Tuesday, July 29, 2008

King of the Mountains

During the month of July, Jim and my attention is directed to watching Le Tour de France. Yes, the cable channel Versus televised the individual stages for 21 days, pretty much all day long. And yes, you can bet, if we were home, le Tour was on the television. We kind of lose touch with other world news as we focus our attention to a sport we love... cycling.

The winner of Le Tour de France receives the coveted prize the maillot jaune or as it's more commonly known "The Yellow Jersey". Lance Armstrong made The Yellow Jersey a household name with his 7 Tour wins. And this year, Carlos Sastre was the much deserved winner of the maillot june.

There are other jerseys awarded throughout le Tour. Apart from winning the Tour, each race stage has three further classifications: the points or Sprint competition (green jersey) , the King of the Mountains jersey (the polka dot jersey), and the best young rider jersey (white jersey). At the end of the 21 stages the leader in those categories win the respective maillot.

My favorite jersey is the King of the Mountains Jersey. Pehaps it's because I have a penchant for Polka Dots - it's very fashionable, or more likely it is because of my great love for the mountains, what they mean to me and what God did for me on a cold, crisp March morning 6 years ago on a mountaintop in Colorado.





The "King of the Mountains" wears a white jersey with red dots (maillot à pois rouges), referred to as the "polka dot jersey". The King of the Mountains competition is calculated by points awarded to the first riders at the top of designated hills and mountains, the greatest number of points being awarded for the hardest ascents


I started to think about King of the Mountains and of course my focus went toward THE KING of the mountains - Our Lord Jesus. Enduring the cross to ascend to heaven... I would say, that's the most difficult ascent I can think of. He didn't just make it to the top of the mountain - He was there when they were created! And he will come with glory out of the mountains again!


11I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter."[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.


Revelation 19:11-16


I have a jersey that is a polka dot jersey... I am wearing it in the photo (I am in the front) From now on, when I put that jersey on... I will think of my Jesus. Mighty to save! White, with red... not polka dots... Jesus wears a white robe dipped in blood! He created the mountains, he ascended far above the mountains, out of the mountains he will come again! He is the King of the Mountains... He is the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

Photobucket



11 comments:

Yolanda said...

Don't you love how God reveals to us how involved He is in our day to day lives? How much He wants to be involved....showing Himself so strong.

Blessings Kristen!

Yolanda

Amy said...

Tears are pouring down my face.
I needed to hear that song more than I can tell you.:)
Thank you for putting it on your blog today.
On a lighter note, I love your polka dot jersey, and the story behind it.

I used to love polka dots, because Princess Diana always wore clothes with them. And I loved how she called them "Spots" in her British accent.:)

God Bless,
Amy:)

Kristen said...

I loved polka dots for the same reason! I had a red skirt w/ black polka dots that I loved... I would be laughed at if I wore it today! ha ha

Praying for you... I love that song too!

Angela Baylis said...

I love polka dots, too! I will think of you when I open my blog! Remember, I just added a new look... with polka dots! I love this post so so much, Kristen! I've never heard this song before... and you know how I love my music! Thanks for sharing!
Much love,
Angie xoxo

Angela Baylis said...

p.s. Actually, I will think about Him and the sweet friend He gave me in you!

Tracy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tracy said...

Thank you for another awesome and encouraging post! I will never think of polka dots the same way again! = ) (How I love that song, too!) You’ve got me praising tonight!

Blessings,
Tracy

P.S. Thanks for playing along with your 6 random things...it was lots of fun learning more about you and seeing several things we have in common (Christmas music all year long, that you too love to “fix” things…) I shouldn’t be surprised that you LOVE to cook after that last awesome-looking recipe you posted. Lastly, why is it you look so much younger than me if we graduated the same year!?! ; )

Kelley said...

What a great post, Kristen, I learned so much in reading it. Your passion for the sport of cycling and for Jesus is so obvious! Don't you just love when God uses our passions to speak to us like that? Also, I love the song you posted. It is so powerful!! I will be praying for you and your family as you climb this hill in your life. May God be your strength...

Love and Prayers,
Kelley

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

There's nothing more powerful than tying two things we love together...for you cycling and our Lord. Loved the analogies.:)

On Purpose said...

Kristen your post reminded me today just how awesome our God is. He is so personal and initmate with each of His children. He loves to have a relationship with us. He loves to connect with us and loves to be invited to join in our passions and interests.

You go girl! Ride for Jesus!

Kristen said...

Hello Kristen Schwark! It is lovely to meet you. I am glad you found me! It is wonderful to meet another sister in Christ. I have enjoyed looking through your blog. My husband has many roots in the Wisconsin area, so maybe we are related in that direction? I think we should definitely pursue finding out if we are related.
Have a wonderful week and I look forward to connecting with you in the future.