Inspiring Quotes By Watchman Nee - God's on Our Journey!

   Quotes inspire us.   They motivate us in unseen ways.  I have two quotes by Watchman Nee framed in my house.  

The first quote is about God leading us to walk a way that leads to hundreds and thousands of conversations that become a memorial between Him and us.  This quote was also put to a tune on Youtube.  









The quote in this frame I received from a friend I stayed with in November.  I had never seen this quote before, and it deeply touched me.   It just spoke comfort into my heart. 


This quote made me think of the Cascade Highway
in Central Oregon.

With another year about to begin, this quote reminds me of the truth that God is in control
of all the small and big events of my life.  It hasn't  been easy for me to always acknowledge that.  And that's probably why it touches me so much that God is actually walking on this path with me.  

I want to see that more this year and not be afraid of what might be around the bend because like this quote says I am grasping God's hands. I feel that God wants me to see Him and know Him  more like that.  Lord, keep my hand in Yours in 2013!

 Other References to books by Watchman Nee or Witness Lee on this blog

 

Watchman Nee

Why God Has to Forgive us   -  The Gospel of God  

Hearing God     Tell Him - The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, Volume 18

 Experiencing the Divine Potter at the Pottery Shop   Worshipping the Ways of God  

Adventures in Handing Out Gospel Tracts - Part 1     How to Distribute Tracts - The Collected Works of Watchman Nee

 

Witness Lee

Did You Know God Has a Biography?   The History of God in His Union with Man

Seeing God's New Testament Economy in the Book of Acts Part 2 of 2      The Economy of God

Note:    You can go to Living Stream Ministry's website and order any books by Watchman Nee or Witness Lee. I have been reading through the New Testament Life-Studies again since July 2011.  Witness Lee spent many years giving a book by book study on all 66 books of the Bible.  You can click on  the Life-Study tab and check out what I've enjoyed from my reading. These Life-Studies are a spiritual treasure store that you can also access on LSM's website!

What are the Three Laws in Romans 7 & 8 All About?

   Understanding Romans 7 and 8 helped me get what was going on inside of me.  When I was a young mother, I met with a believer who tried to persuade me and some others that believers didn't have a sinful nature anymore.  

 Winter frost on my rose bushes

That conversation really became a turning point for me.  I realized that I didn't really know the truth on this subject, and it forced me to talk to others and get into a concordance.  

     I wish I would have known about chapter 37 of the Life Study of Romans back then.  Witness Lee uses the trees in the garden of Eden in Genesis  to illustrate on page 430 the three laws that are inside every believer. 

In the garden of Eden there were two trees--the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life.  In these two trees we see good, evil, and life.  With each of these there is a law: the law of good, the law of evil,  and the law of life.  We are a miniature garden of Eden because the triangular situation involving God, man, and Satan is  now within us.  Furthermore, the law of good,  the law of evil, and the law of life are all in us (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Romans. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1975, Print).  

    Growing up as a Catholic I knew there was a devil, but no  one ever told me that Satan was in the flesh of every fallen man, and that's why there was so much evil in the world.  I liked the clear explanation he gave on this:   The first person is in our soul, which is represented  by our mind...The second person, the satanic person, is in our body, that is, in our flesh.  But praise the Lord that the third person, the divine person, is in our spirit!  As we all know, man is three parts: a spirit, a soul, and a body ((Page 431-432) !  

Because Satan's life is stronger than our soul life, this forces us every day to need to turn to our spirit and touch the Lord's life which is strongest of all these three lives.  We see this in the declaration in Romans 8:2: For the law of the Spirit of life has freed me in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and of death (Recovery Version of the New Testament).  

You can listen to live portions of Witness Lee's sharing on the Life Study of Romans with helpful commentary on the Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. 

