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This past week I attended a two day conference in Atlanta for facilitators of a program called Listen to Your Life. 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. They witnessed Jesus transfigurationa majestic visualization of the Lords divine nature as well as His approaching death and resurrection. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. MOUNTAIN | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary 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. For Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. He talked about the struggles and challenges he had faced both personally and professionally. The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus Christ was certainly a transcendent visual experience for Peter, James, and John. 17:2). Some of us may prefer to not be confronted with such a frightening voice whenever our Bibles are opened. Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. Mountaintop. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountaintop. Worrying about finances doesnt measure up to what really matters in life. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the feeling of dizziness. But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. 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. As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. We need to pray with Neil Griffith, Builder of mountains, make me like a mountain, Firm let me stand against the winds of strife; Give me a soul that reaches up to heaven, But plant my feet in needs of human life. 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. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! The prophet Elijah had his share of mountaintop moments as well. However, there will be times of hard work, traffic jams, taxes, wasted time, frustrating situations, wrecked dreams, lost money, broken relationships and the list of challenges that we face at some point in our lifetime could go on and on. They would come down that mountain knowing without a shadow of a doubt who Jesus Christ was! How do we come down the mountain and begin living normal life while holding onto what weve learned? Jesus skin and clothing no longer glowed. God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. 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. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of stuff. First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on. Nebo, and God buried him in a grave known only to God. TheLordwill keepyour going out and your cominginfrom this time on and for evermore. The High Mountain became the Holy Mountain because he saw the glory of Jesus there! V:35-And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved son: hear him. Next came the same audible voice from heaven that had spoken previously at Jesus baptism (Matt. 1:17), the words of Scripture are words from God as carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. 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! 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. This doesnt mean attempting to recreate our mountain top experience. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. It is time to drop the negative connotation attached to valleys and embrace their true purpose. Mountaintop Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com Yes, he would soon be nailed to a cross. goats), the guys get to the true subject at hand. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! Remember, it was on top of Mt. Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. Jesus transformationcalled a transfigurationwas even more dramatic. 1:16). Confront the Danger. To answer this question, it seems wisest to evaluate the mountaintop experience par excellence of Scripture, the transfiguration of Jesus Christ (see Matthew 17:1-3, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36, 2 Peter 1:16-21). Cable TV and high speed internet. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mountaintop.' If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). On that mountaintop I realized that all the problems and worries that suffocate me daily were so worldly. This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with (Jesus). That is how we need to look at our daily issues. Then, only Moses and his associate, Joshua moved further up the mountain. All Rights Reserved. So when it is too cold for an ice cream party, you can have a hot chocolate party instead! Living Your Mountaintop Experience Everyday - Spiritually Hungry Whoever has ears, let them hear. 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? Moses was not left unchanged by his time with God. Heaven or Hell! 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. 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. Yet the valley has become a symbol of rough times and depression.I dont believe this should be true. Though it had not been easy, it had all been well worth the journey to get to where he wanted to be in life. Theyre moments when we experience God in an intense, intimate way. A Mountain Top Experience - The Odyssey Online The people live in the valleys. Moses is a prime example of this. And if weve implanted them in some way in our present, then revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. to love God more than anything else, and love your neighbor as yourself. 1:19). There we will walk in His paths and will be taught His ways. For instruction and revelation will come out from Mountaintop Worship Center. Mountaintop Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster But those were all just moments. Define mountaintop. For after the disciples fall in fear, the Divine Voice speaks again on the mountain. A Mountain-Top Experience - Faithlife Sermons But Jesus saves the day, and then sends his disciples on deeper into the valley, urging them to have the kind of faith that can move mountains, because they were just on one. Jesus is dazzling glory is talking to Moses who had been dead over fourteen hundred years and to Elijah who had been gone about nine hundred. 