The Importance of Clouds

Bear Creek Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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It can be difficult to shoot landscapes without clouds. This picture, minus the clouds, is rather boring. It lacks drama. The contours of the mountains become flat. The sky is flat. The picture is flat, yet add these clouds and the picture takes on a majestic aura.

The Bible often speaks of clouds. It's a cloud that shrouds God's presence on Mt. Sinai. A cloud filled the Temple at its dedication. And of course, Jesus was taken to heaven in a cloud. Clouds remind us of the majesty of God.

Clouds also display the vastness of God's faithfulness. "Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds." Psalm 36:5 New Living Translation

The clouds in the picture force us to look upwards. The psalmist states that God's faithfulness reaches beyond these clouds. However, we struggle to trust God's faithfulness.

Christians often equate God's faithfulness with a life free from pain. If God were truly faithful he would make my life comfortable. If God were truly faithful he would cause my family to live in harmony. If God were truly faithful I'd always have a job. Yet Christians lose their jobs, have dysfunctional families and live in poverty. How can God's faithfulness be trusted?

The author of this psalm is David, a man who was pursued by King Saul, a man whose son wanted his throne. Yet he knew the faithfulness of God.

God's faithfulness is displayed for us on a cross. Here God was faithful to humanity, he was faithful to you. May the clouds that remind you of God's majesty also remind you of the vastness of his faithfulness no matter the circumstances of your life.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Standing Alone

Breckenridge, Colorado

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What in the world is this aspen doing standing among these pine trees? There is no reason for it to grow here.  As you might be aware, aspen do not reproduce through seeds. Instead they grow like weeds through their roots. So, how did this aspen get here?

Maybe this is how we feel as Christians, standing alone in a world that doesn't know the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

"Peter and the other apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than people." Act 5:29 God's Word to the Nations

Talk about standing alone. As a result of this position, each of the Apostles (except John) would die a martyr's death. Throughout the centuries, and even today, people die for their faith in Jesus Christ.

And I complain about my hangnail?

God, give strength to your church to stand tall even as we stand alone.  Amen.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

"Oh, the Depth!"

Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado

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When you first look at this picture the canyon might look pretty deep, but to get a proper perspective you need to enlarge this picture and see the tiny little man in the upper right corner of the pic. Once you spot him then look down into the canyon.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison isn't just pretty deep, it is massively deep.

"Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!" Romans 11:33 New Living Translation

The depth of God's person isn't pretty deep, it is massively deep. So why do we human creatures think that we can understand God? Shouldn't Jesus choosing of the cross convince us that God's is monstrously deep. (Okay enough of the adverbs.  I think you get the point about God.)

Maybe the problem is that we can't imagine anyone, let alone God, loving us. We want a God who makes sense to our human reasoning, but the love of God, his riches, wisdom and knowledge, transcend our understanding.

Yet it doesn't change the fact: God is God and we are not. Our call is to trust him even when we can't understand him. "Oh the depth!"

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

"My, Oh, My!"

Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado

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Dave Niehaus (pronounced, Knee House), will be forever remembered for his game winning call in the 1995 Division Series game between the Mariners and the Yankees. Dave was the play-by-play announcer for the Seattle Mariners. When Ken Griffey, Jr. cross the plate with the game winning run he yelled, "my, oh, my."

King David might have felt the same way when he thought about his God.

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my Savior, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the strength of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2 God's Word to the Nations

Eight times David used the word "my." However, unlike Niehaus, King David used this pronoun to declare something amazing about his God instead of another person. David's God is his rock, fortress, Savior, shield and stronghold. Maybe David had something in mind like these rock formations at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Verse one of this psalm tells us that David sang these words when God had rescued him. God has rescued you and as such he is your rock, fortress and Savior. You have been rescued from the jaws of hell, the pit of despair and brutality of your bad choices.

Can you say, "my, oh, my"?

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Never Alone

Newport, Oregon

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Death is a terrible intrusion into our lives. It leaves us only with memories and pictures.

This photograph is of an altar in the sailors memorial chapel in Newport at the Yaquina Bay State Park. Also located in this park is the Yaquina Bay lighthouse. There's access to a long stretch of beach from this park, yet this was the first time that I stepped inside the open air chapel.

I was surprised to see the pictures of people whose lives were lost at sea sitting on the altar. Along with these pictures are poems and letters expressing love for those who died.

There were numerous people in the park when I took this picture. One man asked me for a handout, others were walking up the steps to the lighthouse and others descending to the beach. I was the only person in the chapel.

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved 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 8:37-39 English Standard Version

Each one of us could place a picture, poem or letter on this altar. We've lost someone whom we love. Though death might separate us from our loved ones, death cannot separate our loved ones from God.

Does that always seem fair? No, probably not. We wish that our parent, spouse or child were still with us. The pain might still be fresh, but it is a comfort to know that even when death separates us this side of the grave it doesn't have the power to separate us from God.

We are never alone.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

More Than a Beautiful Structure

Heceta Lighthouse, Oregon

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Okay, so you're probably getting tired of lighthouses: Yaquina Head, Yaquina Bay, Cape Meares and now Heceta Head (Pronounced ha-see'-ta).  I'm not intimidated. This will not be the last blog to include a lighthouse.  There are plenty more pics riding the ridges of my hard drive (old vinyl talk), but at least I thought I'd give you a different perspective of one of them today.

The Heceta Head Lighthouse is the most photographed lighthouse on the Oregon Coast.  If you pull off Highway 101 just south of Heceta Head close to the Sea Lion Caves you will understand why this lighthouse is frequently captured in pixels.

If the lighthouse is so photogenic then why this pic? It hardly shows anything of the lighthouse.

We ought not forget why this lighthouse exists. It was a calm day when this picture was taken but imagine six to eight feet swells filling this fissure. The power is amazing, the sound deafening.  A wave would have no problem sweeping you off the rocks if you put yourself in harms way. One of my high school classmates lost her brother because of such a wave.

The lighthouse is there to save lives.

"He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them." Psalm 145:19 English Standard Version

That is why the Church exists. Now granted, we don't do the saving, that's the work of the Holy Spirit, but the Spirit uses the Church, the baptized, the fumbling, mumbling community of saints to bring people into the presence of the Holy God.

Let's not forget why God "calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth," to quote Luther. His desire is that we be his life giving presence in the rocky terrain of life.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Now This Is a Lighthouse!

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, Newport, Oregon

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If you followed my link on Facebook to today's blog you're probably disappointed. You might have remembered the Yaquina Head lighthouse from an earlier blog which is much more majestic than this one.

If you've traveled the Oregon coast you might have thought today's blog concerned the most photographed lighthouse on the coast, namely, the Heceta Head lighthouse north of Florence.

Not! This IS a lighthouse...literally. It is also the only existing Oregon lighthouse built on top the lighthouse keepers living quarters.

Built in 1871 (quite possibly the oldest structure in Newport, Oregon) it only served Yaquina Bay for three years as it was decommissioned in 1874. Interestingly, the lighthouse was recommissioned in 1996 and burns with a steady light from dusk to dawn.

God intends that his light shine from our homes.

"Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind." Isaiah 58:7 New Living Translation

So often it seems that we travel to the lighthouse to let our light shine then return home where Christ's light appears to be placed under a basket.

God calls us to let our light shine where we reside because where we reside is where we have been redeemed, and where we have been redeemed is where God uses us to draw people to himself.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Ain't She a Beauty?

Cape Meares Lighthouse, Oregon

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The Cape Meares Lighthouse hosts a first order Fresnel (pronounced Fraynel) lens made in Paris, France. It arrived at the Oregon coast by way of Cape Horn.  This lens traveled over 200 feet up a rocky cliff on a ramp made of local timbers and reflected the light of an oil lamp for the first time on January 1, 1890.

The lens is made of eight panels, of which four are bull's-eye panels. These panels gave the Cape Meares Lighthouse its unique signature.

As beautiful as this lens is and as functional as it might seem over 200 feet above the ocean, it has been replace by a nondescript 57,000 candle power lamp that stands only fifteen feet higher but shines further out into the Pacific.

The sobering news for each one of us is that we are replaceable.

Or are we?

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13 New Living Translation

There are two realities for Christians. First of all we can be replaced. We are not indispensable. Someone else will take our job. Someone else will live in our home.

Secondly, and contrary to the first, there is no one like us. There is no one who can take our place now and for eternity. It is our uniqueness in Christ that we celebrate.

Inevitably we will be replaced in certain areas of our lives this side of the grave but we will never be replaced in the heart of God.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Your Light Shines

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, OR

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How far does your light shine?