Other Blogs on the Life Studies of Romans:

 Why is Romans Called the Gospel of God?
What's the Connection Between Romans 4 and God's Calling of Abraham?
What is Sanctification in the Book of Romans?
Have You seen the Gospel in Romans 8:3?
Seeing God's Sovereignty in Romans 8:28
What Was Man Created For in Romans 9:21?
What is the Focus of Romans 12?
What Does Romans 14 Say About Receiving Believers & Why Does It Matter?
Have You Seen the Practical Church Life in Romans 16?
What are the Three Laws in Romans 7 & 8 All About?
What Does Being Saved in Life Mean in Romans 5:10?
How Do Carnations Illustrate a Believer's Glorification in Romans 8:30?
Why is God's Righteousness the Power of the Gospel in Romans 1:16-17?
From the Life Study of Roman - Why is God Triune?

Gluten Free French Dip Sandwiches

  This year my daughter wanted to make  french dip sandwiches.  I haven't had french dip for over five years,  and so I had to go hunting on the Internet for a gluten free version.  Now I'm sure you realize that when you put in a search you get a lot of results.  

   After  a few quick scans, this one caught my eye from What's For Dinner.  The only thing I did differently was I put in a whole onion, and I think that really made the broth  more flavorful.  This recipe is outstanding.   

GLUTEN FREE FRENCH DIP SANDWICHES

1.  Prepare roast for crock pot:

(1)   Rinse a 3 1/2 -4 pound top round roast.

(2)  Cut off any visible fat and put into a crock pot.

(3)  Dice 1/2 of a sweet onion. (I used the entire onion.)  Put some on the bottom of the pot.

(4)  In a small bowl mix together:  2 beef bouillon cubes or 2 t powdered bouillon, 1 t thyme, 1 t rosemary, and 1 t minced garlic and rub into the roast.

5)  Pour 1/2 cup of Braggs Liquid Aminos  All Purpose Seasoning or gluten free tamari over the meat.

(6)  Put the remaining onion over the top of the roast.

(7)  Add enough water to cover; I used about 2 cups.

2.  Cook roast: The directions say you can cook it on high for 4 hours or on low for 6- 8 hours.  We wanted to make sure the roast was done on time, so we cooked it on high and then brought it down to low for the remainder of the time.  You can always put a meat thermometer in and check it for doneness.

3.  Slice the beef for sandwiches:  My daughter pulled the beef into pieces that could easily go on the rolls she got. I put mine on Udi's bread, and it was perfect.

List of beef recipes on this blog:

Gluten Free French Dip Sandwiches  (An Internet search)
Marilyn's No Peeking Beef Stew    (My mother-in-law's recipe)
My Mom's Amazing Gluten Free Spaghetti  (My mom's fantastic spaghetti)
Fantastic Gluten Free Carne Asada    (An Internet search)
Acapulco Delight - a Mexican Enchilada  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Heritage's Gluten Free Shepherd's Pie  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

A Korean Student Teaches Me How to Make A Bulgogi Rice Bowl

   A few weeks ago I cooked bulgogi rice bowl with a Korean student who recently graduated and  is staying with us for a few months. I've always enjoyed cooking authentic foods with students.

  I got this recipe earlier this summer from a Korean mom's blog called Korean Bapsang.  I hadn't tried it yet, and when Emma and I had made bulgogi earlier this year, the sauce  wasn't quite right.


     Emma told me that usually in Korea the proportion of beef to vegetables is 90% to 10%, so this recipe is showcasing more vegetables than is customary.  So when you make this, you can decrease some of the vegetables if you like.  After tasting some of the broth, Emma  told me the taste of this bulgogi deopbab is very similar to what her family  prepares back home. 

 

Bulgogi Deopbap Rice Bowl - for 6

1.  Prepare beef:  Rinse and thinly slice 1 pound of sirloin. 

 

2.  Prepare marinade: 

(1)   In a small bowl mix 3 T tamari, 2 T water, 1 T sugar, 1 T honey, 1 T rice mirin, 1 T minced garlic, 1 tsp. sesame seeds, and 1/8 tsp. black pepper.

