ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

BELOVED OF GOD!  Yes, that’s YOU!  Do we not all long to be called “beloved?”  Especially by God?!  The early morning sunshine has broken through the darkness and I love that it radiates the promise of all that this new day will hold!  There is not even a speck of darkness anywhere because the light of the sun has caused it to be nonexistent.  Darkness has fled … and is no more.  Likewise, for us as the family of Elevation North, this Sunday dedication of the church building God has brought us to – has broken through the past years of journeying through place after place after place as we sought a permanent place to worship!  While each location brought with it brushstrokes of shadowed greys on the canvas of our church, each time God reminded us that we were His beloved and He boldly dashed strokes of yellows and golds here and there, lighting up the way for where He wanted us next!  And today, our past challenges have fled.  They remain no more.  We have taken each step … by faith … when we could barely see the way.  And God shed just enough Sonshine day by day for us to see this day revealed … by faith!  So here we are!  And we are raising our hands in gratitude for all God has done.  But more than that, here we stand raising our hands to Him in expectation and with willing hearts to be a part of all He has yet to do in us and through the ministry of Elevation North! 

As we stand on this new threshold and look out from this vantage point, we can only see dimly into the future.  That limited view could leave us at a disadvantage if we did not seek to see through God’s eyes.  We need to KNOW where we are going from this point forward, you know.  We cannot rest on this victory God has blessed us with.  It must be a springboard to the plans HE has for us.  If you were to answer the question, “What do you see still needing to be done here at Elevation North so that God’s Spirit might be fully unleashed in our midst?” – what would YOU say?  How would YOU respond? 

Often churches and people attempt to create as many high-energy, flashy, attention-grabbing, professional ministry programs as they can.  Sure, people will come for a while.  Sure, people will be entertained.  And yes, people will most likely hear what makes them feel good.  For a little while.  And then people get bored with all the hype that in the end leaves them feeling rather empty.  So they go on a hunt once more for a church that will meet all of their needs and wants.  Is this the church God wants us to be?

An extended family member who loves and serves the Lord, posted this the other day and I think he hit the nail square on the head, so I’d love to share it with you:  “Are you in a ministry role?  Do you feel as if you constantly have to work harder to impress people and to have your ministry grow?  Have you really let go and handed the ministry over to God, allowing Him to work in your life?  Give it over to Him.  It won’t be easy, but only God can allow it to thrive.  Spend time alone with Him, give Him your burdens, and He will give you rest.” 

Wise words.  So from this day forward we encourage each of you, along with us … because together WE are the CHURCH … to let go of “us” with God’s help!  We cannot carry out God’s perfect plan when we get in the way.  And believe me, we do that just as much as you do!  We need to give Him permission to carve on us a bit – or a lot.  So God, we invite you to carve away ALL of us that does NOT look like You – that does NOT act like You.  Only then can we be in tune to hear what Your Spirit is saying to us.  When we die to ourselves fully and receive and live in the knowledge that we are truly God’s beloved, only then can we really live and breathe and move forward as His Church.  What, oh what, will God do with a church who is totally devoted to Him?  Who truly longs for His way more than ours?  Who speaks the Name of Jesus as naturally as breathing?  Who shares the love of Christ more passionately than we share anything else?  Who cries out to Him on behalf of the hurting, the lost, and the persecuted?  What will God be able to do in us and through us, dear church? 

The cry of my husband’s heart and mine as we shepherd this flock that God has given us is that we want ALL that God wants for Elevation North … nothing more and nothing less.  ALL of it!  And we believe that this will happen because of God’s people being on their knees, asking for God to search our hearts and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, so that He can use us any way He wants to!  Someone has said, “Unless we learn to pray, we never do battle for God.”  We are BELOVED and BLESSED, church!  And privileged to pray!  “How vast are the possibilities of prayer!  How wide its reach!  What great things are accomplished by this divine means of grace!  It lays its hand on Almighty God and moves Him to do what He would not otherwise do if prayer was not offered.  It brings things to pass which would never otherwise occur.” ~ E.M. Bounds

REMEMBER . . .

“Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name.”

 ~ Psalm 86:11 

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .        

Pastor Doug and Debbie                      

                       

