Fall

the rumor is that it is fall.  the trees look like it.  the leaves are even falling off the trees.  the days are getting shorter.  change in time due to daylight savings time is fast approaching.  homecoming events at colleges and high schools abound.  the pumpkin festival is underway.  there are costumes galore in stores.  walmart has great displays for candy for halloween.  yes, all the signs appear to be there.  but it's in the 80's.  what's with that?  it's kind of like people predicting the return of Jesus to be imminent because of this sign or that sign.  yes, it is fall.  but, no, though we know Jesus will come for the second time, we know not when, really.  the signs, they don't always tell the total truth, nor do all the signs really line up with what's happening.

Colorado

well, it was that time of year again.  the time when i and four of my friends hop airplanes, rent cars, all for the purpose of making our way back to the ymca in estes park, colorado for five days of fellowship, hiking, praying, reading, eating, and just generally hanging out.  it all starts at the safeway where we gather food - not always healthy - for the week.  it's a trip - five guys throwing stuff into a grocery basket, then venturing to our cabin and sorting through the loot we just bought.  we often find some interesting stuff.  the next day we start our routine of reading, praying, then hiking, then lunch, then smoking a cigar and discussing theology, then prayer for each other, then dinner, then back home for more discussion before bed.  a great time.  it's especially great because we are all looking forward to this place we've been coming to for years to be revived by the Lord and to hang out with good friends.  in a lot of ways its like hanging out with Jesus for a week in the midst of some of His great creation.  now, you can't go wrong with that.