(2)   Pour over the beef.

(3)  Slice 2 green onions by thinly slicing the white bulb and then slice the remainder in 1 1/2" pieces, slice 1/2 of a medium onion into thin slices and stir this into the beef.

(4)  Put in the frig for 30-60 minutes.
 

 

3.  Prepare vegetables:

(1)  Slice 2 carrots into julienne pieces.

(2)  Slice 1 green pepper into thin pieces

(3)  Thinly  slice 1 cup of button mushrooms

(4)  Thinly slice 1/2 of a head of green cabbage

4.  Make sauce:  In a small bowl mix together

(1)  1 cup beef broth or water with beef bouillon

(2)  Stir in 2 tsp. tamari and 2 tsp. sugar.

Note:  You will stir this into the vegetables while stir frying in order to give you more sauce for your rice.  Emma says some people prefer drier bulgogi and some people who serve it over rice like it with more sauce.

5.  Stir fry beef & vegetables:  

(1)  Put 2 T of coconut oil into a large skillet or wok.

(2)  Add the meat along with the marinade.

(3)  Cook meat for about 1 minute.

(4)  Add the vegetables 

(5)  Then add into the pan the desired amount of extra sauce. 

(6)  Stir fry for another 2-3 minutes.

6. Serve: Put a large mound of rice in a bowl and put beef and vegetables with some of the sauce on top.  

 

Other Korean Recipes on this blog:

Bibimbap

Korean BBQ Chicken

Jap-Chae

Grandma Marilyn's Frozen Fruit Salad

    This is my children's favorite salad that their grandmother made for special occasions.   She called it a frozen salad because you actually make a fruit salad of sorts and then freeze it.  She would take it out like it says in the recipe below about fifteen minutes before serving it. She would  put each piece on a lettuce leaf on individual salad plates. 

     It is a special salad, and it still reminds them of those wonderful holiday dinners together with all the cousins.  This year my daughter  wanted to make this salad for her dad.  As I was thinking about her doing this, I realized in so many ways memories come full circle.

Grandma Marilyn's Frozen Fruit Salad

1.  Whip cream - Bowl 1:  In a large bowl put 2 cups of whipping cream and beat until frothy, slowly add 1/4 cup of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

2.  Cream Cheese  - Bowl 2:  In a small bowl beat together 8 oz of softened cream cheese with 1 T of mayonnaise.

3.  Combine:  Add the cream cheese and mayonnaise to the bowl of whipped cream and beat together for a minute or two.

4.  Add fruit, marshmallow  & nuts:  Drain a can of fruit cocktail and stir it into the bowl.  Then add 1 cup of mini marshmallows and 1/2 cup of walnuts.

5.  Put in a 8 x 8 pan and put in the freezer.  Take out 15 minutes before serving.



List of Other Salads on this Blog:

Greens/cabbage:
Make it Yourself Thai Peanut Dressing for Mandarin Salad  (My friend Judi's recipe)
KFC Copycat Cole Slaw   (A friend shared this with me)
Belizean Coleslaw    (From Internet search)
Antioxidant Rich Kale Super Salad  (A copycat from a deli, dressing from Syre School Cookbook)

Main Dish Salads
Gluten Free Chinese Chicken Cabbage Salad   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Baja Salad with Black Beans & Quinoa  (A remake from something I ate at a restaurant)

Mexican Grilled Salmon & Mango Salad   (From a Betty Crocker summer cookbook)
Jackson Square Shrimp Salad   (From my Syre School cookbook)
A Great Way to Make a Main Dish Salad Out of Your Garden Veggies - Nicoise Salmon Salad  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Pasta & Quinoa:
Tasty Gluten Free Pasta Salad  (Something I picked up over 20 years ago!)
Vietnamese Vermicelli Salad Bowls   (From an Internet search)
Michelle's Greek Quinoa Salad   (My foodie daughter's own delicious creation!)
Another Great Salad with Quinoa - Janah's  Original Quinoa, Cranberry & Feta Salad  (a recipe my daughter came up with)
Red Quinoa, Black Bean, & Corn Salad  (A yummy recipe on the Trader Joe's bag of red quinoa)