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

BECOMING MORE!  Why yes!  Should not that be the cry of God’s people today?  Not, “having more” – but “becoming more!”  In the world there’s definitely ample advertising for how to become more:  “do the 21-day fix … and your flab will be fixed”; “never leave home without your American Express card” … then you can buy whatever you want”; purchase Apple products … and you will “think different”; watch ESPN … and you will “miss nothing”; wear Nike shoes … and you will be able to “just do it”; buy a BMW … then you will own “the ultimate driving machine”; choose LG appliances … and you can say “life’s good”; need to ship something – just pick DHL … with them you can “move the world”; invest in DeBeers jewelry … and you can tell her that “a diamond is forever!”  Successful slogans that helped make these companies even more successful – why?  Because a lot of people believed the slogans – or at least, they wanted to.  Thousands upon thousands of these shoppers believed a slogan could/would change their life.  They soon found out the deceit of it all.  Without genuine commitment and dedication to the right dream with the right purpose, and without help from the right Person – it is all fleeting.  The slogans go up in smoke.  The changes for the better seem to plateau and then take a nose-dive.  The products break or rust or wear out.  The promises don’t deliver.  The diamond might last forever – but the marriage doesn’t.  Think about all this for a moment.  Sound familiar?  Add into this mix the highest tech computers, tablets, smart phones that “do it all” … and “do it with lightning speed”.  Then put the icing on the longing to be more connected with Facebook, Twitter, and all forms of social media, and life should be perfect.  Every day.  All the time.  We have everything we need now, right?  Wrong.  What we have is the subtle, but steady descent into a life of flawed perfection.  Sought-after satisfaction diffuses into major dissatisfaction.  Promised happiness and achieved status crumble into empty sadness and maxed-out credit cards.  This really is not what You wanted for Your children, is it God?  In the depths of our hearts, we do long to be more.  For You.  For Your honor and glory.  We see You at work in our lives, and we feel like “life is good”.  But it’s so easy to get satisfied and lulled into a state of being numbed to the fact that God has more for us.  Way more!  Often we stumble through days of wasted time with dulled senses, instead of staying focused and crying out, “What’s next, God?”  With God’s help, we can “just do this”, you know.  Rather than resting on the laurels of a singular God-miracle, we can surge forward in our desire to become more!  You do recognize Who placed that longing within us, don’t you?  Yes, it was God who placed a certain amount of godly discontent within us so that we would never be content with the status quo of this world and its false facades.  It is God Who talks to us, prods us, drops thoughts into our minds and hearts, and helps us recognize that these promptings come from His Holy Spirit to our spirit.  It is definitely God Who brings me to the place of awareness that I have done wrong.  It is most certainly my Holy God Who brings me to my knees in genuine repentance before Him.  It is fully the work of Jesus on the cross through His shed blood that shakes me to the core and “fixes my spiritual flab”.  It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit working in me that convicts me to put just as much effort and time into becoming spiritually fit as I do in every other area of my life.  And I work hard on those other things, believe me.  What if I devoted equal time talking to God for every minute I spent on the phone or social media connecting with others?  What if I sought to remove everything about me that doesn’t look like Jesus – as determinedly as I try to clean all the dusty places in our house?  I AM being literal about this, because God is working on me – literally.  God has just given us a huge miracle in providing our church a permanent place to worship in.  We dare not sit back now in apathy and wait for God to hand us the next miracle.  We need to be actively seeking and pursuing the next opportunity … the next appointment … the next lost soul needing Jesus!  Much work awaits us in God’s Kingdom, and He needs children who will be fully committed and obedient – and continually aware of the shaping that still needs to be done in their lives.  He wants to take us back.  May the ways of the world not fit and gain entrance into our spiritually toned hearts and minds.  May the Lord Jesus Christ alone have full control of our lives so that we can become MORE!  For the cause of Christ!  There is nothing more noble than that.

REMEMBER . . .

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep My commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

~ Proverbs 3:1-4  

Joyfully Serving Christ . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

JUST WHEN OUR HALLELUJAHS got a little tired … GOD GAVE US a new song!  This is my personalized version of an awesome quote I read today.  It seemed to be the perfect description of our most recent journey through these past 12 months, so my heart is thankful to the anonymous author!!  On one amazing Sunday morning, Elevation North was birthed, and a new journey began.  Someday we need to write a book about all the stepping stones we’ve walked on over the past years.  First, a bit timidly.  Then, a lot boldly.  Mostly, with excitement and passion.  Only a few times did we glance in the direction of disappointment and despair.  That’s when our hallelujahs got a little tired.  Then God grabbed us by the hand, picked us up and set us down on solid rock and prompted us to sing His tune.  It was a song of praise and victory!  He reminded us that HE is the Solid Rock!   Re-energized, we just could not help but keep on humming it over and over.  Sometimes softly, but mostly we wanted the whole world to hear! Worship and gratitude definitely lifted us above the changes as we got bounced around from here to there, and God helped us sing our way to each new place.  And just when there was seemingly NO place for our church to go to, God presented us with a building to rent that came with an opportunity for purchase.  What a daunting word for a church still small.  Could it be possible?  To human eyes, it looked like it could never be a reality.  But, when you KNOW the call that God has placed in your heart – you know you should not look at God-things through your own eyes.  You make your way closer to Him until you can see through HIS eyes.  It is then that you begin to see the reality of what your heart knows but until now has only been a dream.  And a far-away one, at that!  This is when divine reversal begins to take place.  Instead of living like “seeing is believing” – God helps you understand that “believing is seeing!”  First, we had to BELIEVE.  And when we finally did that, putting our belief into action as led by God, our faith became more child-like than ever before.  And we could finally see what God was seeing.  We just simply believed what God was placing in our hearts:  THIS WAS THE TIME!  THIS was the time for COMPLETION!  We took God at His Word.  We believed that every Word He said is true.  We declared His Word over the purchase process. We received every amazing gift of funds and encouragement that He brought to us out of precious sources that we would not have anticipated – with humble, grateful hearts.  We began putting into practice the spiritual authority God has told us is ours.  We began putting Satan in his rightful place:  the position of defeat.  And we moved forward.  What had taken such a long, long time (nearly a year and three banks later who jumped on board to help and then just as abruptly pulled the pending loan out from under us) . . . SUDDENLY began to turn around and take shape!  God sent a knowledgeable man of God our way on March 9^th and for the first time, we experienced real hope again.  We knew this man was sent from God as an unmistakable answer.  This man became the connection between us and a new bank on our scene – and somehow we knew this was “the one”!  It was just a matter of time now.  Oh yes, more hurdles were flung in front of us, but we took authority over each one and told Satan we meant business and we would no longer receive anything he would try to bring to us in any way, shape, or form.  We’d had enough of his strongholds and heartlocks.  He would not be allowed to run interference any longer.  On Sunday, May 3^rd, we claimed 2002 Austin Road in Owatonna, MN as GOD’S PROPERTY and the upcoming bank closing as GOD’S COMPLETION!  With ongoing prayer and fasting and moving in the authority that is ours, the long-awaited day came!  Thursday, May 7^th, on the National Day of Prayer, a few of us sat around a large table in a large bank conference room.  We did not really need all that space, but I am convinced that God wanted us to experience an abundant measure of His peace and His power that day.  And believe me, that room was FILLED with an unshakable sense of God’s presence and His peace as we signed all the necessary documents to make 2002 Austin Road a permanent place of worship for Elevation North!  No more moving, no more searching for a church home, no more tired hallelujahs!  We will move or build only when God bursts us at the seams and we can hold no more of His blessings there and have to make room for more!!!  The day is fast approaching when we will no longer be able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  And only what is done for Christ will last!  This transaction was necessary.  God did His part to make it a reality.  Now we ask each of you the question that we’ve already asked ourselves:  “What will we do now?”  Don’t answer anything little or small.  Answer large with much faith!  God’s Word says that He uses the weak to confound the wise, and I believe that if we will choose to see through the eyes of Christ, we will stand in awe at what God has in store for Elevation North!  Use us, dear Lord; use us, we pray!  For YOUR honor and for YOUR glory!  Now let’s give God the million or so  thank you’s that He so deserves!  Thank You, Lord, for getting us in the right place before You in order for us to receive Your miracle!  May we never forget what YOU have done IN THIS PLACE … IN THIS TIME!  We join our voices in proclaiming loudly a most beautiful HALLELUJAH SONG sent straight to the Throne of God!  Truly, there is no one like OUR God!

REMEMBER . . .

“Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.   Amen!”

~ Revelation 7:12  

Joyfully Serving Our God . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

YOU ARE INVITED!!!

LARRY & GLORIA LUNDSTROM

will be at ELEVATION NORTH
this Sunday, May 17, 2015

at 10:00 a.m.

(2002 Austin Road in Owatonna, MN)

Larry and Gloria, of Sisseton, SD, have traveled the U.S. and Canada

for over 40 years.  Together, they share a heart for families -

and especially, families in crisis. 

Their inspiring, yet transparent message is life-changing,

and brings hope for everyone listening.

Larry's and Gloria's unique style of music, humor, and down-to-earth ministry, 

make their presentation of the Gospel very real and powerful

 in today's world of uncertainty and brokenness.

Make plans now to attend and bring a friend with you

so that their life might be touched as well!

A freewill offering will be taken,

and ministry resource materials will be available.

SEE YOU THERE!!!

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

OMNIPRESENT and OMNISCIENT.  And yes – OMNIPOTENT!  What in the world am I trying to say?  Well, in words I more frequently talk with, you would hear me saying it this way!  MY GOD IS PRESENT EVERYWHERE AT ONCE.  HE KNOWS ALL THINGS.  And yes, HE IS not just ALMIGHTY – but He IS the ALMIGHTY ONE!  Our family has experienced this over and over in these recent weeks.  I am so glad when we cried out to God for miraculous intervention on one day – in that place – at this specific time … that He didn’t have to tell us to get in line and wait our turn because He was in the middle of helping someone else and He couldn’t come yet.  What a feeling of despair would have washed over us.  To think that the One we have believed in … was not available to help when we needed Him most.  Thank God, that is NOT how it is!  It is in these times when we are praying for major life issues occurring at the very same time, it is such a great assurance to KNOW that OUR GOD is completely in control of ALL that is happening and HE can handle it!  He is capable.  He has no limits.  He hears.  He is willing.  He has the power.  He knows the answers.  He intervenes miraculously when He chooses.  He carries us when we think we cannot get up again, much less walk on our own!  And He brings gifts to us that fill our lives with joy unspeakable! 

Like on a Tuesday, March 31^st, 2015 when we had been told our second great-grandchild would be born!  States away, yet our hearts were right there.  Waiting, praying, trusting for the safe arrival of our newest family member with full health for both mommy and baby!  Only God can connect the dots of our asking – and His answering.  That prayer process far outshines the highest speed internet or the latest cell phone capability.  It is faster than instantaneous, for God’s Word tells us that even before we ask, He hears!  He already knows the longing of our hearts, and He is engaged in activating answers!  And so, joy spilled into our hearts and overflowed with gratitude to God when moments after his first cry at 2:42 p.m. we saw the “first” picture of this precious newborn creation of God!  Jamie Thomas Matthew Knoll – weighing in at 9 lbs. 1 oz. and 21 inches long!  Wow!  Never mind that this is not our own son, or even our grandson.  Now three generations later, this great-grandson is recipient of a love from us equally as strong as every “generational child” God has blessed us with!  Welcome to our family, Jamie!  And someday in the future, you will say “yes” to Jesus and become a mighty warrior for God!

