Month: May 2015

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Your Light Shines

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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.
Join the conversation on our Facebook group: Praying With the Eyes
You can listen to the Praying With the Eyes podcast on iTunes on the 1st and 15th of each month, as well as at SoundCloud.com by searching for “Praying With The Eyes.”
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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.
Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

“You Smell Like…”

Click on this SoundCloud link to listen to an audio recording of today’s Blog.

 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.

Join the conversation on our Facebook group: Praying With the Eyes

You can listen to the Praying With the Eyes podcast on iTunes on the 1st and 15th of each month, as well as at SoundCloud.com by searching for “Praying With The Eyes.”

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

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

Categories
Photography

Five Lessons for the Amateur Photographer- by Doug Brauner

Photo: Copyright the second fiddle https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ https://goo.gl/kbu59x

Photo: Copyright the second fiddle https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ https://goo.gl/kbu59x

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.