Pentecost 2011 June 2011
The Arise team would like to begin this report by praising God for all He has done in recent days.
Can a nation be healed?
As I considered what to share at this event in St Neots, one of the Arise advisors sent me a cutting from The Times newspaper which read; “Queen’s historic visit will help to heal both our nations, says new Taoiseach.” This was the confirmation I needed at exactly the right time that this was what was on God’s heart. So once again I shared His story.
The Queen’s visit to Ireland was truly amazing and a blessing to see the healing of past wounds and the unity that now exists between our two nations. Many people contacted us during this time, thank you if you were one of them. We were greatly encouraged!
Pentecost weekend
Rev David Shaw, Minister of Huntingdon Methodist Church, opened by welcoming our Irish visitors and read a greeting from Jonathan Djanogly, our MP;
“I am delighted to send my fraternal greetings and wishes for peace, to our Irish visitors who are coming over at Pentecost on 10th June”.
This welcome was significant to us as he holds the same office that Cromwell once held. We too were thrilled to have our friends from both sides of the Irish border. In Gods Kingdom there are no borders, no barriers. We are all one in Him.
Over a hundred people with ages ranging from teens to 80s, from different denominations gathered. The unity and presence of God was tangible. The Holy Spirit flowed in the gentlest of ways touching many lives. Rev Paul Wilson led the teaching which you can access on this website; I encourage you to have a listen. It is excellent teaching.
The worship was a very important part of the weekend. Jonathan and the worship team took us into the presence of God with songs old and new. It was wonderful to watch as people, old and young alike, enjoyed God. We believe the enemy was hopping mad at the unity of the weekend and worship time and it is our responsibility to protect that unity, for that allows the Holy Spirit to flow and God to pour out His blessings.
On Monday the Arise team and advisors met and felt the presence and power of the Holy Spirit still with us. We prayed for healing for several members of the team - God moved among us they felt an improvement in their conditions. Praise God!
You may have heard that our area has been suffering with the lack of rain. On 22nd May, God spoke to me saying "The reason for no rain is because I want people to know what it is like to long for water, to hunger and thirst for me. I have let you be in a parched land." On 1st June, Vanessa heard on the TV weather report that it had been the “Driest Spring since records began in Cromwellian times”. Over the following days, we cried out for rain, His rain of the Spirit, and we felt Him say "The rain is coming." On 9th June, I wrote in my journal "If it rains on Sunday (Pentecost), we will know God has done something, things have shifted." On that Pentecost Sunday it rained and rained and rained. It was the first day of rain for months and months. Churches Together led the service and unity abounded. A lady danced to music "Rain down." Wow!
May you be blessed as you listen and enjoy the teaching and receive all that God the Holy Spirit has for you.
Shirley
