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Kairos Prison Ministry

8/30/2012

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I  was delighted to visit the annex area of the prison on a Sunday afternoon.  This is the area where the inmates are on the work release program  and will soom complete their sentence.  The personal freedom within the unit has been earned and the atmosphere is less tense than the main prison.

The Lord had a special treat for me as several of us arrived.  One of the inmates who I had personally ministered to was leading the "prayer and share" group that afternoon.   The  ladies in my small group were "aglow" with sincerity, excitement, and appreciation of our Lord Jesus Christ.   They were encouraging and supportive of each other and very kind to us.   

It is hard to describe how this thrilled me.  The whole purpose of the Kairos Prison Ministry is the build the Body of Christ (the church) within the prison absent us (the free worlders).  We go in once a month to support the inmates but they are there every second of every day and must learn to support each other in mature Christian living and relationship with God.   What I experienced honored and glorified Him!
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The Next Step!

7/19/2012

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Well, I just loaded "Flying Backwards: Jon's Story of Ultimate Healing from Mental Illness" on Amazon via Kindle.  I am by fallen nature and harsh experience a very private person.  Displaying my personal history and multiple failures is a little terrifying and sacrificial on my part.  I have a new understanding of the expression, "every book is like your baby." 

However, desiring full time ministry and the backing of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a risky business and requires recognition of the difficulties, pain, and persecution that comes with it.  The relationship with the Living Lord makes it all worth while; those intimate moments when God communicates with you through whatever means He desires range from exhilarating  regarding encouragement to terrifying when correction is in order, but all through the filter of His love and for my benefit.

I have been praying for the next step in this journey and felt convicted that this was it.  I will submit and let God take it from here!  Prehaps another way to express this process is to paraphrase Dr. Ron Jensen friend and colleague of Dr. Bill Bright, God can never use a man or woman greatly until He has allowed them to be hurt deeply.  In that extreme desperation and pain we acknowledge the one true source of healing and comfort, the Lord Jesus Christ! 
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Post Title.

4/21/2012

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Our Carolina Wren Family                       
Matthew 6:26
 Preparation, Persistence, Parenting, Provision, and
Praise!


  While our Heavenly father directs us to look at the birds of the
air as witness to how He provides for them to assure us of our provision by Him,
He does not direct us to inaction or hand outs.  As the farmers will say, “Pray for the
  harvest and say amen with your hoe”. 
We saw this in action as we witnessed the romance and nesting of a pair
of Carolina Wrens.


We first noticed the birds by their song as they were flitting
around our patio.  It appeared they
had decided to nest under the soffit of the house but then, we saw them
concentrating on an empty flower pot on a plant stand in the corner of the
patio.   Since spring was
  approaching, we were cleaning and clearing our patio and certainly making too
  much ruckus for our bird friends. 
Their nest was built but they were nowhere around. 
We thought we had scared them off.  


However, a month or two later my husband and I were witnesses to
the finishing of the nest building and ultimate flight of five wren chicks.  We identified the bird species as
Carolina Wrens as the parents finished their nest in the flower pot, at eye
level, on our patio.


We had never seen this particular bird on our patio before and
we learned this species mates for life and produces three to seven eggs at a
time.  They are a tiny bird with a
peculiar upturned tail.  We watched
  their mad dash to secure their nest despite our noise and
presence.


I noticed about a month ago the male and female birds again
visiting our patio and became accustomed to their song. 
“Teakettle, Teakettle”. 
 On an interesting side
note, only the male sings. Then, lo
and behold I saw the female bird enter the nest I had thought long
abandoned.  One day I peered into
  the nest and there she was just minding her own business. 
She was not thrilled with my curiosity.  I thought well now I had surely
frightened her away.


Several weeks later I peered into the nest to see one fragile
baby bird whose heart looked like it was beating right out of its chest.  I had not seen the parents feeding any
babies so I assumed it was the only one and would probably die. 



I grieved at the thought but consoled myself that Mother Nature
knows what can survive and what cannot.   I noticed every time I came out on the
patio or let our cat out,  the male
bird would sound a loud alarm.  His
neck would puff up and his whole body was engaged in the never ending screech as
long as we were present.


Then, one fine beautiful afternoon as I looked out my window a
tiny baby chick was perched, well, teetering,  on the edge of the nest. 
I excitedly told Mark the chick had survived after all. 



Five plump, healthy chicks emerged one by one.  That
first afternoon they couldn’t even stand up with any strength and their small
wings seemed glued to their sides. Their tails looked like one or two stubby
feathers.  But
mama and daddy hovered over each chick as they tried to move, preen their small
wings and flutter for maneuverability. 
After several hours of this activity all five retreated to their nest for
a night of recuperation.


At first light the family was at it again. 
Mama fed each chick as they struggled to gain their independence.   The chicks flew into our windows, fell
as they tried to hop with assurance, and flap their inadequate wings.  But slowly and surely the wings dried
out and short trips of flight became evident. The baby chicks would cuddle together,
and then fly back to the nest to recover. 
They experimented with the bird bath and which plant or limb that would
hold their weight or where they could perch without
falling.


The next few days one by one they flew away. 
Only one was left and we thought the parents had left him but they stayed
until he gained his confidence to fly.  



