UNLIMITED POTENTIAL! That’s what YOU’VE got!!! It’s a gift from God … but you’ve got to open it and use it everyday! Look at where you’re standing now ~ what a breathtaking view! The entire universe stretches across the horizon – and it’s all yours for the taking! But just eighteen short years ago, we were the ones standing there ~ gazing at the breathtaking view of our first granddaughter … fresh from Heaven! What a gift you were then, and what a gift you are now! And you’re just about to step across the stage of accomplishment with all of the other high school seniors to receive your diploma. Countdown! To your future … to God’s perfect plans for you! Flashbacks show us awaiting your arrival, your parents at the hospital for that long, drawn-out twenty-four hours – and us, eleven hundred miles away, praying in the day-time and praying through the night. And then there was that magical moment when your daddy told me to listen through the phone, and I heard this constant, little “thump, thump, thump” of your heart! So far away, yet I could hear our first grandbaby’s heartbeat with you still nestled inside your mommy. The labor was long and hard, and as morning dawned after a long night of praying, I “saw” a white flowing form in the delivery room that I know was Jesus. I caught my breath and said, “Jesus, You’re there! I don’t have to be! Now I know that everything will be fine! Thank You, Lord!” With Jesus standing by, exactly at 5:07 p.m. on September 17, 1991 … you, Whitney Danielle Jones, breathed your first God-given breath! And you’ve been going strong ever since! There’s been nothing you couldn’t do that you put your mind to: a whirlwind of energy, you pushed to do the unimaginable; either astounding your parents to the point of amazement, wonder, and pride – or – driving them to sheer frustration at your strong-willed antics! (Let’s write a book ~ it would definitely be a best-seller!) You fell in love with Jesus early, and there wasn’t a friend that you didn’t tell about Him – you didn’t care what they thought. You just knew if they wanted to be your friend, they had to take Jesus, too! You may not have realized it back then, but Jesus was still standing by … and He was so touched by your passion for Him! The years zoomed by and an insatiable love of music and rock stars took over; you devoured the notes and the lyrics and learned so much about their lives that you could have been their private biographer. You drew posters and wore their t-shirts. But Jesus was still standing by … and He wasn’t going to let the world steal you away! While in high school, you met “that special someone” from Utah, and so many states away in Michigan, you’ve devoted countless hours to that relationship over the phone. You two have logged more hours of communication in just a few years – than most married couples do in many, many years! And in all of that chatting, Jesus was still standing by … when you introduced Alex to Jesus, and later he asked Him into His heart! Now, in a few short weeks, the world will await you on the horizon of your life, Whitney. It’s all there … the good and the bad. The beautiful and the ugly. The opportunities and the hard times. The joys and the struggles. The love and the hate. The easy and the difficult. The decisions and the indecision. The choices and the consequences. The godly influences and the pull of evil. The celebrations of milestones and the tears in sad and trying times. The special moments and the routine hours. The dreams for today and tomorrow or the regret over yesterday. The devotion to God or lack of it. It’s all going to be there for you when you cross that stage … and best of all, Jesus will be standing there, smiling at you … and He will walk across that stage with you into your future! You will never be alone. You will never have to wonder if He’s going with you or before you. He will be! That’s His promise! It’s like a wedding vow … He promises to be with you in “all” the times of your life, Whitney. Thank you for being our granddaughter … for blessing us in countless ways! Every day it is our special privilege to lift you before the Lord and claim all of His good and perfect gifts for you! May you always envision God’s full potential for your life, Whitney, and we will always be standing with you, as well, loving and nurturing and praying you to your fullest potential in Christ! Congratulations, granddaughter, on all of your accomplishments, commitment and gifts that have brought you to this memorable day in your life! We love you, Whitney! May God’s blessings and favor rest upon you always, we pray!
(Audience of readers, we thank you for allowing us to share these personal thoughts with you in this season of graduation for so many students. And to our own Elevation North graduate, Chaya, consider this our tribute to you, as well. You have your own story, which is written on the hearts of your family and friends, which includes us! Thank you for touching our lives, and remember that Jesus will always be standing with you … today as we celebrate you, and every day of your future!)
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- WE LOVED GATHERING together in the House of the Lord, lifting our voices in praise, and being fed by His Word! Pastor Doug challenged us to take a look at “What True Salvation Really Is!” (Matthew 15)
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Jesse, who joined us for worship for the first time! It was great having you with us!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, MAY 2ND: GRADUATION SUNDAY
- 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE with COMMUNION, focusing on “A Heart that Seeks to Follow Hard after God.” Who do you know who wants to know God better and walk more closely to Him? Invite them to come!
- 11:15 A.M. – SUNDAY SCHOOL – with classes for everyone! Our special thanks to Cierra, who has taught the little ones and will be going to visit family for the summer ~ we’ll miss you SO much! May God go with you and make you a blessing, even as you are blessed! And welcome to Liz, who has offered to step in and teach … we’re glad to have you on board!
- 6:00-7:30 P.M. – YOUTH: RE: FUEL session at Clinton Falls with Justin! Enjoy a powerful lesson AND the outdoors! Be sure to call friends … let’s double our group, and then double it again! And again!
- MAY 1ST, Saturday, at 2:30 P.M. – MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA with gourmet refreshments from “Hazel’s Bistro”, in a setting of butterfly decorations/music/theme, and the message, “Set Free ~ To Fly” shared by Debbie. We still have a few open spots; hurry and call us with your reservation! It will be an outstanding time!
- SUNDAY, MAY 9th – A SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY SERVICE … honoring all of our mothers and women!
- OTHER INFO TO KEEP IN MIND: Save your ink cartridges for office reward $ for our church / Share in our special fund for the extra expense for the new projector / Be working on Relay for Life contributions / Start saving $ for and planning to attend Women of Faith in the fall / Hymn Sing tentatively set for May 16th.
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- WE SHOULD COUNT IT OUR HIGHEST PRIVILEGE to thank God for Who He is … and for all He does for us! Let’s remember several urgent, unspoken requests; be in prayer for the Larry Lundstrom Ministries annual board meeting this coming week; lift up the Seykora’s as they anticipate the birth of baby #2 any day now, as well as for an upcoming trip home this summer to see family and friends and raise needed support; healing for several in our church family; and that Pastor & Debbie might be able to return to full-time ministry soon!
- THIS WEEK . . . Remember, “We better pay attention to the future, because that’s where we’re going to spend the rest of our lives!” ~ Unknown
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
