Ugh!

Tincup Cemetery, Colorado

It took me a while to set up this picture. I designed it so that the fence line pointed at the aspen groves on the hills in the distance. So I set up my tripod, adjusted my aperture and shutter speed and took the picture, but I never saw the problem.

The problem is the jet trail in the bright blue sky. Ugh!

This picture is a reminder that nothing, and no one, is perfect. There is always something that I would change in the pictures that I take. It might relate to composition or light or unwanted objects, but there is always something reminds me that no picture is perfect.

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins." Romans 3:23 New Living Translation

If a picture were taken of each one of our lives it would show some imperfection. These imperfections would not be reflected merely in our physical appearance but in our character. Sin hits us at the core of who we are. "All have sinned."

Too often we stop at verse twenty-three and never move to twenty-four. We are declared to be innocent in the sight of God through Jesus Christ. Paul doesn't say that we MIGHT be declared righteous, but that we ARE declared righteous. Because of Jesus this is who we truly are before God.

Our "ugh" of sin has been changed into a "hug" of mercy through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

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

Out of Place

Tincup Cemetery, Colorado

I've seen a number headstones similar to this one during my thirty-two years of ministry. This headstone looks much like those at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado except for three letters: CSA, Confederate States of America.

Private Landon H Keyes was a soldier in the 35th Battalion Virginia Cavalry. How did he get to Tincup?

Undoubtedly he saw the horror of war. The 35th was the first to arrive at Gettysburg. Though holding the perimeter, they would have seen the carnage. Not only did they see the effects of battle, this cavalry unit was know for causing carnage as they patrolled the boarder of northern Virginia.

What part did private Keyes play in the American Civil War? Was he wounded? Did he kill someone?

What was his journey that brought him to Colorado? It would seem that he, a southern confederate soldier, is out of place in the Colorado mountains.

Maybe that is the way that you feel as a Christian living in this world, or even in the Christian church. You feel out of place. It would have been the feeling of the first Gentile converts to Christianity in what was predominantly a Jewish faith.

"So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family." Ephesians 2:19 New Living Translation

As Christ was lifted on his cross he gave you a place of belonging. You belong to him. No matter how out of place you might feel in this world, or even in the Christian community, you belong to Christ.

You are not out of place!

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Forgotten?

Tincup Cemetery, Colorado

There are many graves like this one in the Tincup cemetery; a wooden grave marker that had no name. The years have washed away any remembrance of who's buried here.

Yet there is someone's body laid to rest under this tree, and with that body is also laid a story.

The person buried here was born to parents, raised in some community. He or she experienced joys and sorrows, successes and failures, but nothing is remembered. All that marks a life once lived is a slowly disintegrating peace of wood.

"And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.'" Luke 23:42-43 English Standard Version

What did the thief expect Jesus to say? This thief would soon die. He would be buried and quickly forgotten. Did he expect Jesus to reply? Was he hoping, was he anxious for a word from Jesus?

"Today you will be with me in Paradise."

Could the thief even comprehend what he just heard? Though his burial place would be quickly forgotten, Jesus would remember him. Jesus had a place prepared for him.

And the same is true for you. May the thief's words be our prayer, and may Jesus' reply be our comfort.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Walking into Death

Tincup Cemetery, Colorado

A few of days ago I posted a blog with a picture of a stream running through the Tincup cemetery. This bridge keeps your feet dry as you move into the cemetery over that stream.

There was something inviting for me about this boardwalk. There was something beyond death that called me.

When I prepare for a photo shoot I usually do some research. I had checked the internet to find out what I could about Tincup. In my research I discovered that this cemetery is a popular places to visit.

Some people might come because of who's buried here. Others might make the journey because of the unique layout of the graves which are arranged in four distinct knolls. These are compelling reasons to visit the Tincup cemetery. However, I was drawn because of what lays beyond the cemetery.

The cemetery is spectacular because of what's on the other side of the graves.