Jesus told us of God’s provision for the birds in Matthew
6:26.  However, the birds did their
part, they prepared the nest in a secure location, were persistent in its
  construction, and parented their brood with skill and provision which resulted
  in successful flight training for the chicks. All the while, daddy bird was singing a
song.  I believe a song of praise
for his creator which continually reassured and encouraged his
brood.


It entered my mind that if God can give birds with the brains
the size of a pea those kind of nurturing instincts, how much much more has he
given us!!


 
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Kairos Prison Ministry

3/28/2012

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I have just completed a weekend (March 22-25) at Mark Luttrell Correctional Center in Memphis, TN.  I have worked in this ministry since 2000 on nine separate weekends and from its inception at this location, serving as lay rector on weekend number fifteen.  I am delighted to say this ministry continues to grow, change, and perfect it's service to the inmate population and maturing of the outside team participants.  If you have any interest in or feel the Lord is asking you to serve in prison ministry this structure is an excellent place to start. 

It requires time, training, commitment and obedience to the format espoused by the International Kairos structure that has been proven for many years to be successful.  The Kairos mission statement: To share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women, and youth, as well as their families, to become loving and productive citizens of their communities.   Check out the web site - www.kpmi.org.
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Prayer Partners

7/24/2011

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When you ask the Lord for a prayer partner  and He provides one you are blessed indeed!  You become supernaturally bonded for life.  You are closer than sisters.  The trust level and answers to prayer are astounding.  Your sister in Christ will always led you back to the Lord in dependence on Him.  The joy and excitement of sharing immediate and strong witness of answered prayer is addictive.  And the encouragement of someone that values relationship with God as much as you  comforts in a way nothing else can.

Recently my unforgiveness of an individual would have caused damage in a close relationship, but my prayer partner pointed out my need for control, which was not of God.  She saved me from a bad mistake!  At the time my flesh (ego) didn't want to acknowledge the sin, but my trust in her advice resulted in action that pleased the Lord and I have experienced many advantages from surrender to His will!  I thank God for her wisdom and honesty.

My prayer partner for four years moved, but she returned for a visit last week and it was like we just picked up where we left off!  There is no time or distance in prayer and the pleasure of "catching up" and praying together was awesome.  If you never have I encourage you to ask the Lord for such a partner!

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Encouragement for New Writers

5/13/2011

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First time writers need help and encouragement.  I have attended Collierville Christian Writers group at the Collierville Methodist Church four times and have been kindly and gently prodded onward!  These seasoned and professional writers share their knowledge  with God given motivation.  They have experienced the pit falls of writing  and publishing and are more than willing to help others.   The Christian comradery is comforting and essential to prevent discouragement and just plain giving up on your destiny to write what the Lord has given you!  The Lord never communicated that following Him would be easy!  However, He does provide exactly what you need to succeed if you reach out for it!  Visit www.ccwriters.wordpress.com.
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National Day of Prayer

5/5/2011

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The unity in and focus on prayer makes this a powerful national day of prayer.  Every day should be a day of prayer for believing Christians.  Go to http://faithinmemphis.com published by David Waters of the Commercial Appeal to read "more of the story".  I appreciate the opportunity to express my faith!  Thanks again, David! 
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The Cross

4/20/2011

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In Sunday School our Pastor showed us God's consistent character in a light I had not considered before.  In Jesus' time death by crucifixion was the most horrendous, painful, humiliating and drawn out execution on earth.  The symbol of a cross was terrifying, hopeless, and the end of everything.

Now, it is joy, help, and the beginning of eternal life.  It is the only event that washes away sin in the past, the present, and in the future.  It allows God to see us through the blood of Christ as the perfect creation he had in mind when he spoke the world into existence!

It is the ultimate understanding of Genesis 50:20, "But as for you, ye thought  evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."



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Visiting Churches

4/11/2011

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    Mark and I visited a new church yesterday.  We didn't know a soul.  We are searching for the presence of God, His wisdom, encouragement, love, etc.  It was a small church and at least twelve people greeted us and several conversed with us at  length.   We could discern that Holy Spirit sparkle and joy in the eyes of several individuals.    A Sunday school teacher invited us to attend his class and to join him for lunch.  We were greeted by the pastor and enjoyed a sermon delivered with love and humility.  The music was geared to praise and worship with the congregation participating freely.  The concluding prayer and anointing was led by the senior pastor who humbled himself before our Lord.  We were impressed with the simplicity, sincere hearts, and humble attitudes of all present.  We knew the Lord was honored and glorified!   
    In defense of mega- churches with thousands of members and several services it is sometimes difficult to know who is new and who is not.  But the strength of these churches is their small groups where people know and pray for each other.  We praise God for Christian fellowship.
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Being Present at the Shooting of a Promotion for a Play or Prehaps a New Movie!

3/27/2011

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    I went to four different locations where scenes from "Woods End", author Alexandra Clair were being shot.  I now have a totally new perspectve on what it takes to film just a few scenes much less a whole movie.  The nuances of sound, light, performances, visual effects, etc.  are staggering.  The sensitive equipment, manpower, and time are expensive in every sense of the word.  I will never look at a commercial, television show, or movie the same again!   Check out Alex's link on this web site.  The making of Christian movies is a new and exciting genre!
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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.

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