Friends, as we approach Easter, may God fill your hearts with the wonder of Christ’s atoning death and victorious resurrection. May that wonder turn to a lifestyle of worship that honors God before all people.
Our family continues to be amazed at the faithful love of our Creator. Maria works hard at school and is an exceptional student at Arkansas Tech University. Victoria and her hubby, Noah, are celebrating married life together as Noah enjoys his tech job at a large Little Rock law firm and Victoria continues to try to find her footing as a first year music/choir teacher during a season of COVID. Rebekah and her husband Tim continue to impact people for Jesus in New Jersey, Tim as an addiction counselor and Rebekah as a social worker serving the homeless. Here is a picture from Rebekah’s team:
Leah and I continue to face some health challenges, but we both are so thankful for God’s sustaining grace and for the mercy He shows us, often through His people.
I admit to being encouraged greatly when I spend time with my Savior and burdened to the point of breathlessness when I view social media and television. I expect people who don’t know Christ to be confused, divided, and angry, but I am disheartened when I see the so-called Body of Christ act in even more extreme ways. When I am overwhelmed, I rant to Leah for a time and then run to God’s Word to refresh my soul.
With my human eyes, I do not see anything in western Christendom to give me hope. As I think ahead, humanly-speaking, I cannot see real solutions regarding racial division, economic disparity, the divide between men and women, and the number of young people turning from orthodoxy to a more progressive faith. I see many giving loud opinions but few able to listen to the opinions of others. I see people base their values and ideas on feelings, human traditions, cultural norms, opinion polls – everything except the authoritative Word of God. People on all sides of all the issues act like Jesus is on their side. Then I read this familiar passage:
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13–15 ESV)
I will seek not to make Jesus a member of my tribe, whatever that tribe may be. I choose to be part of Team Jesus. Let me give you a simple reminder – Jesus is NOT on your side. Are you on His?
When I remove my gaze from the problems of this world and again fix my eyes on Jesus, I fall on my face before Him in worship. I remove my shoes covered by the dust of this world because the ground where I meet Him is holy. I am filled with the wonder that even if all Christendom fails, the gates of hades will not prevail against His Church. And I praise the Sovereign One who’s plans and purposes will never be thwarted by all the craziness of this world.
–Praise God with us for His grace extended to our family. Leah and I remain COVID-free!
–The invitation to the online Christianity Explored class has not received much interest. Please pray that we will have wisdom to know if we should use this tool to introduce friends to the great news of who Jesus is, why He came, and how we can respond to Him. Email me if you have interest and would like to join us for this 7-week experience.
–With the nicer weather, I am enjoying opportunities to talk to my neighbors as I sit on my porch and pray. Please pray for opportunities to specifically pray for them, to care for them with Christ’s love in practical ways, and open doors to share the life-transforming gospel of Jesus with them.
–The online trauma healing group is also still in the waiting phase. Please pray we will have wisdom to know if this is the right time to start. Message me if you would like to participate in this group to help those wounded by trauma. Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 34:18 – The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
–I am hosting a prayer conference call Wednesday nights at 7 PM Central. If you would like to pray using Scripture as our guide, join us. We will try to be done close to 7:30. The prayer conference call will be held on Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM Central. 1) To get to the call, dial 1-717-275-8940. 2) Enter the access code when you are instructed, 7003453#. 3) Please mute yourself by pressing *6 if you want to just listen or if you have background noise from where you are calling. To unmute yourself in order to pray out loud, hit *6. When you are finished, please mute yourself once again by hitting *6. Please join us!
The Christian and Missionary Alliance shared a video I think will encourage you. Enjoy these wise words from A.W. Tozer:
How can we pray for you? Please contact me and let me know. We so appreciate you!
Brian Heinen
802 E 23rd Street Russellville, AR 72802 (479) 886-0765
bheinen.com brheinen1@gmail.com
Behold, the Lamb of God! 