"And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband." Revelation 21:2 New Living Translation

Death is ugly. It is the great separator. Nothing brings pain to our souls like the death of someone close to our heart.

In Revelation God gives us a glimpse of what lays beyond death.  Like the aspen groves in the background of this picture, there is the beauty of the new Jerusalem that waits for those who cling to Christ and his mercy for them.

As we walk into death, may we focus not be on death itself, but on the promise of the beauty of being in the presence of God.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

A Grave with a View

Tincup Cemetery, Colorado

There's probably a number of us who would love to be buried with this view. As far as graves go, it doesn't get much better than this. Think about it: beautiful colors in the fall, snow covered rest in the winter, elk grazing on the new growth of spring vegetation and two thousand people visiting your grave in the summer.

I find it interesting that we want to be buried in places that have great views, views that won't mean a hill of beans to us when we're dead. Maybe we're afraid of being forgotten when we die and we think that if we're buried in a beautiful location people will come and visit our grave. It worked for this individual, though there's no name on the grave marker.

The Preacher in Ecclesiastes understands the futility of death.  "For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten." Ecclesiastes 2:16 New Living Translation

Comforting words, right? Though we won't be remembered by people, God will never forget us. "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 English Standard Version

Death cannot separate us from God's love, so, it doesn't matter where our earthly remains are laid to rest, God will never abandon us.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

A House Built on...Water?

Near Cumberland Pass, Colorado

What was the person thinking who build this shack/house/out building in this location. Granted, the beavers might not built dams in this location at that time, but come on, there had to be some beaver activity around.

What a picture of our lives. We build our lives on things that wash away. None of us are exempt. All of us can break out in a cold sweat thinking about decisions we made and actions we've taken in the past that ended up leading to difficult days.

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock." Matthew 7:24 New Living Translation

Jesus calls us to do two things. First, he call us to listen to his teachings, and not just the teaching we want to hear. Like the religious leaders, there are things that Jesus teaches that rub our human nature the wrong way. We need to hear these words from Jesus along with the words that speak of his grace and mercy.

Second, Jesus adds that we are to follow his teaching. Our faith is not only about hearing Jesus it is following him. It is being willing, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to pick up our cross and follow Jesus.

I have a feeling there might have been someone who told this man not to build this shack in this location, but the person didn't listen. Now its sits unusable, surrounded by marshy wetlands.

May we have the courage to act differently, not only hearing Jesus' words, but putting them into actions.

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

Living Water

Tincup Cemetery, Colorado

Recently, I made my first trip to Tincup (and hopefully not my last). It's not necessarily an easy trip from Colorado Springs.  There are no paved roads that lead to Tincup. There are few people who live here, especially in the winter. Yet, at one time it was a busy mining community. Evidence of how many people lived here are the number of headstones in the cemetery.

What makes the Tincup cemetery unique are its four knolls: the Protestant Knoll, the Catholic Knoll, the Jewish Knoll, and Boot Hill where the non-religious were buried.

In the midst of these four knolls runs this little stream. I can't help but see in this small creek a picture of who Jesus is.

"Jesus replied, 'Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.'" John 4:13-14 New Living Translation

Both Christians and non-Christians are buried at the Tincup cemetery. There were those who drank deeply of the life Jesus gave them and there were those who rejected this living water. Both died, but not all are dead. Those who drank of Christ enjoy life even in death.

Death is painful. I'm sure that many tears were absorbed by the soil of these graves. Some of you have cried these same tears.

Jesus was not a stranger to death.  He was buried in his grave, a grave that felt the tears of those who loved him.  However, he is alive and has promised eternal life to all who hold on to him by faith.

Like that water that continually runs through this cemetery, the love of Christ continues to run through the lives of those who have died in Christ.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Table Talk

Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany

This is the room in the Luther House made famous for Luther's table talks (Luther's Works Volume 54). Twelve of Luther's table companions sat at table with him over a period of twenty years listening to Luther's conversations and musings which they recorded.

As with any such process, one has to be careful to understand that not everything written was exactly as Luther stated it. Sometime these twelve companions would embellish Luther's words and add to them, yet how amazing it must have been to sit in this room with Luther to listen to his words of wisdom.

On June 11, 1540 John Mathesius recorded the following conversation from this room. "The doctor's wife [Katherine] said, 'If it were in my hands I would really take vengeance on my adversaries. Why does God spare them so?' The doctor replied, 'If God were to do everything with his might, where would that leave his wisdom and his goodness? Accordingly he overlooks many things so that his wisdom and goodness may become known in our weakness.  It will turn out well.'" (LW Vol. 54 p. 384)

"Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 New Living Translation

How we'd like to see justice for the injustice we endure. God's Word to us is the same as it was to Luther and as it was to Paul. His power is made evident when we are at our weakest. When we reflect on our lives we discover the truth of this statement.

We may not like discovering the power of God when we are weak (and we don't have to) but the truth remains: God's "power works best in weakness."

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

"There's No Place Like Home"

Balloon Classic, Colorado Springs, Colorado

For some reason this picture reminds me of the Wizard of Oz, at least the scene towards the end of the movie where the Wizard leaves Dorothy behind and floats away to Kansas.

She was in despair. Dorothy was certain that she would never make it back to Kansas for "there's no place like home."

Despair is a terrible human emotion. Despair links its arms with hopelessness. God does not want us to live in hopelessness and despair.

We lapse into despair when we've lost our sense of home. Home is a place of belonging. It's the place "where everyone knows your name" and they love you anyway. Home is not a building, it's a community of acceptance. Despair finds no chair in the home of acceptance.

"Therefore, accept each other in the same way that Christ accepted you. He did this to bring glory to God." Romans 15:7 God's Word to the Nations

Acceptance in the Christian community is rooted in forgiveness and not in meeting some set of club rules. Jesus' blood shed for all is what creates community as our sin is washed away. This gift of forgiveness creates a home of acceptance in which all are welcome.

There truly is "no place like home" to battle feelings of despair.

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

We Can Fly

Balloon Classic, Colorado Springs, Colorado

This picture reminds me of the 5th Dimension's song, "Up, Up and Away." (Man, did I date myself.)

"Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon?

Would like to glide in my beautiful balloon?

We could flow among the stars, together you and I...For we can fly..."

Listening to this song encourages even the most acrophobic person to climb in the basket and fly away.

These balloons fly at the direction of the wind. The balloonist cannot control the direction in which the balloon takes flight. That might scare some of us just as being led by the Holy Spirit might frighten us.

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you don't know where the wind comes from or where it's going. That's the way it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8 God's Word to the Nations

In the Greek language, as well as Hebrew, the word for "wind" and "spirit" is the same. We Christians, who have been born of water and Spirit, are led by the Spirit, the wind of God.

As such we can either fight the leading of the Spirit or we can enjoy the ride. I have a feeling that those carried by these balloons were enjoying the journey. May we enjoy the journey of God's Spirit and trust that he is leading us on an amazing adventure.

For fun, here is a video of the 5th Dimension singing "Up, Up and Away."  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5akEgsZSfhg

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

The Number of Life

Balloon Classic, Colorado Springs, Colorado

I could say that I like the number three for theological reasons like the Triune God in whom we believe, but that would only be partially true. Three has a beginning, middle and end. Three represents the story of our lives which also have a beginning middle and end. As such, three is a number of completeness, of wholeness.

Three is also the number of the cross.

"Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left." Matthew 27:38 English Standard Version

To often we forget that there were three crosses on Golgotha. It is significant that Jesus hangs between the two. The men nailed to their crosses next to Jesus were alike and different from each other.

They were both criminals. They were getting the just reward for their crime. We might consider their punishment harsh, and maybe it was, but there was no denying that they, not Jesus, deserved their fate.

However these two criminals were quite different. One of the criminals was defiant to the end, demanding that Jesus save all three of them. The other, resigned to his fate, looked to Jesus as his only hope even as he was dying.  

Through the gift of God's grace may we hear the words of Jesus spoke to this man at the beginning, middle and end of our lives: "Today you will be with me in Paradise."

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

You Don't Need a Brain to Live

Seal Bay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Sea stars don't have a brain. There are five, ten, twenty and even forty armed sea stars and none of them have brains yet they are very much alive.

I've done some pretty brainless things in my life; sliding down an ice field, ridding in a speeding car and standing too close to the breaking waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing on rocks.

I don't think I'm alone.

I'm not advocating doing brainless stuff, but the reality of God's protection when we act like we haven't got a brain.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11 English Standard Version

Does this psalm mean we'll always be spared from our brainless activity?  No. The miracle of God's love is that we don't suffer more.

Sea stars regenerate new body parts when tragedy occurs. Because God willfully sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to the cross, he is at work regenerating us even when disaster strikes as a result of our brainless actions.

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

Our Hiding Place

Glen Eyrie, Colorado Springs, Colorado

This rock formation stands above a deep valley. It would be impossible for people to see a person hiding behind these rocks if they walked through this valley. You can't see through the rocks or around them. No one would know that someone is there.

King David felt that God was his hiding place.

"For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory." Psalm 32:7 New Living Translation

Psalm 32 is often grouped with other penitential psalms like Psalm 51. Though God is David's hiding place, David will not hide his sin from God. He will not bury his sin, make excuses for his sin, or act like he never sinned. David acknowledged his sin to God (v. 5).

As a result of his confession, David acknowledges God as his hiding place, but the opposite is also true. Because God is David's hiding place, he confesses his sin.

What an interesting connection between confession and protection. When we hide nothing from God, he protects us from the enemy. As God protects us from our enemies, we confess our sin.

Why?

Our sin separates us from God. Where there is forgiveness in Christ, there is no separation from God. When we hold on to our sin and refuse to confess it to God, we separate ourselves from God. In other words, we expose ourselves to the enemy.

Through Christ, God has become our hiding place. He is our source of victory. Confession is a gift of grace that leads us to our hiding place.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Differences

Glen Eyrie, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Differences have a way of separating us.

There is an obvious difference between these two rock formations that cause them to appear different. I'm not a geologist and I couldn't tell you why they have different colors. I can't tell you why one is more jagged than the other.

However, taken together, these two rock formations possess a greater beauty than if one disappeared. The same truth applies to the Church.

Around the time I took this picture at Glen Eyrie in Colorado Springs I had traveled to Tincup, Colorado with a friend. We're quite different from each other.  Gary loves scuba diving, is a night owl, and drives a Chevy truck. I can hardly swim, am a morning person (sort of), and drive a Ford. Yet, we share something important (and it's not our love of photography). We share a common faith in Jesus Christ.

"Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives." Ephesians 4:3 God's Word to the Nations 

Though there are many differences among Christians, there is one thing that binds us together: the peace we've received through the forgiveness of Christ.

Empowered by the unity of the Spirit, instead of our differences dividing us, let's celebrate our distinctiveness and show the world how beautiful the Christian community can be.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Suspended

Balloon Classic, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Suspended between heaven and earth, this balloonist has a choice. Either he can continue to give the burner more flame which will give the balloon lift, or he can let the balloon slowly drift to the ground.

A problem occurs when the air outside the balloon heats up. No matter how much propane propelled to the burner, it will not stay aloft when the outside temperature warms.

At the time of the flood God had a choice. He could choose to destroy us completely or leave a remnant. He chose the latter and as a result he gave us a picture of his ultimate choosing through Jesus' death and resurrection.

Because God chose us, we also have a choice.

"But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15 New Living Translation

Joshua choosing not to serve idols was based on God's grace of choosing him. If he would have chosen idolatry instead, he would have dropped to ground like a lead balloon. However, because of his choice, Joshua soared as a leader of Israel.

By the power of the Holy Spirit and only through the power of the Holy Spirit we daily choose to reject the world's ways. This choice is based on God choosing us. And in that choice we soar.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Anchored

USS Yorktown, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

How do you hold fast 30,000 tons of metal?

You hold her steady with a couple of relatively small anchors. Granted these anchors on the USS Yorktown are anything but small; yet they are for the task they must perform. 

What holds your life in place?  

"Those of us who have taken refuge in him hold on to the confidence we have been given. We have this confidence as a sure and strong anchor for our lives."  Hebrews 6:19-20 God's Word to the Nations

For many people their confidence seems to be anchored to things that are tangible:
     -- Money
     -- People
     -- Prescription Drugs

What doesn't make sense to these people is that our confidence is not in what we can touch, taste, see or smell. Our confidence is unseen, hidden in the one who is our anchor, Jesus Christ.

There are many winds that we will face today, blowing us here and there. Those who find their confidence in Christ will have a sure anchor.

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

Designed to Fly

Campbell River, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

God has designed you to fly.

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
     Wonderful are your works;
        my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:14 English Standard Version

I love to fly. I had the opportunity to fly a small plane like the one above. A member of a former congregation took me up and gave me a "Discovery Lesson," a lesson given to people who might be interested in flying.

I realized something important: Though I enjoy flying, taking the controls of the plane made me nervous, so much so that my hands dripped sweat on my legs.

Being what God created us to be, that "fearfully and wonderfully made" person, can be frightening.

This float plane was grounded. It was rusting with grass growing over its pontoons chaining it to the ground. Though interesting to look at, it wasn't doing what it was created to do. It wasn't flying.

How many of us are scared to "fly" as God created us to fly? His redeeming love in Jesus sets us free to soar. May God today polish your plane, clip the grass and set you free to fly.

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

The Battle Is in the Preparation

Coors Field, Denver, Colorado

NLDS, October 12, 2009. The temperature was in the upper 40's at game time and dropping by the minute, too cold to play baseball, yet two pitchers prepared for battle. The two aces of their respective clubs, Cliff Lee of the Phillies and Ubaldo Jimenez of the Rockies, prepared to lead their teams to victory. This night, neither would record the win.

However, both pitchers put their teams in a position to prevail (the Phillies won in the ninth on Ryan Howard's two run double sending them to the NLCS against the Dodgers).

Every day we are engaged in battle.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  Ephesians 6:12 English Standard Version

Behind the struggle with spouse, coworker and self is the real enemy: the demonic forces that would lead us away from Jesus Christ.

To prepare for battle, both Jimenez and Lee have their pregame routine that never wavers. What's our "pregame" routine for the daily struggle?

May we find prayer, meditation on God's Word and fellowship with other Christians as ways to be prepared for today's battle.

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

Freedom Is Never Free

Mt. Angel, Oregon

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 English Standard Version.

Once in a while I get lucky with my camera and this was one of those times.

The older man in the army Jeep was waving to my 96 year-old father-in-law. They had a shared experience of war. Amazingly, both of them can still fit into their uniforms.

The story in this picture is told in the eyes of those framed here. The children riding with this veteran seem oblivious to his presence (except maybe the girl in the back seat) even though their presence in this Jeep is the result of his fighting for their freedom.

It’s easy to ignore the price paid for freedom. Our freedom from the concentration camp of sin was Christ's death.

This old soldier is an icon of Christ; the children symbolic of you and me. Christ has won our freedom and it cost him everything.  How will we respond?

By the way, you’re welcome to stop by my office to see this picture hanging on my wall.

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

A Room with a View

South Park, Colorado

I've got a feeling that when this structure had a roof, floors and doors, the view out of this window was spectacular. In fact, every window had an amazing view. In each direction the residents would view mountains and high desert. From this vantage point high on a hill, they could watch their cattle. This indeed was a room with a view.

