How Can You Be A Letter of Christ Like in 2 Corinthians 3:2?

     
I like to write. For ten years I wrote Bible day camp plays and skits, and I also like to write short stories on character traits.   Anyway this week I read a Life-Study  that reminded me that Christ also likes to write--but He writes on our hearts (2 Cor. 3:3).  In  chapter 6 of the Life-Study of 2 Corinthians,  and on page 49 Witness Lee expounds this passage.  Here's what I liked:

In verse 3 Paul says that the letter of Christ is inscribed "not in tablets of stone, but in fleshy tablets of the heart." Our heart, as the composition of our conscience (the leading part of our spirit), mind, emotion, and will, is the tablet upon which the living letters of Christ are written with the living Spirit of God. This implies that Christ is written into every part of our inner being with the Spirit of the living God to make us His living letters, that He may be expressed in us, and read by others in us (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of 2 Corinthians. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1982, Print).

    After saying this he points out on the next page that "Christ making His home in our heart [Ephesians 3:16] equals the writing of Christ throughout our inner being" (Page 50). What touched me in these messages is that Christ writes on us through the ministers of the New Testament.  So that made me think that whenever I hear a message or read some spiritual writing, this is how I am allowing Christ to write more of Himself into my heart. Lord, do this more today in all of us!   

Here's a link so you can listen to any of the programs on the Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee that are on the book of  1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians.

Other Blogs on the Life Study of 1 & 2 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians:
How did the Lord Solve the Problem Among the Believers in 1 Corinthians?
The Fellowship of the Believers in 1 Corinthians 1:9
What is God's Farm in 1 Corinthians 3:9?
Do You Know What is God Building in 1 Corinthians 3:9?
From the Life-Study of 1 Corinthians - How Do the Believers Build With Gold, Silver, & Precious Stones in 1 Corinthians 3:12?
Seeing the Revelation of the Body in 1 Corinthians 12
How Did the Early Believers Meet in 1 Corinthians 14:26?

2 Corinthians:

How Can You Be Like A Letter of Christ in 2 Corinthians 3:2?
What are the Sufferings For in 2 Corinthians 4:7-15?
How Does Transformation Happen in 2 Corinthians 3:18?
From the Life-Study of 2 Corinthians - Did You Know Pressures Cause Renewing in 2 Corinthians 4:16
Why Do Believers Need to Be Reconciled in 2 Corinthians 5:18?
Giving in 2 Corinthians 8 & 9
Why Didn't the Lord Remove Paul's Thorn in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9?

Grandma's Famous Chicken Cacciatore With Peppers & Mushrooms

     For the past few months I've been trying to make a gluten free pasta dish every week. This week I tried one that I haven't made for years--chicken cacciatore.  The first time I had this dish was at my mother-in-law's many years ago, and it was delicious. 

      This sauce is very flavorful and one that you can adjust to your  own liking by tweaking the spices. 

Chicken Cacciatore 
With Peppers & Mushrooms

1.  Prepare vegetables:
(1)  Dice up 1 medium onion.
(2)  Chop up 1 green pepper.
(3)  Chop up 3-4 stalks of celery.
(4)  Slice up 1 cup of mushrooms.
(5)  Mince 3 cloves of garlic.
(6)  Mince up 2 T of fresh parsley for garnishing.

2.  Prepare sauce - In a bowl mix together:
(1)  1 cup of ketchup 
(2)  1 14.5 oz can of whole tomatoes
(3)  1 15 oz can tomato sauce   
(4)  Stir in the seasonings:  1/2 cup brown sugar, 1  T Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp. dry mustard,   3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. black pepper

3.  Prepare chicken:
(1)  Skin and rinse  2 1/2-3 pounds of breasts, legs, thighs, and wings.
(2)  Dredge in a mixture of 1/4 cup rice flour, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. black pepper.
(3)  Fry in 3 - 4 T of coconut oil in a large skillet for about 5 minutes a side.
(4)  Put on a plate and cover until needed.

4.  Saute vegetables & add back chicken:  (Note  you can cook this all in the pan or put it in the oven (see note below):
(1)  Then put the onions into this pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
(2)  Add the green pepper, celery, and mushrooms and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
(3)  Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
(4)  Add the cacciatore sauce to the pan and stir all the ingredients together.  Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
(5)  Add the chicken back in and cook into the sauce  and put all of it into a baking dish and bake it at 250 to  300 for 2 1/2 hours. 
(6)  Taste the sauce and adjust any seasonings.

