High Anxiety

Monarch Mountain, CO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Got Tension?

Yaquina Bay Bridge, Newport, OR

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

The bridge is built with a proper amount of tension.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Storms of Life

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO

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

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

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

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

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

"Do you not care...?"

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

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

The Human Element

Balloon Classic, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fiesta!

Balloon Classic, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Time and Space

Balloon Classic, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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

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

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

This Scripture can be contemplated in two spheres.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks!

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To God be the Glory.

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