"[Jesus said] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 English Standard Version

The Yaquina Head lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon coast at 93 feet. Built at the end of Yaquina Head, the lighthouse is 162 feet above the Pacific Ocean. That height allows her light to shine nineteen miles from shore.

Your light shines farther than you think. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, you are his light in the world. And your light shines. This is not a plea to let your light shine, because it does. The question is how far does your light shine?  

Only God  knows the answer to that question. However, I believe there are people whom you don't know who've been touched by the light of Christ shining through you.

The light that shines far out into the darkness also has its own signature.

A lighthouse is identified by its signature beacon. The Yaquina Head lighthouse signature beacon is two seconds off, two seconds on followed by fourteen seconds off. Sailors know where they are when they recognize this signature.

You have a unique signature that shines God's love into the darkness of the world. No one shines God's light just like you, and it's this light that helps lead people to the harbor of God's love.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

"You Smell Like..."

Portland's Rose Gardens, Portland, OR

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In 1905 Portland lined its streets with 20 miles of roses in honor of  Lewis and Clark's Centennial celebration. Thus Portland earned the name, "City of Roses."  

A test garden for roses was then established in 1917, the oldest continuously running test garden in the United States. You haven't visited Portland unless you've made a trip to the gardens.

And you haven't visited the gardens unless you have stuck your nose in every variety of rose.

Some roses are developed primarily for their color, others for their fragrance. Those developed for their scent are the ones I appreciate most.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It's like a fragrance that fills the air." 2 Corinthians 2:14 God's Word to the Nations

Every room we enter, every street we walk, ever personal encounter, we are the fragrance of Christ. His passion for humanity, his love for all is "smelled" through us today.

What will people smell when they bump into your life today?

Side note: If you visit Portland, and want to see the Rose Gardens the best time of year is June.

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Where Are We Going?

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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"Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell." Psalm 43:3 New International Version

There are fifteen miles of trails to explore in the Garden of the Gods, and some of you reading this blog have covered everyone of them.

Some trails are accessible to everyone, and others that are not. Some are on the east side of the park and others on the west. There are trails that pass by the base of these rock formations, and others that put the hiker at a distance from their splendor.

These trails guide the visitor through the majesty of the park.

God's light leads us to that place where he dwells. We may come from different parts of the world with different gifts, passions, abilities, personalities and experiences, yet it is the one light of God that leads us to him.

That light is Jesus Christ.

We do a great deal of wandering in life. And sometimes the wandering is far from God's path. We travel a path where happiness is our ultimate goal. People, institutions, and religions are used to make us happy.Yet, the pursuit of happiness is often the journey to nowhere.

Even when we wander, the light of Christ's love leads us back to the place where we find life, and that place is where God dwells.

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Pressing On

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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

The task of this climber looks daunting as there's no goal in sight. How much higher must she climb to reach the top? Does this route even lead to the top? How much energy does she have left to complete the climb? Will her belayer be ready should she fall?

Though I don't know if this climber finished her ascent, I do know that I didn't finish mine. I never made it to the summit in my attempts to rock climb. The ascents were to difficult.

That might sound like your walk in Christ, or should I say climb. I've had that person in my office who gave up. The ascent was too difficult. It was easier to rappel down than continue the climb of faith.

Paul never took his eyes off of the prize that was already his though faith in Christ. It wasn't that he was earning anything from God through the way he lived his life. The outcome was already guaranteed. Paul didn't want to miss the view of an eternity spent in the presence of the Victor who overcame death for him.

Though I didn't stick around to see this woman finish her climb, my gut tells me that she did. May we not give up either, knowing that the journey here is worth the view that has been guaranteed for us.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Looking Up

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2 English Standard Version

What are you looking at when you walk down the hallway? I have often caught myself looking at the floor. Looking at the floor causes my shoulders to sag which in turn causes my back to hurt.

I know that I'm not the only person who looks at the ground when he walks. Some of you have the same habit, but why do we walk with our eyes fixed a few feet in front of us? Could it be saying something about what's happening in our lives?

We're hunched over with grief, depression and anxiety. It's hard to lift our eyes. There are days when I have to make a conscious decision to throw my head and shoulders back and look up as I walk.

The pilgrims making their journey to Jerusalem to celebrate had something to look up at. As the ascended the road into Jerusalem the splendor of the temple was displayed before them. Those who made this journey for the first time might have never seen a sight as magnificent as the temple in Jerusalem. There eyes were drawn upward and their spirits were lifted in praise.

