The Water of Life

Fountain Valley Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

It takes plenty of water to grow cattails. You don't find cattails in the desert, but by ponds with an abundance of water, and once these cattails are established, they grow prolifically.  

Cattails have two ways of multiplying.  Note the seeds on this flowering spike. In the fall these seeds are blown long distances where they take root next to other ponds, yet this is not the only way cattails grow. They also expand through their roots. All of this growth begins with water.

"He also said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the one who is thirsty I will give water free of charge from the spring of the water of life." Revelation 21:6 New English Translation

It is hard to kill cattails once they're established. When we drink deep of God'mercy in Christ it is hard to destroy the faith that grows in us. That faith is nourished by God himself. There will be times when our growth is challenged by the circumstances of life, but we continue to grow...and thrive.

As we grow, the seed of God's Word is spread through us. Sometimes that seed drifts far from home and finds soil and water to nourish the seed. Sometimes the growth happens through the roots of the local community of Christians.

All of this growth happens through the Water of Life. The growth we experience in our relationship with God is the result of this water.

Jesus is our abundant source of water that brings life.

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

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

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

Canopy of Love

Fountain Valley Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

I love how these trees lean into each other and create a tunnel of light.

God calls us to lean into each other and point to the Light. The purpose of our caring for each other in the Body of Christ is not to pat ourselves on the back and say how loving we are, rather our concern for each other points to the light of God's love in Christ working among us.

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 New Living Translation

God brings us into community that we might care for each other. Struggles face us each day and it is difficult to endure these struggles by ourselves. Pain has a way of isolating us from others, but God's intent for the church is that we lean into each other during difficult times.

As a result of our genuine love for each other, people see Jesus. Our love for each other is a reflection of Christ's passion for us through his suffering and death.

People notice when the church cares for others. When the church cares we reflect the power of the cross.

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

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

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

A Table Prepared

Black Forest, Colorado

This is what a forest looks like when fire mercilessly pursues its next victim. Over the past two summers the Colorado Springs area has been ravaged by fires. This fire was only a few miles from my home. I will never forget returning from a doctor's appointment watching the fire grow. These fires have changed lives forever.

On the other side of the road from where I took this picture were trailers with people living in them. My guess is that they had returned home, not to the house where they had once live. It was only ashes. They returned to that piece of property that was filled with memories.

The return of these people begs the question, what is home?

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5 English Standard Version

Where is our table prepared?

For many of the people of Black Forest, their table is prepared among the ashes of what use to be their homes. The enemy of fire has destroyed their dreams. Those who have been claimed by Christ know that it is God who prepares this table in the presence of their enemy.

There are different kinds of fires that we human creatures face. King David saw these fires as his enemies, yet he did not despair. God prepared a feast for him even while surrounded by the fires of life.

May you sense God's presence in your fire.

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

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

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

Eyes on the Lord

Fountain Valley Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

This is the same gnarly cottonwood tree from yesterday's blog. What you see in this picture might be different from what I see. Like looking at images in the clouds, our imaginations see things differently. I see a frightened old person.

Fear has much to do with the future and the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring.  

King Jehoshaphat might have looked similar to this tree when he faced an uncertain future as nations rose up against Judah. In his fear, Jehoshaphat prayed, "We don't know what to do, so we're looking at you [God]." 2 Chronicles 20:12 God's Word to the Nations.

God spoke to Jehoshaphat through the prophet Jehaziel.  "'You won't fight this battle. Instead, take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the LORD for you, Judah and Jerusalem. Don't be frightened or terrified. Tomorrow go out to face them. The LORD is with you.'" 2 Chronicles 20:17 GWN

We might be facing an unknown future and we're frightened. We don't know what to do. Jehoshaphat, along with the people of Judah, chose to look to the Lord. May that also be said of us.

Though we might not know the enemies we'll face today, we do know that the Lord is with us. The guarantee of his presence is the cross. Jesus confronted hell to assure us that even though we might face our enemies today, he is with us.

We may not know what to do, yet we keep our eyes on the Lord.

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

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

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

Character Comes with Age

Fountain Valley Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

We become gnarly with age.

This cottonwood tree at Fountain Valley Regional Park has seen a great deal of history pass over its roots. It has weathered many snow storms, droughts and floods.  It has been shaped and formed both by its DNA and the conditions of life.  

I'm sure this old cottonwood looked more pristine at  a younger age. It was probably straighter, slimmer and more symmetrical, but age has changed this tree. Its character has been shaped by age..

"The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old." Proverbs 20:29 New Living Translation

Like this old cottonwood, we become gnarly with age. Our bodies become gnarly. Our thoughts become gnarly. Our emotions become gnarly. Our DNA and experiences of life shape our character, yet Solomon did not see aging as negative but writes that "the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old."

We might become more gnarly with age, but aging doesn't change the power of God's love for us in Christ. His mercy transforms the young, the old and the 'tweens.

God's love is as active in those whose bones creak as it is in those whose bones are still forming. No matter our stage of life, God shapes our character as we age. And the greatest influence on this character is his grace.

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

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

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

You Are Who You Hang With

Steamboat Springs, CO

Okay so this picture borders on self promotion. I never said that I wasn't vain, but you've got to admit there is some resemblance between Ben and me: Lack of hair (sort of), glasses and gut. In reality I'm more like Tigger on my shirt than Ben.  

But the truth remains; we are who we hang with.

"And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves."  Matthew 17:1 (ESV)

These three disciples hung with Jesus. I envy Peter, James and John. What a privilege to hang with Jesus and to see his glory on the Mt. of Transfiguration.

Then again, do I?

To be like Jesus means picking up a cross and following him. It involves dying to self and serving others. It requires praying for enemies and those who persecute us.

If it is true that we are who we hang with it is no wonder that many people don't want to hang with Jesus. However, because these disciple hung out with Jesus, God transformed the world through them. Could God do the same in your world simply because you hang out with Jesus?

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

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

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

Where Does Your Light Shine?

Brauner Household

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:10 English Standard Version

Just lines in our hallway floor.  

I got up early the Friday after Thanksgiving a few years ago when no one else was stirring in the house. I decided to practice taking pictures in black and white. Taking this candle I positioned it throughout our house  to see the effect its light would have in the places where I set it. I didn't care how far the light shined, but where it shined.

This candle begs the question, where does your light shine? What are the crossroads of your life where God shines the light of Christ through you?

The candle is positioned at the intersection of two lines. Your life has its own intersection.

Where you are right now is where God wants your to shine.

Paul understood the power of God's light shining in our weakness. "

Often we want to be somewhere else rather than where we are. Today, at the crossroads of your life, is where God calls you to shine, even if it is in weakness, hardships and calamities. It might not be pleasant. You might dream of being somewhere else. But where you are is right where He wants you to be.

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

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

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