you worship today, listen for God's voice in the ordinary.  May you be filled with awe as you hear that voice.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-14 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR

Singing Trees

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

The nakedness of winter branches look like arms extending from a tree's trunk. These branches reach out and up. They almost look human. As such, it shouldn't surprise us that in children's books and fantasy novels trees come alive. They speak. They walk. They emote.

The trees are called to sing praises to God for his redeeming love.

"Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done this wondrous thing. Shout for joy, O depths of the earth! Break into song, O mountains and forests and every tree! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob and is glorified in Israel." Isaiah 44:23 New Living Translation

Isaiah summons Israel to sing of God's redeeming love that would call them out their exile in Babylon. These words of Isaiah call us to sing God's praise because he has summoned us out of the exile of our sin and made us his people.

But why would God call creation to sing his praises? Does he care more about the trees than he does humanity?

By calling creation to sing about his redeeming love God reveals how majestic this love is. It reaches beyond human beings to creation. God's love for humanity is so great even the universe sings out his praise.

Your redemption, our redemption, is so marvelous that everything God has created is called to sing.

If the trees have been called to sing, if all creation has been called to sing, then we who have been redeemed through Christ are also called to sing God's praise.

Today's Challenge: As you walk, bicycle or drive around today, look at the trees and let them remind you to give praise to God for his redeeming love in your life.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-14 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR