Month: February 2017

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PWTE Daily Devotion

From Excess…

A day of revelry or a day of repentance.

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

Most people know today as Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras in French. The celebration features parades, masquerades and sadly, often drunkenness and depravity. Mardi Gras revelers often engage in the excesses of worldly celebration, not knowing the loving sacrifice of Christ revealed during Lent.

Today is also known as Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. “Shrove” comes from the word shrive, meaning absolve or to grant absolution to one who is repentant of their sins. It is a time of self-examination, a conviction of what needs to be repented, and asking God’s help for true change. This prepares us for the season of Lent.

In certain parts of the world, today is also Pancake Day. In some churches during Lent, refraining from foods such as meat, dairy products, or eggs is emphasized. Since eating excess rich foods such as butter, eggs and fat are discouraged, these ingredients are used on Shrove Tuesday to make and consume pancakes.

Today, Shrove Tuesday has all but disappeared, while the excesses of Mardi Gras continue to be in the spotlight. But seize this day as a reminder of your need for forgiveness and repentance. As you prepare to observe Lent, be joyful for the forgiveness you have in Christ your Savior. And share the meaning of today, tomorrow, Lent and Easter with those who are seeking happiness and meaning but finding none in the pleasures of this world.

“How happy he is whose wrong-doing is forgiven, and whose sin is covered! How happy is the man whose sin the Lord does not hold against him, and in whose spirit there is nothing false.

Many are the sorrows of the sinful. But loving-kindness will be all around the man who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord and be full of joy, you who are right with God! Sing for joy all you who are pure in heart!”
Psalm 32: 1, 2 and 10,11 New Life Version

Copyright text and photo Desiree Bustamante

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PWTE Daily Devotion

“Listen, Victory Is THAT Way!”

Lafayette, Park, St. Louis, Missouri

Listening to Jesus is the road of life.

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

“And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.'”
Mark 9:7 English Standard Version

God blessed Janice and me with three boys, now men. Each one of them is an amazing gift of God. Our oldest, Joel, is a fantastic problem solver. When I’m working on a project, I know that Joel will find the best solution. Nathan is the artist. Nathan removes the dust and cobwebs from our piano when he visits. Mike is the loyal and compassionate friend. Everyone knows that Mike cares for people.

Lafayette, Park, St. Louis, Missouri

However, as they grew up it was their job to point in the opposite direction that I was pointing for them to go. Isn’t that often the way of parenting? We see clearly what direction would be best for their lives and they see a different direction.

God always knows the best direction for our lives.

The voice from heaven pointed the way for Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus would steer these disciples on the best direction for their lives. So, the voice commands them to listen to Jesus.

As we head into Lent with Ash Wednesday, we will come face-to-face with our desire to go a different direction than the way directed by Jesus. We know best what our lives need, or at least that’s what we believe. These three disciples would do the same thing when they come down from the mountain.

But the way of Lent is the road to Easter. The voice of Jesus leads us to peace, joy and life in his resurrection from the dead. Following the road that we choose for ourselves leads to death. These three disciples would learn that it’s best to listen to Jesus. May we also discover this truth.

Text and Photograph Copyright Douglas P Brauner

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Letting God Surprise You

Fountain Creek Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

God knows what we need.

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

If at first you don’t succeed…let God surprise you.

It was Friday morning, my usual day off. Instead of doing the laundry, balancing the checkbook, and surfing the internet…I officiated at a graveside service for a member of Holy Cross. It was a cold, hoarfrost morning at Evergreen cemetery.

Fountain Creek Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

Even though it was a small gathering of family and  friends, I needed some alone time following the service. Lately it seems that my days have been booked solid. January seemed busier than December, which is saying something for a pastor.

So, I brought my camera with me to the funeral, my best friend when I need to be alone. After leaving the graveside I changed my clothes and drove to Fountain Creek Regional Park, south of Colorado Springs, praying “God, surprise me.”

I chose this park because of the amazing hoarfrost. The ponds, dried cattails and cottonwood trees would look spectacular covered with layers of frost. God surprised me. There was no hoarfrost like that which surrounded my home.

God’s surprise came to me in this pond. Braving the cold, humid temperatures, I stood around this pond noticing how barren it appeared and  amazed at the grasses trapped in the pond’s ice. No birds, no fish, no life. It wasn’t what I expected, but it was what I needed.

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” 
Philippians 4:19 New Living Translation

The frozen pond, leafless trees, and sprinkled snow speaks to me of the winter of my soul this past month. I needed that message to hear the fact that I’m not alone. That even in the winter of my life, God is present and he will always be present. In fact, my time beside this small pond was a time of peace.

God is in the business of surprising us. He gives us what we need through the riches of Jesus.

Text and Photograph copyright Douglas P Brauner