Month: June 2026

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Been Away Too Long

My wife and I are blessed to have a little spot up in the mountains, a little piece of land where we can be immersed in the woods and get away from the busyness of life. We don’t own the land, but we get to enjoy it. There are no structures on it, no water or power, but it is a little slice of refuge for us.

The catch? It is a whole hour away from us. It really isn’t that long of a drive, but I have found that I don’t go up and enjoy it near as much as I should! I have been away too long! That does end later today though: I will actually go up there and spend four days enjoying it.

Can you relate to the idea that you have been away too long? How long has it been since you’ve visited with family? Went back to where you grew up? Went to church?

For many of us, the answer can often be: I’ve been away too long. Why is that?

Well, we both know there are a myriad of reasons. Maybe life is too busy and we just don’t make those trips a priority. Maybe there are strained relationships. Maybe we had a rough experience and we just haven’t quite recovered.

In Luke 15, we get a famous parable known as the Prodigal son. He had left his family, but eventually returned. The end of the passage has these famous words from the father, “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

If you know that you have been away from family too long: Call! Plan a trip and follow through. Let them know that you care and want them in your life. Work at healing and repairing what may be broken.

If you know you have been away from church too long: Go this Sunday! Make a commitment to make connecting to God and His people a priority. It may feel awkward at first, but there is a place for you!

God the Father sent His Son Jesus to live, die and rise for us so that we aren’t away from Him too long. He has a love that restores us, a love that strengthens us. I pray that may be yours today!

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Burden in My Hand

by Pastor Mark Moreno

In Greek mythology, Sisyphus cheats death and it earns him eternal punishment in the underworld, once he dies of old age. The gods forced him to roll an immense boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down every time it neared the top, repeating this action for eternity.

While we know this is only mythology, it serves as a strong image for how life can feel for each one us. Today’s image isn’t quite Sisyphus rolling a large boulder, but it is a modern day version of what it means to carry a burden that seems to have no end.

What burden are you carrying today? Did you do something that you wish you could undo? Did you say something you wish you could take back? Do you have regret and remorse for things in the past? Or are you facing uncertain consequences of your behavior?

Those are “heavy” questions for sure! I know I have had moments in my life where I answered those questions with a resounding “YES”. Those burdens can often be exploited by the devil to compound the pain. He wants us to doubt that things will ever get better and he hopes we despair.

The truth of the matter is that our Lord Jesus does NOT let the burden of sin destroy us. He took that burden upon Himself and offers you and me relief, forgiveness, life and salvation!

One of my favorite passages of scripture, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, reflects this:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

No, we are not doomed like Sisyphus, we have a sure and certain hope: That in love, Jesus carries our sin and burdens, so that we may know what true forgiveness is!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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PWTE Daily Devotion

An Ever-Present Bridge

By Pastor Douglas Brauner

Jesus is Always present No Matter What

This is such a small bridge spanning Mesa Creek. I have hiked over it numerous times and taken it for granted as a four to five steps jog to the other side. It’s not beautiful or picturesque. It’s solid, but that only adds to its invisible nature. I’m not afraid of walking over it.

I would not continue my hike if the bridge disappeared.

I’m old and jumping from one side to the other is certain disaster. I can visualize myself taking a mighty leap, pulling a hamstring, and landing in the middle of the creed, only to fall backwards and need assistance to climb out. I also wouldn’t take the time to remove my shoes and socks and wade to the other side. That would entail too much effort. No, I would turn around and continue my journey, missing the adventure of where this trail leads.

“Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 English Standard Version

Everyday is a battle to remember that Jesus is my way to the Father’s loving arms. It is in Jesus, and Jesus alone, that I have the promise of forgiveness, life, and salvation. He is my bridge, yet more than a bridge. He is everything to me.

I was distracted when I used this picture for my morning devotion. I had laundry to do. The furnace guy was coming over. And I had both a wedding ceremony and a sermon for which to prepare. As I write this devotion today, and gaze out the window, I see a work crew repairing the gas line to our house. Need I go any further.

Distractions, distractions, and more distractions.

Even in our preoccupations with life, Jesus remains our way to the Father. Even when daily activities overwhelm us and we worry about the future, Jesus is our way to the heart of the Father. Even in the unresolved business of life, Jesus is our way to the heart and soul of our loving Father.

Jesus is your bridge to the heart and soul of your loving Father.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado