Bible Study Food

Paulette is bringing sloppy joes, chips, and two chocolate pies. I'll have the coffee ready and some sweet iced tea. Just in case you all wanted to know!!

Photo by Jason Lavengood

Rachel West Kramer -Hands of Love Ministry

We're hosting another trip to the HOLY LAND - October 31-November 9, 2012! Why visit Israel? It is a rich life experience - truly the best trip I have ever taken. When I read the Bible now, I can visualize many of the locations where Biblical events actually happened. In fact, I have found as time go by - the trip means more and more to me.
Pastor Ben Johnston from Grace Presbyterian Church will be leading us in devotions at each site and I will be leading in worship and giving a concert in Bethlehem. Also, WBNH's Don and Sue Rice will be hosting the tour with us! If you would like a tour itinerary, please call Hands of Love Ministry (309) 383-2828 or send us a message. Please pray and consider joining us!

"A true love of God 

must begin with a delight 

in his holiness."  

Jonathan Edwards

Prayers Needed

Paulette's mother was sent home from the hospital today, then taken back this evening and admitted again with her blood pressure even higher. She certainly needs prayer. Paulette's brother is driving up from Louisiana tomorrow to be with her, so we are thankful he is willing to do that and oversee the situation.

We got word today that Paulette's oldest brother who lives in northern Illinois was awakened last night with smoke in their home and by the time they got out, the whole house went up in flames and burned to the ground. They lost everything they owned. For now, they are staying at their son's house which is several miles away until they can figure out their next move. Thank goodness they all got out uninjured, but we are sad for them after going through a fire with our daughter. I'd just like to ask that you all pray for them as they figure all of this out and sift through the residue.

Prayers for my friend Abby

ABBY WROTE:

Hi everyone :) I have a small prayer request. Some of you know that I am moving to Australia this summer to attend Hillsong college and study worship leadership. The school has two campuses, the city campus in Sydney and the hills campus in Brisbane. When I filled in my application, I stated that I'd like to attend the city campus, and thats where they put me....until today. The city campus has reached capacity, and since I did not have my place confirmed yet, the admissions board has transferred me to the hills campus. I'm slightly freaked out because I don't know much about Brisbane, and this is eleven hours away from the Sydney campus where I already have two friends from Indiana living.

So, my prayer is for peace for me, and for my parents when I tell them. Pray that I can meet other students who will be going to that campus beforehand, too.
Please also pray that I can raise my funds in time, too. There's not a specific due date, but I'm afraid if I don't get it in on time, I will have to wait until January to get out there.

Your prayers mean everything, and most of all please pray that I will remember God is faithful, and that Satan is going to try to do anything to make me believe otherwise and I can't let him.

Update on Rex Baliff

I went in to see Rex this afternoon and was pleasantly surprised to find him awake and off the ventilator! Praise the Lord! He knew me and wanted me to take his hand. I prayed with him and as I held his hand he kept squeezing my hand and didn't want to let go when it was time for me to leave. It really touched my heart. He is a tough man and been through a lot. The Lord has surely been good to answer prayers as he has gone through two surgeries and the doctors were skeptical whether he could survive a surgery. But it just goes to show who is in charge! Keep praying for him as he still has a long way to go.

prayers

Please continue to pray for Kyndrick. He is still not feeling well and has an appointment with a specialist on the 28th. He has excruciating stomach pains and is so tired of not feeling well and not knowing what is wrong.

Thank you,
Kelly

Update on Rex Baliff

Rex is scheduled to go through another surgery around noon today due to bleeding that won't stop around an incision. He remained stable through the night, but this is something new and needed blood through the night. Please continue to remember him and the family today as they go through another rough day.

Please Pray

Wanted to ask for prayer for Rex Baliff. He was taken to Riverview Hospital today and underwent emergency surgery this evening to repair a hernia and a portion of his colon had been squeezed off from the hernia, so they had to remove part of his colon and put it back together. This was a very serious surgery for him with his present health condition, so he really needs all of your prayers. He is in the Critical Care Unit and is not out of the woods. We were all thankful he made it through the surgery, but he has a long recovery ahead of him. Let's all surround the family with our prayers as they go through these tough days with possible tough decisions to make.

Also, when I went into the ER to see Rex, I found Edie Keesee there with Jim. Jim was having severe pain in his stomach and getting that checked out. I haven't heard the results from his tests, so if you could remember Jim as well in your prayers.

