SHAKEN … BUT UNSHAKEABLE! Ten years ago on the eleventh of this month, our world as we knew it was forever changed. As the Twin Towers crumbled down in a mountainous heap of dust and debris following the attack on America by the terrorists, we suddenly realized that things would never be the same again. With the levels of national security changing color before our eyes on the television screen each night, we began to get a glimpse of the drastic change in how we would live our lives from here on out. We were in uncharted territory. We suddenly found ourselves in tight places, not always liking how our “new” world looked. Yet … we are Americans who live in the land of the brave and the free, and there are still enough of us breathing who plan to fight for keeping our land that way. There are enough of us who call ourselves by Christ’s Name and strive to live worthy of it who will do whatever it takes to keep our churches open and live out our faith openly. That day, others around the world wondered what our response would be. That day, they didn’t have to wonder for long. We held our heads high in spite of our great loss of precious lives, and we vowed we would move forward. And we held our hands up high, inviting the help of the Lord God of Israel, who is also the Lord God of the United States of America – so long as we don’t push Him out. Today I met a woman who spilled her heart out … I could tell she was shaken. As she talked and revealed her circumstances, I could tell she felt as if things in her life were crumbling down in a mountainous heap of change and loss. Within just the past few days, she was suddenly realizing that life as she had known it for the past several years would no longer look like it had. Part of that was good, really good - and part of it was sad, very sad. She could see her dream being snatched away. While she would find freedom and release in some areas, she would have to heal over others that were paining her so deeply. Long term, she would get back what was the most important to her – like more time in her life … more time with family and friends … and time to just enjoy life as God intended for His people to. But much of what had surrounded her life would soon be gone, and she was battling a deluge of emotions that at times seemed like a personal hell. She would rationalize, and strategize, and categorize … until she felt almost paralyzed in her dilemma. She said she cried out to God to reveal HIS plan for the changes. Still she was shaken. She said she begged God to hold her in His lap and soothe her troubled spirit. She felt a little less shaken – and so much more secure. Until the next deluge of unsettling emotions washed over her like a flood. She cried out for the grace to find contentment in whatever circumstances she will find herself in. She said she suddenly remembered that many years ago she had come to the point of realization that if at some point in her life she would be stripped of everything … and everyone in her life, that God would be enough. But when it actually starts to happen, then comes the true test if you will still feel that way. I asked her, “So, if and when all this loss occurs, will God really be enough?” A quiet, little smile broke across her face, and through shining, tear-filled eyes, she reiterated, “Yes, He will!” She was quick to mention Psalm 34:18 and what it meant to her … that He promises to be close to the broken-hearted and He saves them whose spirit has been crushed. She picked up the pace, and recited from Isaiah 40:11 … that He carries His own close to His heart! Soon she could hardly contain herself as she flipped the pages of God’s Word over to Jeremiah 30 and 31, where this undergirding message jumped out at her from several different verses … “God will cause us to draw near to Him and we will approach Him … then we will be His people, and He will be our God. The Lord says that He has loved us with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness has He drawn us and continued His faithfulness to us.” Excitedly, she said that she loved these prophetic promises: “Again I will build you and you will be built … you will again be adorned … and go forth in dancing. Again you shall plant and enjoy the fruit undisturbed. For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness … and shout. Proclaim, praise, and say, The Lord has saved His people. We will come with weeping in penitence and for joy, pouring out prayers for the future. Our God will lead us back; He will cause us to walk by streams of water and bring us in a straight way in which we will not stumble, for He is our Father. For the Lord has ransomed us and redeemed us. We shall come and sing aloud and be radiant with joy over the goodness of the Lord – for all His provision. And our lives shall be like a watered garden, and we shall not sorrow or languish any more at all!” I saw her emotional transformation before my very eyes … and somehow knew that in spite of her personal 9/11 tragedy that has shaken her to the core … she will emerge UNSHAKEABLE!!! With God for her, who can be against her?
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- WE WERE SO BLESSED by the sweet presence and powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit this past Sunday as we worshipped together! And we were challenged by Pastor Doug’s concluding message on the Gifts of the Spirit – may each of us discover God’s place for us in His Kingdom work here at Elevation North and beyond!
- OUR SPECIAL WELCOME to Wayne and Verla who once again joined us in worship, praise, and fellowship; and to Kathy’s mom who was also in our midst again! Our prayer is that you were touched and blessed exceedingly by God! We loved having you with us!
- WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR DEEP GRATITUDE to a special family who so generously donated a custom-built pulpit for Pastor Doug to preach from! It is beautiful, and our prayer is that God’s Words will always go forth from it with power and life-giving hope! Thank you, and may God’s blessings and favor rest upon each of you!!!
- WISHES FOR A BLESSED BIRTHDAY go out to Cierra, who will be celebrating on September 13th ... may you be blessed with an incredible year filled with God’s best, is our prayer!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH: 10:00 A.M. - PATRIOTIC SUNDAY with Communion, remembering and honoring those whose lives were sacrificed ten years ago this day. May we never forget what they did – or what Jesus did for us on Calvary! Pastor Doug will be preaching a powerful message that includes commemorating both 9/11 and the gift of God’s Son!
- NOTE … OUR CHILDREN’S EVENT has been moved to Sunday, September 25th … watch for details next week for a really fun adventure!
- NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP/FALL MINISTRY KICK-OFF with new things in the works for growing us in the Lord … and our Spaghetti Lunch & family movie to follow – plus the fun of making our own sundaes! Don’t miss this exciting church event!
- CALLING ALL LADIES … we want YOU to go with us to the Women of Faith Conference in St. Paul on Oct. 21-22! The cost is $89 for the two days, including 2 box lunches, and the checks are due to Sonya. Be in prayer about inviting a friend or two that could be so blessed by joining us for this incredible weekend! Sign up & see Debbie!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- OUR GOD ALWAYS has our best interests at heart … He definitely knows what’s best for us! And He knows how to bless & comfort us! This week let’s lift up Mike’s dad in hospice and the entire family, Kelly’s family as they attend her mom’s burial, Ernie, Audry, and Sharon, Johnny and Cherry, Judy, Tina, Eva, Justin, Jimmy, Elsie, Wayne, Ron, Larry & Gloria, Josh & Sarah & family, and several very urgent unspoken requests! May our God be glorified!
- REMEMBER . . . “Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him who loved us.” ~ Romans 8:37 (Now, THAT’S called “unshakeable”!)
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
