We're back from our adventure to California to attend the Pepperdine Lectureship.  Sorry I haven't written in awhile, but I have a list of topics I want to write about so hopefully I will have regular updates.  Before we went to Pepperdine we spent a few days in a beach cottage in San Diego.  I went running a couple of days and I learned a lesson from the running path I followed.

One side of the path followed the beach.  On one side was the beautiful ocean and beach.  On the other side were beautiful beach houses.  At one point the path turned and wrapped around the houses to where I couldn't see the ocean anymore - and the difference was striking.  One minute I was running along the beach with a view of the Pacific Ocean and the sound of crashing waves.  It was peaceful and inspiring.  When I made the turn along the path I could no longer see the ocean or hear the waves.  All I could hear was the sound of cars.  All I could see were houses and shops and people.  On one side of the path was serenity; on the other side was the busy-ness that I was trying to take a break from.

So, what did I do?  I took a shortcut that took me back to the beach!  Our lives are busy and stressful - that's a consequence of the fallen world in which we live.  But we can choose what path we walk.  The path of Christ is difficult at times, but it is consistently filled with beauty, wonder, awe, peace, joy, and serenity.  The path of the world is filled with noise, noise, noise.  Every day - through prayer, meditation, music, friendships, time in God's Word, rest - we can step off the path of the world in order to stay in the path of Christ so that our lives can be anchored by the way of Christ.

Keep walking with Christ, and take some time this week to "run by the beach" to remember the blessings of God that enrich our lives!