Friday, November 2, 2012

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 
“UNTIL GOD OPENS THE NEXT DOOR FOR YOU … PRAISE HIM IN THE HALLWAY!”  I read that unknown quote a few days ago – and with swirling circumstances surrounding us, that tiny but powerful message arrowed itself into the core of my heart.  And it has been such a joy this week to realize just how sweet it is to live this way in the interim while we are waiting for that next door to open.  You see, having walked through the open door to where God placed Elevation North this past year … we found the corridor to unique blessings and out-of-the-ordinary miracles!  We loved what God did in that place.  We grew.  We changed.  We were strengthened.  We saw souls saved and lives transformed.  We learned.  We shared.  We gave.  We experienced.  We loved the extra space to spread our wings a bit!  All along we knew that we wouldn’t be there forever – God had something more in mind.  We had not outgrown it yet … but we had grown!  Suddenly, God gave us an abrupt push … and we knew we must go out the door and search for a new place.  So after seeking God’s face, and searching and searching, all doors but  one seemed to be closing.  That one door remained opened and we sensed this was to be God’s new place for us!  Taking another big leap of faith together as God’s church, we pursued this open door and we were about to move!  We were not going to be a “homeless” church, after all!  We were so excited!  What would God do in this new place?  Then, suddenly, abruptly again, it seemed as if that new door was not going to swing wide open.  Lord, did we not hear You right?  Are you closing it, Lord?  We really wondered all over again if the door was going to be slammed shut in our faces.  We continued to seek God.  Lord, what is it You want?  Then came the answer – the door was available for us - it just wasn’t going to be open for us to walk through as quickly as we first were led to believe.  So here we are again, out in the wilderness … searching for a place that Elevation North could find a door to hang a sign on for a few weeks in the interim.  Where, oh, where is it, Lord?  Somehow, as we praised Him in the hallway, a door swung wide open.  This place would be glad to have us back, they said – and here we thought it was no longer available.  Who ever said You aren’t a God of miracles?!!  They were wrong, wrong!  So rather than curl up in a little ball and pull in all the options … we are going to make these few weeks in this small place that used to be home for Elevation North - filled to overflowing with our very best offering to God … of ourselves, our gifts and talents, our mindset, our worship, our everything!  No holding back waiting for the next open door – and missing out on what this one has to offer!  It will be our testimony and celebration of what happens when we praise God in the hallway!!!  Isn’t this attitude of praise – no matter what – where God longs for His people to be?  Perhaps when we pass the test out in the hallway, He will appear and fling the next door wide open, that one that He has already shown us.  Just like the Israelites of old, who were led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night … God has led us EVERY step of the way.  Many times we did not see very many steps ahead … but we could always see just in front of us as we took the next step!  The Lord God of Israel is the same faithful God today, leading Elevation North safely through each hallway to get us to where He wants us to be in each new plateau of our ministry!  So no avoiding the hallways, dear people!  In fact, celebrate from one end to the other ~ you are almost to the next door!!!



IN A NUTSHELL . . .
 
 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES go out to Harold who celebrates his birthday on November 9th; God’s best to you!

SPECIAL THANKS from Pastor Doug and Debbie to those who remembered them for Pastor’s Appreciation Month!


SUN, NOV 04:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP w/COMMUNION &  powerful message:  “Sin’s Power is Broken!”

SUN, NOV 04:  10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla & Kelly … for a fun time of learning!

WED, NOV 07:   7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY in the book of James / at 905 El Dorado Street SE in Owatonna

THU, NOV 08:   7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY in the book of James / at 165 24th Place NW in Owatonna

SAT, NOV 10:    8:00 A.M. – MEN’S FELLOWSHIP STUDY at “The Kitchen” restaurant/invite some guys this week!

SUN, NOV 11:   10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with a message on “Veterans of the Faith … Are You One?”

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Spencer, Tina, Johnny, Lundstroms, Seykoras, for our nation’s future as we vote!

REMEMBER . . . “There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”  ~  C.S. Lewis



Serving Christ Joyfully . .  .


Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

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