God in Christ gives us a reason to lift our heads. He has wipes away our tears. He pulls us out of our despondency. He calms our restlessness. All this he does as we lift up our eyes and look, not at a magnificent building, but at a blood stained cross.

As a result of looking up at Jesus, crucified and resurrected, our lives are more erect. Life looks different when we stare up at Jesus.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Looking Down

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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"Now look down from your holy dwelling place in heaven and bless your people Israel and the land you swore to our ancestors to give us-- a land flowing with milk and honey." Deuteronomy 26:15 New Living Translation

Most people who visit the Garden of the Gods view it from below, looking up at the different rock formations. These hogbacks look impressive from the ground to the sky, but a different view awaits sojourners who hike the outer trail of the park.  At different points on the Palmer Trail the traveler looks down on these rock formations.

After the people have presented their tithe to the Lord according to the his direction, they were to call upon God to look down upon them. Moses gives this prayer to the people as they are about to receive God's promised land.

It's interesting that the Israelites were to pray this prayer after giving their tithe, not when they were in trouble and desperately in need of God's help.

We often pray for God's blessings when things are askew in our lives, not when we're thanking God for his provision. It's not that we shouldn't pray when things are bad, but that we should also pray for God's blessings when we are giving thanks for his presence in our lives.

Maybe today would be a good day to pray, "look down from your holy dwelling place in heaven and bless your people," because today we clearly see the hand of God working in us.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

A Mighty Fortress of Living

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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 "Indeed, you are my rock and my fortress. For the sake of your name, lead me and guide me."
 Psalm 31:3 God's Word to the Nations

What did you see when you first looked at this picture from the Garden of the Gods? Did you see the distant rock formation, or the path leading to that formation? What capture my attention was the interplay between the path and the rock.

This picture has little appeal if there is no path, the path means nothing if there isn't this massive hogback.

David, the author of Psalm 31, experienced God as his fortress when he was protected from King Saul's desire to eliminate him, the Philistines' thirst to kill him, and Absalom's lust to dethrone him.

Yet, it was this same fortress God who guided him on the "paths of righteousness" (Psalm 23:3), and lead him to "quiet waters." (Psalm 23:2)

Our God, through his Son, Jesus Christ, is our mighty fortress of living. We find shelter in his presence and guidance for our living. We not only hide in his protection, but live by his direction. To live without his guidance and to hide without his protection leaves us exposed to the enemy.

In Christ, we find safety. In Christ we find direction, and all for the sake of his name.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Contentment

Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado

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"For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Psalm 107:9 New Living Translation

These mule deer appeared content the evening a fellow pastor and I hung out with them in the grandeur of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. It didn't bother them that we pulled up in a large pickup, took out our cumbersome tripods and spoke noisily with each other.

They had food, and they were content.

How is it that these mule deer live contentedly, when we live discontentedly even though God has blessed us with homes to protect us, food to satisfy us, and toys to entertain us?

Contentment is rooted in grace. The more we understand the mercy of God, the more we experience contentment. The psalmist understood that it's not things that satisfy us but the gracious hand of God. God is the giver of contentment.

The hands that graciously give us all good gifts are the same hands that received the nails. We experience God's grace at its most intimate moment when we live in fellowship with the One who made us, forgives us and transforms us.

Contentment has little to do with things, and much to do with our gracious God.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Teamwork

Arkansas River, Colorado

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I have often said to couples at their wedding that what they are together is greater than what they are apart from each other.

This also holds true for the bride of Christ, his Church. What we are together is greater than what we are when we're separated from each other. However, the sad reality of the Christian community today is that we're losing what it means to be community. We don't know how to do life together.

For too many years we've tried to make the church the fulfillment of the American dream. We've tried to make it bigger, faster and more productive. We've defined success by the size of our budgets and buildings, and by how many butts we cram in our pews.

And we wonder why people are silently leaving the institutional church. Though we might know how to build bigger and better church businesses, we've lost what it means to be community.

Paul describes the essence of community in his letter to his friends in Colossae. "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Colossians 3:12-13 English Standard Version

It's time for the church to stop worrying about preserving the institution and reclaim its place as the community of people who are attempting to follow Jesus.

We are people who have been claimed by Christ's sacrificial blood so that we might live in fellowship with him. As forgiveness is the key to this fellowship, may it also be the key to our fellowship with each other.

