DIVINE INTERVENTION! That’s the story of our lives, honey! In just days, you will be celebrating your 60th birthday! How incredible is that? Where, oh where, have the years gone? I stand at the window and stare outdoors at the cloud-filled sky. The clouds are nearly tumbling over themselves in a race to get to … I don’t know where. And there’s a mix of dark, foreboding storm clouds that seem to be out of place against the backdrop of clear, pure blue dotted with other clouds that are frothy white and billowy bright. Instantly I’m reminded of our lives and these many years that we’ve shared as I’ve celebrated forty birthdays with you now – well, I will, on June 28th! While we’ve lived our married lives as “one” … I’ve also been blessed to have been given “the view” of what God has done in you and through you. I’d love to invite everyone to talk a walk with me down your memory lane! So, here goes! When I met you at Trinity Bible College, you were only nineteen, and you were the life of the party. Everyone loved being around you. I was the more serious, and a bit more shy. Yet something, Someone, drew us together, and after you graduated from TBC, we walked hand in hand down the aisle of my home church on our wedding day - just a few weeks before your 21st birthday, Little did we know what journeys we would encounter along the way! What a lot of living you’ve done in these 60 years. From day one, I realized that there would be no grass growing under your feet! You’ve always been passionate about whatever you threw yourself into … be it family, fun, work, ministry, or anything else that you decided you wanted to be a part of. There have been the utmost joys and the utter struggles. There have been the soul-wrenching attacks of the enemy … time and time again … huge, devastating. I’m not talking the normal, run-of-the-mill darts the enemy throws at God’s children. These attacks came with enough arsenal to carry out the orders to “take you out”. A few times, the enemy almost succeeded. The pain of hurt and disillusionment was just about more than any human being should have to bear. Yet, as I stood in the wings and waited on God and cried out to Him on your behalf, I never doubted that God would bring you through to victory. I knew the call that God had placed on your life as a young boy was meant for an entire lifetime, and God would not allow the weapons formed against you to prosper! That’s in His Word, specifically, Isaiah 54:17, and it’s now become one of our “life verses”, hasn’t it? You amaze me with your grasp of God’s Word, and while I always pray for God’s mighty anointing on you as you preach ~ when it comes, I sit in amazement at the power of God as it flows through you as one of His vessels. I love how you can interact with all ages … from the oldest to the youngest! People still love to be around you, and I think that’s because they can tell that you genuinely care about them. At some of your darkest moments, and out-of-the-blue, God has sent people from past years with a message to remind you that you have indeed, made a difference in their lives. I’ll never forget the day that you said you’d never return to ministry again; it was too painful. Within hours our phone rang, and our youngest son, still living in the town we had previously pastored in, said, “Mom, tell Dad that I saw Jason today at work. He said to tell Dad that if it hadn’t been for that day in his office when he was suicidal, and Dad took all the time he needed to talk, and he prayed with him … he’d be dead.” It had been years since we had seen Jason! Divine intervention for him back then. But now, Divine intervention for you! God has the coolest ways of reminding us, touching us, healing us! Wow, I could write a book ~ actually, I guess I will! There’s so much more to share. I’ve just gotten started!! More important to you than all the accolades I could give you honey, is your walk with God, and your love for your sons and their families. I know you are so proud of them for how God has blessed and gifted them and is now using them! What a legacy you are living out each day. Today I celebrate you … my husband, the love of my life, my pastor, my best friend! Each day when we’re apart, I can hardly wait to “run to you”! While I wish I could give you the “perfect gift” for your 60th birthday, Doug, I give you this little “vignette” of memories and an overflowing heart of hope for all the great things that God still has planned for your future! I’m so thrilled that I get to be on this journey with you … I’m ready for your next 60!!! Happy Birthday, darling!
(Really, it’s alright that you peeked in on this note to my hubby; I wanted you to have a more intimate view of who he really is!)
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
(Really, it’s alright that you peeked in on this note to my hubby; I wanted you to have a more intimate view of who he really is!)
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- THIS PAST SUNDAY was rather unique with so many of our families gone with vacation time and graduations, etc., etc. Yet, God was there in our midst and the close-knit worship was outstanding! Pastor Doug’s message for the fathers was challenging and thought-provoking as He shared from God’s Word about the Father/Son relationship that God and Jesus have … as well as the relationship we can have with our Heavenly Father, and how that makes our earthly relationship with our dads even better!
- P.S. from last week: How we loved having the Kraus family visit us at Elevation North, as well as Mary’s sister! Thank you for your encouragement! And Zach and Justin, it was great to have you be a part of the children’s event in the afternoon! May God bless you all!
- HEARTFELT THANKS to our faithful supporters … we couldn’t do it without you! Because of your passion for God’s Kingdom work through Elevation North, we continue to move forward and touch people’s lives! May God multiply your giving back into your lives many times over!
- A HAPPY, BLESSED 60th BIRTHDAY to Pastor Doug on Monday, June 28th! We love you, Pastor D!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 27th: WORSHIP & PRAISE, with Pastor Doug beginning a new series of messages titled, “GOD’S FINGERPRINTS … ALL OVER YOU!” He will be using a variety of scriptures for each themed message! Who can you invite to share this series with you? Let’s grow Elevation North for God’s glory!
- 11:15 A.M. – SUNDAY SCHOOL – if you are thirsty, come and drink in! If you are tired, come and find rest! If you are seeking a deeper walk, dive into the Word! All the answers are there, and all ages will learn & grow!
- YOUTH: RE: FUEL / check with Justin for the date/details of the upcoming Valley Fair outing! Invite some of your friends for a fun day with faith-filled teens!
- JULY 3rd – We hope many will give of their time & talents to bring some homemade goodies / homegrown fruits & vegetables / plants / hand-made items for the Relay for Life table at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning. We want to support those who are battling cancer & remember those who have lost that fight.
- JULY 16/17 – RELAY FOR LIFE EVENT – at the Fairgrounds! Come and walk the lighted pathway!
- THIS SUMMER – A Sunday, date to be determined, w/Josh & Sarah Seykora, sharing their ministry with us!
- AUG 14 – FATHER/SON OUTING/TWIN’S GAME in the Cities … mark it on your calendar!
- MID-OCTOBER – WOMEN OF FAITH … “Over the Top!” theme; it will be all you hoped for and more!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- When we’re at the bottom of our rope and we don’t know where to turn, know that God is right there, coming to the rescue! He’s fully able to provide every answer, every miracle, every divine intervention needed! Be in prayer especially, for an unspoken request for a young lady, for God’s intervention! Remember Shirley, in the loss of her Aunt Olivia. Let’s hold each other up before the Lord in all things! He is worthy to be praised!!!
- THIS WEEK … Remember, “The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” ~ William James
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