Vegetable:
Jeremy D's Sensational Greek Salad   (My son-in-law's recipe)

Grandma's Perfect Potato Salad   (My mother-in-law's recipe)
Rose's Refreshing Cucumber Salad   (From a Chinese friend)
A Great BBQ side Salad - Curried Pea Salad  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Dot's Easy Bean Salad  (Recipe from an  83 yr old friend of my father's)

Fruit:
Grandma Marilyn's Frozen Fruit Salad  (My mother-in-law's recipe)

Fantastic Gluten Free Salmon Fettuccine

    I try to cook fish every week, and sometimes I want to find  new ways to cook salmon or cod.  Last week I thought I would make a seafood pasta dish and settled for this salmon fettuccine recipe that I found on Taste of Home. 

 The sauce was delicious.   I only added a few things from another fettuccine  recipe. This is definitely one of those gluten free recipes that everyone told me they couldn't tell was gluten free.

 Gluten Free Salmon Fettuccine - Serves 8

1.  Prepare vegetables:

(1)  Cut 1 zucchini in half and then in half moons

(2)  Slice 1 1/2 cups of button mushrooms

(3)  Dice 2 T onion

(4)  Mince 2 cloves of garlic

(5)  Dice 1/2 cup of tomatoes  (I used diced canned tomatoes)

(6)  Mince 1 T parsley

(7)  Thaw 1/2 - 3/4 cup of peas 

2.  Prepare salmon:  Rinse 1 pound of salmon and cut it into bite sized pieces. 

3.  Prepare noodles:  Cook 14 oz of gluten free fettuccine noodles according to the package. Drain and run cold water over.

4.  Saute vegetables:  While noodles are cooking, put 2 T coconut oil into a skillet and sauté mushrooms, zucchini, onion, and garlic for 3-5 minutes.

5.  Prepare sauce: 

(1)  Into the skillet add 2-3 T of tapioca starch

(2)  Slowly add 1 cup of half and half and 1 1/2 cup of chicken broth (or stir chicken bouillon into water).

(3)  Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute or until thickened. 

(4)  Add the salmon pieces and let them cook a few minutes in the sauce.

(5)  Mix spices in a pinch bowl: 1 1/2 t salt, 3/4 t pepper, 1/4 t basil, 1/4 t oregano, and 1/2 T of Costco's Organic No Salt Seasoning.  Then stir into the sauce.

(6)  Add the sautéed vegetables and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.

(7)  Taste and adjust seasonings.  

(8)  Add drained noodles.  If it needs to be thickened more, add one more tablespoon of tapioca starch, and if it needs a bit more liquid, add a bit more half and half or chicken broth until it's just right.

Other Italian & Greek Pasta Recipes on This Blog:

Italian & Greek Chicken:
Incredible Gluten Free Chicken Souvlaki   (My son-in-law's marinade recipe)
Chicken Cacciatore with Peppers & Mushrooms  (My mother-in-law)
You've Got to Try This Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan!  (From my church cook book, Come & Dine)

Pasta Cassroles:

The Best Gluten Free Lasagna   (From my church Come & Dine cookbook)
Delicious Gluten Free Chicken Tetrazzini     (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)

 Classic Pastas:
My Mom's Splendiferous Gluten Free Spaghetti  (My mother's amazing sauce!)
Ginger's Family Favorite Gluten Free Beef Stroganof   (From my friend Ginger)
Gluten Free Pasta Aioli - Sausage & Vegetable Penne  (From my daughter and son-in-law)
Incredible Gluten Free Pasta Primavera     (Combination of two Internet searches)
Fantastic Gluten Free Salmon Fettucine 
Easy to Make Gluten Free Shrimp Linguini   (From my Syre School Cookbook)

