Elevation North has News for YOU!

WANNA HEAR A REAL-LIFE STORY that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day? It was a not-so-sunny and rather-overcast-chilly winter’s day in late January. The doorbell rang at the front entrance of the memory-care unit where I work. Because it is a secure facility, someone always needs to open the door for the person entering. So when the bell rang, I headed towards the glass doors. This man was back to see his wife. He had told me just the day before that he and his wife would be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary “tomorrow"! I joined in on his excitement and exclaimed how incredible that was! As we were chatting and he was making his way towards his wife’s room with his walker, something caught my eye. Tucked in the front of his jacket and closed in carefully by the zipper … was this beautiful long-stem red rose just nestled all warm and protected in there – as if he was holding it close to his heart. And that way, both of his hands were free to push his walker. It was so sweet, and I noted that no rose in any other wrapping had ever looked more lovely than the way he was carrying that one! Another gal that was working across the room also noticed this man’s entrance and commented on how awesome it was of him to bring a fresh rose for his wife. As he made a few more steps towards the room, she yelled out, “Do you need a vase?” (I hadn’t even realized we had a vase available anywhere around there!) But without skipping a beat, he replied, “No … I’m bringing her another one tomorrow!” My heart melted! What a picture of love! This man’s wife has little capability for basic functions and even less memory retention – often unaware of who she is and where she is. Yet her husband comes faithfully every day to see her and spend time with her. And these days, he was like a young school boy bringing flowers to his best girl! And he wasn’t satisfied to just bring her one rose on one day – and call that good enough. His love looked past the fact that she probably wouldn’t even remember that he had been there … and he had already made plans to “bring her another one tomorrow!” I am sure that God must have smiled at him on this particular afternoon, for surely that kind of love resembles His love for us. In our earthly condition, there are times we have so little to offer … yet He comes through the doors bearing gifts that speak volumes of His love for us. He speaks tenderly to us, He hands us tokens of His love, and He comes back time and time again. He never gives up on us ~ He loves us just the way we are. Unlike that sweet husband, God has the capability to make us into something more than we already are. And the husband just longs for a return to moments of yesterdays with his precious wife, when she was more than she is now. Yet, he loves her still – just the way she is. That’s so like God. There’s that unconditional love. There’s looking through eyes like His. Hear this Valentine’s Day benediction straight from God’s Word, dear ones: “Be strengthened (perfected, completed, made what you ought to be); be encouraged and consoled and comforted; be of the same (agreeable) mind one with another; live in peace, and (then) the God of love (Who is the Source of affection, goodwill, love, and benevolence toward men) and the Author and Promoter of Peace will be with you.” (II Corinthians 13:11) He REALLY loves us!!!


LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES to our daughter-in-love, Melissa; and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Jimmy & Nancy … all on February 14th!
SUN, FEB 12: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP / MESSAGE – “The Love Bug!” Bring your Bibles along!
SUN, FEB 12: 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION / Sunday School Classes & Puppet Ministry!
TUE, FEB 14: HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY to our church family ~ with love from Pastor Doug and Debbie!
WED, FEB 15: 6:30 P.M. – STUDYING THE WORD / What can we learn about being a Christ-follower?
SUN, FEB 19: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP / MESSAGE – “Commitment After the Call!”
SUN, FEB 19: SPECIAL FUNDRAISER for little Kira Taylor who has leukemia; see the poster at church!

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Nadia, Kira, Kay, Gerard, Kathy, Tina, unspoken requests, our nation’s leaders
REMEMBER . . . “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love.” Psalm 103:11

Serving Christ Joyfully,

Pastor Doug and Debbie