August 2007 Balancing Tips: Raise Your Hand If You're Ready for the New School Year!
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Balancing Tips: Helping You Balance Your Life According to God's Plan
August 2007 Newsletter From Cross Your Heart Publications
~Crossing your life with God's plan~
In this issue:
- Raise Your Hand If You're Ready for the New School Year!
- Related Scripture
- Links and Resources
- Winner of Gift Basket from "Simply Balanced" Book Signing!
- Upcoming Legacy Inspirations and Cross Your Heart Publications Events
- Current and Upcoming Releases
- Contact Information, Copyright Notice, Disclaimers, and Unsubscribe Instructions
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Raise Your Hand If You're Ready for the New School Year!
Believe it or not, school is starting soon for most children in America. Parents are buying school clothes, children are lamenting their last days of summer, and teachers are preparing lesson plans...
Some children (and parents) may feel apprehensive about the coming school year. How will they do in school? Will they know anyone in homeroom? Will the teachers be nice? If a child has had difficulties in a particular area, his or her mind may be focused on addressing that specific concern. Be it reading, math, music, or gym class, every child has areas where he excels and where he needs to improve. Will he do better this year in some subjects? Continue to do well in others he has always enjoyed? What new skills and knowledge will your child learn this year, and how hard will it be?
Preparing will help alleviate such worries.
It may be too late to enroll in extra summer reading classes, but parents can still read with children these final few weeks. There is still time for a child to start doing sit-ups, ride bikes, or some other activity to get the heart pumping and familiarize the body with exercise. Now is the time to return to a regular sleep schedule so your children are well-rested and ready to learn. Most schools plan "back to school" nights where children and parents can meet teachers and get a glimpse of their learning styles.
All of these activities, and others, can help children (and parents and teachers) feel more comfortable about the upcoming school year.
Jesus tells us not to worry (Matthew 6:25-34), yet we all do at one time or another in life (usually far too often!). Jesus also tells us to be prepared (Matthew 24:42-51), and doing so actually helps us worry less. Whether you are a parent, a child, or a teacher, preparing for a new school year is no different than any number of events we need to prepare for in life. We all have responsibilities, and planning helps us feel prepared and less stressed (even in stressful situations).
Follow this simple lesson -- "don't worry, yet be prepared," one of the "balance from contradiction" lessons in the book "Simply Balanced" -- to help your child start the school year in a positive light. Help your child be ready to learn, play, and grow as a person throughout this next year and into the rest of his life.
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Related Scripture (NIV)
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
- Psalm 55:22
"…Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
- Matthew 6:25-34
...She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
- Luke 10:38-42
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:4-7
Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy
Spirit.
- Mark 13:11
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
- Matthew 10:19-20
"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
- Luke 12:11-12
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert.
- 1 Peter 5:5-8
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. … So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
- Matthew 24:42-51
…But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.' Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
- Matthew 25:1-13
...Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.
- Colossians 4:2-6
Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night… So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled… Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing... Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it...
- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
- John 14:6-7
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
- John 3:16
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
- Luke 11:10-13
Links and Resources
http://chrisdowns.wordpress.com/2007/07/04/the-way-of-a-pilgrim-pray-without-ceasing/
http://chrisdowns.wordpress.com/2007/05/31/last-week-of-school/
http://www.homeword.com/Freebies/Files/Family_Devotional_Ideas.doc (Family Devotional Ideas)
http://www.family.org/parenting/A000002235.cfm (The Nutrition of Learning)
http://www.family.org/parenting/A000001065.cfm (Reasons for Home-Schooling)
http://www.focusonyourchild.com/bigpict/BookReports/
http://www.family.org/parenting/A000000397.cfm">http://www.family.org/parenting/A000000397.cfm (Family Legacies)http://www.ourchurch.com/hosting/back-to-school-month.php
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/back_to_school.html
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Back_to_School.shtml
http://www.caslt.org/research/backtoschool.htm
http://www.teachingheart.net/ultimate.html
http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/backtoschool/index.htm
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Winner of Gift Basket from "Simply Balanced" Book Signing!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the book signing the weekend of August 3 (either in person or online) to meet Chris! We appreciate your support.
And the winner of the gift basket drawing was...
Cindy Klimchock!
Hope you are enjoying your tea, soap, candy, and other items. :)
Thank you, Cindy, and everyone else, for stopping by the store and blog that weekend. Also, thank you to Carl (the owner of Majesty) and his family for the opportunity to have the book signing in his store! Everyone at Majesty was so kind and helpful, and some wonderful people stopped to say hello. God bless!
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Upcoming Legacy Inspirations and Cross Your Heart Publications Events
August 28, 2007:
Taping Interviews for Lutheran's Alive Comcast On-Demand TV Program
(More details later regarding when the shows will air)
September 8, 2007:
Latrobe Arts and Crafts Fair
Legacy Inspirations will have a variety of Christian and local themed items from fellowship group members – including books, greeting cards, artwork, prayer beads, historical maps of the area, and more!
http://www.LegacyInspirations.com
"Simply Balanced" author Christina Downs will be offering free seminars on balancing life starting in October, 2007. Please contact 724-532-3669 or cdowns@crossyourheartpub.com to set one up at your church, Bible study session, or other local group (mini-seminars are ideal for women's lunches!). Also check back for teleseminars, recordings, and other related low-cost products over the coming months.
Another Legacy Inspirations member, Bunny Petrillo, will be opening a coffee shop/art gallery in downtown Derry sometime this fall (possibly October). More details in the September and/or October newsletters. http://www.TheGalleryDessert.8m.com
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Current and Upcoming Releases
http://www.CrossYourHeartPublications.com
1. ~AVAILABLE NOW~:
"Simply Balanced: Bible ‘Contradictions’ Teach Balanced Living" by Christina Downs (ISBN 978-0-9794248-1-6).
$12.95
From contradiction to balance--God's simple way to achieve balance in life. Explore six sets of Bible lessons that appear to contradict one other, and see how both sides of the equation are necessary, working together to balance life. Without one side of the coin, imbalance occurs. Jesus perfectly modeled this balanced living Himself. You can learn to live a simply balanced life, too!
- Available online through www.CrossYourHeartPub.com, www.Amazon.com, or www.BN.com.
- Currently available at the following local stores: Majesty Christian Store and West Overton Museum Gift Shop.
- Ebook also available from the publisher website, www.payloadz.com, and other sites: $9.99 (ISBN 978-0-9794248-0-9). ***www.hshighlights.com is currently offering a sale price of $6!***
- Author blog at http://chrisdowns.wordpress.com
2. COMING SOON: A workbook is currently in development to help you live a "simply balanced" life (ISBN 978-0-9794248-2-3).
$12.95
*Book/workbook/ebook package for $19.99 (includes a free prayer bead bracelet!).* Please check website for details or email cdowns@crossyourheartpub.com.
3. One or more "simply balanced" children's books are also in the planning stages! Look for them in late 2008/early 2009.
4. EBOOK COMING SOON (FALL/WINTER 2007): You've Been Out of Work HOW Long? Finding a Job and Emotional/Spiritual Support After an Extended Time Out of the Workforce.
5. IN DEVELOPMENT (OUT IN 2008): One woman's journey from the heartache of a young child losing her mother to the joy of raising four wonderful children (including twin girls God told her about in a dream who would replace two angels leaving this earth). God always stayed with her, guiding her, even during the times she pushed Him away, as He brought her to her true purpose in life.
6. IN DEVELOPMENT (OUT IN 2008): An inspirational, faith-filled memoir of a husband and wife's joys and struggles through caring for, loving, and seeing their handicapped daughter home to Jesus. How their faith and family were strengthened, and how God helped them recognize their daughter's purpose in life.
7. IN DEVELOPMENT: "THE WALK" AUTHOR IS EXPANDING HER "TRAVELS": "The Walk" and "The Walk Continues…" by Michelle Kunkle.
In "The Walk," take a conversational walk with God through the first five books of the Bible. Learn how understanding the beginning can help you grow closer to God today.
"The Walk Continues…" will step through additional Bible books, guiding you to understand Scripture in the author's same insightful, entertaining way as she converses with God about life and Scripture.
Look for the expanded edition, containing both volumes, sometime in 2008. ("The Walk" is currently unavailable on its own as the author continues her walk and talk with God. Remaining copies will be sold September 8, 2007, at the Latrobe Arts and Crafts Fair, where Legacy Inspirations will have a booth.)
- Produced by Legacy Inspirations, together with Cross Your Heart Publications, The DeskTop, and The Gallery Dessert, http://www.legacyinspirations.com.
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Contact Information, Copyright Notice, Disclaimers, and Unsubscribe Instructions
Contact information:
Cross Your Heart Publications
Crossing your life with God's plan
P.O. Box 206
Loyalhanna, PA 15661
Phone: 724-787-6756
Email: info@crossyourheartpub.com
http://www.CrossYourHeartPublications.com
Member of Legacy Inspirations: http://www.legacyinspirations.com
Member of CSPA, Christian Small Publishers Association: http://www.christianpublishers.net
Member of PMA, The Independent Book Publishers Association: http://www.pma-online.org
Member of MidAtlantic Book Publishers Association: http://www.midatlanticbookpublishers.com
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We hope you have found this issue useful in helping you balance your life! If you have any suggestions for improvements, please email Chris at cdowns@crossyourheartpub.com. Thank you, and God bless you.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liabilities:
These files were prepared by Cross Your Heart Publications. Cross Your Heart Publications, including all representatives speaking on behalf of this company:
- Makes no warranty or representation of warranty, express or implied, with respect to using any information disclosed in these files.
- Has made every attempt not to infringe on or interfere with anyone's privately owned rights, including any party's intellectual property.
- Assumes no responsibility for any damages or other liability whatsoever (including any consequential damages) resulting from using these files or any information disclosed in these files.
Further, Cross Your Heart Publications employees have no professional counseling, psychiatric, or legal training and make no claim to be experts in these areas. Staff members provide emotional and spiritual advice on a general basis, based on personal knowledge and Biblical and other research.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2007 Christina M. Downs, Cross Your Heart Publications
http://www.CrossYourHeartPub.com
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