The cross is our window to the heart of God. By his sacrifice for humanity Jesus makes known to us the core of God's attitude toward us.

The heart of God is the heart of reconciliation. We have been reconciled to God. It doesn't matter who we are or what we've done the cross is our window into the heart of reconciliation. We are reconciled to God.

This reconciliation doesn't stop here. The reconciling work of God, that window into his heart, is also the means by which we are reconciled to each other.

"Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death." Ephesians 2:16 New Living Translation

I'm troubled. I look out over the Christian community and brothers and sisters in Christ are refusing to be reconciled to each other. Our refusal to strive toward reconciliation is like turning our backs on Jesus' cross. It's saying to God what you did for me is great, but don't expect me to do the same thing for someone else.

The most difficult work we do here on this globe is strive toward reconciliation. Reconciliation is not one sided. Reconciliation doesn't happen when one person says yes and the other no. It takes both parties to get their hands dirty in the work of reconciliation, yet it takes one person to get the process started.

That is what Jesus has done for us. He got dirty, or rather bloody, so that we might be reconciled to God and each other.

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

The Door

South Park, Colorado

There's something missing in this picture: Something that allows people to come and go, something that secures the residence when they are sleeping. A door serves an important function for every home.

Over the years the door to this structure has disappeared. As a result, the inside and outside of this structure look much the same. Granted, the fact that there is no roof also aids in this appearance.

"So again Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep." John 10:7 New Revised Standard Version

Through the merits of Jesus Christ we have been declared his sheep, and as his sheep Jesus is the door, the gate, by which we find protection and adventure.

Jesus is the door through whom we find a life of adventure. We don't often think of the Christian faith this way, but life is a daily adventure for those of us who have been baptized into Christ and declared to be his flock. It is the adventure of faith, walking through this world with the armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Jesus is the door through whom we also experience protection from those things that would rip out our souls. He protects us from demeaning attacks of the world. He protects us from the devil's flaming arrows. He protects us from our own sinful desires.

Jesus is the door. Without this door there is no true adventure; there is no protection.

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

The Power to Stand Up

Glen Eyrie, Colorado Springs, Colorado

This rock reaching into the sky is a Lyons Formation fin consisting of beautiful sandstone that was pushed upwards when the Rocky Mountains were formed. When a person stands at the edge of one of these fins it's easy to see that at one time they laid flat. Layer upon layer is revealed at their jagged edges.

The fact that these fins stand at a perfect 90 degree angle to the earth is proof of the power that formed the Rocky Mountains.

The power that formed these sandstone fins is like the power that is at work in you.

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16 English Standard Version

What is the gospel?

It is the good news of God's love for you.

It is the good news that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for you.

It is the good news that Jesus lives for you.

It is the good news, which empowers change in your life.

This good news is the power that causes you and me to stand up in this broken and decaying world with the news that God isn't dead. He is still the power of change in our lives.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

What's Our Story?

South Park, Colorado

Colorado is filled with many old buildings that are slowly being consumed by the mountains and prairie. To get up close to many these old building a person must trespass over private land. I saw no trespassing signs when I came upon this structure so I took the opportunity to spend time with a bit of Colorado history.

But what's the story behind this building? Three quarters of the building looks like someone's residence with windows and doors, whereas the latter third looks like a holding pen and ramp for loading sheep or cattle. My gut tells me it served both purposes.

What story do people see when they look at us?

"From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus." Galatians 6:17 English Standard Version

When people looked at Paul they saw the story of Jesus in the scars of suffering Paul endured for the sake of Jesus.

When people look at us they see the story of God's love in Jesus. They will see the scars of bearing our cross as well as the joy of being his disciple.

What's our story? It's a story of God's redeeming love lived out in a unique way by each one of us.

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

Called from the Cave

Glen Eyrie, Colorado Springs, Colorado

What do you picture happening in this cave two hundred years ago? Colorado Springs wasn't a city in 1814. William Jackson Palmer, on whose property this cave is located, wasn't born until 1836.

