June 2009 Balancing Tips: Fear Not!
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Balancing Tips: Helping You Balance Your Life According to God's Word
June 2009 Newsletter From Cross Your Heart Publications

~Crossing your life with God's plan~

**HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY CHILDREN THIS JUNE AND JULY!**

**HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!**

In this issue:
- Fear Not!
- Prayer Requests and Praise Reports
- Contact Information, Copyright Notice, Disclaimers, and Unsubscribe
Instructions

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Fear Not!

What are you afraid of? We're all afraid of something! Whether it's the dark --
or monsters -- or how to pay the bills -- everyone has fears that sometimes get
the better of them.

But, you know what? Someone else can get the better of all our fears. GOD!

We learned this at my children's Vacation Bible School. Two lessons, in
particular, stood out for me -- AND caused quite a chuckle among the children.

In the first activity, we wrote our fears on small pieces of paper. Since I was
in the preschool group with my son, the fears were items like dinosaurs and
paper (must be the paper cuts?). Once we wrote down the fears, we hung the
pieces of paper on the wall. Then the teacher pulled out a huge leaf blower,
turned it on (much to the delight of the children!), and whooshed those fears
right off the wall and out of our lives.

Just like God does.

The second lesson took place while the entire group sang worship songs at the
end of one evening. Each crew leader blew up a balloon as the children in his or
her group yelled out fears. For some reason, "snakes" was quite a common fear
for this group of youngsters, who ranged in age from three up until around 14.
Each crew leader spoke one of the fears out loud as they stuffed the balloons
under the large robe of an assisting guinea pig (er, I mean parent). The VBS
coordinator then pulled out a balloon and (again, much to the children's glee)
began popping all of the balloons.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

Just like God eliminates our fears.

We need to trust in Him and KNOW He is in control -- not us, not other people
around us, and certainly not our problems. God is stronger than all our fears!

To repeat the phrase the kids remembered from that night: God is powerful! And
the children replied: Fear not!

As God's children, we all need to remember this and repeat that simple phrase:
GOD IS POWERFUL! FEAR NOT!!!

Each night of VBS, we learned a new lesson:
- God is always with us. Fear not!
- God is powerful. Fear not!
- God does what He says He'll do. Fear not!
- God gives us life. Fear not!
- God cares for us. Fear not!

We would do well to remember these five traits of God every single day. Repeat
them morning, night, and in between. Any time we need to face a fear -- or even
just step outside the house. When we wake up and when we lie down to bed. God is
always with us. God is powerful. God does what He says He'll do. God gives us
life. God cares for us.

What do we have to fear with God on our side? FEAR NOT!

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Prayer Requests and Praise Reports

PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to list a prayer request or update in the next
issue, please email cdowns@....

This month's prayer requests:

- Vern: My friend Betty's husband recently had surgery. Please pray for his
recovery and her sanity as she sees him through it (as she also continues to
recover from arm surgery after a fall).

- Mandy: Young mother of two small children whose brain is swollen due to an
injury or illness.

- Ray: My husband recently found out he has high cholesterol and a thyroid
imbalance. Please pray as he discusses treatment options with the doctor.

- Financial issues: For God's will regarding finances, employment, and careers
for everyone during today's economy. Specifically, I am looking for at least one
more writing/editing contract, and I am exploring some additional career and
education ideas. Please pray for guidance and God's hand in opening doors and
showing me the right decisions to follow His will. I'm sure everyone could use
prayers and guidance to follow God's will in their lives regarding finances,
careers, relationships, and many other issues.

- Our children: That they grow up knowing God's Word and loving and respecting
others. Lord, please help us set a Godly example for them. Help them and us all
learn to love God and love others.

- Unspoken issues in all of our lives, whether physical, emotional, spiritual,
or anything in between.

This month's praise reports:

- VBS: It was a blessing to be involved with Vacation Bible School at our church
again this year. My children and everyone had a blast!

- Our children: They bring such light into our lives in the midst of everything
else. What a blessing!

~I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for everyone… - 1 Timothy 2:1~

~Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12~

~Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have
received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11:24~

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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@...
http://www.CrossYourHeartPub.com

Publisher/Owner:
Christina Downs
M.A. Professional Writing (Carnegie Mellon University)
Author of "Simply Balanced: Bible 'Contradictions' Teach Balanced Living"
Author of "Dress for De-Stress: How Wearing the Full Armor of God Helps Deflect
the Fiery Darts of Worry and Distress"
Over thirteen years of writing and editing experience
Wife and Mom to two beautiful children
Child of God
More than labels!
http://chrisdowns.wordpress.com
http://chrisdownsprofessional.wordpress.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@.... Thank you, and God bless you.

Disclaimer

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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
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Further, Cross Your Heart Publications employees have no professional
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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.

Any other quotes or links belong to their respective owners.

Copyright © 2009 Christina M. Downs, Cross Your Heart Publications

http://www.CrossYourHeartPub.com

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