Friends, in this season of celebrating love, may we not forget the greatest love ever – the love our Heavenly Father has for us. If you have not fully experienced the everlasting love of God that literally transforms us into brand new people, please message me. I would love to tell you about it.
Speaking of love – Rebekah and Tim are married! In all the wedding ceremonies I have been a part of, I never saw a bride glow like Rebekah. I know Tim dearly loves his new bride. What a joy to see two people brought together by Jesus! They are now settling down to live together in New Jersey. We miss them terribly, but are so thankful for all that Jesus has done in them and for them.
Victoria is working in an adjunct position at Russellville High School while she prepares for her own wedding in May. Noah is now renting a home that he will share with Victoria after their special day. Maria is continuing her studies at Arkansas Tech University’s elementary education program, which was recently recognized as one of the best programs in the country for teaching reading to students. We are so proud of both of our soon-to-be teachers.
In the past few months, Leah and I survived the holidays, two graduations, a wedding, and having our oldest move away. What joyous, exhausting experiences! In addition to her mental challenges, her constant pain, her stomach ailments, her kidney disease, her fatigue, and having to put up with her husband, Leah is now possibly facing surgery for her arthritic knees. Please pray for God’s healing touch and His sustaining grace.
I continue to wait for my appointment at the University of Arkansas Medical School. My left foot has a deep wound that is slow to heal, so I am once again wearing a boot. Someone mentioned to me that they feel bad that I can’t walk. I can walk, but I do look a bit like Frankenstein’s monster when I do. The boot further complicates matters. Driving continues to be a challenge. My hands are experiencing increasing pain. I also am still waiting for my disability hearing. Please pray for our Lord’s provision, as Leah cannot work and I have not worked since the beginning of last July. We are praying for everything to work out for God’s glory!
May I also ask you to pray that God will reveal to me a little bit of what my future looks like? I pray daily for complete healing so I can return to some type of employment and ministry. Yet, I also pray for God’s strength and peace if the rest of my life includes the limitations I now face. If I am not healed in the way I desire, what will my purpose be for the rest of my life? I enjoy the growing opportunities I now have to spend time alone with God and to intercede for others. Leah and I have more time to pray together. Leah prays for hours throughout the night when she can’t sleep. I am amazed by her intimacy with our Savior. Now she can share a little of that with me. Yet, is there something more we can do with our lives? Please pray that God will give me wisdom for the days ahead.
I began this update focusing on love. Once again, Leah and I need to express our gratitude for how God has showered His love upon us through His people. The messages of encouragement keep our hearts strong and trusting in Jesus. We even had a college friend go out of her way as she traveled cross-country to stop by to visit us. People we have not had contact with for decades have reached out to us. We are so blessed to have all of you in our lives!
Let me close with another reminder of God’s love for us. What makes us understand the enormity of God’s love is when we comprehend the meaning of a little word called sin. Sin is what keeps us from experiencing God’s love. It is when we choose our independence instead of living lives submitted to the God of love who created us. Because of our sin, we are unable to do what God says is right. The Bible says we all fall short of God’s standard. And because God is love, He sent His Son to do what we could never do. Jesus lived a perfect life for us that we could never live. He died a death we should have died to pay the penalty for our sin so we can live. The righteous life of Jesus satisfied God’s requirements. His resurrected life is a guarantee that all who accept His gift of forgiveness and new life will also live forever embraced by His love. He offers His love to you. Just receive it by trusting completely in all He has done for you.
If you have any questions about this, go to the “about” page of my website and view the “What is Christianity?” video. Contact me using the information below. Remember we pray for our family and friends! Let us know how we can pray for you.
Brian
Brian Heinen, 802 East 23rd Street, Russellville, Arkansas, 72802
479-886-0765 brheinen1@gmail.com
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Behold, the Lamb of God! 