A new post from Katie Davis- Healer God

http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/2012/02/healer-god.html

How to Get Closer to God

Are you desiring to draw nearer to God?

How close do you really want to get to Him?

These questions are worthy of your consideration.

---

                                           PREPARING YOUR HEART

When I speak about drawing nearer to God, about going all the way with Him - understand one thing: a closer walk must begin with a preparation of the heart. 

Jeremiah 4:3
For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

The Lord is speaking about breaking up the hard ground in your heart, that part where the Word of God isn’t finding root and lodging, where it isn’t flourishing and growing, where it isn’t bearing fruit. 

And sow not among the thorns. If there is a patch in your heart that is hard or thorny, that area has to be plowed up before planting. Get rid of those things in your heart which are contrary to the Word of God.  

Then, when they have been removed, there will be room for a new planting of the Word. 

Yes, you can try to sow the seed of God’s Word among thorns, but it won’t grow - instead, the Word will soon be choked out by the thorns.  

Those thorns are the cares of this life, and other things, things which will choke out the Word and cause you to become unfruitful. 

Hosea 10:12
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you. 

In the spring the farmer plows up the hard, fallow ground in his fields; then he discs it up, making the soil suitable for planting. 

When he finally has the soil prepared, he sows the seed, and expects to bring forth a fruitful crop - all because he first took the time to prepare the soil before planting the seed. 

This is the way it is with our hearts. Something has to happen deep within if we are going to draw closer to God.  

If we really want God to give us something new, we must realize that it will only happen because we took time to prepare the soil of our heart. 

There may be things in our heart which could prevent us from drawing closer to God.  

Many times it’s that thing which we allow to remain, that thing which we refuse to put away.  

That thing stands in the door to hinder us.

http://www.glorytochrist.com/SermText/HowToGetCloserToGod.htm

Update on Heather

I just talked with Tim and he says that Heather is back home and resting comfortably. She had several tests done and those turned out good. However, it is suspected that complications from past surgery on her esophogus is causing some of the problem. She is in a lot of pain from it. They plan to go tomorrow to have more tests done to get to the root of the problem.

Now, I just want to say that what I witnessed today showed the best in our Church Family. Not one person hesitated to come forward and help where they were gifted during this crises. I saw men moving pews to make more room, people unlocking and stationed at doors to help bring in the paramedics, people going forward and praying for not only Heather, but laying hands on Alex to pray and comfort him. There was a sweet presence with us during that and I just wanted you all to know that didn't go unoticed! It was awesome to feel the love pouring out from our congregation along with the deep concern and understanding from everyone. I know that Heather felt embarrassed that this happened publicly, but if she is reading this, I just want her to know that God used it in a mighty way and there is NOTHING for her to worry about. So, let's continue in that spirit this week and lift this family in our daily prayers as they work through all of this. I for one am thankful that all has turned out the it has thus far. Join us in praying they will find the root of the problem and be able to fix it for her.

Thank you all so much for your love, help, and understanding.

Bob

Next Sunday's Service

Remember to set some time aside this week to pray for our worship service next Sunday.We want to come to Church with our hearts prepared for a special time of communion with God. Coming to Bible Study, praying, spending time in the Word and drawing nearer to Him throughout the week with the anticipation of all of us coming together on Sunday and sharing what God has shown us this week and how he has changed our hearts.

Coordinating Committee

Hello Everyone!
We have a date set for the Coordinating Committee Meeting:

Sunday, March 11, 2012

That is the date of our next Monthly Meeting as well.

We will not have breakfast that day but will have a carry in lunch instead.

Worship 10:30am

Monthly Meeting

Lunch

Coordinating Committee Meeting 

This meeting is a chance for all of our committees to come together and share ideas and goals for the upcoming year. All committe members are invited and encouraged to attend.

Prayers for Heather

Lets all continue to pray for our Friend and Sister Heather Browning and the entire Browning family. I pray her healing is quick and complete and that her care is covered with our Lord Christ's healing touch. Michaela and Elyssa are haning out with Alex this afternoon and we sent some chicken and noodles over. I know Alex is close to his Mom and is worried for her. Bless Heather's heart. She is such a sweet lady and I hope she
knows and can feel how much we all love her and care about her.

Love,
Kelly

Fellowship Breakfast & Update

Let's all remember that we will have our monthly Fellowship Breakfast at 9:30 in the morning in the basement. Looking forward to a great time of food and fellowship with you all! If you haven't been before, why not join us?

I just heard that Kim DeMaise's pathology report didn't come back as she had hoped and it appears she is facing more surgery. She is discouraged and certainly needs our prayers.

Jay Hiatt was admitted to Riverview Hospital to drain fluid from his body. Please lift Jay in your prayers and that this will be successful for him and get him to feeling better.

See you all tomorrow!

Please keep praying!

Please continue to keep Kim DeMasie in your prayers! 

She is waiting for pathology report to come back.

Why I am a Christian

Because I tried finding my way in this world without him and came up empty handed and brokenhearted.
Because I have a place in my heart and my soul that only He can fill.
Because I tried to fill this space with many things but Only God's love would do.
Because my Grandparents were Christians and the most wonderful people in the whole wide world.
Because when I cried out to him, Jesus came to me and saved me.
Because I am lost without Him.
Because the peace He brings to me is beyond compare.
Because being a Christian gives me a purpose outside of myself.
Because God is so faithful.

Because He is worthy.

Because I am not.

Because He lives.
Because this world needs love.
Because He leads me and guides me all of the days of my life.Because I never want to be without Him.
Because I trust His Word.
Because Jesus has never let me down.

Because I believe in the grace he bestows.

Because I can feel his presence even though I cannot see him.

Because he has changed my heart and I am no longer alone.

Because I believe that what I've read, seen, felt and heard is true. That he came to redeem us because he loves us. And that without his sacrifice we would forever be separated from the Father.

Because I love Jesus.

Because He loves me.

Because his love is eternal.
Because I cannot earn his love.
Because he will never forsake me.
Because I know, in my heart that I am His.
And he is mine.

~Kelly Haemmerle

Prayers for Kim!

 Message from Kim DeMasie

Recovering from surgery yesterday. We will hopefully have clean margins on the pathology report. We should know by Friday or Monday. Thanks for all of the prayers!

 

Please continue to remember Kim in your prayers! 

Thank You!

A Very Special Thank You 
                              to Jacob & Marianne for taking our Youth to Quaker Haven Winter Sneak last weekend!!!!!

Estelle Book Orders

I will be collecting money on Sunday from everyone that wants me to pick up a copy of Estelle for them. The cost is $20 even. I will order the books on Monday and they will be in the following Monday. Paulette asked that I please remind everyone that this book is Historical Fiction. Meaning it is based on her Grandmothers life and the book is about her but that the writer (Paulette's Uncle) embellished here and there to fill in places that needed rounding out. She also said the reason the book was written was to share with people the importance of intercessory prayer . Because that is one of the many things that Paulette's Grandmother was known for. What if we all become better at praying for one another because of this book? Wouldn't that be a wonderful outcome?  And like I said before, Bob and Paulette are mentioned later in the book and I just think that is so awesome. I love to read and this will be the first time that I will get to read a published book with someone I know in it! And the part that includes them is not fiction. That is all I can say about it because I want you to enjoy it as your read it without me telling you everything!


Thank You,
Kelly
haemmertime1@aol.com
317-691-2329

What does the Bible say about Angels?

What are angels? Why were they created, and what do angels do? Humans have always held a fascination for angels and angelic beings. For centuries artists have tried to capture the image of angels on canvas. However, it may surprise you to know that the Bible describes angels nothing at all like they are typically depicted (you know, those cute little chubby babies with wings). So, let's take a look at what the Bible says about angels.

Bible Facts About Angels

Angels are mentioned 273 times in the Bible. Although we won't look at every instance, this study will offer a comprehensive look at what the Bible says about angels.  

Angels were created by God:

Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished.(NKJV) Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. (NIV)

Angels were created to live for eternity:

Luke 20:36 ...nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.(NKJV) Revelation 4:8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (NIV)

Angels were present when God created the world:

Job 38:1-7 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: "...Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? ...while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?"(NIV)

Angels do not marry:

Matthew 22:30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.(NIV)

Angels are wise and intelligent:

2 Samuel 14:17 Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.’(NKJV) Daniel 9:21-22 ...while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding." (NIV)

Angels have knowledge of, and interest in, the affairs of men:

Daniel 10:14 "Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come."(NIV)Luke 15:10 "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (NKJV)

Angels are faster than men:

Daniel 9:21 ... while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.(NIV)Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. (NLT)

20 Bible facts about God

Do you want to know more about God? These 20 Bible facts about God will give you insight into the nature and character of God.

1. God is eternal.
   (Deuteronomy 33:27; Jeremiah 10:10; Psalm 90:2)
2. God is infinite.
   (1 Kings 8:22-27; Jeremiah 23:24; Psalm 102:25-27; Revelation 22:13)
3. God is self-sufficient and self-existent.
   (Exodus 3:13-14; Psalm 50:10-12; Colossians 1:16)
4. God is omnipresent (present everywhere).
   (Psalm 139:7-12)
5. God is omnipotent (all powerful).
   (Genesis 18:14; Luke 18:27; Revelation 19:6)
6. God is omniscient (all knowing).
   (Psalm 139:2-6; Isaiah 40:13-14)
7. God is unchanging or immutable.
   (Psalm 102:25-27; Hebrews 1:10-12; 13:8)
8. God is sovereign.
   (2 Samuel 7:22; Isaiah 46:9-11)
9. God is wise.
   (Proverbs 3:19; Romans 16:26-27; 1 Timothy 1:17)
10. God is holy.
    (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15)
11. God is righteous and just.
    (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 11:7; Psalm 119:137)
12. God is faithful.
    (Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 89:1-8)
13. God is true and truth.
    (Psalm 31:5; John 14:6; John 17:3; Titus 1:1-2)
14. God is good.
    (Psalm 25:8; Psalm 34:8; Mark 10:18)
15. God is merciful.
    (Deuteronomy 4:31; Psalm 103:8-17; Daniel 9:9; Hebrews 2:17)
16. God is gracious.
    (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 103:8; 1 Peter 5:10)
17. God is love.
    (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:8)
18. God is spirit.
    (John 4:24)
19. God is light.
    (James 1:17; 1 John 1:5)
20. God is triune or trinity.
    (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

“We bend. I bend to sweep crumbs and I bend to wipe vomit and I bend to pick up little ones and wipe away tears... And at the end of these days I bend next to the bed and I ask only that I could bend more, bend lower. Because I serve a Savior who came to be a servant. He lived bent low. And bent down here is where I see His face. He lived, only to die. Could I? Die to self and just break open for love. This Savior, His one purpose to spend Himself on behalf of messy us. Will I spend myself on behalf of those in front of me? And people say, “Don’t you get tired?” and yes, I do. But I’m face to face with Jesus in the dirt, and the more I bend the harder and better and fuller this life gets. And sure, we are tired, but oh we are happy. Because bent down low is where we find fullness of Joy.”
― Katie J. Davis

What Does the Bible Say About Marriage? By Mary Fairchild

Marriage is an important issue in the Christian life. Vast numbers of books, magazines and marriage counseling resources are dedicated to the subject of marriage preparation and marriage improvement. A search of Amazon.com turned up more than 20,000 books on overcoming marital problems and improving communication in marriage.
But have you ever wondered what the Bible has to say about marriage? A quick search reveals more than 500 Old and New Testament references to the words "marriage," "married," "husband," and "wife."

Current Status

According to statistical analysis done on various demographic groups, a marriage starting out today has about 41-43% chance of ending in divorce. Research gathered by Glenn T. Stanton, Director of Global Insight for Cultural and Family Renewal and Senior Analyst for Marriage and Sexuality at Focus on the Family, reveals that evangelical Christians who regularly attend church divorce at a rate 35% lower than secular couples. Similar trends are seen with active Catholics and active mainline Protestants. In contrast, nominal Christians, who seldom or never attend church, have higher divorce rates than secular couples. Stanton, who is also the author of Why Marriage Matters: Reasons to Believe in Marriage in Postmodern Society, reports, "Religious commitment, rather than mere religious affiliation, contributes to greater levels of marital success."
If a genuine commitment to Christian faith will result in a stronger marriage, then perhaps the Bible really does have something important to say about the subject.
What Does the Bible Says About Marriage?
Obviously, we can't cover all 500-plus verses, so we'll just look at a few key passages. I hope you will read the selected verses with an open mind, consider the analysis, ask your own questions of the heart, and then come to your own conclusions.

Background

Gen. 2:18, 21-24

The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him'...and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man.' For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. (NIV)

Here we see the first wedding. We can conclude from this account in Genesis that marriage is God's idea, designed and instituted by the Creator. In these verses we also discover that at the heart of God's design for marriage is companionship and intimacy.

C.H. Spurgeon

"Arise, and depart." --Micah 2:10
The hour is approaching when the message will come to us, as it comes to all--"Arise, and go forth from the home in which thou hast dwelt, from the city in which thou hast done thy business, from thy family, from thy friends. Arise, and take thy last journey." And what know we of the journey? And what know we of the country to which we are bound? A little we have read thereof, and somewhat has been revealed to us by the Spirit; but how little do we know of the realms of the future! We know that there is a black and stormy river called "Death." God bids us cross it, promising to be with us. And, after death, what cometh? What wonder-world will open upon our astonished sight? What scene of glory will be unfolded to our view? No traveller has ever returned to tell. But we know enough of the heavenly land to make us welcome our summons thither with joy and gladness. The journey of death may be dark, but we may go forth on it fearlessly, knowing that God is with us as we walk through the gloomy valley, and therefore we need fear no evil. We shall be departing from all we have known and loved here, but we shall be going to our Father's house--to our Father's home, where Jesus is--to that royal "city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." This shall be our last removal, to dwell for ever with Him we love, in the midst of His people, in the presence of God. Christian, meditate much on heaven, it will help thee to press on, and to forget the toil of the way. This vale of tears is but the pathway to the better country: this world of woe is but the stepping-stone to a world of bliss.

"Prepare us, Lord, by grace divine,
             For Thy bright courts on high;
             Then bid our spirits rise, and join
             The chorus of the sky."

J.C. Ryle

Matthew 3:13-17
(Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22)
Suggested further readings: Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-5


The presence of all three persons of the blessed Trinity is evident. God the Son, manifest in the flesh, is baptized (v. 16). God the Spirit descends like a dove and lights upon him (v. 16). God the Father speaks from heaven with a voice (v. 17). In a word, we have the manifested presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Surely we Mayregard this as a public announcement that the work of Christ was the result of the eternal counsels of all the Three. It was the whole Trinity which at the beginning of creation said, `Let us make man' (Gen. 1:26). It was the whole Trinity again which at the beginning of the gospel seemed to say, `Let us save man.'
All three persons in the Godhead are equally concerned in the deliverance of our souls from hell. The thought should cheer us when disquieted and cast down. The thought should hearten and encourage us when weary of the conflict with the world, the flesh and the devil. The enemies of our souls are mighty, but the Friends of our souls are mightier still. The whole power of the triune Jehovah is engaged upon our side (Eccles. 4:12).
We are told of a voice from heaven (v. 17). We read of no voice from heaven before this except at the giving of the law at Sinai. God marks the introduction of both law and gospel with the peculiar honour of his own voice speaking.
His words are a divine declaration that our Lord Jesus Christ is the promised Redeemer, whom God from the beginning undertook to send into the world, and that with his incarnation, sacrifice and substitution for man God the Father is satisfied and well pleased. In him he regards the claim of his holy law as fully discharged. Through him he is willing to receive poor, sinful men to mercy and remember their sins no more.
Let all true Christians rest their souls on these words and draw from them daily consolation. If we believe in Jesus God regards us as members of his own dear Son with whom he is well pleased.
For meditation: Are we obeying Matthew 17:5: `While he was still speaking ... a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son ... listen to him"'?

Sarah - Women of the Bible

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Genesis Chapters 15 -21
The wife of Abraham. A unique woman. She was very beautiful and this got Abraham into trouble - Genesis 12, Genesis 20.
She agreed with her husband to lie about her real relationship with him. Pharaoh took her in as one of his concubines. God supernaturally protected her Genesis 12. This was as a result of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 12:2-3).
When God inflicted a disease on Pharaoh and his household for taking Sarah He was acting on His word in Genesis 12:3.
All the promises in the scriptures are given to man and women alike. God loves His children and he will protect us. You too are a daughter of Abraham. Find out what the promises of God are in the scriptures and claim them by faith. Note that there was nothing special about Sarah and Abraham. The fact is they were both cowards. Abraham was particularly pathetic. Imagine lying about your own wife and exposing her to the certain risk of being raped.
God Himself protected Sarah supernaturally on two separate occasions from being defiled. Who said God treats woman as second class citizens?
Woman, maybe you too have an unreliable husband who exposes you to danger or unnecessary stress. Don't be bitter against him. Take your protection from God's promises. Pray that God will touch your husbands heart. Sarah made Abraham into the man of God we all know him to be today. She played her part in God's plan for the human race.
Sarah was a compassionate woman. Having no child, and erroneously thinking it was her fault, she asked Abraham to have a child through their servant Hagar (Genesis 16). What a mistake.
If only she had waited for God's time. Children are a blessing from the Lord. We look to God for children. Sarah must have been blaming herself for their lack of children. This was wrong. God's blessing is not subject to biological conditions.
The result of Sarah's mistake, which Abraham willingingly endorsed, was trouble in the home. Sarah took it out on Abraham. Maybe this was justifiable. Abraham should have known better. Nevertheless Sarah had a big blame in it too.
How often have you blamed your husband for something that you caused?
God intervened in Sarah's life again. He changed her name (from Sarai to Sarah) and promised them a child (Genesis 17).
The changing of Sarah's name was more than a play with words. Sarah meant mother of nations. >Every time someone called Sarah or anytime she introduced herself to someone she was making a statement of faith, calling herself the mother of many nations even before she had a child. By this time she was already 90 years old.
Faith calls those things that are not as if they are. This is what all women of faith should be doing. Speak God's words and promises constantly over yourselves and over your families and children. There is power in words.
Initially neither Sarah nor Abraham believed God's promise to them (Genesis 17: 17-18, Genesis 18: 11-12) .
God's power and blessing was with Sarah and Abraham despite their situation and apparent lack of trust in Him.
Abraham, the man who had no children, prayed for others and they had children (Genesis 20). Can you imagine what Abraham and Sarah must have been going through. Seeing others receiving the blessings they themselves longed for.
Yet they faithfully kept serving God. This is what faith is. They believed that God was a rewarder of those that diligently served Him.
Sarah eventually gave birth to Isaac.

http://foodforahungrysoul.blogspot.com/

ESTELLE

I am going to order a copy of Estelle for myself and one for my mom and also for a friend. I called Living Truth Christian book store in Noblesville and she can order them for us tax free if we order them under  Hinkle Creek's name. There is no shipping cost either. The cost is $20 total. There are 100 in stock from where she orders them in Tennessee. We would need to turn our order in by next Tuesday and they will arrive the following Monday. Estelle is the book written by Paulette's Uncle, James W. Tharp. It is Historical Fiction about the life of Paulette's Grandmother Estelle. So, if anyone would like to order a copy I'd be happy to collect the money, place the order and pick the books up for everyone. Rumor has it that there is some mention of Bob and Paulette in this book. Just let me know if you want a copy and I'll make sure to order yours when I go place my order. Thank You! Kelly
317-691-2329
haemmertime1@aol.com

ESTELLE by James W. Tharp

http://www.amazon.com/dp/098467120X/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_3WRkpb0RDHXZ7

540 pages. You really get your money's worth of thought-provoking applications as you read ESTELLE. James W. Tharp tells this riveting story about his mother Estelle, writing it as historical fiction based on actual events and real people. Knowing it is fact-based lends extra excitement to the telling of these remarkable real-life occurrences. The story begins with the spiritual hunger Estelle feels as a young woman, and her pursuit until she finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ; but she is deeply concerned for the decadent and wicked environment she lives in. As she delves into God's Word and prayer, her growing confidence and faith strengthen her to fearlessly confront evil with amazing results. Estelle's experiences are inspiring and instructional for readers longing to know if God still works miracles.
ESTELLE is also a love story--of both earthly love and Heavenly Love. Jim and Estelle's marriage is a great model of a loving relationship, and inspires you to follow their example of patient, persistent love in the midst of life's inevitable challenges. ESTELLE is a wonderful combination of story, inspiration, and practical teaching. As you read, you get compelling lessons in love, victorious faith, prayer, and spiritual warfare. Be prepared to emerge from this book with renewed faith and strengthened prayers. I've read ESTELLE several times and have been deeply affected each time. This book is also available in Kindle format. 

This book was written by Paulette's Uncle about her Grandmother, Estelle. I cannot wait to read it.

Photo by Marianne Isaacs

                               Bill Stubbs receiving his new membership Bible from his son, Pastor Bob

Awesome Website

http://www.visitingorphans.org/

Isaiah 55

Invitation to the Thirsty

 ¹ “Come, all you who are thirsty,
   come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
   come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
   without money and without cost.
² Why spend money on what is not bread,
   and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
   and you will delight in the richest of fare.
³ Give ear and come to me;
   listen, that you may live.