It would not surprise me that two hundred years ago a number of Native Americans explored this cave. The Utes were known to frequent Glen Eyrie and might have been curious about what was in this cave. We human creatures are a curious lot.

Yet, for many cultures, caves serve a more utilitarian purpose. It is the place where they bury their dead. That was the case for Lazarus.

"Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it." John 11:38 English Standard Version

Death had been sealed away from Mary and Martha. The stone was the barrier between life and death. John pictures Jesus standing between life and death, between Lazarus, whose body had been laid to rest in the cave, and his sisters.

What does Jesus do when he stands between life and death?

First, Jesus weeps. He knows the power of death in our lives and its ability to separate us from the ones we love. As he weeps he shares our tears at death.

Second, he raises the dead. There is no cave and no stone that separates one of his sheep from his tender embrace. Lazarus is called out of tomb, no longer to dwell in his cave of death.

One day you and I will hear the call as Lazarus did. We will hear the call to come out of our cave of death into his embrace.

Another stone has been removed, this one from Jesus' grave, and it guarantees our victory.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Even Batman Needs a Cave

Victor, Colorado

If a comic book were written about your life, what would be your superhero name? Omni Mom? Mega Bucks? Deflecto?

None of us are invincible. Try as we might to be superheros, all of us are vulnerable to the realities of life. Omni Mom needs sleep. Mega Bucks needs humility. Deflecto needs new armor.

Like the bat house in this picture, we need a place of refuge. We're mortal. We're human. We're sinful.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling." Psalm 46:1-3 English Standard Version

Refuge is not found in our superhero status but in the one whose cape was a cross, whose power was death and whose victory is life. I pray that you find your cave in Jesus Christ.

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

Our Protective Rock

Glen Eyrie, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Glen Eyrie is known mostly for the castle built by General Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs. He built the castle here because of the beauty of the land.

Most of the rock formations are a continuation of those found in the Garden of the Gods consisting of large Lyons sandstone fins sticking many feet into the air, pushed upwards when the Rocky Mountains were called into existence.

These sandstone fins act like a greater fortress than the castle built by General Palmer.

"Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress." Psalm 71:3 New Living Translation

I wonder if the psalmist had a picture of rock formations similar to those at Glen Eyrie? His life was in danger and he trusted God to protect and defend him.

What's our fortress in the struggles of life? What is the rock formation in which we put our trust to see us through the difficulties of life?

The psalmist was in the same situation that we find ourselves. He didn't see God. He might not have heard God's audible voice, yet he trusted in the all-protective nature of God.

We have not seen God, yet we trust in him. We believe that he surrounds us. He is our rock and our fortress. We know that there are many things in life that would attack us, but we trust in God to protect us.

He will not fail.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

The Great Unconformity

Glen Eyrie, Colorado Springs, Colorado

It doesn't look like much is going on in this picture. It simply looks like rock sitting on rock, however scientist call what you see as the Great Unconformity.

The bottom layer consists of granite and the top layer of sandstone. No problem so far, right? What scientist debate is the length of geological time that exists between these two layers. Creation scientists claim that the explanation for this unconformity is the effects of the flood. Other scientists simply say ocean deposits of sand formed this sedimentary rock over millions of years.

I'm not getting into that debate, but what I find interesting is that water is the key ingredient in both explanations for how the sedimentary rock formed on top of the igneous rock.

The water of Baptism is the difference maker for Christians. It's through the water that God works, burying us with Christ and raising us to new life.

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." Romans 6:1-4 English Standard Version

Our lives change at the watery grave. Too often we think that this gift of grace means doing whatever we want, knowing that we walk in forgiveness. Like most satanic lies this is a half truth. Yes we walk in forgiveness because of the mercy of Christ poured out for us on his cross, but forgiveness is not license to do whatever we want to do.

Forgiveness changes the game. This gift of forgiveness, worked in us through the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5), creates a new kind of "unconformity."

