News you can use
News you can use
As we "march into the month of March" or as we "spring into Spring," I have to admit that I so enjoy egg salad sandwiches! Why do I start this article off this way? Well, the month of March ushers in the Easter (Resurrection of Jesus Christ) season, starting with Ash Wednesday on March 2nd. Then, on Thursday, March 10th, our ministerial association's series of Lenten Luncheons begins – luncheons that always include - you guessed it - egg salad sandwiches. All of these luncheons will take place at noon on Thursdays at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church. Each Thursday a different church is responsible to provide the soups, sandwiches, and the devotional thought for the day: March 10th – Van Orsdel United Methodist Church; March 17th – First Lutheran Church; March 24th – St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church; March 31st – Havre Assembly; and April 7th – Fifth Avenue Christian Church.
Let me get a little personal: on Monday, March 7th, my wife, Susan, and I will be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary! Wow! I cannot believe how quickly the years have flown by. God has given us four children who are now adults, and three of them live here in Havre. One of them (Matt) even lives with us. All eight of our grandchildren live within two miles of us! Susan and I are so truly blessed! And yet, the greatest blessing for me personally is that God saw fit to bless me with Susan, a "helpmeet" that is so good for me. Susan balances me out in so many ways. We have always done life and ministry better together. The spring season typically welcomes couples getting married. In this day and age, I believe marriage is still the best deal ever! I am the man I am today first and foremost because of God's influence in my life: delivering me from the power of sin, and empowering me to live life to its fullest. I am the man I am today secondly because of my wife, Susan, of 35 years. Doing life with Susan for all these years has helped me live life better: more sensitive and more empathetic to those around me.
I am so enjoying preaching the sermon series "Goodbye Chicken, Hello Dove.'"At an Assemblies of God Ministerial Connection Conference in January in Butte, we were encouraged to better facilitate the move of the Holy Spirit in our worship services and small groups. I am taking that encouragement to heart. On Sunday, February 20th, after preaching "Supernatural Ability in the Old Testament – Part 2," there was such a move of the Holy Spirit in the altar area of our church's sanctuary. I went home touched and refreshed by God's Holy Spirit! I know that many of the people in attendance did too. As I was thinking about that service and praising God for it, I sensed that the Holy Spirit wanted to give me a word from God. Here's what I sensed the Holy Spirit was speaking to me: "Curt, most of the people of Havre Assembly and some of the people of Havre Assembly Online – they want to experience a move of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The problem is not one of desire. The problem is that many people do not know how to create an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit can move in their lives. Curt, you just need to be willing to allow Me (the Holy Spirit) to direct you during worship services. Whatever I (the Holy Spirit) lead you to do, invite the people to join you in it – just like you did on Sunday, February 20th. Curt, trust me (the Holy Spirit). The people will follow your example and I (the Holy Spirit) will show up and bless people, encourage people, heal people, deliver people, and empower people for works of service." Because of that word to me from the Holy Spirit, more times of lingering in the presence of God are coming. I want to challenge all of us: when opportunity is given for you to respond to a sermon or homily OR you are invited to spend time at the altar, take the plunge and do so! When opportunity is given for you to be prayed with OR for you to pray for someone, again take the plunge and do so! The Holy Spirit has promised to show up and do what only He can do! Amen!
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Written by the Rev. Edroy "Curt" Curtis: president of the Greater Havre Area Ministerial Association; chaplain of Northern Montana Health Care, and lead pastor of Havre Assembly of God Church.
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