Process of creative life

What do you see, hear, smell, taste, digest?

What happens when you watch, listen, breathe, eat and drink?

What do you gain by experiencing God’s blessings for life?

Freedom to live now and eternally with our Creator, is for us through the means of grace! Because the Son of God was born, lived and died as a human, yet didn’t think and act poorly like we do, Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. He felt rejection, every type of suffering, death on the cross and was raised from His grave. We must endure consequences of our own and the failings of others; yet, the faith humbly repents and receives forgiveness which frees from guilt, shame and death because He substituted Himself for us. He desires and prays for us that we Trust the Word—creation, virgin birth, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension of our Savior for us. We’re free to receive the redemption and rescue He earned for us! Learn more. 

Fireworks on the Fourth of July

At the turning point of my fireworks-watching Independence Day walk to/in a 164-acre park along the shore of Lake Waconia, I shot a video (by accident) near the launch pad. This image I pulled out of the video, I used as inspiration for an art class. Turn on sound for the full effect (below). Pray: merciful God, bless America, open our eyes, ears, hearts and draw us near to You.

Video of fireworks with audio

Watercolor resist canvas painting of fireworks

Carver County Library in Waconia, Minnesota, offered a class titled Watercolor Resist Canvas Painting. 11x14" medium canvas texture panel primed with acid-free acrylic gesso, using rubber cement masking fluid and watercolor. Each student was free to choose their own subject and style.

Watercolor painting of fireworks on paper

As part of the creative process, I also painted in conventional manner on 9x12" paper.

Explore the wholeness of mind, body and spirit.

As human creatures of creation, opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit’s creation of the faith in Christ is given for us by water and God’s Word. Our freedom either rejects or receives the faith—this creative process designed for us to live fully. Church members receive power given for us in bread, wine and Word as often as possible. Though undeserved, life-saving benefits of receiving the Word-body-blood of Jesus are for us to hold and cherish. Grasping God’s gifts makes possible

• wisdom
• guidance
• strength to resist temptation
• guard heart from evil
• humility to forgive others and
  receive forgiveness
• sustenance
• encouragement
• contentment
  
• rescue from everlasting death (hell)
• gratitude to share Good News which supplies everlasting life (heaven)

We can’t make up our minds to grasp any of these blessings on our own; nor can we set our own theories about what’s truth and what’s false. Gifts of the faith are for us. We don’t deserve anything according to God’s standard of perfection. He lovingly gives sense(s) for us to receive mercy.  Truth (Scripture) reveals failures and provides faith, hope and well-defined love.  

Portals of Prayer for Personal and Family Devotions includes a daily selection of Scripture, short story and prayer. It can lead to further research in additional commentary, references and prayers such as this snippet I found:

“The Lord’s judgements on the nations will certainly be fulfilled. This includes His judgements about you and your family. Thanks be to God, our judge declares us “not guilty” on account of Christ. His sure Word of the Gospel saves us and makes us a new creation. • Lord, create in me respect for Your judgements and love for Your Book, which records my salvation through Jesus. Fulfill this Word of mercy for me and my family. Amen.”—The Lutheran Study Bible on Isaiah 34

Ever since the first sin, plenty of deceivers mislead people into dangers of wandering into ways of the world. It’s vitally important to hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Truth. A daily devotion titled, “A New Sola” speaks of this. I’m thankful for resources and pray you find a church that clings to Truth, so you may learn about receiving all of our Creator’s gifts for His beloved children.

Have you, God’s loved one, received freedom from sin—forgiven life—as the Bible tells us so? 

How do you express your deep joy and gratitude for the peace our Creator provides in Christ?

Good ideas to repurpose

Want to learn how to organize accessories?

 

Where are your scarves, caps, mittens and boots?

 

How fast can you find what you’re looking for?

A variety of outerwear can be easily accessible. Here’s a fun way to stop wasting time searching through a plethora of pieces ideal for every temperature and type of precipitation.

Artist trading card ATC front.

Artist trading card front, microwave oven rack, ATC size 2.5 x 3.5 inches

 

What’s the rack in new microwaves for?

In olden days, metal wasn’t permitted in microwaves, so I didn’t feel up to experimentation with the rack in my new microwave and I tucked it away. Have you ever thrown something out, then shortly after, thought of a great way you could have used it? I often challenge myself to innovate salvaged items; eventually, I repurposed it!

Artist trading card ATC back.

Title of the piece: Repurposed Rack • Media used: pencil, watercolor, Sharpies on natural parchment style paper • Date created: 2.8.2025 • Artist name and signature: Elizabeth Knaus • Group or swap information: good ideas • Artist contact info (website, email, etc.): freshretrogallery

I’m thankful for God-given gifts, creativity and good ideas.

Though undeserved, the Holy Spirit gives important inspiration provided for all sinful people to have mercy in Christ who died to save us. When the faith is received in baptism, comfort is taken by living in daily remembrance of this Power which inspires digging into God’s Word as well as being absolved and strengthened by participating in the Church as often as possible. Pray with me,

Grant us a faith that perseveres until the end, O Lord. Move us by Your Spirit, that our good works continually glorify You and benefit our neighbors. Amen. —The Lutheran Study Bible (Matthew 25)

Surprisingly fun inspiration pops into my head, too, like how to repurpose a piece of junk. Communication is a healthy part of relating, so when I feel gratefully nudged, I’ll share what runs through my mind, whether it be important for eternal life, or simple organization ideas. Thankful for opportunities to do so, I pray my words and illustrations are helpful, considerate and generous.

