Do You Have a Mountain to Climb?

When I saw this photo posted on Facebook, the first thing I noticed was that this man didn't let his injury stop him from living.  Retired Marine Sgt. Keith Zeier lost his leg and suffered a severe brain injury in Iraq in 2006.

Yet, here he is, in New Hampshire, climbing Mt. Washington's MOST DIFFICULT route to raise funds and awareness for families of Special Operation forces killed and wounded in action.

Wounds and injuries did not control him.  He chose to climb a mountain.

1. He didn't stop living.
2. His wounds didn't master him.
3. He did not isolate himself because of injuries.
4. He picked out an even bigger mountain to climb.
5. He chose to have an "I can do this" attitude.

I was encouraged by this soldier.  You and I have mountains to climb.  I certainly have mine.  It may not be Mt. Washington and I may not have chosen this particular mountain...nevertheless, it is still a mountain in my life.

The brave efforts of this young warrior offers valuable lessons.

1. I do not have to quit.
2. I do not have to remain in a wounded state.
3. I can get up and push on.
4. I can tackle a mountain that seems unconquerable.
5. I can follow my dream to do something profitable and fulfilling in life.

It is not always easy, but it can be done!  The soldier's mountain reminded me of an Elvis tune:

But this time, Lord you gave me a mountain
A mountain you know I may never climb
It isn't just a hill any longer
You gave me a mountain this time

Shake off self-pity.  Get out there and ON PURPOSE  find a mountain to climb.  If you feel as though God has turned your hill into a mountain, take heart.  If he put a mountain in your path, He intends for you to BE SUCCESSFUL and climb it.  Don't give up.  He can and will turn your mountain into a plain.

Isaiah 45:2 "I will go before  you and will level the mountains..."

Proverbs 3:6  "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (make your path smooth and straight)

You are alive and you have a God-Given purpose.  No one else can fulfill your destiny and accomplish your God-Given vision on this earth.

"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible."  And, Remember, We serve a Mighty God who does the IMPOSSIBLE!

In the realm where God rules there is no such thing as impossible - Enter that possible realm and He will meet you there.
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5 FB QUESTIONS, real answers

Today I posted the Prompts in Facebook Status Field:

1. How are you feeling, Jane?
2. Share how you're doing, Jane.
3. What have you been up to, Jane?
4. How has your day been, Jane?
5. What's happening, Jane?

I'm sure the purpose for these questions is to
get you to sharing on Facebook.  BUT:
I use control and I don't answer  those questions.

After reading the post, I decided to elaborate on the questions...one by one.   So, here goes.

1.  How are you feeling, Jane?

Are they referring to emotions or my physical body?  Much of it depends on which hour of the day you ask the question!  It also depends on who said what - or the struggle I'm facing - or what frustrates me at the time...it depends on a lot of things, as to how I am feeling!

Actually, I'm better off if I don't go by feelings!  Life would be much enhanced if I lived by "what thus saith the Lord" rather than "what thus saith Jane" -  But, thanks for asking, anyway.  Next question?

2.  Share how you're doing, Jane?

How am I doing?  I'm doing great!  Even though our nation and the entire world is falling apart and going to the dogs, I'm just fine! 

3.  What have you been up to, Jane?

You don't really want to know.  It would be a boring story.  Life is not a Hollywood movie, it is reality.  But, thanks for asking, anyway.  Next question?

4.  How has your day been, Jane?

Sometimes different than the day before.  But, thanks for asking, anyway.  Next question?

5.  What's happening, Jane?

I'm writing my second blog for the day.  Want to know what my first blog was about?  Read it.  But, thanks for asking, anyway.  No more questions?  Shucks.

Now, this was written all in fun.  I'm an average person with an average life.  But, the difference is that I know and serve a risen King who will one day rapture me and other believers, out of here.  Then, ask me the same five questions and I will tell you:

1.  I'm feeling mighty fine.  I'm in a place where there is no sorrow or pain.  It doesn't even get dark here.  Jesus is the Light.  There is no sickness here, either.
2.  I'm doing greater than I could ever have imagined.  Everything is Heavenly!
3.  I've been praising Jesus Christ ever since I arrived.  I'm watching the saints fall at His feet as they lay their crowns before Him.  There's just so much to do - for all eternity.
4.  My day has been out of this world.  I've hugged my family - friends - and the saints from all ages.  I met Moses, Abraham, Paul, Peter, and a host of others that I only read about in the Bible.  Oh, my goodness, let me tell you about my visit with Mark, Matthew, Luke and John....Wow.  Their stories are incredible.
5.  You ask "What's Happening?" - Well, here it is!  I'm at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  You wouldn't believe this feast!  What a celebration!!  The eternal agenda is jam packed with activities.  I'm soaking in the beauty of the  jasper walls, streets of pure gold, and gates of pearl.  Oh yes, I almost forgot to tell you about the rive of water of life, clear as crystal, and it comes out of the throne of God and the Lamb.

Most of all, I'm trying to take in the fact that I am in the presence of Jesus for all eternity!  The One who died for me on the cross.  The One who shed His blood for my sins!  Wow. 

I have a future here.   A future that will never end.

Thanks for asking.  Next question?

Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come, And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

20-  Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21- The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.

Happy New Year~ 2013

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying

new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your

world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly,

you're Doing Something.

 So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself.

Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes

nobody's ever made before.

Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't

perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.” 
 
―     Neil Gaiman, author 

Above all else, determine to have a happy life...
Make it a happy year from
January 1 through December 31...
one day a time.

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