Prayer needed

Hello Friends.

I just wanted to let you all know that prayer is needed right now as we end this 2009 that things will look better for several of us in the congregation. Just to let you know, Tim and Heather have had a difficult time lately. With Heather's surgery on her knee and being more extensive than they thought, it is going to take longer for her to heal. It is difficult for her to function as far as cooking, cleaning, and just normal household duties. Then today, they had a toilet problem upstairs in their home and it flooded their house ruining their ceiling in the kitchen, the floor, and carpeting upstairs. On top of that, the hot water heater is leaking! With her problem, she cannot stay in the house during repairs with the dust and all. Those poor people - when it rains it pours! We certainly need to lift them in prayer! This evening, we received a call from Paulette's mother asking for prayer for her Dad. It appears he may have had a small stroke and couldn't talk this evening. She is alone trying to deal with that, so has asked if we could pray for them.

I know of others who have had a rough time at the end of this year that I won't mention here, but believe me our congregation needs prayer! We certainly don't want satan to get a foothold and use these circumstances to discourage us. I just felt I needed to share that with you as we are a family and care so much for each other. That is what Hinkle is all about!

May 2010 turn out to be the best year all of us have experienced with a freshness in our spirits from the Lord!

Bob

Quaker Oats

Quick: what does the Quaker Oats cereal have to do with the religious Christian denomination The Religious Society of Friends, better known as the Quakers? Turns out ... nothing - only clever advertising.
In 1877, Henry D. Seymour and William Heston founded a mill in Ravenna, Ohio, and named it the Quaker Mill. There are conflicting stories as to how the name came to be. One legend has it that Seymour chose the name after reading an encyclopedia entry on the Quakers:

"The name was chosen when Quaker Mill partner Henry Seymour found an encyclopedia article on Quakers and decided that the qualities described — integrity, honesty, purity — provided an appropriate identity for his company's oat product." (Source)

Another story said that Heston was walking on the streets of Cincinnati when he ran across a picture of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania and a famous Quaker (Source). In whichever case, later that year the company trademarked the Quaker Man, described as "The figure of a man in Quaker garb." It was the first US trademark ever registered for a breakfast cereal.

The original 1877 Quaker Man was a full-length picture of a Quaker holding a scroll with the word "pure" on it (just in case the integrity/honesty/purity point didn't get across). In 1946, graphic designer Jim Nash created a black and white head portrait of the smiling Quaker Man and in 1957, Haddon Sundblom made the full-color portrait. The last update to the logo was in 1972, when Saul Bass created the stylized graphic that still appears on Quaker Oats product packages today.

GLADYS AYLWARD (1902 - 1970)

