My Janny

This year has truly been the best year of our marriage in my opinion. I have never felt so close to my wife, and I have seen God teach me so much through her and our relationship. The older I get, the more simple my walk with the Lord and my wife becomes. Life to me isn't about goals, deadlines, achievements...it's about faith, hope and love. I derive no fulfillment in reaching goals, achieving a certain salary, making supervisor, buying a dream home, or attaining social status. I am interested in loving God, loving my family and loving my friends to the point that those around me can't help but be drawn to Jesus. Nothing else in life matters. Our posessions will surely perish one day - they will not follow us to eternity. Our jobs are never secure. Our homes are made with stick and mortar. Our wealth is a gift provision from God and he can withhold it anytime he chooses. Nothing we own is really ours, and nothing we own is eternal.

I look at this picture and I see a gift given to me. I see a blessing I cannot assign words. I hope today you will find time to think upon the eternal blessings God has given you. He has richly blessed us...Ephesians 1:3-10.

Pic: Loveland Pass 12,000 ft.

Family Visit

Mom dropped in for a 4 day visit from Seattle this past week. It was so nice to see her as it's been close to 2 years. We really enjoyed having her here and the kids were pretty bummed when she left. We took a trip up to Dillon/Silverthorn for some foliage viewing and some fun at the lake. These pics were taken at the north end of Lake Dillon Marina. You can see Keystone ski resort in the background.

Having time with my parents is special for us, as both sets of parents live on the west coast. Aidan and I are taking a boys weekend and heading for San Diego next month to see my Dad. These times don't come frequently enough and we cherish them greatly.

Boulder Fall Festival

Fall festival this weekend down on Pearl Street. It was surprisingly warm in the 80's. Kids rode some rides and we walked around with my mom visiting. Jonatha also bungee'd her way for about 15 minutes. The bungee springs you 20 ft up in the air and then down to a trampoline. In other words, Jonatha was in heaven...

Family Pics

Some hiking adventures as of late...Jonatha and Aidan found their coats handy while hiking at Golden Gate Canyon in 40 degrees and windy conditions. Jan, Aidan and I went for an easy hike at Marshall Mesa Trailhead last week. We had excellent views of Boulder below us and Devil's Thumb. The hike takes you over old coal mines that still burn to this today underground.

Having these resources within just minutes of our house is a real blessing. The exercise, views and surrounding terrain makes for an enjoyable experience and creates some great memories for our family.

Simple Truth

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." "All those who practice it have a good understanding." (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 111:10)

Here in Boulder County, I have noticed the reality of the danger in thinking that philosophical reasoning will enhance truth. Spurgeon writes, "Man's intellect seeks for peace and by nature seeks it apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Men of education are apt, even when converted, to look upon the simplicities of the cross of Christ with too little reverence and love." Demographics in Boulder reveal that over 36% of residents here have undergraduate degrees (U.S. avg 15%) and 30% have Master's or Doctorates degrees (U.S. avg 8%). The trend here is to reason out your faith through worldly viewpoints. However, I notice a different story in the Scriptures..."But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong" (1 Corinthians 1:27). Interestingly enough, such words were spoken to a similar culture in Corinth as we see in Boulder.

I am guilty too often of falling in this trap of reasoning. I begin to rationalize my faith and my prayers. I justify my sin and my failures. The simple truth rests with the cross...Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice by suffering the greatest of sufferings so we may enjoy eternity with Him. He did it so we wouldn't have to. The choice is simple...believe in what he did and be saved (Romans 10:10-13).

I hope today you have already made this decision. Your simple faith will yield great wisdom. Not a worldly wisdom, but wisdom that brings eternal values. Enjoy your day in the Lord and rest in his perfect knowledge.

-- Peter

Picture: Mt. Evans (taken on hike this July)