NLDC BACKSTAGE: August 2009

Mountain Top vs. Valley

A very dear friend of ours shared once about a difficult time she went through in her life. She made reference to how lonely this time was but how much closer to Jesus she felt. She said that we have looked at the mountain top experiences and valleys of life all backwards. We asked God for understanding. Knowing how God often speaks through nature, we considered the mountain top and the valley.

We rock climb and hike for weeks on end as a family. It’s something we do for fun! We have climbed a few mountains. Being on the mountain top isn’t such a great feeling really. Every time we’ve been to a mountain top, yeah the view is great, but physically we’re exhausted. Often it’s very barren, rocky, lonely, windy, & storms pop up at any given moment. It takes a ton of effort to get there. In some cases, the air is so thin on the mountain, the climber is unable to breathe on their own and bottled oxygen is needed.
Down in the valley, things are very different. It’s lush, green, water flows, things grow, there’s life! It’s comfortable and warm. But, you can’t see very far. Some valleys have colorful, beautiful and extremely venomous creatures living in them and you have no idea when or where they’re going to strike!
What if those extended times of what seemed desert like, was really God being faithful to take us back to the mountain top for a closeness of relationship with Him. We have asked God to take us to the mountain. When it gets lonely or uncomfortable, do we recognize the place we are and take joy in Jesus for being faithful?

~Lori Brooks – NLDC Administration

Testimony from the Road

Our Team recently worked at a Christian camp in Indiana. It went amazingly well, because God was definitely there. Working at the camp had its difficult and exhausting moments. There were even times when it felt like the kids weren’t even paying attention or getting anything from the camp; but when it came to our services though that assumption was proven way wrong. We were able to see these kids grow stronger and closer to God and over 35 of them came to know the Lord as their savior! It was amazing to see these kids on their knees and weeping before the Lord.

During the camp they were encouraged to give their all to God. God showed us that even when it seems like what we’re doing isn’t making a difference; God’s Word will never come back void. God will bring results!

~Emilee Meadows