Elevation North has News for YOU!

CLEAN! Wow, there is something freeing about that word, no matter what form it comes in … verb – for when you do it, and adjective - for when you stand back and describe what you’ve done! Webster describes “clean” as “free from dirt or blemish” and “trim”; and the action part of the word means “to make clean”. Now into the new year and three months into my new job and somewhat adjusted schedule, “clean” has become exciting! Don’t misunderstand now, I’ve always loved keeping things neat and clean. But when crazy work hours overtook my life, the deep cleaning got put on hold. There was no time for it! Isn’t it simply amazing when you get excited about such a thing as cleaning? But that’s how my husband and I feel right now! In a few late hours some evenings and a few day-time hours on the weekend, we have been removing everything from closets and drawers, sorting and throwing, organizing and cleaning. I guess that fits under the description – free from dirt and trim. Excess is definitely out the door – and things in obscure places that haven’t been free from dust for awhile are now shiny clean. Things stuffed away out of sight are now organized and streamlined for easier access. It truly is freeing, even though it is just on a house management level. Actually, it is a work still in progress, but we are already experiencing the sense of accomplishment that comes with each completed task! But how did this happen? Well, we could have just gone on the way it was, closed our eyes to the unseen messes behind closet doors and closed drawers. But we wanted it to be cleaner. So we had to make a choice to do something about it. In this case, it meant foregoing some hours of relaxation to get it done. But the end result will be worth it all. And we are actually having fun tackling each project! Projects are easier when you have a partner – we spur each other onward to the goal! That’s kind of how I have viewed these 21-days of fasting and prayer that we are corporately doing. Though choosing to restrict myself to water and natural juices for part of it, and to Daniel fast type foods on the other days, there is something very freeing about it. There are no encumbrances of junk food or fast foods or anything that isn’t good for me. That in itself is a cleansing and trimming of the physical body. I’ve experienced a closer, more intimate walk with God - with greater focus and purpose about things that matter to Him. My heart feels more streamlined and less messy in those hidden places as God has done some trimming and revealing of things I need to change. It’s amazing how exciting it can be to undertake something that at the outset seems rather daunting. Yet there is nothing more rewarding than knowing that God is doing a great work – in me and on me, as He deep cleans me. And I love that He is doing a great work –through me, as I spend time in more focused, specific prayer for others during this fast. Has it been easy? No, but I made a choice. And I didn’t have to engage in it alone, though I would have – had no one else partnered with me. We’ve encouraged each other and spurred each other onward to the goal. And we may never know until much later, or into Eternity, what all has been changed and transformed because of these 21 days of fasting and prayer as a church! To God be the glory!

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES to our grandson, Tyler, who celebrated on January 24th! We love you, Tyler!
JOIN US IN WISHING Gramma Mary a blessed birthday, celebrating on January 27th!

SUN, JAN 29: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP / Message – “Missions – and God-Opportunities!”
SUN, JAN 29: 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION / Sunday School Classes & Puppet Ministry!
WED, FEB 01: 6:30 P.M. – STUDYING THE WORD / Fan or Follower of Christ ~ which are you?
SUN, FEB 05: ANNUAL VISIONARY MEETING & POTLUCK LUNCH following worship – plan to join us!

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES: Justin, Gerard, Amy, Kay, Larry & Gloria, Lowell, Seykoras, Cherry & Johnny, our faithful supporters, unspoken needs, outreach, personal revival, and revival in our church, community, and nation
REMEMBER . . . “The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.” ~ Psalm 145:13


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie