Repurposed with Purpose

            November usually begins with the falling of leaves and acorns to the ground. For those of us living in the American South, the falling of leaves and acorns is usually quickly followed by the mowing up of those leaves and acorns. The squirrels barely get a chance to take a bite. So what do you do with the acorns you're going to mow up in a few days? Repurpose them, of course! You could do this in a lot of ways. You could turn them into a garland. You could pick them up and put them in a squirrel or bird feeder. Or you could turn them into coffee table art. The internet is ablaze with beautifully painted acorns.       Many people paint intricate designs on them. In contrast, some people simply paint them bird's egg blue. Whatever you decide to do with them, they can brighten your day. I have a simple gold leaf plate that they now adorn. The dish was made by Betty, but I have seen many similar ones. You may have a squirrel ...

      As Halloween approaches, many Christians will look for ways to redeem the season by proclaiming Jesus's victory over sin and darkness. The "Pumpkin Prayer" is one such tool. I did not write this prayer. It is a tool written by an unknown author. Using the "Pumpkin Prayer" in your church event is a great way to teach children and adults how to share Jesus's light in the darkest times. Each line in the prayer features an action to do with a pumpkin. Those actions are in parentheses. Also, note that one may demonstrate the truths found in the "Pumpkin Prayer" by using a complete Jack' o Lantern rather than performing each task in real-time. The prayer is reprinted below.  The Pumpkin Prayer Author Uknown Dear God... Open my mind so I can learn about you. (Cut the top of the pumpkin.) Take all my sins and forgive the wrong that I do. (Clean out the inside.) Open my eyes so that your love I will see. (Cut out the eyes.) I'm sorry for the t...

    For hundreds of years, Christians debated whether or not to celebrate Halloween. Halloween possesses well-documented pagan roots. It started out as the Celtic Festival, Samhain. It was believed to be the day when the dead could walk among the living. Thus, much was done on Samhain to appease evil spirits. It also consisted of bonfires and human sacrifices to false idols. From a Christian perspective, Halloween does not look suitable. God does not condone worshipping idols or murdering people. In fact, to do so violates two of the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:3, 13). Consistent with the repurposing theme of our blog, the early Christians transformed the holiday. Instead of worshipping darkness, the early Christians proclaimed Jesus's victory over Satan. Instead of fearing the terrors of the night, the Christians declared God's victory over them all.      According to Roman Catholic theology, "All Hallows Eve" was a day to pray for those souls who recently depar...

     Welcome to Repurposed with a Purpose . This blog helps you refine your purpose in life by teaching you how to transform unwanted items into beautiful folk art. Taking inspiration from Romans 8:29, we believe that all people have an end goal in life. God created us to be molded and shaped into the image of God, the Son.       "For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters" Romans 8:29, NLV. God made us humans to be transformed into Jesus's image. After all, Jesus is the Father's only Son. He is God, the Son. He possesses the nature of the Father and the Holy Spirit. God is three persons with one character.        We are all on a journey to become or not become like Jesus Christ. If we accept Jesus's death on the cross for our sins and confess that he died and rose from the grave for us, we are on our way to becoming more li...