Month: June 2015

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Conversations in the Corner

Paint Mines, Calhan, Colorado

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Paint Mines, Calhan, Colorado
Paint Mines, Calhan, Colorado

As you might be aware, I love taking pictures at the Paint Mines in Calhan, Colorado. Many blog posts have been inspired by the Paint Mines as well as the Garden of the Gods. Both places remind me of our amazing Creator God and the delight that he takes in showing off his creation.

After taking this picture and processing it in Lightroom I noticed a couple of shadows in the bottom right corner that looked like my fellow photographer, Gary, and I talking, yet I had been careful to exclude our shadows when framing this picuture. It was getting later in the evening and the shadows were getting long, and I realized that what looked like two people talking (and a Star Wars character) were actually shadows from the rocks.

These shadows remind me that what made this night special was having a conversation with Gary. We’ve known each other for a while, but we hadn’t connected with each other for some time. We talked about scuba diving, worship and, of course, photography.

“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 13:1 New Living Translation

The conversations we have with each other in the body of Christ are a means of displaying love for one another. These conversations are exercises both in speaking and in listening. They are not monologues. These conversations might even include moments of silence. How wonderful it is to be in the presence of another person for whom Christ sacrificed his life.

I hope that today, you will notice your shadow in corner conversation with someone else’s shadow.

Copyright Douglas P. Brauner

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Our Proper Place

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untitled (58 of 64)Yesterday I wrote about a men’s retreat at Holy Cross and how it was my goal to do some night photography as I had listened to a photography podcast on shooting the night sky and was ready to go.

However, there were a few problems.

The full moon was my first problem. The moon was so bright that you couldn’t see many stars. The next problem I had was the focal length of my lens. I didn’t have a long enough lens to fill my frame with the moon.

And it was cold.

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:3-5 New International Version

It can be overwhelming to stare at the night sky and consider the vastness of the universe. The psalmist didn’t need the Hubble Telescope, nor knowledge of the millions of galaxies to ask the question of our importance to God.

In spite of the vastness of the universe, God has created human creatures as the crown of his making. In essence he is saying that you and I are of more value to him than the unnumbered galaxies. Think about that for a while.

Besides, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross confirms your value. He died for you.

Copyright Douglas P. Brauner

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Hopeful Waiting

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I take my camera with me most every place I go. If I can’t take my Sony A-65 with me, then I make sure my Sony a5000 or cell phone are close at hand.

My D-SLT camera was a part of my luggage to a men’s retreat sponsored by Holy Cross. I was excited about the possibility of some night photography. At six in the morning I tried to shoot a full moon;

It didn’t work.

Knowing that the sun would soon crest over the eastern horizon I waited. It was cold and slightly windy, yet I waited.  I was on sensory overload when the sun made its appearance. The colors were brilliant and the clouds soft, yet dramatic.

“Wait with hope for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 God’s Word to the Nations

Life might not be turning out for you the way that you expected.  You’re in a season of life where you understand the call of the psalmist to “be strong, and let your heart be courageous.” The last thing that you need to hear are the words, “wait with hope for the LORD.”

As King David penned these words he struggled with workers of evil who desired to devour him (27:2). That might be how you feel at this moment. You understand the encouragement to “be strong” but to “wait with hope for the LORD” seems counter intuitive. You don’t want to wait. You want results and you want them now.

Jesus stood strong in the face of the cross that you might find courage to face the battles confronting you today. It is in Jesus that you find the courage to stand strong. And in standing strong you wait with hope for the Lord.

Copyright Douglas P. Brauner