CUTTING AWAY THE DEAD TO MAKE WAY FOR THE NEW … is that really how it works? Well, if the same process that works for plants and trees and shrubs and flowers – works for our lives … then I guess it does! What a joy it has been this summer to literally see the daily growth of our summer foliage and blossoms all around our yard! We are gone all day, and when we finally come home in a bit of remaining daylight ~ we’re amazed at how everything has grown larger and more beautiful! One plant, in particular, is covered with dozens of blossoms!!! But it will only stay that way if we do not ignore the shriveled up, dried up blossoms and the brown edged leaves. When we take notice of the color that has faded and we cut and trim it all away – more buds grow and flourish in its place. If we want our plants to be the best they can be, and if we desire to see the greatest number of blossoms and the healthiest, greenest foliage – then our best choice is to cut away all that is dead and dying to make way for the new bursts of color and growth to emerge. That way, we can enjoy what God has created to its fullest potential. Reminds me of “us” sometimes. We feel the cut of the pruning shears and shy away, pull away, or resist the sharp blade. We want to hang on to what we have. We want to remain the same. We don’t want to feel the pain, even be it only temporary. We don’t look beyond where we’re at today … to see where we can be tomorrow, if we’ll just let God take the knife to us. Why? Doesn’t He know best? Doesn’t He as our Father give us good gifts? Do we think we know better than He does – or that we can do better than He can? Of course, I know, we realize these things, but we just don’t like the pain of the pruning process. Yet, what does God’s word say about the process and the end result?
John 15 . . . “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever
you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is – when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.” (verses 1-8)
So, when we say “yes” to God’s way, we become more productive and more beautiful – more capable of having plenty to share with others and thus, advancing God’s Kingdom work! We find that our old demands give way to God’s perfect will. Our worn out ways give way to new creative, vibrant life. And we begin to live more and more like He planned for us to live! Fruit bearers! Let’s be willing to undergo the pruning, so that we can emerge better in every way . . . !
FAITH LIKE A LITTLE CHILD! How we loved having our youngest “daughter” stop in for a weekend visit here with Isaiah (almost 4) and Miles (14 months)! What fun to see Miles, having graduated from crawling – to loving his new discovery of walking all over the place! And it was simply amazing to see all that Isaiah has learned and how much he has grown! We loved what his mommy told us about one of his recent “ouches”! She offered him a band-aid, which he promptly refused, saying, “No, I don’t need one. Jesus will heal it!” Great advice for us when we feel the “ouches” that come from being pruned. We can refuse the band-aids for spiritual growth ouches as we matter-of-fact declare, “No, we don’t need any. Jesus will take care of it!”
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- OUR SPECIAL THANKS to Becky for sharing her gift of music with us on Sunday as she sang and played a song that she has written recently. What a blessing to us!
- WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE several who provide and share in ongoing ways to help the ministry of Elevation North flourish and grow: Wayne and Verla – who have borrowed us their keyboard for our worship / Clint and Kristina – who pay for the weekly rent of our worship facility / Stacey – who updates our church blog each week after it is written and sent to her / Shirley – who crochets the beautiful doilies that are given to our visitors … and of course, each of you who share and pray and give and work and help in so many ways! May God bless each of you!
- WE WELCOME Cherrie, LaFawn’s mother, who worshipped with us for the first time on Sunday; it was great having you in our midst!
- THE MISSION DOLLAR CHALLENGE has multiplied from $1 to $37 and now to $121 … what will it grow to THIS week before we pass it on to the recipient?! How exciting to see God grow a seed that is planted in the fertile soil of mission outreach! God has NO limits on what He will do with a seed that is sown in obedience and in faith!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH: SR HI YOUTH at the home of Pastor Doug and Debbie; surprise event & study!!!
- SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES will begin the Sunday following Labor Day for children and youth and adults. Our staff and materials are slated to be off to a great start and we’re excited about growing together in God’s Word!
- WATCH FOR DETAILS about a pre-Junior High outing for the younger children! They’ll LOVE it!!!
- BEGINNING SOON – Pastoral Prayer Teams and Prayer Chain
- THIS SUNDAY: Worship and Praise with Communion, and part 3 of the series of messages on “THE BIGGER PICTURE” as Pastor Doug preaches from the book of Habbakuk. And the “elevate kidz” time promises to be a fun learning experience for the younger ones!
- SUNDAY EVENING: Bluegrass Christian Concert at Central Park at 6 p.m. with the Link Family. A freewill offering will be taken. Plan to attend and bring someone with you to share in this uplifting event!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- For Tina’s healing following a procedure this week; for Julia’s brother recovering from surgery and a near-death experience; for Pam’s dad, Lynn, hospitalized in Rochester; for Tina’s grandmother in Chicago with sickness the doctors haven’t been able to diagnose; for Samara, who has face paralysis, and needs God’s miracle healing; for many without jobs or loss of hours; for our nation’s leaders – in politics, in churches, in the military; for an URGENT unspoken request; and most of all, for souls to be reached for Christ! We have a HUGE job to do on our knees in prayer ~ and a GREAT opportunity to see God at work right where we are at!!!
- THIS WEEK – Remember God is still on the Throne! “There are better things ahead than any we leave behind!” (C.S. Lewis) “May you grow to be as beautiful as God meant you to be when He first thought of you!”
(unknown) “Welcome the pruning; it’s God’s beauty treatment for your heart, soul, and body!” (Debbie Jones)
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
