When you read this, I will be somewhere over Europe on a journey to Israel that has been in the works for over a year. No. This isn’t an April Fool’s joke. I will not post while I am there but look forward to sharing my experiences when I return. Your prayers are appreciated as our group walks where Jesus walked.

Lessons I learned on the run . . .

. . . another phenomenon I experienced while running is sometimes referred to as the runner’s high. You see, at some point in my daily run, I broke through the barriers of my mind and body and felt like I could run forever. Kind of like Forrest Gump.

Strangely, or not, the same high is experienced when I consistently exercise my spiritual muscles. It is said that gratitude and “fix(ing) your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think(ing) about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” produces the same kind of effect in our bodies. Paul, in his letter to Phillipi, says “you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7-9

So, today, as you live and move and have your being, practice. Train yourself for godliness. Take time to stretch (pause) to avoid injury. Look for the high that comes from consistently spending time in the presence of Jesus. Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2