1:17). Jesus would die on the Cross, be buried in a borrowed tomb, and rise again three days later. Full kitchen, with cookware and dinnerware, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, full fridge, coffeemaker. 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. MTE's 4WD tag-along tours throughout the Victorian High Country and passenger tours around Walhalla became very popular . 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. One trait that gets very little press is that mountain top experiences often involve waiting. 1:19). (. 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. Nighttime temperatures drop wellbelow zero, the air is razor-thin, and killer storms can strike without warning. But Jesus explained that Elijah had already come in the ministry of John the Baptist. These moments can be truly genuine and beautiful. The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil. 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. 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. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the "roof of the world," the summit of Mount Everest. We will recognize our loved ones and others in heaven. Most of us have had a similar experience, maybe not as intense, but a "mountain top" experience nonetheless. This reminds me of Church! They are solid and unmovable. So what next? (see Exodus 19) But seriously Im glad to have an excuse for Joani to describe the stirrings of the Holy Spirit in her life. Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. The saved are in glory, this life is one of suffering and humiliation for the saints. Above: Muhammad, Buda, Knish, or any other name. Maybe it was getting married or having children. Some people need to journal each moment while still on the mountain. Instead of presenting a contrast of experiences, Peter presents a parallel. After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (its the one who has CAMIER PTY LTD HISTORY. b : an elongated ridge 2 a : a great mass a mountain of a man E. K. Brown b : a vast number or quantity a mountain of mail a mountain of debt Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. 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. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says its Mt. And the thought of spending an additional 40 days in the fog listening for the voice of God doesnt excite me either. Mountaintop. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountaintop. It is the most sacred spot on earth! They saw for the first time the dazzling Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! 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. The question is, will you enter into that change as you walk down the mountain into the valley? as he calls you to leave bitterness behind, and to forgive and find joy. 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! Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). Or did we just respond with emotions that were not actually genuine for the long run? White in the Bible speaks of purity, absolute holiness. Yes it is, it is good to be in the presence of Jesus, it is good to be in good company, Moses, Elijah, James and John. 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. In later reflection, Peter described what he heard as the Majestic Glory (2 Pet. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the roof of the world, the summit of Mount Everest. Im glad Joani could share today because I really needed a fresh illustration of a mountaintop experience for this sermon! It actually turned out to be a good place. If you have Netflix or Hulu, the possibilities of movies are endless. By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. 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. The chosen son of God, the Savior of the world! This is what all our experiences, all our theology, all our work should come to; bring is to the place to see Jesus! Just as the Majestic Glory spoke on the mountain (2 Pet. 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. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. Jesus death on the cross is the topic of conversation when you have a mountaintop experience! You feel overcome by a greater awareness of Gods reality. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! And minds that were already spinning are now completely blown. 1. a natural elevation of land rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill. Finally, its just Moses moving to the top of Mt. 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. Some of us may prefer to not be confronted with such a frightening voice whenever our Bibles are opened. Youve never seen something so beautiful and peaceful. 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. Jesus Christ, furthering His kingdom, and bringing glory to God through it all. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". That is how we need to look at our daily issues. It was a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! Joe cartoons from the 80's that said, " Knowing is half the battle! How do we come down the mountain and begin living normal life while holding onto what weve learned? 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. And Im guessing wed have a mountaintop experience at church if we took the time to listen to each other describe our mountaintop experiences. A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud. The fact that the transfiguration is reported in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. died on Mt. Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. From this mountain-top experience, we learn the purpose of mountain-top experiences. In the Old Testament, the mountains of Sinai and Zion are most significant. The Father speaks from the cloud (Matt. Our future includes a great change- corruption-incorruption; mortal- immortal. , when Moses met with God on Mount Sinai he came down with the glory of God radiating off his face. Moses finally made it to the promise land! 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. The High Mountain became the Holy Mountain because he saw the glory of Jesus there! Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am? I love to see goals attained after hard work. He fulfilled what the. Father of 5 (David, Jenny, Elisha, Esther, Seth). The distinction between the two is clear (now). But the valley experience is just as important to our Christian walk. To grow and restore the family of Christ on the foundation of His Word and His promises. Peter said it is good to be here. I have placed you on the mountaintop for my glory in the last days.. Jesus is the light of the world, and when we get to heaven he will be the light. You might have been counting down the days until spring, but make the most of these chilly and cloudy days. I doubt any of us will go 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! If you keep striving and climbing you will eventually get on top of it and you will have a life that is helpful to you, profitable to your family and a good influence on your friends. 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. This is so prevalent that the mountaintop experience has become a Christian clich of excitement and zeal. But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. 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. The term "mountain top experience" comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. Some only lasted for mere minutes. No one deserves worship but Jesus! As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. He talked about the struggles and challenges he had faced both personally and professionally. We wont be able to implant every detail of the mountain top into the valley, but we cant waste those moments. Shes still not sure whats she supposed to do with what shes learning, and now shes in her own personal waiting period trusting God to clarify her next move. It is interesting to imagine what it would be like to staff other peoples mountain top experiences. Like you thought you grasped the concept of our large world, but then you realize its more incredible than you believed it to be. But what, biblically speaking, is a mountaintop experience? I walked down that mountain with a fresh, new fear for the Lord and new readiness to serve Him and only Him. Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. I love to see families encouraging and helping one another. It was simply a huge heap of stuff (both good and bad) that he had climbed up in order to get to where he was. Tabor. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. Sinai. While such fear is proper, it may and must be accompanied by hearing the other mountain-voice of the transfiguration. there is only one way to be saved and that is through. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. They didn't last for years. Why not begin to consider what stuff makes up your own mountain? Why does God allow you to have a Mountain-top experience? Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. 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. This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. Moses had asked to see Gods glory, and only got to see the backside of God as he passed by. Whoever has ears, let them hear. We must take what weve learned and processed, allowing it to change us. You respond in Worship, praise, awe, thanksgiving, tears, and joy!! Yet the valley has become a symbol of rough times and depression.I dont believe this should be true. The prophet Elijah had his share of mountaintop moments as well. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the feeling of dizziness. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. 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. A good book on a rainy day or with calming music is a wonderful way to take a break from the responsibilities of life and escape into another world. 17:7)." This is the walk all . All Rights Reserved. In the presence of Jesus with the saints, talking about the Cross! Peter himself later recounts that the disciples were "eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Pet. Jesus is above all men, Jesus has no Equal! 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. when we meet with Jesus, and he reveals himself to us. V:29-the fashion of his countenance was altered, a reflection of another light, but this was light, this glory was from within! The heap on which he stood consisted of all the experiences and obstacles that he had faced on his journey through life. The valley is not what you may think. the mighty apostle of Pentecost was a great leader in the early church, crucified upside down. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. The way to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus is to spend time with him in prayer. That could prove dangerous and manipulative. was the founder of Israels worship of God. When I heard that story, I identified with it so very much. Mixed in with all of that were some great memories and wonderful times of happiness, too. Any place be it mountaintop, retreat center, or worship service, that can change you inside out should be considered dangerous. Then, only Moses and his associate, Joshua moved further up the mountain. 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. Heres another rhythm to add to the listcoming up the mountain to be with God; then going down the mountain to serve Gods people. Learn a new word every day. He was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! 17:4). Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. Pastor at Columbus (IN) RP Church. To hear the voice of God in His Word is to be led to the mountaintop of glory and grace. When the Bible says that Jesus was transfigured, it means that He became on the outside what He was on the inside. Time to forget about any work you have to do, and treat the weekend as a weekend. Apart from Jesus they fail miserably in dealing with the demon. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". goats), the guys get to the true subject at hand. There is so much to be done here in the valley. 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. Mountain top removal means a coal mining operation that will remove an entire coal seam or seams running through the upper fraction of a mountain, ridge, or hill by removing all of the overburden and creating a level plateau with no highwalls remaining instead of restoring to approximate original contour, and is capable of supporting postmining That is what happens to Peter, James and John on that mountain. 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.". 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. 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. It is a high point in your life when youre with Gods people and Jesus in his glory shows up! 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 ). V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. 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. We go down to the valley to meditate on our recent revelation, allowing us to learn from our mountaintop experiences. Climbing the mountain we now claim as Mt. Wood burning fireplace, gas grill, washer and dryer, central heat. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? What is the purpose of a Mountain-top experience? But as Jesus might say, We cant work effectively for God in the valley until we have been transformed spiritually with God on the mountain. Now suddenly, Jesus invites Peter, James, and John for an evening hike up Mt. This unmediated view of the living God happened once, and only once in the Old Testament. 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. Next came the same audible voice from heaven that had spoken previously at Jesus baptism (Matt. You have your hot chocolate made, playlist downloaded, movie set and books chosen. 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. Jesus is the. One moose, two moose. 3:17). By now, its a Christian clich: the mountaintop experience. But those were all just moments. But the Holy Spirit is not constrained to work through baptism only in the moment when it is administered. Idioms: 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. Jesus asked his disciples, who do the people say I am? n. The summit of a mountain. My purpose is to lead believers into a deeper relationship with God, resulting in them becoming A Bold Christian. They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. Moses was reflecting the glory of God because he had been in the presence of God; that is something we all should do! Not all mountain top experiences drip with emotion. And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. And if such an experience is to be sought after, how can the Christian be found on the mountaintop time and time again? and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. 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. If you need it, they have it. He neither deserves the honor or respect that entails. I'd love to go mountain - climbing. 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. every Bible should be bound and shoe leather. Perhaps it was getting our drivers license at the age of sixteen. Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). Our job is to share Gods reconciliation with them and bring them to the mountaintop for their own personal experience with God. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. I found myself late every afternoon sitting and simply meditating on the mountains, remembering what it was like to be on top of them and giving thanks for their ancient and imposing beauty. 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. 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. However, along the way there were broken relationships and many long hours of hard work and study. After a certain amount of time the caterpillar comes out of the cocoon a butterfly. 4. of or pertaining to mountains. It was a great privilege to see Moses and Elijah, but Jesus was the son of God! While we face the last couple of weeks of winter there are many things you need to do. This is my favorite source for everything Christian. Once weve processed our mountain top experience, well be able to face the valley without resentment or guilt. Jesus deity and glory would be hid; but they knew underneath his humanity, was deity. The realization that I could release control was like lifting bricks off my shoulders. But then Jesus touched them and told them to get up and not be afraid. Yet, right after this, Christians often go back into the valley where they seem to dwell most of the time. They would come down that mountain knowing without a shadow of a doubt who Jesus Christ was! Some experiences are more calm and rational moments. He has performed miracle after miracle and, in that mountaintop experience, my blinded eyes were healed. TheLordwill keep you from allevil;he will keep your life. What an amazing sight! Moses and Elijah were known by Peter, James and John. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. Peter, James, and John were transformed by the transfigured Christ. 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. Mountains typically have steep slopes and are understood to be. Granted, Jesus did some of his best work on and around water, but he was a mountain man, too. Get our latest tips and leader helps with our free monthly e-newsletter. But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. Yes, he would soon be nailed to a cross. 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. It is regularly updated with the latest 4WD developments, and with amusing anecdotes and stories . We forget what it felt like to trust God while on the mission field. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. Confront the Danger. And we forget the promises we made to our Holy God in the midst of that mountain top experience. The term mountain top experience comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. 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). 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. 5. living, growing, or located in the mountains. Enjoy the teamwork of tackling 4WD challenges, being part of caring community and learning about history and nature as we travel. Sinai. The people live in the valleys. Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. Stick with that original version of your mountain-top experience--the way you have experienced God. If movies aren't your style or you need a quieter way to relax, pick up a good book. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Grab a blanket and a glass of hot chocolate, and do these five warm indoor activities for those rainy winter days. revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. They didnt last for years. 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. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? the last of the apostles to die, he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast & Goodbye to Jack Liskey! 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. Many of us have walked through our own mountain top experience. The mission field proves a common place where we experience God in new ways. Jesus skin and clothing no longer glowed. In. As soon as Jesus and company reach the summit, he undergoes the mysterious process of transfiguration.