Dear friends, how thankful we are for you. In this season of giving thanks, when we think of you, we thank God for you!
Lately, I have been doing a lot of reading in the areas of counseling, anxiety, depression, and trauma. One common factor in all of my study has been the importance of being thankful for good mental health. This certainly fits with the teaching of Scripture.
The Bible is filled with the command to give thanks to God. Here are a few examples:
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Heb. 12:28).
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Col. 3:15).
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Col. 4:2).
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done” (1 Chron. 16:8).
“When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, ‘He is good; His love endures forever’” (2 Chron. 7:3).
“In that day you will say: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted’” (Isa. 12:4).
Scripture teaches that one of the key elements in man’s rebellion against God is ingratitude. Paul wrote, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rom. 1:21). Not being thankful to our God who is the source of all good and all blessing leads to rebellion against His rule and reign in our lives.
Every good and perfect gift come from Him! Every spiritual blessing is found in Christ! He deserves our gratitude and our praise. And once again, we thank Him for you!
And I am incredibly thankful for my dear wife of 35 years (on November 15th)! We had a nice time reminiscing about all God has blessed us with over the years. Leah is such a gift to me! I thank God for her and her love. I know I share the same pictures of our beginning as a couple, but I don’t have many pictures, so here they are again! Notice how beautiful my bride was then. She is even more beautiful today.
I am also thankful for the wonderful congregation of the Appleton Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Five years ago this January, I drove out to share God’s Word with a congregation I had never met. They instantly became dear friends and I have preached there ever since. Because of my health and my inability to drive, I have been limited in just how much I could serve this great group of Christ-followers. My prayer from day one has been that God would send His called one who would not just be able to preach, but who could shepherd the community as well as the congregation. God has answered that prayer by sending a wonderful local pastoral couple who have worshipped with ACPC for almost a year. They are gifted and have a deep commitment to the church family and to Appleton. They will be taking over as lead shepherds at the start of 2022. I will assist in pulpit supply a few times a month, but this dear couple will now take the reigns. I am thankful to God for them!
Here’s how you can pray for us.
- Several family members are sick with COVID. Please pray to our loving Great Physician on their behalf.
- Please pray for the transition at the church, that God would be glorified!
- Please pray for our family to represent Jesus well as we interact with our neighbors, especially through this holiday season. We have plans to show our neighbors we love and appreciate them. May Jesus be exalted!
- Please pray for our family, as we will be separated this Christmas.
- Please pray for God’s provision, as we will start 2022 with less income and greater expenditures. Part of this comes from my switch from Medicaid to Medicare. I also will be making less as I am preaching less. Combined with rising inflation, we need desperately need God’s intervention. Pray that we will never doubt His faithfulness.
Please pray for us. And let us know how to pray for you. 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! 