Scarf organization on the inside of coat closet door.

A bandana creates cushion tied on a wreath hook, shown on the opened door of coat closet. Upon that, a vintage wooden pant hanger holds a repurposed microwave oven rack. All is hung to organize a variety of winter scarves, plus a neoprene face mask designed for cold weather.

The microwave rack makes a way to easily organize scarves.

The coat closet door microwave rack organizer works great for quick scarf picks which easily pull through the rail slots. On the floor, wire racks found at a thrift shop work well to stack boots.

Marked with a masking tape label “shelf for microwave” so no one needs to wonder what the rack was originally designed for.

Clear bags make caps and mittens easy to find.

Caps and mittens in clear bags tied to hanger in closet.

This homemade closet organizer’s helpful features: 

• clear
• compact
• moveable
• hangs at convenient height to dig into
• inexpensive
  

The repurposed strong plastic bags shown originally contained mailing tube end caps for FreshRetroGallery Family Tree charts for descendants as well as ancestry of children and ancestry of couples available at Etsy and Amazon. You’re always welcome to browse my shops! I hope the things I offer serve a purpose for you or bring you meaningful inspiration. 

 

freshretrogallery

freshretrogallery

Learn more and shop prompts and ATC papers

 

Index of Bible book posts

Good ideas to upcycle

What’s too good to toss?

 

What do you do with leftovers?

 

Which new ways are best?

Upcycling is a word for making something new out of an item that might otherwise be thrown away. 

Artist trading card ATC: What is too good to toss?

For example, you don’t need to waste the tiny chunks leftover in the powdery mixture at the bottom of a jar of honey-roasted peanuts if you save it to season popcorn. First, add melted butter for its rich, creamy, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness, then, sprinkle the honey roasted peanut leftovers and shake to mix. Sweet-salty snack seasonings are worth keeping! Finally, any kernels that refused to pop are tossed in the trash.  

Back side of artist trading card

Title of the piece: upcycle • Media used: marker and gel pen on natural parchment style paper • Date created: 1.10.2025 • Artist name and signature: Elizabeth Knaus • Group or swap information: good ideas • Artist contact info (website, email, etc.): freshretrogallery

Discern what to receive, keep, and toss away.

If you’re creative, you might keep tools, save materials, design and create things that benefit others. You enjoy the process as well as the result of sharing. 

The Creator of the universe renews His creatures and upcycles the whole creation.

Opportunities and unique abilities are designed for us by our Creator. God carries us in the faith—a gift in Holy Baptism which identifies people as His beloved children. Guided by the Holy Spirit, equipped to walk in the newness of life, the one who receives the faith in Christ is provided brilliant wisdom that comes by hearing God’s Word.

This powerful spiritual gift supplies a grace-filled gratitude that generates production of gentle, loving, good and beneficial work. Sinners are saved from their deserved destiny hell when, by the faith, they grasp the authority of Christ, His innocent arms spread at the cross for us to remove sin. Certain hope comforts all who rest in the knowledge that one day, Jesus will return to gather his brothers and sisters into an upcycled perfect new creation absent of sin and sorrow!

The Word endures forever to cover this temporary earthly disaster. 

Since the Heavenly Father hates sin and cares about us, He traded, lowered, His Only Son to redeem us. Jesus willingly humbled Himself, died for us and rose from the grave to cover us as the Only Way everyone desperately needs in order to please God. Everyone rejecting Truth will die eternally; yet people who do receive Christ’s power for the blessing of repentance can’t be condemned and will also be raised from the grave.

The Spirit reveals and guides in Truth, reminding us to flee evil—get rid of selfishness, pride, arrogance, rudeness and idols. Because everyone fails in many ways, Jesus cleared the path. Thankfully, God doesn’t require that we rely on government, science, knowledge, what we own, feel, decide, do or create to accomplish anything according to His purpose which is to move and keep us depending on the work of Christ. 

The Counselor carries people through thick and thin.

Spoken Word and Sacraments give and refill the faith. In these, we eagerly grasp opportunities to confess alongside other people within the Church, consume the Word (His body and blood in-with-under bread and wine) and hear the comfort of absolute forgiveness. Being recharged regularly with Scripture’s promise of salvation by grace in Christ, depending on His mercy, releases frustrations—both personal, plus that which results from sins inflicted upon us. The faith is fed and strengthened to fight against the devil’s temptations. By grace, we are released from the weakness of fallen human nature that would rather waste, ignore, twist, abuse, reject and toss God’s gifts away. The Light redirects focus away from self accomplishment and greed, to humbly trust the work of Jesus for forgiveness and peace.

We don’t realize all the ways.

Childbirth, good days, times of wandering, difficult seasons, death—God compassionately works in and through His baptized children for good, benefit of others, and protection. The Lord’s gentleness, kindness, patience, peace, love, goodness, faithfulness, joy and self-control are gifts of life to hold firmly. Gratitude of the Good News in Christ who finished the saving work for us is ours to generously share.

Do you have questions or are you looking for such a place of spiritual growth? Locate a congregation near you.

Artist trading card ATC examples.

Are you wondering what to create, how to trade, what to put on the back of artist trading cards or what size to make them? Learn more about ATCs at FreshRetroGallery.

Front and back of artist trading card, size 2.5 by 3.5 inch, What is too good to toss? upcycle; good ideas

What size are artist trading cards? 2.5x3.5"

 

Thanks for reading the FreshRetroGallery blog.

Welcome to browse!

FreshRetroGallery shops are at

• Etsy
• Amazon