You learn something new about who God is. What is the purpose of a Mountain-top experience? The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. They see His Glory and they worship Him! Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. But the ecstasy was short-lived because when Jesus predicted his suffering and death on a cross, Peter reacted so negatively to this unexpected news that Jesus said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! Of all the things the apostles witnessed, none was more spectacular and the vision of the glorified Christ on top on the Mount of Transfiguration. They didnt last for years. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. God doesnt intend for us to live in a perpetual state of emotional highs when it comes to faith. Most of us have had some type of mountaintop experience during our lifetime. Now, even though Joanis Listen to Your Life conference in Atlanta took place in the suburbs rather than on top of nearby Stone Mountain (which is where, by the way, I proposed to Joani), she still refers to the conference as a mountaintop experience. We learned this word in school, a caterpillar goes through metamorphosis, that caterpillar wraps a cocoon around itself and goes through the process of change. Finally, Jesus directed the three disciples not to tell others about their experience until after His resurrection. There we can change the world and share Gods love and faithfulness that is as stolid as the mountains.We come down from the mountaintop because very few people are there. Climbing the mountains in Western North Carolina with my former youth from Indiana who made it a tradition to climb together early in the morning and then share affirmations on the mountain top at the end of a Montreat Youth Conference. Our future includes a great change- corruption-incorruption; mortal- immortal. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. In any case, whenever something really wonderful happens to us, our excitement causes us to view it as one of lifes mountaintop experiences. We also learn something about how things will be in the next life for the saved: When your body dies, you are not annihilated. This looks differently for everyone, but its a step we cannot ignore. The other gospel writers say his raiment was white as snow, as no washer on earth could make them. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". Finally, its just Moses moving to the top of Mt. Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. Ron & Andrea Camier established Mountain-Top Experience in 1998 following Ron's retrenchment from brown coal research and development engineering due to the privatisation of the power industry. But the valley experience is just as important to our Christian walk. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). How do we come down the mountain and begin living normal life while holding onto what weve learned? It actually turned out to be a good place. Mountains have a logical religious symbolism for Jewish and Christian cultures since they are "closer to God" who dwells in the heavens (as in the sky). Full kitchen, with cookware and dinnerware, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, full fridge, coffeemaker. Dan Allender has written, God has crafted our character and gives us a role that will reveal something about Him that no-one elses story can reveal in quite the same way. I am excited to see How God can lead us to discover our unique stories and then become Holy Listeners for each other. They were the Lords closes friends, they were with him when he raised Jarius daughter from the dead, and they would be with him in the garden of Gethsemane. glory cloud Ezekiel saw rise from between the cherubim and move to the threshold of the Temple because of Israels apostasy and then slowly rising to be seen no more from the Mount of Olives. The aspect of a beautiful mountaintop experience has a whole new meaning when you realize that it does not matter what the mountain is made of. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. Mountaintop experiences are moments where people experience a dramatic expression of faith. For that reason, even people who follow God to the mountaintop will likely find themselves waiting patiently and praying for Gods guidance for their next move. I do not capitalize the name satan in my writing. They saw things they had never seen before, they were aware of things they were never aware of before, they were in the presence of God! These men where dedicated and devoted to Jesus; these three men went on to be. It involves a series of visual maps which are designed to help us sort through the chapters of our life story and rediscover clues about those places in our life where God has been, and is continuing to work. There are several reasons. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. All nations will stream to it, and many peoples will come and say, Come, lets go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. mountaintop [ moun-tn-top ] SHOW IPA noun the top or summit of a mountain. We must take what weve learned and processed, allowing it to change us. This is so prevalent that the mountaintop experience has become a Christian clich of excitement and zeal. Jesus wants them to know that he is the King of glory, and one day he will wear the crown; but the cross would come before the crown. The Word communicated the fullness of the glory of God manifested to them. As for how this takes shape in the coming future, I dont really know and I am okay with that because I am very confident that my job is to be willing and available and He will open and close doors. The disciples needed to know who Jesus was because in the days ahead they would be discouraged, disillusioned as they saw Jesus suffer and die on the cross. Hebrew tells us he is greater than all the O.T prophets! But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! Jesus is greater than Moses, and Elijah! Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. On this mountaintop; theyre going to see who Jesus is; theyre going to see the glory of the son of God; theyre going to hear the voice of God as he says this is my beloved son. As Christians, we long for experiences of the transcendent that we believe will forever change our perspective on life. Jesus is the light of the world, and when we get to heaven he will be the light. Do what I have called you to do, and people will say, Let us go to Mountaintop Worship Center. A variety of day trips, long weekends, and extended . These moments can be truly genuine and beautiful. You can read my full article about the importance of the mountaintop experience HERE. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain; and they see His glory, they have a Mountain-Top Experience. Just as the Majestic Glory spoke on the mountain (2 Pet. Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. He reflected on the massive amount of time, effort and energy it took to reach the specific goals that he had laid out for his life. That could prove dangerous and manipulative. If you have Netflix or Hulu, the possibilities of movies are endless. It is a high point in your life when youre with Gods people and Jesus in his glory shows up! But God never intended for us to live there. With this idea, though, one final observation must be made. It is interesting to imagine what it would be like to staff other peoples mountain top experiences. So where one person might be on their knees in tears over an experience with God, another might simply acknowledge the fact that theyve learned something new about God. But sitting each day in the shadow of the mountains made me wonder how we can find better ways to continue to connect with and draw inspiration from those brief moments when we have been on the mountain - meditating on the scripture or hymns that remind us of our mountain top experiences, bringing images back with us from our spiritual mountain tops and keeping them in places that call to mind our moments on the mountain. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with (Jesus). Thats because mountaintop experience is a figure of speech that comes right out of Holy Scripture. It had been six hundred years since anyone in Israel had seen the Shekinah glory cloud. Moses who represents those who die; and Elijah who represent those who are caught up and never die; will both see Jesus in his glory! To grow and restore the family of Christ on the foundation of His Word and His promises. from that experience knowing more about Jesus, more prepared to live and die for him! The heap on which he stood consisted of all the experiences and obstacles that he had faced on his journey through life. At first they were deathly afraid of what they had seenwho wouldnt be!? A time when you just felt like Gods Spirit was all over you, and around you, and joy filled your heart, and you just felt like you were going to bust! V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. 2. a large mass or heap; pile. But if we dont use what we have experienced on the mountain to affect the valley, then they might as well just be quick reactions to a fleeting moment. 1:17). n. The summit of a mountain. Peter said it is good to be here. Jesus climbing to the top of a mountain not to receive, but to give a new interpretation and understanding of those laws shaping our communal life together as Christians through the Sermon on the Mount. Those who separate themselves to pray are the ones who see the Glory of Jesus! After surviving his 40 day and night fast, Jesus climbs down one mountain only to go up another, where he delivers the greatest sermon of all time, the "Sermon on the Mount.". This was the glory of God that had been veiled by his human flesh shining through. When Jesus entered this world, he came as a man, he was born in a stable, wore peasant clothing, and worked as a carpenter in a small town. Jesus is above all men, Jesus has no Equal! Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. They witnessed Jesus transfigurationa majestic visualization of the Lords divine nature as well as His approaching death and resurrection. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a mountain top experience. . Mixed in with all of that were some great memories and wonderful times of happiness, too. There closeness to Jesus is connected to Prayer! Yet, right after this, Christians often go back into the valley where they seem to dwell most of the time. Howdoes that experience encourage you now? And appropriately enough, a bright cloud overshadows them, and from the cloud a voice said, This is my Son, the Beloved; with whom I am well pleased; listen to him! As great as Moses and Elijah were, Jesus was and is greater still. Ironically, the three disciples misunderstood nearly everything about that experience as it was occurring. That is how we need to look at our daily issues. Thats almost seven weeks of sitting around in the fog! The greatest things that have happened in my life have all been. Have you ever witnessed an altar call? Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. These men NEVER forgot what they saw that night. When the Bible says that Jesus was transfigured, it means that He became on the outside what He was on the inside. If we stifle what weve seen and heard and done during those mountain top experiences, then we wont know how to carry them with us into the valley. goats), the guys get to the true subject at hand. Then, for another forty days he remained in the fiery cloud of Gods presence, receiving still more revelation from God. -They spoke about his decrease, which he would accomplish at Jerusalem, There on that high mountain with the representatives of the O.T. He has it all in control. My greatest insight from a week of mountain climbing came from the time spent at the bottom of the mountains. I have placed you on the mountaintop for my glory in the last days.. He who keeps Israelwill neither slumber nor sleep. Yet over time we go back to normal life. How can we reach this mountaintop?. BRICKS IN THE VALLEY Text: Matthew 17:1 - 9 We all know from the laws of gravity that what goes up must also come down. The believers present experience of hearing the Word of God parallels the experience of hearing the voice of God on the mountain. Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. Not sure of the resources you need for Bible study? How does a congregation go DISC Certification, Speaker Boot Camp etc. , and respond as he calls you to trust him for eternal life. David Briscoe is a content editor at Lifeway for Explore the Bible resources. This one might seem obvious, but what if I told you that having a cup of hot cocoa is more than chocolate powder in warm milk? The people live in the valleys. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the sensation of inexplicable awe. And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. But what, biblically speaking, is a mountaintop experience? V:33-let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. Some of us may prefer to not be confronted with such a frightening voice whenever our Bibles are opened. Running Together: Evening Worship at 5:00. It is time to drop the negative connotation attached to valleys and embrace their true purpose. Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. Yet, if we keep going and if we keep climbing, the sum total of all those experiences will keep us moving upward in the right direction. Life is a continually ascending and descending in our religious experiences. We, of course, visited the ranger station and gift shop at the top, and chatted with one of the rangers about what short hikes we could do while we were at the top and about the recent snowstorm that made the road impassible. Every Christian needs a place to be alone and talk with the Lord, when he described this mountain top experience, he called this high mountain; . When it happens, they become excited and zealous for God. Despite this uncertainty, the definition of a mountain is a landform that rises significantly above the surrounding landscape. The transfiguration was a foreshadowing of that event, but Christs followers would not be able to clearly see that until after the resurrection. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the feeling of dizziness. You will recall that Moses had to return to Mt. 3. a huge amount: a mountain of mail. Death moves our soul to another place, and that particular place is determined by what you do with Jesus in this life. died on Mt. Romances and horrors are great genres to cozy up to in the dark. Now for the Lords prophetic word: This is what the Lord is saying to the people of Mountaintop Worship Center. Yet the valley has become a symbol of rough times and depression.I dont believe this should be true. We dont know the name of the mountain or its heightthe tallest peak in the region was less than ten thousand feet highbut we know this eventbecame the trios ultimate mountaintop experience. Amen, we all agree with that; to be on the mountain top in the presence of Jesus and to see His glory! In the Bible, mountains are often the places where God encounters His people, changes their lives, and sends them back down to the world with a prophetic message. Jesus dead on the Cross as the Lamb of God means Exodus, freedom from sins bondage to all who will apply the blood of Jesus to their heart in faith! The sum total of the Christian life is listening to and doing what Jesus says. 2. It is the most sacred spot on earth! He will teach us about his ways so that we may walk in his paths. For instruction will go out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2-3 CSB). Peter, James, and John thought that Elijahs appearance on the mountain with Jesus that day surely was a fulfillment of prophecy. On one particular hike, the sun was setting, the warm air brushed against me, and the silence engulfed me. Moses and Elijah had disappeared, the voice of the Father was silent, and the three disciples saw only Jesus! It doesnt mean well have an answer to every question we faced on the mountain top. For six days Peter and the other 11 disciples have their heads spinning by the prediciton that Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, would die on a cross. Their dedication and devotion to Jesus brought special blessings into their lives. IN THE BOREDOM AND PAIN OF IT NO LESS THAN IN THE EXCITEMENT, AND GLADNESS: TOUCH, TASTE, SMELL YOUR WAY TO THE HOLY, BECAUSE IN THE LAST ANALYSIS, ALL MOMENTS, ARE KEY MOMENTS AND ALL OF LIFE ITSELF IS GRACE. Why not begin to consider what stuff makes up your own mountain? They saw for the first time the dazzling Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! 17:4). . But as Jesus and his inner circle stood on that mountain the Shekinah glory cloud overshadowed them. How do you respond? Don't start to rationalize it, no matter how unbelievable it may sound to some. The valley is not what you may think. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! The law and prophets all meet in Jesus, they point to Jesus, and they preach Jesus. Jesus deity and glory would be hid; but they knew underneath his humanity, was deity. But the Holy Spirit is not constrained to work through baptism only in the moment when it is administered. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! , the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering. There will be times of recognition, success, fun, laughter, happiness, financial success and many wonderful experiences together with family and friends. Some only lasted for mere minutes. Horeb, Elijah stood in the mouth of a cave and heard God speak not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but in the sounds of silence. Under his feet lay challenge after challenge that he had encountered along the way in his business and personal life. Processing doesnt mean well understand each detail of our experience. Not all mountain top experiences drip with emotion. The voice of God clearly identified Jesus as his only son, his beloved son, unique one-of-a-kind son. It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! I recently heard a man say that he had worked all of his life to get to the top of his own personal mountain. TheLordis your keeper;theLordis your shade at your right hand. As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop in the text. The shekinah glory cloud was gone. Some experiences are more calm and rational moments. The chosen son of God, the Savior of the world! First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on. Afterwards, we go back into the valleys where we live our lives. It is part of your sacred story and it will be a tremendous source of comfort and strength to you when you have to face the dark valley. Jesus would die on the Cross, be buried in a borrowed tomb, and rise again three days later. 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). As Christians, when we know what we have, we never want to leave the mountain of God. Delivered to your inbox! But then, out of nowhere, God's presence became real to them. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. This past week we spent our vacation at the base of the Rocky Mountains and went into the National Park each day to climb this mountain or that mountain - all reasonable morning hikes. Properly understood, it is something we receive just like our salvation. As we walked onto a short trail through the snow and frozen ground, Owen remarked that it must be a strange job to drive to the top of a mountain and talk with thousands of visitors who pass through the center every day - like an environmental guru waiting at the peak for travelers to come seeking knowledge and insight. The training notes 'Mountain-Top 4 Wheel Driving or reflections on over 40 years of mistakes in the Victorian high country' is a 44-page booklet covering 'Getting the Right Gear', 'Tackling Tough Trails' and 'Touring Tips'.
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