What a force this fellowship will be when we reclaim the gift of godly community.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

A Different Perspective

Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado

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"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5 English Standard Version

The starburst captured in this picture of the setting sun only appeared on my camera's sensor after I pushed the shutter button. I didn't see it when I composed this picture. I didn't see it through my viewfinder. Only when I took the shot did it appear.

Stating the obvious, this picture would look much different if there wasn't a starburst, but would it look better or worse? The answer could go both ways depending on how these pictures affect the person viewing them.

Whether you like the starburst or not, your perspective of this pic is affected by its presence.

Hope is the starburst that God interjects into our suffering.

As I've mentioned in other blogs, suffering has a way of isolating us from others and causing us to focus on our need and to lose hope.

For Paul, suffering produces hope that will not put us to shame or disappoint us when we view our pain in God's hands. When all we see is suffering, we're led to despair, but when we see suffering in God's hands it leads to hope.

None of us prays for suffering. We don't desire suffering, yet suffering is a result of the broken world in which we live. The question is not whether we'll suffer, but how do we handle suffering.

I've seen people who were stuck in despair over their suffering and I've seen people with an amazing joy in their pain, people who ask, "How is God going to use my suffering?"

For the latter the key is seeing the starburst of God's hope in the midst of their suffering. May God produce this hope in us when we experience pain.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Shalom

Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado

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"May the mountains bring peace to the people and the hills bring righteousness." Psalm 72:3 God's Word to the Nations

Psalm 72 is a prayer for the king who serves God's people. It was either written by or for King Solomon, and applied to all the kings that would follow.

The palmist prays for the king to rule with justice and righteousness, two key virtues of God's people. As a result of his just and righteous rule, the people will experience peace. They will experience shalom.

Yet shalom is more than peace. Shalom is prosperity, wholeness and security. How many of us wouldn't want to experience these qualities in our lives?

When we set ourselves up as rulers of our own destiny we might fool ourselves that we'll experience security, wholeness and prosperity, yet most often we experience despair.

As is so often the case, the psalms are best understood when they are seen as Jesus' prayer book. He is our king. It is in Jesus that we experience shalom. It is in Jesus that we experience peace, prosperity, wholeness and security.

His justice and righteousness has been commanded from his cross. Justice for our sin has been declared in Jesus. The ability to experience righteousness flows from the throne of his cross.

We live in a world where it seems that we experience chaos more often than peace. Too often we place ourselves as rulers of our own destiny.

In midst of this chaos we hear Jesus speak peace, a peace that we can taste today. A peace we will experience for eternity.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Side-by-Side

Black Forest, Colorado

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Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Genesis 2:18 English Standard Version

Sin has robbed us of something valuable. It has robbed us of God's intended intimacy between a man and a woman. What we often see as God's intent for marriage has more roots in the curse than in God's blessing. We might think that a man's dominance over his wife is what God wants, but Genesis 3:16 says something different. In the curse upon Eve God states, "...and he shall rule over you."

To make matters worse, God states that Eve's desire would be for her husband, a desire that could hold her in a destructive relationship. That's sin at work, not grace.

We see this picture of desire in a different light if we view another Scripture from Song of Solomon as a picture of Christ and his bride, the Church.

Solomon's bride sings, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me." The word "desire" is the same word used in Genesis 3:16, but now it is not the bride desiring her husband, but the husband desiring his bride.

Jesus is ravenous for his bride; to embrace her, to comfort her, to delight in her. We are his bride, and he desires to sit at our side. His cross is proof of the extent of his love for us.

Husbands, what would happen in our marriages if this desire that Jesus has for us was reflected in our desire for our brides; to embrace them, to comfort them, to delight in them?

Maybe tonight would be a good night to pull out the lawn chairs and invite your bride to sit with you side-by-side.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

"Ain't No Mountain High enough"

Sangre de Cristo Mountians, Colorado

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There are ten 14ers in the Colorado portion of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. These peaks are two of them.  The mountain in the foreground is Humboldt Peak standing 14,064 ft. The mountain in the distance is Crestone Peak a mere 14,294 ft. This is some pretty rugged terrain.

I have not ventured into this territory, it's too frightening. But that doesn't stop me from pulling out my trail map of the Sangres and mentally plan a hike or even better, a backpacking trip, one that I will probably never take.