Mac & Cheeses
Fantastic Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese  (Modified from Heritage & Internet search)
Gluten Free Comfort Food - Downright Delicious Gluten Free Tuna Noodle Casserole  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Pizza
Judi's Gluten Free Crazy Crust Pizza -  Spinach, Artichoke & Feta Pizza (From a friend)

Soups:
This is the Best Minestrone Soup!  (From my son's Internet search and tweaking)
Mouth Watering Italian Turkey Sausage Soup   (This is  my friend Debbie's recipe)

Salads:
Tasty Gluten Free Pasta Salad   (I've been making this salad for over 20 years!)
Jeremy D's Sensational Greek Salad  (From my son-in-law who is half Italian)
Michelle's Greek Quinoa Salad   (My daughter came up with this way to use quinoa)

Have You Seen the Practical Church Life in Romans 16?

    I didn't fully understand the ending of the book of Romans until I read chapter 30 of the Life-Study of Romans. This paragraph in the beginning of the chapter on page 355 helped me understand where Paul was coming from:

None of Paul's other epistles has such a long conclusion as does the Letter to the Romans. Why is the conclusion so long? ... However, Paul was wise and deep, knowing that after the section on transformation he still needed to present the ultimate conclusion of God's gospel--the practical church life. Furthermore, he did not write about the church life in a doctrinal way, but in an exceedingly practical way...In Romans 16 the words "church" and "churches" are used five times (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Romans. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1975, Print).  

      All the people listed in chapter 16 were obviously members of the church in Rome. In Acts it is clear that the New Testament believers all simply met as the church in their city. They were simply the called out ones (Greek meaning of the word church) that were meeting in a particular city. This is the way God led these early believers to meet.  From evil, vile sinners in chapter 1, Paul leads us through all the stages of sanctification until we become the church (Page 363-364). 

I have to be honest, without these messages I know I wouldn't have seen the progression in this book nor that its goal is for sinners to become sons for the Body of Christ (Chapter 12) and for the church life (Chapter 16).

You can listen to live portions of Witness Lee's sharing on the Life Study of Romans with helpful commentary on the Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. 

Other Blogs on the Life Studies of Romans:

 Why is Romans Called the Gospel of God?
What's the Connection Between Romans 4 and God's Calling of Abraham?
What is Sanctification in the Book of Romans?
Have You seen the Gospel in Romans 8:3?
Seeing God's Sovereignty in Romans 8:28
What Was Man Created For in Romans 9:21?
What is the Focus of Romans 12?
What Does Romans 14 Say About Receiving Believers & Why Does It Matter?
Have You Seen the Practical Church Life in Romans 16?
What are the Three Laws in Romans 7 & 8 All About?
What Does Being Saved in Life Mean in Romans 5:10?
How Do Carnations Illustrate a Believer's Glorification in Romans 8:30?
Why is God's Righteousness the Power of the Gospel in Romans 1:16-17?
From the Life Study of Roman - Why is God Triune?

Rachel Ray's Pumpkin Spice Waffles - Made Gluten Free & Dairy Free!

    In our family waffles are a big deal. Maybe it's because they're so labor intensive, I usually make them for special occasions. Whenever they show up on the breakfast table everyone's excited. 

  When I was searching about a month ago for a gingerbread recipe, I came across a link for  gingerbread waffles.  Yesterday I wanted to make them,  and I went with this 5 star recipe from foodnetwork. 

   The molasses and the amount of spices in this recipe makes an incredible combination. As you can see below, I made these in my Belgium waffle maker, and this recipe made about 8 of them--I used about 1 cup of batter for each one.   

   Everyone was totally impressed that I had made them gluten free, and they still tasted  good. I even cut the fat and sugar and used coconut milk to make them dairy free! I served them with some homemade applesauce and plain yogurt.  Get ready for some rave reviews when you make these waffles! 

Rachel Ray's Gingerbread Waffles  - Made Gluten Free

Makes 4-4 section waffles or 16 pieces  to serve 6-8 people

1.  Prepare dry ingredients - In a large bowl put:
(1)  3 cups of gluten free flour mix - I used  1 cup white rice flour, 1 cup sorghum flour, 1 cup tapioca flour
(2)  4 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp. salt
(3)  Spices:  2 tsp. cinnamon, 2 tsp. ginger, and 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 

2.  Prepare liquid ingredients -  In a medium sized bowl put:
(1)  Beat 4 eggs and 2/3 cup brown sugar until fluffy. (I always reduce a bit of the sugar because this also has 1/2 cup of molasses, and you're probably going to top it with some syrup!)
(2)  Then add:  1 cup of canned pumpkin
 1 1/4 cups of coconut milk, 1/2 cup of black strap molasses, and 1/2 cup of oil or use  1/4 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup applesauce.   (The recipe calls 
for 1/4 cup of melted butter, but using applesauce  is a great substitution that works in the same way or you can just use 1/2 cup of oil.  You can also substitute 3/4 cup of flax seed meal for 1/4 cup of the oil, too.)
(3)  And beat a minute or two until combined.

3.  Combine ingredients:  Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry until just moist.  Do not stir the waffle batter too much.  This batter is relatively thick.

4.  Prepare waffle iron:  Brush the waffle iron with oil or butter.  Follow your own waffle iron directions for cooking. I like to brush a bit of oil between waffles too.

 Other breakfast recipes on this blog:

Pancakes
Fantastic Gluten Free Blueberry Pancakes  (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)
Gluten Free Banana Split Pancakes  (Another recipe from my daughter-in-law's family!)
Outstanding Gluten Free Oatmeal Pancakes  (From my Heritage School Cookbook, where I worked 3 1/2 years)
Family Favorite Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes (From my daughter's home ec teacher)
Yummy Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancakes (From About Gluten Free Cooking)
Crunchy & Delicious Potato Latkes  (From a flier in my sweet potato bag)
Tasty Gluten Free Swedish Pancakes    (From my Syre School Cookbook)
Protein Packed Gluten Free Ricotta Cheese Pancakes  (From my daughter-in-law's family)


Waffles, Crepes,  Fritters & Dutch Babies 
Rachel Ray's Pumpkin Spice Waffles Made Gluten Free & Dairy Free   (This is one I adapted)
Easy to Make Gluten Free Waffles  (From my Syre School Cookbook)
Incredible Gluten Free Crepes  (Mix of 2 recipes)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Banana Fritters   (My grandmother's recipe!)
Amazing Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Dutch Baby  (From an Internet search)

Egg Dishes
Sweet Potato Hash With Poached Eggs  (From my daughter's Internet search)
Hash Brown Egg Casserole  (From my friend Lisa)
Mexican Migas Breakfast Casserole  (An adaptation from a recipe from an airport cookbook)
Baked Zucchini Frittata  (I picked this up from a Whidbey Island farmer's market)
Jan's Sausage & Vegetable Frittata  (From a friend who was a home ec teacher)
Huevos Rancheros - A Fantastic South of the Border Breakfast  (I learned this years ago!)
Beautiful Eggs Florentine (Adapted from an Internet search)
Gluten Free Crustless Zucchini & Spinach Quiche  (From my Syre School Cookbook) 

Cereals
 Honey Almond Granola   (From the Heritage School Cookbook)
 Gluten Free Baked Oatmeal   (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)

Breakfast Muffins
Banana Nutty Muffins   (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)
Bursting with Blueberries Gluten Free Muffins  (From the Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Tremendous Pumpkin Muffins  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Scrumptious Gluten Free Blueberry Scones  (From Heritage School Cookbook)
Thanksgiving Gluten Free Pumpkin Scones  (From an Internet search)
Sassy Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Claudia's Blueberry Coffee Cake (Made Gluten Free!) (From a neighbor)