Just days ago, we were trusting God for His hand to be upon two intense situations within our family … one was surgery for our sister-in-law at a renowned hospital in this state.  The other was for our yet unborn great-niece who was scheduled to be born via C-section in another state several hours away - seven weeks early due to her mommy’s pregnancy complications.  We were seeking God for His miraculous work in the lives of two family members simultaneously, knowing we were unable to physically be at either place.  But as we lifted them both before the Lord, His peace washed over us in waves of sweet reassurance that He was there.  Yes, at both places.  Yes, at the same time.  And yes, in mighty form.  That’s His character.  That’s Who He is.  That’s what He is capable of.  Need we fear?  Never!  Do we?  Sometimes.  But there is no need to … ever.  We are His children, and always, He wants His very best for us.  How amazing to be able to set aside the distress and know that we can trust Him … implicitly.  Inexplicably.  Without a shadow of a doubt.  We can KNOW!  We DO know!  We KNOW the Christ we serve … and HE IS ABLE!  He was at both places at the same time, orchestrating His wondrous works in His long, flowing white robe, whether anyone there saw Him or not.  He was there.  He completed the work He had begun – for our sister-in-law and for our new little 3 lb. 6 oz. grand-niece, Finley Rose, who was only 16 ½ inches long.  She was as perfectly formed as our much larger full-term great-grandson … because her Creator is the same God!  How can we NOT raise our voices in praise and thanks to our God who is so deserving of our deepest appreciation for His love and care!

And friends, He is there for you just like He is for us!  Every day, every moment.  Everywhere, every place.  Knowing all there is to know about you.  He is after all, your Mighty God, too!   What a faithful God we have!  

REMEMBER . . .

God’s Word says:  “And it shall be that before they call I will answer;

and while they are yet speaking I will hear.”

~ Isaiah 65:24

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

ZEALOUS … or nonchalant!  Which one describes your belief in and your walk with God? These days my heart has a growing ache and longing for not only an all-encompassing revival around the world which will bring throngs of sinners to their knees before God crying out for forgiveness – but also for a revival of massive proportion that will sweep through the churches of this land who are filled with the spiritually dead.  Too many church-goers (or not) could accurately be called “The Walking Dead!”  (I hear there is a TV series out by that title, though I have never seen it.)  My heart bleeds and I shake my head in disbelief at what is happening all around us.  There is a line being drawn in the sand of these times, and you know what?  We will find ourselves solidly on one side of that line – or the other.  These days allow for no straddling the line – with one foot out in the world and loving it (though we know we shouldn’t) … and the other foot precariously half-committed in God’s Kingdom when we feel like it (because we know what is right even if we do not do it.)  Those days have ceased.  People are now choosing to step over the line in a solid commitment to be zealous in their walk with God – or they are turning and walking the other way, far from the line in the sand and embracing the ways of the world with a heart bent on fulfilling their own desires and lusts, deceived into thinking that their jaded dream is all good.  Friends, we are now living in the days when we will desire and act on becoming more zealous in knowing and serving the One True God, the Lord God of Israel … or we will continue to become more and more nonchalant in our choices, character, and commitments.  JESUS CHRIST IS RETURNING SOON!  What is your decision?  Will you act on what God’s Word says?  Do you care enough about your eternal destiny and the destiny of others to make a dedicated effort TO DO WHAT GOD IS CALLING YOU TO DO?  I truly believe that sometimes God allows a shaking of sorts to bring us to full attention, because the world we live in has become such a huge distraction to our true calling in Christ.  Sometimes it’s just small distractions – but they all add up to become a major hindrance in how effective our every-day faith is.  What’s sad is when people just look the other way and pretend that reality does not exist – just because they do not want to deal with the heaviness and darkness of what is taking place.  Sometimes that is because what is happening seems far removed from us and we think we can do nothing about it – so we just remove our hearts from the situation.  Other times, situations hit within – or too close for comfort – so we just place ourselves in denial mode thinking that if we do not confront it we will not have to deal with it.  Both are erroneous and dangerous responses as children of God.  We MUST be engaged in this world, though we are not of it.  We MUST be aware of all that is happening – even to the point of studying and researching – and then comparing what we discover against the measure of the truth in God’s Word.  Dear ones, we are living in exciting times, and I believe God desires a Bride who is zealous in her love for Him.  A nonchalant Bride of Christ will be totally repulsive to Him.  Today, I encourage all of us at Elevation North, the Bride of Christ, to stand up boldly in preparation for His coming.  May we prepare our hearts and be ready as we engage life with the passion and fervency that He so deserves from us!  May we be devoted, enthusiastic, and eager in our pursuit of making ourselves available to His calling in our lives!  May He find us energetic, intense, even fierce – in the good sense of the word … in our commitment to Him!  Time is running out!  There is no place for lack of concern, indifference, and apathy when it comes to things that touch the heart of God, our Bridegroom!  May we awaken from slumber and LIVE AS WE’VE NEVER LIVED BEFORE!!!  And for the skeptics?  They should be asking themselves the pointed question:  “What if this God-stuff is true?  What if these Christians are right?”  This season of celebrating the Resurrection of Christ should become a daily, joyous, devout part of our lives that we never waver from.  He gave His ALL … should we give Him any less when we say “yes” to Him?  Our faith should only deepen, our love should only increase, our devotion should only strengthen.  We should from this day forward LOVE what HE LOVES all the more (righteousness)!  And we should DESPISE what HE DESPISES all the more (sin)!  We should become more like Him as our lives reflect Him IN us!  The world is watching you know, so how will you live?  With zeal … or with nonchalance?  Let’s engage in pursuing our God with zeal in these times that demand the best we have to offer!  We cannot do it in our own strength, but in the power of Christ within us through the shed blood of Jesus!  Onward and forward, church!  We have an exciting future awaiting us!

