Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. 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. Under his feet lay challenge after challenge that he had encountered along the way in his business and personal life. 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. But heaven will be a place of glory! Why not Isaiah and Jeremiah? Now suddenly, Jesus invites Peter, James, and John for an evening hike up Mt. The mountain top experience was a sanctuary, and a challenge. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. He has it all in control. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. And Im guessing wed have a mountaintop experience at church if we took the time to listen to each other describe our mountaintop experiences. But those were all just moments. CAMIER PTY LTD HISTORY. Our future includes a great change- corruption-incorruption; mortal- immortal. 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. But the valley experience is just as important to our Christian walk. There is so much to be done here in the valley. 3:17). Tabor. The Word communicated the fullness of the glory of God manifested to them. I suddenly gained a perspective about life I had never had up until that moment. as he calls you to leave bitterness behind, and to forgive and find joy. In the presence of Jesus with the saints, talking about the Cross! to love God more than anything else, and love your neighbor as yourself. Those moments will hide themselves away, unsure as to their place in our routines. Granted, Jesus did some of his best work on and around water, but he was a mountain man, too. Telling the stories from our mountain tops with others, sharing the insights we have learned and intentionally seeking out stories from others about their time on the mountain. 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. Well have a better understanding of how that intense moment can fit into our everyday. Top selling author and speaker, Robert Rohm Ph.D. is founder of Personality Insights Inc. and The Robert Rohm Co. As you will see, Dr. Rohm specializes in helping people better understand themselves and others. The High Mountain became the Holy Mountain because he saw the glory of Jesus there! A Mountain Top Experience This is such an awesome piece of Scripture that describes the imagery of a future time when "the mountain of the LORD" and "the house of the God of Jacob" will be a holy place for all the diverse people groups from every nation and of every ethnicity, worshipping God and learning the ways of His wisdom - Amen! TheLordwill keepyour going out and your cominginfrom this time on and for evermore. As soon as Jesus and company reach the summit, he undergoes the mysterious process of transfiguration. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. At the very least, tell a fellow Christian about your decision and ask for guidance. for who he really is, in all of his love, grace and glory, it is a mountain-top experience! Amen, we all agree with that; to be on the mountain top in the presence of Jesus and to see His glory! We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. Moses was not left unchanged by his time with God. Stick with that original version of your mountain-top experience--the way you have experienced God. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! But dont forget that six days prior, the disciples spent their own time in a theological fog, utterly confused about the proposed suffering and death of Jesus. This is where audiobooks are helpful. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrew tells us he is greater than all the O.T prophets! the cloud which covered the Tabernacle with Gods glory. In any case, whenever something really wonderful happens to us, our excitement causes us to view it as one of lifes mountaintop experiences. adj. Do what I have called you to do, and people will say, Let us go to Mountaintop Worship Center. 1:16). I created a Chill Pill playlist on YouTube for some relaxing vibes. But make no mistake Jesus was the unrivalled son of God. This reminds me of Church! This is my favorite source for everything Christian. For once weve faced them head on, then well have a better understanding of what to do next. But then Jesus touched them and told them to get up and not be afraid. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. He neither deserves the honor or respect that entails. In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. 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. And we forget the promises we made to our Holy God in the midst of that mountain top experience. Joe cartoons from the 80's that said, " Knowing is half the battle! You can read my full article about the importance of the mountaintop experience HERE. He and his disciples went up this mountain to pray. In those moments, do we lose the passion and the awe we once felt on top of that mountain? It means when you worry, stress, or get angry, think about your struggles from a different perspective. Proclaiming the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! as he tells you to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow him. Barkley spent his final four seasons with the Rockets, but the team's big threecomprised of him, as well as Olajuwon and Clyde Drexlerwas never able to get them back to the NBA, Later that day in February, Ms. Dean visited the, The Tanners handed the Red & Black their first loss of the season and reminded everyone who sits atop the Middlesex, The duo in recent days flew back to Los Angeles from the snowy city of Aspen, Colorado, where they were huddled in deep planning, and now like holy figures coming down from the, The best team in the states largest classification reached the, In the film, Korean detective Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) is probing the death of a climber who fell from a, Post the Definition of mountaintop to Facebook, Share the Definition of mountaintop on Twitter, The businesss new computer system proved not to be a. As he stood there looking out over his life and all of his accomplishments, he looked down and realized that the mountaintop was not at all what he thought it would be. 17:1). 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. Scripture gives us stories of literal mountain top experiences that color our expectations for what it means to encounter the divine - Abraham and Isaac climbing together in an act of extreme devotion to God and experiencing the mercy of God at its apex. My belief is the valley is as good as the mountaintop and just as important to our spiritual growth. Now would be the time to get involved in a church or Bible study. But those were all just moments. Jesus is above all men, Jesus has no Equal! 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. We see Him working and moving throughout the lives of the people there, and we come home with a new vigor to live life differently, more passionately. Check out my Recommended Resources list. Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. But the Holy Spirit is not constrained to work through baptism only in the moment when it is administered. 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. I have had my fair share of mountain top experiences, both literal and spiritual. 17:7)." 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. The problem .read more Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. David Benner says, Our challenge is to unmask the divine in the natural and name the presence of God in our lives. The second part of Listen to Your Life is just as important and that is developing the gift of listening to each others stories. When it happens, they become excited and zealous for God. Wood burning fireplace, gas grill, washer and dryer, central heat. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. A review of both the Old and New Testaments makes it clear as daywhen it comes to entering sacred space where you can meet God and/or Jesus face to face, theres no substitute for a mountaintop. The people live in the valleys. Mountaintop experiences are moments where people experience a dramatic expression of faith. It is interesting to imagine what it would be like to staff other peoples mountain top experiences. Wrapping up in a warm blanket with a hot drink and some calming music is one of the best ways to spend and indoor kind of day. The Mountaintop Experience. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). Especially if you have school work to do, background music can help fill the silence of late night studying. there is only one way to be saved and that is through. This is the walk all . A true Spiritual mountain-top experience always revolves around JESUS! This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. Horeb, which is described in the bible as the mountain of God. Later, Moses will climb Mt. Yet, right after this, Christians often go back into the valley where they seem to dwell most of the time. Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 1:19). If there ever was a time for silence, this was it. top maun-tn-tp Synonyms of mountaintop : the summit of a mountain Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web Barkley spent his final four seasons with the Rockets, but the team's big threecomprised of him, as well as Olajuwon and Clyde Drexlerwas never able to get them back to the NBA mountaintop. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the roof of the world, the summit of Mount Everest. And then there was Jesus. We must take what weve learned and processed, allowing it to change us. TheLordwill keep you from allevil;he will keep your life. Define mountaintop. A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud. At least, that pattern held true for the likes of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. Mixed in with all of that were some great memories and wonderful times of happiness, too. 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. 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. 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. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". One moose, two moose. We also learn something about how things will be in the next life for the saved: When your body dies, you are not annihilated. Thats because mountaintop experience is a figure of speech that comes right out of Holy Scripture. You will recall that Moses had to return to Mt. For this reason, friends, its only fair to tell you that mountaintops can be dangerous places. The Israelites were deeply moved by what Moses reported, and promised to obey all that they had heard. Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. Ironically, the three disciples misunderstood nearly everything about that experience as it was occurring. 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. 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. Living on a spiritual high all the time would make for an exhausting life, but there are lessons we can take from each moment and implant them into our routines. Then, only Moses and his associate, Joshua moved further up the mountain. I have ordered from them with great satisfaction for over 20 years. 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 matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of stuff. Many of us have walked through our own mountain top experience. Peter himself later recounts that the disciples were "eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Pet. Amen. 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. Thats why he wanted to build dwellings or booths on top of Mt. When I heard that story, I identified with it so very much. 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. V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. 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'. 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 a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! Those are great experiences that God has given to me, and I am thankful for them. You are not THE mountain of the Lord, but you are A mountain of the Lord. However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). 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. But then, everything about Peters mountaintop experience changes. At first they were deathly afraid of what they had seenwho wouldnt be!? Not all mountain top experiences drip with emotion. Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. 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 ). 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. You have your hot chocolate made, playlist downloaded, movie set and books chosen. The sun shall not strike you byday,nor the moon by night. Maybe youve realized a new passion you have that you can practice in your community. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! Send us feedback. The Apostle who once fell at Jesus knees upon a miracle of Christ (Luke 5:1-11) now offers His skill in tent-making to the transfigured Messiah (Matt. From this mountain-top experience, we learn the purpose of mountain-top experiences. Peter was hoping Jesus would settle in on the summit. First, unlike other benefactors, God is unwaveringly benevolent. Full kitchen, with cookware and dinnerware, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, full fridge, coffeemaker. Jesus Christ, furthering His kingdom, and bringing glory to God through it all. In later reflection, Peter described what he heard as the Majestic Glory (2 Pet. The sum total of the Christian life is listening to and doing what Jesus says. God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. Metamorphosis- An outward change that comes from the inside. This is the walk Jesus makes of his life. And you will walk away changed!. If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. As Christians, when we know what we have, we never want to leave the mountain of God. But it seems that the visual experience did not generate the immediate fear and awe one might expect. It is the most sacred spot on earth! There is absolutely nothing wrong with a mountain top experience. Jesus transformationcalled a transfigurationwas even more dramatic. Carmel that Elijah staged his mesmerizing victory over 450 prophets of Baal when God breathed down fire from heaven at Elijahs request. Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top? Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. We stayed just outside the park, in full view of the snow-topped mountain range. 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. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". 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. Instead of presenting a contrast of experiences, Peter presents a parallel. They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. This is so prevalent that the mountaintop experience has become a Christian clich of excitement and zeal. Jesus asked his disciples, who do the people say I am? On one day, we drove to the top of the mountains on Trail Ridge Road that cuts right through Rocky Mountain National Park peaking at an elevation of 12,000 feet - a literal arctic tundra in northern Colorado. Moses was reflecting the glory of God because he had been in the presence of God; that is something we all should do! And minds that were already spinning are now completely blown. We know how important it is to feed our faith and build our knowledge through reading Christian books. You learn something new about who God is. That night on the mount of Transfiguration, the glory of God that was within shined-forth through his humanity. Peter, James, and John were caught in heavens high beams as they saw the glory of God shining through the humanity of Jesus. This was the glory of God that had been veiled by his human flesh shining through. The mission field proves a common place where we experience God in new ways. If you need it, they have it. You respond in Worship, praise, awe, thanksgiving, tears, and joy!! In Atlanta, as we met and talked and worshipped, I had a strong sense of energy and enthusiasm and knew clearly that God was saying to me, The time is right and you are ready to begin this work of listening. Whereas before, Listen to My Life sounded really interested and well-done, this time it felt truly life giving. All Rights Reserved. Prophecy is not about a happening, an event, is about a person. I lift up my eyes to the hillsfrom where will my help come? The voice of the father, encouraged Jesus in his preparation for the cross. Both had been shown Gods glory on those mountains. - the law and the, Prophets; the son of God and the three great apostles of the church they are talking about the Cross! Copyright www.personality-insights.com. 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! We forget what it felt like to trust God while on the mission field. Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. To get on higher ground, to climb above the mundane, and get in the place where the glory of God can touch our lives, and we can see JESUS as He is in glory and power, and hear God speak to our hearts. Processing doesnt mean well understand each detail of our experience. Jesus visage became as bright as the sun even as the long-dead Old Testament heroes Moses (representing the law) and Elijah (representing the prophets) appeared and talked with Jesus. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. The valley is not what you may think. Keep reading Matthew 17 and youll see that during their descent from the mountain the disciples have a frightening encounter with a demon from hell. Yes, he would soon be nailed to a cross. . 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. And if we keep moving upward an onward, we will eventually get to the peak or sum total of our own personal mountaintop experience! The transfiguration was a foreshadowing of that event, but Christs followers would not be able to clearly see that until after the resurrection. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. So what next? 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. 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. Tag-along Tours run for past customers by the MTE club enable you to travel in your own 4WD vehicle, but with the confidence of knowing you are being looked after. If movies aren't your style or you need a quieter way to relax, pick up a good book. Jesus is the only one to ever walk this earth who was absolutely sinless and holy! (Mark 9:2-3 ESV) Jesus takes his inner circle to a mountain with him and they experience a "God thing." It was something unlike anything they had ever seen. mountaintop [ moun-tn-top ] SHOW IPA noun the top or summit of a mountain. All rights reserved. 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. Ironically, remaining on the summit for more than just a few minutes can be dangerous for climberseven life-threatening. Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. 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. 3. a huge amount: a mountain of mail. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Peter immediately recommended the building of three shelters, presumably so that all six people could stay together on the mountain indefinitely. When the Bible says that Jesus was transfigured, it means that He became on the outside what He was on the inside. Just as Christ shone before the disciples in radiant majesty (2 Pet. Confront the Danger. 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; . Then, for another forty days he remained in the fiery cloud of Gods presence, receiving still more revelation from God. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. n. The summit of a mountain. White in the Bible speaks of purity, absolute holiness. 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. It was a Mountain top experience, as heaven came down on that mountain. died on Mt. The prophet Elijah had his share of mountaintop moments as well. The Rockies are a mountain chain / range in the western United States. 17:2). Moses is a prime example of this. This unmediated view of the living God happened once, and only once in the Old Testament.