Missionary to China Gladys Aylward stands out as an example of how God can use someone of meager means and abilities when they give themselves over to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Born into a working class family in Edmonton, London on February 24, 1902. Daughter of a mailman and oldest of two sisters and 1 brother. Unlike many famous Christians in history, she didn't excel scholastically or set her self apart based on her exhaustive knowledge of the Bible and the classic languages, rather her early life was marked with a propensity for play acting and a willingness to serve. God prepares those He calls for the roles they are to play and these propensities would come to be contributing factors in her success as God put them to good use.
Though raised in the Angelican Church, she was not a particularly religious person in her early years and her "adequate" education and working class social position left her with few options. She became a parlor maid at the age of only 14. Her call to missions came about when she attended a revival at when she was 18 in which the preacher expounded on giving ones life over to the service of the Lord. The message struck a cord in her heart and an awakening desire to serve on the missionary field began to blossom. Having spent the last four years serving others surely gave her a unique insight to a servant's heart. She gave her life to Christ willing to be used in whatever way He sought fit. Some sources indicate that her decision to pursue a missionary assignment to China may have come about from having read a magazine article about China, a nation where millions of people had never heard the Gospel.
She continued her work as a parlor maid with little chance to realize her calling. In her mid-twenties, she applied and was given a probationary position with the China Inland Mission Center in London but this endeavor didn't bear fruit. At the age of 26 her probation ended in failure. She had fallen short of their expectations and was rejected for service as a missionary to China. However, no one can frustrate the will of God or reject for service those who are called of God "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Rom 11:29)
Determined to follow God by whatever means available, she continued to work and to save her money and after four years, at the age of 30, her opportunity came in the person of an aging missionary, Mrs. Jeannie Lawson,1 who was looking for a young assistant to carry on her work. Gladys was accepted but Mrs. Lawson didn't have the means to assist her with the passage to China. Adding to the difficulties, save as she might, Gladys lacked the funds to travel by ship, the preferred method of travel to distant lands. So she put her affairs in order and with only her passport, her Bible, her tickets, and two pounds ninepence, set off for a perilous, overland journey to the inland city of Yangchen, in the mountainous province of Shansi, a little south of Peking. An area where few Europeans visited and the people didn't trust foreigners.
The two women set about planing the best way to attract an audience to hear the message of Jesus. Knowing that the city in which they lived was an overnight stop for mule caravans and that the building in which they lived has once been an Inn, they determined to do some repairs and restore its original purpose offering food and care for the mules along with hospitality, food and a warm bed for the drivers at a fair price. It is reported that Gladys would run out and grab the halter of the lead mule and lead it into their courtyard. The other mules followed and the drivers went along for the ride.
In the evenings after serving a meal and before bed, the women would gather their guests and tell them stories about a man named Jesus. In this fashion, the Gospel message began to be proclaimed, not only at their Inn but by the drivers who carried the stories with them to other stops along their journey. It also served to open Gladys' mind to the new challenge of learning the language as she sat and listened to these stories, participating as she was able. She spent many hours each day learning to communicate in the vernacular of the locals until she finally was competent, something the China Inland Mission Center thought beyond her ability.
Shortly after this, her mentor, Mrs. Lawson fell and was seriously injured leading to her death a few days later. Gladys, along with the Chinese cook, who was a Christian, determined to continue the work. Fluent in the language, she began to share the Gospel in surrounding villages and through circumstance, became aware of the many unwanted children. Her missionary work turned in a different direction, care for these unwanted little ones. But her care wasn't limited to children only. During those years China was under attack by Japan and many Chinese soldiers were wounded. So she added their numbers to those for whom she provided succor. Her Inn became a refuge for 20 orphans and as many as 30 to 40 injured soldiers at a time.
The war intensified and her children charges now numbered around 100. She had become a citizen of China in 1936 and her activities in support of the local populace, including a bit of spying on the Japanese made it unsafe to remain in Yangchen. Being warned of a bounty for her capture, dead or alive, by Colonel Linnan a member of the local Chinese resistance, she gathered up the children and narrowly escaped the city.
Unable to use roads or transportation, she was forced to lead her children, on foot, over the mountains to the safer province of Sian some 100 miles distant. The trek took twenty seven days in which they had to endure the elements and many hardships. She herself had become ill en route and when they finally arrived safely, she collapsed. The doctors were amazed by the feat as she was suffering from typhus, pneumonia, a relapsing fever, malnutrition, and supreme exhaustion.
She regained some strength but never recovered totally from her illness yet this didn't stop her from continuing her ministry, now located in Sian. She started a church and once more she was sharing the Gospel in the villages, prisons and among the sick and helpless. Her ministry continued until 1947 when the new Communist regime told control. Gladys and other missionaries had to leave China and her choice of destination was decided because she had a burden for the spiritual condition of her native England.
She wrote, "England, seemingly so prosperous while other countries passed through terrible suffering at the hands of Communist domination, had forgotten what was all important - the realization that God mattered in the life of a nation no less than in that of an individual."
In 1958, after ten years in England, she left for Taiwan and started another orphanage. She remained here for the rest of her life serving God by serving His children. She died January 3rd, 1970.
She was known as 'Ai-weh-deh', (Virtuous One) by the Chinese who grew to love this foreigner they initially distrusted. She lived her life before God and for God and is an example of what He can accomplish using the least of us.
She gained some fame among Westerners in 1957 when the move 'Inn of the Sixth Happiness' was released. Although it was

"a well-produced, heartwarming movie starring the great actress Ingrid Bergman it was a thorn in the side of Gladys Aylward. She was deeply embarrassed by the movie because it was so full of inaccuracies. Hollywood also took great liberties with her infatuation with the Chinese Colonel Linnan, even changing him into an Eurasian. But Gladys, the most chaste of women, was horrified to learn the movie had portrayed her in 'love scenes'. She suffered greatly over what she considered her soiled reputation." ²

Sources:
1 http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/73.html
2 http://www.heroesofhistory.com/page46.html
3 http://chi.gospelcom.net/GLIMPSEF/Glimpses/glmps006.shtml

Click the link below If you'd like to hear Gladys give her testimony and issue a challenge to believers.http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=63

Biography written by John M. Fritzius

Bible Study tomorrow night

Well, I received a call from the Butchers about bringing food tomorrow night for Bible Study, so here is what I know so far if this helps any of you in food preparation:

Butchers are bringing "sloppy joes"
Stubbs's are bringing "nacho cheese dip & nachos" (maybe dessert??????)

Now, you can post a comment and add to the list!

We're back!!!

Just wanted to let you all know that Paulette and I are back home - FINALLY! We had a bit of a rough trip yesterday once we hit Indiana with slick roads, and traffic backed up for miles due to 8 slide-offs on I-70, but finally got home around 9:00 p.m.. We are SO glad to be home! We carried a few things in, heard a noise, looked around, and there was a mouse that had just gotten in a trap and was trying to escape. I ended his little journey real quick, then we turned up the heat, settled in and had a good night's rest. Can't wait to see everyone. Maybe our life will get back to normal now. See some of you tomorrow night at Bible Study and the rest at Church on Sunday!