It's the same attitude I have toward living my faith. Just as fear keeps me from venturing deep into the Sangres fear keeps me from taking risks in my faith journey.

The Apostle John would claim that my spiritual problem is a lack of understanding love.

"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love." 1 John 4:18 New Living Translation

It was love that held Jesus to the cross and it is love that makes it possible for each one of us to pick up our cross and follow Jesus...not just in word but in living.

I think it's time to strap on the hiking shoes, slide on the backpack and go deep into the great unknown of faith.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

No Fear

Fountain Creek Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

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This female Red Winged Blackbird doesn't have a care in the world even though she's clinging to a year-old cattail. From this position she scouts her surroundings maybe looking for bugs or wondering where a good nesting place might be. She's not concerned about the cattail collapsing.

It's easy to lose focus and fear enter our lives.

"But when [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.'" Matthew 14:30 English Standard Version

Fear can cripple us. We're afraid that someone might hurt us so we don't involve ourselves with others.  We're afraid of failure so we don't try anything new. We're afraid of the boogieman so we don't venture out of our homes. Fear often leads to a loss of focus.

Peter stepped out of the boat (the other disciples didn't), but he lost focus as he was captivated by fear. He took his eyes off Jesus and saw the storm engulfing him.

There have been times that we've lost our focus, when we've taken our eyes off of Jesus. When this happens we, too, are filled with fear.

Peter cried out to Jesus and he saved him. Even before we cry out to Jesus, he saved us. It's what he does.

His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). With the power of Christ's perfect love its okay to risk getting to know someone, try something new or venture out of our homes.

Through Christ, fear need no longer cripple us.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

More Than a Pretty View

Fish Creek Falls, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

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Nothing takes our breathe away like the ocean, a raging river and a cascading waterfall . They cast a spell over us to the point we lose track of time as we sit and soak up their beauty.

Not only do they cast a spell over us, but they also possess power. Fish Creek Falls, outside of Steamboat Springs, is a commanding waterfall. The power of this waterfall is constantly changing the landscape over which it flows.

Waterfalls are amazing displays of power.

"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 6:3-4 English Standard Version

I can't think of anything more powerful than being connected to the death and resurrection of Jesus. When God attaches his name to the water of baptism it changes the landscape of our lives.

• Drowning to the egotistical beast that sin has made me.
• Resuscitated by the life giving Spirit to live a new life in the world...today.

There is power in the water.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

You've Got to Begin Somewhere

Cascade Mountains, Oregon

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There is nothing spectacular about this photograph other than it was snapped with my first serious camera, a 35mm Olympus OMG, which now collects dust in my closet). This chipmunk just happened to be one of my original subjects.

Our first son, Joel, was born the summer I purchased that camera. We took him to Oregon to meet his grandparents. My excuse for buying the camera in Oregon was that I didn't have to pay sales tax. That was nearly 31 years ago. Ever since that time I have gone through spurts of taking pictures. There are times when I seem consumed with it and times when I could care less; time of inspiration and times of drudgery.

But it all began the summer of 1984.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1 English Standard Version

There is so much debate within the Christian community about "when" the beginning took place that we relegate to the sidelines the confession of the Church that God called all creation into existence.

This planet, our solar system and galaxy, the furthest reaches of the universe have their beginning in God and God alone.

When you step outside today take a deep breath, I mean a really deep breath and slowly exhale. That which we breath has its beginnings in God. Then take a few moments and stare at your hands. Like the air we breathe, you have your beginning in God.

Thank God for beginnings!!!

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Last Shot

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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"And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." Hebrews 13:16 New Living Translation

My companions and I had been shooting pictures for three hours when I took this photograph. We started shooting as the sun was setting and finished when the moon was well above the horizon. When we entered the park there were people gathering to beat their drums to the rising full moon. When we left most of them had already moved on.

I was tired and cold. I had a good reason to continue to my car, put my camera gear away and head home, listening to Eric Clapton.

Yet, there was one last shot that had to be taken. A spotlight lit the Kissing Camels and the moon was casting it's light on the rest of the North Gateway Rock. Once again I dropped my tripod legs, set up my camera and pressed the shutter for a 30 second exposure.

The last shot is often the best shot.

Before the writer to the Hebrews concludes his letter he gives us, his readers, one more shot, and maybe it is the most important shot we hear following his presentation of Christ. "Don't forget to do good and to share with those in need."

That about covers what it means to live the faith to which we cling. Doing good and sharing with those in need is the life that Christ lived for us. He shared his blood on the cross for us; forgiving us and saving us.

We're called to do the same for others. It's what we do.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Simplicity

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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"As long as we have food and clothes, we should be satisfied." 1 Timothy 6:8 God's Word to the Nations

There are basically two elements to this picture of the full moon: the moon itself and the clouds. I know that you scientist out there will tell me that there is much more going on in this picture, and I'm sure that you're correct. However, from a photographer's point-of-view there are basically these two elements that make this picture work.

Paul states that he would be satisfied with two things, with food and clothing; that's it. Could you and I say the same thing? Probably not, at least I know that I would not be satisfied with the basics of life.

Yet, the more technologically savvy we become and the more gadgets that we possess, the more we long for simplicity. Things don't make us happy, or at least provide a happiness that last longer than the gadgets themselves.

The fact that Paul was okay with simplicity is because he already possessed all that he needed. He possessed the mercy of God in Christ. Paul considered himself more wealthy than other people even though he didn't have "stuff."

I'm not against stuff. I have plenty of it myself. I'm well connected to my electronic devices and my camera gear, and I enjoy this stuff, especially my photography equipment.

However, all these things will break. I'll have to figure out how to recycle my broken stuff, but the relationship that God established with me through his Son, Jesus Christ, will last for eternity.

The same is true for you.

As we reflect on life we realize that the only thing that matters now, and in the life to come, is our relationship to Jesus. That's simplicity.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

The Color of Night

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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"Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun." Psalm 74:16 English Standard Version

I don't know what brought about the colors of the night when I took this picture of the full moon at the Garden of the Gods. I have an idea that the moon, the city lights, the darkness of the eastern high plains and the camera itself contributed to this scene.

We don't think of the night as having color. If we think of color at all we regard it in terms of shades of gray. Yet even in the darkness God has established light. The moon and the stars are God's gift in the night.

When we experience the darkness of life, colors might appear gray. The struggles we endure have a way of robbing us of color. Joy is often lacking when we struggle, as well as peace and contentment.

The psalmist reminds us that the darkness of the night belongs to the Lord, whether that darkness be from the rotation of the earth, or struggles of our soul.

The darkness of sin does not have the ability to rob us of the colors of God's grace in Christ. For those of you struggling with shades of gray, may this picture give you hope that even in the darkness God's mercy shines.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Feeling Gnarly

Ute Valley Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3 English Standard Version

This tree looks like I feel many mornings (as well as afternoons and evenings) and I don't think that I'm alone. Based on Monday morning Facebook posts, I would guess that many of you feel rather gnarly in the morning, at least on Monday morinings.

Yet we persevere. Though this tree has seen some pretty tough times, it continues to survive. Evidence of its survival are the green needles produced on its branches.

Yet, this tree has seen its share of suffering. You also might have seen your share of suffering. Suffering produces character reflected in this tree and reflected in our lives, but how do we get from character to hope instead of feeling gnarly?

There is no magic pill for you to pick up at your local pharmacy. It is God who produces hope. And this hope is based on his promises to you. His promise is that he will be with you in your suffering. His promise is that he will redeem your suffering when Christ returns. These promises of God produce hope.

So, given the circumstances of your life, even though you might feel a little gnarly today, know that God's promises are sure, and these promises produce hope.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

The Hope of Transformation

Ansbach, Germany

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This picture is of a small portion of the Hofgarten, or courtyard garden, surrounding the Orangerie in Ansbach, Germany. This garden dates back to the 1700's, however, it was greatly damaged during WWII. Much of Ansbach was spared destruction during the war, but not the garden.

Evidence of this destruction is hard to see today.

"Then he said to me, 'Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.''" Ezekiel 37:9 New Living Translation

God is in the business of restoring that which has been destroyed. Through the destruction of Christ's body on the cross he has restored us, he has restored you.  

At creation God breathed into Adam the breath of life. That life was taken from us when sin entered the world.  God has breathed new life into you and me through Christ. This life cannot be taken from us. This life transcends physical death and promises resurrected life.

This breath of life is transforming you...now! You're not merely waiting for death so that you can be transformed in the presence of Christ.  God cares about you now. He is doing his work in you now.

The Hofgarten is continually changing as plants grow and mature. You are continually changing as the power of the Holy Spirit, the Breath of God, works transformation in you.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.