Greetings from the Heinen clan! It has been some months since we put a prayer update together, but we hope you haven’t forgotten us. We are so thankful for friends like you!
This leads into a few thoughts about the Thanksgiving season that is upon us. Pay attention to these familiar words from Psalm 100:
A psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Shout in triumph to Yahweh, all the earth.
2 Serve Yahweh with joy;
come into his presence with exultation.
3 Know that Yahweh, he is God;
he made us and we are his.
We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
5 For Yahweh is good; his loyal love is forever,
and his faithfulness is from generation to generation.
The Lexham English Bible
This short passage contains 7 imperatives (commands) which in the season of life I find myself in, I need to obey. They are shout, serve, come, know, enter, thank, and bless.
To be honest, I don’t often feel that I can do these things. I have been battling overwhelming, unique pain due to my progressing neuropathy, which saps me of my strength and energy. (Thus, the reason these updates have been few and far between.) It takes choice, intentionality, strength, and energy to fulfill those commands.
Yet, the Psalm reminds me why I need to make the choice to obey: For Yahweh is good; his loyal love is forever, and his faithfulness is from generation to generation.
He is so good!! His covenant love lasts forever! His faithfulness is not just for those whose stories are from of old, they are for our generation today!
I shout because His mercies are new every morning! I serve because the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and I want to be just like Him! I come into His presence because that is where I find fullness of joy! I need to truly know God, not just know about Him, because that is what I was made for! I enter His gates because while my pain is real, worshipping Him is more real! I thank Him because even in the pain of life, I need to acknowledge that God sent His Son into our world of pain to bring me deliverance and Shalom! I need to bless God, because He has given me every spiritual blessing in Christ!
Even in the pain of life, I lift my heart and my voice before Him, because He is worthy!
I trust that the joys and blessings the Lord has showered upon you far outweigh the challenges you face as we await His return. Please email us telling us just what He has done for you.
Our hearts are full of joy as we think of all God has done in the lives of our three beautiful daughters and our two amazing sons-in-law. I will start with Victoria and Noah, who are expecting Ezra Daniel, our first grandchild, in February!
Needless to say, Leah and I are a bit excited! Leah will be a perfect grandma, and will teach me how to try to do this grandpa bit.
In case you are interested and can’t make their shower, Victoria, Noah and Ezra have a baby registry set up on Amazon:
Victoria and Noah bought their first home and moved in this past February. They also enjoyed a summer trip to beautiful Glacier National Park. Victoria continues as a choir director in a middle school and was chosen as “teacher of the month.” Noah enjoys his IT position at a law firm in Little Rock.
Rebekah and Tim had a year full of challenges and blessings. Tim’s mother died and will be greatly missed. Tim celebrated turning 40 in 2024, and started a new job at a car dealership. Rebekah works hard as a social worker getting housing for the homeless. They had to put their precious cat to sleep, but welcomed another furry critter to their home, so they still enjoy two cats. They love being uncle and auntie to Tim’s family.
Maria thrives at being a kindergarten teacher, and was awarded the “Golden Heart” this month (the equivalent of “teacher of the month”). She also did some traveling. Maria and her best friend/college roommate, Elizabeth, explored Nashville, South Dakota, and Dallas (and went to a few concerts along the way). She flew to see Rebekah and Tim in New Jersey, and enjoyed a day trip to NYC with Rebekah.
Leah and I celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary. As I wrote on Facebook, she is “… my very best friend, my faithful intercessor, the loving mother of my daughters, the one who makes me laugh hysterically, and the one who makes my heart miss a beat.” I am so thankful for her!
I continue to preach, sometimes for the wonderful congregation of the Appleton Cumberland Presbyterian church, and wherever else as needed. I was blessed to preach several times at the church I used to serve, The Russellville Alliance Church. It is good to see so many familiar faces! I am preaching less at the ACPC, as a terrific pastoral couple is taking over as shepherds to the church and the local community.
Please pray: 1. For Leah’s health and strength. She daily faces much pain and constant stomach problems. 2. For Rebekah’s health issues. She has been put on medication for lupus, which seems to be helping. 3. For Tim and Noah, as they love our daughters and serve as wonderful husbands. 4. For Victoria and Ezra, that they would remain healthy and that the delivery goes smoothly. 5. For Victoria and Maria as they teach and for Rebekah as she serves some very special people. 6. For the churches where I preach, that Jesus would be exalted! 7. For God’s continued provision, as my income from pulpit supply diminishes and as costs continue to increase. We certainly don’t want to be a burden to our children. 8. Pray for my parents/stepparents. My mother, stepfather, and father all turned 90 this past year. My father especially has dealt with multiple hospitalizations and survived some scary situations. Thank you so much for praying!
How can I pray for you? Please let me know. We love and appreciate you!
Brian Heinen 802 E 23rd Street Russellville, AR 72802 (479) 886-0765
bheinen.com brheinen1@gmail.com
Behold, the Lamb of God! 
Thanks for your encouragement. God bless you and yours.
Your fellow servant, Chaplain Paul Northcut Chaplain Paul Northcut
One pastor said “it is the best of times in the worst of times.” (based on 2 Thess 1:4 “…we speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.”). Your exaltation of our Lord Jesus Christ and continued love for the saints (is the best of times) in the midst of your difficult circumstances. This blesses me deeply. Thank you, Pastor Brian!