I Tried To Climb The Mountain Today (By Gary Barnes)

I tried to climb the mountain today. As I inched my way up the path, I felt overwhelmed, so I had to turn back.

I tried to climb the mountain today. On my journey, darkness started to fall, and I was full of fear, so I had to return to a safe place.

I was ready to climb the mountain today. But it was so hot outside, I thought I better stay in my nice air-conditioned house and rest up for tomorrow's attempt.

I was about to climb the mountain today. But I had so many other things to do, so instead of climbing the mountain I took care of much more important tasks. I washed my car, mowed the grass and watched the big game. Today the mountain will just have to wait.

I was going to climb the mountain today. But as I stared at the mountain in it's majestic beauty, I knew I stood no chance of making it to the top, so I figured why even bother trying.

I have forgotten about climbing the mountain today; until a friend came by and asked me what I was up to lately. I told him I was thinking about climbing that mountain some day. I went on and on about how I was going to accomplish this task.

Finally, he said, "I just got back from climbing the mountain. For the longest time I told myself I was trying to climb the mountain but never made any progress. I almost let the dream of making it to the top die. I came up with every excuse of why I could not make it up the mountain, but never once did I give myself a reason why I could. One day as I stared at the mountain and pondered, I realized that if I didn't make an attempt at this dream all my dreams will eventually die."

"The next morning, I started my climb." He continued, "It was not easy, and at times I wanted to quit. But no matter what I faced, I placed one foot in front of the other, keeping a steady pace. When the wind tried to blow me over the edge, I kept walking. When the voices inside my head screamed "stop!" I focused on my goal never letting it out of sight, and I kept moving forward. At times, I was ready to quit, but I knew I had come too far. Time and time again, I reassured myself that I was going to finish this journey. I struggled to make it to the top, but I climbed the mountain!"

"I have to be going," my friend said. "Tomorrow is a new day to accomplish more dreams. By the way, what are you going to do tomorrow?"

I looked at him, with intensity and confidence in my eyes, and said, "I have a mountain to climb."

Written By Gary Barnes.

Originally posted by "Light A Lamp"
April 22, 2012 at 11:09pm ·

The Human Nature You Must Also Ignore

Thanks to Mrs Nelson ( @SaltMatters7 ), I have been learning how to slow down and study my Bible :-) instead the usual marathon-pace read. I actually study with a pen and a pad by my side, using the 5X5X5 plan she recommended. It is amazing how different stages exists in our Christian walk with God. I thank God for grace.

Today my study point was John 2:21-25. It basically focuses on Christ's response to people trading in the Temple of God. The previous verses made me pause to evaluate how I have been treating the Temple of the Holy Spirit (my body).

Back to my reading... I noticed how people got excited by Jesus Christ when He performs miracles. They believed in Him more.

"But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man."

That caught my attention. The human nature always likes to associate with "clout/klout" and all. Until they see you in a certain way or doing certain things, they will not want to associate with you. But the moment you do something big, they notice you. And some even become your official praise singers.

Not to compare myself to Christ but I can totally relate to His way of life here. It is something I must adopt-- to stop entrusting myself to people and living by their approval.

The human nature cannot be trusted. It is even written clearly in the book of Psalm 118. "Do not put your confidence in princes..."

What is that assignment God has placed inside of you? Are you holding back because people don't accept you or believe in you? Are you holding back because you think by human standard you don't have enough "clout" (klout)?

All you need is to have faith in God and commit it all to Him. If you put your trust first in humans, they will dump you the minute someone with a bigger clout breezes in.

I know, sometimes the desire to be accepted by others is stronger. Sometimes the desire to work with men's approval is more exciting. But should we choose that over God's approval or testimony of us?

Stay focus. God's grace is sufficient.

Shalom.

Photo source: Social Share (Internet)

Live! #TheSecret

"I've seen it all in my brief and pointless life—here a good person cut down in the middle of doing good, there a bad person living a long life of sheer evil. So don't knock yourself out being good, and don't go overboard being wise. Believe me, you won't get anything out of it. But don't press your luck by being bad, either. And don't be reckless. Why die needlessly?

It's best to stay in touch with both sides of an issue. A person who fears God deals responsibly with all of reality, not just a piece of it." Ecclesiastes 7:15-18

Amplified:
16 "Be not [morbidly exacting and externally] righteous overmuch, neither strive to make yourself [pretentiously appear] overwise—why should you [get puffed up and] destroy yourself [with presumptuous self-sufficiency]?
17 [Although all have sinned] be not wicked overmuch or willfully, neither be foolish—why should you die before your time?
18 It is good that you should take hold of this and from that withdraw not your hand; for he who [reverently] fears and worships God will come forth from them all." Ecclesiastes 7:16-18

Selah.

Light up!

His life is light to us.
We are light.
We draw energy from His life in us
to shine.
Darkness has no hold on us
Darkness has no hold over us.
John1:3-5

*Light-A-Lamp*: What It Takes to Truly Grow in Christ

*Light-A-Lamp*: What It Takes to Truly Grow in Christ

Mary

I have been thinking a lot about Mary. Yes, Martha's sister. Yes, the one in the Bible.

There is something about her...