Rex N. Baliff

Rex N. Baliff, age 76, of Cicero, IN died Augst 1, 2012 at Riverwalk Village at Noblesville, IN. He was born March 7, 1936 at Noblesville, IN to Clinton and Rowena Marie (Graham) Baliff. His parents preceded him in death.

Rex was a graduate of Jackson Central High School with the Class of 1954. He then served his country in the Indiana National Guard for six years. Rex was a life-long farmer in the Cicero and Noblesville Communities. He also owned a trucking business, hauling stone and lime and he drove a school bus for Noblesville School Corporation for 21 years.

He was a member of Hinkle Creek Friends Church and of the former Arcadia Lions Club. Rex was a raceing fan, especially NASCAR and Indy Car. He loved playing doninoes, camping and especially spending time with his family and his faithful dog, Sadie.

He married Carolyn Jane (Parks) Baliff on June 2, 1956. She survives him. Also surviving are three daughters: Dana Jane Hubbard of Muncie, IN, M. Michele (Dennis) Kinder of Cicero, IN and Rowena Copeland of Cicero, IN, three grandchildren: Laura (Bill) Clark, Josie Copeland, and Chloe Copeland, and cousins: Rebecca and Allen Baliff.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 6, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at Hinkle Creek Friends Church, 21617 Hinkle Road, Noblesville, IN 46062 with Pastor Robert Stubbs officating. Burial will follow at Hinkle Creek Friends Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. at Hartley Funeral Homes Cicero Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Hinkle Creek Friends Church. You may share a memory or send condolences at http://www.hartleyfunralhomes.com/.

When I want to be mean by Lisa TerKeurst

I recieved this essay via email from Annette and Velma. this is good stuff.

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV 1984)

I looked at the text message in complete disbelief. Why couldn't this person see how insensitive and hurtful they were being?

I don't know who made up the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can't ever hurt me." Either they had nerves of steel or they lived on a deserted island with no other people. Because not only do words hurt me, but they make me want to fight back and be mean, too.

Have you ever had a little situation with someone where you just knew you were right and they were wrong? Or at least you could make a really good case for your side of things?

Oh how I have this burning need to state my case in these kinds of situations. It's like an inner attorney rises up desperate to defend my rights and get the other person to see things my way. This is pretty normal, right?

Yes. But normal doesn't always mean good. Especially in light of today's key verse.

Colossians 2:6-7 reminds me, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (NIV 1984)

I should live rooted in Jesus' teaching and overflow with thankfulness. The opposite of this is when I'm rooted in self-centered opinions and overflowing with grumbling. I need to let God show me how to see things from this other person's side and gain a different perspective. In doing so, I will be strengthened and taught.

Colossians 3:12-14 reminds me, "... as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (NIV 1984)

My job isn't to fix this person or make them see my side of things. My job is to obey God by offering an extension of the forgiveness I've been given. But I can also stay healthy in this situation by remembering forgiveness doesn't mean giving this person access in my life that sets me up for destructive patterns.

Finally, Colossians 3:17 reminds me, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (NIV 1984)

Everything I do and say tells a story of who I serve. If I act out of anger and spite, I give in to the ways of the enemy, spreading his darkness. If I honor the Lord with my actions, I serve to further the Name of Jesus and spread His light.

At the end of the day, honoring God leads to good things. Anything else leads to confusion, emotional exhaustion and a lack of good things.

I processed the text message mentioned above with my husband. He said something that brought much clarity. "Lysa, you know when you've taken the high road, God blesses you. You've seen these blessings over and over as you've made choices that honor God. So chose a blessing today and save yourself the emotional turmoil of trying to prove you're right."

He's a smart man.

I know this isn't easy stuff. I'm having to live it in the midst of feeling hurt. But I'm also feeling more at peace being able to see another perspective—a healthier perspective—a biblical perspective. And I'm really excited about the blessings that are surely coming my way.

Dear Lord, You know the hurtful words and actions that have been pummeled my way. Please give me Your strength to not retaliate, but instead to react based on Your Truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Whether right or wrong, learning to control our reactions is sometimes difficult. In Lysa's new book, Unglued, she shares personal experience and scriptural wisdom to help us make healthy decisions with our reactions. Click here to order your copy today!

The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.

Are you ready to start learning to make wise choices in the midst of raw emotions but don't want to start it alone? On August 23rd at 8 p.m. EST we'll be hosting a FREE Unglued Webcast with a powerful message from Lysa TerKeurst to get you going. We'll also be featuring the radio personalities from K-Love! Please join us at www.klove.com. No makeup, shoes or preparation required. Sign up for the Unglued webcast email reminder here.

Reflect and Respond:
Are you struggling with an insensitive or down right mean person? Choose one inconvenient truth to pray and live out of.

At the end of the day, honoring God leads to good things. Anything else leads to confusion, emotional exhaustion and a lack of good things.

Power Verses:
James 1:19-20, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." (NIV)

Funeral Arrangements for Rex Baliff

The calling for Rex Baliff will be this Sunday from 2-6 at Hartley Funeral Home in Cicero. The funeral will be at Hinkle at 10:30 a.m. on Monday with burial following at Hinkle Creek Cemetery. The Church will provide a meal for the family afterwards.

School of Prayer

Sharon Griffith just informed me that there will be a sign up sheet for anyone who is able to bring in some appetizers/finger food to serve after each of the School of Prayer events. So, that will be Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening. August 12-15. If you have any questions please feel free to call Sharon at 710-3402.

Thank you!
Kelly

Please Pray

I received word this morning that Rex Baliff passed away last night. Arrangements are pending, but I will post as soon as I know for sure. I do know that he will be at Hartley's in Cicero. Please pray for Carolyn and all of the family as they struggle through this difficult time.

--Mahatma Gandhi

A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act. --Mahatma Gandhi

C.S. Lewis

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.--

REMINDER!

Wanted to remind everyone that this Sunday at 5:30 is our Singspiration with guest pianist, Rowena Holliday. Her husband Jack who is the Pastor of Anderson Friends will help me lead us in a season of prayer following the sing time. Then, you know how are gatherings are: FOOD! Well, not exactly food, but an ice cream social follows the whole thing with ice cream from Alexander's along with all the toppings! Hope you all can come for this special evening. The piano will be tuned tomorrow for all the upcoming events at Hinkle.

Also, on Tuesday evening, August 7th, I have called for a Church wide Fast and Prayer at 6:30 at the Church. Rather than having food and Bible Study, we will meet in the Sanctuary and pray together for the upcoming School of Prayer. Fasting on Tuesday evening is voluntary, but there will be no food at the Church that evening. Let's all come together as they did throughout the Bible at special times to Fast and Pray together in "one accord".

The Noblesville Times

The Noblesville Times interviewed Bob last week and they published a nice article about Hinkle.

IYM2012 Quarker Haven Feast of Faith

Obituary for Marjorie Land

Randall & Roberts Funeral Homes
Marjorie Land (Died July 24, 2012)
Marjorie (Millikan) Land, 90, of Noblesville, passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at Riverwalk Village in Noblesville. She was born on December 13, 1921 to Herschal and Lelah (Brandinburg) Millikan in Hamilton County, Indiana.Marjorie retired in 1983 after working at Riverview Hospital for over 25 years. She was a member of First Friends Church in Noblesville and a Noblesville High School Alumnus, of which she was named Alumnus of the Year in 1989. She was also a member of Noblesville Seniors Citizens and the Hazel Dell Community Club; was a 4-H Leader; and enjoyed traveling. She is survived by son, Dave (Susan) Land of Muncie; daughter, Judy (Steve) Roberts of Fishers; son, John (Carol) Land of Noblesville; daughter-in-law, Virginia Land of Florida; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Billie Francis Land in 1994; son, Jim Land; grandson, Jeffery Roberts; and three brothers. Services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, July 27, 2012, at Randall & Roberts Fishers Mortuary, 12010 Allisonville Road, in Fishers, with Pastor Robert Stubbs officiating. Burial will be at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Indianapolis. Memorial contributions may be made to NHS Alumni Association; or Senior Citizens Organization, Inc. in Noblesville.

Decisions and Their Cost by Bill Brinkworth

What makes the difference between a strong Christian and a weak Christian? Much of the time it has to do with a Christian’s making the right decisions, sticking with what was decided, and as a result, becoming spiritually stronger.

The pastor of a church usually has made the right decision at more than one point in his life. He had to make the right decision of going to church, attending Sunday school, maybe even not working on Wednesday night; so he could attend services, reading his Bible, and daily praying. After showing himself faithful with what God appointed him to do, God knew He could trust the man with further tasks.
Somewhere in his life, God spoke to his heart about full-time service and serving the Lord with his life. The man of God not only heard the call, but also committed himself to that task; obeyed the call and sacrificed whatever it took to reach that goal. He, too, may have been tempted financially to work another job, rather than trust God with what little he was making, so that his time would be available to preach and pastor. The right decisions were made. The man obeyed.
One of the most spiritual people you know most likely also came to a similar decision in his life, and chose the right, godly direction. No one just wakes up one morning and says, “I will be spiritual today from now on.” His faith and obedience to God grew as his trials and tribulations strengthened him.
He probably had a choice of prosperity and opportunity, and chose the direction of serving and living for God; no matter what it cost him, or how his life would deviate from what his own desires were. Perhaps he faced medical trials, where he put his faith in God, rather than worry about it. Perhaps he faced the ridicule of family or friends about his faith and faithfulness to the things of God. He made the right decisions to be in the right position that others could see that God was real to him, and that He was more important than what this temporary world offered him. His faith and obedience to God grew as he decided properly through each trial and tribulation he faced.
Sunday school teachers in church had to make the right decisions. Somewhere in their lives, the burden to teach others became so important to them that the service to God as a teacher was more valuable to them than that of having their own free time to do as they wished. Their ministry of teaching became more precious to them than their attending a football game during their study hours. It became more valuable to them than the money they had to give up to buy study material or treats for their class. As a result of paying the proper price their decision required, they were entrusted to be in the position they are today to be a blessing for the cause of Christ.
The faithful members of church also made the right decisions. Yes, they could have easily missed church, stayed home, and watched what they wanted on television. However, the hearing of the Word of God, and their edification in the things of God became more valuable to them than what they could obtain outside the Lord’s house.
No one may have missed them if they had gone to another church because their feelings were hurt by what the sermon pinpointed in their lives, or what was said by another church member. Still, the calling God gave them to join, participate, and attend His local assembly of believers was so needful to them, that they made the right decisions to not miss; no matter what.
On and on the list could go of people that did without or did what was not convenient for them to do, in order to please and obey God. Obedience was most urgent to them. Unfortunately, they are the minority in the body of Christ. Too many do not have their priorities the same as the above examples. Something in their lives became more important than God and obedience to Him.
Perhaps it was the first step, after they were saved, that was not crucial to them. Perhaps they too received the heart-tug to be baptized, start praying, or even daily read their Bible; but something was more important to them at the time. Maybe it was the fear of what others would think if they even looked “religious”. Perhaps, they would not even sacrifice getting in their car and driving to church to hear the Gospel, because an extra hour of sleep was more important to them. They had the same amount of time as those previously described who chose to obey and live for God. However, they hoarded that time for themselves and chose not to make God a priority in their life.
Maybe they did start out making the right spiritual decisions. Maybe it was spiritually further down their walk with Christ that they were convicted about something God wanted them to change, or do, but they were not willing to pay the price for it. Their wrong decision to not obey the leadership of God in their lives was a blunt “no” in God’s ears. That refusal cost them further requests by God. What would be the sense of telling them further things to do, if they were not doing what God had already had told them to do? The rest of their lives has been spent far from God, with only their self-interests being served, and not God’s interests.
They grew so far away from hearing the voice of God’s calling in their lives, that even a disaster in their lives, does not open their spiritual hearing. Perhaps, they still attend church. They hear the pastor’s words from the Word of God, but it does nothing to stir them anymore. Their hardened hearts are the “used-to-be’s” or “once-I-was-gonna’s”, and now they just sit and do not serve. They had the same opportunities to obey and serve, but they chose the temporal rather than that which would please God and allow Him to work in their lives. They, unfortunately, made the wrong decisions.
Since I have been saved, many have sat next to me in church. Many of them were newly saved, and sat longingly along side with their Bibles opened wide, spiritual-tongues hungrily hanging out and wanting to be fed from what flowed out of heaven from the pulpit. Where are they today? Their seats are vacant or occupied by others. Their Bibles may lie unused for years. They made the wrong decision, that shelved them from being used further by God.
Do not ever say or even think, "Well, it was easier for him to give up … so he could attend church, than what I have to give up.” That is a sign that even now, while you are thinking those thoughts that you are making a decision that does not involve the will of God in your life. The sacrifice God requires all of us to make is at the time, difficult for us, and a step in sacrificial obedience. Too many are not willing to pay the price it takes to possess Christian character. For those, the cost of God-centered choices, and sacrifices is too high an asking price.
If you have to admit, sadly, you have made the wrong decisions, it may not be too late to make the correct decisions. God is a second, third, or even a hundred chance God. Just the fact that you have a conviction about making wrong choices is a light showing that your heart is not completely hardened yet. There still may be the chance to make the right choices and serve God today. Doing it tomorrow will be the wrong decision. Saying “yes” to God’s command that rings in your heart will be the right one. Decide and obey today!

“Obedience to God is the most infallible evidence of sincere and supreme love to Him.” — Emmons

This article was featured in The Bible View #219.

Prayers Please

Judy Roberts mother, Marjorie Land passed away this morning. Marjorie was very active with the Quaker Church and loved missions. She was one of the sweetest people I've known and will be greatly missed. Please pray for Steve and Judy and all of the family as they deal with great loss. Funeral arrangements are pending.