Random Ramblings

It is a gray, drizzly fall day in Colorado. I love fall in Colorado. It's not as colorful as Minnesota or the Ozarks, but the weather is wonderful. It is usually very sunny, but we're not complaining because we had about 10 drops of rain all summer. The main color of fall here is a bright yellow. The aspens are nested among the evergreens in the hills and when the sun catches the patches of yellow, it is a wonderful sight. We do have a few red bushes and trees, but not too many. Midwestern transplants are not impressed with the coloring.

We've had a very busy few days. Saturday was a great celebration of our beloved DIL's graduation with her second bachelor's degree. The family, about 18 of us, got together for lunch and all of her favorite foods, at least American foods. She's from Kenya and misses the foods of her childhood. But we did manage to get a beautiful Black Forest cake which was just as she remembered. That evening we cheered her on as she graduated. The ceremony was so touching, with stories of hard fought victories to achieve this goal. God was glorified in several of the stories. It was awesome.

Monday evening we went to Denver to attend the first-ever banquet held for the Teen Challenge program down there. We attended the banquet last year at this time in Massachusetts, visiting our son there for the first time in 9 months. It is a wonderful memory. We owe so much to Teen Challenge. Our delivered prodigal son and his faithful wife went with us to Denver and it was wonderful to watch him see TC from this side. We heard great speakers who had graduated from TC years ago and have gone on to excel in their fields. We also heard wonderful testimonies from current and recent students. I love their mission statement:

To provide youth, adults, and families with an effective and comprehensive Christian faith-based solution to life-controlling drug and alcohol problems in

order to become productive members of society.

By applying biblical principles, Teen Challenge endeavors to help

people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive.

All of this was accomplished in our son's life and we are so grateful to God for his mighty grace.

I told you this was going to be random.

I'm re-reading books that I read years ago. They were written in the 80s and 90s by Boede Thoene. They chronicle Hitler's march across Europe as the Jewish people were forced to leave. They make me angry, but I can't seem to put them down. The first book in chronological order is Vienna Prelude. There is a conversation between a mother and her son in the one I am currently reading, Jerusalem Interlude, that really struck me:

"I do not doubt God's future justice . . . I only wish it would come now. Today."

"We mortals have a small and troubled view of time, Samuel. . . If the wicked could have one glimpse of their eternal future, perhaps they would repent. . . And if the righteous could have one glimpse of their eternity with God, they would no longer fear what evil men might do to them in this life. No. I think we might pity the wicked man for the price he will pay for his sin."

But we're like the son, I fear. We want to DO something. We (at least I) often have a hard time waiting for God's timing.

Finally, in this smorgasbord of thoughts this morning, I am again going to quote a song from choir practice last night. I wish you could have the music, too. It is "A Heart of Praise," by Kenn Mann.

One priceless gift,

Your life you gave,

There's no way on earth I ever could repay.

You've always been my closest friend,

Lord there are no words that I can say.

So I'll offer up to You all I have,

A heart of praise.

Lord, I'm forever grateful

For the ways You've blessed my life,

You've proven You are faithful.

In laughter or in sorrow,

Every tear You've wiped away.

Lord I'll worship You forever,

And give to you a heart of praise.

Lord, with my voice I'll always sing.

Let my song become to You my offering.

A sacrifice, Lord, I give my life

To the One who gave His precious life away.

So I'll offer up to You all I have.

A heart of praise.

When all is said and done,

and my life on earth is through,

Let me please be remembered as Your servant

Who gave to You,

A heart of praise.

Lord, I'm forever grateful

For the ways You've blessed my life,

You've proven You are faithful.

In laughter or in sorrow,

Every tears You've wiped away.

Lord, I'll worship you forever,

And give to you a heart of praise.

Have a wonderful day with a heart full of praise!