Trish & Larry sent this to me via e-mail and it's too good not to share! Thanks

Amazing Sights

A childhoold friend that visited Jerusalem over the last month sent some pictures. Wanted to share.

The Garden Tomb.

The Eastern Gate. Notice how it is blocked up. The muslims have blocked it but because they read in the Bible that when Jesus comes back he will decend on the Mt. of Olives, which is close to where I'm standing and he will enter through the Eastern Gate.

Question

My Mom and I met Peggy(the one who lives in Deming)at Kroger today, and she said that Casey called her and said that there wasn't going to be Bible study tonight. I'm asking if there is Bible study just to make sure there wasn't a misunderstanding.

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted all of you to know how much I missed those of you who couldn't be at Church on Sunday. It was a little empty needless to say, but where 2 or 3 are gathered in His Name, He promised He would be with us and He certainly was!

Let me fill you in on a little of what you missed. The sermon was pretty short, but the point was that we buy gifts for other people, but the Greatest Gift to us was the Christ Child. I wondered what we give to Him at this time of year. So I wrapped up a big box sitting at the foot of the cross with a flap for all of us to write anything we want on a card or paper to give to Jesus. It might be your broken heart, your anger, a habit, or most importantly, your soul! It could even be a better committment to Jesus. Maybe you need to forgive someone this year and give that to Jesus! Whatever it is, there is a catch! Once you put that in the box and give it to Him, you can't take it back! We would never think of taking back a gift we give to someone in this life, but often we say, "I'm just giving this to Jesus", then suddenly we have grabbed it back and try to fix it ourselves. Whatever you put in that box is FOREVER! I will never read what you put in there - that is between you and Jesus and I sure don't want any names on the cards. When Paulette gets back, we are going to go up to the Church and pray over that box and dedicate all of those things to God. It is all symbolic, but there is something to say about releasing it and really giving it to Jesus once and for all! I'd like to leave that box there for a couple of weeks for those of you who weren't there today so you can have your opportunity to do that. Once we are finished, I'll take the wrapping off the box, place the cards in a brown paper bag, and burn them without ever seeing them. When I served on the Indian field, they believed that when you burnt something precious, the smoke rose as a prayer to the Great White Spirit. So, with that in mind, that's why I'll be burning them. I pray you will want to participate and give something you've held in your heart too long, to Jesus!

I leave in the morning (Monday) for Missouri and we will spend Christmas there before returning home. I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Blessed Christmas like you've never experienced before! May God bless all of you.

I love you all so much!

Pastor Bob

From All of us, to you on your Birthday

Happy Birthday Bob!

Well Bob, I hope you had a wonderful Birthday today. I hope you took the time to look over the past year and remember all of the good things that happened. You had a beautiful vegetable garden, Your Church family grew. You had the Quaker Haven Retreat and some really wonderful Bible Studies just to name a few things. I also hope that you took the time to also look ahead into this next year and imagine what wonderful things await you. I wish you every happiness. I wish for you that peace that can only come from staying close to God. May your blessings be many! Happy Birthday!God Bless You and keep you always.

Posting

This is post # 530! That's a lot! Wow!

PBS 9:00Tuesday December 22 From Jesus to Christ:The First Christians

FRONTLINE explores the life of Jesus and the movement he started, challenging familiar assumptions and conventional notions about the origins of Christianity. Drawing upon new and sometimes controversial historical evidence and interviews with the nation's leading New Testament scholars, the series transports the viewer back two thousand years to the time and place where Jesus once lived and preached. The film traces Jesus' life, focusing on the events that occurred after he died and on his first followers, the men and women whose belief, conviction, and martyrdom created a major movement that transformed the Roman Empire in the space of only three hundred years. "Let the Reader Understand"- -Part three 

(I caught part of part two last night. I think FRONTLINE is a great program. I haven't seen part three but I'm interested in seeing what they have to say.) 

From WIKIPEDIA

"I Wonder as I Wander" has its origins in a song fragment collected on July 16, 1933 by folklorist and singer John Jacob Niles.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} While in the town of Murphy in Appalachian North Carolina, Niles attended a fundraising meeting held by evangelicals who had been ordered out of town by the police.^[1][5] In his unpublished autobiography, he wrote of hearing the song:

A girl had stepped out to the edge of the little platform attached to the automobile. She began to sing. Her clothes were unbelievable dirty and ragged, and she, too, was unwashed. Her ash-blond hair hung down in long skeins.... But, best of all, she was beautiful, and in her untutored way, she could sing. She smiled as she sang, smiled rather sadly, and sang only a single line of a song.^[2]

The girl, named Annie Morgan, repeated the fragment seven times in exchange for a quarter per performance, and Niles left with "three lines of verse, a garbled fragment of melodic material—and a magnificent idea".^[5][2] (In various accounts of this story, Niles hears between one and three lines of the song.^[2][5][4][6]) Based on this fragment, Niles composed the version of "I Wonder as I Wander" that is known today, extending the melody to four lines and the lyrics to three stanzas

I Wonder as I Wander -Appalachia

1. I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die.
For poor on'ry people like you and like I...
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.
2. When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall,
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all.
But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall,
And the promise of ages it then did recall.
3. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,
A star in the sky, or a bird on the wing,
Or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing,
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King.

