C H R I S T M A S

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Hope for the season

Updates and Encouragement From Lindy Hankins

Merry Christmas!
Dear Friends and Family, I am praying for you to have a Very Merry Christmas filled with Love, Peace and Joy that is found in The Lord Jesus Christ and In Him alone. My desire for you this Christmas is that you will experience Christs Life. After all, it is all about Him isnt it? Jesus is our Hope!
Love you,

Tis The Season To Be Jolly Right?

Does it seem like youve lost your Fa la la la la and desire to deck the halls somewhere at the mall? If this is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, why does depression skyrocket and hopelessness abound? Where has all our hope gone? More important is how do we find it or get it back? Dont lose heart because the answers are coming as you turn the page! There are answers that can put the joy of Christmas back into the hearts of your loved ones or yourself. Get cozy and grab a cup of coffee, lets look at how to enjoy this Christmas and move into the New Year with much hope and anticipation. Continued on page 3

Lindy

Save the Date!

ADT
January 14, 2014
Advanced Discipleship Training begins at Christian Families Today
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Grow In Grace
March 7-8 2014
Expanded teaching of Romans 5-8, which sets forth a believers identification with Christ.

Couples
May 2-3 2014
The secret to having a biblically successful marriage

Sharing The Good News

At Christian Families Today I have the honor and opportunity to share biblical truths with women who are broken hearted and seeking healing. Many feel hopeless but they are finding hope for their hurting hearts. Women are discovering that they have purpose.

Discipleship Counseling
At Christian Families Today we are bringing the good news to women, men, boys and girls through Gods word and His promises. Many people come to us for healing in their marriages or families. Others come to find relief for their hurting hearts. Despair and hopelessness are on the upswing. We have the answers that will set people free. If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. John 8:31-32

Creative Soul & Hope Coaching

Feeling stuck? Want to know what your next move is? Discover your special gifts and unique design. Ready to take a step toward your destiny? Call me for more info. Ask about life coaching.

Advanced Discipleship Training

The purpose of Advanced Discipleship Training I and II is to provide a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of The Exchanged Life through teaching a believers identification in Christ, learning how to build biblically healthy relationships based upon a believers identification in Christ and how a believer can effectively share his or her identification in Christ with others. Class begins January 14, 2014. For more information contact me at 770-502-8050

It is a Wonderful Life!
At Christian Families Today I want the women God brings to me to discover that this is a wonderful life and that God loves them. Sharing Gods love and the truths that are in His word provides the key that will unlock the hope and freedom that is theirs In Christ.
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My Grandson Ian

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Continued from page 1

Tis The Season To Be Jolly, Right? How to Ignite Hope and Pass it on!
Holidays can be stressful when busyness and misplaced hope become our focus. Misplaced hope occurs when we look to others or things to meet our needs apart from God. Frankly, we can get completely worn out when we lose sight of the one who made this celebration possible. Maybe this Christmas you or someone you know is suffering, alone or physically ill and all hope seems lost. Others may be experiencing deep grief over the loss of a loved one. It is easy to lose sight in the midst of pain and suffering, I know, Ive been there and back again. Refocusing and looking at things through a different perspective can be a total game changer. Seeing things through Gods word and His promises is like looking through a kaleidoscope of possibilities! I know what it is like to have a missing loved one at Christmas. There have been times that I felt hopeless in the height of different life struggles. Changing the lens of my thoughts and setting them on things above has helped me to experience hope and peace even in the midst of troubles. Viewing hope through the lens of eternity has a way of soothing our souls and renewing our hope. In James 4:8, it says, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. That is the answer my friends. I held onto Him in the darkest times and when it felt like I couldnt hold on anymore, He held me. He never lets go of us! When I depend on Jesus to live through me in everyway from coping with sufferings, enjoying life with others and even preparing a special meal, He becomes my strength and He does it through me! God wants to love through us and shine hope into the world around us. People are just waiting for someone to tell them the good news. An act of kindness can also renew hope and encourage others while touching our very own hearts. Take hope and
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pass it on to someone else! Try out a new act of kindness on someone this year and enjoy the warmth that will flood your soul! Jesus is our Hope. He has invited us all to receive His unconditional gift of Grace and forgiveness. Jesus is the gift of life to all who will believe in Him. This is indeed good news! We have reason to celebrate this Christmas and to pass on this great hope that we have in Christ! As the old hymn goes, Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. Loving Him and loving others will ignite a new found hope that will spark our Christmas and cause us to look forward to 2014! For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Let Christ live in and through you this Christmas! He wants to take a load off of you. Feel free to give it all to Him.

Our Hope, Our Peace, Our Lord

Christmas Fun Facts
Silent Night was written when a choirs organ broke down. Every year more than 3 billion cards are sold during the Christmas holidays The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace) the poinsettia is known as the Flower of the Holy Night.

HOPE FOR THE SEASON

CHRISTMAS 2013

Christ in you, the hope of glory

Would you partner with me?
I would like to personally invite you to partner with me in a ministry that helps others find healing and hope in the midst of suffering through biblical truths and the good news. Below are some ways that you can partner with me. Pray for the women that I minister to through discipleship counseling and life coaching. Prayers for Christian Families Today and myself are also needed. Gift donations are also accepted as God leads you to give. Donations are tax deductible. CFT staff counselors and coaches raise our own salary so we can minister to those in need on a donation only basis. The majority of people who come to CFT are either adults who are dealing with the aftermath of separation, divorce, addiction and job loss or their children (who are often suffering just as much). Its not surprising that many of these precious people are also struggling financially. Those counselees who can afford to give, donate what they can to help us cover the basic expenses of keeping our office doors open. No one is turned away from getting help (even if they can not donate).

174 Ashley Park Blvd Suite 1 Newnan, GA 30263 770-502-8050 lindyhankins@aol.com To learn more about CFT or to make an online donation Go to: www.cftministry.org Click on Designation then click on Lindy Hankins to make your tax-deductible gift donation

White Christmas Punch

1 can of crushed pineapple 2 cans of small individual size pineapple juice 1 can of cream of coconut (Coca Lopez) 1 liter of ginger ale 1 half gallon of vanilla Haagen Dazs ice cream 1 half gallon of crushed ice and water 1 small jar of maraschino cherries drained and rinsed
Blend pineapple, juice and cream of coconut in a blender. Pour into a large punch bowl over the frozen ice cream. Pour chilled ginger ale into the punch bowl. Add crushed ice and water. Stir lightly to mix and top with cherries. Add additional ginger ale or crushed iced to preferred taste. Optional: Ice ring with frozen cherries