Mountain View Conference | Seventh-day Adventist Church

July 22, 2021: David’s Story

“But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14, KJV).

One hot July, I was working as a literature evangelist. That morning, I held just one lead card—the person I had been requested to visit that day. The name David was scribbled on the card, obviously a child’s handwriting. The house was more than an hour away on narrow roads.

It was two days before payday, and my tires were bald. I had enough fuel to make the trip, and $1.76 in cash.

Dear Lord, tell me what to do.

Mountaintop Meets Needs Inside, Outside of Church

Mountaintop and community members fellowship together over a Thanksgiving meal.

Story by Valerie Morikone

“I am so grateful that the stories of the Bible are not imprisoned in dried ink printed on thinly sliced trees. Instead, it is bursting with life and full of lessons that teach us of the power of God,” shares Matt Haire, pastor of the Mountaintop church in Oakland, Md., who also pastors the Kingwood and Morgantown churches in West Virginia. “It is our duty to lift the Bible up as the standard of living and to point everyone to the Savior.”

July 16, 2021: A Solution for Every Problem

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (1 Sam. 30:6, KJV).

This verse is my source of comfort and peace, because it shows both the problem and solution to everyday stress.

Problem: David was greatly distressed.
Solution: David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

July 13, 2021: Take a Stand!

“Then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. ... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15, NIV).

Israel had witnessed the Lord’s powerful hand at work during their campaign to conquer the idolatrous inhabitants of the land of Canaan. Despite this—and without excuses—they weren’t fully devoted to God.

From the crossing of the Red Sea to the water that gushed from the rock at Horeb to manna that fell daily, they should have viewed each miracle as an opportunity to firm up their allegiance to God. They had witnessed so much of His love, and each instance should have brought them closer to their Lord, solidifying their total devotion to Him.

July 7, 2021: God’s Adoption Plan

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15, KJV).

My daughter recently adopted a little girl whom she was fostering since she was two days old. It amazes me to see a person have so much love for a child that isn’t biologically theirs.

It took two years and fostering a total of five children until my daughter was able to adopt this girl. During this time, my daughter experienced heartache, sleepless nights, court dates, social workers, parental visitation and more. She battled tremendous emotional upheaval every time she bonded with a child, then had to send him or her back home.