Elevation North has News for YOU!

TODAY I WITNESSED THRONGS OF PEOPLE. In the middle of the night, we got ready to head to the airport to take our grandson for his flight back to Michigan. Parting truly is such sweet sorrow … last bits of early morning conversation in the darkness as we drove, holding hands and praying for him, and lots of hugs and “I love yous” … until he was out of sight and on his way! Backtrack to the throngs now. My husband had walked with Dylan to his boarding gate, and I had to remain back at the security area and wait for him to return. And so I sat there praying … and people watching. I was amazed at the throngs of milling people, already in full-paced motion and it was not yet even 5 a.m.! Where in the world were all these people coming from and going at such an early hour? My heart leaped with spiritual vision – and I really wanted to know how many were truly free as they moved through the throngs. I really wanted to know how many were lost and bound up with all the blows that life has dealt to them. I really wanted to know how many were hurting and felt so all alone – even in the midst of the throngs. And I just wanted all of them to know that Someone actually cares. Genuinely. A part of me wanted to find a master loudspeaker that would encompass all of the airport – every terminal … and give them the Good News that Jesus knows them by name and loves them and wants them to be free! I wanted them to know that they could form a line and come to a certain place where their lives would be forever changed, and they could feel every chain drop off and claim their new freedom. I wanted them to know that just as the precious blood of countless soldiers have bought our nation’s freedom – so the precious shed blood of Jesus on Calvary so long ago bought their freedom. I wanted them to know that on bended knee they would find the strength to stand strong and come through with flying colors, so to speak. I wanted them to know that whatever “soul baggage” they walked into that international airport carrying … they could leave it all behind. Never to have to drag it around again. Never to have to be reminded again of all the junk that life throws in our direction. Not having to be stuck in despair or fear – ever again. More than the destination on their ticket, I wanted them to see a new destination awaiting them, one unlike any place they’ve ever seen or been. The tender for this ticket is not American Express or Visa or MasterCard, or even Discover … it’s far too costly for us to pay. That’s why it’s free to us. Yet it cost Jesus His very life and His precious blood, a price great enough to gift every living man, woman, and child with freedom in Christ and a forever life in Heaven! Our part? Just to say … “yes”. Yes, be my Savior and my Lord. Take my life and use it however it best pleases You! And in that moment we see those outstretched nail-scarred hands holding the ticket that will secure our mansion in Heaven. Our name is written boldly on it, and there’s no expiration date … it’s good for ALL of Eternity! Wow! People in the airport, do you hear? Do you understand? Don’t you want to leave your scars and rejection behind? Your shackles of sin that torment you day and night? Your failures and your emptiness? Your absence of purpose? Your misguided direction? Your lack of joy? People in the marketplace, I ask you the same questions. People in the church, I ask you the same questions, as well. Who would opt for a life that is hindered and enslaved? Who would choose a life filled with negativity? Who would purposely settle for the deception and lies and sadness that never seems to go away? Yet, out of those throngs of people that I saw … I’m sure that many more live in bondage than live in freedom! And that’s heartbreaking. What are we, as believers, here for? What is the church here for? We need to be jumping on board God’s daily plan to seek and save the lost … we need to be hunting down that microphone … we need to be boldly sharing Christ and offering the life-solutions that He brings for all of us! The throngs remain before my face, and my heart screams, “I don’t want to go to Heaven without all of you! I want to take you WITH me!” Head bowed with the magnitude of such a prayer, I humbly ask, “God, WHAT do you want me to DO?” Show me, please SHOW me! I want to know. I need to KNOW! Time is short and we … you and me, we need to make every minute count! We need to be on a continual, everlasting mission to take as many people to Heaven with us as we can. We need to be about the Father’s business: filling Heaven with the throngs. We need to be engaged in the spiritual strategy of leaving hell as empty as we can. Let’s put on our spiritual armor and start marching. Let’s win the throngs … one person at a time. All we have to do is open our mouth with the confidence that we win the final battle of all time … our God will do the rest! He will bring the freedom they are longing for!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- COMMUNING WITH GOD was truly precious as we took time to remember all He did for us on the cross … and still does, every day. As a church family, we were so blessed as well, by the gift of the new Communion table that one of our families had hand-made for our church! May God bless you, we pray!
- OUR SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES go out to LaFawn who will be celebrating on July 8th! May you be blessed to overflowing this coming year!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, JULY 3RD: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP, celebrating America and the freedoms we hold so dear, paid for with an extreme price … and celebrating the freedom that comes from knowing Christ and remembering the extreme price He paid for us! Remember the new sermon series that Pastor Doug will be starting on “Two Words to Change the World” … we will be digging into scriptures from Joshua 10 this week - and into history along with God’s Word over the next several weeks. Don’t miss a single week – and plan to bring some people with you!
- 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION – A time for our church family as we grow stronger together in Christ!
- MONDAY, JULY 4TH: HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY … enjoy celebrating our nation’s freedoms with family and friends!
- NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 10TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP, with Part 2 of the sermon series, “Two Words to Change the World”. Pastor Doug will be preaching from the book of Job … will you accept the challenge to see what God has in mind for His children in this day and age?
- KINGDOM CONNECTION – Be a participator in the life of our church and be encouraged by this time of fellowship and spiritual nurturing!
- ADDITIONAL MINISTRIES & EVENTS are just around the corner … make a list of who you can invite!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- THERE IS NO GREATER THRILL than witnessing the hand of God at work – and being called to be a part of that work! Over and over we see God manifesting His answers on our behalf! This week we especially think of several in our church family who are experiencing deep trials and would love for you to pray for and with them over these unspoken requests. Let’s continue to pray for Johnny and Cherry, for Jimmy, for Julia, for Wayne, for the Landons’ in their upcoming move, for Larry w/his upcoming surgery, for Lundstroms, for Seykoras’, for our nation, our leaders, our military, & for God’s leading us to the place of His perfect choice for us to house Elevation North!