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. A sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., March 6, 2011. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! Like the testing of Abraham (Genesis 22:1-19), the receiving of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19-20:21) and, of course, the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13). Mountain-top - definition of mountain-top by The Free Dictionary First, unlike other benefactors, God is unwaveringly benevolent. The Mountaintop Experience | A Bold Christian 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). DISC Certification, Speaker Boot Camp etc. But our mountaintop moments are not designed by God just to give us warm fuzzies at high altitudesthey are designed to go fill us with the Spirit of God that we have the courage and strength to do the work of the kingdom in the valley. We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. However, along the way there were broken relationships and many long hours of hard work and study. Jesus is greater than Moses, and Elijah! 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. And dont forget that Jesus didnt make a move until he had spent his own forty days and night on top of a mountain, and thirty years plying his trade as a carpenter before that. 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. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a mountain top experience. These guys had seen Jesus on multiple occasions, do amazing things, but they had NEVER seen him like they are going to see him on that mountain. The sun shall not strike you byday,nor the moon by night. One of the principles of listening to God speak through scripture is that you should notice what causes you to resist as well as resonate. This works in making work more enjoyable too. to what Jesus says in his word. 4WD Driver Training - Mountain-Top Experience TheLordis your keeper;theLordis your shade at your right hand. Full kitchen, with cookware and dinnerware, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, full fridge, coffeemaker. But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. Now would be the time to get involved in a church or Bible study. Those moments at a worship concert or at the end of a sermon when the person holding the microphone makes a powerful speech with emotional music playing in the background. How can we reach this mountaintop?. In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. mountain noun [C] (VERY LARGE HILL) A2 a raised part of the earth's surface, much larger than a hill, the top of which might be covered in snow: The Matterhorn is one of the biggest mountains in Europe. When the Bible says that Jesus was transfigured, it means that He became on the outside what He was on the inside. Maybe your mountain top experience was giving your life to Christ for the first time at that altar call. The one time I climbed a mountain of any size, I was amazed at how long I enjoyed spending time just looking at the view in the distance, enjoying the air, and experiencing the warm sun. No wonder Peter fell to his face. What is the purpose of a Mountain-top experience? Peter himself later recounts that the disciples were "eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Pet. We forget what it felt like to trust God while on the mission field. Peter was hoping Jesus would settle in on the summit. Peter, James, and John were caught in heavens high beams as they saw the glory of God shining through the humanity of Jesus. Do what I have called you to do, and people will say, Let us go to Mountaintop Worship Center. Howdoes that experience encourage you now? That had to be a long six days. They are solid and unmovable. 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! How to Use the Mountain Top Experience in the Valley Just as Christ shone before the disciples in radiant majesty (2 Pet. 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'. The mountaintop experience enables the believer to remain stable when they reach low points in their life. We stayed just outside the park, in full view of the snow-topped mountain range. I would classify Atlanta as a mountaintop experience. Sinai. When it happens, they become excited and zealous for God. V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. It doesnt mean well have an answer to every question we faced on the mountain top. This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. While such fear is proper, it may and must be accompanied by hearing the other mountain-voice of the transfiguration. The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. Mountain Top TV No monthly fee. This is my favorite source for everything Christian. 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. God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. encourage them and help them in the days ahead. Sinai still a third time because he shattered the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments upon hearing that the Israelites had manufactured and worshiped a golden calf in his absence. It dishonored Jesus; it put Jesus on the same level with Moses and Elijah! And the thought of spending an additional 40 days in the fog listening for the voice of God doesnt excite me either. 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; . adj. Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Dear Lord, I thank you for every mountaintop experience I have had and look forward to more of them. Lastly, the best part is the toppings. Prophecy is not about a happening, an event, is about a person. By now, its a Christian clich: the mountaintop experience. It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. Yes it was temporary eclipsed by the cross, but they remember it after the resurrection and they spoke about it for the rest of their lives. Some people need to journal each moment while still on the mountain. Appropriately enough, both Moses and Elijah, the greatest lawgiver and the greatest prophet, show up to talk with Jesus. But it seems that the visual experience did not generate the immediate fear and awe one might expect. What was the difference? These men NEVER forgot what they saw that night. I walked down that mountain with a fresh, new fear for the Lord and new readiness to serve Him and only Him. every Bible should be bound and shoe leather. And suddenly, it appears like what we experienced was just an emotional reaction crafted by the situation at hand. They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. These men where dedicated and devoted to Jesus; these three men went on to be. Father of 5 (David, Jenny, Elisha, Esther, Seth). There, for Peter, the mountain-hearing of the Fathers Majestic-Glory serves as the paradigm for the churchs engagement with the Word of God. for who he really is, in all of his love, grace and glory, it is a mountain-top experience! There closeness to Jesus is connected to Prayer! The Rockies are a mountain chain / range in the western United States. In those moments, do we lose the passion and the awe we once felt on top of that mountain? You learn something new about who God is. Despite this uncertainty, the definition of a mountain is a landform that rises significantly above the surrounding landscape. Tabor. At those times, we receive revelation and teaching from God. Certainly, there is a rhythmic, ordinary nature to daily encounter with Gods Word. Questions for further thought: Where and when have you been overwhelmed by a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for you on the cross? Simon Peter and the brothers James and John accompanied Jesus one day up on a high mountain (Matt. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! With this idea, though, one final observation must be made. They see His Glory and they worship Him! Yes, I was on a literal mountaintop, but I am talking about a biblical mountaintop experience. Peter a man who always had something to say when nothing should be said; said: V:33-Jesus, master, it is good for us to be here. Mountain Top Experience will be re-opening on June 1, 2023. Today would But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. Running Together: Evening Worship at 5:00. Living, Planning, Dying Well: Getting Your Affairs in Order, 2023 Youth Sunday & Souper Bowl of Caring, Interfaith Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Advent Gift Market a yearlong commitment to mission. . Recommended ResourcesEasy Bible Study Method, Bold LivingFaithSpiritual GrowthDevotions, I am an author, blogger, Bible teacher, and preacher. The problem .read more Jesus was always getting away to pray and draw strength from His father. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. This looks differently for everyone, but its a step we cannot ignore. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? Christianity is living a life of obedience to Jesus! The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". 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. I have ordered from them with great satisfaction for over 20 years. , when Moses met with God on Mount Sinai he came down with the glory of God radiating off his face. The voice of God clearly identified Jesus as his only son, his beloved son, unique one-of-a-kind son. Some only lasted for mere minutes. (see Exodus 19)We need the mountaintop experiences to experience the glory of God and receive revelation. 3:17). The person and name of Jesus is a name that is above every name! Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. I'm sure you have left over hot chocolate from November and December, so it's time to finish them off. Valleys contain lakes and streams and are where rich grasses and varied types of trees grow.Therefore, ranchers take their cattle and sheep to the valley for the rich food. Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. Accessed 4 Mar. The story in our text today is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke and I believe it's the source of the phrase "A Mountain Top Experience. 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. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the "roof of the world," the summit of Mount Everest. Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery AvenueBryn Mawr, PA 19010(610) 525-2821. 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. Build a pillow fort on your bed in any clear space using four chairs, an abundance of blankets and all the pillows you can find. when we meet with Jesus, and he reveals himself to us. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. No one deserves worship but Jesus! Mountaintop Experience - Good Faith Media Yet we can quickly walk down off the mountain and return to normal life in the valley. Mountain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster This was the glory of God that had been veiled by his human flesh shining through. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mountaintop, Nglish: Translation of mountaintop for Spanish Speakers. There are several reasons. On the days when I find myself worrying about temporary issues I need to take a step back and look at life as if I was looking at the world from a mountaintop. The valley is not what you may think. The realization that I could release control was like lifting bricks off my shoulders. CAMIER PTY LTD HISTORY. At first they were deathly afraid of what they had seenwho wouldnt be!? Why not begin to consider what stuff makes up your own mountain? Notice, too, that mountaintops offer a perfect setting for life-changing transformation. 3. a huge amount: a mountain of mail. Six days earlier Jesus had asked his disciples the question of the hour Who do you say that I am? WhenPeter answered, You are the Messiah, Son of the living God, Jesus was ecstatic, and on the spot named Peter the future head of the church. It was the voice of the Heavenly Father, saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. The experience completely mortifiedPeter, James, and Johnuntil Jesus calmed them, and they saw that only Jesus remained. The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. Things may not be the way you want them to be right now, but as long as you do the next right thing and move in a positive direction, you will continue to learn and grow. The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil. Psalm 90:2; Exodus 19:17-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Isaiah 52:7; Psalm 121:1-2; Isaiah 54:10. We long for the mountaintop. I lift up my eyes to the hillsfrom where will my help come? But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! Since the first reported successful climb of that 29,000-foot peak in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, more than four thousand different individuals have experienced the thrill. As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop in the text. They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. 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. Herod asked about Jesus, who is this I hear such things about? One of the authors of the book, Sharon Swing says, Listening is the art of creating space so God can do His work in the heart of another., This time in Atlanta was a follow-up to similar work I did in Dallas two years ago. I recently heard a man say that he had worked all of his life to get to the top of his own personal mountain. 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. Moses climbing Mt. First things first, don't be afraid to talk openly about mountain top experiences with your students. Romances and horrors are great genres to cozy up to in the dark. Delivered to your inbox! We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. the law and the prophets. Mountain top removal Definition | Law Insider Copyright 2023 Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. The greatest things that have happened in my life have all been. The believers present experience of hearing the Word of God parallels the experience of hearing the voice of God on the mountain. You can read my full article about the importance of the mountaintop experience HERE. It is regularly updated with the latest 4WD developments, and with amusing anecdotes and stories . Metamorphosis- An outward change that comes from the inside. We go down to the valley to meditate on our recent revelation, allowing us to learn from our mountaintop experiences. MTE's 4WD tag-along tours throughout the Victorian High Country and passenger tours around Walhalla became very popular . As I rest in the valley and meditate on my mountaintop experiences, please have Your Holy Spirit reveal to me what I need to know.Here in the valley, I will rest and feed on the goodness of Your Word. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. A true Spiritual mountain-top experience always revolves around JESUS! If you need it, they have it. Just as the Majestic Glory spoke on the mountain (2 Pet. Mountains typically have steep slopes and are understood to be. We all need spiritual refreshing from the presence of the Lord; we need encouragement that can come only from being in the presence of Jesus. Mark 9:2-3 - The Mountain Top Experience | Daily Devotionals Jesus does not fall to temptation but whips the Devil soundly on the mountain, and the Evil One slinks away, biding his time until he can harass Jesus again. While we face the last couple of weeks of winter there are many things you need to do. They didnt last for years. 17:4). And if such an experience is to be sought after, how can the Christian be found on the mountaintop time and time again? V:33-let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. The Mountaintop Experience. Most of us have had some type of mountaintop experience during our lifetime. Question Origin of mountaintop First recorded in 1585-95; mountain + top 1 Words nearby mountaintop You feel overcome by a greater awareness of Gods reality. Both had been shown Gods glory on those mountains. 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. , it was a manifestation of the presence of God, the form in which God revealed himself to Israel. Sinai. 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. Jesus is the. and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. The Christian's Mountaintop Experience - Gentle Reformation 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. 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. Not all mountain top experiences drip with emotion. Together they represent the entire O.T. Moses and company obeyed, hiking to the foot of the mountain where an astonishing thing happened: they saw the God of Israel, and they lived to talk about it! So many of us begin to desire to leave God's mountaintop through lax engagement with God's Word because the experience feels so ordinary. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). II. 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! Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. Amen, we all agree with that; to be on the mountain top in the presence of Jesus and to see His glory! I have separated the list into Free Resources, Basic Resources, and Advanced Resources. When you looked at Jesus he was a common, ordinary Jew-, YET Jesus Christ was much more than a common man when he walked on this earth. When the Word is preached, the power and majesty of God are communicated to His people. Idioms: Built a tabernacle of PRAISE for Jesus alone in your heart! 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) and is alluded to in Johns Gospel (John 1:14) as well as in 2 Peter 1:16-18 underscores that Peter, James, and John never forgot their trip with Jesus up on the mountain.