Friday, December 7, 2012

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 
YOU’RE ON THE STAGE!!!  Remember those short and oh-so-sweet Christmas plays that were a part of our early years at school?  Whether we had a starring part that went as smooth as silk – or just a few lines that we stuttered through … or a rousing solo – or a few off-key notes sung along with the whole group of equally tone-deaf kids, we were on the stage!  We were kind of there, whether we really wanted to be – or not!  Some loved showing off their talents, while others were hoping their stage-fright would drop them right through a trap-door secretly concealed on the stage.  AND NOW WE’RE ON THE STAGE AGAIN !!!  What stage, you ask?  Why, the world stage of prophecy, dear ones!  We are right in the middle of the stage.  We are living on the stage!  If you don’t think so, just turn on the news.  You will soon realize that we are front and center stage!  The thing is … it will not do us any good to panic.  The good news is that we can help write the script for how things play out by the faithfulness and frequency of our time spent in prayer before the Throne of God!  The prayers of God’s people can turn the tide of a nation – even our world, if enough of us will get over our stage-fright and embrace this present stage we are on. We can re-write the script to bring it into alignment with the Director’s story-line, if we will participate at the height of our commitment, giftedness, and devotion to the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ!  The roles have been posted … no auditions are needed for this play.  We will all be involved in some way – because we are all a part of this world.  The exciting opportunity for embracing our role on this world stage is that our performance will have a lasting effect for eternity … one way or the other.  We have a greater weight of responsibility for an award-winning performance than any actor or actress that has ever graced any stage to date.  Lost souls hang in the balance as they sit gripped in fear at what is blaring from every microphone on this stage.  New followers of Christ are needing a strong, steady, confident child of God to help lead them through their part of the script.  It’s going to take some pulling-up of the boot-strings, some pulling-out of all stops, and casting out all fear.  Then we can step up boldly, and confidently proclaim the message that is already written out for us in God’s Script!  We better be ready for the reviews, which will range all the way from resounding accolades and acceptance from those watching us on stage … to us becoming adept at ducking the trash and rejection that will be hurled our way!  What matters to us is that we can be a part of drawing people to Christ and helping them find the hope and peace that will chase away their escalating fears!  After all, we know how the last line on the stage ends.  A hint?  WE win … GOD wins!!!  What more satisfying closing act could there be when the curtain comes down?!  A long time ago, there were SOME OTHER PEOPLE ON ANOTHER STAGE.  What did you think of being on THAT STAGE, Mary and Joseph?  Things were happening fast, and suddenly you found your common-place roles transformed center-stage and the world sat transfixed at the scene that night in the stable under that incredible star!  What was it like for the two of you?  Did it feel like the paparazzi coming to stalk you and your new Baby … or were the visits by all these people accompanied by order and reverence and love, as they one by one fell to their knees in worship of this Christ-Child divinely born to you, Mary?  What a scene it must have been – with the entire world watching, even before the days of global media networks!  What a scene it is now – with God having placed us here at this time when the whole word can literally watch live what is taking place at any given time - over unlimited networks.  Hopefully we are doing what the Bible says Mary did:  “ … treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”  (Luke 2:19)  What a treasure, indeed, for God to have chosen US to be center stage at this point and time!  May God’s plan be carried out in us and through us, as He has said!
 
 
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
 
SPECIAL BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS to those Jones’ we love so much:  Luke on his 2nd birthday on the 11th, DJ and Melissa on their 13th Anniversary on the 11th, Verla on her birthday on the 14th, and Dylan on his 17th birthday on the 15th!!!
 
SUN, DEC 09:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP/CHRISTMAS CAROLING to follow w/Chili and Cinnamon Rolls back at church!
SUN, DEC 09: 10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla & Kelly … the Christmas stories are coming to life!
WED, DEC 12:  7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY in the book of James at 905 El Dorado Street SE in Owatonna/join us!
THU, DEC 13:   7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY in the book of James at 165 24th Place NW in Owatonna; come & learn!
FRI, DEC 15:    7:00 P.M. – LADIES NITE OUT w/cookie exchange (bring 2½ doz.) and card & small gift for your Secret Angel!
SUN, DEC 16:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP … ”The Amazing Emmanuel – Part 4 / KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH
 
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Shirley, Max, Julia, Hazel, Deb, Graff family & baby, Kay, Norman, Lafawn & Cherry in loss of loved one, Johnny, our nation and its leaders, our military, those hungry and in need, Seykoras, Lundstroms, and unspoken needs.
REMEMBER . . . The script on the stage:  “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 
 
 
 
Joyfully Serving Christ . . .
 
 
Pastor Doug and Debbie
 
 
 
 

 

 

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