God Helps Those...

Who help others.

I know that's not how the saying goes, but I do think it's way more accurate. 

Here's a chance to prove me wrong:

"Just for those who have not seen this before. From The Walston's house, we wish you a great New Year. May you live in good health, aquire enough wealth to keep you safe and warm and enough love to fill your life with some left over to share. Now a special request that I am very reluctant to make. Because of a bankruptcy by our landlord, we received notice December 30, that we are going to be evicted from our home unless we can pay off 80% of the balance which is 20,000, we need to come up with 16000 dolllars, Our retirement pay is not great enough to borrow the money. If there is a way that we can get 500 people to donate 30 dollars we will own the house free and clear. If anyone cares to donate I have a paypal account at this address: ablaker2@sbcglobal.net I thank you in advance for spreading the word. And if there is ever a way to repay it, I will. If you care to google our home, we are located at 114 Cardinal Ave. Perry, Georgia, 31069 My cell phone is 478-997-1653, I want to be sure folks know this is not a scam. Hugs and May God Bless Regards ole Blake Please do not contribute if it would in anyway cause material injury to yourself or family"

This is a man who spends as much of his "free" time as possible giving to others.  He's now in need of help and God has already shown up in a BIG way and I have no doubt we will soon be hearing a shout of hooray all the way from Perry, Ga to let us know the goal has been met!


Will you be part of it?
 
ChristinaLynn }i{

A New Year

As we embark on a new year, there are so many tasks and activities to be done to prepare ourselves for success.  A new year provides us a great opportunity to take inventory of our lives.  Spiritual.  Mental.  Physical.  Financial.  Social.  Things like updating budgets, home organizing, goal setting become commonplace in our vocabulary.

While we go through this process, it is also a wonderful opportunity to take inventory of our blessings.  To "name them one by one," just as the old song states.  Keeping in mind that blessings sometimes come in wolves clothing.  My sister once wrote this (I hope she still believes it):

BE THANKFUL

Be thankful for the valley, 

It means you've just come off one mountain and are heading towards another.

Be thankful for illnesses, 

Without them good health wouldn't mean as much.

Be thankful for the time, however long or short, you had with your loved one before God called them home,

Those precious memories will be with you until you see them again.

Be thankful for your family, even when they drive you crazy, 

Without them you'd be alone in this world.

Be thankful for the lean times, 

They make the wealthy times that much sweeter.

Be thankful for your sins, 

They're why Christ died for you!

   ---Michelle Rodgers

There will always be those who have it better or worse than we do and there will always be times that were better or worse for us.  Regardless of better or worse, we need to be able to not only live in the circumstances we are currently in, but learn how to thrive and be joyful in any circumstance. 

Praising Him through it all.

ChristinaLynn }i{

Great Savings at CVS this week!

Stock up at CVS this week while you cash in your fall spending extra care bucks!

I walked away with all of this PLUS a $10 cash card for less than $20 out of pocket!

Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless

Quotable Quotes

A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.

- Eleanor Roosevelt


ChristinaLynn }i{

Great Deal for Everyone!

Use this LINK to get Enjoy The City books at a huge discount!!  Each of these books contains FOUR $5 off $30 Winn Dixie coupons.  Check your store's coupon policy - you might be able to use these coupons at Publix!!  There are also LOTS of other great coupons in the books.  Here's how it breaks down:

• One book (Four $5 off $30 coupons) - $12 - saving $8 even if you don't use any other coupons in the book!
• Three books (Twelve $5 off $30 coupons) - $30 - saving $30 with no other coupons used!!
• Five books (Twenty $5 off $30 coupons) - $40 - saving $60 with Winn Dixie coupons alone!!

Go HERE to get your book for Jacksonville area or Orlando area!

ChristinaLynn }i{

Black Friday Shopping

If you're like me and LOVE a good deal, you're probably preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping.

Check out http://bfads.net/ for the best price deals, ad scans and buying guides - all available BEFORE the sale ads hit the newstands!!

ChristinaLynn }i{

DivineDealDiva: Bath & Body Works FREE Signature Collection item

Don't miss out on this FREE item from Bath & Body Works!!

DivineDealDiva: Bath & Body Works FREE Signature Collection item: So excited about this coupon. Time to stock up on my hubby's body spray for Christmas!! Click HERE to print a coupon valid for a FREE i...

ChristinaLynn }i{

When You're Having A Bad Day...

...bookmark this post and come back to it.

One child's appointment, although it went well, left me with four follow-up items.  The baby's been fussing all day, in between short naps.  The twins have been wrestling and goofing off the entire afternoon, to the point that they're hurting one another and getting their feelings hurt too.  I have an appointment in a week that requires not just one, but two babysitters and I just found out one of them will not be available and I'll have to re-schedule my appointment.  The baby's appointment in a few days was just re-scheduled for the third time due to scheduling conflicts at the office.  Poor little guy fell asleep in the highchair and when I picked him up to take him to bed, his little foot hit my cup and spilled my perfectly sweetened raspberry tea all over the floor of the breakfast nook.  One of the twins spilled chocolate milk all over the kitchen floor simply because the trash was too full.  The wind blew half of our recyclables all over the neighborhood today.  This, in the middle of school issues for pretty much every kid but the baby.  In addition to the normal daily duties, I'm trying to get some "work" done.  You know, that stuff I do besides being a housewife and mommy.

But, the REAL thing to remember is that all of this occurred the very day after I heard a powerful message about having peace in any circumstance.  I guess I should have expected it.  A full-on attack to test me.  A test I did not pass.  I lost my patience.  I was snippy.  I raised my voice.

Today's Promise says, "Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name."  There wasn't much rejoicing going on here today.  I wasn't righteous and I didn't praise his holy name.  The only song that came to mind was an old one - I can only remember two lines:  "Make the world go away.  Get it off of my shoulders."

Now, I'm off to renew my mind with a new song.  I'm sure I don't remember all of the words to this one either.  Maybe someone can fill in the missing pieces.

"Oh, rejoice in the Lord.  He makes no mistakes.  

For He knows the end of each path that I take.  

For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold!"

ChristinaLynn }i{

Create In Me

Since you've come to this blog, you have probably figured out by now that I enjoy writing.  You may also have come to the realization that I don't spend nearly enough time writing.

I lead a busy life.  I find that my family and my physical body crave structure, discipline and schedules to be prosperous, but my mind and soul crave spontaneity, creativity and diversity to not just live, but to thrive.  Lately, thriving has taken a back seat to simply surviving.

There are times when I must force myself to take a step back and re-evaluate my goals and priorities and weed out things that are keeping me busy that are just not that important.  Usually this process begins with me feeling overwhelmed, having missed some deadlines - whether "real" or self-imposed, and frustrated, feeling like life is just too difficult and so tired of racing the salmon to the top of the stream.

http://www.christart.com/Christian Clip Art

I also often come to the place where I know that some of the things I am passionate about, I am constantly being pulled away from.  I know this pull all too well and I know where it comes from.  I know that Jeremiah 29:11 says:  "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  Anything else is not from God.

There have been so many things that God has placed on my heart to share with you over these past few weeks that may now be lost forever.  To stop.  Listen.  Acknowledge and accept.  Then obey His will right away is of the utmost importance.  The inspiration of the Spirit is not a switch that I can turn on and off when it is convenient for me.  The frailty of the moment soon passes and the opportunity to change a life that should have been touched by my obedience may never come again.

God uses the things that I am passionate about to reach others and also to change me to be more like Him.  These passions are my spiritual gifts that were determined by God to prosper me, not to harm me, in every situation, in this generation as He saves me to the uttermost.  Not just once from the depths of hell, but daily He saves me from a life apart from God.  As Expositor's Commentary says, "...complete deliverance, no matter what the need..."

Praise God for the uttermost! 

Lord, Thank You for saving me to the uttermost as only You can!  Help me to obey Your will by acting on the passions that the Spirit ignites.  Don't let a moment pass that can be used to further Your kingdom in my life and the lives of others here on earth and for eternity.  Create in me a clean heart and a new life in You!

ChristinaLynn }i{

Here Am I...

Missing blogging terribly.

Lots of projects going on lately, but I plan to be back blogging again very soon.

God is placing plenty of great things in mind to pen, so I know you will be blessed!

ChristinaLynn }i{

The Mountains and the Valleys

I was blessed to be in the house of the Lord for two special opportunities last week. First to hear teaching from a woman truly annointed by God - practical, honest, real preaching of The Word. Then, to be a part of the Girls of Grace Conference.

A neighbor and true friend invited me to the women's fellowship at her church and I was sincerely blessed! The event, the fellowship, and the message made an impact on me that I am grateful for.

I found myself, even before the message began, getting easily distracted in my thoughts and letting my mind wander. Thoughts then came to mind that I was not "feeling" what I was participating in. My head was there, but my heart was just not in it. The message God brought home through the speaker was to renew my mind in a way to insist on His presence in my daily life. Also that we have to sharpen our spiritual senses and learn to perceive the kingdom of God in our present reality. As the speaker said, this requires me to see and trust a different reality and to take an offensive posture of the heart, presenting myself for service to God in order to "rise up" in outlasting, enduring victory to overcome!

Then, the Girls of Grace Conference Saturday was a blessing for myself and my daughter. So many special speakers and worship music! I learned how to be a Wildflower for Christ with the three C's: Clear out the contamination, Cultivate with the Son and Water of Life, to become a new Creation! I learned how I reflect God uniquely through His beauty and His mystery in Psalm 17:8, 45:11 and Zephaniah 3:17. I learned that breaking free means having balance and balance means having the right amount of concern, not too much and not too little. Balance brings respect rather than judgement.

My daughter's eyes were opened to the "Wait for Steak" campaign that taught her that there isn't a man on the planet that can complete her, don't look for one and don't expect it from one. This was presented in such a great way to make an impact on teenage girls not to settle for a boy instead of waiting for a man and really detailed what qualities they should be looking for in a man, knowing that manhood is a CHOICE!

I was also blessed to be with friends! I think we sometimes take for granted, or just ignore the need for female companionship, mentoring and accountability that we so desperately need in this life.

And I have truly experienced the unfortunate battle from the enemy since Saturday.

Lord, I pray that You will remove the distractions and competing priorities that are taking me away from Your Word and Your Will. Make my focus Lord, on God and family first!

ChristinaLynn }i{

Notable Nuggets

"When it's darkest in the tunnel, it's a great time to be selling flashlights!"

Notable Nuggets are quotes or tidbits acquired through previous sermons, fellowship or instruction gleaned at Creekside Christian Church.


ChristinaLynn }i{

Lifting Your Husband Through Prayer - Week 6

From a "prayer card" published by FamilyLife. Use this opportunity to lift your husband through prayer, concentrating on God's Word and hiding it in your heart.

 

Lord, I lift my husband to You today and pray, according to Your Word, that:

• You will protect him physically, mentally, and spiritually (Psalm 28:7-9; Psalm 41; John 17:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

Psalm 28:7-9 (NIV)

⁷ The LORD is my strength and my shield;
   my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
   and with my song I praise him.

 ⁸ The LORD is the strength of his people,
   a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
⁹ Save your people and bless your inheritance;
   be their shepherd and carry them forever.  

 

Psalm 41 (NIV)

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

 ¹ Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
   the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.
² The LORD protects and preserves them—
   they are counted among the blessed in the land—
   he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
³ The LORD sustains them on their sickbed
   and restores them from their bed of illness.
 ⁴ I said, “Have mercy on me, LORD;
   heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
⁵ My enemies say of me in malice,
   “When will he die and his name perish?”
⁶ When one of them comes to see me,
   he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
   then he goes out and spreads it around.
 ⁷ All my enemies whisper together against me;
   they imagine the worst for me, saying,
⁸ “A vile disease has afflicted him;
   he will never get up from the place where he lies.”
⁹ Even my close friend,
   someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
   has turned against me.
 ¹⁰ But may you have mercy on me, LORD;
   raise me up, that I may repay them.
¹¹ I know that you are pleased with me,
   for my enemy does not triumph over me.
¹² Because of my integrity you uphold me
   and set me in your presence forever.
 ¹³ Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
   from everlasting to everlasting.
            Amen and Amen.

John 17:15 (NIV)
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

ChristinaLynn }i{

Lifting Your Wife Through Prayer - Week 4

From a "prayer card" published by FamilyLife. Use this opportunity to lift your wife through prayer, concentrating on God's Word and hiding it in your heart.


Lord, I lift my wife to You today and pray, according to Your Word, that:

• her agenda and tasks today would go smoothly and that she would accomplish much (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; 3:1-4, 13).

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV)
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-4, 13 (NIV)
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.  And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.  But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.  We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command.  And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

ChristinaLynn }i{

Notable Nuggets

"You'll never go wrong doing it God's way."

Notable Nuggets are quotes or tidbits acquired through previous sermons, fellowship or instruction gleaned at Creekside Christian Church.


ChristinaLynn }i{

Lifting Your Husband Through Prayer - Week 5

From a "prayer card" published by FamilyLife. Use this opportunity to lift your husband through prayer, concentrating on God's Word and hiding it in your heart.


Lord, I lift my husband to You today and pray, according to Your Word, that:

• he will be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19).

James 1:19 (NIV)
Listening and Doing


My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
ChristinaLynn }i{

Lifting Your Wife Through Prayer - Week 3

From a "prayer card" published by FamilyLife. Use this opportunity to lift your wife through prayer, concentrating on God's Word and hiding it in your heart.


Lord, I lift my wife to You today and pray, according to Your Word, that:

• You will release her from worry or guilt over things she is not responsible for or in control of (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-32).

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
Do Not Worry


25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?


28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
ChristinaLynn }i{

Swagbucks

Don't forget to sign up for Swagbucks!  Use this link and code BIGTIMEBUCKS to get 100 bucks when you sign up!

ChristinaLynn }i{

Coupon Jackpot!

Today is definitely the day to get extra copies of the Sunday paper! In addition to the four coupon inserts we found out about here for SmartSource (SS), RedPlum (RP), Proctor & Gamble (PG) & Pepsi Moments to Save, I also received General Mills (GM - over $18 in coupons) and Take Time to Play ($61 in coupons)!

Now is a great time to see how God can use couponing to help you prosper!

ChristinaLynn }i{

Notable Nuggets

"God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called!"

Notable Nuggets are quotes or tidbits acquired through previous sermons, fellowship or instruction gleaned at Creekside Christian Church.

ChristinaLynn }i{