Monday, May 25, 2015

IF THE MOUNTAINS CRUMBLE


"Wait until you see the view!"

So began the rather enthusiastic dialogue from our realtor, three years ago.

Of course I knew she was trying to sell a house, and so I took her words with a grain of salt.  However, in this case, her superlatives were truthfulmaybe even understated.

I will never forget walking in the front door of this house, making my way down the long hallway, and finally walking into the vaulted-ceiling living room.

With a view that took my breath away!

SOLD!

Actually, our beautiful blessing of a home has windows everywhere.  And each one has a view.  Stunning panoramas of the valley down below.  Tucked-in shady gorgeous trees.   Breathtaking vistas of surrounding mountain ridges. A visual *hike* right up the slope to a rocky outcrop just above our kitchen window.

But…the best and most majestic view is the one of the mountain peak outside our living room window.  (That's a photo of it below – though photos cannot convey the immensity of this mountain, nor how close it actually is!)


I have always loved the mountains.

Growing up as a child, my favorite vacations were always when we went to the mountains.  Now, don't get me wrong, our multiple trips to the beach were fun, too.  I'm still an ocean girl, after all.  But, whenever we traveled to the mountains, I somehow felt at home.

Like I was in my *soul place.*

You see, I think it's always been the size of the mountains that impressed me.  The wildness of their surroundings.  The whispers of immortality – like they'd been there forever – and would be there forevermore.

Mountains always gave me a feeling of security.

Mountains always spoke to me of God.

His majesty, His stability, His glory.

So, given the opportunity to live right below one, well, we grabbed it.  Sure, there have been many changes in my life since moving here.  And many of them have been very difficult, emotionally wrenching.

But, I have always appreciated the mountain peak right outside my window.

Of course, there have been some unsettling moments.  Like the summer when I watched threatening fire clouds billow over that same mountaintop. Or when we've watched helicopter rescues of hikers and climbers – a few of them ending in disaster.  And then, of course, there are those pesky earthquakes.

C'mon, people, we do live in California after all.

And there are four seasons in California – Fire, flood, drought, and earthquake!

When we lived down below, the earthquakes felt different.  You could sense them coming.  A slight, barely detectable rolling sensation began.  And just as you were saying, "Is that an earthquake?" – you'd feel yourself undulating like a staggering sailor in the middle of a stormy, wave-tossed tempest.

Up here in the mountains, the quakes are different.

Sudden, powerful, loud.

Out of the blue, you'll be startled by a huge jolt, with a thunderous crack, that leaves no doubt.

"THAT was an earthquake!!"


Earthquakes don't scare me too much.

And I've got to admit, I take great comfort in the knowledge that the mountain range surrounding us is made out of solid granite.

And though we get shaken once in a while, I feel rather safe and sound.

Some are not so lucky.

I think about the country of Nepal.  Hit with two huge earthquakes, and multiple strong aftershocks, their country and their people have been devastated.

I wonder sometimes.

Surrounded by the majesty of those Himalaya Mountains, including the highest mountain peak in the world – Mt. Everest – did they think they were safe?

Did they feel secure? 

Were they any different than I am?

You know, we can fool ourselves into thinking that we are safe and secure in this world.  We can believe that we are protected and sheltered and out of harm's way.

But, this is an illusion.

There is no other security in this life besides The Rock.

God is the only thing that never changes.


You know, there have been times when I looked up at that granite peak just outside my window, and I've wondered…

What would happen if it crumbled?

What would I do?  How would I feel?

I'm sure I would be flooded with disbelief, shock, and terror.

But, even then, would I still trust God?

So what about all those times in life when our sense of security gets shaken?  

The times when life drops a bombshell and we are struck with disbelief.  Or when something terrible happens and we find ourselves in a state of shock. Or when fearsome circumstances fill us with terror.

What do we do when our mountainous illusion of security in this world crumbles?

I usually panic.

But my panic arises because I'm looking at the crumbling, and not at the covenant.


Thinking about this verse:

"For though the mountains should depart and the hills be shaken or removed, yet My love and kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace and completeness be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10, AMP)


A covenant is a promise and a pledge.

And when it is given by God Himself, it cannot and will not be broken.

So, though the literal mountains and hills may crumble, though our faulty and fragile belief in earthly security may tumble in ruin, though our tenuous and brittle courage may fail in the onslaught of circumstances, there still stands forever a guarantee.  

An assurance of a future.  A hope.

And this is the solid ground on which we must take our place and establish a firm foundation.

Shaken, but not stirred.


I'm looking right now at my mountain peak.

Majestic, stable, glorious.

And yet, I know it is destined one day to disappear.

But not The Rock of my salvation.

And certainly not those of us who have grounded ourselves in the promises He will one day fulfill.

We are never to be forgotten.

Never to be lost.

Never to perish.


And on this we take our stand…

…never to be moved.


Selah.





The LORD
is a stronghold
in times of
trouble.

I will not be afraid. 



"It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock.  When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built." (Luke 6:48, NLT)

"When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever." (Proverbs 10:25, NIV)

"Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught." (Proverbs 3:25-26, ESV)

"The LORD directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives.  Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand." (Psalm 37:23-24, NLT)

"Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you.  He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." (Psalm 55:22, NLT)

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD.  For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit." 
(Jeremiah 17:7-8, NASB)

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.  For he will rescue you from every trap...He will cover you with his feathers.  He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.  Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.  Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you." (From Psalm 91, NLT)

"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.  We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.  We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed." 
(2 Corinthians 4:8-9, NLT) 

"'Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name; you are mine.  When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.   When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.'" 
(Isaiah 43:1-3, NLT)

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.  Let the oceans roar and foam.  Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!...The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress." (Psalm 46:1-3, 7, NLT)

"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." 
(Psalm 23:4, NLT)

"For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39, AMP)



Do you have *mountains* that are crumbling today?



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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

47 comments:

  1. Beautiful and majestic Sharon--- every word and that glorious view! I'm sure I have "mountains" that crumble like my earthly body but I'm so thankful that we can stand firm on the Rock and that our ultimate security must be in Him and His glory! This is a spectacular blog for Memorial Day weekend following somewhat in sequence from the deer to the mountain. As this brought songs to mind and heart, the one I go away singing is "God Bless America ... from the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam..." and I bow to give thanks to our Unshakable Kingdom and God for all you wrote, my secure place of refuge and to the brave men and women who fight to keep us living in freedom and the cost they pay ... "I will not be shaken" because it is Jesus Christ who paid the price for me to be free wherever I am, may I always keep my trust, focus and hand in His as my heart remembers "on Christ the Solid Rock I stand" ... Praise God! and hallelujah that you found peace in your *soul place* as hard as it was ... I love windows all around with such views but I chuckled at your seasons! Gotta love this California girl! Many blessings and love ~Peggy

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  2. I don't know...that picture sure looks good. :) Good points made Sharon. When David asks, "Where does my help come from?" he must have known the maker and the owner of the mountains made them for more than beauty.

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  3. Beautiful view, Sharon. Powerful post. Your words were just what I needed to hear today as I focus on Jesus during a time of feeling shaken. I take great comfort in the verses you shared today. Blessings........

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  4. Your views from your home sound spectacular. "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground in shifting sand."

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  5. Beautiful view for sure. I find the mountains very inspiring. You are so right. As majestic as the mountain view is, nothing can protect us like our God--our Rock. So good to meditate on that point as I read the scriptures you shared!

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  6. Sharon,
    Wow what a beautiful view and your painted it so well with your words, not just the picture. :-) Such a great teachable moments you've had with all of the views. Thank you!

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  7. I love mountains, too. They remind me that there is something bigger than me, to shield and protect me. This was a great analogy and I felt myself there in your mountains - beauty, the majesty and the fear.

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  8. Sharon, This post is so beautiful and a perfect illustration of the majesty of God. I always loved the verse, "I lift up my eyes to the mountains--where does my help come from." Psalm 121:1

    God indeed is our Rock and our security.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  9. Like you, Sharon, I am a mountain-lover; my husband and I always vacation in the Nantahala Mountains of North Carolina, not as rugged or majestic as yours, but still ancient and filled with God's presence. It's hard to believe that once the gentle Appalachians were even higher than the Rockies are today! Yes, the mountains will crumble and the earth will shake, but our God stands firm and unmoved. May we ever find refuge in His strength.
    Blessings to you!

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  10. I love when I click on a post that sounds interesting in a link-up and it takes me to you! I have a thing for mountains, too. I lived in Seattle for 5 years...a place where we get the mountains AND the beach. I think I sense God the most when I'm hiking on top of a mountain. Now that I'm living back in Michigan (my home state), I miss those majestic views. But God is the rock that goes with us everywhere, and what a view that is!

