“THERE IS NO GREATER EXERCISE FOR THE HEART THAN REACHING DOWN AND LIFTING SOMEONE UP!” (Unknown) What’s that? Oh, you don’t like to exercise? Well, it’s true that most people aren’t crazy about it … yet they force themselves to pay big money to go to health clubs and get on exercise machines and work up a sweat – and then they are sore for days afterwards!! And all the while, they’d rather be home chillin’ out on the couch and munchin’ on snacks! If you are one of those self-motivated individuals, you can save the money and exercise at home ~ but even some of the most dedicated will “fall off the bandwagon” from time to time, reverting back to their old ways. So … it all comes down to the fact that exercising has to become a lifestyle, a new way of life, for it to have any long-lasting benefits. Or we just go through the motions – for nothing! Well, it’s the same for “heart exercises” in the spiritual sense. And, it’s the same for “heart exercises” in our relationships. Let me share a few examples. Even at this moment as I write this, there is a young woman in our church who is on the phone long-distance with her mom, praying with her to invite Jesus into her heart to become her personal Savior! This gal has been talking with her mom several times a week, sharing what Christ means to her. She hasn’t pushed her mom, but has just kept on talking about Jesus as naturally as she would share anything else. While her mom has always held God at arm’s length, she has recently received some huge miracles from Him. And this last one was so dramatic, perhaps it was the turning point that drew her to open her heart just a bit more – until tonight, she was ready to say “yes” to Christ! That’s the beauty of “reaching down and lifting someone up.” You see, Tina has been there for her mom through thick and thin. She has exercised her heart and shown love beyond her own, so that finally now as her mom’s heart has softened, she was able to experience the rich gift of leading her own mom to the Lord! What can be better than that?! And what better benefit can you get from “exercising” than that?! Like I told her … ALL OF HEAVEN IS REJOICING!!! And then, there’s the opposite effect of what happens when we don’t exercise our heart by reaching down and lifting someone up. It’s called “contamination” – it’s what happens when we tear others down by our words and our actions. Just this week I’ve witnessed that as I heard someone’s loud voice with very angry overtones demeaning another … out of my eyesight, but not earshot. Hearing it made me squirm for them, and when they came to me around the corner, this person was visibly shaken and was fighting back the tears, not totally successful. Deeply hurt, not understanding, she retreated out of public view, and though I had tried to comfort her and reassure her, I could tell she felt sliced and torn to shreds. I couldn’t help but wonder, “why” do adults do these things to each other? Shouldn’t we know better than to hurt another like this? I guess people would know, if they had taken the time to exercise their hearts by reaching down and lifting someone else up! That should be a great incentive for us! Just think, exercising this way will bring about a heart that is strong spiritually, a heart that is filled to overflowing, a heart that pours out what God has poured in. God’s Word explains it this way: “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34b, NIV) You see, what’s inside, comes out. The Message Bible, same verse, defines it this way: “It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words.” Now, one last, very precious example … our second son and his family blessed us by coming this past weekend from Michigan to lift us up. They drove ten hours each way to spend two and a half days with us ~ and we squeezed into every hour, every ounce of togetherness and enjoyment that we could! Dana and Stacey shared their love and encouraged us in so many ways – it was like a drink of fresh water just when we needed it most! Whitney, who will graduate in about six weeks, sat up in bed late at night while I sat on the edge and we talked and talked, mostly about things of God, and then we held hands and prayed together. Dylan became our devoted helper and even took on the assistant chef title as we gathered in the kitchen to make a special family dinner that first evening. Thanks for the hugs, the fun, the talks … and for the gift of time – two and a half days to escape our crazy work schedule and to be blessed by you! You are all a priceless gift from God! You definitely reached down and lifted us up! And now we challenge each of you reading this: set a new goal and make the decision to exercise your heart … by reaching down and lifting someone up! The rewards are great!!!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE SUNDAY as together we experienced God in so many ways … through uplifting worship songs, in fellowship with each other, bowing before our Lord in prayer and pouring out our hearts … giving Him a portion of what He’s given to us … and being challenged by a very powerful message by Pastor Doug as he preached about “The Seven-Fold Commitment to Promises Worth Keeping”. Let’s DO it!
- HOW WE LOVED having our family, Dana and Stacey & Whitney and Dylan, (from Michigan) with us this past Sunday morning! Thanks for coming ~ we love you all!
- SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES to Caia ~ and to my mom in ND on her 86th birthday, both on April 15th … and to Hazel on April 17th! May all of you be blessed by God above with His very best gifts!
- OUR SPECIAL THANKS to the Bucholz family for their generous donation for a new projector to use for Power Point presentations in our services! How you’ve blessed us as a congregation with your prayers and loving support! May God bless you richly for sharing so faithfully!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 18TH:
- 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE – with Pastor Doug beginning a new sermon series to be announced on Sunday! Call a friend and bring them with you to Elevation North this Sunday!
- 11:15 A.M. – SUNDAY SCHOOL – with classes for all ages that will take you deeper into God’s Word!
- 6:00-7:30 P.M. – YOUTH: RE: FUEL session with Cierra at Pastor D’s and Debbie’s home. Don’t miss out!!!
- MAY 1ST, Saturday, at 2:30 P.M. – MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA … come and join us in this “Butterfly Transformation” time being planned by Hazel! Let’s reach out to family and friends for this wondrous event! Be sure to pick up some decorative butterfly invitations to give to them! Your pastor’s wife, Debbie, will be sharing the message ~ and there will be mouth-watering refreshments and fun prizes!
- RELAY FOR LIFE – is scheduled for July 16-17 this year, and Sean is our new captain for the Elevation North team. Let’s support this worthy cause by getting as many donations as possible for the fight against cancer!
- WOMEN OF FAITH – is slated to be at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul this fall – dates to be announced.
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- OUR GOD CONTINUES TO AMAZE US! Let’s remember Tina’s mom, Sean, Julia and her brother, Justin, Lundstroms, Seykoras, several in search of extra jobs/more hours, and … a place to worship with more space!
- THIS WEEK . . . Remember, “Among God’s best gifts to us are the people who love us!” ~ Unknown
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