REMEMBER . . .

Our God says in His Word:  “Fear not (there is nothing to fear), for I am with you;

do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you;

yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My (victorious) right hand of rightness and justice.”

~ Isaiah 41:10   

Joyfully Serving Christ . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

EVERY DAY WAS AN EXERCISE IN PRAISING GOD and marveling in the infinite beauty of His creation!  What a treasured gift this week-long trip was, gifted to us by our sons and their wives!  So many priceless experiences and family memories will be pondered in our hearts forever.  But woven throughout each day was the absolute wonder of our God’s creation.  It is astounding, to say the least.  How much He loves us to have planned and created these amazingly, beautiful places for us to enjoy!  They are breathtaking ~ almost more than our senses can take in and behold.  The sights, the sounds, the touch, the scents, the tastes … we experienced them all just as God intended, for those senses in our bodies He created, as well!  We were in awe!  The scriptures echo what flowed from our hearts to our Creator God:  “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!  You have set Your glory above the heavens.  When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?  You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.  You made him ruler over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet … O Lord, our Lord how majestic is Your name in all the earth!”  (from Psalm, chapter 8)  The varying hues of azure blues of the ocean, the palm tree decorated islands bordered with soft sun-kissed sandy beaches, the rock-laden cascading waterfalls that we got to climb at the ocean’s edge, the adorable, intelligent dolphins that we got to touch and kiss, the island mountains covered in tropical green foliage, the beautiful dark-skinned people of the islands and their friendly ways, the refreshing waters that cooled our very warm skin beneath the intense rays of the sun, the light of the stars dotting the ink-black skies o’er the night-time ocean . . . all united in testimony to the fact that they were proof of an amazing Creator that we know personally.  As we stood on the balcony deck of our ship’s room in the dark of the midnight hour and realized the meaning of that verse in Psalm 8 – it was easy to feel much like a tiny speck of mankind in the midst of an indescribably huge creation!  Yet we were aware of the fullness of God’s Words to us:  that He is mindful of us, He cares for us, and He has made us ruler over all that He has created!  Wow!  Psalm chapter 19 is filled with praises that help us express what we were experiencing:  “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”  We saw and heard exactly that – on the ocean waters, in the skies, on Grand Cayman Island, in Jamaica, and in Coco Bay in the Bahamas.  We heard it from the lips of one of our waiters, Xavier, from India, when he stated that he was a Christian, not a Hindu.  Somehow, we were not surprised, as God’s Spirit within us and within him – had already connected with that God-given bond!  How we love meeting God’s people wherever we go!  You see, the splendor of God’s creation is about much more than the beauty our eyes take in – it is filled with a distinct reality of the presence of the Living God.  And that includes His presence living within us and others!  All that we experienced with our sons, their wives, and our granddaughter would be meaningless if we did not recognize that God is the Creator of OUR inmost being!  Read these precious scripture verses which I have taken as my life verses, and see if they do not speak to you of your value in God’s eyes – that you are the object of your Creator’s intimate love and care!  Read with me in Psalm chapter 139:  “For You created me in my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”  Powerful!  Soon the day of departure came and we left tropical temps behind and arrived home to freezing temps!  Even so, our hearts swelled with the joys of having experienced precious family time gifted to us out of deep love; the majesty and wonder of God’s creations that continue to delight, amaze, and lavish His perfect love on us; and the renewed passion for the mission which God has created us for on this earth!  We offer all praise to our Lord in heaven and on earth!!!  Your Name truly is majestic in all the earth!

REMEMBER . . .

“How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly!

I can’t even count how many times a day

Your thoughts turn towards me.”

~ Psalm 139:17   

Joyfully Serving God . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

DO YOU SEE IT?  Do you sense it?  Have you been feeling it is so obvious that you cannot help but sit up and take notice?  I used to wonder how my elderly grandparents felt about all the huge changes in their lifetime, especially my one grandpa who lived to be 95½ years old.  I could only imagine what it was like to have lived in the days when there were only horses and buggies – and then to have witnessed the invention of the very first cars and trucks with many, many new models and designs through the decades – and all the way up to “seeing” the first man walk on the moon in 1969, getting there via the space shuttle.  Just think … transportation had changed from horses to space shuttles.  I often wondered what it felt like to encompass such change and experience it first-hand in the span of one life-time.  Suddenly it is happening to me, but in a much different way.  And I am definitely years and years away from celebrating my 95^th birthday!  The kinds of changes I am seeing are in a totally different realm.  Of course, I could say I have witnessed life pre-television and through the years have seen the metamorphoses to currently being able to watch TV shows on computers and phones.  Every arena of life has changed from what it “used to be” into what it is now.  And even that does not remain the same.  Things are continually changing.  What you purchase today as the latest in technology – is outdated within months, not even years.  Some changes are incredibly amazing and wonderful and are truly for the better!  Yet even some things intended for good in the beginning have been slanted and twisted and tweaked into something that borders on unethical – and even boasts of being full-blown sin!  We have a right to choose how we want to live our lives, people say.  Yes, we do, and it is God who gives us that freedom.    But when our choices have eroded away all semblance of what is good and right and pure, we have taken on the role of playing God with no concern for godliness, justice, or morality.  From old-time revivals that used to shake people to the core of their beliefs and awaken a passion within to bow down and serve the One and Only True God – we now have millions of people worldwide who bow to any god with any name or even boldly state that “they” are their own god.  From being free to proclaim the name of Christ in most places around the world – we are now witnessing the beheading and burning alive of those who will not bow to the god of the terrorists who have lost all value for life.  From centering life around God, family, and church – now we are seeing individuals with skewed and sinful lifestyles overtaking the pulpits, politics, classrooms, and all forms of media – flaunting their rejection of God before all who will give them audience.  I realize not all of this has taken place overnight; some of it has been a gradual slip and slide into the dangerous acceptance of sin.  So gradual in fact – that many people are totally deceived into thinking that sin is not sin at all.  That’s why evil is being unleashed in ways that take our breath away.  What I am seeing in these past few months has escalated way beyond what we have witnessed in the past few years, and that was bad enough! There is a seemingly pent-up fury of evil being unleashed all around us that causes something within us to revolt in shock and horror.  Or at least it should – and that something is the presence and power of the living God within us!  There is no way that good and evil can mix.  They are opposites to the umpteenth degree of definition and reality!  Good is beautiful!  And evil is horrifically ugly.  Good is healthy and wondrous!  Evil is destruction, darkness, and death.  Good brings peace!  And evil breeds fear.  Humanly speaking, what we see approaching on a daily basis now should send us running into hiding.  Confusion and fear abounds.  Good is being snuffed out everywhere we turn.  BUT . . . when we see these things happening, rather than trading our lives as we’ve known them for a fearful future, God’s Word has a different instruction for us.  Please open your Bible to Luke chapter 21 and read verses 5 – 36, carefully taking in the message.  Yes, we are told that there will be “fearful events and great signs from heaven.”  There will be “persecution and anguish and perplexity.”  Humanity will “faint and be apprehensive” at the magnitude of what is coming.  BUT . . . look what God’s Word says next:  “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  (vs. 27-28)  Do you feel the excitement and anticipation of Christ’s coming?!!  Did you notice the action words that Jesus spoke of when He was sharing this with His disciples?  What are we to do when this old world and its former best is disintegrating into the very worst that it will have to offer?  Catch this:  we are to STAND UP!  We are to LIFT UP our heads!  WHY?  Because, dear ones . . . OUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR!!!  And let me tell you, when we stand up in Christ, when we lift up our heads in Christ, and because our redemption is drawing near – WE WILL HAVE NO FEAR!  Hallelujah!  THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!  Do you see?!

REMEMBER . . .

“Keep awake then and watch at all times (be discreet, attentive, and ready),

praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy

to escape all these things (taken together) that will take place,

and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.”

~ Luke 21:36  

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

IT’S AMAZING HOW ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER!  When we moved to Owatonna almost nine years ago, following God’s call to ministry in this town – we prayed that He would help us find a home.  Not just any home – but THE home that HE wanted us to have, because after all, it would be His to use for His purposes.  After much searching and steadfast prayer, a Christian realtor led us to the home that was actually the first home we had ever purchased.  You see, we had lived in church parsonages almost all of our married lives.  We loved them and we made them our own as much as you can without having ownership, and we cared for them as if these homes were our own!  But there is something about finally having your own home, and God in His loving faithfulness led us to the place that we would call “home” – but will always know that it belongs to Him.  Upon moving in, with help from some of our new congregation, we turned the stark white walls into inviting colors that gave it our personality.  Well, that is – on the lower level.  We had full intentions of doing a repeat splash of color on the upper level once we settled in a bit more and things calmed down.  I am smiling … because LIFE happened … and the remaining unpainted walls have remained primer white for all this time.  That was alright, really!  We were busy in our new ministry and later in the marketplace ministry, and later yet, with the brand new ministry birthed out of extreme pain and suffering – named Elevation North.  And over the years as we lived our blended lives and multi-tasked in a myriad of directions, God brought people to live with us “in His House” from time to time.  Each time took a little getting used to as our empty nest expanded – but we loved the opportunities to touch these lives and fill their “homeless void” for this point and time.  And upon their times of departure, we knew that God had used their stay to be a change-point for them as well as for us.  We were always aware of His presence and His provision, especially when we were not sure that the resources that we had would stretch far enough.  Guess what?  They ALWAYS did!  I think the REAL owner of this home had something to do with that!  He owns it and we just get to take care of it for Him!  Well, back to the colorless walls.  Our sons and their wives had given us gift cards and cash a few years ago at Christmas-time, which we had stashed away waiting to “find” the time to be able to transform our walls with our color choices.  How it ever took nine years is amazing in itself, but when “the time” finally comes, you just know it and you leap into action!  There were a few trips to the store to choose samples and bring them home and “look at them” before making the final decision.  But then, more months went by before we were actually able to take the painting plunge and yes, to pray about the right color choices.  Now we are in process, and loving the fact that as we stand in the store waiting for our cans of color to be mixed, we discover the extra blessing of God “just happening to have a special paint sale going on!”  Who says God doesn’t care about the things that matter to us, especially when we seek His hand of blessing and favor?!  So, after several evenings of my hubby’s hard work and my “extra trimming and clean-up” … miracle of miracles, we now have beautiful color flowing all through our home; well, through God’s home.  And getting back to my opening statement, you know how doing one thing leads to another.  Well, so does painting!  The painting leads to needed deep cleaning.  And the cleaning leads to purging lots of things that need to go.  Things are just that – things.  Either they have been used to the end of their usefulness, or they become “too many” things and only add clutter and end up defeating the plan to keep our lives as simple and unencumbered as possible.  It’s actually a very freeing thing to exercise purging your home of all that extra stuff that God knows we do not need.  Doing this has reminded me all over again what is recorded for us in scripture, and how we need to be purging “stuff” from our own lives as we walk with Christ.  Listen to what we are instructed to do:  “Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who have borne testimony to the Truth), let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.”  (Hebrews 12:1)  Oh, Lord, may it not take us nine years or nine months or even nine weeks to get busy with the purging of our sins, our bad attitudes, our wanting our own way, our thinking we need this or that – like right now, our filling the hours of our days with everything but You!  Help us to throw it all off, all out, all away – all that unnecessary heaviness, so that we can purposely run with unhindered gait and focused persistence the race You have marked out for us.  We want to run like You want us to run!  We want to run unhindered – straight to the finish line! 

REMEMBER . . .

“He is right here.

With an unyielding desire that is willing to trust,

we may call out to our heavenly Father and know that He will answer,

filling our hearts with bright colors and freshness of life.”

~ Unknown  

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

I AM WONDERING . . . just what happens when the KINGDOM OF GOD & THE CHURCH COLLIDE?  Some months ago I heard that statement and jotted it down, but have nothing more to go on than that phrase.  Every time I have come across my torn-in-half pink sticky-note, those words make me pause.  I have not yet had time to do an in-depth scriptural study of the full meaning behind that, but those words make me want to.  My heart for God gives me a clue about what would take place when that collision happens – but more importantly something has to occur first to make it happen.  And what is that?  I don’t think the answer is difficult to come up with.  I just think the real-life implementation of it is.  And often when there is commitment, hard work, and some struggle involved – it’s easier to bail than to grit our teeth, muscle up, and make things happen.  Of course, for the Kingdom of God and OUR church to collide (let’s personalize it!) – there will be work involved.  There will be commitment involved.  There will be a little (or a lot!) of dirt and scuffs and bruises involved.  But didn’t we mention that it is a collision?  Most collisions result in some measure of harm or disaster.  But not when God is in the middle of it.  Oh, the bump might be pretty impactful … we might get bounced around a little … or so much so that we might even wonder if God hasn’t lost control!  But in this type of God-collision, the end result is magnificence beyond our human comprehension!  Because breaking this down means that upon impact, the Kingdom of God and the Church will be meshed, blended, intertwined, grafted together . . . until the world cannot see where one ends and the other begins!  The Kingdom of God will live IN the Church – and the Church will live IN the Kingdom of God!  We will be indelibly inscribed on each other.  We will look like each other.  We will sound like the other.  Amazingly, we will act like each other!  Not because the Kingdom of God will be lessened to look like the Church – but because the Church upon collision will take on all that the Kingdom of God is and reflect it in reality.  God’s Kingdom, designed and set into place by God Himself, is total perfection.  The Church is definitely not.  But the Church is loved by God so much that He desires a relationship that is derived out of His heart’s longing for His Church to be the bride He has waited for all this time.  Did you know that as the Bridegroom He is passionately anticipating that electrifying moment in time - the date He has set to come back for her and snatch her in His arms of everlasting love and take her Home to live with Him forever and ever?  It’s true!  This is no fairy-tale like Cinderella and her Prince Charming.  This is for real!  And WE are His bride!  We all know how much work and preparation goes into the planning of a wedding.  Well, God has His part all planned – it has been written in His heart since the beginning of time.  His love for His Church is the ultimate Love Story of all time, because this love will last for eternity.  But dear ones, as His Church – His bride . . . we have LOTS of preparation to still be done, and we best get at it!  It starts with each of us, individually, of course.  And when each of us get serious about living out His will on this earth as it is in Heaven – and then join up in His Church, we will start to look more like the radiant bride He is excited about coming to sweep off her feet, literally!  And when we get serious about doing whatever it takes to get rid of our spots and stains and blemishes, this old world having a melt-down around us is going to sit up and take notice.  Instead of being disillusioned and disappointed and bored with His Church, they will be running through our doors to meet with the King of kings.  They will be searching for the Church that is the living and breathing epitome of the Kingdom of God.  That means we will preach the Word as it is written in God’s Word.  That means we will receive that Word and obey and follow God’s ways.  That means we will experience wonders and miracles just like in Jesus’ day.  That means we will hunger and thirst more after righteousness than after any modern-day entertainment and technology and “stuff” that we seek after to bring us satisfaction.  That’s right, we are going to BE different, LOOK different, and ACT different than we do – even today!  And in these dawning days of 2015, we are going to view each new unlived day as God’s opportunity to us to do whatever it takes to invite the collision of God’s Kingdom and our church!  God’s Kingdom train is coming our way – my challenge to all of us is to get on board and move towards the point of impact!  Elevation North will never be the same! 

REMEMBER . . .

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, 
like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.”

~ Revelation 19: 6-7  

Serving Christ Joyfully . . . 

