News you can use
News you can use
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Psalm 100:3-5 Out our way, sometimes we overthink things and mess it up. Years ago, I learned how to tie Doc's halter lead to a fence or back of the horse trailer that kept him from taking off, but with a simple pull of the lead rope's tail end, released him. How did I do it? I haven't a clue anymore. One time I actually tried to figure out each step in the process ... and failed miserably. The more I tried to remember the proper technique, the more failures I experienced....
You might have heard a lot about the rapture last week. Some Christians believed that it was going to happen on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Clearly, it did not. Yet, every few years, there's a wave of rapture panic/excitement/anticipation. Even though: the rapture is not in the Bible. The rapture as it is understood by some Christians today is actually a pretty modern idea. It's not a standard Christian theological belief. The great historical minds of Christian doctrine...
Two more left us, a gal, a guy – some friends know these two folks. These two weren't kin, just good parents, and they could tell good jokes. Ms. Ann, not well, but one great day, she held a baby girl. This babe was her first grandbaby; the sweetie's name was Pearl. Ms. Ann could cook and sew and knit and do a dozen things, She loved plant sales and loved to sing and wear her Mother's rings! Her Hubby passed a few years back, that nearly broke her heart. Her kids were g...
1 Samuel 17 Out our way, being the biggest or strongest doesn't always matter. I have shared the story of Junior , the pint size Charolais bull before, but for new readers or those who have forgotten I will briefly tell it again. It was the Fall roundup and as the dusteater ( worst cowhand) I was assigned to go to the "Good Old Boys Club" (the gathering of the bulls who hung together after rutting season) to get the 6 bulls who were lying apart from the main herd after calving...
I recently had one of those days that invariably happen to those of us in ministry. You know, the kind of day that makes you wonder whether working in a salt mine would be a much more pleasant profession. It was filled with contentious meetings, computer issues, a difficult person, a nasty e-mail, the surfacing of a couple of maddening rumors ... you know what I'm talking about. Truth be told, we clergy tend to have a lot of days like this. After such a day is over and you're...
You know, Lord, several friends chatted about how life, right now, felt like a zoo. One gal shared this poem: 'When Life is a Zoo' – author unknown. "When the ark started rolling, they learned the hard way, how a seasick hippo can spoil your day. "The turtles refused to come out of their shells. The bloodhounds were sneezing because of the smells. "The lovebirds were fighting; the doves were at war. A sow was complaining her mate was a bore. "A porcupine mister was hurt by h...
Exodus 7:17 Out our way, if you ride horses much you learn to read their ears. In Doc's case, it is easier as he has ears that are not as big as a mule's, but come close in my book. When I go out in the pasture or approach him in the pen, he lets me know he sees and knows me by those ears trained on me. Head up and ears out, he lets me know he is waiting for me and,unlike naughty Babe, his girlfriend, does not run off. I have shared how those ears and then the rest of his body...
Whenever I think of Havre Festival Days, I am reminded of my family's time in Montana and all of the blessings I am thankful for and attribute to several small towns in Montana, U.S.A. In August of 1992, I came by myself to Montana from Tilton, New Hampshire. I flew into Great Falls, stayed at the Budget Inn there, rental a small car, and drove to Chester, Montana – where I spent the weekend candidating to be the future pastor of Chester Assembly of God Church. The 32 p...
You know, Lord, several working girls sat outside the school, near the playground, chatted, watched kids playing, having a good time. Two boys walked slowly by, talking quietly. The gals listened, the boys had stopped and quietly talked; one said, "I'm finally learning how to read. I can see that sign over there, it looks like it says, 'Hitch-hike'. I think it means to 'hitch' your pant-legs up so you don't step on them, and the 'hike' word, I think, means to walk – but walk w...
Galatians 3:28 Aho and Blessings! Those of you who know me know I am about as non-Native American as they come. I am, of course, a mult-generation American, but my DNA points to an ancient history of Scot, Irish, Welsh and English. Even so, I was "adopted" by a Native family and have four gorgeous ( I say again - holy mackerel! GORGEOUS) "granddaughters" who call me Poppa John. Their real grandfather is on the Tribal Council, and both parents are on the registry as members of...
Paul writes, "Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many." I Corinthians 12:14 The church office is right across the street from the Havre Fire Department/Ambulance. Most mornings when I am working, the sirens blare and the fire truck or the ambulance rolls to answer to an emergency. I am reminded of how fortunate we are to have men and women in the event of a fire or emergency. That is one of the benefits of being part of a larger community, a body that...
You know, Lord, t'was fun to hear from folks who used to live nearby - mentioning the view they/we had from the hilltop where they lived. They also loved looking across the valley, up to the Mountains or in the opposite direction to the hills across the river. Those hills were usually 'green' in Spring and Summer, yellow and golden brown in Autumn, then - WHOA! White in the winter SNOW! Lots of trees were around so who ever lived nearby, they/we could hear and see dozens of di...
Galatians 3: 2 Out our way, some ranchers have a favorite breed of cattle and only raise one type, but up on the Tiger Ridge, Big Mike had quite a variety in his herd. He at first favored red Angus, but soon was mixing Charolais into the herd, and then some mixed breeds. Unlike humans, different types and colors didn't concern the herd. Even the bulls got along (except, of course, during rutting season). I have shared my time rounding up "The Good Old Boys" club for the drive...
(Acts 16:9-15) Many churches boast stained glass windows that make their sanctuaries a place of beauty by filtering light from the outside through the colored panes. But there's a problem with stained glass windows. They don't let you see out. It's symbolic of a problem some long-established churches have. After many years - even many generations - of encountering God within their sanctuary walls, they come to associate spiritual life with that sacred space. They forget what...
You know, Lord, 'Lisa' shared about her daughter 'Mical' ready to start middle school. She said that Mical held her new backpack filled with notebooks, binders and a pencil bag, but 'Lisa' added that her mind churned with apprehension – like could Mical find the right classroom when they rotated? Would she remember her locker number. Would she find kind friends. How could she manage the homework. What if she was exposed to peer pressure? She said that maybe she was o...
She was in bed and wore a smile; "So glad you stopped on by. The Dr. said – 'no date or time' – but very soon you'll die!'" They visited, recalling times when they'd had lots of fun. 'We're born to die', she smiled and said, 'He'll call us when we're done.' "Please hold my hand while we visit, you've meant so much to me. This growing old ain't' too much fun, from pain, I'll soon be free." Some held her hands, or touched her arms; she smiled and closed her eyes. They chatted so...
Luke:15:1-3 Out our way, round up is always an exciting time, especially for a dust eater cowhand. As many of you know, I don't write these columns so much as take dictation. For the most part, the BOSS sends me the idea and scripture text. I was on my way to the Store after a long week of night shifts, looking forward to a few days off and to seeing what message the BOSS had for us this week - and suddenly that old song: "I ride an old paint" started playing in my head. The...
Who is your favorite prophet in the Bible? If you said Jesus, you're not wrong! Jesus as our Savior and Lord is also a priest, king, and prophet - prophet as in someone who calls the people of God back to their true identity when they've gotten mixed up with idolatry and injustice. But what about Old Testament prophets? Do you have a favorite Hebrew prophet? The last third of the Old Testament is mostly prophets, from big names like Isaiah and Jeremiah to lesser knowns like...
You know, Lord, t'was fun chatting with several gals, remembering when we volunteered in different schools, different grades, and as volunteers, we knew some kiddos excitedly boarded the bus that first day of school, while others were a little less sure about leaving home. Several gals shared about being in different schools, grades and classes and with different teachers, youngsters, activities, discipline and of course, learning. Some children were excited about being...
Psalm 119 is more than poetry — it's a passionate celebration of Scripture’s power to guide, renew, and transform every part of life. From A to Z, this chapter invites us into a wholehearted devotion to God’s Word. Join Us for a Life-Giving Series Presbyterian Church in Havre, 701 4th Ave. Starting Wednesday, Sept. 3, 6:30 p.m. Whether you're new to the Bible or have walked with it for years, this series will deepen your understanding and refresh your spirit. Come meet new friends, fill your cup, and grow in faith toget...
Luke 6:31 Out our way, come round up time, riders are given their assignments. The best and most experienced ride point or sometimes flank or swing, and in the rear are the "dust eaters" like yours truly, riding drag. The "dust eater" is often the least experienced and/or the least skilled. It's the place where the boss usually put me, Yes, I am a "dust eater" cowpoke - the guy who rides like "a sack of potatoes" as one friend put it. But I was still part of the crew. I am...
'Tis the season. The beginning of a brand-new school season, that is. In the lingering rays of summer's golden sunshine, students are preparing to don those backpacks once again. Whether they are excited to sport a brand new outfit picked hot off the rack for picture day, pumped to charge back into their favorite sport, or nervous about meeting a brand new teacher, this time of year can be filled with emotions. This is the time when students gear up to face new challenges and...
You know, Lord, A friend shared about idioms/sayings that are totally false. Take for instance the child's idiom, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.' That last part should be changed to 'but words will always hurt me.' More than several instances come to mind. Lord, remember that chap, a genuine friendly, intelligent man who was a general office worker, a helper and adviser to the public? He was well-liked and knew his product but behind the...
Pretty soon, our classrooms and hallways will be filled with students preparing to be the future leaders of our community. Some young people are excited for the new year, while others wish summer could last just a little bit longer. This Wednesday marks the first day of the new school year for Havre Public Schools, and I would like to share a few ways you can pray for Havre's students this year. Four Ways to Pray for Students This School Year 1. Pray for Connection Students...
You know, Lord, several out-of-town girls stopped by to share an event they'd recently had. Their grandmother had recently passed away; among all the things/item/stuff she'd left, the one that excited them the most, was their grandmother's well-stuffed purse. They were pretty sure their mothers also had a stuffed purse; they giggled as they also, weren't far behind - so off they went: "We found a cell phone, an IPOD, aspirin, lip gloss, mascara, and matches! But why matches,...
