when we meet with Jesus, and he reveals himself to us. Peter said it is good to be here. , it was a manifestation of the presence of God, the form in which God revealed himself to Israel. As Christians, we long for experiences of the transcendent that we believe will forever change our perspective on life. TheLordis your keeper;theLordis your shade at your right hand. n. The summit of a mountain. In. Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. Copyright 2023, Good Faith Media | Site by, Lincoln Lessons: Real Church, Real Theology, New GFM Podcast on Race, Religion and Politics Drops in, Five Things to Listen for in Raceless Gospel Podcast. By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. 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. Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. Now that you have you hot chocolate, it is time to relax. 1:19). Ironically, remaining on the summit for more than just a few minutes can be dangerous for climberseven life-threatening. This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. died on Mt. I have ordered from them with great satisfaction for over 20 years. I love to see families encouraging and helping one another. 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. If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. But the valley experience is just as important to our Christian walk. Have you been born again? 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. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. This is what all our experiences, all our theology, all our work should come to; bring is to the place to see Jesus! It so happens that I know of somebody thats had a mountaintop experience just this past week. Everything is tiny and nothing seems to matter when you are that far away from people. Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. You learn something new about who God is. 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. Theres only one place to meet with God; only one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus! Salvation is not in a program, or a plan, but in a person-. But make no mistake Jesus was the unrivalled son of God. We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. Running Together: Evening Worship at 5:00. But the Holy Spirit is not constrained to work through baptism only in the moment when it is administered. Jesus transformationcalled a transfigurationwas even more dramatic. But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. mountaintop synonyms, mountaintop pronunciation, mountaintop translation, English dictionary definition of mountaintop. There are several reasons. Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. Remember, it was on top of Mt. I walked down that mountain with a fresh, new fear for the Lord and new readiness to serve Him and only Him. The glory cloud was a sign that Jesus was Gods dwelling place on earth, Jesus was the Mercy seat, he alone provides salvation and forgiveness! Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. On the Mountain of Transfiguration it looks like things happen in a hurry. 4. of or pertaining to mountains. Just as the Majestic Glory spoke on the mountain (2 Pet. Accessed 4 Mar. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. The people live in the valleys. When the back doors of the church opened, and there. Tabor. Mountaintop - definition of mountaintop by The Free Dictionary When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. Peter, James, and John were caught in heavens high beams as they saw the glory of God shining through the humanity of Jesus. 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. Especially if you have school work to do, background music can help fill the silence of late night studying. Get our latest tips and leader helps with our free monthly e-newsletter. Recently, when I was complaining to a friend about waiting for God to do something, this spiritually wise person noted that God almost never hurries. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. But Jesus came and touched [the disciples], saying, 'Rise, and have no fear' (Matt. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". 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. The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? 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 God never intended for us to live there. those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. This past week I attended a two day conference in Atlanta for facilitators of a program called Listen to Your Life. Romances and horrors are great genres to cozy up to in the dark. Proclaiming the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 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). Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. By now, its a Christian clich: the mountaintop experience. You are not THE mountain of the Lord, but you are A mountain of the Lord. And Im guessing wed have a mountaintop experience at church if we took the time to listen to each other describe our mountaintop experiences. These men where dedicated and devoted to Jesus; these three men went on to be. White in the Bible speaks of purity, absolute holiness. 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). 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. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. My greatest insight from a week of mountain climbing came from the time spent at the bottom of the mountains. It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. 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. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. You are a stumbling block to me. Jesus recognized the voice of the Evil One again, this time speaking through Peter, and he told him to back off. In any case, whenever something really wonderful happens to us, our excitement causes us to view it as one of lifes mountaintop experiences. Jesus death on the cross is the topic of conversation when you have a mountaintop experience! Apart from Jesus they fail miserably in dealing with the demon. Those moments will hide themselves away, unsure as to their place in our routines. 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. Baptism is NOT something we do. However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). When it happens, they become excited and zealous for God. Under his feet lay challenge after challenge that he had encountered along the way in his business and personal life. They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says it's Mt. Time to forget about any work you have to do, and treat the weekend as a weekend. So, over the past week I went searching for stories and quotes about Mountain top experiences, and I stumbled on this comment: "The Outing Club is hosting world traveler and Mount Everest Climber, Jeff . Mountain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster I created a Chill Pill playlist on YouTube for some relaxing vibes. Their eyes opened and they saw a whole new reality; the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. -They spoke about his decrease, which he would accomplish at Jerusalem, There on that high mountain with the representatives of the O.T. 