NEW LIFE

Thinking about spring. Sitting in my office today, the sun is shining but the breeze is cold. I love spring. When new life pops through the ground once again bringing to life all that was dead. I love to work in my garden outside digging in the mud getting dirty, nurturing my plants. I can’t wait. Winter can be so dreary and cold which sometimes allows for good rest. 

I ran across this quote, “Autumn arrives in the early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day.”-Elizabeth Bowen.

What new life are you excited for this spring? I look forward to women coming into our Redeemed program, so they can start their journey to a new life, I look forward to sitting on my porch reading a new book, starting a new Bible study, possibly looking into getting a new furry friend for the family, new baseball and soccer seasons with the grandsons, camping and travel experiences. All new things coming back to life.

Jesus also brings new life! A few of my favorite ‘new life’     versus: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1 (ESV)

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Watching and being a part of change in people continues to blow us away daily—watching transformation happen to men, women, children, only by the grace of God. Thank you Lord!

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” - Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Enjoy this song called "All Things New" by Big Daddy Weave. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_2aX_i4qpM

In January we shared our words from the Lord for ourselves. We were also asked to pray about a word from the Lord for our ministries.

Redeemed Home’s word for 2021 is “ROOTED” - established deeply and firmly.

For the staff & volunteers of Redeemed Home 

Jeremiah 17:7-8 - But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

For the residents and graduates of Redeemed Home

Ephesians 3: 17b-18 - And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

The Ministry word that I believe God gave me for our guys in our LIT Houses and the inmates I visit in the Justice Center is: “HOPE”

“But in your heart honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the HOPE that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

Men’s & Jail Ministry with Jim...

We have a LIT meeting on Sunday’s that all the residents of all the houses are required to attend and others that aren’t in our program come even after they graduate.  It’s a special time of sharing how God is moving in their lives even if they just relapsed and have to start over.  Satan is constantly on the offensive (as we all know) pushing all the buttons that he knows will trip us up.  The accountability that they have amongst each other is PRICELESS!  When you have 25-30 guys in a circle sharing deep intimate struggles,  IT GETS REAL..REAL FAST!!  It’s a special opportunity when you see a new face, invited by a resident, and he’s not sure what to share. I try to reach out to him afterwards to connect, hoping he’ll want to meet up and develop a relationship which could lead to him possibly getting into the house and on his way to recovery, to start or deepen his relationship with Christ! 

It was starting to get a little overwhelming trying to keep up with all the visits and who I was meeting with and what we talked about and court dates etc.  God put on the heart of another BLOC staff member, Tim, to be a part of the jail   ministry as well!  Thank you Lord!  He has to go with me for now because he doesn’t yet have the proper credentials but he’s able to visit other inmates and show them God loves them and someone else is out here praying for them and sharing the HOPE that we have in a risen Savior!!

 God is SO FAITHFUL!!!

As God brings more men to us that need Jesus, we are in need of more donations so that I can buy and ship bibles inside the jail and send emails to others that are in the state prisons, (it costs money to send emails to prison inmates. Ex: Bibles have to be bought & shipped through amazon directly to the jails or $5 could get me 15 emails). Thanks so much for considering helping to spread the Good News inside the prison walls!

Three men from the LIT House were baptized this past Sunday. If you're on facebook you'll want to see this: https://www.facebook.com/TheLitMovement/posts/2970301086586541

Redeemed Home update from Karen…

Family. Sisterhood. Those are words used by our residents about each other. The bonds formed are lasting. They love and care for each other. They encourage each other through their hard days and celebrate every day victories!

We are currently studying “The Armor of God” by Priscilla Shirer. Teaching and learning together how each part of God’s Armor is vital for our protection, defensive and   offense. Powerful Tuesdays. Tuesdays are evenings we eat together as family, share praises and prayers and spend time with God. Truly a blessing and the best night of our week. Where relationships and trust are built.  

Congratulations to resident, Christine!  She entered phase 2, which is a phase where you can find a part-time job. Another step to building a new life! Christine was hired by Refresh Collective (formerly, BLOC Screen Print) for 30 hours a week. Chris has worked here during her phase 1 job-training and did such a great job and loved it, they were able to hire her as a permanent Production Assistant for Screen Print & Embroidery. We are so honored to walk along side her!

SNOW DAY! Helping out around the house gives our residents a sense of ownership & belonging. They each have chores assigned to them, but they tend to help each other out!  That’s what family does!  Plus some fun in the snow too!

Continued needs for Redeemed:  Ongoing needs @ Redeemed are simple every day things like toilet paper, paper towels, Clorox wipes, laundry soap, dryer sheets, hand soap, zip lock baggies (gallon and sandwich), Lysol spray and cleaning products, tampons, socks and ladies underwear (sizes 6 - 10). 

 

We can not thank you enough for INVESTING in us and in the Price Hills community. These men and women need you just as much as they need us!  We are here because of your generosity and prayers!

We would LOVE to give you a tour of our ministries and of BLOC Ministries—as there is much to see! Just email, text or call us anytime to set up a tour!

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. Colossians 1:3 

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 

 BE A BLESSING TO SOMEONE TODAY! :)