As I sit here and pray about this message, the waving flower blossoms and the leaves on the trees banter back and forth as if vying for my attention as they move in the lilting breeze. It’s the Fourth of July weekend … a time for being free and feeling free. But of course, that freedom was never free; it has cost our nation thousands and thousands of young lives. So why do we allow ourselves to get so caught up in stressful living when we live in the land of the free?! That’s the sixty-four million dollar question, isn’t it? That’s why I’m doing a re-write of something I wrote two decades ago. In the midst of my ever-so-full life with a zillion things on my ever-so-long list, I feel the need to simplify! Come … travel with me for a few moments … let’s do some soul-searching. See if you discover anything similar to what I have discovered. We all live in such a fast paced, hectic world nowadays that it is so easy to be caught up on the “merry-go-round” of life, wondering how we’ll ever get off, because it never stops. Have you ever noticed just how often you despair that seemingly the urgent most always takes precedence over the important? Just why is it that way? How is it that time – and life – pass us by all too quickly – and years later we’re still wondering how it is that so many precious opportunities have slipped past … because we’re still on the “merry-go-round” instead of getting off to walk around and discover what other “joy-rides” and experiences are awaiting us! The longer I live, the more I realize how quickly time evaporates … all too often into nothingness … and life is too precious to allow that to happen! So often I’ve said that God has given me one life to live, and how I desire that in my lifetime God will fulfill within me and through me all that He intends for me to be. So, I drink life to the fullest, and I am blessed to feel that I have ‘lived so much’ in the years I’ve already been given. But, alas, in my quest to live life to the fullest, I find myself from time to time getting sucked into the hurricane winds circling the “merry-go-round” ,,, and I have to struggle with all my might to jump off – and walk back to where I belong in God’s plan. That’s where I really want to be ~ there is no place in all the earth so exciting and rewarding as being right where God wants me. Do you ever feel, like me, that there are times the pressures and stress seek to weigh you down and crush you? Much of the time we feel like we are fighting the fast-moving current that drags us further behind in our attempt to “catch up” … and it’s those times that would seek to steal away the incredible moments in store for us with our Lord, our spouse, our children and grandchildren, even our church family … BUT ONLY IF WE CHOOSE TO LET THAT HAPPEN! You see, for so long I felt that I just somehow, with God’s help, had to bear all those pressures, deal with all that stress, win the battle and finally accomplish everything on my list of “things to be done”. (Confession time: sometimes I still feel that way – twenty-two years later!) Well, I tell you … it would take “Super Woman” to do all that I have on my list – in the time-frame I allow for that list to be done in. No wonder the stress comes and there’s that feeling of facing a mountain of insurmountable heights! Shame on me!!! How could I have been so foolish?! I’m sorry, Lord, for getting caught up on the “merry-go-round” of life, for stress will not allow me to be effective for You – it will only destroy me and all that I hold dear. I will choose to look at people and at things through Your eyes, Lord. Oh, I know I will still live a life filled to overflowing (little did I know “how” overflowing back then!!!) – but I will learn to say “no” more often (when You tell me to!) – and I will make more time for quiet times of the soul, spent alone with You. (Those times are truly my salvation and my joy!) It is in those times of soul-searching that I find my renewal and refreshing of spirit, my strength in body, and my peace of mind. With those gifts from God present in my life, I find freedom to choose all of God’s best for me, and the chains that Satan would try to bind me with, will drop powerless at my feet! Well, have you seen yourself in me? If you’ve felt some of those same battles raging in your soul from time to time, now is the time to make the necessary changes in strategy as you plan your daily life and your daily walk with the Lord – and then fly your victory flags! Independence Day was never meant to be celebrated only on the Fourth of July … God ordained every day of our lives to be freedom day! So let’s begin living in the freedom that is ours through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, not squandering it away on things that will enslave us! Take a deep breath … and together let’s live free!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- WHAT A PRECIOUS TIME we enjoyed last Sunday as we centered worship around the Lord Jesus Christ and lifted up His Name! God’s Word is never stale, it is always fresh AND refreshing … so we at Elevation North come to drink in deeply! And His Word always revives and rejuvenates us, whether it’s spoken – or sung! Plus, we enjoyed a fun celebration with the church family for Pastor Doug’s 60th birthday!
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Kenyon, Krissy, and Nataliia who worshipped with us for the first time! What a joy it was to have you in our midst ~ we hope you’ll join us again soon! May God’s blessings be yours!
- BELATED BIRTHDAY WISHES to Larry Lundstrom and to Wayne Jones, both wonderful encouragers/supporters of Elevation North! AND A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY to LaFawn, who will celebrate her birthday on July 8th … may God’s favor rest on ALL of you!
- WE WANT TO THANK Isaac for helping man the Relay for Life table at the Farmer’s Market this weekend, as well as all of you who provided home-made, hand-made, and hand-grown items! Your generosity is appreciated!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, JULY 4TH: 10:00 A.M. - WORSHIP & PRAISE will focus on a patriotic message from Deuteronomy 28: “Why God Is Not Blessing America”. Come and learn a bit more about how we can do our part to turn that around so God’s blessings can flow freely upon our land once again!
- 11:15 A.M. – SUNDAY SCHOOL – This is the perfect place to learn and share your heart with other believers as we seek out what God has for us! Let’s not settle for anything less!
- JULY 6th: YOUTH / RE: FUEL OUTING to Valley Fair Amusement Park … have a fun time and remember who you are representing as you cross paths with all the other youth at the park! Check w/Justin for final details!
- JULY 16/17 – RELAY FOR LIFE EVENT at the fairgrounds; don’t miss participating in this incredible all-night walk that celebrates cancer survivors and honors those who lost their battle. Your time and involvement makes a huge difference! Let Tina know how you can help!
- THIS SUMMER – A Sunday with the Seykoras from Perth, Australia; be watching for the details!!!
- AUG 14 – FATHER/SON OUTING to the Cities to take in a Twin’s game against Oakland at 6:10 p.m.!
- MID-OCTOBER – WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE; you’ll LOVE the “Over The Top” theme! Don’t miss out!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- We never lack for things to praise God for or to ask Him for! But He loves us to come to Him! This week join us in praising God for the miracle of sparing a little life; in praying for comfort for Shirley in the loss of her 95 year old Aunt Olivia; and for Wayne & Verla in the loss of her brother, Leslie; for healing for James as he is having tests done in TN for congestive heart failure; for Julia and her brother; for those who’ve suffered devastation from storms. God is ready and waiting to do the impossible … let’s ask and claim and receive the answers in Jesus’ Name!
- THIS WEEK … Remember, “Challenges are like summer storms. Everything is more beautiful when they have passed.” ~ Unknown
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