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. In the presence of Jesus with the saints, talking about the Cross! At first they were deathly afraid of what they had seenwho wouldnt be!? 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. But what, biblically speaking, is a mountaintop experience? Those are great experiences that God has given to me, and I am thankful for them. Living Your Mountaintop Experience Everyday - Spiritually Hungry 1:20). 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. (. What an amazing sight! Perhaps it was getting our drivers license at the age of sixteen. Jesus is greater than Moses, and Elijah! The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. We also learn something about how things will be in the next life for the saved: When your body dies, you are not annihilated. In other words, the fulfillment of the Messiahs mission of salvation was nearer than the three disciplesknew. You respond in Worship, praise, awe, thanksgiving, tears, and joy!! Do you understand that Jesus came to this earth, lived a sinless life; and took your sin, and died in your place that you might experience forgiveness and salvation? Joe cartoons from the 80's that said, " Knowing is half the battle! Husband of Orlena. A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. Jesus skin and clothing no longer glowed. . How to Use the Mountain Top Experience in the Valley I have placed you on the mountaintop for my glory in the last days.. But heaven will be a place of glory! They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. Sinai. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. Moses still had flaws that would prevent him from entering the Promised Land. And it happened at the foot of Mt. 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. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". How can we reach this mountaintop?. A true Spiritual mountain-top experience always revolves around JESUS! 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. Finally, Jesus directed the three disciples not to tell others about their experience until after His resurrection. mountaintop [ moun-tn-top ] SHOW IPA noun the top or summit of a mountain. Certainly, there is a rhythmic, ordinary nature to daily encounter with Gods Word. Finally, its just Moses moving to the top of Mt. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples But as Jesus and his inner circle stood on that mountain the Shekinah glory cloud overshadowed them. V:30-31-And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his decease, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 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. 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. adjective situated at the top or summit of a mountain: a mountaintop house. 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. 2. After a certain amount of time the caterpillar comes out of the cocoon a butterfly. Here at Mountaintop Worship Center, we spend every Sunday and Wednesday on the mountaintop. revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. 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. God, unlike Peter knew exactly what he was talking about. You feel overcome by a greater awareness of Gods reality. They are solid and unmovable. 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). Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery AvenueBryn Mawr, PA 19010(610) 525-2821. Well have a better understanding of how that intense moment can fit into our everyday. 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? The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil. Stick with that original version of your mountain-top experience--the way you have experienced God. While we face the last couple of weeks of winter there are many things you need to do. David Briscoe is a content editor at Lifeway for Explore the Bible resources. It was a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. 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. the last of the apostles to die, he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. Whoever has ears, let them hear. So when it is too cold for an ice cream party, you can have a hot chocolate party instead! Thats almost seven weeks of sitting around in the fog! Mountaintop Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster The believers present experience of hearing the Word of God parallels the experience of hearing the voice of God on the mountain. MOUNTAIN | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary The fact that the transfiguration is reported in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. 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. Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. 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. My time in Dallas was informative and meaningful and challenging, but I would not say it was a mountaintop experience. All rights reserved. Moses is a prime example of this. 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. 4WD Adventures - Mountain-Top Experience He was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. But it will give us time and space to allow the intensity of those moments to sit raw and open as we transition back to the valley. It is regularly updated with the latest 4WD developments, and with amusing anecdotes and stories . Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Some of us may prefer to not be confronted with such a frightening voice whenever our Bibles are opened. Peter was hoping Jesus would settle in on the summit. Why Elijah and Moses? 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. 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. On that mountaintop I realized that all the problems and worries that suffocate me daily were so worldly. 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. 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. . The Rockies are a mountain chain / range in the western United States. 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). 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. God doesnt intend for us to live in a perpetual state of emotional highs when it comes to faith. Ironically, the three disciples misunderstood nearly everything about that experience as it was occurring. That thought even reminds me of a song that was once sung by a group that was known as Blood, Sweat and Tears entitled "Spinning Wheel".