ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!  That’s what I want you to know today … right now!  Those words are spoken much too infrequently, or sometimes out of ulterior motives – but not genuinely spoken as much as every living person needs to hear them!  Let’s see if I can boost the percentages on this … because I truly want YOU to know how very beautiful YOU are!  Those are the words that rolled from our lips as we first laid eyes on the photos of our very first great-grandchild – the one we wrote about last week as we were praying for a miracle in the womb.  Within just a few days of that writing, and many praises and prayers later … baby Emma Ryann Knoll was born on August 17^th at 4:33 p.m., weighing 7 lbs. 5 oz. and measuring 21” long!  YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, baby Emma!  We couldn’t help but say those words!  A new creation, hand-designed by the Master life-giver ~ and here she is on earth and a part of our family!  May she be a princess-warrior for Jesus all the days of her life!  I’m sure we will tell her many times throughout her life just how beautiful she is.  And now that brings me to you!  YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!  How do I know?  Well, because I can “see” … and because “God told me so!”  There’s a song that talks about seeing through God’s eyes – and that has touched me so much.  For that’s how I want to see people … I want to see their full beauty and their full potential, just as God looks at each of us.  You did know, didn’t you, that He thinks WE ARE BEAUTIFUL?!  Well, He does!  And I’m here to tell you just how beautiful He thinks you are.  He only makes the best … so listen to these words that He inspired David the psalmist to pen:  “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  The psalmist goes on, “My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”  (Psalm 39: 13-16)  He SAW us, and He liked what He saw.  Had He not been happy with His creation, He would have done some re-designing and tweaking while we were still being formed.  But here we are, just as He planned, and He thinks we are beautiful and special and valuable!  And my husband and I agree!  We think you are beautiful!  And special!  And valuable!  And we want YOU to agree – with us and with God!  These days we mostly hear how awful and ugly and bad people are.  We hear how worthless some people are.  Some say that others are “good for nothing!”  Wow, that really makes a person feel beautiful and loved and valued, doesn’t it?  Thinking and praying about what God wanted me to share for this week’s blog, the statement, “Let people know they are beautiful!”, dropped into my heart.  So I really want you to get this … and truly believe it!  Coming home from work, I opened an envelope from a mission organization and knew this message for you was from God when I read the following paragraph:  “One team was ministering to women in a village in Panama.  A team member named Stephanie was sharing with a woman in her fifties.  Reading to her from Psalm 139, Stephanie proceeded to tell this woman of her value, and that she was beautiful.  The woman began to weep, and explained that no one in her whole life had ever told her she was beautiful.  Sharing God’s love is that simple.”  (End of quote from Mark Brock, with Youth With A Mission)  Let’s not let countless people go to their grave thinking they are not beautiful.  Let’s get busy with spreading this life-changing message, “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!”  

 

 

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

 

 

SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS to David on the birth of his new granddaughter this past week; may God bless all!

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Marty on August 30^th; may God bless you with your best year ever!

GOD’S BLESSINGS to Whitney & Matt on becoming parents to baby Emma, and to Dana & Stacey on becoming grandparents to this precious gift from God!

 

SUN, AUG 26:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP/”All Spiritual Gifts Are to be Couched in Love!”  I Cor. 11,12,13

SUN, AUG 26:   11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION CLASSES for all ages – plan to stay and learn!

SUN, SEP 02:  10:00 A.M. -  PRAISE & WORSHIP/”Are You A Laborer in God’s Harvest Fields?”  Luke, chapter 10

SUN, SEP 02:   11:15 AM. – KINDOM CONNECTION CLASSES for deepening your walk with God!

SUN, SEP 09:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP/COMMUNION – remembering what Christ did for us!

SUN, SEP 09:  POTLUCK LUNCH with Planning & Visionary Church Meeting to follow; bring favorite foods to share!

 

PRAYER OPPORTUNTIES . . . Hazel’s loss of her sister-in-law; students returning to schools; unspoken needs

REMEMBER . . . “May God give you eyes to see beauty only the heart can understand!” ~ Unknown

 

 

 

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

 

 

Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

 

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

“WHERE MOUNTAINS CAN MOVE YOU!”  That’s the South Dakota Tourism slogan – because of the amazing sight of four of our President’s faces carved into the side of the mountains, and of course, don’t forget the ever-growing image of Crazy Horse that emerges from the side of yet another mountain, more with each passing year!  The moment I actually “saw” that slogan, it was like something clicked!  Yes, we all know about mountains, don’t we?  Sure, many of us may not be able to rattle off the names of all the highest peaks or list all of the mountain ranges … but we are experts, indeed, when it comes to the mountains that we face on a daily basis!  Do you ever feel like you are scaling mountains almost as much as you are walking on level ground these days?  Well, you are in good company, for lots of us are walking in those same hiking shoes!  Sometimes, we even have the ropes attached to us to keep us safe from slipping off the precarious, rocky edges.  And we dig in.  We put one foot in front of the other.  And we climb.  We choose each step carefully and keep our eyes on the peak high above us.  Will we ever get there?  It seems so daunting, doesn’t it?  But reaching the very top will make all the slippery slopes and rugged terrain worthwhile!  A few mornings ago, I scaled an unexpected mountain when I received a phone call at work (our children never call us at work unless the reason merits doing so).  So when I saw who it was, my heart began to beat a bit faster.  What would I hear when I answered?  Taking a deep breath, I heard the news that our baby Emma – who will be our very first great-grandchild and who is about to make her appearance – was not moving in her mommy’s womb.  That is so unlike her.  She wakes her mommy up every morning with her topsy-turvy antics!  This particular morning … nothing.  Worried, her mommy who is our granddaughter, Whitney, called her mom to say she was heading to the hospital.  Whitney’s mom, Stacey, was on her way to meet her and she dialed my phone.  Quickly filling me in, she asked me to pray.  The mountain suddenly loomed large in front of me.  “Dear God, help us,” I cried out inside.  Taking a short break from my work, I listened to her words, and with news like this, there’s a part of you inside that simply freezes – your heart nearly stops.  I told Stacey, “let’s pray right now!”  And pray, we did!  As much as we were asking God for the miracle for little Emma, we implored God for peace … His peace!  Trusting, and clinging to His promises, thinking of all of our prayers for her all these nearly nine months – we continued to pray.  Finally, a text came in to my phone.  “Emma’s alright – they found her heartbeat!”  A torrent of overwhelming praise and gratitude to our Father in Heaven ensues!  Then, another text.  Baby Emma is very lethargic; the medical staff is ordering a special ultra-sound.  Our human questions kick in:  “She’s alive, but could something be wrong?”  The dangerous slopes seem too close for comfort.  Can I get a strong enough footing?  Oh yes, I must keep looking up!  I dare not look down below where all the worst scenarios are swirling.  “Oh God, You are our Strength, our Hope, an ever-present Help in time of trouble … I praise Your Holy Name!”  Finally the medical answer comes, and as I reach the summit and see the breathtaking view of God’s wonder-working power, I can catch my breath and celebrate that “Baby Emma was just having a sleepy day … and her mommy could go back home and wait for the moment of her birth!”  (doctor’s quote)  This great-gramma-to-be was dancing on the mountaintop with my personal claim on Psalm 139:13-14: “For You created Emma’s inmost being; you knit her together in her mother’s womb.  She can praise You because she is fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  Like mine was, may YOUR mountain be moved, too, through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

OUR PRAYERS & SYMPATHY are with Jesse in the recent loss of his Grampa; may God’s comfort & peace be yours!

SUN, AUG 19:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP w/conclusion of, “God’s Spiritual Gifts – Serving with Power!”

SUN, AUG 19:  10:00 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION with classes and learning for everyone!  Participate with us!

SUN, AUG 26:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP, w/message, “The Most Important Gift of All” from I Cor, 13

WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE ticket money is due now; please turn your $89 in to Debbie.  Keep inviting gals!

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Zoe’s family/loss from the fire, new believers, college students, and unspoken needs

REMEMBER . . . “We are not alone on our journey … We never have to feel lost in our struggles, but can always trust that God walks with us (even moving mountains for us!)”  ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

HOW DO WE THANK GOD?  Do we only see our glass as half-empty … or do we realize we have a glass that is half-full and gratefully express our thanks to God for giving us that much!  I had to preach myself a little sermon after our wonderfully full household emptied out this week after a few incredible days with kids and grandkids.  You know how it is … you pour yourself into the preparations wrapped in excitement and anticipation.  You want everything to be ready and to be as treasured a time as possible ~ especially when you only see each other a few days out of the entire year!  So you attempt to pack as much living as you possibly can into only a few days arranged around an extended family reunion.  And while we were blessed immeasurably to just simply look around and see our family here with us and hear their voices and their laughter … all too soon, we saw fleeting glimpses of them disappearing in the distance as they headed back to their own homes.  The deafening quietness, the absence of movement, and only the memory of their presence – left me feeling like my glass was half-empty.  What we enjoyed was so precious, yet it left me wishing there could have been more.  More relaxed time.  More talks.  More time to run here and there experiencing fun adventures without a schedule to work around.  But then … nothing is ever perfect, is it?  But you see, I give myself very limited time for sadness or regrets.   I refuse to be sad for very long.  I will pick up the glass that I first saw as half-empty and I will take a new look at it.  This time I will see that it is truly packed with moments that far outweigh my wishes to have been able to “make everything happen” in the short time we had together.  I will thank God that even in our busyness … we could pick up where we left off.  Our sons got to know each other’s children after four years apart – and spend valuable time together as brothers.  The couples were able to take off and enjoy a few outings which gave us longed-for-grandkid-time!  I was gifted with a late Saturday night chat with one of our older grandsons and our youngest granddaughter as together we spent nearly the entire conversation on spiritual things.  The three little boys were generous with their hugs, smiles, and noisy fun and we savored every minute of it all.  Several of us gathered in the kitchen to laugh our way through a huge pasta-salad-making process for the reunion that kept all of us in team-work mode … and in stitches!  We had the privilege of worshipping together in God’s House here at Elevation North!  One evening we sat outdoors around the blazing fire-pit as darkness fell.  And great-gramma and great-grandson got to celebrate their shared birthdays … 80^th and 7^th … together with all of us around them!  We got to be a family … physically, which for us, is rare.  Are we perfect? No, not at all.  But we are loved by each other and by God, and that makes our glasses filled to the brim and running over!  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever!”  (Psalm 23:6a)  Let me ask you, “How do you thank God?”  I hope you see your glass – not just filled, but overflowing with God’s abundant goodness!  Go ahead, take another look!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

A SPECIAL WELCOME to first & second time visitors, Merry-Rose and Becky, who joined us in worship recently! 

LOVING ANNIVERSARY WISHES to our son and daughter-in-love, Dustin and Becky, on August 15th!  We love you!

SPECIAL 80^th BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Mom Shirley who celebrated on August 7^th – and to our grandson, Isaiah, who was 7 on the 7^th!  We thank God for you both!

SUN, AUG 12:  10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP w/message:  "God's Spiritual Gifts - To Help You Serve!"

SUN, AUG 12:   11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION with classes for everyone!

SUN, AUG 19:  10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP w/conclusion of:  "God's Spiritual Gifts - Serving With Power!"

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Jimmy & Nancy, Johnny & Cherry, Zoe’s family, Julia, Liz, unspoken needs, outreach to the lost, Lundstroms, Seykoras, our church family and new believers, our college students, and our nation

REMEMBER . . . “Add to your joy by counting your blessings.  Many blessings are given to those who trust the Lord.”  Psalm 40:4


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

ALL THINGS ARE NEW!  When do we get to say that?  Well, for our friend, Lowell Lundstrom, who just walked into Heaven a few days ago … I’m sure he was excitedly speaking that very phrase!  All things are new … he had to be overjoyed beyond words to have his very being infused with that glorious newness that comes from being in the Presence of our Lord and Savior when we get to our heavenly home!  And knowing Lowell as we do, words would not have been sufficient … I’m sure he wrote a new song right there at the Pearly Gates!  And the first to hear it was the King of Kings that he wrote it for out of passionate, eternal gratitude.  But, next in line, was the love of his life on this earth, his sweet wife, Connie, who barely walked into heaven “seconds before” (in heaven’s time!) … and of course, all of their parents, and other family and friends.  What a joyous reunion … and it will never have to end.  They’ll never have to leave and go back home.  They ARE home!  But the image I keep seeing when I think about Lowell finally being “home” … is this sea of people who were also standing there to greet him in a chorus of overwhelming thanks.  You see, they were standing there because a long time ago, as a gifted young teen in love with rock-n-roll, he said “yes” to Christ.  That day he gave it all up and sold out to the One who was calling him to a different kind of “Rock”!  They were standing there because he turned his back on what could have been a career every bit as big as Elvis Presley’s was – had he pursued that dream.  He was already on his way.  But something (Someone) got ahold of him … and things were never the same.  Not for him – or for hundreds of thousands of others.  There they stood … because he and his family, including his wife, children, and his siblings and their families, were willing to live their lives on the road criss-crossing this nation for decades, preaching the powerful message of the Cross and the empty Tomb!  Through good times and bad times, through plenty and in want, through blizzards and burning hot summer temps, through health and in sickness, with energy and in times of great fatigue … they went.  They never stopped.  And rally after rally, and later in church, Sunday after Sunday … people streamed to the altars every time that Lowell preached the message and gave the invitation to come to Christ and become new!  Because they were willing to sleep cramped in small bunk-beds on a bus, because they pushed through breakdowns on the road, because they were willing to trust God for love-offerings to keep them going … soul after soul was won for Christ for eternity.  And there they stood … just days ago, throngs of people.  Men, women, and children.  Old, young, and in between.  Smiles covered their faces, and their voices were raised in a crescendo of thanks as Lowell took his first steps across the threshold from earth to heaven.  What a sight!  What had been a struggle at times, what had been difficult to understand at the end of his life – like the battle he fought with Parkinson’s disease, all that had been a sacrifice … now in a moment was understood.  And for Lowell, he answered back with a smile that spoke so clearly, “It was worth it all!  For me … for you – all of you!  All things are new – for Eternity!  I would do it all again, just to see your faces and know that you’ve been rescued from the clutches of hell!  I’d do it all again!”   We’ll miss you, Lowell … but you are finally Home!  Revel in the joy of being with your Master and hearing Him say as He puts His arms around you, “Well done, Lowell, My son … All things are new … Welcome Home!” 

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

OUR SPECIAL THANKS to Wayne for ministering in the Sunday service two weeks ago!  You were a blessing!

A WARM WELCOME to Randy, who worshipped with us for the first time this past Sunday; God’s blessings to you!

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Merv, who celebrates on August 5^th; may this be your best year ever!

SUN, JUL 29:  10:00 A.M. – SPECIAL SUNDAY RALLY w/Larry & Gloria Lundstrom; invite everyone you know to come and hear their anointed music and message – and for an opportunity to accept Christ!  Don’t miss out!

SUN, AUG 06:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE; with a message on “God’s Spiritual Gifts;  Do You Desire Them?”

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Johnny & Cherry, Jimmy & Nancy, Julia, Liz, unspoken need, Seykoras, & Lundstroms

REMEMBER . . . “For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.”  Psalm 71:5 

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?  In these next ten or eleven days, I mean.  Think about what you will be doing … and all your plans and schedules and events and duties.  And then ask yourself, “how much of it will have any Eternal value?”  If you are like me, your answer will probably be, “well, not as much of it as I’d like it to be.”  I know, I know.  We offer ourselves to God and offer our days to Him, even what we do.  And He blesses that and uses us and our time.  But often we do not see what is actually happening as a result of what we do on this earth.  And sometimes we would like to, wouldn’t we?  Well, my husband and I have just the perfect opportunity to make that happen!  How would you like to be a part of an exciting God-appointment for the people in this community?  Just this week, our hearts have gone out to people we do not even know, as those within our church asked for prayer for individuals they know who are going through extremely difficult times.  In case you hadn’t noticed, there are people all around us hurting deeply, experiencing struggles of the soul that take them to their knees and flat on their face, crying out in desperation for some answers.  Well, we sure don’t have all the answers they need.  But we know the One who does!  And while we try to tell as many people as we can, there are others who are a little shy about sharing their faith with anyone else.  Yet if we were to be honest about it, we all have a longing and desire to see every one of our loved ones who do not know Christ as their Savior, given the opportunity to be introduced to Him, so they can choose to make Heaven their home for all of eternity.  Someone must tell them.  But if we don’t or you don’t … who will?  We MUST tell them!  But if you feel like you absolutely cannot share with others about the gift of living forever with our God in Heaven, and how they can receive that gift – there are other ways to let your family and friends know.  So for this point in time, here’s what you can do to make the eternal difference between heaven and hell for someone you love and care about.  How about using your time for the ultimate greatest purpose on earth in these next ten days or so?  If you’ve never invested your life in anything very important before – then now is the time.  NOW!  You will never get this same opportunity again, nor will those you are thinking about right now – wishing they knew the Jesus you know and love.  So here’s what you can do … Larry and Gloria Lundstrom who have spent their lives sharing Christ all over this nation and overseas, will be right here at Elevation North on Sunday, July 29^th at 10:00 a.m.  And THEY WILL SPEND THEIR TIME SHARING CHRIST WITH WHOEVER WILL LISTEN – in such a way that people WILL listen!!!  They will be real and honest and transparent and share their struggles and triumphs and how God has been there for them every step of the way.  They will invite everyone within earshot to come and ask Jesus into their hearts so that they can have the promise of living their eternity in Heaven.  The fact is:  we all have an eternity ahead of us.  Yes, we do.  The question is:  where will we spend it?  Don’t you want those you care about to have the opportunity to say “yes” to something so eternally important?  You might be their only chance in these next ten days.  So let’s not miss this priceless chance to make the biggest decision ever to DO SOMETHING OF ETERNAL VALUE!  Let’s make our time with the Lundstroms more than just a rally … let’s make it to be a never-forgotten change of eternal destiny for loved ones and strangers alike!  We’ll give you what you need to invite, invite, invite … and God and Larry and Gloria and some of us will take care of the rest!  Get your pen out, God … You’re going to be writing lots of names in the Lamb’s Book of Life on Sunday, July 29^th!  Let’s all DO OUR PART ~ now you know what you’ll be DOING!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

SUN, JUL 22:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, w/message on “The Spiritual Gifts God Has For Us!” Bring your Bible!

SUN, JUL 22:   11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION CLASSES for all ages - including our Puppet Ministry for small ones!

WED, JUL 25:   7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY/FELLOWSHIP on the book of James at:  905 El Dorado Street in Owatonna

SUN, JUL 29:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE/RALLY with Larry & Gloria Lundstrom … invite others to come and hear the message from God’s Word and in music, giving them the opportunity to make Heaven their home!  Asking & praying = results!!!

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Johnny & Cherry, Julia, Verla (praise!), very urgent, unspoken request, Lundstrom rally, Seykoras

REMEMBER . . . “… Go out into the highways and hedges and urge and constrain them to yield and come in, so that my house may be filled.”  Luke 14:23

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

        

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

THE BIRDS ARE SINGING a heavenly, but jazzy melody and all of nature seems to be dancing to their tunes!  I’ve thrown open the window to the deck (that is not built yet!) and the fresh, early morning air is streaming in through the screen.  Blue soft sky with wispy white clouds, sunshine to greet the day … and there sits a fresh sliced half of grapefruit and a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee.  Does it get any better than this?!  Oh … yes it does, Lord!  You reminded me of that yesterday!  How I LOVE it when your Presence fills a room.  I mean, F-I-L-L-S a room!!!  Due to this exciting journey God has had us on for several years now, we have had no health insurance for most of those years.  I remember on “day 1” … when everything changed.  I literally told God (sorry God, I guess I didn’t even ask – I just made a blanket statement, speaking with every ounce of faith I had!) . . . “Well God, You will be our doctor now, and we’re going to trust You to take care of every part of us – body, soul, and mind!  Today we cancel our health insurance because we no longer can afford it.”  That was almost 5 years ago.  I know what I know.  And what I know is that God has done a great job of taking care of us … but I absolutely love it when medical doctors prove out what I know by their examinations and ensuing results!  Part of having no health insurance meant I had no funds for new glasses.  But I had no issues with my eyes, I could see great, and I never got headaches!  All was well, right?  Well, in my heart and soul, I knew so.  So after twelve years with the same prescription lenses, and after saving up money for quite a long time now, I finally walked into the exam room of the optometrist.  The assistant had me cover one eye and read the letters.  I was amazed at how well I did.  Then she had me cover the other eye and I read again.  I could tell she was amazed.  We had a great visit as I sat in that chair.  I was as excited as a little girl on my birthday!  More fine-tuning of clarity of vision, eye drops, and then the dilation of my eyes.  Soon I was ready to see the optometrist.  I think he almost fell out of his chair when he saw on the chart that I had not had my eyes checked in twelve years.  He began talking about looking into my eyes under the bright lights and how he would be able to see into my body for all kinds of health issues.  He said, “You know in the past two or three years, I have diagnosed people with melanoma, diabetes, cholesterol, brain tumors, and more … all through what I see in their eyes.”  For a split-second, the thought raced through me, “What will he see when he looks in my eyes?”  And the split-second following, my thought was, “God has been my doctor … I am just fine!”  He looked and peered, and those lights got REALLY bright!!  This Presence permeated the room with me, and I felt no apprehension at what he would find as he looked.  I knew the doctor would soon know what I knew.  All was well, he finally said, except to have my cholesterol check updated.  Any change in medications, he asked?  I said, “I’m on no medications!”  Then I told him my story of having no insurance and how God has been my doctor all these years, and what a great job He has done!  He smiled and agreed.  How could he not??  I walked out of that office feeling like the most blessed woman in the world!  There I had it … proof for whoever wants to know:  my God reigns and He’s kept me healthy for all of the missions He has me here for.  Perhaps my mission this day was to share God’s keeping power with that doctor … and it took twelve years of waiting to do so!  Now … I am singing!!!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to our daughter-in-love, Stacey on July 16^th and to David on July 17^th; and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Matthias & Liz on July 20^th!  May you delight in God’s best for you!

SUN, JUL 15:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, w/message shared by Wayne on “God’s Peace:  Do You Have It?”

SUN, JUL 15:  11:15 A.M. -  KINGDOM CONNECTION CLASSES and PUPPET MINISTRY for the children!

WED, JUL 18:   7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY/FELLOWSHIP on the book of James at Pastor Doug’s & Debbie’s home

FRI, JUL 20:    7:00 P.M. –  LADIES’ NIGHT OUT at the church!  Plan to bring a “white elephant” gift and a snack!

SUN, JUL 22:  10;00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE / 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION classes/Puppet Ministry

SUN, JUL 29:  10:00 A.M. – SUNDAY MORNING RALLY with Larry & Gloria Lundstrom; invite everyone you know for this anointed and lively time of powerful preaching and awesome music ~ plus a dose of humor and fun!!!

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Verla, Cherry, Julia, Tarike, Daouda, our church ministries, our youth and children!

REMEMBER . . . “God will not send us out on any journey for which He does not equip us well.”  ~ A. Maclaren

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

CRAZY IN LOVE!  I’ve heard it said that God is crazy in love with us … and I really do believe that!  One hundred percent!  But I’m writing today with a heart that is crazy in love with my Lord!  Yes, I did say just that - and I did mean it - one hundred percent!  After all, is that not the kind of relationship that our God planned for us to have with Him when He created us?  We were created for fellowship with the God of the universe … so I believe we were meant to share a mutual love (though ours is lacking in several capacities, compared to His!).  We do not usually fellowship with people we don’t love, right?  We prefer not to be around people we aren’t in love with, unless God ignites His love within us for those who are unlovely and unloved.  That’s just how we are.  But I fear that we miss out on such an incredible love with our Lord because we do not see it as a love relationship.  More often than not, we call ourselves by His Name and we call ourselves His children.  And that’s where we leave it.  We forget the part where He calls us His bride!  That means He is our Bridegroom!  So why are we not in love?  Why don’t we tell Him – or if we do, why not all the time?  He should be the first One on our minds when we awake in the morning.  His Name should be the last on our lips when we go to sleep at night.  Our awareness of His closeness should take our breath away and excite us at the wonder of His precious, priceless love.  Just barely scratching the surface of understanding Who He is and Who He wants to be in us - should revive every fiber of our being as we burst into praise and adoration.  Over and over and over we should not just whisper, but s-h-o-u-t“, I love You … I love You … I love You, my Lord and Savior!”  If our heart is truly in love with Him, the words won’t stop there … they will roll off our tongue and out of our heart in an endless stream of love-song lyrics.  “How I love You!  I love living in Your presence – I never want there to be a moment when I don’t feel Your closeness and Your arms around Me!  You are my Everything … my Breath, my Life, my Joy, my Hope, my Strength!  I love being with You; I love sitting at Your feet – and sometimes on Your lap!  I love that I can tell you anything and everything … and You love me still!  Better than that, I love that You know everything about me, I mean everything … and You are still crazy in love with me!  My weaknesses, my lack, my failures, my sins.  Still you’re crazy about me!  How could I be in my right mind – and NOT be crazy in love with You, my Jesus?!  You amaze me, and I love You.  You laid Your very life down for me, and I love You with all that I am – but I want that “all” to be more than it is.  I don’t ever want to be satisfied that I love You enough, or as pure and fully as You deserve … but I will live in the contentment of knowing that You accept me and my crazy love – just as I am. I know You see me through the blood of Jesus, and You see all that You know I can be!  You understand the deepest desires of my heart, and because You do, You know that more than anything I desire our love relationship to be fiery in fervor and undying in devotion.  You deserve no less from me, my Lord!  And You deserve no less from any of Your children – for we ARE Your Bride!  God has not brought us this far through all the tears and trials and sometimes torture – to live a status-quo relationship with Him!  He invites us to a crazy, faith-filled, trust-all, adventurous, supernatural, passionate love relationship with Him!  Will you say “yes”?

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES are in order for Lafawn, Alex, and Austin, who ALL celebrate on Sunday, July 8^th!

SUN, JUL 08:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, w/message by Pastor D:  “Spiritual Gifts God Loves to Give!”

SUN, JUL 08:   11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION CLASSES, & PUPPET MINISTRY w/the Graffs!

SUN, JUL 15:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE / 11:15 A.M. – KINDGOM CONNECTION classes & puppets!

FRI,  JUL 20:    7:00 P.M. -  LADIES’ NIGHT OUT at the church!  Please bring a “white elephant” gift and a snack to share!  There will be updated information about Women of Faith, and also discussion on Ladies Bible Study plans!

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Verla, Cherry & Johnny, Tarike, Daouda, families traveling, our nation, & for God’s hand to be upon the ministries of Seykoras, Lundstroms, and Elevation North – that Christ might be lifted up!

