Hiking

Malibu Creek State Park

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Today our family enjoyed a picnic lunch and short hike in Malibu Creek State Park. This park is only 30 minutes away, so a quick and pleasant getaway. It’s a beautiful area tucked in the Santa Monica mountains between the Pacific Coast and the San Fernando and Conejo Valleys. Hard to imagine you’re so close to Los Angeles. It’s like another world in here. Here are some photos….

There are several parking and picnic areas near the entrance of the park. A large campground is also part of the park.
Malibu Creek runs through much of the park. It’s April now and temperatures are warming up, but we had a wet winter, and the creek is still running strong. I wonder how much water will be there a few months from now. 
A large flat trail hugs the north side of the creek, lined with oak trees. The trail is stroller and bike friendly, but no dogs allowed. 
Gorgeous views of the Santa Monica mountains. 
About a mile in, you come to a visitor center, which is only open on weekends. 
M*A*S*H fans will recognize this sign just outside the visitors center. If you keep hiking deeper into the park, you can go to where the classic sitcom was filmed.
The small visitor center includes a bit of everything. Friendly docents, rocks and fossils, photographs, animal pelts, a children’s activity area, and a short film highlighting some of the movies filmed in the park. 
On our way back to the park entrance, we opted for the trail that runs south of Malibu Creek. 
There’s no bridge to walk across here, but you can cross the creek if you don’t mind getting a little wet. 
Safe on the other side. We successfully forded Malibu Creek.
We will definitely be back to this peaceful, scenic state park. 
Sermons

VIDEO: A Hunger for Truth

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“The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me. I stand alone on the word of God, the B-I-B-L-E… Bible!” I sang those words countless times in my youth, and am so thankful my family and church instilled within me a love for God’s Word.

At Calvary Church, we’re charting a course for the future, and last week I shared that we must develop a healthy hunger for God’s Word. We looked together at 1 Peter 2:1-5, where Peter says to “long for the pure spiritual milk.” If you missed the message, you can watch the video link above, or if you want just the audio, you can visit the sermon page on our church website.

(Side note, I noticed this week that the Apple podcast app includes a full auto-generated transcript of the message. Amazing! I tried copying and pasting it here, but it wouldn’t let me. It might be copyrighted through iTunes or something. )

At any rate, here’s a copy of the handout so you can follow along. If you don’t already have a church home, please consider joining us next Sunday at Calvary Church West Hills.

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Hiking

Andora Trail

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Yesterday I was able to take my first hike near West Hills. Our family moved here last month, and I’ve been eager to explore this beautiful area. There’s so much to see!

Yesterday evening, I dropped Dylan off at a jujitsu studio in Chatsworth and had about 90 minutes of free time, so I headed to the hills. The trailhead I found was Andora Trail, one of the entry points into the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. Here are highlights…

Parking was free along Andora Avenue. At the entrance, there was a backcountry board with maps and flyers.
To the west is the distinctive sandstone of the Santa Susanna Mountains. You may only be minutes from the city, but this is a peaceful paradise of rocks, plants, wildlife, and early California history.
To the east is an old water tower, the Oakwood Memorial Park, and the vast San Fernando Valley.
I chose to stay left and take the waterfall trail. Would there still be water?
Mo major waterfall, but there was a small brook with running water and several small pools. It’s no wonder native American Indians called this area home.
Winter rains have produced a good wildflower season, including this monkey flower. I’m reminded of Isaiah 55:8, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose.”
Sage plant
Sunset over the San Fernando Valley
Oxcarts, stage coaches, trains, and trucks have traveled this area for hundreds of years. I wonder what stories this truck could tell.
Church

VIDEO: The Family of God

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Last Sunday at Calvary Church West Hills, I began a five-part series on what it means to be a healthy, growing, gospel-centered church. The church should be known for its love for Christ, and together we looked at ways this will show up in how we do ministry.

If you prefer to listen to just the audio, this message was also posted on our Calvary Church page on Sermon Audio.

Here’s a copy of the handout…

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Journal

Solar Eclipse

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Happy Eclipse Day from Southern Seminary! Here in Louisville, the sun was almost entirely blocked, reduced to a thin fingernail at 98.5% totality. Our Board of Trustees took a break to go outside and join the students in the square. When we reconvened, we sang the Doxology. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

It strikes me that God is so powerful, he can create a renewable energy source that, even when 93 million miles away and 98% hidden, still provides light and warmth for the earth. This massive ball of fire he formed with a mere word on the fourth day of creation. Can anything be too difficult for him?

Thoughts on Life and Leadership