Elevation North Has News for You!

SPLIT-SECOND TIMING. There are so many times in our lives when one second – or even a fraction of a second makes all the difference in the world! These moments are what you call defining moments in time – and you never, ever seem to forget them! I believe one of the reasons God gives us memory recall, is so that we can praise Him over and over for the countless ways He has blessed us, helped us, even protected us in all our days past. Lately, one of those split-second defining moments from years ago has crossed my mind, and when I recall what happened, gratitude to God pours from my lips all over again! The memory is so vivid, it seems like just yesterday. It’s one of those things you cannot explain – no matter how you try – you just know that you know that you know – that it happened! Let me attempt to put it into words. I was leaving our small town in Michigan to drive back home to the small village where we pastored, and had our three sons with me in the car. A major highway runs north and south through the state, and it ran right through the middle of St. Johns. DJ and Dana, in their early teens, were with me. And so was Dustin, our little guy, who kept attempting to escape out of his infant car seat – like a little Houdini. He was buckled in safe in the back seat – at least for the moment, until he was successful yet again, to my frustration and amazement! How DID he do that?! I pulled out of a parking lot and stopped at the entrance to the highway, looked north and south – and then north again … all was clear. So I began to pull onto the northbound lane of traffic, and as I did and glanced south again – barreling down on me, I mean RIGHT ON ME, was a huge semi-truck. To this day, I have no idea where it came from, because it was not in view just a second or two earlier. My instincts kicked in and I know I slammed on the brake … but I knew that wouldn’t make much difference at all – as I knew the car was already headed into the lane that the truck was traveling full-speed ahead in. All I could say was, “Jesus!” And I waited for the impending crash that I knew was certain to happen in the next split-second or so. All I could think of was the precious cargo I was carrying – and how our car was no match for that huge truck at the speed it was going. It’s amazing what all can be said in a cry sent heavenward in one word: the Name of Jesus. That’s all I had time to say: “Jesus!” That’s all I COULD get past my lips: “Jesus!” Instinctively, I knew it was the best thing to say, especially if it were to be my very last word: “Jesus!” Somehow … I will never know how … short of the miracle I know that it was … the crash never came. The truck barreled by. There was no crash. It was as if he didn’t see us. He didn’t slow down. He didn’t honk his horn. But as the four of us sat in that car with my foot frozen on that brake, all of us were speechless. I didn’t move for what seemed like minutes. I don’t know who spoke first … me or one of the boys. But I sat there wondering how I would explain what we had just experienced, for in those split-seconds as the truck moved past us, it literally felt like the truck moved “through” us … like God made our vehicle “matter-less” – or whatever phenomenon it took for metal to pass through metal with no impact. The sense of it happening was real, however brief it was; and to this day, I know what I know what I know! Ask our sons about it someday. That split-second miracle spared all of our lives. God chose to give us more life for His special purposes; and everyday we give our lives back to Him, so that more and more of the reasons He spared us for, can be lived out! Perhaps you, too, have had split-second close calls that have become defining moments in your life … if so, stop right now to thank God for His presence and protection and blessing! He is SO deserving of our praise! May our lips never run out of words to thank Him with, even if at times, all we can speak is His Name! “JESUS!”

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- OUR SPECIAL THANKS to everyone who attended and helped out with our “I LOVE AMERICA” service at the Medford Park Pavilion last Sunday! What a perfect morning to sing of our country’s freedom and to pay tribute to our military and to our God for the freedoms that we enjoy! Thank you, Tina, for grilling the meat … and to everyone who brought such a great variety of delicious food to enjoy together! WE WELCOME Judy and Jimmy who worshipped with us for the first time!
- THE VALLEY FAIR Youth Outing on Tuesday (ALL day!) was a big hit; and again, God provided wonderful temps and sunshine for the fun in the park!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, JULY 12tH – Pastor Doug will be preaching about “THE BIGGER PICTURE” based on scriptures from the book of Habakkuk. Come and see what this ‘bigger picture’ is all about and how it relates to God’s plan for our lives! Plan to come and worship with us, and invite a family to come with you!
- TUESDAY, JULY 14TH – SR HI YOUTH at Pastor D’s and Debbie’s home at 7:00 p.m. Plan to come!!!
- TWINS GAME OUTING for dads and sons; date to be announced; you can still sign up at the Welcome Table!
- OPPORTUNITY FOR MID-SUMMER ALL-OUT EVANGELISM BLITZ – date/time to be announced soon!
- JULY 17-18: RELAY FOR LIFE WALK at the Steele County Fairgrounds; ask Tina how you can be involved and help our “Disciples” Team out this year!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- Be continual and fervent in your prayers for Justin; and Tina’s procedure has been postponed until August. Let’s keep the Bucholz and Pettigrew families in our prayers as they lean on God for needed comfort at this time. Unspoken needs are known to God and He loves to hear our prayers, even though needs are unknown to us! May we remember our missionaries and evangelists as they continue to preach the Word of God to hungry hearts; and let’s remember to uphold our military forces here and abroad, for safety and protection. We pray for God to impart to us boldness and confidence at Elevation North as we seek to be faithful to minister God’s Word to those within and without the church, for Christ’s sake! What a privilege we have to move forward the cause of Christ!
- THIS WEEK – We love these words from Max Lucado, reminding us that God is with us in the normal seconds of our lives, as well as the defining split-seconds that change our lives. This is what he says: “Do you believe that God is near? He wants you to. He wants you to know that He is in the midst of your world. Wherever you are as you read these words, He is present … In your office, your bedroom, your den. He’s near. And He is more than near. He is active.” Did you catch that? He is active! That’s why His presence makes all the difference in the world! Invite Him to be close. To stay close. Actively close!



Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie