Elevation North Has News for You!

SOMETIMES WE GET STUCK ON THIS EARTH! What in the world do we mean by that? Well, it’s true – we actually get stuck on this earth … stuck in all the muck of what we see around us ~ instead of doing whatever it takes to get the windshield wipers out and clear off our vision so that we can see what God sees and ultimately, what He wants US to see! There’s another realm out there beside this physical realm that “we get stuck in” … a very real realm called the “spiritual realm”. Some people tend to shy away from that, mostly because they do not really understand it, but that does not diminish the fact that the spiritual realm is here – all around us. You know, there’s that force – that battle between good and evil, between God and Satan. While we may not be able to “see” what’s going on in that realm over us, the best part of all this is that we can live in the spiritual realm having access to God’s divine power for us! That includes everything that He has planned for us this day – no matter what is going on – on this earth. Everything, meaning: victories and miracles, protection and peace, intervention and deliverance, favor and blessings, health and provision ~ even abundance in every area of our lives! Oops … there’s that word that some believers have taken an aversion to … abundance! But out of the spiritual realm, abundance flows. Is it to flow to those who reject God – or is the abundance God promises for those who love Him, trust Him and obey Him? Well, checking out God’s Word, we have an answer for that, and this is what we hear Jesus saying in John 10:10 ~ “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (NIV) The King James version uses these words ~ “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” And the Message Bible puts it this way ~ “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” We think most of us would choose that kind of a life over just being stuck on this earth! Actually, God placed us on this earth for His Kingdom purposes – and one part of that purpose is to make a spiritual difference in the world around us. And we can only make an impact when others see us living in God’s favor and in the victory He gives. What kind of a Jesus do people see – if the only Jesus they know, is the Jesus they see being lived out through us? Did you know that God didn’t put us on this earth to be stuck here for the lifespan He has planned for us – however long that may be? He put us here, because He has big, awesome, incredible plans for us … and big, awesome, incredible plans to use us for His purposes and His glory! We want to challenge you today to sign up for a life that can make a difference … for a life that promises abundance … for a life of “more” and “better” than we ever dreamed could be possible! So let’s get UNSTUCK, and get connected to living life in the spiritual realm where God does His perfect and powerful work – in us … and through us!!!
HOW CAN WE DESCRIBE THE “WORD”? The “Word” – meaning God – as written about in John chapter 1. That was the question Pastor Doug set out to define more clearly this past Sunday in his message. What words can we even use? Normal words as used by us can bless or curse; they can lift up or destroy. But in Jesus’ day, there were about 10,000 Hebrew words in that language – and nearly 200,000 words in the Greek language. “Word” to the Greeks meant even the unspoken word, or reason. “Word” to the Jews meant: God. So, the writer, John, attempts to explain this to both by saying “with God”! The message he wanted the reader to understand is that life is not only God’s gift … God is the life! The Life, in turn, gives light – for the world. From the Word comes Life and from Life comes Light. And as children of God, we are not the Light ~ we are a witness to the Light! This coming Sunday, Pastor D will continue preaching from John 1 beginning with verse 6 … be sure to come and continue to learn and be challenged as we seek to live out and give out in practical ways what we take in on Sunday!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- SPECIAL THANKS to the Hendricksons and their granddaughters for providing coffee and freshly baked cookies for all of us following the worship service!

- HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES go out to Melony and Tammy; and to Kevin and Tammy on their Anniversary … we wish all of you God’s best! And “Happy Birthday” to Gloria Lundstrom and their daughter, LaDawn, who share the same day on May 17th! It was fun to sing to them in church last Sunday!

- BY THE WAY, you can click on the Lundstrom’s ministry web-site on our church blog for a report of their Mother’s Day rally with us at Elevation North, along with some photos, or you can type in: www.larrylundstromministries.org/pages.asp?pageid=68419.

- CALLING ALL YOUTH! We will be doing a service project helping an elderly couple move from one apartment to another in Southway Manor (2260 Hartle Avenue) on Saturday morning, the 23rd, at 9:30 a.m. Plan to come with your dads (we’ll need their help, too!) and we should be finished by noon or so. The youth will be receiving a donation from the couple for their work!

- JR HI YOUTH: Check with Cierra for the youth schedule for this Saturday, the 23rd!

- SR HI YOUTH: Plan to have lunch with Pastor D on Sunday after church, and bring money for your meal!

- ADDITIONAL UNSPOKEN REQUESTS have come to our attention, equally urgent, along with previous unspoken requests that need continuing prayer for God’s miracle work! Let’s be in focused prayer, claiming and expecting answers from God!

- WE REJOICE with Josh and Sarah Seykora over the news that God is working supernaturally through their ministry outreach in Perth, Australia! Sharing Jesus with many different nationalities who come to Perth, God is giving them favor and many are responsive to the message of the Gospel. One man suddenly looked up as if he was seeing something, and when asked about it, he said, “I see Jesus!” (literally!) Can you imagine his response
to the salvation message presented to him?! Keep them in your prayers as they continue to bring Christ “to the nations”!

- ON THE ROAD . . . Debbie and Pastor’s mom. Shirley, will be heading west on a family trip while Pastor Doug holds down the fort here! Gramma Deb wants to be with their youngest grandchild, Miles, for his first birthday celebration on Saturday, May 23rd! Just cannot miss that 1st birthday!!! And they will also be stopping in to see other family ~ so pray for safe travels and that they will be a blessing to all! Thank you! And don’t forget to pray
for Pastor Doug while he is “batching it”!!!

- MEMORIAL DAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER … and while many people think of it as just a weekend to get away … it is so much more than that! May we remember our loved ones – family and friends – who have gone on before, and countless men and women who have given their lives for us on faraway battlefields that we might live free! May we never forget! May gratitude fill your hearts for special memories – and for the gift of freedom!
And most importantly, plan to come to church on Sunday to share in this Memorial Day service of remembrance … and to hear the good news of the greatest freedom we can ever find, through the Lord Jesus Christ! Let’s make it an unforgettable time of worship and honor! See you there! And remember … YOU ARE LOVED!


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .