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2/5/2014

Well, we are FINALLY settled in Jacksonville, Florida. The better part of last year has been spent moving from a home of twenty years with furniture from five different homes where we raised two boys and Jonathan transcended to heaven. Mark, my husband and I are natives from the Memphis metropolitan area. Most of our extended family still live in or near Memphis. Mark closed his business of fifty plus years and is in the process of selling all our business and personal property. All of this to say I have been occupied. I haven't written anything in the past year!

So sorry, but life stiuations sometimes demand our entire attention and time. We have been in Jacksonville for almost four months and with every passing day feel the Lord has blessed us with the move. We have joined a non-denominational charismatic church where the presence of the Lord is palpable. It is joyful, exciting and rewarding to step in the door! It is organized according to the giftings of individuals as the book of Acts and Ephesians mandates! Only the Lord knows how I have longed for such a church as this!

Our association with Christian Healing Ministry has been a God send of healing and understanding His will. We are ecstatic with the possibilities of personal growth and ministry. The Lord's timing is our timing because it is perfect. God is good all the time and all the time God is good!!

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Book Signing

5/16/2013

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Mother's Day the past four years has been the most painful day of the year for me since Jon's home going. However, this year the Lord was merciful. The details of preparing for a book signing event at my church filled my thoughts and prayers. I had to stay focused on getting "Flying Backwards" out to as many people as possible. My husband and my sister in Christ who edited the book knew how important this was to me and were very supportive.
My other objective was to introduce my new series of four volumes titled "An Odyssey of Prayer and Praise: Devotionals of a Lifetime Journey". The memories and purpose of a life now lived in heaven can fade with time, but the written word preserves it . People, even family, are very cautious about bringing up Jon's name much less memories. My oldest son and I have made a covenant to talk about all the good times with Jon. The thought of never mentioning his name or life flashes a "red flag" for me. If we do not talk about his reason for living on earth his life had no purpose and that is a horrible lie. Every human being that is born has a God given purpose, to deny this is to deny our Savior. This will never happen on my watch, no matter the obstacles that I face.

"Write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it. For the vison is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie... the just shall live by faith." Habakkuk 2:2-4

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"Flying Backwards" is in Print!

4/21/2013

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After four years, barriers, delays and more discouragement than I ever could have imagined my first book is on Amazon.com kindle and in print. Hallelujah! God can and does accomplish things no human could. It occured to me in prayer that many of us, including me, fight stress and strain to get things done and many times quit right before our break through. Tenacity and faith are essential if we desire to serve God.
Time is something the enemy uses to defeat our efforts and he will succeed if we don't return to our source of strength. "An Odyssey of Prayer and Praise: Devotionals of a Lifetime Journey" a four volume 365 day devotional book is well on the way, but only the Lord knows when He will get it published. This effort will be lead by God's timing not mine!

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Interview on www.blogtalkradio.com

3/18/2013

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The Unseen World with Alexandra Clair.   The show is billed as fascinating ordinary believers living noble lives of powerful faith. It is open forum format. It airs live at 9PM Eastern; 8PM Central; 7PM Mountain; 6PM Pacific every Saturday night. My interview is in the archives February 9, 2013.

Alex is a good friend and sister in Christ or I might never have agreed to the interview. I desire to share Jon's story and what I learned as the primary care taker of a son with mental illness. The Lord built my prayer life and faith in a step by step process to face the most difficult situation any mother could ever experience.  After twenty-four years of dealing with a developing mental illness (schizoaffective disorder) our youngest son took his life June 14, 2008. Now, almost five years later the Lord has healed my grief to such an extent that I can speak about Jon and his life with the joy of knowing where he is and who he is with. I didn't believe it would take five years, but it has.

Jon was a blessing in the lives of everyone who loved him. In my opinion the depth of prayer and the growth in personal relationship with the Lord would not have been possible without the desperation I experienced.   Alex asked me if I could read the last several paragraphs of the book which chronicled "God encounters" of assurance about Jon's final home without breaking down. I wasn't sure but when the time came that supernatural calm and peace fell on me in such a way that even I was astonished. She wept, I did not! It is time to share what God has done!