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  11. I'm a mountain-kind-of-girl, too. I love the beach - but I think it's because it is always so radically changing - tides coming and going - but the trees, the hills - the animals who make their homes there and the layers and layers right there. Beautiful post - especially for these times when everything seems to be shaking! Blessings to you this week, Sharon

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  12. OH, what a beautiful view you have!!! All I can say is, WOW! I can't imagine looking out the window and seeing such majesty every day! I think I would want to curl up in that house and never leave! LOL! I, too, feel so close to God in the mountains. There is something so steadfast about them. But, like you said, they can crumble, but the dear Lord, His Word, His power, and His love will never be shaken! What a glorious thought! I loved this post so much...I leave here so refreshed in spirit, as always. Love you, sweet friend. :)

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  13. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. Oh, we have had some sinking sand here lately. And at times I tremble. Until I remember the Rock of my salvation. It changes everything!

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  14. That would be impressive to feel an earthquake in the mountains. I would have thought they would be similar to less altitude, but your writing has proved me wrong. I am glad the Lord is our firm foundation and nothing ever rattles him!

    betty

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  15. Sunday at church we sang the "In Christ Alone/Solid Rock" medly. What powerful words...goes right along with your post. How blessed you are to be surrounded with such awesome beauty as a minute-by-minute reminder of this truth! Wonderful post!

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  16. Hi Sharon! I know you often talk about your feelings of isolation where you live, but when I read posts like the one today, I just want to book a flight and come and visit you! It sounds so beautiful...

    God is our rock, and He does shake our foundations sometimes too, just like the earthquakes you feel sometimes. But He will never rip us apart, and always protect us. Just like the granite on your mountain! You have wonderful reminders of His might and care right where you are. Thank you for sharing it with us today :)
    Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend?
    Ceil

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  17. This is great! I love the analogy of God and the mountains. The power and majesty. So great.
    And we've started having earthquakes in Kansas this past year. Nothing major, but they scare me!!! I'd rather deal with the tornadoes! Ha!

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  18. Our new home has amazing views too and they continue to speak to me. Thanks for sharing, Sharon.

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  19. As I read your post the verse that came to mind was about building on the rock (and not on the sand.) That mountain of granite is impressive and I hope it never crumbles for what ever reason. Some with a mindset for art might want to carve a sculpture from it. Others would want to crush it and sell for landscaping. God forbid. As kids my folks had a cabin in the Stanislaus National Forest and we would go there usually for a long week end. Relatives would come for 4th of July and what a time we would have in those mountains. Robert and I live in the Oak Woods and there are lovely mountains close by. When we go to the Oroville Dam to pray over the city, I turn and look across the Lake at the mountains that have many people living there. I loved all your verses this week to encourage and lift up our spirits. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a True Story.

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  20. I love the mountains and the ocean… but usually spend my time in the desert. I did get my ribs racked in a 7.3 earthquake in Palm Desert back in the early nineties. Having lived through a lot of them as a kid I didn't think much of it… till that night.

    Thanks for the lesson and that verse. What a great reminder of Who we serve… "Whom shall I fear?"

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  21. When I move to Arizona in less than 8 weeks, I'd sure like to drive over to Cali and meet you and see your mountain. After seeing Yosemite, I know I'm going to enjoy living in the land of terrain again. Here in south Florida, our highest "peak" is the landfill on Sample Road. Heh.

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  22. Sounds like you have beautiful views all around! I, too, love the mountains. They are so majestic and the air always seems cooler up in the mountains. I am thankful that God, our Rock, will never disappear. He is our help and our protection.

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  23. Such a powerful post! I'm from northern Indiana so I don't have mountains to inspire me...maybe one day I'll get a chance to soak them in! I love your line "my panic arises because I'm looking at the crumbling, and not at the covenant." -seriously writing this in my heart!! Your neighbor at Woman 2 Woman.

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  24. Inspiring words, as I face my own mountain. Grateful for God's faithfulness.

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  25. What a comfort God's constancy is when the things around us are so unsure and shakeable. I like the peek of your mountain, but now want a full 360 degree tour instead if just this peek!

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  26. this is a fantastic post! thank you!

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  27. Sharon, Sharon, Sharon….I got to be your neighbor again! This time on #WomenWithIntentionWednesdays! Wahoo! LOVE your description of the mountains and your home! Love this--->"There is no other security in this life besides The Rock." Don't we all need to be reminded of this every day? How quickly we place our trust in faulty, loose, unfoundational truths. I lived in Central Coast and Bay Area of CA for 11 years total. Miss my Cali days! So true about the seasons there! My heart is refreshed today visiting Sharon Sharing God! Be blessed!

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  28. Beautiful! Loved this post! Visiting from TWW.

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  29. Sharon, our chuch just started a Wednesday night series on I Peter, and it was titled "Unmovable." Ties in perfectly to what you shared here. Love it when God does that.

    Your house in the mountains with lots of windows and amazing views sounds lovely. :)

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  30. Sharon, I love mountains too. They remind me that Jesus is the rock that can't be shaken. Thank you for these wonderful thoughts.

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  31. I have these feelings both in the mountains and at the sea. Both beautiful and dangerous.

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  32. Great post, neighbor! I've lived through a minor earth quake in California and it was really weird. I think mountains are gorgeous but I am more of a seaside girl myself. Great thoughts here, thank you. God bless you!

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  33. Beautiful, Sharon - thanks for sharing.

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  34. I love that Bill mentioned Psalm 121. The hills {mountains} have always inspired and comforted me. No, not they themselves, but as reminders of our God, Who made them. Great post, Sharon!

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  35. This is truly, profoundly beautiful, Sharon. When we look at the "crumbling" and not the "covenant," how true that this is when all seems lost. It's not always an immediate comfort in the face of life-shattering circumstances; it doesn't take the pain of aftermath away. But it remains, and after awhile, we know the comfort of living in the shelter of this hope. Thank you. Selah.

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  36. Hi Sharon, Always good to visit and read your blogs. I don't have many words at the moment, I really would not like the idea of any kind of earthquake. One or two have happened recently in England, but anything too earth shattering. Which I suppose in a way does describe my life too and I know I must cling to the only solid rock, but also know that my quakes are fairly minor. Hope you have a blessed Son/Sunday - Nita

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  37. Wow! I cannot even imagine that view let alone being there in person. Living in the Midwest I don't see the same terrain, however, I understand wanting to live on solid ground and feeling safe. Beautiful post! Thank you for sharing this at The Weekend Brew.

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  38. Well. Now I really do want to come visit you. Like stat.

    And I loved the phrase about your panic coming from looking at the crumbling, not the covenant. That needs to be a bumper sticker or something, lady. #AWESOME

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  39. Lovely mountain. We all want to be safe but it isn't here on planet earth. But yes, faith founded on Christ the solid rock is the safest place to be. He lifts us up...on higher ground!!! I really enjoy being at the ocean. Mt Hood is lovely too! God's creation...beautiful. Heaven will be so much more lovely than we can imagine! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Visiting from Lisha, Give me Grace.

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  40. I can't imagine living anywhere other than in California, earthquakes and all. His Majesty is everywhere!

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  41. Hi Sharon! Thanks for linking last week and your "Deer Tracks" post was interesting and I loved the photo of the huge buck. I'm glad you guys live on solid granite with those earthquakes. When I was a kid, we lived high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia for two years with an amazing view and we also saw a few deer. I didn't run a weekend linky this week, but I have posted photos of our wonderful art workshop weekend. Would love for you to check it out at http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2015/05/art-workshop-weekend.html

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  42. Once again, another great post Sharon, thank you for sharing at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings

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  43. How you write about the mountains is how I feel at the lake near our house. God's creation is so lovely and I'm grateful we get to enjoy it. Thanks for sharing at #ThreeWordWednesday.

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  44. You have such a gift! You can turn a story about the landscape outside your home into a heart check! I love reading your posts! Keep them coming and thanks for sharing at Waiting on...Wednesday!

    Holly @ www.iwillservewhileiwait.blogspot.com

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  45. I'm resting with you on the rock Sharon. Your reminder that the comfort we find in anything other than God himself are at best illusions - is powerful. Thank you for this offering, you are the #GiveMeGrace Wordsmith of the Week.

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  46. Breathtakingly beautiful mountain view........

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  47. I am very encouraged by this powerful reminder. Thank you so much for these strengthening words. Thank you for sharing them at TGI Saturdays. Hope to see you there this weekend. Blessings to you. Have a great day.

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)