Redeemed

re·deem   /rɪˈdim/ Show Spelled[ri-deem]
–verb (used with object)

1.to buy or pay off; clear by payment: to redeem a mortgage.
2.to buy back, as after a tax sale or a mortgage foreclosure.
3.to recover (something pledged or mortgaged) by payment or other satisfaction: to redeem a pawned watch.
4.to exchange (bonds, trading stamps, etc.) for money or goods.
5.to convert (paper money) into specie.
6.to discharge or fulfill (a pledge, promise, etc.).
7.to make up for; make amends for; offset (some fault, shortcoming, etc.): His bravery redeemed his youthful idleness.
8.to obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, by paying a ransom.
9.Theology. to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.

As we come closer to Resurrection Sunday, I have been reflecting on the work on the cross and what that exactly means.

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit" 1 Peter 3:18

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53: 5-6

If you remember back when God told the children of Israel to build an altar for the Lord and to make sacrifices for their sins, you'll see that this was an act of mercy. Using a sacrificial lamb or bull, the priests would be able to offer them to God to cleanse them of their wrong-doing. Only the priests would be able to go into the Holy of Holies to make this sacrifice, lest they die being fallen in the presence of a Holy God. When Jesus offered up Himself, once and for all, for the sins of the world, He made it possible for us to be able to enter the Holy of Holies, so to speak, and become righteous, through His sin-less and righteous life.

We belong to Jesus and when we sin, we take ourselves away from Him and His presence. But when He died for us, He redeemed us. He 'bought' us back by the shedding of His blood. We are held ransom by our sin, we are held captive, but the work on the cross by God Himself, releases us from our shackles. We are set free from the power of sin and death. Praise God He had/has a plan. He did all the work and we have been redeemed!

Spring Fever

The first weekend of spring was just wonderful and I am starting to get the fever. Playing outside with my husband, gardening, spring cleaning, and frankly, just not wearing my winter jacket is getting me very excited! As usual, I have lots of things I'd like to accomplish and this weekend I start that long list. One being planting my garden.


I have done very little gardening in the past and not had good experience with keeping plants alive :( but I hope to change all that. Have you ever heard of the West ladies or Homestead Blessings? I just discovered them and their down home instructional videos. My dream is to be just as skilled and knowledgeable of all things domestic and beautiful. For now I will watch their videos and make 'baby steps' towards that!


Living in an apartment it is difficult to have a real garden, but the West ladies taught me about a little thing called 'Lasagna Gardening'. In lasagna gardening, you don't need to have a big tilled ground, all you need is cardboard, leaves, straw and composted dirt. Like when preparing the dish, this gardening technique allows you to layer the various "ingredients" and then start planting. I have a perfect spot picked out for my lasagna garden and I am looking forward to starting on it this weekend!

these are a few of my favorite things..

*Christian music- There is nothing like cranking up your christian tunes and praising God!

*The classics of black and white movies and TV- Who doesn't love The Andy Griffith Show with all of Barney's funny antics? Or Holiday Inn with Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby's cute songs and dances?

*Free time to craft beautiful things- 'nuf said

*Spending time in God's word- The greatest story ever told becomes new every time I pick it up. His wisdom and love jump off the page and change me.

*Being goofy with my husband- He is my best buddy, my teacher & my favorite comedian. Seriously, he makes me crack up!



"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

Keep Your Chin Up

I think it's so easy to become depressed, whiny, debbie downers in the fallen state we are in. We only think about ourselves, our needs, and wonder why we aren't getting our way. I can't tell you how many times selfishness can rear it's ugly head and enter my life. But God and His word has a way of kicking those thoughts right out of my head.

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18

What's interesting is that you see it in the bible too! Before I was a christian, I thought the bible was a nice book about holy people living good lives, but it is filled with stories of people with the same problem as me: sin.

They say pride is the greatest sin because it is the root of all other sins, the gateway sin if you will. In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote that "it is pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began."

The battle is for the mind. Whoever controls the thoughts, controls you. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood. And 'as a man thinketh, so is he.' Proverbs 23:7

Our negative emotions have a huge impact on us and those around us. It changes our heart and the way we see the world. But if we read God's word and spend time praising Him for our countless blessings everyday, your joy will start to show.

I love how all my personal bible study time, our Sunday sermons & whatever else I read or hear all seems to dovetail together and teach me His amazing truths. God is there leading me and guiding me through His word!

One such example of this is as follows. I have a CD of the radio ministry 'Revive Our Hearts' titled "Lessons from the life of Joshua." What a blessing those teachings have been to me. I have learned so much from them and grown, it's unbelievable, but that's a story for another time. In one particular lesson, Nancy Leigh Demoss explained that as Joshua was nearing the end of his life that he wanted to teach the children of Israel to rely on the Lord, wholeheartedly. He wanted them to see how richly God had blessed them. The way he did this was by reciting or recounting to them the particular blessings and mercy He showed to them. Joshua went on to ask the people to name this day who they would serve. He made a call to action to these people. I really appreciated that. He doesn't want them to just say they believe, but really rely on Him; Choose this day whom you will serve. I've shared this in a previous post, but I can't stress it again; it is vital that we make this decision and give thanks to God for all that He has done!

That very next Sunday our Pastor's sermon was a call to action to recount the great blessings the Lord has done in our lives. We have been going through the book of Deuteronomy chapter 8 when the Children of Israel reached the promised land and it is there where we begin to enter a dangerous place. We begin to think it was us and our power that got us where we are today.

“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the LORD your God." Deuteronomy 8:11-20

The call to action to start a journal or scrapbook to remember God's blessings and His work in our lives is an essential one. When we forget about God and the work He has done in our lives, that this ugly sin called pride comes in. "Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves." Psalm 100:3 It was and is Jesus who did and has done everything for us. "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:4 Jesus carries our burdens, our sins.

I am so excited to take this challenge to create a notebook of His workings in my life. God IS faithful with His promises. If we will but keep our chin up and remember that we have a God in heaven looking out for us, helping us with our issues and loving us despite said issues. Praise His holy name for His faithful presence in my life!

Junktabulous Weekend

This weekend was a huge success. Mom and I were 3 and 4 in this LONG line of ladies waiting to look at all the junktabulous goodies at the awesome vintage inspired flea market. Since we were within the first 30 people, we got goodie bags with charm bracelet and all. We even got our photo taken with our stash. What a better place for a Mother-Daughter date!? We needed some good bonding time together and this was too much fun!

Mmm, great catering and the vendors sure put a lot of work into their products and displays. We can't wait until the next 'Come Junk With Us' event!

Looking for a good time?!

I have to say I am looking forward to the coming weeks and months because of some very fun events coming to my neck of the woods. And did I mention all of them are less than $10 or less to attend?

*Come Junk With Us, a vintage inspired flea market, with lots of fabulous finds, goody bags for first 30 people and door prizes every hour. My Mom and I are SO excited for this one!

*Informational & always interesting, Michael Medved, Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute will be discussing his new book ($10 plus an assortment of wine and cheese will be served :) )

*Ever heard of Mercy Me? The David Crowder Band? Francesca Battistelli? Well these 3 and more will be performing a concert for get this, only $10!! Ten dollars, can you believe it?

Can it get any better than that?! I think not!

Lovely Spring Inspiration