I don't think I ever wrote this blog about one of my favourite bible stories. It is found in 1 Kings and is written on my header.  Elijah goes running off to the desert in fear of Jezebel.  The Lord sustains him for fourty days and nights as he goes to Mount Horeb. When he is on the mountaintop  God reveals himself to Elijah.  The Lord says to Elijah "Go forth, and stand on the mountain before the Lord."  A wind, earthquake and fire are all manifested but it says that 'the Lord was not in them.'  Lastly the sound of a gentle blowing came and when Elijah heard it he wrapped his face and went out to entrance of the cave he was in.  The Lord asked him why he was there and finally tells Elijah to 'go return.'  I find this to be an amazing story.  Elijah is such a cool guy to start with and then you add in a mountaintop experience. Just imagine how wonderful and terrifying it would be to witness and experience all of this.   Elijah runs away to isolation and nature and while there he encounters the Lord of everything. He is asked 'why are you here?'  Indeed,  why am I half of the places that I go to?  In my thoughts, in my viewing, in my reading, in my speaking.  God is there.  If I just sit down for some reflection I can hear his gentle whisper and feel him prodding me, breaking me, shaping me.   I do live on the 'mountaintop' here in Hamilton  but I can tell you that alot of the time I am 'slugging it out' in the valley.  Sometimes I go there when I'm not supposed to and sometimes the Lord brings me there.  The times on the mountain are glorious and refreshing but I can't stay. I have to 'go return' just as God told Elijah to.  If I could only remember that He is always there waiting to be called upon.  He is ready to offer me strength, courage, and nourishment for everyday.  What a shepherd, what a friend, what a Saviour!