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

FOR YEARS SOMEONE HAS BEEN WRITING A NEW SCRIPT for the Christmas Story.  And, believe me, they have not been using the Bible as their resource for factual material.  Rather, they have spun the story with lines that have covered the scriptural account of Jesus’ birth with total dollar signs at the bottom of every retail, commercialized scenario!  And they have diminished the Greatest Gift of all to a mere tsunami of wishes and whims that they will receive the greatest number of material gifts that “plastic money” can buy!  How tragic and empty this is!  Travel with me back to 1993 when I penned these words – which I have updated to reflect the time and place that we now find ourselves.  “ ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house . . . “, yes, you may know it well – perhaps you even recited this rhyme as a child.  As I write tonight, I have given this tale a different twist.  Come with me to church on Sunday morning.  And as I look out across the congregation, this is how my story begins . . .

                                                ‘Twas just weeks before Christmas, when all through the church,

                                                Jesus came to visit . . . our hearts to search. 

                                                The cross was hung by the altar with care,

                                                But we all knew that our Lord wasn’t there!

                                                The people were seated all snug in the pews . . .

                                                Listening to the missionary, as if on cue.

                                                Daddy in his suit and tie – and me in my new dress,

                                                Had just settled in for a long sermon, we confess.

                                                Then out in the congregation there came such a hush,

                                                I sprang from my spot – but there was no rush.

                                                Back to my seat I went in a flash . . .

                                                No one had stirred or even moved – some looked aghast!

                                                The sun on the panes of stained window glass,

                                                Gave a ray of light that o’er the center aisle did pass.

                                                When Who to my amazement, should appear . . .

                                                But a tall, robed Man – He came so near.

                                                Dressed in shining white, with eyes of love,

                                                I knew in a moment it was my Lord from Above!

                                                Slowly He moved past you and past me,

                                                And He read our hearts . . .  and I knew He could see.

                                                “Now, Pastor Doug!  Now, Debbie!  Now, all of you within!

                                                On, you people of Elevation North – born in sin!

                                                To the Word of the Lord!  Fall on your knees and call!

                                                Now, pray away!  Pray away!  Pray away, all!

                                                As dry leaves that before the wild winds fly,

                                                Our weaknesses and hurts mount to the sky.

                                                So we bowed our heads low, knowing He knew all,

                                                With the Calvary load, we caused Him to fall.

                                                And then in a twinkling, I heard Him move,

                                                The fears He calmed and the guilt He removed.

                                                I pressed to get closer, and was turning around . . .

                                                He touched me and filled me; my life now abounds!

                                                He was dressed in flowing white, from His head to His feet,

                                                His clothes no more stained by the blood of our sins.

                                                A bundle of joys He had flung on His back . . .

                                                And His eyes were filled with glee, for the Gifts in His pack!

                                                His eyes . . . how they twinkled!  His words said, “Come!”

                                                His touch was so gentle – His power so awesome.

                                                Nail-scarred hands and feet mark the Father’s Gift,

                                                And now He’s come to see if we’ve gone adrift.

                                                In His pack was forgiveness, and He urged each one

                                                To unwrap all the Gifts – to leave none undone.

                                                A wink of His eye, and a nod of His head,

                                                Soon gave us reassurance that by His Spirit we’re led.

                                                He spoke not a word, but looked at those in the pew . . .

                                                And healed all the hearts and made them new.

                                                And reaching His arms toward Heaven, His Home,

                                                He reminded us never more to roam.

                                                He looked longingly into our souls – yours and mine – back and forth,

                                                Sometimes disappointed, sometimes pleased, by us at Elevation North.

                                                But I hear Him exclaim as He ascends Heavenward . . .

                                                “I am the Reason for the Season . . .

                                                Be ready for My Return –

                                                A Blessed Christmas to all,

                                                Pray away, pray away all!”

-       Adapted from “The Night Before Christmas”

By Clement C. Moore, into my own personal version,

Just for you this Christmas, (1993) and now (2014)

The words burned deep in my heart as I returned to reality:  the stark reality of God’s Gift of His Son in a manger – the One Who would hang on the Cross – gift-wrapped for you and me . . . the stark reality of the lost around the world who receive the Gift of the Gospel, that is, if someone is willing to go and present it to them . . . the stark reality of “us” sitting in the pew, listening to the “Gift” of God (His Word) week after week – and what do we do with that Gift?  Do we accept it and unwrap it and live it and share it?  How I pray we do!  In these days we live in, we can afford to do nothing less, my precious friends!  You know, God does visit us at Elevation North, every Sunday – just like in my story!

You can be sure that this year, the night before Christmas, Christ will come and visit you . . . whether at home, in church, or out for a winter’s evening stroll.  Invite Him to walk with you and talk with you.  If you already know Him, it will be a wondrous gift of intimate conversation!  If you’re still wandering and roaming, He will be asking if He can stop in and bring you His most special Gift ever – the Gift of Eternal Life.  Please accept it, unwrap it, live it and share it!  It’s a Life-Saver . . . packaged with your name on it.  Open it now – just in time for Christmas!

REMEMBER . . .

God’s Gift-Book (His Holy Word) tells us, “Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks … “  
(I Thessalonians 5:16-18a)

And my Christmas wish for you is this:  “May God Himself, the God of peace, 
sanctify you through and through.

May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”  
(I Thessalonians 5:23-24)

And finally, my Christmas Story echoes these words:  “Pray away, pray away all!”

Serving Christ Joyfully . . . 

Pastor Doug and Debbie