The Death of Death

Ansbach, Germany

Across the street from the Residenz (yesterday's blog) in Ansbach is the Hofgarten mit Orangerie. The Orangerie pictured above was finished in 1743 and houses more temperate trees in the winter such as orange, lemon, pistachio and olive trees.

There is another kind of covering that is spread over all people. Instead of protecting us from the elements this covering takes away life. The covering of which Scripture speaks is that of death.

"And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken." Isaiah 25:7 English Standard Version

Remove the covering from the Orangerie in winter and the trees die. The shroud of God's protection was removed from Jesus on the cross and he died, yet through his death we live.

The day is coming when the shroud of death will be removed from us. The day is coming when every tear will be wiped. The day is coming when God will remove the reproach of his people.

All of this is guaranteed because Jesus was exposed to the winter of our sin.

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.

Trusting the Eyes and Ears of God

Ansbach, Germany

This is the courtyard of what is known as the Residenz der Markgrafen zu Brandenburg-Ansbach (Residence of the Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach). If you view the courtyard from above you would note that the Residenz is symmetrical and that the only way into the courtyard is through the palace.

In essence, everyone in the courtyard was protected from the outside world.

What are the walls with which you protect your life?

     * An attitude of overconfidence?
     * A stoic shell?
     * A laugh-at-anything demeanor?

All of us carry scars from the past. Some of these scars are of our own doing and others are the result of pain we suffered at the hands of others. We don't want to feel the pain of the past so we set up walls that prevent this pain from entering our courtyard.

"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry." Psalm 34:15 English Standard Version

These walls we erect can't keep out the pain, and often contribute to the experience of more pain. Rather than trusting in the walls, God calls us to trust his promise. God's ears lean into the cries of his people, and knowing that his eyes are on the righteous transcends the pain we experience.

I'm not saying that we ought to act naively and let down the gates, opening ourselves to being hurt. I'm suggesting that we hold on to the promise of the one who was exposed to our sin. I'm suggesting that we trust God's attentiveness to our pain and struggles.

His eyes of compassion and his ears of mercy are attuned and focused on us.

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.

3 Keys to Improving Your Landscape Photography

We've all had the experience of being awed by an amazing landscape, taking a picture of it and then being disappointed when we upload the picture to our computer. What we saw and what we captured are two different things. Let me share with you three quick keys to help you improve your landscape photography so that what you see on your computer looks much like what you remember viewing.

1. Pay attention to light

Photography is all about light. Light is not good or bad, it just is, but knowing what light is doing is critical. Pull up a few pics on your computer and study the effect of the light. How would a different lighting scenario change the picture? You may have already noticed in your pictures that those you took in the morning and evening look much different than those taken at one or two in the afternoon. Or that colors look different on a cloudy day verses a sunny day. Knowing what light is doing will improve your photography.

2. Look for leading lines

The photo above has a subtle leading line that winds with the trees to the right and then snakes back to the left. This line leads the eye deep into the picture. Lines have the ability to add a three dimensional aspect to your pictures. You might consider adding a trail to your photo. Trails have a magical quality of taking you far into a photo, especially if there is a bend or two.

3. Use your viewfinder

There is nothing magical about using your viewfinder verses your LCD, yet using your viewfinder can help you make a critical decision. It can help you determine what you will include and exclude in the picture. The temptation in landscape photography is to try to capture the entire scene. The key is limiting your landscape to what is important. Because your viewfinder crops out all the clutter, it is easier to focus on what to include in your landscape.

In landscape photography there is nothing more satisfying than knowing that the picture you took is what you remember seeing in the beauty of God's creation.

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.

5 Things Every Amateur Photographer Needs to Remember

In this digital era most every one of us has a camera even if it’s only our cell phone. With these digital cameras we capture moments in time. As long as we have a computer, these time capsules don’t cost us anything to develop. As a result, there are more amateur photographers than ever (including yours truly).

Here is my list of five things that every amateur photographer needs to remember

1. Take your camera with you…everywhere.

This isn't difficult if you have a cell phone. The key is remembering that you have a camera on you. You can also make sure your camera is in your car.

2. The camera will only take you so far.

No matter what Canon, Nikon and Sony tell you, there are limits to every camera. The camera can only take you so far, which leads to the next fact.

3. You’re more important than the camera.

The camera was not created in the image of God, you were. You’re a created and redeemed child of God who sees the world as only you can.  It is this worldview that you attempt to capture in pixels.

4. It’s all about telling a story.

Our worldview is told through stories.  A beautiful picture captivates us because it tells a story even if it’s a landscape. When you’re ready to push the shutter button ask yourself, “Why is the picture important to me?” More than likely, it’s telling you a story.

5. The story we tell is God’s story.

Most importantly, with camera in hand, remember that this story is connected to God’s story of your life. His redeeming love in Jesus is reflected in your slice of time captured on your camera.

Feel free to add to this list in the comments below. I’m anxious to see what you write!

Don’t forget to have fun! That’s what photography is all about.

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. 

All Saints Day

Circular Congregational Church Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina

This is not the first cemetery in which I have taken pictures but it is the oldest, in fact it claims to be the first cemetery in Charleston (ca. 1695 which is only 139 years after Martin Luther's death).

Though some of these graves have been here for over 300 years, this is not the final resting place for those who have died in Christ. We often mistakenly call graves the final resting place. To do so we then must deny the reality of the resurrection.

As many of you know, both my father and sister have died and joined the Church Triumphant. I know that one day their ashes will be raised from the dead.

Until then, there is a temporary rest for them from their labors: from pain and struggle, from sin and sorrow.

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' 'Blessed indeed,' says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!'" Revelation 14:13 ESV

On this All Saints Day it appropriate for us to celebrate the unity of the Church Militant (that's you and me) and the Church Triumphant (those who have died in the Lord) in the mystery that is the Communion of Saints.

I thank God for my father who left a legacy of faith. I thank God for my sister who left a legacy of grace in a life lived with muscular dystrophy.

Think about those who have left a legacy for you and thank God for their testimony to Christ that lives on in your life.

"For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!"

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.  

No Laughing Matter

Charleston Harbor, Charleston, South Carolina

I'm not great at identifying birds, but according to my National Audubon Society Field Guide, this might be (I repeat might be) a Laughing Gull. According to the field guide this gull has a loud, high pitched ha-ha-ha-ha-haah-haah-haah-haah-haah sound. I'm not sure that this sound would seem hilarious to people surrounded by these gulls.

Satan is no laughing matter.

"Keep your mind clear, and be alert.  Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 God's Word to the Nations

Halloween is one of those celebrations that elicits polarizing emotions. I'm not entering into that discussion. My goal is not to persuade you one way or the other. It is my goal to challenge you to believe that Satan is real and that he wants nothing more than for you to fall away from Jesus Christ.

That is his sole design.

I don't usually add a second Bible passage but in this case I can't resist. In his final word to the Romans Paul wrote, "The God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet." Romans 16:20 God's Word to the Nations

Satan's demise is guaranteed. Jesus first act of victory was his descent into hell. There he proclaimed his victory over.  Now God has given us his Spirit as the guarantee that in the end, the devil loses.

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.  

Show Me What to Do

Theresa Mine, Victor, Colorado

I don't know what these wheels do. I've never worked at a gold mine, but I'm sure that these wheels play an important role in making this mine work. Show me what they do and I'll probably be able to work these wheels.

When it comes to mechanical things, I don't have a clue how they work. I can tear apart anything, but don't ask me to put it back together. So when it comes to learning new things, I gain knowledge by watching others.

"What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:9 English Standard Version

We probably learn best by following the example of others. Paul recognizes this fact and encourages his friends in Philippi to follow his example. Living as a redeemed person was new stuff to his readers. Living as a child of God doesn't come naturally to us either.

We learn best when we watch those who are mature in Christ live their faith. I would encourage you to find someone you respect and follow in his/her footsteps. It's a great way to learn what it means to live as a child of God.

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.