Month: September 2015

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Seeing God’s Promises in Turbulent Places

Fish Creek Falls, Steamboat, Colorado

The rainbow reminds us that God is faithful to his promises.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in him.
That is why we say
‘Amen’
when we give glory to God through Christ.”
1 Corinthians 1:20 New Living Translation

Rainbows appear in some of the most interesting places as is obvious from this picture.

Fish Creek Falls, Steamboat, Colorado
Fish Creek Falls, Steamboat, Colorado

The sun shone on this waterfall even though it wasn’t raining on this mid-June day. This rainbow appeared because of heavy snow in the Mt. Zirkel wilderness area and the higher than normal melt off.

Fish Creek Falls was a flood of water.

In in the midst of the turbulence was this reminder of God’s promises. Even though there is a scientific explanation for rainbows, they remind us of God’s promises.

We might want to shout “Amen” to the glory of God when we take in the majesty of Fish Creek Falls, yet this rainbow produced by the abundance of water doesn’t appear unless there’s violence.

Even when you and I struggle with the tumult of life, God allows us to see his promises and to know that all of his promises find their “Amen” in Jesus Christ.

May you see God’s rainbow today as you look to Christ in the midst of your life’s turbulence.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Beautifully Unnoticed

Lutheran Valley Retreat, Colorado

Christians don’t have to be noticed by others to make a difference.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“When you’ve done everything you’re ordered to do, say,
‘We’re worthless servants.
We’ve only done our duty.’ “
Luke 17:10 God’s Word to the Nations

It was Saturday afternoon of the Holy Cross Men’s retreat and I decided to spend some time by myself. It was a warm, September day and I had hiked over a bit of sun-drenched trail. I was looking for a place that I could sit and do some thinking and praying about the Praying With The Eyes ministry.

Lutheran Valley Retreat, Colorado
Lutheran Valley Retreat, Colorado

God is doing an amazing work through the blogs, podcasts and photography workshops that are a part of this ministry, but I’ve been carrying the load by myself too long. I need other people to come along side of me so that this ministry can grow, and others can use their God-given gifts.

So, I found a place to sit, cushioned by soft pine needles. I sat in silence, wrote down some thoughts and prayed. After about 15 minutes I noticed this plant growing close to where I was sitting. The light was gently touching the plant. I stopped everything, took out my camera, and carefully took pictures.

But why did it take me so long to notice this plant? It was beautifully unnoticed by me and other hikers on this trail. It’s beauty wasn’t dependent on me, nor diminished by me. It was simply doing what God had created it to do.

Through Christ, we live our lives much like this tiny plant.  It’s okay if people don’t notice how beautiful we are. If I asked this plant what it was doing, it would probably answer, “I’m only doing what I was created to do.”

God calls us to do what we’re created to do. Each one of us adds beauty to this world. We might feel that the world doesn’t acknowledge us, it doesn’t have to, but God knows us. As the redeemed by Christ, we add beauty to life even if we’re unnoticed.

And that’s the way it should be.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

How to Handle a Good Storm

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

We turn to Jesus when we face a stormy future.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“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

You’ve got to love a good storm…or do you?

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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.

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.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner