Wake up call for us all!
Good morning; and isn't it good to be loved by Our God?
Blessings to you and may He shine all glory on you this morning!
~~~~~~
Last night I watched television with my husband and I almost left the room a couple times because some stuff is almost too much to hear; but, we must stay tuned in and aware about what is happening all around us and happening very quickly.
Nothing is new.....it has all been happening for probably more than a hundred years; but, we are coming to the wind up; and the spring is ready to snap!
After a dose of the news.....FOX; by the way is the only news we watch and listen to....then Hannity, then we watched and listened to The Conspiracy. It was a drop open the mouth time and some what un-real. I would lean towards someone having to many drugs and having their brain cells fried if not for footage that showed things happening and the people had their faces seen. Faces that most of us know and have seen many times. Clintons for some and obama was there too.
Plans to depopulate from the over 7 million people down to 5 million. A real Holocaust and done through the foods and meds that we take. One being that H1N1 nasal and vaccine garbage.
Not only are we to be affected and taken out this way...."THE CULLING PROCESS"; but also through poisons in the foods. They will take the lives of us that are already weakened in the immune systems; and the plan is to add ingredients that will sterilize. Crop dusting, lab made illnesses...and the list just went on...
Have you shook your head yet; or perhaps are saying..."OH MY GOD!"? I did both last night. Then I prayed and asked God to intervene once again for all that is happening.Whether we believe it in ourselves or not, the evidence is seen and also are the signs all showing.
I sometimes feel like we are in a room with a really horrifying movie on and the television won't turn off.
The truth of the matter is~~~~it is happening; it is not a movie; it is not a dream.....it is reality and one that we better be ready for.
The good news?
Jesus loves us and as our God He promises that He will never give us more than we can handle. I believe Him and I more than trust Him. He never promised that we would never have to go through trials and some tribulation; but, He does promise that we will not go through the GREAT TRIBULATION.
Folks, it is time for us to receive the wake up call and draw ever near to Our Savior. Without Him how will we ever make it through?
This coming New Year I will be concentrating on them that want to walk close to The Lord. Them that have a real desire to make Heaven their home and Jesus their Lord, them that have a real desire to know Him. There is no more time to keep trying to convince true heathens. They do not want to serve Him and they only want to try and undo what God has done in others lives. They are cold and among the walking dead.
There are so many lost that are seeking and I want to be real to them. To lead them to the Fountain of God; leave them at His feet and look for others that are thirsty and hungry. I pray that God leads me and gives me all the courage and things needed to go out and do the work that is set before me.
Will you deny your selves and follow His lead also? We are needed now and the cry of the lost and dying world is waiting.
To Him be all the glory for the things that happen according to His way. In Jesus name!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Nifty little house hold helps
Niffty little helps
Thinking about painting; but, just are not looking forward to all the mess? Try this and see if it helps....Take a rubber band and place around the can....from the bottom to the top; then just run your roller past it or the brush and it works just like the professional paint drippers do.
~~~~
How about standing on a ladder with nails in your mouth so that you don't have to crawl up and down for more? Try this....attach a magnet to the top of the ladder and the nails will stay there until they are needed.
~~~~
I love my candles; but I do get a little uptight when they drip all over what ever they have in reach; so try this.....place the candles in the freezer, that ought to remind you where they are when the lights go out too; but, best of all....they do not drip.
Another nifty little trick.....soak the candles over night in salt water and when you need them....they won't drip.
~~~~
Hate that old plunger or snake? Try this....
1/2 c. of baking soda
1/2 c. of vinegar
after 1/2 an hour, dump a pan of boiling water down the sink, tub.
Not all clogs can end with a happy slurp...you might have to plunge or call the plumber.
~~~~
Tired of all the plastic grocery bags?
Bottle them.
Cut the bottom off from the 2 liter
cram all the plastic bags in and just pull one out of the neck when you need it.
Attach the bottle to an area where you want to keep it; or use a string through the top like a bucket and hang it some where.
You can also make a nice cover to go over it.
~~~~
Smelly and dull garbage disposal?
Throw a tray of ice cubes in it and a citris fruit.
It gets all the built up grime and smell off from it.
~~~~
Dull scissors?Take a piece of tin foil, fold it in about 5 times....length wise and cut into the tin foil about 20 times. It works!
Thinking about painting; but, just are not looking forward to all the mess? Try this and see if it helps....Take a rubber band and place around the can....from the bottom to the top; then just run your roller past it or the brush and it works just like the professional paint drippers do.
~~~~
How about standing on a ladder with nails in your mouth so that you don't have to crawl up and down for more? Try this....attach a magnet to the top of the ladder and the nails will stay there until they are needed.
~~~~
I love my candles; but I do get a little uptight when they drip all over what ever they have in reach; so try this.....place the candles in the freezer, that ought to remind you where they are when the lights go out too; but, best of all....they do not drip.
Another nifty little trick.....soak the candles over night in salt water and when you need them....they won't drip.
~~~~
Hate that old plunger or snake? Try this....
1/2 c. of baking soda
1/2 c. of vinegar
after 1/2 an hour, dump a pan of boiling water down the sink, tub.
Not all clogs can end with a happy slurp...you might have to plunge or call the plumber.
~~~~
Tired of all the plastic grocery bags?
Bottle them.
Cut the bottom off from the 2 liter
cram all the plastic bags in and just pull one out of the neck when you need it.
Attach the bottle to an area where you want to keep it; or use a string through the top like a bucket and hang it some where.
You can also make a nice cover to go over it.
~~~~
Smelly and dull garbage disposal?
Throw a tray of ice cubes in it and a citris fruit.
It gets all the built up grime and smell off from it.
~~~~
Dull scissors?Take a piece of tin foil, fold it in about 5 times....length wise and cut into the tin foil about 20 times. It works!
Will barry finally have too? Let's see what Judge Carter does.
Judge Orders Early Discovery In Obama “Natural Born” Lawsuit
Judge David Carter, Central District of California, has ordered early discovery in a lawsuit questioning Barack Obama’s eligibility to hold the office based on his “natural born” citizenship status.
The issue of early discovery means Obama’s lawyers must produce documents, including his hospital records, birth certificate, name of doctor, and all of the signatures, proving his natural born status within 30 days.
Here is a copy of the court records ordering discovery.
The exact line for the order for discovery can be found at the top of page 2 in the document. The answer is between #1 through #4 and reads:
Unless there is a likelihood that upon motion by a Party the Court would order that any or all discovery is premature, the Court encourages the parties to begin discovery before the Scheduling Conference.
The order for discovery gets the evidence and prepares it as exhibits for the court date.
Current Hawaiian governor Linda Lingle, a Republican, sealed access to Obama’s birth certificate last October, effectively barring anyone but Obama himself from obtaining a copy.
Lawyer Orly Taitz, who is leading the suit, ecstatically proclaimed she can have Obama out of office in 30 days at a recent Tea Party rally:
Posted in Defeat Obama Central.
Tagged with David Carter, early discovery, Natural born citizen, Obama, Orly Taitz.
103 comments
By NewsGuy – September 15, 2009
Judge David Carter, Central District of California, has ordered early discovery in a lawsuit questioning Barack Obama’s eligibility to hold the office based on his “natural born” citizenship status.
The issue of early discovery means Obama’s lawyers must produce documents, including his hospital records, birth certificate, name of doctor, and all of the signatures, proving his natural born status within 30 days.
Here is a copy of the court records ordering discovery.
The exact line for the order for discovery can be found at the top of page 2 in the document. The answer is between #1 through #4 and reads:
Unless there is a likelihood that upon motion by a Party the Court would order that any or all discovery is premature, the Court encourages the parties to begin discovery before the Scheduling Conference.
The order for discovery gets the evidence and prepares it as exhibits for the court date.
Current Hawaiian governor Linda Lingle, a Republican, sealed access to Obama’s birth certificate last October, effectively barring anyone but Obama himself from obtaining a copy.
Lawyer Orly Taitz, who is leading the suit, ecstatically proclaimed she can have Obama out of office in 30 days at a recent Tea Party rally:
Posted in Defeat Obama Central.
Tagged with David Carter, early discovery, Natural born citizen, Obama, Orly Taitz.
103 comments
By NewsGuy – September 15, 2009
MENTALLY RETARDED ARE RUNNING THIS GOVERNMENT
The mentally retarded are in the leadership of this government!
If that is not politically correct enough for anyone; GET OVER IT!!!
My husband had the news going at 6 AM and what was the first thing I had to hear?
That the moron that got on the airplane.....known to be associated with the creep that shot up the military base recently, both known for terrorism....how in the hell did he get on the airplane????
UHH GEEE, UHHH DUHHHHH; seems to be the only thing coming from the big boys and girls that are in that department of the government and last but not least...monkey ass obama is wanting a full investigation to see how it happened. AGAIN!!!!!
This little twerp carried a bomb making explosive powder onto the plane in his underpants!
But, by all means....someone that is on a list as a known terrorist; should definitely be able to get on an airplane. No problem at all.
Hmmmmmmmm.....a man and woman made it in to a closed party at the White House,
before that there were several government men and women that made it into a government building, went into a public restroom and there they assembled a bomb. No one came to see why they were there and what they were up to, a psychologist that clearly had shown that he was warped was just transferred; and there he shot and killed military personal....the list just keeps going on and on.
Mentally retarded is all that there is to say to all of it.
If that is not politically correct enough for anyone; GET OVER IT!!!
My husband had the news going at 6 AM and what was the first thing I had to hear?
That the moron that got on the airplane.....known to be associated with the creep that shot up the military base recently, both known for terrorism....how in the hell did he get on the airplane????
UHH GEEE, UHHH DUHHHHH; seems to be the only thing coming from the big boys and girls that are in that department of the government and last but not least...monkey ass obama is wanting a full investigation to see how it happened. AGAIN!!!!!
This little twerp carried a bomb making explosive powder onto the plane in his underpants!
But, by all means....someone that is on a list as a known terrorist; should definitely be able to get on an airplane. No problem at all.
Hmmmmmmmm.....a man and woman made it in to a closed party at the White House,
before that there were several government men and women that made it into a government building, went into a public restroom and there they assembled a bomb. No one came to see why they were there and what they were up to, a psychologist that clearly had shown that he was warped was just transferred; and there he shot and killed military personal....the list just keeps going on and on.
Mentally retarded is all that there is to say to all of it.
Friday, December 25, 2009
forget the electric heating pads when you have this....
Forget the electric heating pads and the sock like rice packs you toss in the micro-wave when you can heat a rock or two. I started doing this when we first had a woodstove....like 34 years ago and now do it again that we are out here in the boonies. I just have flat rocks on my woodstove and they are forever hot when needed. Out here we lose the electricity a lot and I have to have my heating for my back....I started tossing them in my Granddaughter's bed before she would climb in; and now she does it on her own. Her Poppi's (Grandpa) socks and the rocks.
They hold the heat for a long time and we can depend on them when ever.
They hold the heat for a long time and we can depend on them when ever.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
IT IS DIET TIME~~~BIG TIME!!!!
OH I AM HEADING TOWARDS A SUPER DIET!!!
WOW!!!!
That is about all I can say!
I had my husband go get my nurse uniforms, scrubs and other clothes that I wore to work 5 years ago before i got hurt so that I could mail them to one of our girls that is a CNA now. I totally got depressed when I pulled the clothes out of the box to wash them. It probably didn't help that while I was staring at them in disbelief that my husband pops out with..."where did that skinny girl go!"
I held them up to myself and then with still disbelief...I said, "that is it! If you want goodies and all kinds of junk, then eat it in your truck!"
I am still trying to get it into my head that those clothes I wore 5 years ago are mine. Size 14-16 and now I wear a sz. 24.
So, I will enjoy the remainder of this year, I will eat the Christmas cookies, drink a hot buttered rum and share the candies and hot cocoas and then on the 1st of January...it is on!!! I have been on diets and some work...some do not. The one that I am going to go on and stay with it for the 1st 50 pounds will be the Atkins diet. That one is a good one and I lose fat and lose it fast.Then I will switch to Ally and mostly fruits and vegs. By that time my stomach and mind will find themselves again and I will stay on a well-balanced diet. Hoping and praying that by the following December 2010; I will be back into at least a 16.
Goodness!!! Surprizing how fast and easy it is to gain weight and as many pictures that we tear up, how many cakes we throw out to the chickens and dogs, how many times we scream and throw a pair of pants across a room, or open the door...screaming that the scale is a rotten liar...it doesn't change the fact that we are just FAT!!!!
My excuses are running out.
1st I was hurt and not mobile for 2 years.
2nd I deserved to pamper my self.
There are no 3rds and so ons......what is on is a major diet starting January 1st.
WOW!!!!
That is about all I can say!
I had my husband go get my nurse uniforms, scrubs and other clothes that I wore to work 5 years ago before i got hurt so that I could mail them to one of our girls that is a CNA now. I totally got depressed when I pulled the clothes out of the box to wash them. It probably didn't help that while I was staring at them in disbelief that my husband pops out with..."where did that skinny girl go!"
I held them up to myself and then with still disbelief...I said, "that is it! If you want goodies and all kinds of junk, then eat it in your truck!"
I am still trying to get it into my head that those clothes I wore 5 years ago are mine. Size 14-16 and now I wear a sz. 24.
So, I will enjoy the remainder of this year, I will eat the Christmas cookies, drink a hot buttered rum and share the candies and hot cocoas and then on the 1st of January...it is on!!! I have been on diets and some work...some do not. The one that I am going to go on and stay with it for the 1st 50 pounds will be the Atkins diet. That one is a good one and I lose fat and lose it fast.Then I will switch to Ally and mostly fruits and vegs. By that time my stomach and mind will find themselves again and I will stay on a well-balanced diet. Hoping and praying that by the following December 2010; I will be back into at least a 16.
Goodness!!! Surprizing how fast and easy it is to gain weight and as many pictures that we tear up, how many cakes we throw out to the chickens and dogs, how many times we scream and throw a pair of pants across a room, or open the door...screaming that the scale is a rotten liar...it doesn't change the fact that we are just FAT!!!!
My excuses are running out.
1st I was hurt and not mobile for 2 years.
2nd I deserved to pamper my self.
There are no 3rds and so ons......what is on is a major diet starting January 1st.
What do you think about these? I will have mine fnished by the middle of January.
I will make the curtains for the 2 windows near the fire place and the blanket for the rocking chair.
Both are made with denim material and mine will have more blue and gray than these do.
I do mine all hand stiched for a couple reasons~~It exercises my hand that I have problems with and it helps by being comforting; plus they just look nicer when they are hand done.
This will be the first curtains that I have had in our little cabin in the 4 years we have lived here. Not that we didn't have any; but, because it kept me from seeing what was happening all around us; and at night it is eautiful with the moon and the stars.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Gone With The Wind
No matter how many times I watch this movie...Gone with the wind...it is just as good.
To me it shows how selfishness gets us nothing; and messing people over to get ahead for our selves is a waste of time; and it still never brings happiness to the soul. Scarolette was a horrible woman and continued to stay in love with someone else's husband. When she had no man, no husband, no child......where did she return too? The place she came from. I believe if there were to be a sequel....she would still be just as nasty and ruthless. After 3 marriages, widowed 2 times, lost their little girl....she still had learned nothing.
Then the wife showed her compassion even knowing how she felt about her husband. On her death bed, she asked Scarlette to take care of her baby and ...yes....her husband.
The movie just shows that it is not how long we live our lives; it is how we live the life we have.
Scarlette will always be the woman that was a shrew and {{right now I can't remember the wife's name}}; but, she died trying to bring new life into the world because she loved her family. She showed forgiveness towards someone that hated her and would have taken her husband in a split second if she could have.
To me it shows how selfishness gets us nothing; and messing people over to get ahead for our selves is a waste of time; and it still never brings happiness to the soul. Scarolette was a horrible woman and continued to stay in love with someone else's husband. When she had no man, no husband, no child......where did she return too? The place she came from. I believe if there were to be a sequel....she would still be just as nasty and ruthless. After 3 marriages, widowed 2 times, lost their little girl....she still had learned nothing.
Then the wife showed her compassion even knowing how she felt about her husband. On her death bed, she asked Scarlette to take care of her baby and ...yes....her husband.
The movie just shows that it is not how long we live our lives; it is how we live the life we have.
Scarlette will always be the woman that was a shrew and {{right now I can't remember the wife's name}}; but, she died trying to bring new life into the world because she loved her family. She showed forgiveness towards someone that hated her and would have taken her husband in a split second if she could have.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
This is our tree for Christmas
I know she doesn't look very Christmas dressed yet; but she will.
I just don't want to cut one of our trees down for Christmas; so we will use one that I rescued from among the spalt piles and replanted in hopes that they would survive. I will deck her out on the 23rd with mini clear lights and pink rose garlands. I will probably put a bulap bag around her base and container pot, or maybe even a crazy quilt with Christmas colors. Then on the 27th I will take off al her jewelery and hope that the heat from the lights don't traumatize her.
I could also go far enough on the 16 acres and cut down some tree; but, I just don't want to kill one for my joy.
After we are all done with her; I will have Adam haul her down to the end of the property where we have the trailer and have him plant her.
I thought about using the little fake one that I have used for the past 4 years because the cabin is so small; but, I like the smell of the trees; so she will be getting her dressing pretty soon. She will be pretty and we will enjoy it for a couple days. I will enjoy all my trees that are growing so nicely in a couple of years.The end property will be all ready for someone to live there again by Spring. Flowers and trees everywhere, a nice patio and a picnic area with a little picket fence and a garden spot.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Cedar bolts for shingles
Cedar Bolts
OK so this is what we do for our living. Well my husband does and then I just tag along and do what I do best...save and use every scrap and piece. Why not? Waste not , want not!
He is such a perfectionist and he never sends out product unless it looks exactally like he would want something that he bought to be like; and that is why he is so wonderful...
However, he was throwing away a lot of shingles. So me being the dollar squeezer that I can be, started pulling them off the conveyer and stacking them. When he asked what I was going to do with "the garbage"; I smiled and said..."sell them for undergrade." Of course he smiled and then said.."that will never happen and it is a waste of time." Was I wounded? NOPE!
I bundled them and what was not even good enough to consider a #3 or #4, I made into kindling and burning bundles. After there was enough for a small pick-up load....I told him.."let's head to town." He loaded them and laughed. I loaded up the rescue puppies and took them in also so that I could find them homes.
After he unloaded the cedar bundles and me with the puppies, I told him that I would call him before the last one sold so that he could come and get me.
He hadn't been gone for more than 15 minutes and every bundle was sold. All 16 of them and I collected names for when more came.
How is that for a woman not knowing what she is talking about?
When he turned around to come and see if it really happened; he left this time with a smile and a pocket of cash!
I have been doing this now for 2 years and it is nice to see that all of his labors get rewarded. Of course a dinner out for me is nice too! I did work hard after all...LOL.
The bundles sell for $15.00 each and the kindling and wood packs go for $3.50 and $4.
I also sell cedar shavings by the garbage bag full for dog and cat bedding. I use tons of it for the dog kennels.
Nothing gets wasted at the mill.
CORN COB JELLY
Corn cob jelly
An unusual, yet very tasty jelly can be made from ordinary corn cobs. Yep, plain ol’ corncobs! This jelly has a beautiful reddish color and passed the ultimate taste test—my kids. A good friend gave me this recipe which I immediately came home and tried.
12-14 red corn cobs
6 cups sugar
2 pkgs. Sure-Jell
Start by gathering a few dozen red corn cobs. Most field corn varieties have red cobs. I’m not sure if the red cobs do anything for the flavor, but they do add the nice red color to the finished jelly. I went out just hours behind the corn picker and gathered up a good supply. Ask around about gleaning. A lot of farmers and workers allow you to go and gather what they have just left behind. Heck! Offer them some home-made jellies.
Simple fixins for corn cob jelly
Take a dozen or so of the cobs and break them into thirds. Put the pieces into a large pot and cover with water. It should take about 9-10 cups of water. Cover the pot and boil for 30 minutes. While the cobs are a-cooking, get your jars and lids ready. After that time, drain and strain the liquid through a cloth, such as an old tee shirt.
Take 6 cups of the liquid and put back on the heat. Bring to a boil and
add 2 packages of Sure-Jell. Next,
gradually add 6 cups of sugar.
Return the pot to a boil, stirring to prevent sticking or scorching. Boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and ladle into the clean and ready jars. Snugly apply the lids, cover the filled jars with a towel and allow them to self-seal. This recipe makes about 5 pints.
An unusual, yet very tasty jelly can be made from ordinary corn cobs. Yep, plain ol’ corncobs! This jelly has a beautiful reddish color and passed the ultimate taste test—my kids. A good friend gave me this recipe which I immediately came home and tried.
12-14 red corn cobs
6 cups sugar
2 pkgs. Sure-Jell
Start by gathering a few dozen red corn cobs. Most field corn varieties have red cobs. I’m not sure if the red cobs do anything for the flavor, but they do add the nice red color to the finished jelly. I went out just hours behind the corn picker and gathered up a good supply. Ask around about gleaning. A lot of farmers and workers allow you to go and gather what they have just left behind. Heck! Offer them some home-made jellies.
Simple fixins for corn cob jelly
Take a dozen or so of the cobs and break them into thirds. Put the pieces into a large pot and cover with water. It should take about 9-10 cups of water. Cover the pot and boil for 30 minutes. While the cobs are a-cooking, get your jars and lids ready. After that time, drain and strain the liquid through a cloth, such as an old tee shirt.
Take 6 cups of the liquid and put back on the heat. Bring to a boil and
add 2 packages of Sure-Jell. Next,
gradually add 6 cups of sugar.
Return the pot to a boil, stirring to prevent sticking or scorching. Boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and ladle into the clean and ready jars. Snugly apply the lids, cover the filled jars with a towel and allow them to self-seal. This recipe makes about 5 pints.
Rose Hip tea and other goodies
Now a lot of us have the wild roses all over our property and they are so pretty and fragrant during the Spring and Summer; beautiful to look at when they are all in bloom. But, do you use the hips when the rose is all done for the year? 
Vitamin C-rich rose hips can be found in dried form in most health food stores, but why not gather your own? You’ll save money and you’ll know where they came from and the conditions in which they grew. Furthermore, you’ll be adding to your own self-sufficiency by locating and gathering a nutrient-dense food source to nourish yourself and your family.
In spring they produce lovely pink blossoms. As the petals fade, a green hip, or hypanthium, begins to swell at each blossom’s base. From mid-September into October when they are fully red and ripe, and before frost tinges their foliage with autumn color making the hips harder to see, I gather bagfuls for making soup, wine, syrup, jelly, and tea.
Most wild roses will have four- or five-petal blossoms that are either white, yellow, or pink. Five-petal pink blossoms cover the wild roses in my area in spring.
If you live, as I do, in a temperature zone that’s too cold to grow citrus fruit, rose hips are an excellent alternative food source of Vitamin C. All roses are edible, but we are most familiar with the rose’s tasty cousins—fruits such as plums, apples, blackberries, and raspberries—all of which have small, rose-like white or pink flowers before setting fruit. A rose hip is merely the fruit of the rose plant.
Unlike their popular fruiting cousins, rose hips don’t have much flesh beneath their skins. Instead, they are filled with tiny seeds covered with silky hairs. The skin of the hip, often tasting like an apple, is where most of the food value and nutrition lies.
Vitamin C-rich rose hips can be found in dried form in most health food stores, but why not gather your own? You’ll save money and you’ll know where they came from and the conditions in which they grew. Furthermore, you’ll be adding to your own self-sufficiency by locating and gathering a nutrient-dense food source to nourish yourself and your family.
In spring they produce lovely pink blossoms. As the petals fade, a green hip, or hypanthium, begins to swell at each blossom’s base. From mid-September into October when they are fully red and ripe, and before frost tinges their foliage with autumn color making the hips harder to see, I gather bagfuls for making soup, wine, syrup, jelly, and tea.
Most wild roses will have four- or five-petal blossoms that are either white, yellow, or pink. Five-petal pink blossoms cover the wild roses in my area in spring.
If you live, as I do, in a temperature zone that’s too cold to grow citrus fruit, rose hips are an excellent alternative food source of Vitamin C. All roses are edible, but we are most familiar with the rose’s tasty cousins—fruits such as plums, apples, blackberries, and raspberries—all of which have small, rose-like white or pink flowers before setting fruit. A rose hip is merely the fruit of the rose plant.
Unlike their popular fruiting cousins, rose hips don’t have much flesh beneath their skins. Instead, they are filled with tiny seeds covered with silky hairs. The skin of the hip, often tasting like an apple, is where most of the food value and nutrition lies.
Nutritional powerhouses
Known mostly for beauty in the garden and as a floral declaration of love, roses don’t usually come to mind when we think of either food or nutrition. Yet, all parts of the rose, and especially the hips, are storehouses of Vitamin C and other important nutrients.
Compare the nutritional content of oranges to rose hips and you will find that rose hips contain 25 percent more iron, 20 to 40 percent more Vitamin C (depending upon variety), 25 times the Vitamin A, and 28 percent more calcium.
Dry rose hips on an old cookie sheet for a couple of weeks until completely dry. When ready to store, they should be darker than their fresh counterparts, hard, and semi-wrinkley.
