News you can use
News you can use
Van Orsdel United Methodist Church is hosting this year's Havre community Lenten luncheons. Three of the five have already taken place: Feb. 25, March 4 and 11. We have two more to go: March 18 and 25. These take place Thursdays at noon. All are invited to attend. These luncheons feature soups and sandwiches provided by a different church each Thursday, along with a devotional thought from a person who regularly attends the church providing the food. Attendees are instructed to please use the south door of the church. Thank you.
Now for a little bit more about Lent, from Christianity.com:
"Lent is meant to be a time of repentance. That's not a feeling of shame, but an awareness that sin separates us from God and of what it cost Him to be reunited with us. Shame has its place, but feeling shame over sin is not the same thing as repentance from sin because our tempter can take our obedience to God and turn it into a source of pride. Repentant sinners seek cleansing from sin, but also freedom from shame. True repentance leads to a 180-degree change of direction, requires true brokenness, but repentance starts with regretful acknowledgment of sin with commitment to change. Lent is an opportunity to contemplate what our Lord really did for us on the Cross. Lent is a good time to give up one's own resolutions and listen for God's leading. Where God leads might be more difficult than any fast, and, here, Christians realize that they cannot do anything in their own strength either: only the grace of God is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
"What does it mean to participate in Lent?
"There are numerous ways to approach Lent, some more legalistic than devotional. Still, the origins of Lent seem to be rooted in Christians giving up food or money in order to emulate Christ's obedience to the Father. Community fasting provided accountability and support, but also led to pressure and judgment. Today, some still observe fasts that restrict quantity and type of food, but many view Lent as a time in which to give up a particular vice, bad habit, or pleasurable thing. Greater intimacy with God is the reward of sacrifice. His love and one's salvation are not reliant on denying oneself chocolate or beer, but idolatry stands in the way of worshiping the one true God. These 40 days are set aside to praise and worship the Lord; to read the Bible more, and to pray more often. Christians who observe Lent correctly anticipate deeper intimacy with the Lord, which is the blessing; they do not expect rewards such as more favorable answers to prayer or the resolution of health concerns, although many Christians have reported that, following Lent, they experience freedom from long-standing issues.
"What are your motives?
"It is important to check one's motives for observing Lent. Christ told the disciples 'when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward' (Matthew 6:16). A small personal sacrifice should not be 'a badge of pride.' The intent of a Lenten observance is to recognize our need for repentance and our depravity apart from God (1 John 1:9; Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:13), to draw closer to God, and to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter. Is Lent a matter of obedience to tradition or obedience to God? A means of achieving works-based salvation or of giving praise and thanks to Christ that He finished that work for eternity? A way to achieve a resolution or a means of growing closer to the Father?
"Undertaking something difficult (giving to charity, serving the poor, abstaining from certain foods, memorizing Scripture) makes one feel needy and weak; humble: the perfect posture from which to approach God Almighty. For people whose lives are generally easy, Lent is a time to empathize better with those who genuinely go without luxuries or even simple needs. Lent can help establish a stronger sense of one's need of God minute by minute and to develop a more disciplined, intimate, and authentic prayer life.
"How to practice Lent
"1. Name the pressing sin. Christians are taught to begin the 40-day period by confessing sins they would like Christ to remove; to 'really examine areas of recurring sin' which are a hurdle to 'being conformed to God's will.'
"2. Partner with other Christians. Historically, entire church congregations would support one another during Lent. Although Christ instructed 'when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret,' (Matthew 6:3-4), believers keep each other accountable. Self-disclosure brings forth humility by making it your responsibility to humbly open your soul to those to whom you are accountable. You are a witness to your own life, sharing truthfully, freely, and happily with little or no provocation. Devoted friends encourage each other to be specific in their prayers and help one another seek Christ's strength to stay the course.
"3. One's 'fast' should feel like a sacrifice, but not religious duty. Nor should the fast be dangerous to one's health. Consider giving up one meal a day, a regular treat, coffee, or alcohol. Other sacrifices include increased charitable giving, staying away from social media, service to the community, or memorizing scripture.
"4. Time with God is critical. Quiet and solitude enable one to listen to the Spirit and discern answers to prayer. Before the noisy corporate rejoicing of Easter Sunday, create opportunities for peaceful contemplation and intimacy with the Father. No matter how prayers are answered at the end of 40 days-no, yes, or wait-time with the Lord is cause for joy, praise, and thanks."
Again, I want to close my article with an invitation for each of you to come join in with us at these Lenten luncheons, so that together we may contemplate all that Jesus did for us on Calvary's Cross, and respond by living our lives in such a way as to give God glory and profoundly honor the people around us every day. Amen!
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The first and last paragraphs were written by the Rev. Edroy "Curt" Curtis; president of the Greater Havre Area Ministerial Association; Northern Montana Care Center chaplain, and lead pastor of Havre Assembly of God Church.
The majority of this article is composed of excerpts taken from Christianity.com.
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