REMEMBER . . . Like David, let’s say, “In the morning I will sing of your love …” and “It is good to … proclaim Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night …”.  (Psalm 59:16 and 92:2)

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

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ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

WANNA BE FREE?  Or wanna be tied down?  I’ve been pondering the choices we make as believers, and God let me know in a nice, firm way – that we kind of do it to ourselves sometimes.  That is, we tie ourselves down, more times than not!  How?  Well, pull up a chair and listen to this story.  Years ago, when our two oldest sons were little boys, they loved being read to!  Often I would get to the last page of the book, read the last few lines with a bit more emphasis, end it with a flourish … and I would hear two little voices saying in unison, “Read it again, Mommy … please read it again!”  This is one of those stories that quickly became a favorite – and even I think of it time and time again – especially when God uses it to teach me a lesson.  I’m sure it was never written for that purpose, but I love how God thinks outside of the box and uses whatever He wishes to get His point across!  Well, the story has it that Gulliver sets off on a ship to the South Seas, but strong winds bring it to shipwreck and Gulliver washes up on an island called Lilliput. Upon waking up, he discovers to his dismay that he is tied to the ground.  Looking around, he blinks twice as he sees lots and lots of tiny men no larger than his hands, who try to keep him prisoner.  When Gulliver tries to break free of the strings, they attack him with their tiny arrows.  He tries to stay calm so as not to get hurt, and in every ensuing interaction with the little people, he tries to show kindness.  But before they come to trust him, they bargain away at his few belongings in exchange for a little bit of his freedom – and eventually, he is freed to walk again!  But he has to follow the king’s written rules in exchange for the strings to come off.  Thinking about that story today, God showed me how we as His children get ourselves in this same predicament.  We set off in a certain direction and when the storms of life come, it’s so easy to feel like our lives are being wrecked.  It’s one thing to feel washed up – and wonder how we got where we landed.  But the real message of our story is the “strings that tie us down”.  And, the real question is “how do we get free?”  But first of all, how did we get so many strings entangled around us?  Well, lying there in the wreckage, even though we’ve been saved … spared, it’s so easy to look back and try to decipher why we’re all tied up in knots. It’s so easy to get caught up in the blame game, or worse yet, to step into the role of judge and jury.  There goes a string – right over our body.  Certainly, we are better than those people.  We are right – and they are wrong, of course.  Oops, there goes another string - like a noose, right around our neck.  We start comparing how we live life, gauging it against how they live theirs.  There go several more strings, forming a prison cell of strings that suddenly we cannot break free from.  How did those little strings get so strong?  Each one was just a thought at first.  Or only a word that we spoke.  Or just an innocent action.  Or was it?  And why is our Christian life not providing us the freedom we thought it would bring us?  Maybe, just maybe it’s us.  Maybe we don’t get that to truly live free, we must live in total forgiveness.  Maybe it doesn’t soak in that to live truly free, we must show unconditional love … with no strings attached.  If we attach them to others, they come right back and tighten around our hearts – and suddenly we are free no more.  Enslaved?  Or free?  How do you want to live your life as God’s child?  Happy and free and capable of impacting others for Christ?  Then let’s start breaking free from the things that so easily entangle and enslave us and “… run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  (Hebrews 12:1)  I want us to be FREE in Christ ~ after all, that’s how He wants us to live!  Let’s speak boldly and firmly, but as set-free, joy-filled people!!!  Then, the world will seek out why we smile and they’ll be asking to get what we’ve got . . . JESUS!!!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES go out to Wayne on July 1^st, and to Mary Jo on July 2^nd!  May God’s best be yours!

GOD’S BLESSINGS to everyone who helped make our Straight River Days events so enjoyable and successful!

SUN, JUL 01:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, w/patriotic message on “The Role of the Church” and Communion.

SUN, JUL 01:   11:15 A.M. -  KINGDOM CONNECTION Sunday School classes and Puppet Ministry for our kids!

SUN, JUL 04:  HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!  Enjoy the celebrations that mark our freedom! And, God, guide America! 

SUN, JUL 08:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE   /   11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION classes & puppets!

