Every once in a while, I find that I have to return to what I know for sure....

I am continually struck by the imagery presented in song and scripture.  Of the many wonderful references made, one that makes me tear up almost every time is the reference to rock's crying out.  Scripturally, I have this reference highlighted in a couple of places in my Bible; once in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament.  The Old Testament reference is found in Habakkuk 2:11 while the New Testament reference is found in Luke 19:40.  Both use the imagery of rocks crying out in testimony, but from my limited understanding, for distinctly separate reasons.  For my purposes today, I am making reference found in the Gospel of Luke.

In Luke 19:28-44, we read of Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.  As the crowd gathers just prior to Jesus entry into the city, the Apostles began to give glory to God for all that they had seen (v 37).  The praise of the Apostles was further qualified as "joyfully" and "loud".  The imagery that this suggests is that kind of praise which is Spirit lead.  In other words, praise of such magnitude that if you don't get it out, if you don't dance around, raise your hands and celebrate and scream at the top of your lungs, surely you will implode by keeping it in.  From there, we see that several Pharisees, who had gathered in with the crowd, were horrified at this behavior and instructed Christ to rebuke his disciples.  After this, Jesus says the following:

"I tell you, he replied, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Growing up in Colorado, I understand the concept of rocks.  Through scientific principles, we understand that mountain formations (big rocks) can be the result of plates pushing against one another, volcanic activity or formation by means of glacier carving.  While all of that makes sense from a purely scientific standpoint, and I know it to be true, I think that mountains are also the fulfillment of scripture.  Simply stated, I believe that mountains are nothing more than rocks that are crying out and stretching towards heaven just to be close to and glorify our God.  This belief is affirmed every time that I spend anytime in the mountains at all.  There is a peace there - a peace and a closeness to God that I cannot explain in any other way than the rocks crying out and I am somehow entering into a joyous celebration that cannot be heard, only experienced.  I love and truly miss, that daily experience....

I have attached a link to a song which maybe explains my thoughts more fully in this matter.  I hope that you enjoy it.

Your brother in Christ,

Jim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hsmF5o68cw