- REMEMBER . . . “The value of a person is not measured on an applause meter; it is measured in the heart and mind of God.” ~ John Fischer

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

Elevation North has News for YOU!

WE’VE BEEN EVERYWHERE, MAN! “We’ve been everywhere, man” … wasn’t that a popular song some years ago?! Well, this week, it became our theme song! We were SO excited to head out on the road for a few days … because it meant bringing our 15-year old grandson back with us to stay for a little over a week! We’ve never had the joy of having a grandchild stay with us before … so we were like two little children anticipating a special present all wrapped up and waiting to be opened! We met our son, Dana and his wife, Stacey, in Chicago – as they were flying from there to Europe for their 20th anniversary cruise. Dylan would be coming home with us … and we could hardly wait! It was so great seeing them, as we hadn’t been together for over a year! During the course of the evening, the four of us left the hotel to run an errand in their car, while Dylan went up to the room. Barely down the street, we realized there was some bad weather going on. Thanks to internet on the cell phone, we discovered there was a tornado in the area we were staying in. Dana was driving aggressively through the toppled street barricades, as if on an obstacle course. The wind was strong, rain was pelting, it was dark, and we weren’t sure but that the car wouldn’t be hit by some moving object. Stacey, following her intuition, reasoned that we should turn around and get back to the hotel as soon as possible. At that moment, Dana’s phone rang and Dylan was letting us know that the power was out at the hotel. Everything was dark. Upon our return, we had to take the outer stairs at the Hyatt to get back to our room – since the elevators were out of order. Again, the cell phones provided a bit of light so we could see where we were going. The generators would not cooperate … and so we spent all night in the dark. When early morning came, we had to pull the window covering open to get ready by the bit of daylight that provided a shadowy reflection in the mirror. Taking to the road, we drove home through cloudy skies and rain. The next day, we hit the road again to attend a ministry board meeting a few hours away. Talking with some friends and sharing some health news they are facing, our hearts just wanted to “fix” it all … the diagnosis, the upcoming surgery, the temporary change in both schedules and lifestyle. We could understand the dilemma, the pull of heartstrings, the desire to continue to pour their hearts into ministry while the necessity to pull back for recovery screams loud and clear. Lord, why are the decisions never easy? Life can get so very complicated. If it was just for you that you were making the decision for, it would be so simple. We want always to do what is best for our family, and yet this strong call to bring hope and life-changes to people through the message of Christ compels us to keep going, even when it seems irrational. Darkness seems to overshadow the decision born out of deep struggle. I’m so glad that God knows our hearts, and will always come through for us … revealing what His perfect will is in each life event. And when He does, there comes that unwavering peace. Suddenly, it’s all clear. We get to take a glimpse at the big picture … God has something so much greater in store than we ever could have visualized. It may come through totally different venues and methods than we originally anticipated – but it will be even better … far better! Sometimes retreating for a bit gives God opportunity to renew and replenish and re-fire us beyond what we’ve previously experienced! We thought we were strong before, passionate and purposed … but watch out, world! What God has done, no man or devil can thwart! Friends, we just want to encourage you that God WILL bring you to the right decision. Of all the voices