In addition, rose hips are a rich source of bioflavanoids, pectin, Vitamin E, selenium, manganese, and the B-complex vitamins. Rose hips also contain trace amounts of magnesium, potassium, sulfur and silicon.
Known mostly for beauty in the garden and as a floral declaration of love, roses don’t usually come to mind when we think of either food or nutrition. Yet, all parts of the rose, and especially the hips, are storehouses of Vitamin C and other important nutrients.
Compare the nutritional content of oranges to rose hips and you will find that rose hips contain 25 percent more iron, 20 to 40 percent more Vitamin C (depending upon variety), 25 times the Vitamin A, and 28 percent more calcium.
Dry rose hips on an old cookie sheet for a couple of weeks until completely dry. When ready to store, they should be darker than their fresh counterparts, hard, and semi-wrinkley.
In addition, rose hips are a rich source of bioflavanoids, pectin, Vitamin E, selenium, manganese, and the B-complex vitamins. Rose hips also contain trace amounts of magnesium, potassium, sulfur and silicon.
Finding and gathering rose hips
Wild roses grow throughout the world. There are literally thousands of varieties worldwide and most have been part of the human diet.
Rose hip tea is a tasty, nutritious beverage that can be made from fresh or dried hips. This cup was made from freshly gathered wild rose hips.
Many enthusiastic gardeners never see the development of colorful hips because as soon as blossoms fade they are snipped off to tidy up the garden. Blossoms must be left on the plant to naturally fade and fall for hips to develop.
The most abundant source of Vitamin C-rich rose hips is from wild hedgerows and thickets. Here hips can be gathered in ample quantities for cooking and storing. As most roses have thorns, gloves are helpful although not essential when gathering hips.
Wild roses grow throughout the world. There are literally thousands of varieties worldwide and most have been part of the human diet.
Rose hip tea is a tasty, nutritious beverage that can be made from fresh or dried hips. This cup was made from freshly gathered wild rose hips.
Many enthusiastic gardeners never see the development of colorful hips because as soon as blossoms fade they are snipped off to tidy up the garden. Blossoms must be left on the plant to naturally fade and fall for hips to develop.
The most abundant source of Vitamin C-rich rose hips is from wild hedgerows and thickets. Here hips can be gathered in ample quantities for cooking and storing. As most roses have thorns, gloves are helpful although not essential when gathering hips.
Rose hips as food
Once you locate your rose hip source there still remains the question of turning them into something we deem not only edible, but tasty too. Rose hips can be made into a variety of appetizing, healthy dishes. Turned into jelly, syrup, and wine, they make delightful gifts.
Rose hips may be used fresh or dried. To dry them, discard any with discoloration then rinse in cold water, pat dry, and spread on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet. It takes a couple of weeks for them to dry. They will be darker in color, hard, and semi-wrinkly. Rub off any stems or remaining blossom ends. Pour them into jars for storage in a dark pantry or cupboard.
One of my favorite ways to use rose hips is to brew them into tea. For tea they may be used fresh or dried. For fresh brewing, steep a tablespoon or two of clean hips in a cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Sweeten with honey and enjoy. To make a tea of dried hips, use only two teaspoons to one cup of boiling water and steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
Once you locate your rose hip source there still remains the question of turning them into something we deem not only edible, but tasty too. Rose hips can be made into a variety of appetizing, healthy dishes. Turned into jelly, syrup, and wine, they make delightful gifts.
Rose hips may be used fresh or dried. To dry them, discard any with discoloration then rinse in cold water, pat dry, and spread on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet. It takes a couple of weeks for them to dry. They will be darker in color, hard, and semi-wrinkly. Rub off any stems or remaining blossom ends. Pour them into jars for storage in a dark pantry or cupboard.
One of my favorite ways to use rose hips is to brew them into tea. For tea they may be used fresh or dried. For fresh brewing, steep a tablespoon or two of clean hips in a cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Sweeten with honey and enjoy. To make a tea of dried hips, use only two teaspoons to one cup of boiling water and steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
My favorite syrup for pancakes, waffles, and vanilla ice cream is made from freshly gathered rose hips. Rinse and pat dry the hips and place them in a saucepan. Barely cover with water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until soft, about 10 to 15 minutes. Cool and strain the mixture, pressing the liquid off the hips gently with the back of a spoon, being careful not to break them open and release the seeds. If this happens, merely strain the seeds out. The resulting liquid may be frozen in batches for future use in soup or jelly, or turned into tasty syrup. The solids left over from straining can be fed to chickens or tossed onto the compost pile.
In late summer, rose hips ripen to bright red and are ready for gathering.
To make rose hip syrup, add one part honey to two parts of the heated, strained liquid. Stir to dissolve the honey and refrigerate. After refrigeration, the syrup will thicken slightly. Rose hip syrup will keep in the refrigerator for about two weeks. Reheat the syrup for use on pancakes and waffles. Use it warm or cold to top vanilla ice cream.
Heated syrup may be canned by pouring it into hot, sterile jars and processing in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. For every 1,000 feet above an elevation of 5,000 feet, add one minute to the processing time.
In late summer, rose hips ripen to bright red and are ready for gathering.
To make rose hip syrup, add one part honey to two parts of the heated, strained liquid. Stir to dissolve the honey and refrigerate. After refrigeration, the syrup will thicken slightly. Rose hip syrup will keep in the refrigerator for about two weeks. Reheat the syrup for use on pancakes and waffles. Use it warm or cold to top vanilla ice cream.
Heated syrup may be canned by pouring it into hot, sterile jars and processing in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. For every 1,000 feet above an elevation of 5,000 feet, add one minute to the processing time.
For a refreshing spring tonic punch, simmer rhubarb in rose hip syrup until soft. Strain and adjust sweetening as needed. Chill, and pour over ice for a refreshing, healthful libation to clear out the winter cobwebs. Add a sprig of fresh spearmint or lemon balm as garnish. Rose hip syrup may be used to sweeten and flavor herbal or black teas, as well.
A favorite dish of the Swedish is rose hip soup. They literally consume rose hips by the tons each year. To make approximately four servings you’ll need:
3 cups of freshly made or thawed unsweetened rose hip liquid
3 cups of freshly made or thawed unsweetened rose hip liquid
2 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. corn starch
4 Tbsp. sour cream or yogurt
as a garnish minced mint
In a saucepan, heat the liquid and add the honey and lemon juice. Remove ½ cup of the heated mixture. Into this, whisk the cornstarch until smooth. Add the cornstarch mixture back into the pan and bring to a high simmer, stirring, until the mixture bubbles and thickens. Add a dollop of sour cream or yogurt to each serving, topping with minced fresh mint, if desired.
In a saucepan, heat the liquid and add the honey and lemon juice. Remove ½ cup of the heated mixture. Into this, whisk the cornstarch until smooth. Add the cornstarch mixture back into the pan and bring to a high simmer, stirring, until the mixture bubbles and thickens. Add a dollop of sour cream or yogurt to each serving, topping with minced fresh mint, if desired.
If you make your own wine, the following recipe for rose hip wine is one of the healthiest and most lovely in color. You’ll need:
After a hard frost, autumn color makes the hips harder to see.
4 pounds of fresh rose hips
After a hard frost, autumn color makes the hips harder to see.
4 pounds of fresh rose hips
3 pounds of sugar
1 gallon boiling water
1 tsp. black tea
1 tsp. baker’s or wine yeast
Rinse and drain the hips. Place them in a primary fermenting vessel such as a clean food-grade plastic bucket that has a tight-fitting lid. Pour in one gallon of boiling water. Add the teaspoon of tea and all the sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Let the mixture sit tightly covered for 24 hours. Add one teaspoon of baker’s or wine yeast and let the mixture ferment for seven days, covered, stirring once per day with a clean spoon.
Strain off the rose hips and pour the liquid into a one-gallon glass jug (an old wine jug works great) and fit with a fermentation lock or balloon. If you use a balloon, be sure to release the gases occasionally or it will burst. Place the jug in a warm spot until fermentation ceases. Siphon (rack) the liquid off of the yeast solids into a clean glass jug and refit with the fermentation lock or balloon.
Racking will usually reactivate fermentation for a short time. When fermentation ceases completely for several weeks, siphon the wine into clean wine bottles. Cork the bottles securely or use wine bottles with screw-on tops and store in a cool spot for six months or longer. There will usually be a glass or two of wine left after bottling. This you can enjoy right away.
Rinse and drain the hips. Place them in a primary fermenting vessel such as a clean food-grade plastic bucket that has a tight-fitting lid. Pour in one gallon of boiling water. Add the teaspoon of tea and all the sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Let the mixture sit tightly covered for 24 hours. Add one teaspoon of baker’s or wine yeast and let the mixture ferment for seven days, covered, stirring once per day with a clean spoon.
Strain off the rose hips and pour the liquid into a one-gallon glass jug (an old wine jug works great) and fit with a fermentation lock or balloon. If you use a balloon, be sure to release the gases occasionally or it will burst. Place the jug in a warm spot until fermentation ceases. Siphon (rack) the liquid off of the yeast solids into a clean glass jug and refit with the fermentation lock or balloon.
Racking will usually reactivate fermentation for a short time. When fermentation ceases completely for several weeks, siphon the wine into clean wine bottles. Cork the bottles securely or use wine bottles with screw-on tops and store in a cool spot for six months or longer. There will usually be a glass or two of wine left after bottling. This you can enjoy right away.
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Precautions
Wherever you gather rose hips, be sure they have not been treated with herbicides or pesticides. If wild roses grow on your property or you gather from your garden roses, you can manage them to your satisfaction.
Wild roses, despite their beauty and usefulness as perimeter plantings, food, and wildlife habitats, are considered by many to be a nuisance. They do spread by suckering, and a single plant will become a thicket eventually. If you have enough property to sustain several thickets where they can grow without interfering with your other operations, you will have an ample source of nutritious hips to nourish yourself and your family throughout the year.
Precautions
Wherever you gather rose hips, be sure they have not been treated with herbicides or pesticides. If wild roses grow on your property or you gather from your garden roses, you can manage them to your satisfaction.
Wild roses, despite their beauty and usefulness as perimeter plantings, food, and wildlife habitats, are considered by many to be a nuisance. They do spread by suckering, and a single plant will become a thicket eventually. If you have enough property to sustain several thickets where they can grow without interfering with your other operations, you will have an ample source of nutritious hips to nourish yourself and your family throughout the year.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
What is a woman to do?
Yep, it is that time of year when all the hidden away cookie sheets and recipe box is hidden way in the back of the cupboard so that we can ignore them for the year. The sweet tooth comes back and we just convince ourselves that ""IN THE UPCOMING NEW YEAR"" we will start back on some diet. I have been looking over what cookies, breads, candies I will do for this year and they all look so inviting...and soooooo very fattening. I decided on the family tradition of nut rolls and then I will add in some of the ones that I have not made for years.
Coconut Pecan Bars ~~ Raspberry strippers ~~ Biscotti~~
Irish Cream Fudge ~~Marshmallow Mud Bars ~~
Toffee ~~ Taffy ~~ Chocolate Snowballs ~~ Gumdrop Bars~~
Lemon Bar Cookies ~~ Oh Henry Cookie Bars........
Then I plan on making the Christmas tea that will probably last me until next year unless I can talk one of the kids into taking some home. I plan on making Adam some eggnog and I won't be tempted by it; because I just can't stand it.
I am assuming that the kids will have other plans this Christmas since they have plans with other relatives and their in-laws. I do plan on sending them packages of the goodies though.
I have some Secret Sisters that might just get some too and perhaps I will fill a goodie box for my sister and her husband. Her birthday is on the 29th. I am just in the mood for baking this year. For the past 5 years I couldn't because of an injury that kept me from lifting anything heavier than a coffee cup. Since te surgery I feel that I can handle trying it again this year. WHAT IS A WOMAN TO DO? Have I convinced myself that pigging out with all the goodies is OK because it is for the sake of the holidays??? OH yea! I am Ok with that...LOL
I haven't had a drink for 25 years and I am so cold that I shocked my husband when I asked him to go into town and get what we needed for a HOT BUTTERED RUM. I made my own mix and it actually turned out wonderful.
MIX:
2 cubes of butter
16 oz. bag of brown sugar
16 oz. bag of confectioners sugar
1 qt. of vanilla ice cream
All that was left to add was 2 T. of rum
& the boing water; 2 T. of mix w/a dash cinnamon/nutmeg.
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then just freeze what you don't use.
With all the snow and ice on the ground....I was so cold when I had to go tend to the animals.
Friday, December 11, 2009
The 12 days of Christmas according to Believers
Be Blessed this CHRISTMAS
On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, recalling the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34)
On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Two Turtle DovesThe Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Three French HensThe Three Theological Virtues: 1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Four Calling BirdsThe Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Five Gold RingsThe first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: 1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Six Geese A-layingThe six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).
On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Seven Swans A-swimmingThe seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Eight Maids A-milkingThe eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)
On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Nine Ladies DancingThe nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control. (Galatians 5:22)
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Ten Lords A-leapingThe ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Eleven Pipers PipingThe eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Twelve Drummers DrummingThe twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
I love this blessing from The Lord
The Lord Bless and Keep You(Numbers 6:22-27)
God had promised Israel during Moses' leadership that one day He would raise up another leader like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). This promise is announced as fulfilled in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus (Acts 3:18-26). Certainly Jesus is like Moses in many respects; for example, as Moses led people out of bondage in Egypt so also Christ Jesus frees us from bondage to sin. Also, Moses chose to leave the luxury of Pharaoh's palace and suffer hardship with his people, and Jesus chose to leave heaven and dwell on earth as a man. But it is important to understand that while there are similarities, there are also great differences. The Book of Hebrews emphasizes some of these differences such as the fact that Moses was God's servant but Jesus is God's Son (Hebrews 3:1-6). Let's consider an event in the life of Moses when the Lord spoke to him and told him to give Aaron, the high priest, some instructions. The text is found in Numbers 6:22-27:
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, "Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:
The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."'So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I shall bless them."
According to Jewish writings, this benediction was quoted daily in the temple as well as in the synagogues. The words of this blessing, given through the mediator Moses, become even richer when we consider them in relationship to our new mediator and leader like Moses, that being Jesus Christ. In the light of the new covenant, which is a better covenant with better promises (Hebrews 8:6) we, as Christians, Born-again Believers, have much to rejoice about!
The Lord's Blessing
"The Lord bless you..." (Numbers 6:24a). The blessings of God, spiritual and physical, ought never to be taken for granted. This benediction recognizes the source of all good things as being God (cf. James 1:17). No doubt the people under Moses' leadership thought of the blessings God had promised them if they would continue to obey Him faithfully. He had promised that "if you will diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments..." that "... all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you." (Deuteronomy 28:1,2).
Then the blessings are described. They would be blessed in city and country; in their offspring and the offspring of their flocks and crops and in protection from their enemies. The Lord would make them "abound in prosperity" (Deuteronomy 28:3-14).
Jesus' blessings for us today emphasize the spiritual rather than the physical. While He gives certain assurances in the physical realm, His sacrifice on the cross had to do with restoring us to spiritual life and giving us spiritual bread and water so we need never hunger or thirst again (John 6:27-35).
Jesus makes a point that the world often overlooks. He could have made it His business to provide physical blessings the way Moses had (vs 31, 32) but Jesus was providing something better. This is because those who emphasize their physical needs and desires over their spiritual needs will only grow hungry again and ultimately perish whether they have something to eat or not. But those who partake of the bread of life will live forever.
The Lord's Keeping"...and keep you." (Numbers 6:24b). The idea of "keep you" is divine protection. In Moses' time, this would refer to protection from hostile invasions and drought and things chiefly of a physical nature. However, again the emphasis shifts in the New Testament and deals more with spiritual protection. One good example of this is the figure of speech that Jesus uses to describe His relationship with His disciples. He is the "Good Shepherd" and we are His sheep. He knows His own, and His own know Him. He lays down His life for his sheep so that they may be protected from the robber or the wolf. His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, and as long as they do, He keeps them safe promising them eternal life (John 10:1-16; 27,28).
The Lord's Shining Face"The Lord make His face shine upon you..." (Numbers 6:25a). The Lord's face is depicted a shining in several places in the Bible. It shines with a tremendous radiant glory, instilling awe in His creatures. We recall how even Moses' face once shined after communicating with the Lord.
However, there is more to it than that. The blessing asks the Lord to make His face "shine upon you." This suggests a pleasure or warmth of association with the Lord. Awareness of God's presence brings comfort to the faithful.
We also recall how Jesus was transfigured in the New Testament. Peter, James and John were awe-struck when the beheld the Lord. The Bible says, "And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light." (Matthew 17:2).
Paul, in encouraging faithful living on the part of Christians and a warning against being lulled back into the world, later wrote "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:14).
The Lord's Graciousness"...And be gracious to you;" (Numbers 6:25b). Certainly God favored the faithful of Moses' era with mercy and blessings. Our God is a God happy to give good things to His children. The nation of Israel never did better than during those times when it was loyal to God. Neither will our own nation, and the same thing applies to individuals.
The supreme example of God's graciousness is not found in the sun or rain or crops or physical prosperity. We thank God for these things; but as wonderful as they are they pale when compared to the favor God bestows upon us through His Son Jesus. It is this inner wealth that is most important; the blessings of spirit which God abundantly gives. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).
The Lord's Countenance"The Lord lift up His countenance upon you..." (Numbers 6:26a). This phrase suggests the opposite of "hiding His face from you" which the Bible also uses (Isaiah 54:6). It suggests His interest as well as His readiness to help. It is a look of approval that the Lord gives to those who live by faith.
The Lord watches His people today as well. Again, it is a look of approval that the Lord gives His people. He knows what we endure for His namesake. He will not forget our work and love (Hebrews 6:10) and will one day welcome the faithful home with the words; "Well done!" It is a wonderful thing to know that the Lord approves of the way we are using our talents, opportunities and lives.
The Lord's Peace"...And give you peace." (Numbers 6:26b). This peace denotes stability and calmness. Isaiah wrote, "The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God, the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock." (Isaiah 26:3,4).
Jesus is our Rock, and gives peace as well. A solid foundation is needed for stability, and there is none sounder than that of the Living Word of God. Jesus promises peace, and since He is the Prince of Peace we can be sure of His promise. In this mad, crazy world, we are sorely in need of this calm assurance and peaceful confidence. Your friends, family and neighbors need it as well. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6,7).
God had promised Israel during Moses' leadership that one day He would raise up another leader like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). This promise is announced as fulfilled in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus (Acts 3:18-26). Certainly Jesus is like Moses in many respects; for example, as Moses led people out of bondage in Egypt so also Christ Jesus frees us from bondage to sin. Also, Moses chose to leave the luxury of Pharaoh's palace and suffer hardship with his people, and Jesus chose to leave heaven and dwell on earth as a man. But it is important to understand that while there are similarities, there are also great differences. The Book of Hebrews emphasizes some of these differences such as the fact that Moses was God's servant but Jesus is God's Son (Hebrews 3:1-6). Let's consider an event in the life of Moses when the Lord spoke to him and told him to give Aaron, the high priest, some instructions. The text is found in Numbers 6:22-27:
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, "Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:
The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."'So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I shall bless them."
According to Jewish writings, this benediction was quoted daily in the temple as well as in the synagogues. The words of this blessing, given through the mediator Moses, become even richer when we consider them in relationship to our new mediator and leader like Moses, that being Jesus Christ. In the light of the new covenant, which is a better covenant with better promises (Hebrews 8:6) we, as Christians, Born-again Believers, have much to rejoice about!
The Lord's Blessing
"The Lord bless you..." (Numbers 6:24a). The blessings of God, spiritual and physical, ought never to be taken for granted. This benediction recognizes the source of all good things as being God (cf. James 1:17). No doubt the people under Moses' leadership thought of the blessings God had promised them if they would continue to obey Him faithfully. He had promised that "if you will diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments..." that "... all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you." (Deuteronomy 28:1,2).
Then the blessings are described. They would be blessed in city and country; in their offspring and the offspring of their flocks and crops and in protection from their enemies. The Lord would make them "abound in prosperity" (Deuteronomy 28:3-14).
Jesus' blessings for us today emphasize the spiritual rather than the physical. While He gives certain assurances in the physical realm, His sacrifice on the cross had to do with restoring us to spiritual life and giving us spiritual bread and water so we need never hunger or thirst again (John 6:27-35).
Jesus makes a point that the world often overlooks. He could have made it His business to provide physical blessings the way Moses had (vs 31, 32) but Jesus was providing something better. This is because those who emphasize their physical needs and desires over their spiritual needs will only grow hungry again and ultimately perish whether they have something to eat or not. But those who partake of the bread of life will live forever.
The Lord's Keeping"...and keep you." (Numbers 6:24b). The idea of "keep you" is divine protection. In Moses' time, this would refer to protection from hostile invasions and drought and things chiefly of a physical nature. However, again the emphasis shifts in the New Testament and deals more with spiritual protection. One good example of this is the figure of speech that Jesus uses to describe His relationship with His disciples. He is the "Good Shepherd" and we are His sheep. He knows His own, and His own know Him. He lays down His life for his sheep so that they may be protected from the robber or the wolf. His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, and as long as they do, He keeps them safe promising them eternal life (John 10:1-16; 27,28).
The Lord's Shining Face"The Lord make His face shine upon you..." (Numbers 6:25a). The Lord's face is depicted a shining in several places in the Bible. It shines with a tremendous radiant glory, instilling awe in His creatures. We recall how even Moses' face once shined after communicating with the Lord.
However, there is more to it than that. The blessing asks the Lord to make His face "shine upon you." This suggests a pleasure or warmth of association with the Lord. Awareness of God's presence brings comfort to the faithful.
We also recall how Jesus was transfigured in the New Testament. Peter, James and John were awe-struck when the beheld the Lord. The Bible says, "And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light." (Matthew 17:2).
Paul, in encouraging faithful living on the part of Christians and a warning against being lulled back into the world, later wrote "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:14).
The Lord's Graciousness"...And be gracious to you;" (Numbers 6:25b). Certainly God favored the faithful of Moses' era with mercy and blessings. Our God is a God happy to give good things to His children. The nation of Israel never did better than during those times when it was loyal to God. Neither will our own nation, and the same thing applies to individuals.
The supreme example of God's graciousness is not found in the sun or rain or crops or physical prosperity. We thank God for these things; but as wonderful as they are they pale when compared to the favor God bestows upon us through His Son Jesus. It is this inner wealth that is most important; the blessings of spirit which God abundantly gives. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).
The Lord's Countenance"The Lord lift up His countenance upon you..." (Numbers 6:26a). This phrase suggests the opposite of "hiding His face from you" which the Bible also uses (Isaiah 54:6). It suggests His interest as well as His readiness to help. It is a look of approval that the Lord gives to those who live by faith.
The Lord watches His people today as well. Again, it is a look of approval that the Lord gives His people. He knows what we endure for His namesake. He will not forget our work and love (Hebrews 6:10) and will one day welcome the faithful home with the words; "Well done!" It is a wonderful thing to know that the Lord approves of the way we are using our talents, opportunities and lives.
The Lord's Peace"...And give you peace." (Numbers 6:26b). This peace denotes stability and calmness. Isaiah wrote, "The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God, the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock." (Isaiah 26:3,4).
Jesus is our Rock, and gives peace as well. A solid foundation is needed for stability, and there is none sounder than that of the Living Word of God. Jesus promises peace, and since He is the Prince of Peace we can be sure of His promise. In this mad, crazy world, we are sorely in need of this calm assurance and peaceful confidence. Your friends, family and neighbors need it as well. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6,7).
Sunday, December 6, 2009
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
hello and Merry Christmas to you!I am not going to be all politically correct and just say Happy Holidays or Season's Greetings. I am going to say what I have always said and that is~~~MERRY CHRISTMAS.
I don't believe that Jesus was born on December 25th; I just know that He was born and that is good enough for me. I also don't buy into the "it is a pagan holiday"; it may have been a pagan holiday and the pagans may still go out and do their demonic garbage; they might even dance naked around a tree and have an orgy; but, to me...it is a day that us as Believers have set aside and call it Jesus's Birthday.
Some other wonderful things have happened in the month of December. I have a Granddaughter that blessed us all on December 24th, 1998, I was born on December 26th, and I have a sister that was born before me on December 29th...we are the same age for 3 days. I also have a baby boy that is in Heaven and waits for us. His name is David Shane Halfmoon and he was taken home to be with the Lord on December 18th.
So~~I will continue to let the light of Christmas shine in our lives in December for it is the season of love and light. It is a time when those that may not see one another for a year all seem to get together and celebrate life. It is a time when hearts are happy and merry~~So, for now I just will forget all the political junk and say God bless each and everyone of you this Christmas season. A wonderfulseaso of the heart.
I think I finally remebered how to get back here!
Hello and somone let me know if I am back on here.
I wrote all of my passwords and info. down so that I would remember how to come back here and I think that I have finally figured it out again. My Granddaughter and husband threw away all the doodled on papers....ummm; hello!; those doodles are my information and my way of remembering and knowing what and where to go once I get back on the internet.
I wrote all of my passwords and info. down so that I would remember how to come back here and I think that I have finally figured it out again. My Granddaughter and husband threw away all the doodled on papers....ummm; hello!; those doodles are my information and my way of remembering and knowing what and where to go once I get back on the internet.
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