Wednesday, October 10, 2012

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 
IS THERE A PLACE IN TODAY’S WORLD called a “peace shelter”?  For most people – no matter what nation we live in, or what language we speak … what we all long for and search after, is peace!  We look in every place we can and pursue every avenue we think will lead us there, but it mostly evades us.  Where, oh where, can we find peace?  Oh yes, we find it every now and then, and we think it shows up when things seem to all be flying in perfect formation and everything is running smoothly.  But what about the times that just about push us to the brink of losing it?  Where is peace then?  Some people wonder if peace even exists – much less being obtainable.  Of all things we could ever hope to attain, finding peace is priceless.  That’s because true peace only comes from one source.  Lasting peace, that is!  All of us could list some thing or some place in this present life that brings us temporary peace … some pleasant escape that calms our bodies and minds and soothes our nerves.  But throw us back out into the storms of life – and wham! – what happened to that peace we were just experiencing?  It seems to have dissipated into thin air!  Elusive.  Slipping through our fingers like sand.  Why can we not hang on to it?  Perhaps we’re looking in all the wrong places.  Perhaps we’re running after all the wrong pursuits.  So where should we be looking, then?  Mother Teresa once said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”  Well, that’s a part of the answer, because we definitely have forgotten to value others in today’s world.  And when that value is in place, there’s a certain peace that comes with knowing that others genuinely care and will be there for you.  You feel like someone’s got your back!  But I would love to add to Mother Teresa’s quote by saying, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to God.”  (Well, we do if we have asked Him to be our Savior and Lord!)  Knowing that we belong to Him brings an assurance that we are held and carried and protected … and yes, even sheltered in the arms of God!  There’s a song written about that, did you know that?  What could ever bring more peace than knowing that we belong to the One and Only who can shelter us and protect us in the midst of life’s storms?  Someone else penned this worth-repeating-quote:  “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass … it’s about learning to dance in the rain!”  Well said!  There’s no peace in being bogged down by the storm – but there IS peace knowing that we can be free to dance in the midst of the downpour!  Our God gives us the raincoat and boots to splash around in, so we don’t miss a thing!  “Peace, peace, wonderful peace … coming down from the Father above” (Another song – from way back, but with a message that never grows old!)  Where is peace?  God tells us to seek it and pursue it, Psalm 34:14.  Then He says there is a future for the man of peace, Psalm 37:37.  In Psalm 119:165, it says, “Great peace have they who love Your law.”  Here’s a prescription:  “A heart at peace gives life to the body,” Proverbs 14:30.  And this, my 88-year old mom’s favorite verse, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,” Isaiah 26:3.  There’s the direct route to peace … our mind staying focused on Christ achieves peace!  What are you thinking about – and who are you thinking about?  Think right, think on godly things, and you will find peace!  (Philippians 4:8-9)  The peace shelter!  Now go on … dance in the rain while the storm is raging around you!  “The God of peace is with you!”
 
 
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
 
 
SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES to our son, DJ, who celebrates his 40th birthday on October 14th: we pray God’s favor and blessings on you always!  You are loved!
 
SUN, OCT 14:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with a special message on “Trust” ~ don’t miss out on this!
SUN, OCT 14:  10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla … invite your friends to come with you!
WED, OCT 17:   7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY in the book of James /at 905 El Dorado St SE in Owatonna
THU, OCT 18:   7:00 P.M. –  MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY in the book of James / at 165 24th Place NW in Owatonna
FRI, OCT 19-SAT, OCT 20:  WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE in St. Paul … leaving Debbie’s at 3:00 p.m.
SAT, OCT 19:   8:00 A.M. – MEN’S FELLOWSHIP at “The Kitchen” restaurant in Owatonna – bring someone along!
SUN, OCT 21:  10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP / 11:30 A.M. - POTLUCK LUNCH / PUMPKIN PATCH OUTING following lunch for the entire church family - $6 per person (see Wayne and Verla) / 6:00 P.M. – BAPTISMAL SERVICE at Victory Church
FRI, OCT 26:    7:00 P.M. – LADIES NIGHT OUT / Comedy Night with movie snacks – bring a girlfriend or two!!!  We will meet at 165 24th Place NW in Owatonna.
 
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Lynn, Kelly, Johnny & Cherry, Jimmy & Nancy, Maria, Kay, Julia, all of our ladies attending Women of Faith, the Seykoras, the Lundstroms, our nation, unspoken needs, and God’s will for our church location!  May we clearly discern His leading!
 
REMEMBER . . . “Peace is not a season – it is a way of life.”  ~  Unknown
 
 
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
 
 
Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

 

 

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