and advice coming your way, may you hear God’s voice booming louder and clearer than all the rest! You are truly His chosen vessels, and He is just doing some re-shaping of the clay right now. What may seem like a weakness in the body or at the least, an inconvenience for ministry schedules – I believe are pottery tools in His nail-scarred hands, and you are getting detailed hands-on attention right now. May you be gifted with oneness in spirit, and harmony in your guided decision – that God might be lifted up and glorified! How I thank God that He always comes through for us … how He always knows the desire of our hearts! As a postscript to our grandson’s visit, I had specifically prayed before he ever came, that we would be able to bless him, impact him in godly ways, and touch his life with our love and care. And you know what? The very first evening back home, we spent hours just talking and sharing our hearts about things of God. We talked about heaven and hell, about our faith and so many experiences, and how others have made a real difference in our lives. God … you answered even before we asked! Of all the fun things we’ve been able to do together … this chat will be my highlight! Thank you, Dylan … we love you so much! (And for all of you listening in on these family and friend experiences, we hope they will remind you to “keep on” in the storms and the darkness … for His light will always shine bright enough to light your next step!)

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- GOD ALWAYS KNOWS how to brighten our lives, and His Holy Spirit truly enlightened our hearts through the powerful message Pastor Doug shared with the congregation on Father’s Day last Sunday! How we praise God for His presence in our midst!
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Dennis and Betty who worshipped with us for the first time on Sunday; you truly encouraged us, and we pray that you were blessed, as well! We look forward to having you join us again!
- WE WELCOME our grandson, Dylan, who is with us at Elevation North today! Thank you for coming … and may God be with you as you travel home this week!
- LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES to Pastor Doug as he celebrates this Tuesday on June 28th! May your life be filled with as much joy as you bring to the lives of all who know you! We all thank God for you!!! You are loved!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 26TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with a message that draws us into sweet communion with our Lord as we participate in Communion, remembering what Christ did for us on Calvary!
- NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 3RD: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP, celebrating our nation and the freedom that Christ came to give! We are so excited to begin the new sermon series on “Two Words to Change the World” – as we take a look at scriptures to help us become believers who WILL change our world as God empowers us! Don’t miss a Sunday!!!
- SUMMER & AUTUMN ministry schedules will be printed and ready for you next Sunday … mark the events on your calendars and plan to be active participants in the life of Elevation North!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- WHAT A JOY IT IS to see God at work so personally in our lives and in our church! How we praise Him for His incredible touch in Ernie’s life this past week; and we continue to lift up those who need God’s healing touch, others who need financial provision, those who have unspoken requests, and for wisdom and completed miracles for the new church home for Elevation North! Let’s bind our hearts together, in Jesus’ Name and for His glory!

- REMEMBER . . . God is saying to you, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and (that your body) may keep well, even as (I know) your soul keeps well and prospers.” 3 John 2, (Amplified Bible)


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie