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The Mountains Are Calling: Making the Climb for a Clearer View of God and Ourselves
The senior pastor of one of the largest and most diverse churches in America gives a call to Study the mountains mentioned in Scripture. Learn what God reveals there about himself, and you. Then take those truths back to the people.
An overview of the mountaintop experiences mentioned in Scripture where God met with his followers for the express purpose of greater clarity on two Who is God? and Who am I? Each chapter provides the reader with a clear picture of God's character and how those attributes both challenge and encourage us.
Praise for The Mountains Are Calling
"What an incredible book to walk us through the mountaintop experiences God gave to so many of his saints in Scripture. If you've longed for a new kind of intimacy with God, a fresh experience of who he is and what he wants for you, this book is for you. It will, as Jarrett Stephens promises, change your perspective, first on who God is and second on who you are. You'll love this book!"
--J. D. Greear, PhD, pastor of The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, NC "Most of us have had a mountaintop experience that quickly loses its luster or exhausts its energy. In The Mountains Are Calling , Jarrett Stephens will equip and empower you to recognize God's hand in those spiritual moments that can be a catalyst for your growth. Whether you are literally going to the mountains or just putting aside time for God, Jarrett will show you how God can use it."
--Kyle Idleman, pastor and author of Not a Fan and Grace Is Greater
An overview of the mountaintop experiences mentioned in Scripture where God met with his followers for the express purpose of greater clarity on two Who is God? and Who am I? Each chapter provides the reader with a clear picture of God's character and how those attributes both challenge and encourage us.
Praise for The Mountains Are Calling
"What an incredible book to walk us through the mountaintop experiences God gave to so many of his saints in Scripture. If you've longed for a new kind of intimacy with God, a fresh experience of who he is and what he wants for you, this book is for you. It will, as Jarrett Stephens promises, change your perspective, first on who God is and second on who you are. You'll love this book!"
--J. D. Greear, PhD, pastor of The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, NC "Most of us have had a mountaintop experience that quickly loses its luster or exhausts its energy. In The Mountains Are Calling , Jarrett Stephens will equip and empower you to recognize God's hand in those spiritual moments that can be a catalyst for your growth. Whether you are literally going to the mountains or just putting aside time for God, Jarrett will show you how God can use it."
--Kyle Idleman, pastor and author of Not a Fan and Grace Is Greater
224 pages, Paperback
Published August 7, 2018
22 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 24, 2018
I received an ARC of The Mountains are Calling through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book, as Stephens explains, is based on a series of talks he gave at a youth summer camp based in the mountains of Colorado. As the time of the camp approached, he got the inspiration to base the talks on a number of the mountains introduced to us in scripture.
In the book version, these became the chapters.
Each chapter is a blend of story, scripture and steps toward finding meeting between the two. The author also includes ‘Climbing Exercises’ as a type of an appendix. These ‘exercises’ can be used alone or, even better (as he suggests) with a small faith sharing group.
Overall, I found the stories and reflections to be thought provoking. I have to admit that I was attracted to the book and description partially because of our location, close to the Rocky Mountains where my husband spends much of his time and energy. Mountains have always had a mystical draw, and much of this book brings that out.
I have to admit that my theological approach differs from the author’s at many points. However, I suspect that the author would see these differences as something to discuss over coffee in his favourite coffee shop rather than something that would force us apart.
Thank you for sharing the wisdom, experience and love for the Gospel!
This book, as Stephens explains, is based on a series of talks he gave at a youth summer camp based in the mountains of Colorado. As the time of the camp approached, he got the inspiration to base the talks on a number of the mountains introduced to us in scripture.
In the book version, these became the chapters.
Each chapter is a blend of story, scripture and steps toward finding meeting between the two. The author also includes ‘Climbing Exercises’ as a type of an appendix. These ‘exercises’ can be used alone or, even better (as he suggests) with a small faith sharing group.
Overall, I found the stories and reflections to be thought provoking. I have to admit that I was attracted to the book and description partially because of our location, close to the Rocky Mountains where my husband spends much of his time and energy. Mountains have always had a mystical draw, and much of this book brings that out.
I have to admit that my theological approach differs from the author’s at many points. However, I suspect that the author would see these differences as something to discuss over coffee in his favourite coffee shop rather than something that would force us apart.
Thank you for sharing the wisdom, experience and love for the Gospel!
November 23, 2018
Some of the best days of my life have been those when I have hiked up mountains and stood on their summits. I feel the realness of God when I'm on a mountaintop, so I can connect deeply with the metaphor that describes high points of faith as a mountaintop experiences. I know when I'm on a mountain summit, I often think, "Why can't I just stay here forever?" But I know my summit joy is a fleeting and momentary experience. I suppose I really don't want to stay on that mountaintop (not just because I have an extreme fear of lightning) because I know if that incredible feeling was something I could experience more often, it would become mundane and ordinary. That would kind of defeat the point.
With that in mind, I was excited to come across the book "The Mountains are Calling" by Jarrett Stephens. I was sure I would connect with it. Until I read this book, I never realized how often God called people to mountains and how some of the seemingly most important moments and stories of the Bible happened on mountains: Abraham's call to sacrifice Isaac, Moses and the burning bush, Jesus' first major sermon, etc. And I'm not talking about metaphors here--these things physically and truly happened on mountains. Each chapter of the book is based on some mountain and what Godly thing happened there. Then each chapter explores how the people changed from that event or what the people were supposed to take from the mountaintop and take down to the world below.
Standing on a literal mountaintop changes me and my perspective. It challenges me to think about God, who He is, who I am, and what in the world this life is all about. I like to believe that God intends for me to take something important from each mountaintop hike and carry it with me back down to my life on the plains. That's the message of this book on a metaphorical level--God still uses mountaintop experiences in our lives today: "He is waiting for us to ascend the mountains to know him more intimately and to grow stronger in our relationship with Him. He will continue to call us upward to his voice. When we answer, when we start the climb, he will change our perspective of who he is and who we are" (176-177).
With that in mind, I was excited to come across the book "The Mountains are Calling" by Jarrett Stephens. I was sure I would connect with it. Until I read this book, I never realized how often God called people to mountains and how some of the seemingly most important moments and stories of the Bible happened on mountains: Abraham's call to sacrifice Isaac, Moses and the burning bush, Jesus' first major sermon, etc. And I'm not talking about metaphors here--these things physically and truly happened on mountains. Each chapter of the book is based on some mountain and what Godly thing happened there. Then each chapter explores how the people changed from that event or what the people were supposed to take from the mountaintop and take down to the world below.
Standing on a literal mountaintop changes me and my perspective. It challenges me to think about God, who He is, who I am, and what in the world this life is all about. I like to believe that God intends for me to take something important from each mountaintop hike and carry it with me back down to my life on the plains. That's the message of this book on a metaphorical level--God still uses mountaintop experiences in our lives today: "He is waiting for us to ascend the mountains to know him more intimately and to grow stronger in our relationship with Him. He will continue to call us upward to his voice. When we answer, when we start the climb, he will change our perspective of who he is and who we are" (176-177).
June 20, 2018
This devotional type study book by Jarrett Stephens is based on a series of sermons he delivered to a youth camp based in the Colorado mountains. The sermon series was developed as a way to share the different challenges and stories that took place on mountains within the Bible. The author takes the reader through the different mountains and associated passages in the Bible. He starts with a personal story and segways into the relevant biblical passage and outcome of both the Bible story and his personal story. There are 10 chapters with related study questions in the back of the book.
This book could easily be used within a small group. Bible study class or as an individual study.
I learned so much from this devotional study.
I appreciate the style of his writing and feel as if I would love to hear him preach a sermon! It is such a blessing to find a book to read that is written by a solid Bible teacher who is inspired solely by God’s Word and the desire to share that with others. I definitely recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
This book could easily be used within a small group. Bible study class or as an individual study.
I learned so much from this devotional study.
I appreciate the style of his writing and feel as if I would love to hear him preach a sermon! It is such a blessing to find a book to read that is written by a solid Bible teacher who is inspired solely by God’s Word and the desire to share that with others. I definitely recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
February 18, 2019
A look at the events on the mountain tops written about in the Bible and the personal lessons we can take from them. Each mountain is a chapter in the book and focuses on one characteristic or attribute of God. Jarrett wove his own experiences and relationships into the stories to show how these mountain top experiences can be used to strengthen our relationship with the Lord. This is a thought-provoking book that I find both encouraging and inspirational. This book can be read alone or with a group as a devotional study. I’m sending my copy of this book to a Christian Non-fiction Postal Book Club, but I’m going purchase a second copy so that I can complete the “Climbing Exercises” included at the end of the book. Jarrett is a great teaching Pastor, and I would encourage you to read anything he authors. I hope to see more books from Jarrett in the future.
May 7, 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Mountains are Calling was a very deep and encouraging read. It felt like I could get lost in that sermon and wished I could be present at the youth camp when Jarrett was walking through these various Mountains. I enjoyed reading the personal experiences along with each chapter. The author, Jarret Stephens, did not hold back and invited us to think about our own experiences. I am sure this will make a great topic in any group who should be privileged enough to read your book.
The Mountains are Calling was a very deep and encouraging read. It felt like I could get lost in that sermon and wished I could be present at the youth camp when Jarrett was walking through these various Mountains. I enjoyed reading the personal experiences along with each chapter. The author, Jarret Stephens, did not hold back and invited us to think about our own experiences. I am sure this will make a great topic in any group who should be privileged enough to read your book.
January 29, 2019
"The Mountains Are Calling" is referring to the mountaintop experiences we long to have with God. The author recounts various mountains in Scripture and the occurrences there, weaving in his own experiences. He encourages us to use those mountaintop experiences to better understand ourselves and our relationship to God, but ultimately to return to the valley of our everyday lives to share what we've learned.
December 31, 2022
I enjoyed this easy-to-read book on the mountains in the Bible. I appreciated the reminders that we can’t always stay on the mountain and live those glory moments; we must do our valley work that we were put here for. I also liked how each chapter / mountain was so relatable. He made it a connection that anyone could relate to, as a good pastor would do. I enjoyed this book during some personal valley moments. It gave great perspective and insight.
July 2, 2020
Really insightful. I enjoyed the methodical look at each of the mentions of mountains in the Bible, what took place on them, and what they can tell us about the Character of God and how we can walk more closely with him up the mountain. It was especially relatable as I sit looking at the Rocky Mountains and thinking about how God is still the God of the mountain as well as the valleys.
March 14, 2019
A great devotional book that illuminates the mountain top experiences we see in scripture. They are not all joyful, but they are relatable and reading about these familiar passages in a different light is helpful and encouraging.
April 3, 2019
I started with high hopes and then .. it just felt relatively .. mild to me. I can’t describe it any other way. It was just “ok.” There are too many great books waiting to be read to spend more time paying myself through an “ok” book.
August 14, 2018
A great reminder of the times we feel most close to the Lord. Our “mountaintop moments”. But also a great look at mountaintop moments in the Bible. A great study that helps you learn and reflect.
May 4, 2020
Really enjoyed this as a devotional, the chapters are short and thought-provoking. Encouraging and easy to read, and left me feeling closer to God.
May 11, 2021
Pointing out how climbing The Mountains with Lord Jesus Christ makes life now and for ever great.
March 14, 2019
If anyone is thinking of reading “The Mountains are Calling,” and is maybe a Christian looking for some inspiration, or wanting to relive those old times at church camp, or would enjoy a realistic view of what Jesus did on the cross for us, then I would absolutely recommend this.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews