BLESSINGS! They come in all sizes, shapes, and flavors. They invoke an awesome array of emotions. They create another level of gratitude and expectation. They are unexpected and they are expected. They come from people and places we know. And they come from unknown sources as well as from heavenly places. They are often seen as divine favor and received from God’s hand into our lives. They are timeless and unlimited. They are ours for the asking. They come for provision. And they come in great abundance to be shared. The possibilities are endless! A baby’s smile. Chocolate. A love note from your spouse. Hearing your kids say, “I love you!” Fresh raspberries. Stunning sunsets. Cool moonlit nightscapes. Hugs from your grandkids. Your parents’ prayers. A true, blue friendship. A juicy pineapple. Birds chirping their melodies in concert. Cash tucked in an envelope in your mailbox – when you didn’t know where to turn. Answered prayers. Chocolate almond ice cream in a sugar cone. Siblings that are there for you ~ no matter what. Arranging plants in a summer planter. The amazing colors and perfumed scents of blooming roses. A foot massage. A glass of chilled juice. A few moments to close your eyes and breathe easy. The sound of rippling water. The dancing shapes of white across the bluest skies you’ve ever seen. Photos that play precious memories over and over. A phone call of encouragement ~ how could they have known? The sound and smell of fresh rain. The gentle waving of our country’s flag in the day-time breezes. A fresh-baked apple cream pie. The aroma of home-baked bread just coming out of the oven. Having a job to go to, no matter how hard the work or how long the hours. Receiving new strength for each day. The promise of God’s mercies that are new every morning. The sacrifice of young lives ~ what a high price for our freedom. The kindness of a complete stranger. The gift of health and healing, so you can praise God with every breath He gives you. The ability to praise God in the tough times when everything is not so perfect. Someone paying for your meal when you least expect it. Being able to share with someone else when they least expect it. Listening to songs that lift you up above your circumstances. Singing out of a joyous, overflowing heart. Taking time to live in the moment and celebrate life itself, knowing that the next moment may never come. Making someone else feel truly special. Offering that genuine compliment. A sizzling burger on the grill. The neighbors filling a plate with grilled chicken and pasta salad for you to take home and eat while you set your patio flowers out. Experiencing the sights and culture of another country because of a friend’s generosity. Being able to send your friend in Japan an e-card for her birthday. Finding a few moments to curl up with a great book. Penning the cry of your heart onto paper, longing for it to make a difference for someone else. Having clothes that get dirty so we can wash and dry them. Knowing that others somewhere far away would love to “have to do laundry”. Getting to shop for ingredients and trying out a new recipe. Realizing that some people have to scrounge in garbage cans for their very sustenance. Being stirred to action through an anointed message. Being privileged to sit under my husband’s ministry for all of our married lives! Living in a land where we are still free to worship as we please. Being offered the gift of God’s Son, Jesus – our invitation to live forever in Heaven. Knowing we won’t have to pay for our own sins – how could we? Being able to respond to God’s call to put Him first. Getting to know our God better by opening the pages of His Word every day. Having the intimate privilege of being on a first-Name basis with our Creator and spending time with Him. Living in the presence of Christ. Sharing our very heart with the King of all kings. Being able to share His heart with others. And … counting our blessings, we top off this “blessing list” with hearts still rejoicing over our recent vacation days that allowed us to tuck in the celebrations of our grand-daughter’s and nephew’s graduations … catching up with special friends and awesome family … and priceless moments with Dana and Stacey and Whitney and Dylan in their home. We were so blessed with the love they lavished on us, the serious moments, the fun times, the silly times, the relaxing hours and restful nights, sitting around the table together enjoying yummy meals, finishing up a project, cheering for the winner of American Idol, celebrating Whitney walking across the stage, and praying together! We brought home with us as many memories and hugs as possible to hold us over until … next time … when there will be new blessings to share and experience! We love you more than we can say!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- WE WANT TO ADD our thanks to Pam and Liz for leading the worship while we were away; what a blessing to know that God was using you! It was wonderful being back at Elevation North this past Sunday … getting to be with our church family again … worshipping in Word, song, communion, and fellowship! To God be the glory, great things He is doing!!!
- THIS WEEK special wishes are in order for: Aleana on her June 7th birthday, Dana & Stacey on their 19th anniversary on June 7th (we love you both!), and Pastor Doug and Debbie will be celebrating their 39th anniversary on June 5th!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- ALL CHURCH GARAGE SALE -THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 4 – 4-9 p.m. & SATURDAY, JUNE 5 – 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. We ask for everyone’s involvement, donating items, setting up, and helping with the sale! Proceeds will be shared with the Seykora’s and the Lundstrom’s for their ministry outreaches. Let’s pray for a BLESSED sale!!!
- THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 6th:
- 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE with a powerful message by Pastor Doug straight from the Word of God; jubilant singing and warm fellowship … with God in our midst!
- 11:15 A.M. – SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES – for everyone who is hungry to know God better!
- 12:00 NOON – POTLUCK LUNCH followed by our SING-YOUR-HEART-OUT event! Plan to bring a dish to pass, and invite some friends to come and spend the morning/afternoon with us at Elevation North! The meat and beverages and table service will be furnished. So just bring your appetites and your voices!
- NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 13TH: CHILDREN’S SUNDAY … with worship, lunch, and swimming! JULY 16/17 is Relay for Life … AUG 14 is our Father/Son Outing with a Twin’s game at 6:10 p.m. … MID-OCTOBER is Women of Faith! We want YOU to be a part of these incredible opportunities in the life of our church! And more events are being planned! We will grow together and allow God to expand our territory, for His glory!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- DID YOU KNOW that God is interested in every part of our lives? He wants to be an active part of our living here on this earth! Join us in praying for each other, for healing and provision, for victories and divine favor, for opportunities and blessings … yes, BLESSINGS, that we might bless our Heavenly Father even more, as well as those around us!
- THIS WEEK … Remember, “Some blessings – like rainbows after rain, or a friend’s listening ear – are extraordinary gifts waiting to be discovered in an ordinary day.” (unknown)
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