Linda Nelson Stocks

A Boy Singing to His Little Sister.....

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the
way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare
for a new sibling.
They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day,
night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy..
He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met
her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Methodist Church in Tennessee
In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every
three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and
Karen found herself in hours of labor.
Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's
little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition.
With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to
the neonatal intensive care unit.  The days inched by. The little girl got worse.. The
pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Be
prepared for the worst.
Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot.
They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but
now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael,
however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. I want to
sing to her, he kept saying.
Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the
week was over.
Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never
allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they
liked it or not.
If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive.

'He is not leaving until he sings to his sister' she stated.
Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside.
He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live.
After a moment, he began to sing.
In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang:
'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray.'

Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady.
'Keep on singing, Michael,' encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes.
'You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away.'

As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr

'Keep on singing, sweetheart.'
'The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my
arms' Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her.
'Keep on singing, Michael.'

Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed.
'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away.'
The next day....the very next day the little girl was well enough to go home
The medical staff called it a miracle.
Karen called it a miracle of God's love.
NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.
LOVE IS SO INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.

Christmas, by Conner

I love Christmas when everyone's about, throwing snowballs and shouting out loud.
I also love the food and the cards we get.
On Christmas Eve Santa comes and brings us presents to play with and to have fun with.
Sometimes there are movies, posters or clothes.
Sometimes we get electronics or just plain old toys.
But Christmas is really about spending time with family and having fun with friends.
On that special day people come together to remember Jesus as the one he is.
For what he has done for us.
He will still be our Lord if we are pure or not.
Whether we are in the snow or by the fire, baking cookies or eating Christmas food we all know who will be there for us, our Lord.
And the people who have passed away or we didn't get to meet, no matter what we will be watched over
and kept safe.
But spreading cheer and having fun, looking at the Christmas tree, playing with toys and sitting by the fire, no matter what, IT IS CHRISTMAS!
Whether we are down, whether we are happy, it is Christmas and that's what it is, a time of love, a time of cheer a time of anything, it's still here.

"When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.
-- Howard Thurman, adapted

Merry Christmas!

I just want to say how much fun last night was. Mike and Jeff both did really outstanding jobs singing. And the children really so adorable.(and Shirley and Heather thank you!) It was a touching service and I was so happy to see so many people attend! Thanks to everyone who helped out in the kitchen and the ushers and Bob, for wearing your beautiful red jacket. And to whomever brought the shrimp!

Love,
Kelly

Candle Light Service

I was just thinking how cute it was last night after we got done singing Christmas Carols and a little voice came out of no where and it was Zoe and she said, We, We, We, Did it!

Crabby Old Man

Squeak asked me to post the following for all of you to enjoy. Bob

CRABBY OLD MAN/When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in North Platte, Nebraska , it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions,they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed thestaff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Missouri .The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared inthe Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Associationfor Mental Health. A slide presentation has also beenmade based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.Crabby Old ManWhat do you see nurses? . . . .. . What do you see?What are you thinking . . . . . When you're looking at me?A crabby old man . . . . . Not very wise,Uncertain of habit . . . . . With faraway eyes?Who dribbles his food . . . . . And makes no reply.When you say in a loud voice . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!'Who seems not to notice . . . . . The things that you do.And forever is losing . . . . . A sock or shoe?Who, resisting or not . . . . . Lets you do as you will,With bathing and feeding . . . . . The long day to fill?Is that what you're thinking? . . . . . Is that what you see?Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . You're not looking at me.I'll tell you who I am. . . . . . As I sit here so still,As I do at your bidding, . . . . . As I eat at your will.I'm a small child of Ten . . . . . With a father and mother,Brothers and sisters . . . . . Who love one another.A young boy of Sixteen . . . . With wings on his feet.Dreaming that soon now . . . . . A lover he'll meet.A groom soon at Twenty . . . . . My heart gives a leap.Remembering, the vows . . . . . That I promised to keep.At Twenty-Five, now . . . . . I have young of my own.Who need me to guide . . . . . And a secure happy home.A man of Thirty . . . . . My young now grown fast,Bound to each other . . . . . With ties that should last.At Forty, my young sons . . . . . Have grown and are gone,But my woman's beside me . . . . . To see I don't mourn.At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,Again, we know children . . . . . My loved one and me.Dark days are upon me . . . . . My wife is now dead.I look at the future . . . . . Shudder with dread.For my young are all rearing . . . . . Young of their own.And I think of the years . . . . . And the love that I've known.I'm now an old man . . . . . And nature is cruel.Tis jest to make old age . . . .. . Look like a fool.The body, it crumbles . . . . . Grace and vigor, depart.There is now a stone . .. . . Where I once had a heart.But inside this old carcass . . . . . A young guy still dwells,And now and again . . . . . My battered heart swells.I remember the joys . . . . . I remember the pain.And I'm loving and living . . . . . Life over again.I think of the years, all too few . . . . . Gone too fast.And accept the stark fact . . . . That nothing can last.So open your eyes, people . . . . . Open and see.Not a crabby old man . . . Look closer . . . See ME!!Remember this poem when you next meetAn older person who you might brush asideWithout looking at the young soul within.We will all, one day, be there, too!PLEASE SHARE THIS POEMThe best and most beautiful things ofThis world can't be seen or touched.They must be felt by the heart.

Work of Christmas Begins

"When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.
-- Howard Thurman, adapted

I found this on the internet....http://www.fathersloveletter.com/text.html

                                                    You may not know me,
                                              but I know everything about you.
                                                                          Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

An invitation

Please click on the link below and turn up your sound. Bev Stewart sent this and wanted me to post it on here for all of you to enjoy. It is really nice.

Christmas invitation

Update on Paulette

Paulette called last evening and they finally got an appointment for her mother to see a doctor about her foot. Medical care is not the best out there, so it seems to take time to get help for someone. Her sister is arriving this morning to take her mother to the doctor while Paulette stays at home to take care of her Dad's needs. Tomorrow they all take him to the doctor for his weekly check-up and they are going to talk to the doctor about trying to admit her father into a nursing home or getting someone to come and stay full time to help out so Paulette can come home. Her sister will be leaving on Thursday to go back home which will leave Paulette alone again with the situation. So, everything is still up in the air on that front and not sure when I will be able to travel to pick her up. I would appreciate all of you praying for that situation so I can have my wife back home. She is committed to take care of her parents, but I sure do miss her. Seems I walk around this house not knowing what to do with myself. Even though it is a small house, it seems to be getting bigger everyday!

Reminder - Bible Study Christmas Dinner

Saturday - December 5th @ 5:30

I'm back! (alone)

Greetings everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that I got back today from Missouri. Paulette had to stay behind to help her mother with her dad from his amputation on his foot. While I was there, the screen on my cell phone went out, so if any of you tried to text me, I couldn't see it. I stopped to see about getting another phone, but my plan calls for the one I have to be repaired. So, they gave me a loaner phone WITHOUT TEXT keyboard. So, if you text me, I may not text back or at least it will be minimum words since I don't do so well without the keyboard. Hopefully they will get mine repaired soon.

It seems like we have been gone forever. We both were very busy the whole time we were there trying to help out the folks with all the needs that they have. Besides mowing, mulching leaves, cutting limbs, repairing a roof, repairing broken plumbing, I had to build a ramp so her Dad could have access to the house and driveway with his new wheelchair. Paulette has spent much of her time helping to rearrange furniture so the wheel chair could get around the house along with helping in the kitchen doing a lot of the cooking, washing dishes, and helping her Mom get organized. It is a tremendous task at their age to have this sudden change. I must admit we are both exhausted, but are happy that we could be of some help to them.

I plan to be there Saturday for the Christmas Party (you know me - never want to miss good food!), be at Church on Sunday, have a North Central Area Pastors Christmas Dinner on Monday, get packed on Tuesday and leave Wednesday to go out to get Paulette. We plan to return the next day (Thursday) so we can be back for Church and candlelight service.

Thank you all for your prayers and understanding during this difficult time we have had with this issue. I REALLY appreciate Will stepping up to the plate and bring the message for me. It means so much to have people you can depend on. Thanks Will!

Well, that's about it. Looking forward to seeing you all.

God Bless!

Bob

E-Mail from Squeak

Hey Kelly, I just found out that my sisters husband has colon cancer and will under go surgery in the morning .I tried to post it to the web site but couldn't ,so I was wondering if you would do it for me. His Name is Terry Lester. They live in Wisconsin , and also would you post it to the prayer list. I wasn't sure if Bob and Paulette were back or not.Thanks, Squeak.

Reminder - Bible Study Christmas Dinner

Saturday - December 5th @ 5:30

We will be having a pitch-in style dinner. Many people have signed up to bring a dish. If you have not feel free to bring any dish to share.

Also we will be having a Christmas gift game. Please don't go out and purchase anything. "Rewrap" that old item in the house you have been meaning to take to the Goodwill or your yard sale. The game is a lot of fun and will for sure create a lot of laughter.

Last thing... we are asking for Christmas music. Bring your favorite Christmas CD music for the evening.

