It’s Time to Celebrate!

by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Happy Anniversary!

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

Seventy-two hot air balloons took to the sky from Memorial Park during the Colorado Springs Balloon Liftoff, an event that has run for over forty years. Not only do you see the regular looking balloons, those you expect to watch navigating the cool morning air, but you also see Yoda and Darth Vader doing battle, a pig balloon named Chris P. Bacon, and Allycorn the Unicorn.

Thousands of people come to celebrate, yelling every time a balloon heads upward. Children are fascinated by the sound of the rushing hot air that fills the balloons and are mesmerized by the explosion of color. It is an event when adults become children once again…at least I do.

Today marks a celebration of a different sort. The Praying With The Eyes ministry has reached ten years old today. It’s time to celebrate and lift our spiritual eyes in thanksgiving to God. On September 4 or 5 of 2012 (my memory isn’t what it used to be) I prayed that God would help me find a way to use my photography for his good. The thought of writing devotions that connected one of my pictures with a short devotion quickly came to mind.

Since that day, this ministry has continued to grow. I’m grateful for all the Praying With The Eyes devotional writers who have joined my on this ten year journey. Without them, this ministry would have died a long time ago. They inspire me to keep going and help me on this journey of faith.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Proverbs 18:21 English Standard Version

Solomon states the fact that words have power to destroy and to give life. I pray that the words of these devotions have given life to you, encouraged you, comforted you on your journey of faith. I pray that above everything your eyes have seen Jesus, the One who lived, died, and rose from his grave for you.

I look forward to whatever the Lord does with this ministry from this day forward. And I thank you for your faithfulness.

Here is a link to the devotion that started it all, Even Batman Needs a Cave.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado

About Douglas Brauner

I'm a retired pastor, blogger, and photographer. (Oh, and did I mention husband and father?) I encourage people who wrestle with life to focus on Christ so that they experience hope and joy on life's treadmill.

2 comments on “It’s Time to Celebrate!

  1. happy anniversary, and thanks for doing this – I really enjoy the daily couple of minutes away from the daily grind!

  2. I am so thankful you started this ministry and will continue with it. So many days it’s just what I needed to help me through the day. I can hear God speaking directly to me. Your photography is perfect for each devotion and what a way to use this special talent He has given you. Thank you Pr Doug and all the other devotional writers and may God bless each one of you. 🙏

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