It's been a strange week. I've heard of three marriages in serious trouble, another break-up for an unmarried couple, and a couple of deaths, not to mention equipment breakdowns around here that are not going to be cheap (but, that's temporal, I'm more concerned with the eternal).

The relationships are the things that bother me. In two of those relationships, the issues seem to sit squarely on the wives shoulders (I realize it "takes two to tango"). These marriages could be saved if the wives would think about what they are doing, what matters for eternity, and how God would have them to live. The husbands aren't perfect, who is, but they don't want these divorces. Children are involved, which just makes matters worse. I know what it's like to be the product of divorce and I struggle with having put my oldest through that. No matter how hard we try, there are serious consequences to our actions. There are times when divorce is the only option, in these two cases, it isn't.

We live in a world that has chosen to believe the lies of the devil. He is the "father of lies". He cannot tell the truth. He is constantly working to deceive us, it started in the Garden of Eden!! He wants us to believe that the world's way of doing things is the best, that God's ways are oppressive, that "I'm" the most important thing in my life and I have to do all that I can to look after myself because no one else is going to do it for me. Baloney! It's all hooey! Our society is so self-absorbed, it can't see the forest for the trees.

Women, especially, (particularly in this day and age) have been brought up to believe that men are dogs (lie!), that they only care about themselves (lie!), that love is all about romance and tingly feelings (lie) and that if you aren't getting that, move on (big lie!). They are taught that they shouldn't "submit" or serve their husbands (lie!), that their husbands can fend for themselves and we shouldn't have to cook or clean for them (lie!) and not only that, they should help us to do all the stuff we don't want to do even though they've worked all day (lie!). We've been taught that it's more fulfilling to work outside our home and let someone raise our kids (lie!) and that "we can have it all!" (lie!).

We live in a disposable world. If it doesn't work or requires to much effort, throw it out and get a new, improved model. To heck with the repercussions and consequences. It will all work out in the end. How sad!

After 2 days of rain, clouds, and general malaise brought on by the weather, the sun is shining and I feel pretty good! We received over 6 inches of rain, but, praise God, very little water in the basement and no wet drywall in daughter's window frame.

I've been trying to figure out how to blog about our trip without overwhelming the whole blog-it was so wonderful, so relaxing, such a blessing, and so many beautiful, breath-taking scenes were taken in and photographed, that I really have no idea where to start!

I suppose the best place to start would be with the biggest blessing of the entire 10 days, the baptism service we attended out in the middle of a ranch with the Flat Tops Mountains of Colorado as our back drop. The baptism was held in the "Cowboy Hot Tub", a natural hot spring discovered by accident some years ago when previous owners were drilling for oil. When the new owners took over they made it into a "hot tub" of sorts by lining it with a rubber mat and stones along the side for sitting. It runs at a constant 104 degrees and is a glorious spot for glorifying God by taking the step of obedience through baptism.

It was such a blessing to be able to share in something with fellow believers, of whom we only knew 2 others, our dear friends M & S who recently moved to the area to pastor one of the small local churches. The Lord has surrounded them with many wonderful people and the truly God-exalting landscape of northern Colorado.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the tiny cabin (one of several at this location). We had the "honeymoon" cabin, complete with canopy, coffee maker, fridge, microwave, our own woodstove, and a feather mattress. We were so impressed with the feather mattress, we bought one for our own bed shortly after returning home! Between the cool mountain breezes, the quiet of the community and the feather mattress, we slept very well!

I wish I could put my finger on what makes my heart swell so when I'm in the mountains or even just in the valley looking towards them. I think that part of it is the sheer size, the power that it took to create this world we live in, the ruggedness and strength they show in their quiet way. To me, while they are quiet, they also shout the glory of God! The speak of time gone past, yet they speak of glories to come. They radiate peace, yet they proclaim violence. They are a dichotomy to me. Beautiful, yet frightening. Welcoming, yet dangerous. They blaze in the sky when the sun shines strongly on their peaks and they are shrouded in secrecy when the clouds and snow roll in. I am left in solitude as I ponder what it all means to me.