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Loving the Unlovely

2/22/2013

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It is relatively easy to love those who love us back or even those who are indifferent with God's perspective; but loving people who repeatedly wound you is something else entirely. I must constantly look beyond the personality disorder, mental illness, or woundedness which cause people to be unkind. I must love people as the LORD loves them without conditions or expectations. This sounds noble and brave; but in all honestly is totally impossible without obedience to and trust of our maker.

Circumstances happen in life that seem so unfair when we are doing our best to be what the Lord expects us to be. I am reading the book of Job this week in my quiet time and it strikes me to the core that we must get to the point of maturity to love God even if he "slays us". And that my behavior is unlovely yet Jesus suffered torture and died on the cross for sinners like me. How can I do less for others?

Prayer: Lord, help me "see" beyond the hurtful behavior to the root of the problem and the person you created, at that point I can minister your love.

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The Jewel of my Christmas Season

1/2/2013

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Mark, my husband, and I served the community at a local church. I personally heard stories of a young single mother with her two children who were burned out of their home currently living at a motel supplied by the local Red Cross; a fifteen year old girl representing her family because her elderly grandmother was unable to come for assistance. I watched another single mother try to pacify three young children so that they could receive probably their one and only Christmas gift. The expressions on the faces and the mutual trust of our Lord Jesus Christ for provision and love was thrilling.

There were several men around my age, early sixies, who were obviously humbled my their inability to provide for their families; but, not so humiliated that they did not understand the need for a savior and speak grateful admission of their belief in Jesus.

The absolute honor of praying with and for these individuals presently suffering in the physical sense was staggering. The Lord knows the truth in each of our hearts and can use even my effort to further His Kingdom. The satisfaction and fulfillment of praying the "sinner's prayer" with several of these individuals made my Christmas Season!
I Samuel 16:7b "For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

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The Solution to the Sandy Hook Massacre is NOT Gun Control!

12/17/2012

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Real help for our mentally ill and support for those families who persevere in their love and concern for family members who suffer with this disease is the solution. Anyone who is the primary caretaker of a mentally ill individual knows the daily, hourly struggle to survive much less thrive under the circumstances. The power to break the bonds of this terror is supernatural (in the hands of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit); however the necessity of daily prayer and support lies in the human realm.

The government, our society, the health care industry, educators, and most importantly the Body of Christ (the Church) is failing in it's responsibility to be the instruments of healing through the power of Jesus Christ to these individuals and families. Until we as a nation and Christians as the Body of Christ take an active role in support, incidents of mass murder will continue. How many more innocent people (children) must die before we step up to this problem? What is the Lord allowing to happen to get our attention and action?

Gun control addresses only a symptom of the greater problem. The root is denial, fear, hatred, selfishness, indifference, and apathy. In other words, the belief that "It is not my personal problem so I don't have to deal with it". I believe the Lord is saying it IS our problem.

Christians can be the hands and heart of the Lord on earth if we choose to be. I appeal to you as a mother whose son graduated to heaven four years ago and was diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder. I and mothers like me need your support backed by the healing power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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God's Splendor in Nature

11/2/2012

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We visited the Great Smoky Mountains last weekend at the peak of the fall season. It rained off and on and the colors were brilliant in contrast. The dark tree trunks and the multicolored leaves shone with a luster that could not be captured by a photograph, although we tried! The old river road with the mountain streams meandering from one side to the other and around every curve a picture that only the Lord himself could paint. Cars lined the avenue and there were few places to pull off for a photo opportunity, so I prayed for vivid memories of the beauty. Absolutely breath taking is the only way I can describe the view. Now, only three days later we see the same area sparkling with snow. No human hand could produce this sudden change and sight and it brings comfort somehow contrasted with the devastation and loss of life from hurricane "Sandy". God holds our destiny and we must embrace the mystery of what we experience, good and bad.

Isaiah 55:8-11 NKJ
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

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A Timely Challenge

10/16/2012

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Mark and I had the opportunity to visit with a former Pastor and one of the most encouraging mentors I have ever had. The Lord lovingly orchestrated the whole experience. As I walked into the church there was my mentor greeting my husband. Pastor and I spoke briefly and sincerely. Mark and I settled in for one of his inspiring sermons. The time flew by all to quickly and we bid him adieu. The only thing that would come out of my mouth was "don't leave"!

Our city so desparately needs the truth of the word spoken without fear of offending or a watered down presentation of the gospel. The challenge for each person was presented clearly and undeniably. The choice is always ours.

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:13-14 KJV

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Christian Healing Ministries founded by Dr. Francis and Judith MacNutt

9/20/2012

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I was blessed to attend a women's prayer conference entitled "Captivate" in Jacksonville, Florida were the ministry is based this past weekend. How can I express the healing that took place in me? I knew the church and event had been soaked in prayer and that even our hotel rooms had been prayed over. I sensed the Lord's presence as I stepped into these places. I experienced the favor of God in all the practical and physical arrangements.

Every speaker was anointed and had a very specific biblical word of true and encouragement. Every message dovetailed into the next by God's design not human effort. I compare Judith MacNutt to Kay Arthur. Pearls of wisdom flow from these women of God to meet needs of the congregation.

The praise and worship leader ushered us into the portals of heaven where the presence of God was so strong and apparent that most of us were overcome. We knew from previous experience that if we did not surrender to the atmosphere we would be physically on our faces before the throne of God!

The first time as I voluntarily lay prostrate before the throne the sensation was like a warm blanket of healing over my wounded and discouraged spirit. The second time the cool, sweet breath of the Holy Spirit gently caressed my face encouraging me to rise up in my gifting and receive a new name from the Lord.

A word of caution regarding "mountaintop" experiences. Seal it in your remembrance if the leadership does not. The Lord has caused change and growth in you but not in those who did not come. Stealing your joy is a strategy of the enemy, don't allow it!

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Author

Nina Haines received her Bachelor of Science from the University Of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences in 1978. She completed her Masters and subsequently her Doctorate of Divinity from Shalom Bible College and Seminary in
August of 2010.

Nina voluntarily worked in the “Kairos Prison Ministry” for fourteen years and served on the local board. Mark, Nina’s husband and she served for five years in the “Second Chance Prison
Ministry”.

She has served on the worship and prayer ministries in five
different churches and on the ladies’ board at a non-denominational church. She has taught courses on prayer and
spiritual growth and in Sunday school classes. She was trained as a Stephen Minister at a large Methodist church and served as a prayer minister. She served as the praise leader at a weekly prayer and healing service for one year.

She was a member and leader in Lydia Fellowship International and served on the “Walk to Emmaus” and “Faith Walk” retreat
organizations.

She was a chaplain at her local YMCA in a pilot
chaplaincy program. She was on the board of a local prayer ministry, Celebrate Life.

Mark and Nina have been favored by the Lord to make four short term prayer walks to Israel and China. In several different organizations Nina has prayer walked Germantown High School, the University of Memphis, Germantown, Seattle, Washington, Washington D.C., Atlana, Gerogia, Nashville, Tennessee, and Chicago, Illinois.

Mark and Nina currently worship at City Hills Church. Mark and Nina hold services once a month at Morgan County Correctional Complex under Lonnie Greg from Trinity Community Church. Nina has a prayer group in her home the second and fourth Fridays of the month following the Christian Healing Ministries of Jacksonville, Florida under the leadership of Francis and Judith MacNutt.

Robert Anthony Haines is a structural engineer and
resides with his wife, Erin in Knoxville, Tennessee. They welcomed Grady Armistead and Coley Marie into their family January 28, 2017.

Mark and Nina live in Knoxville with Grace Jon's first cat.

Nina completed the Christian Healing Ministries Internship Program Nov. 7-11, 2017.

"An Odyssey of Deepening Prayer and Praise" is completed and under copyright. It is a 365 day devotional book of insight from the Lord.

NEW HOME

Book Signing

"Flying Backwards" is in Print!

Interview on www.blogtalkradio.com

Loving the Unlovely

The Jewel of my Christmas Season

The Solution to the Sandy Hook Massacre is NOT Gun Control!

God's Splendor in Nature

A Timely Challenge

Christian Healing Ministries founded by Dr. Francis and Judith MacNutt

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