Month: January 2016

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Angry Bird

Eugene, Oregon

How do you handle frustration?

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

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 English Standard Version

I’ve been a frustrated fisherman most of my life but not as frustrated as this blue heron, or so it looks by this picture his expression. I watched this bird for quite some time. He never moved except to cock his head periodically to one side. Patiently he waited for a fish to swim past his legs, but none appeared. At one point it looked like some were swimming behind him, but they never came within reach of his long beak.

Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

How do you deal with frustration? Do you hunker down like this bird, or fly away to some remote island hoping that whatever caused you to become frustrated disappears? There are numerous ways that we handle frustration.

Instead of counting to ten when you’re frustrated try reciting the fruit of the Spirit. One of these words will probably speak to the heart of your frustration.

Better yet, remember that Jesus lived by the fruit of the Spirit for us. He embodied the fruit of the Spirit. Were there times of frustration for Jesus? As I read the Scriptures, it appears that there were many frustrating moment for Jesus dealing with the crowds, the religious leaders and his disciples. Yet each challenge was met with the fruit of the Spirit.

Through the gift of God’s mercy at work in our lives it is possible to meet the challenges of frustrating situations through the fruit of the Spirit. It’s a much better way of dealing with frustration then hunkering down or flying away.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner

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PWTE Daily Devotion

The Big Picture

Mt. Sherman, Colorado

Grace is the gift of looking back and seeing beauty in life.

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

“But God’s kindness made me what I am, and that kindness was not wasted on me. Instead, I worked harder than all the others. It was not I who did it, but God’s kindness was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10 God’s Word to the Nations

I took this panorama after climbing Mount Sherman, one of Colorado’s 53 mountains over 14,000 ft in elevation. Turning around, I had to see what we had climbed. We had decided to park our car at the old Leavick Mill site instead of the gate near the Dauntless Mine which added 5.5 extra miles to the hike. Even though I was exhausted, and my eyes were a bit blurry, the look back was spectacular.

Mt. Sherman, Colorado
Mt. Sherman, Colorado

It’s easy to see life in segments and forget the big picture. We look back over the past and we get caught up in the times of struggle and pain, as if those moments define our entire life. Yes, those times of struggle are a part of who we are, but they are not the whole picture. We cannot forget those moments of grace.

On Mount Sherman there were times of beautiful vistas and times of exhaustion; times I wanted to keep climbing and times I wanted to turn back; times when I was accompanied by my sons and times when I was alone; times of joy and times of pain.

We continue to climb the mountain on which God has placed us. There will be times when we want to stop climbing and others where we can’t wait to see what’s coming next, yet no matter where we are on the journey, God fills the climb with his grace.

Don’t forget to see the big picture!

Copyright Douglas P Brauner

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Gone Fishing Lately?

Being a successful fisherman means knowing where the fish are.

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

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said,
“and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Matthew 4:19 New International Version

Two times a year, whether I feel like it or not, I clean my desk. I do some minor maintenance during the rest of the year, but after Christmas and Easter I make a point to send a lot of paper to the recycling bin.

January 16In my cleaning efforts, whether it be at home or in my office, I often find surprises. This DVD of “O Brother, Where art Thou?” was discovered at my home. It’s not mine. So I brought it to church, adding to my clutter, so that I would remember to give it to its rightful owner.

As it sat at my desk I noticed that the coffee cup and the DVD had a message for me.

God calls us to fish for people. That is probably offensive to a number of people, yet everyone is in some sort of “fishing” business. Political parties are “fishing” for people. Department stores are “fishing” for people. Cell phone companies are “fishing” for people.

One thing I’ve come to know about fishing (for real fish that is), you have to know where the fish are to catch fish.

Maybe the most important question in this whole “fishing” business is to ask, “O brother, where art thou?” When we ask that question, it reveals how important it is that we let others know about the love of God in Christ Jesus.

So, have you gone fishing lately?

Copyright Douglas P Brauner