GOD SURE KNOWS HOW TO THROW A PARTY!!! People have this notion that the good times of their lives are had at parties. Well, I am one that believes that great times are had at other places and times, as well. But, whatever you want to call it, we had one great “party” this past week! Wanna hear about it? Well, it almost didn’t get off the ground, though all the plans had been laid out and pre-arranged. At the last minute, I discovered that I would not be receiving vacation pay from one of my jobs for the week we were to be gone … and that loss of pay was definitely NOT in the budget! At first I kind of freaked out, wondering how we were going to make it work. “We need to get away so desperately! We’ve got a precious little baby grandson that we’re so excited about meeting. We’ve got other family and friends we’d love to see! And besides, we haven’t had a day totally off from all of our jobs in forever – who knows when the last time was? How we need a reprieve, some rest, and some renewal!” Then I realized I was stuck on thinking WE had to make it happen, when I suddenly felt like God was asking me, “When have I ever let you down?” I had to shake my head “no” and say, “NEVER!” Once that was established anew in my heart, almost instantly a peace swept over me. I knew it was right to go … I knew it was right to step out in faith, believing for the impossible! I just didn’t know “where – or how – or when” it was all going to come together! I just knew it would! And, would you believe that God had marker signs all over the place, showing us where the party was? Those little “noise-makers” would go off in our hearts at the very best moments … like: seeing our newest grandson, Luke Michael, for the very first time ~ and holding him close to us as much as we could! Like: seeing how much our other little grandsons, Isaiah and Miles, had grown ~ and having them lead us to their bedroom where we would be staying! Like: seeing our kids’ new home for the first time ~ along with all the hard work and added touches they put into it! Like: seeing the breathtaking views from their windows ~ and then taking an adventurous walk with the family out in those same views in balmy temps! Like: going to church and worshipping together as a family! Like: sitting down to eat full home-cooked delicious meals ~ a labor of love by our “daughter”, Becky! Like: getting a tour of our son’s workplace ~ and then hearing a two-hour plus practice session of worship music by Dustin’s band! Like: getting to make cookies with Isaiah and Miles ~ and read stories and play toys with them! Like: getting to hand-deliver newborn baby gifts to little Luke ~ and being able to enjoy a post-Christmas celebration with our family! Like: being gifted with new photos to bring home ~ along with a photo memory book! Like: getting to just sit and talk and relax and talk some more ~ until the night drew to a close! The list could go on and on!!! Alright, let me add to it! Like: meeting up with some friends ~ and spending brief, but special soul-time together! Like: getting to see my almost 87-year old mom ~ and share some memorable hours together with her and two of my siblings and their spouses! Like: getting to chat with several nieces & nephews & their little ones on the phone! Like: stopping at the cemeteries to see both of our dad’s graves ~ but the deep snow kept us from getting as close as we’d like! Like: making a last-minute detour a few miles out of the way ~ and really, really surprising our youngest grand-daughter, Lindsay! Like: having dinner with our son and his wife, DJ and Melissa, and Lindsay ~ and seeing our grandson, Wade – but missing Tyler, as we headed home late at night! Like: arriving safely home in the wee hours of the morning ~ just in time to get ready to go to work! Our hearts were filled full of heart treasures from the anticipated week that God gave us! And just what DID He do? An afternoon phone call while we were at our son’s home in Nebraska brought the news that an extra $100 was being deposited in our bank account that day – a sign to us that God was taking care of our week without my salary. Then, a precious elderly couple passed a twenty dollar bill on to us! And on the last evening there, a very special friend came bearing fun gifts, including envelopes filled with fifties and a hundred dollar bill, to the tune of $300 total! I was speechless! Later, someone pressed five twenties into my husband’s hand, after we had been given $10 to help with food on our way home. My sister and hubby sent us home with a cooler filled with frozen meats and fruits! The “noise-makers” were going off like crazy! And do you know who was blowing them?! GOD – the Party Provider! The Way-Maker! The Lover of Families-Getting-Together! We left on our trip, praying that God would bless our family and others through us. We left to come home, having been blessed indescribably! The vacation time with no pay – no longer an issue! Who says God no longer does miracles? Not us!!! Precious people, be encouraged that God is still on His Throne, and He still loves throwing parties for His children! That’s YOU! And YOU, and YOU!!!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- OUR SPECIAL THANKS to Ryan for ministering to our congregation in our absence last Sunday; to Isaac for all of the preparation and work on Sunday morning for worship; to those who helped lead the praise music; and to everyone who helped in any way! You truly honored God ~ and blessed us! We were praying for all of you!!!
- SPECIAL, LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES to our grandson, Tyler, who will be celebrating his 21st birthday on Monday, January 24th! May God’s divine favor be present in your life always, we pray! We love you, Tyler!
- OUR SPECIAL THANKS to our “daughter”, Stacey, for updating the music on our church blog! May God bless you for sharing in the ministry of Elevation North in this way!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 23RD: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with Pastor Doug beginning a 3-week series on Prayer, Fasting, and Praise! This week’s message will be focused on Prayer and Matthew 6 … don’t miss it!
- 11:15 A.M. – SUNDAY SCHOOL with interesting teaching & discussions straight from God’s Word – for all ages!
- THIS MONDAY, JANUARY 24TH – FEBRUARY 13TH: 21-DAY SPIRITUAL FAST, as we fast and pray for Elevation North, for our families, our spiritual leaders, our nation and its leaders, and for ourselves - that we might be transformed into what God sees we can be! May this fast bring break-through for the glory of God!
- WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26TH: 7:00-8:00 P.M. – “LEARN THE BIBLE IN 24 HOURS” STUDY at the home of Pastor Doug and Debbie! Plan to attend, bring your Bibles and notebooks, and even bring a friend!
- NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 30TH: 10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP with the message centered on Fasting
- 11:15 A.M. - SUNDAY SCHOOL for everyone!
- SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH: ANNUAL VISIONARY MEETING with reports from the Pastor and the Treasurer – and plans and previews for the future!
- COMING SOON: RE: FUEL YOUTH schedule / FUN FELLOWSHIP opportunities / AND MORE!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- WHEREVER WE GO, we find people who are hurting and who need God’s touch in many different ways! This week please join us in praying for Samara and Brandon, for Pam, Tina, and Julia, for Aletta, Roger, Kay, and Karrie – all for physical healing and God’s strength! Our God is the Great Physician ~ He can be trusted with our very lives!
- REMEMBER, “The day will come – and come repeatedly during your life – that you will be so overwhelmed with God’s graciousness that tears will stream down your face!” ~ Bruce Wilkinson
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
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