Well, hello there!  It’s been a while, hasn’t it?  For those who don’t know (or can’t remember), late 2012 this blog went quiet.  Very quiet.  In fact, it went away!  My reasons were, on the whole, practical.  The ever-constant tension between duty and time had escalated so that it was apparent the time for blogging was “not now” — maybe never. So, in the spirit of Ecclesiastes 3:1, I removed Heavenly Springs from the Web to focus on home and hearth, ministry, and work responsibilities.  Removing the blog felt extreme, but it had to be.  A peek here, a peek there, and before you know it  — well, you remember the movie. “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”  So, I folded up my little corner of the internet, tucked it away in a safe place, and pretty much avoided the neighborhood.  Now, a little over a year and a half, guess what?  “I’m back!”  

I’m still not sure how it’s going to work.  That tension I described hasn’t gone away.  But, the sum and substance is that I really want to be here.  So, for now, I’m going to manage expectations (not yours, mine!) and aim for one blog post per week.  Anything more is gravy.  I hope to make Heavenly Springs a profitable place by posting on subjects like Church history, Reformation theology, Christian biography, maybe even some Revolutionary War history, book reviews, and of course, an occasional recipe.

Before I go, there are two people who need to be acknowledged.  They are Louis & Melissa Tullo.  The very talented (and pregnant!) Melissa designed the blog; a busy (but always gracious) Louis managed the technical stuff on the back-end. Theirs was a labor of love and they made sure I knew that every step of the way.  And last, but certainly not least, a special thanks to my beloved husband whose persistent encouragement always cheers my heart and motivates me onward.

So, there you have it, friends!  I’m back with you on the blogosphere!

Hello Friends!

Christina here with a quick post to let you know the kitchen here at Heavenly Springs will be closed for a season.  Fall is just around the corner and I’ve got to start paying attention to what’s coming down the pipeline.  The young women’s ministry will resume its regular track in September. We spent the summer getting to know our girls and building relationships.  Now we are ready to resume our Bible studies.  Our next meeting will be September 21st and the message will be, “What is the Gospel?” In addition, I am preparing a 4-part teaching series on the Reformed doctrine of “Justification By Faith” for the women’s Bible study. That will start November 3rd. I’m very excited but clearly I’ve got my work cut out for me.

While I haven’t made a final decision regarding the Women of the Reformation series, I’m strongly leaning towards not doing it. As you know, hosting an online series can be a tremendous amount of behind the scenes work. My hope was to make it an annual event but I’m glad I always prefaced that with “Lord willing” because right now —  well, I just don’t think He’s willing. I believe wisdom dictates we sit this year out.  We can revisit the possibility again next year. The Legacy Series is a permanent fixture here and I hope to have a few posts to share upon my return.

And finally, I’m a little overdue for some serious house cleaning. In case you are wondering, I intend to start with this wretched old heart of mine.  I’m afraid that can’t wait much longer — if ya know what I mean.  🙂

Oh, I almost forgot.  There is one more item I’d like to make you aware of before I take my leave.  On September 1st, a new group blog will launch called, Out of the Ordinary.  You can “like” them here on Facebook, too. For a  little taste of what you can expect from this joint venture, listen to this:

We are six ordinary women who are bound first and foremost by a common faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In addition to this, we are bound by a common love for sound theology and a desire to live out that sound theology in our ordinary lives as we serve our extraordinary God.

Sound good?  I think so too!

So, that’s it for now. If you need me, you know how to reach me! See you soon!

Christina

to Alabama!

First stop, Anniston. Second stop, Birmingham.  Last stop Muscle Shoals. Actually our flight is not until tomorrow morning but I’ve got quite a few boxes to check-off on my “To Do” list today!

We don’t own laptops so there will be little to no blogging for me!

In the meantime, a few noteworthy items:

• Persis at Tried with Fire is giving away 2 copies of John Flavel’s, The Mystery of Providence.  You can enter here. Winners will be picked on February 23rd so there is still plenty of time to enter and spread the word.  My prayer for this giveaway is that I win.  : )

• Becky at Daily on my Way to Heavenhas two posts that every woman, married or not, will appreciate:
  • The first post is a collection of 15 Marriage Admonitions written by Leigh Richmond. As you will see, each admonition prominently declares the spirit of Christ. I printed and bookmarked this page.  Read and you will see why.
  • The second post is Gift Wrap Prayers for your Husband in which she shares an excerpt from Prayers of an Excellent Wife by Andrew Case. This is a much better alternative to the more popular Power of a Praying Wife.

• Hollie at Freckles and Faith is giving away a copy of Through the Year with Martin Luther: A Selection of Sermons Celebrating the Feasts and Seasons of the Christian Year. You can enter here.  You have until February 17th so there is still plenty of time to enter and spread the word.

• Trisha (one of the most graceful women I know) at A Multitude of Mercies is giving away a copy of Michael Haykin’s, The Christian Lover:  The Sweetness of Love and Marriage in the Letters of Believers. You can enter here. She will pick a winner on February 16th.

• Petra at Penned Pebbles is blessing everyone with her poetry lately.  Her godly expressions are nothing short of elegant and beautiful.  You can read a couple here and here.

• Anthony Russo at Throw Away Everything is starting to post some of his sermons.  Anthony’s blog has quickly become one of my favorites.  Please take a moment to visit and you will see why!

• This recipe for Pink Lady Cake looks amazing.  If anyone decides to take a shot at it, please let me know how it turns out!

That’s it for now — and, quite possibly for a while!  Love and blessings to everyone!

Your sister in Christ!

Heavenly Springs will be taking a two-week hiatus — actually, I’ll be breaking from “most” things technology in order to devote my energies towards other responsibilities at hand.

If you need to reach me you can email me at christinalangella@me.com. Otherwise, I will see you sometime during the first week of October!

Until then Soli deo Gloria!