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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Valley (08/10/06)
Mountaintops from Valley Experiences

The first thing I thought of when I saw this week’s topic was the lyrics found in two songs, “The God of the mountain is still God of the valley,” and, “Thank You for the valley I walk through today. The darker the valley the more I learn to pray. Thank You for the lilies that are blooming by the way. I thank You for the valley I walk through today.” We can see that valley experiences more often than not are considered disadvantageous or at least undesirable to face. They are considered trying times. The fact is that, for a born again believer, walking through a valley is an opportunity for Christian growth and maturity. For the unsaved it can be a call to repentance.

What Christian has not been challenged by a valley experience? Scripture records trying times for Job, Peter, Paul, Jeremiah, and Joseph just to mention a few. Our Lord had the most excruciatingly painful valley experiences during His earthly ministry and we are the beneficiaries of those experiences throughout eternity. Without a doubt one’s valleys can be extremely difficult and traumatic whether they are caused by relationships problems, financial setbacks, health situations, or the loss of a loved one. Job’s valley brought forth this despondent expression, “May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, ‘a boy is born!’” (Job 3:3 NIV) Yet Job’s post valley life was comparatively more blessed than it was prior to His valley time. (Job 42:12) And he learned valuable lessons as a result; lessons that we can assimilate into our own lives and valley experiences today. God never fails to come through and provides the means to turn our valleys into mountaintops.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
08/17/06
There is much truth in everything you wrote here! Consider adding personal examples or anecdotes, to make your piece stand out from others with similar themes. Thanks for writing this!
Brenda Kern 
08/22/06
Perhaps this could have been expanded to include some of your own personal experiences and what you learned from them, whether good times or bad. (But don't worry, you wouldn't have to share the most painful things.)

This is well-written, and I'd encourage you to stretch and grow next time!
Allison Egley 
08/23/06
I agree that a personal example or two would help. Also, I woud have started just by quoting the two songs. The introduction of "When I thought of this topic..." doesn't draw readers in. Expand this with personal examples, reword the begining a bit, and this would be a great piece!