Mountains
We all face challenges in life. These challenges can be overwhelming and leave us feeling discouraged and fatigued. This is one reason the Body of Christ is so essential to us all. We help each other through connection and encouragement.
NIV Matthew 17:20 He replied, “… I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
The mountain that Jesus mentions in this passage refers to difficulties in life. Jesus is saying that when we have true faith we can overcome our difficulties. If you have ever exercised small faith and moved a mountain in your life I want you to share it in a comment below. I just have a feeling that God will use your story to encourage someone who may be tired and down right now. It may be the spark they need to help them move their mountain!
There are many instances I could share where the Lord has moved mountains for me. But I think one of the bigger ones He moved was when I never told anyone in our church I was going bald for two years because of the pain and embarrassment, and then the Lord gave me the strength to make that video BALD that was shown to the entire church to share that testimony – that was a huge mountain and He gave me UNBELIEVABLE courage to take that kind of bold step. I’ll always be glad I did it and thankful that Buddy Valentine helped me and did that video!! That was HUGE for me.
Thanks for sharing Kris. You’re an incredible woman! I’ll never forget that video. I’m going to try and get a link up so everyone can enjoy it.
Well thanks pastor! As I reflected more on this not only was making that video with Buddy huge – but then I remember sitting in church service and watching it on the big screen with hundreds of people that I kept that secret from – it was terrifying yet I stared fear right in the face that day and said, NO MORE. You just have no idea what it was like for me to sit there and watch it. It was victory. I was only about 35 I think. It’s a moment in time at our church and in my life that will stay with me forever.
I remember that video, It was bold! I’ve always thought Kris was beautiful. I was talking to a friend of mine at work and my friend asked about her husband. I told her he is one of the last true cowboys married to the most perfect woman for him. Kris is beautiful and that video is a revelation of her inner beauty. She is so beyond struggling with her baldness and I am so proud she is stepping in faith to do some new and exciting things as it pertains it this year.
I was down when I met Kris. Me and my husband met her through little league. I was heavily burdened and I possessed a wee bit of faith. God used Kris to drag us up the mountain. She brought us to Harrah Church and nutured us like only Kris knows how to do. So, when she fell away, God used me and Chris. We grabbed each of her hands and drug her up the mountain. She passionately follows Christ now with intimacy that similar to the Apostle Andrew. One by one, she is helping folks up the mountain.
We are new enough to the fellowship that we have missed a lot of the moments often described here. However, knowing those involved helps us to understand the richness of the fellowship to which we now belong. Most recent mountain, for me, was the mountain of nominal Christianity brought about by an abusive eldership at our last church. It was life as a solo Christian, which is no life at all and ,absolutely, contrary to God’s wishes for us. Somehow, through his grace and providence, we have ended up here at Harrah and our faith has grown and we have found purpose and ministry here. Our eyes have been opened by the stories of God’s working among the believers here. We thank God daily for Harrah church and the dedication to true, New Testament Christianity it upholds.
Amen to my husband, Richard. This church, through the power of God, has helped move us from complacency and isolation to involvement and fellowship. We are so thankful. God bless.
Richard and Janice – we are thrilled you are part of the family. You teach us all so much and I’m glad we’re doing life together!!
I was convinced for almost 7 years and I had a mountain of guilt that the things I had done after I fell away from my walk where far too great for God to ever be able to forgive me. The verse “its better to not know at all than to know and turn” was a constant ringing in my ear that I began to hate. I can now see how the devil deceived me with this guilt to keep me in the state I was in. Hes such a trickster that devil is. A day came when God spoke and all it took was a tiny bit of belief that God DID in fact forgive me and the burden was instantly lifted. I havent looked back since. The road has been tremendously harder, in an earthly sense, but that just lets me know I’m on the right track!
I would like to see that video!
Here is the video http://www.vimeo.com/8941914