SPIRIT OF EXPECTANCY! I think that’s how we pray at Elevation North! And I believe it’s the only way to pray … meaning, if we pray without expecting God to answer, then why even pray? If we pray without asking for God’s will to be done in our lives and in our circumstances here on earth today – even as it is done in Heaven, then why pray? If we pray without fully believing that God will absolutely bring to pass what is best for us, then why pray? This past Sunday morning, we called one of our teen boys to the front of the church, and invited our church family to join us in special, fervent prayer. Sean was facing brain surgery on Wednesday; an intricate, tedious surgery – not without risk. He was looking at 10-12 hours in surgery and recovery, with an amazingly gifted surgeon and her skilled team of medical professionals. So, there we stood and united our hearts in prayer, believing God for an incredibly successful surgery to come! We asked God to be with Sean, present with him in the surgical room, guiding the hands and minds of those who would be performing surgery on Sean’s brain. We asked for divine skill and wisdom for them – above and beyond their own. And as we prayed, we sensed the presence and anointing of the Lord! Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday passed, and then before Wednesday morning daylight dawned, we were on our way to the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis. The staff hovered around, busily checking Sean in, paying attention to every detail as the necessary preparations were made for this unique surgery. A medical condition known as “dystonia”, short circuits the messages that Sean’s brain sends to his arms and legs, especially on the one side of his body. And the surgery they had initially done some time ago, left the implanted wires fractured inside his body due to his rapid growth rate these past few years. So the messages were no longer getting sent properly or efficiently, thus his body was not responding like it should. That’s where this surgery came in – a reconnection of wires to a newly placed device that would help transmit the messages and new batteries in the device! But think about how incredible a surgery like this is … a large portion of the scalp has to be laid back through a carefully shaped incision so that the necessary work can be done on the brain with wires being strategically placed and connected to the device in the upper chest area. To those of us not skilled in this medical arena, we can hardly imagine how this could be done! And yet, it is so amazing, the extent of knowledge that God has given to surgeons and physicians – especially in this critical setting. There is no room for error. A fine line divides a successful procedure and one with even a tiny mistake. The end result could be night and day difference in the brain’s ability to function properly. So, here was Sean, fifteen years old, being taken to the surgical room for anesthesia. My husband had already prayed with him and for him in the pre-surgery room; the number of people allowed in his room was kept to a strict limit of one at a time – plus mom and dad. And then he was on his way. The tedious, intricate process began. Sean’s parents, friends, and the two of us kept vigil in a nearby waiting area … continuing to pray off and on all morning, into the long afternoon that was now drawing into the evening. The hours passed slowly. Other families filled the area, waiting for their loved ones who were also in surgery. We soon crossed paths with another believer – and what a great conversation we had talking about God and how He is at work in our lives and in our churches! What an encouragement and breath of fresh air in the midst of all that waiting! How awesome it is to connect with other believers, and within moments of meeting, you feel as if you’ve known them all your life! That connection is the Holy Spirit living in them and in us – and it draws us together, making us truly brothers and sisters in Christ! Ten hours, and the waiting was getting to be grueling. A few complications in recovery sent all of us to fervent prayer. Eleven hours passed … and finally more than twelve hours since we had seen Sean in the morning, we were allowed in his ICU room. He was awake and bandaged, and he said he felt “like he’d been run over by a truck.” But he looked pretty great for feeling that way! And the next thing he purposefully said very slowly was, “The last thing I remember before I passed out was … I saw Jesus!” All of us in that room with him were teary and filled with an overwhelming praise to our God who sent Jesus to Sean to reassure him that He was with him! I have no doubt but that Sean will never, ever forget seeing Jesus in those last moments of consciousness before the anesthesia put him to sleep. What a gift of peace, sweet peace … a peace none of us can explain! But with God’s divine touch and skilled physicians, Sean was on his way home about 16 hours after he shared with us in the ICU room following surgery and recovery! We prayed … we expected … and God ministered as only HE can! Wondrously, supernaturally! And now our hearts praise Him and exalt Him and we lift Him up with overflowing thanksgiving! And we add, “Sean, God has some really special plans in store for you! May you pursue Him with all of your heart – all your life long!”
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- STEPPING OUT IN FAITH is exactly what God enabled us to do last Sunday – in our worship of Him … and in our decision to pursue a new location that will provide not only sanctuary space, but classrooms, and fellowship space so that our church family can continue to grow and meet the needs of God’s people! We step out boldly, yet aware of the greater commitment that we are making to minister within and without! God, we are trusting YOU to help us, and to enable US to do OUR part! All for YOUR glory!!!
- SPECIAL BIRTHDAY HUGS are sent to our little grandson, Miles, who will be celebrating his 3rd birthday on Monday, May 23rd! May Jesus bless you, Miles … thanks for all the ways you make us smile!!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Harold and LaFawn who are celebrating this Sunday, May 22nd! And special birthday wishes are being sent to Melony on May 26th! May God bless all of you with His love and joy!!!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, MAY 22ND: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP, with Pastor Doug continuing in Hebrews chapter 12, this week focusing on the second half and the “Warning Against Refusing God”. You’ll definitely want to dig deeper in God’s Word as this message is preached! Bring your Bibles and follow along!
- 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION TIME ... in a world that is so disconnected, join in on the fellowship and encouragement that keeps us all connected in Christ!
- NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 29TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP, with a special Memorial Day message honoring those who have gone on before – the patriarchs of the faith, our loved ones – friends and family, and those who have fought for and secured our freedom in this land. May we never forget the impact others have had in our lives!
- THERE ARE NEW THINGS JUST AROUND THE CORNER … so watch for a print-out of events and ministries to come, including the WOMEN OF FAITH conference in October; plan now to be saving for your tickets & hotel!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- ONLY THE LIVING GOD can do what we’ve experienced and witnessed this past week! Miracles and blessings from His hand to us! Thanks be to God! Let’s continue to lift up Sean, Shirley, Hazel and her sister’s family in their recent loss, Johnny & Cherry, Julia, Cierra as she begins her summer with her family, Justin as he prepares for his overseas military tour of duty, Landon’s as they prepare to move, and for our entire church family!
- REMEMBER . . . “From the dawn of time, your Father has known you and loved you!” ~ Bruce Wilkinson
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