PRAYER OPPORTUNTIES  . . . Verla, Cherry, Tarike, Daouda, Hazel, Julia, comfort for the loss in the Baugh & Bolden families, anointing for Seykoras and Lundstroms

REMEMBER . . . “When it’s all said and done, when all the opinions have been uttered, preached, shouted, and shared, there is only one thing we can do:  From this moment on … love.”  Barbara Johnson

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

MAYBE TOMORROW.  Those are two of the saddest words in life, well … depending on what they are the answer to!  On the other hand, I remember when similar words spoken many a time in my childhood were an indication of hope on the horizon.  I grew up on a farm in North Dakota where we raised grain crops and cattle.  Several years it would be just about harvest time, and we would jump in the pickup truck and go for a drive to see the fields of ripe, waving grain – and to see how big the spring calves were.  Adventure time for us kids … we loved it!  Slowing down by the fields, Dad would explain about how the crops were just about ready – and the importance of that timing.  We’d come home, excited at the prospects of a “bumper crop” – because the tall, thick stands of golden wheat waving in the breezes were picture-perfect!  We kids would start dreaming … maybe this year dad will be able to get this piece of machinery he really needs!  Or maybe we’ll be able to grow our herd of cattle by this many!  Or just maybe we’ll be able to go on a family trip to see our Aunt Aretta out on the west coast!  Trips were rare for us, living on the farm where time seemed to be spent on lots of hard work.  We always had fun and took time to sit back and enjoy life – but we couldn’t go very far away, especially with milk cows needing our attention both morning and night-time.  And then, the bank account rarely held a balance that would get us to the west coast and back, that wasn’t needed more for the farm expenses and raising a family.  So we just kept on dreaming!  As a young child, I remember how just about a week after our adventurous tour of the crops and cattle, storm-clouds would form and multiply until the sky was filled with swirling shapes of grey and black, and sometimes they would turn into an ugly, foreboding whitish nightmare.  Standing near the windows to get a better view, much to our mom’s dismay … we’d crane our necks around from side to side to see what was coming our way.  All of us kids, as well as dad and mom, were praying up a storm equal to the raging winds.  And sometimes, God stilled the storm, and all was well.  We would breathe a huge sigh of relief!  The crops were saved!  Other times, God must have had other plans, for the storms continued to unleash their fury – and within minutes the hailstones shelled out those plump heads of wheat and the stalks lay twisted, broken and flat on the muddy ground.  Gone … it was all gone.  As kids, our minds began to freak out with unspoken questions like, “What will we have for money to live on for the next twelve months?”  I think it was mom who voiced that reality question to dad, more for reassurance than anything, because we all knew that our God would take care of us – somehow!  We had never starved yet … and we were sure He wouldn’t let us starve now!  In those moments of stark reality, I’ve never forgotten the way my dad would respond.  Taking a deep sigh that seemed to suck in the cares and fears we all felt, he would calmly say, “Well . . . there’s always next year!”  What hope!  On the heels of destruction, he was already thinking about next year, hoping for the best!  Amazing!  Yes, for some things in life … there is “next year”.  And many times, the “next year” saw our dreams come true.  The storms stayed away and that bumper crop came through.  But when it comes to things of God, especially for those who have not said “yes” to Him … it’s a dangerous risk to say, “maybe tomorrow.”  Tomorrow may never come!  For those of us who say “maybe tomorrow” I will call this person - or “maybe tomorrow” I will share Christ with that person … it may be too late.  Tomorrow may never come for them – or us.  “Maybe tomorrow” I will take this family a meal … “maybe tomorrow” I will do what I’ve felt God nudging me to do for weeks now.  What if we don’t get that opportunity again?  I pray that we will become people of “today” … yes, Lord, “right now”!  We understand sometimes you give us “another time” – but sometimes in Your sovereign plan, that extra chance isn’t a part of it.  So help us, Lord, to get it right – and not wait!  Help us to be people of action … and ultimately, Your church in action!!!  That’s our passion!  Today … while the harvest is ripe!  

IN A NUTSHELL . . . 

LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES & God’s blessings to my husband, Doug, as he celebrates on June 28^th!

A HUGE THANKS to all who helped with the church/city-wide sale, with the café meal, and the church float this week!

SUN, JUN 24:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with an exciting message from God’s Word: “The Power of the Holy Spirit”!

SUN, JUN 24:  11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION CLASSES / Puppet Ministry for kids with the Graffs!  Don’t miss out!

SUN, JUL 01:   10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with a patriotic message and Communion … invite some friends to come!

SUN, JUL 01:   11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION CLASSES / Puppet Ministry – unforgettable Bible stories & lessons!

COMING UP:    BIBLE STUDY PLANNING for men and for women, and for Sunday School sessions / Women of Faith Event

PRAYER OPPORTUNTIES . . . Verla, Julia, Hazel, unspoken requests, ministries of Seykoras and Lundstroms, traveling mercies

REMEMBER . . . “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (II Corinthians 6:11)  “When God is about to do something great, He starts with a difficulty.  When He is about to do something truly magnificent, He starts with an impossibility.” ~ Armin Gesswein

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie