Cross Your Heart Publications

July 2007 Balancing Tips: What it Means to Be Free

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Balancing Tips: Helping You Balance Your Life According to God's Plan
July 2007 Newsletter From Cross Your Heart Publications

~Crossing your life with God's plan~

**HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY FROM CROSS YOUR HEART PUBLICATIONS!**

In this issue:
- What it Means to Be Free
- Related Scripture
- Links and Resources
- Local Relay for Life Team (Angels in My Pocket)
- "Simply Balanced" Book Now Available!
- Please Join Author Christina Downs for a Simply Balanced Book Signing the Weekend of August 4 and 5, 2007
- Current and Upcoming Releases
- Contact Information, Copyright Notice, Disclaimers, and Unsubscribe Instructions

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What it Means to Be Free

Before I even attended the Women of Faith conference (in Cleveland, Ohio, June 22 and 23) -- with its "Amazing Freedom" theme -- I was thinking about what it means to be free. I knew the Fourth of July was coming up, a time when an entire nation would be talking about freedom and independence as a country.

While I am proud to be an American, and while I am thankful for the sacrifices of others so that we can be free as a country, there is yet another kind of freedom that goes far beyond country or nationality or physical freedom. There is a freedom that allows you to be from ANY background, and there is a Father who accepts you just the way you are (American or not). Our Father who art in Heaven...

God loves us all the same, and He provides FREEDOM for ALL. Freedom through Christ. Freedom from the burdens of sin. Freedom to choose.

You might wonder, how can we be free when we depend so fully on God? Being independent does not mean we don't depend on anyone. It means we have the freedom to be ourselves while trusting in God with our entire beings. That is what truly sets us free! Trusting in Christ provides the ultimate freedom because God's grace and Christ's forgiveness allow us to be free from the shackles and boundaries of sin.

You might wonder, how can we be free through a God who couldn't possible understand us? But, the truth is, He DOES understand! Christ understands it all, anything we could possibly go through in this life. Jesus Christ has been through more pain that any of us. He has known physical pain, and He has known emotional pain. He was betrayed, as some of us probably feel we have been by someone close to us. He KNOWS what we are going through, and He is there to comfort us and free us from our pain. We really CAN do all things through Christ, and that makes us overwhelmingly free.

You might wonder, how can we be free when God imposes so many rules? Yet, we don't obey God's rules out of obligation or fear. We obey out of LOVE. Even further, God's rules (The Ten Commandments) help show us how to live, freeing us from the pain of sin. Sin takes us nowhere; the devil just tempts us to draw us further from God, then leaves our lives in a shambles. Jesus' ultimate sacrifice frees us from Satan's grip, bringing us closer to God and closer to love. God's rules are not difficult, yet we are all human and make mistakes. No one is perfect, which is why we need Jesus for salvation and forgiveness.

You might wonder, how can we be free when God tells us how to live? If everything is preordained by the will of God, then how is that freedom? Doesn't it make us puppets? Nothing could be further from the truth! The freedom God provides gives us free will to choose. God already knows how we will choose, but He does not force those choices (he simply knows all, past, present, and future).

Some may choose to drink or chase women. Some may worship idols or false gods. Some may choose to follow worldly pleasures, chasing after sin -- yet never feeling fulfilled. Now I ask, what kind of freedom is that! Is that any way to live? Where is the joy and everlasting life in that kind of lifestyle?

I choose to love God, and that makes me free. I choose to trust in Christ, and that makes me free. I choose; therefore, I am free.

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Related Scripture (NIV)

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
- John 8:31-32

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
- John 8:34-36

I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
- Psalm 119:45

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
- Luke 4:18-19

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
- Romans 8:18-21

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

(The Glory of the New Covenant) Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
- Ephesians 3:10-13

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
- Colossians 2:13-15 (Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
- James 1:22-25

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
- James 2:12-13

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
- 1 Peter 2:16-17

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
- Galatians 5:1

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
- Galatians 5:13-15

(***Read all of Galatians 5, about "Freedom in Christ" and "Life by the Spirit". The fruits of the spirit are listed in verses 22 and 23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.")

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Links and Resources

http://www.usacitylink.com/usa

http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/fourthofjuly

http://www.christianhomeschoolers.com/military_4th_of_July.html

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/fourth.of.july.remembering.america.as.nation.under.god/1063.htm

http://www.cherbearsden.com/america.html

http://christianity.about.com/b/a/257410.htm

http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2406769/apps/s/content.asp?ct=3404123 (A God of Grace)

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Local Relay for Life Team (Angels in My Pocket)

Carole Dwire has been involved with Relay for Life for a number of years now. Her aunt is a cancer survivor (I also have an aunt who is a cancer survivor, and we are blessed that she has been healthy for nine years now!). Carole is a member of the "Angels in My Pocket" team, which is a local team of "Relay for Life at Latrobe" (Relay for Life at Latrobe includes the communities of Jeannette, Delmont, Slickville, Greensburg, Youngwood, Blairsville, Derry, Latrobe, Pleasant Unity, and surrounding neighborhoods).

Please consider donating your time or money to help this worthy cause. It's obvious God is with them during the annual Relay for Life celebration. Help them set people free from this terrible disease! I plan to be there next year, and I hope to see you there, too!

A personal testimony from Carole:

"When my Aunt Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't know what I could do to help her. I felt so lost and helpless. I'm not a magician, so I couldn't wave a magic wand to make the cancer disappear. I'm not a doctor, so I couldn't heal her. But, what I could do was pray. I prayed for her and her family, but I also prayed that God would guide me as to how I could help, too. I believe that it was God's hand that guided me to Relay for Life. Through Relay for Life, I found out how I, one person, could help. I started the team 'Angels in My Pocket'. With the help of a hardworking team of family and friends, we surpassed our fundraising goal, but we also gained so much more. I think that I speak for the members of 'Angels in My Pocket' when I say that Relay has inspired and touched our hearts. We all now carry that 'spirit of the relay' with us every day. We appreciate the gifts in our lives that God has given us, and we treasure every moment.

For those who ask why I walk at Relay, this is my reply: I walk in honor of those battling cancer to show I care and to raise money to help lessen their suffering. I walk in memory of those who have lost their battle to cancer so that they are never forgotten. And I walk for you and me, your children and my children. I walk for our future. A scary fact is that 1 in 3 people will develop cancer in their lifetime. I walk to raise money and awareness to find a cure. 'There is no finish line until we find a cure.' I will keep walking until we put an end to this terrible disease and I can finally cross that finish line."

If you or someone you know has been recently diagnosed with cancer, please contact the American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org). They can provide you with information and so much more.

If you would like to join a team, start a team, or make a donation, visit our area website at http://www.acsevents.org/latroberelayforlife. To support the American Cancer Society Relay for Life through the Angels in My Pocket team, please visit the team page at http://www.acsevents.org/latroberelayforlife/angelsinmypocket.

From the Relay for Life website:

Relay For Life® is much more than a walk around a track. It is a time to remember those lost to cancer and celebrate those who have survived. It is a night for people who have shared the same experience to comfort and console one another. Relay gives you the power to help accelerate the American Cancer Society's progress toward a future where cancer doesn't take the lives of our friends and family.

So what happens when you support the American Cancer Society through Relay For Life®? You help us save lives, you help those who have been touched by cancer, and you help empower individuals to fight back against this disease.

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"Simply Balanced" Book Now Available!

Find freedom from an imbalanced, stress-filled lifestyle!

Release date: July 8, 2007

The new book "Simply Balanced: Bible 'Contradictions' Teach Balanced Living" by Christina Downs is now available!

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. Without one, imbalance occurs. Jesus perfectly modeled this balanced living Himself. You can learn to live a simply balanced life, too!

The 144-page book can be purchased for $12.95 from the following locations: - Directly from the publisher (www.CrossYourHeartPublications.com, orders@crossyourheartpub.com, or 724-787-6756)
- Online stores (www.amazon.com and www.bn.com)
- Lightning Source
- Ingram/Spring Arbor
- Majesty Christian Store, Westmoreland Mall, Greensburg, PA
- West Overton Museum Gift Shop
- Ask about other local stores and online locations

~Free prayer bead bracelet with orders shipped directly from the publisher.~

**This book was featured in the July 16 issue of the Latrobe Bulletin! The article will be added to the Cross Your Heart Publications website soon.

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Please Join Author Christina Downs for a Simply Balanced Book Signing the Weekend of August 4 and 5, 2007

Enjoy a simply balanced book signing...

Meet Christian author of the book Simply Balanced: Bible "Contradictions" Teach Balanced Living (http://chrisdowns.wordpress.com) and fellowship with others who are trying to find balance in life. Join our "physical and virtual book signing" the weekend of August 4!

***All visitors (physically or virtually) will receive a *free* tips sheet. All visitors to Majesty can enter a drawing for a ~DOOR PRIZE~ (a unique gift basket!), and the first 25 to stop by Majesty Saturday and Sunday will receive free prayer beads and prayer cards.***

PHYSICAL DATES/TIMES:
Majesty Christian Store
Westmoreland Mall, Greensburg, PA
Saturday, August 4, 2007:`10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday, August 5, 2007: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

VIRTUAL DATES/TIMES:
http://chrisdowns.wordpress.com
Friday, August 3 (Chris will be in and out throughout the day and evening)
Saturday, August 4, 2007 (evening)
Sunday, August 5, 2007 (evening)
Monday, August 6, 2007 (before noon)

Hope to "see" you there!

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Current and Upcoming Releases

http://www.CrossYourHeartPublications.com

1. ~NEW RELEASE, 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. Without one, 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 site or from www.payloadz.com: $9.99 (ISBN 978-0-9794248-0-9).

2. 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.
One or more "simply balanced" children's books are also in the planning stages!

3. ALSO STILL AVAILABLE: "The Walk" by Michelle Kunkle
$10.00
~All proceeds benefit Harrold Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greensburg PA.~
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.
- Produced by Legacy Inspirations, together with Cross Your Heart Publications, The DeskTop, and The Gallery Dessert, http://www.legacyinspirations.com.

4. EBOOK COMING SOON: You’ve Been Out of Work HOW Long? Finding a Job and Emotional/Spiritual Support After an Extended Time Out of the Workforce.

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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.

http://www.CrossYourHeartPub.com

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Cross Your Heart Publications

June 2007 Balancing Tips: Our Father Who Art in Heaven