We are call to an "unconformed" life through through this washing. This unconformed life is characterized by two things: loving God above everything else and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

That's the Great Uncomformity worked by the mercy of God in Christ.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Proven Character

Turner Gulch South Park, Colorado

For twenty miles I didn't see or pass another car on Turner Gulch road, a dirt path on the eastern edge of South Park, Colorado. I had wished that my pickup was running, but this day my Impala would have to do. There were moments when rocks appeared out of nowhere, yet car handled the road fine.

Much of Turner Gulch is open land with beautiful vistas of the far off peaks.

Along that twenty mile route there were plenty of places to pull off and take pictures, but this one captured my attention. It wasn't because of Eagle Rock to the left or the peak off in the distance. What capture my attention was this gnarly, weathered tree to the right.

Our lives resemble this tree. I didn't count the rings of this tree to note how old it was, but from the looks of it, I'd assume it was well aged. This tree had seen its share of pain and suffering, however it is still alive. In its life it adds beauty to South Park, to Eagle Rock and to the distant peak.

And so do you.

"Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:7 English Standard Version

It's hard to see it, but God values us even as we experience the wrecks of time. The character of this tree has been shaped by its hardships. The struggles of life shape our character as well. Paul reminds of this fact in Romans 5:3-5.

People notice our character that is shaped by struggle. They stop and examine our lives and wonder what makes us different. The difference we have is our hope in God's promises which have their root in Jesus Christ. It is this hope in Jesus that reveals our proven character.

Because of God's work in us, we add beauty to God's creation.

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

Nothing is Impossible

South Park, Colorado

The mountains in the background seem close, yet they're many miles away. I wonder what the pioneers thought when they saw these mountains off in the distance. I can assume that some, if not most, of them became disheartened believing that they would never cross these peaks.

How do you handle obstacles you face? Your answer probably depends on the height of the obstacle. The higher and more difficult the obstacle the more fearful you might become. Granted there are those of us who have the opposite reaction. The higher the obstacle, the greater the challenge, the more we're energized to meet that challenge. I admire those of you who think this way.

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

There are obstacles that we face everyday that affect our relationship with Jesus Christ. Similar obstacles have been faced by the saints throughout history. Endurance to meet these challenges is a gift of God (Romans 15:5).

The obstacle Jesus faced was greater than any we face, or will face. In the Garden of Gethsemane he sweat blood at the reality of this obstacle. He "endured the cross" for us. And through his endurance we face the obstacles life sets before us.

As we endure these obstacles we hear the voice of the angel Gabriel speaking to Mary, "nothing will be impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)

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

Surprised by Love

Tarryall Reservoir, Colorado

This waterfall at Tarryall Reservoir has an almost Disney feel to it. Outside of a small dam to the right, a person might wonder where the water comes from. This waterfall looks more suited to something behind the center field wall at Coors Field than flow out of a desert.

Where is that place that you least expected to experience God's love yet were surprised by his grace?

"But from everlasting to everlasting, the LORD's mercy is on those who fear him. His righteousness belongs to their children and grandchildren, to those who are faithful to his promise, to those who remember to follow his guiding principles." Psalm 103:17-18 God's Word to the Nations

We often hear the questions, "If God is God why does he let babies die? Why does he let people get divorced? Why does he _________ (you fill in the blank)?" Is it possible to experience the steadfast love of God in the ugliest moments of life?

I guess the answer depends on how we understand God's love. If God's love means preventing pain then I'd have to say no. It is not possible to experience the steadfast love of God in the painful experiences of life.

If God's love means experiencing his presence in the midst of pain and suffering then the answer is yes. It is possible to experience the steadfast love of God in the painful experiences of life.

God's presence is known in our suffering because through his Son, Jesus Christ, he experienced suffering, even the weight of our sin, upon his cross.

God desires that you experience his steadfast love today no matter what life brings your way. It is experienced by a faith that believes God is present with you no matter what. (Hebrews 4:15)

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