Today’s entry in the book is what led me to blog the previous post.  Today’s is about two mountains.  Hebrews 12:18, 22-23.   " You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm. But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven."

Joni talks of the difference of the beautiful snow capped mountains of the Sierras and shows the differences that Mt St. Helen’s smoky plum renders.    Two mountains. Two vies of life. One depicts a God of gloom and doom. The other represents a God of joy and forgiveness.  She talks alot of depression and what each mountain represents to her.  But her plea was – Don’t pitch your tent at the foot of that fearful mountain.  Brush up on your topography and walk in the direction of Zion today. "May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life" Ps 128:5.

My prayers for my friends is that they look towards Zion and not to the mountain of despair.  I pray that no matter what stands in their path, or how their circumstances change, that they will be able to look up.  I have a corner, a small corner, in my back yard that looks towards Broken Top.  It is a smallish mountain peak between Mt Bachelor and the Three Sisters.  But it is my view.  I enjoy walking to that corner of the yard to see how the view has changed. Is it cloudy? What color is the sky? Is it clear? Is there snow? Are the rocks poking out underneath the blanket of snow that is receding in the heat?  The view changes almost hourly, definitely daily. But Broken Top is still the same.  And – It is always beautiful, rugged, larger than life, yet small in my view. 

What mountain are you choosing to camping nearby?