He's Alive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbRPWUHM80M

Joy and Sorrow

I believe that our time here on earth gives us the opportunity to grow spiritually. We can experience much personal growth because of all the suffering, worries, and difficulties we have to go through during our mortal lives. It is God's way of fine-tuning us so we become more compassionate, more caring, more loving, and more aware of others' pain. After all, how could we ever dry the tears of others if we had never cried ourselves?

We all find ourselves in the valley of despair sometimes. It may sometimes seem that we are forever worrying, learning lessons, suffering pain, and facing challenges. But we must try to remember that the fertilizer that helps us "grow" is in those valleys, not on the mountain tops.
During the times that we feel scared and confused, we will always end up wiser and we will grow more from the experiences. We will understand more about people and life, become more sensitive, and we'll be able to enjoy life more after we go through the hard times.

We have to experience sadness so that we may better measure joy. Life has a way of balancing the sorrow with the joy, the disappointments with the hope, and the emptiness with the meaning.

An aching heart is but a steppingstone
To greater joy than you've ever known,
For things that cause the heart to ache
Until you think that it must break,
Become the strength by which we climb
To higher heights that are sublime,
And feel the radiance of God's smiles
When we have soared above life's trials.
So when you're overwhelmed with fears
And all your hopes are drenched in tears,
Think not that life has been unfair
And given you too much to bear.
For God has chosen you because,
With all your weaknesses and flaws,
He feels that you are worthy of
The greatness of His wondrous love.
So welcome every stumbling block
And every thorn and jagged rock;
For each one is a steppingstone
To God, who wants you for His own.
For discipline in daily duty
Will shape your life for deeper beauty;
And as you grow in strength and grace,
The clearer you can see God's face;
And on the steppingstones of strife,
You reach at last eternal life.

Hey Will

Just want to thank you for the message you brought this morning! You did a great job.

I am so thankful!

I am so thankful for so much! My salavation and God's love for me. My son and his health. My husband and his children. My home, job. Our families. The new friends we have made this year that have truly made a difference in our lives. Shown us so much love. I am truly blessed. I am even thankful for the challanges that have faced us this year. It has taught us that the small things that don't seem that big are really big blessings.

That he died for me.. that he loved me enough.

Thankful

So thankful for each and everyone of you.God Bless you and yours this Holdiay Season! This church has changed our lives and I just wanted to tell you all how much you all mean to us.

~Kelly

Happy Birthday Justin

We all love you! Have a very happy 18th birthday!

Your Prayers

Paulette and I would appreciate your prayers as we travel early in the morning for Missouri. It was so great to be with all of you today - such a sweet spirit in the services. Please do not let Will down next Sunday - support him as he brings the message the Lord has put on his heart.

We just want to wish all of you a very Happy and Wonderful Thanksgiving! We will see you when we return - not sure when that will be yet, but hopefully sometime next weekend.

God Bless all of you! We love you!

Bob & Paulette

Another family recipe for pie!

JEFF DAVIS PIE (named after President Jefferson Davis and claimed this was his favorite pie)

5 - eggs
3 cups of sugar
1/2 cup of butter (not margarine)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tall can of milnot or carnation milk (12 oz.)

Mix well, pour into 2 unbaked pie crusts, bake slow for 1 hour. Bake 15 minutes at 325, then turn down to 300 and bake until done.

Note: The above is the orginal recipe. Our family added shredded coconut from the bag or can - enough to totally cover each pie, then dunk under with a fork so that when done baking the coconut is slightly toasted.

cranberry salad recipe

Had a request to post Paulette's cranberry recipe she made Sunday at the Homecoming. This was my mother's recipe that she made every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hope you all enjoy it as much as we do.

CRANBERRY HOLIDAY SALAD

2 - oranges
2 - apples
1 qt. - cranberries
3 cups of sugar
1/2 cup of chopped celery
2 boxes respberry or cherry jello or one of each (only use 1 cup of water per package)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)

Grind oranges, apples and cranberries. Do no peel. Combine with the 3 cu. sugar, let stand until sugar is dissolved.
After jello has cooled down a bit, add nuts, celery, and stir in rest of ingredients. Cover & place in gridge to set up.

Note: You can add 1 can crushed pineapple to mixture, but will have to add extra jello
What I made for Homecoming Sunday had the addition of pineapple in it.

Enjoy!

Paulette

Proof of Jesus' existence

Years ago historians and archaeologists found what they thought to be the wrappings for Jesus' body after he died. Apparently, they were very much correct. The news media released information this morning about how they came across proof of Jesus' existence. Here is a link to the news article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_italy_shroud_of_turin

Thoughts from Bev Stewart

Bev asked me to post her thoughts she sent me through an email. Below is what she wrote.

Just read the read Web Site. I think it is just super,fantastic,great,wonderful and any other words to describe it !!!!!! Thanks to all who worked on it. I know about Justin and Kelly ,in case there were others I say THANK YOU SO MUCH. Especially Justin who I know spent a lot of time and thought in getting a Web going for Hinkle. If I remember correctly, John Chambers was the one who brought to the Ministry Council his interest in Hinkle developing a Site. I think others had wanted to have a Site , but John started putting it together. Thank you John !! As I think about the last few months and years and all the exciting things that have taken place , I just have to say WOW !!! It truly is a GOD thing and I give HIM all the PRAISE HONOR AN GLORY. Bob I have heard you say so many times that God has a Plan for Hinkle. I have to admit I didn’t have the faith you had. Thanks to all the people who have prayed over the years for Hinkle=there are many. May GOD continue to bless Hinkle for many years to come. Bob would you mind putting my thoughts on the blog? Thanks a bunch LOVE BEV

Check it out!!!!!!

We are now on the World Wide Web!!! Thanks to Justin Forrestal for all of his hard work, it was finally launched this evening. It is preliminary with changes to be made, but this is what we have so far. Kelly Haemmerle is helping Justin and together they are our "webmasters"! So, if you have an idea or something you would like to see put on there, contact one of them. There will be some updates made tomorrow. Go to www.hinklecreekfriends.org and check it out! How far we have come in the past 173 years!

Tonight

Just a reminder about Bible Study tonight at 6:30. Not sure what everyone is bringing, but I do know that I'm smelling the aroma of Chili in our house! I'll try my best to remember to make up the decaf coffee to bring this time. Also, the cemetery association is meeting tonight at 7:00 in the teenage classroom. I've invited some of them to come early and enjoy a meal with us. I'm working at getting a couple of them to come to our Church, so thought this was a good way for them to get acquainted with us. I don't think there would be anymore than 4 joining us for the meal. I'm really looking forward to getting into God's Word tonight. It's been a busy week thus far and I need to get centered down and fellowship with my Church family. See you tonight everyone!

Oh, by the way, I've caught 4 "church mice" thus far! Wish those little devils had missed Noah's Ark! :-)

Realize

Learning to draw water up from the spiritual well is hard labor, indeed.... because our senses are so much in the habit of flitting about from one worldly distraction to another. And so you must learn to set aside what you see and hear in order to see and hear what God would pour out upon you from his invisible kingdom.

When we begin to renew our minds in this way - that is, building the habit of constantly, deeply meditating upon the Lord Jesus - we draw water up out of the deep wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:3).

So, this is our part in the work to wrestle with our wandering senses and our flitting thoughts. And God's part is to enliven our meditations by the power of his Spirit, so that it becomes for us living water - and this part, of course, does not depend upon us at all; it depends upon God.

In this way, the tender "flowers" of new spiritual growth are "watered"

Saint Theresa of Avila

Prayers Needed

Got word today that Martha Barnes was rushed to the hospital late last night coughing up blood. They determined she had pneumonia and during her stay, she had a heart attack. The repaired a stint that she had and is resting comfortably today. Please keep Martha, Sharon, and Denny in your prayers. They have all had so much to deal with lately. Martha is just so tired and needs prayers for her strength and healing.

Thank you!

I just wanted to thank everyone who helped today with an amazing homecoming event. I enjoyed seeing some new faces and talking to some old acquaintences. Thank you to all who provided the wonderful food! The most terrible thing is that my stomach wasn't big enough to try everything! Thanks Trish for the greenbean casserole - it was outstanding. And Pam - how awesome were those chicken and noodles! Oh now I know I'll leave someone out, so I should stop. But I will add that Heather's cake dessert was wonderful! Please give Paulette that recipe!

I'm looking forward to our 175th homecoming and hope we will have people interested to help get that organized early. There is much that can be done ahead of time to plan for that special time.

What a sweet spirit we had today and the love and unity I felt was just overwhelming.

Thank you again to all who did your part to make this such a wonderful day.

I love you all so much!

Bob

When I think of the love and happiness at Hinkle Creek Church I think of the children.

Homecoming

Just a reminder that this Sunday is Homecoming with a meal after services. Sharon is going to do Turkey Breasts and one crock pot of turkey dressing. Bev is doing a brocolli salad. Paulette is doing a cranberry salad. Pam is doing Chicken and Noodles. So, we need people to bring green beans, sweet potatoes, all sorts of side dishes and desserts. Paulette and Pam will do mashed potatoes. If someone would like to bring another meat in the event that someone doesn't like Turkey, that would be helpful. Was wondering if Trish would like to bring her famous green bean casserole???? As you can see, this is a "Thanksgiving Theme" to not only celebrate homecoming, but to have a Thanksgiving meal together as a Church Family.

Please invite someone to come to this special day as we celebrate 173 years as a Church!

See you all Sunday!

Bible Study

Just a quick word to remind everyone about Bible Study. I think Heather said she was bringing meat balls, and Paulette is bringing fried chicken and bread rolls and iced tea. Mike Haemmerle jumped in on Sunday afternoon and worked in the Church yard and all the raking is done! I went up with the tractor and worked down the parking lot, then Larry Butcher, Mike Haemmerle, and Luke Reeves came and we moved all the wood from the tree to make room for parking for Sunday. So, the kids shouldn't have to rake this evening. It looks really good up there! Thanks for everyone who helped get it done.

Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see." --William Newton Clark

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAXON!

All your friends at Hinkle Creek Church love and appreciate you!

He is.

we hope to shine
but He is light
we try to embrace
but He is love
we are left to ponder
but He is wisdom
we bear our burdens
but He is strength
we are prone to laughter
but He is joy
we all make the journey
but He is the way
we question and doubt
but He is truth
we wither and fade
but He is life
they break our courage
but He is spirit
they broke His bones
but He is God
He is breath
He is air
He is.

Fellowship Breakfast!

Just a friendly reminder about the fellowship breakfast in the morning at 9:30. I intended to post this earlier, but my circumstances have kept me away from the computer today. I sure hope you all get this and can come in the morning!

Some of my thoughts

I am so proud of our Church that we have such a vision for the future. So many things have happened over the past couple of years that just excites me when I ponder them in my mind. As one who has gone to this Church all of my life, I have seen more enthusiasm and vision for reaching outside the walls of this dear old building than I've seen in many years. I remember Bonnie Zarins starting a newsletter many years ago and was enjoyed by so many. When that stopped, nothing happened here for a long time. Thanks to Rusty for ressurrecting that ministry. Look at it today! Our newsletter is so beautiful and reflects who we are as we send that out among Friends in our community. Thank you Heather for an outstanding job putting that together! I remember back when we got our first copy machine and being used, we had to pamper it along to get a few copies out of it. Prior to that, we had an old memeograph machine that you had to ink up and turn a handle to print off bulletins typed on a manual typewriter with correction ink in hand for all those mistakes that was so easy to make. Then, in 1994, we were given a gift of a new copier which has served us so well. Now, the Church has leaped into the future and we now have a copier that is computerized, copies in color, copies on both sides at once, and even collates so we can make a color directory in an easier fashion without all the cutting, taping, copying, and recopying to put it together! We had been paying around $100.00 a month to print our newsletters - now we can do that with our own equipment and it will surely pay for itself in about a year and a half.

We are in the process of putting a website together which should be going online at any time! What a vision of the future to put our Church on the World Wide Web! Then there is the new sign out front that is warming and greeting to all who pass by and see that this 173 year old Church is alive and well!

I just love this blog! Thank you Kelly for establishing this! What a wonderful way for us to communicate and have a time of devotion each day. It's so nice to keep in touch with each other through this wonderful ministry. I hope that we can use this to express positive things, devotional material, and uplifting posts. Afterall, this is out there for ANYONE to see and it represents our Church. I would encourage Friends to keep postings uplifting. Many of us go to this blog everyday to recieve spiritual nourishment and as for me, that's what this Blog is all about. It's sort of a "cyber Open Worship" the way I view it. If I wouldn't say it in Open Worship, then I probably wouldn't say it on here. I just love the pictures, video clips, music clips, and scriptures that uplift me when I read them. Remember, we post this blog address in our newsletter, so we never know who is looking at us as a Church.

I also look back and remember how hard it was for so many years to find anyone who would bring special music to the services. We went for many years without that. Now we are blessed with the beautiful music of Jeff VanWinkle and Mike Haemmerle. Each of these guys are gifted in different ways and each unique in their own right! How blessed we are to have them! I just know there are others in our congregation who are very talented and more is coming! Oh how far we have come!

I feel so good about the great love we have for one another and the respect we hold for each other's views. That's what makes us a beautiful congregation in God's eyes.

I'm looking forward to us gathering together on the 15th to celebrate 173 years as a Church that has impacted so many lives. I would love it if all of you could be thinking about that day and share in services what this Church has done in your life. Try to imagine your life without it. Where would you be?

Thank you Lord of Hinkle Creek Friends!

Well, that's enough of my rambling. My heart was just full this morning and had to share it with you! I pray you all have a great day and look forward to the warmth of the sunshine and the upcoming weekend when we will all gather again under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

A family friend... A beautiful singer

This gentlemen is a family friend of mine. He sent us his music today and wanted to share. Its so wonderful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2yylX5PA4U

Please pray... And will you send a card.

My friend has a nephew that is 5yrs old and is in the last stages of his battle with Neuroblastoma cancer. They are going to celebrate Christmas with him next week. They have been told that he may not make it until then and they want to celebrate it with him one last time. They are asking all friends and family to send a little Christmas card to him personally. I thought you all might want to send a little love to him as well. And please put him and his mother in your prayers.

Noah Biorkmen (Mom is Diana)
1141 Fountain Circle
Lyon, MI 48178

Video For All To See.

This is a video that I think is very touching. I found the video on Facebook. I have watched it time and time again. I think that you will like it.