5. Prepare noodles or rice:  Meanwhile cook up a pot of brown rice spaghetti according to the package directions, or we've also had this served over rice.  

Serve with noodles and garnish with parsley and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

List of other chicken recipes on this blog:

Asian:
Authentic Chinese BBQ Chicken  (From my friend Rose)
Gluten Free Soy Sauce Chicken   (Modified from Internet search)
Tasty Gluten Free Filipino Chicken Adobo  (Modified from Internet search)
Gluten Free Sweet & Sour Chicken (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Italian & Greek:
Chicken Souvlaki   (Marinade for chicken from my son-in-law)
Gluten Free Chicken Cacciatore With Peppers & Mushrooms  (Modified from my mother-in-law)
Delicious Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan   (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Mexican:
Pollo Guisado (Mexican Braised Chicken)  (From a church friend in Phoenix)
Belizean Chicken, Black Beans & Rice, and Belizean Coleslaw  (From my daughter's family)

American Favorites:
Amazing BBQ Chicken    (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
The Best Gluten Free Oven Fried Chicken   (From my sister-in-law)
Fantastic Gluten Free Chicken Kabobs  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Great for Summer BBQ - Lemon Rosemary Chicken Legs  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Country Apple Curried Chicken  (From my church cookbook Come & Dine)
The Best Homemade Chicken BBQ Sauce  (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
A Gluten Free Twist on Tarragon Chicken - From my Come & Dine cookbook

Chicken Casseroles
Chicken Divan  - From my Come & Dine Cookbook
Chicken Pot Pie - A combination of 3 different recipes!

Judi's Gluten Free Crazy Crust Pizza

  Everyone I know likes pizza.  But not everyone has time to make a yeast crust.  Making pizza is a fun project for the whole family.   My friend Judi brought this crazy crust pizza to a church potluck a few years ago, and, of course, I had to ask her for the recipe.  Her recipe has been tweaked with two others into what you see below. 

    I made this pizza last weekend.  I put this dough on a 10" pizza pan so the crust came out a little thin.  I like the seasonings in the crust, but if you don't care for that, you can omit them and just add more to the sauce.  You can make this with or without meat.  
   

Judi’s Gluten Free Crazy Crust Pizza

1.  Prepare toppings:  
(1)  Cook hamburger meat or chop up veggie sausage.
(2)  Slice olives.
(3)  Chop green/red bell peppers.
(4)  Chop up 1/2 of an onion.
(5)  Slice mushrooms, artichoke hearts, or anything else that you like.

2.  Dry ingredients:  Mix together  in a medium size bowl 1/3 cup rice flour, 1/3 cup sorghum flour, and 1/3 cup tapioca flour. Stir in 2 tsp. of baking powder, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. basil, 1/2 tsp. oregano, 1/8 tsp. thyme, and 1/8 tsp. pepper.   

3.  Whisk in a small bowl:  2 eggs with 3/4 cup of milk.

4.  Make batter:   Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until combined and the batter is smooth.  The batter will be thin--but shouldn't be too runny. 

5.  Bake:  

(1)  Spray a pizza pan with olive and oil and sprinkle with cornmeal or rice flour. 

(2)   Pour batter onto pan and tilt to cover the pan.   

(3)  Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes  until the dough rises somewhat. 

(4)  Then put on the sauce and with a spoon bring it close to the edges. 

(5)  Sprinkle on the toppings and cheese and let it bake for about 10-15 minutes until the cheese bubbles.  

(6)  Let it sit a few minutes before cutting.      

                 

Quick Pizza Sauce

1.  Put 2 T of oil into a pan and sauté 1/2 of a diced red onion.

2.  Stir in 3 cloves of minced garlic.

3.  Add 1 can of tomato paste and 1/2 of a can of tomato sauce.

4.  Let it simmer for 5 minutes.

5.  Stir in the following seasonings:  1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. oregano, 1 tsp.  basil, 1/8 tsp. thyme, 1/4 tsp. brown sugar,  1/4 tsp. black pepper, and 1 tsp. red wine vinegar.  

6.  Simmer for a few more minutes.  Taste and adjust any seasonings. 

Spinach, Artichoke,  & Feta Pizza - Large

1.  Prepare toppings for this pizza:

1.  Rinse 2 cups of spinach and chop

2.  Chop 1/2 of an onion and sauté in 1 T of oil until translucent.

3.  Chop 1 red pepper

4.  Drain artichoke hearts (according to your liking) and chop in half

5.  Grate 1 -  1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese

6.  Put 1 - 1 1/2 cups of feta in a bowl.

2.  Assemble:

(1)  After the pizza comes out of the oven after baking for 8 minutes, put on the sauce.  

(2)  Then arrange the toppings over the top of it.  

(3)  Bake at 400 for about 15 minutes. 

Note:  I made this pizza on Thursday and it was so good.  The inspiration for this pizza was a Papa Murphy's pizza my daughter had purchased about a month ago.

Other Italian & Greek Recipes on This Blog:

Italian & Greek Chicken:

Incredible Gluten Free Chicken Souvlaki   (My son-in-law's recipe)

Chicken Cacciatore with Peppers & Mushrooms  (Family)

You've Got to Try This Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan!  (From my church cook book, Come & Dine)

Pasta:

My Mom's Splendiferous Gluten Free Spaghetti  (My mother's amazing sauce!)

Oh So Good Vegetarian Lasagna  (From Internet search)

Fantastic Gluten Free Salmon Fettucine   

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

Gluten Free Pasta Aioli - Sausage & Vegetable Penne  (From my daughter and son-in-law)

Delicious Gluten Free Chicken Tetrazzini     (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)

Soups:

This is the Best Minestrone Soup!  (From my son's Internet search and tweaking)

How Did the Early Believers Meet in 1 Corinthians 14:26?

    Tradition isn't always a good thing especially when it causes people to deviate from the truth in God's word. This was really apparent to me when I was reading some of E. H. Broadbent's book The Pilgrim Church.   I noticed hat God always kept a group of believers who faithfully followed the practices of the New Testament church revealed in Acts.

    I thought about this when I was reading the chapters in the Life-Study of 1 Corinthians  that covers Chapter 14. In thees verses I saw a window into how the early church actually met. My favorite verse in this chapter is verse 26 which says:  What then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.  Let all things be done for building up. I liked what Witness Lee shared on pages 564-565 in chapter 63 of the Life-Study of 1 Corinthians on this verse.  Here's just one part:    

"Before coming to the meeting, we should prepare ourselves for the meeting with things like these from the Lord and of the Lord, either through our experience of Him or through our enjoyment of His Word and fellowship with Him in prayer....In verse 26 the word "has" is very important.  According to Paul, whenever we all come together to meet, we should have something.  Paul does not say "shall have" or "should have" he speaks in the present tense to denote the fact and says that we have something, that each one of us has something.  Furthermore, he does not say that just a few have, that many have, or that most have; he says that "each one has" something" (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of 1 Corinthians. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1981, Print). 

What I see here in 1 Corinthians is a lot different from what I've seen in many churches today.  In the church I went to when I was a kid, I saw one man doing almost everything.  It touches me that as believers and members of the Body of Christ, we all have a responsibility to come to the Lord, read the Bible, and receive something that we can share with other believers to encourage and strengthen them.  

Here's a link so you can listen to any of the programs on the Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee that are on the book of  1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians.

Other Blogs on the Life Study of 1 & 2 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians:
How did the Lord Solve the Problem Among the Believers in 1 Corinthians?
The Fellowship of the Believers in 1 Corinthians 1:9
What is God's Farm in 1 Corinthians 3:9?
What is God's Building in 1 Corinthians 3:9?
From the Life-Study of 1 Corinthians - How Do the Believers Build With Gold, Silver, & Precious Stones in 1 Corinthians 3:12?
Seeing the Revelation of the Body in 1 Corinthians 12
How Did the Early Believers Meet in 1 Corinthians 14:26?

2 Corinthians:

How Can You Be Like A Letter of Christ in 2 Corinthians 3:2?

What are the Sufferings For in 2 Corinthians 4:7-15?
How Does Transformation Happen in 2 Corinthians 3:18?
From the Life-Study of 2 Corinthians - Did You Know Pressures Cause Renewing in 2 Corinthians 4:16?
Why Do Believers Need to Be Reconciled in 2 Corinthians 5:18?
Giving in 2 Corinthians 8 & 9
Why Didn't the Lord Remove Paul's Thorn in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9?

Amazing Gluten Free BBQ Chicken

   There are hundreds of different BBQ sauces.  And I'm sure you're aware that not all BBQ sauces are created equal.  

   Yesterday I tried a recipe from my daughter-in-law's family cookbook.  And I  feel there's something special about family, church, or school cookbooks.  These recipes are usually the ones people have made for years or that your mother or grandmother wrote down for you.  

   Anyway in the cookbook this recipe is called Drums in Heaven, and I  changed the title a bit so people would get that this is a chicken recipe and not one about instruments!  The only things I changed in the recipe was, of course, I  used gluten free ingredients, and I decreased the amount of water.    This chicken was so succulent and the sauce lived up to its name.   I served this chicken with KFC copycat cole slaw, sweet potatoes, and homemade applesauce. 

 Amazing Gluten Free BBQ Chicken 

1.  In a bowl mix together the following ingredients:
(1)  3/4 cup of ketchup
(2)  3/4 cup of brown sugar  (I used 1/2 cup on August 17, 2014)
(3)  1 cup of diced onions
(4)  1 T of prepared mustard
(5) 1 T of Worcestershire sauce
(6)  3/4 cup of boiling water  (recipe calls for 1 cup but I wanted it to be richer tasting.)


2.  Put the BBQ into the refrigerator until needed.

3.  Prepare chicken:
(1)  Rinse about 12-15 legs, thighs, and wings.
(2)  Coat with a mixture of:   1/2 cup of rice flour, 1 t salt,  and 1/2 t pepper
(3)  Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture and set it on a plate.
(4)  Put 2- 3 T of oil into a skillet and brown the chicken.
(5)  Put the chicken into a 9 x 13 pan.
(6)  Spoon the BBQ sauce over it and bake uncovered for 1 hour or until tender.

List of other chicken recipes on this blog:

Asian:
Authentic Chinese BBQ Chicken  (From my friend Rose)
Gluten Free Soy Sauce Chicken   (Modified from Internet search)
Tasty Gluten Free Filipino Chicken Adobo  (Modified from Internet search)
Gluten Free Sweet & Sour Chicken (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Italian & Greek:
Chicken Souvlaki   (Marinade for chicken from my son-in-law)
Gluten Free Chicken Cacciatore With Peppers & Mushrooms  (Modified from my mother-in-law)
Delicious Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan   (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Mexican:
Pollo Guisado (Mexican Braised Chicken)  (From a church friend in Phoenix)
Belizean Chicken, Black Beans & Rice, and Belizean Coleslaw  (From my daughter's family)

American Favorites:
Amazing BBQ Chicken    (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
The Best Gluten Free Oven Fried Chicken   (From my sister-in-law)
Fantastic Gluten Free Chicken Kabobs  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Great for Summer BBQ - Lemon Rosemary Chicken Legs  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Country Apple Curried Chicken  (From my church cookbook Come & Dine)
The Best Homemade Chicken BBQ Sauce  (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
A Gluten Free Twist on Tarragon Chicken - From my Come & Dine cookbook

Chicken Casseroles
Chicken Divan  - From my Come & Dine Cookbook
Chicken Pot Pie - A combination of 3 different recipes!

Tasty Gluten Free Swedish Pancakes

  I learned today that Swedish pancakes are  different from crepes.  Live Strong. said that Swedish pancakes are richer and sweeter than crepes.   This delicious recipe comes from a school cookbook that I picked up many years ago.  

  Like crepes, Swedish pancakes are filled with whipped cream and strawberries or blueberries. You can also fill them with preserves (a thick jam), or butter and syrup and then roll them up.  They make a special Saturday morning breakfast.  

Tasty Gluten Free Swedish Pancakes

1.  Prepare dry ingredients - In a small bowl mix together:

You need 1- 1/4 to 1/2 cups of gluten free flour:  1/2 cup of rice flour, 1/2 cup of sorghum flour, and 1/4 -1/2 cup of tapioca flour, 1/2 t salt,  and 2 T sugar.

2.  Prepare batter - This recipe has you put all the ingredients in a blender:
(1)  Put 3 eggs and 1 1/2 cups of milk into a blender and blend a minute or two.
(2)  Add the dry ingredients.
(3)  Then add 1 T vanilla.
(4)  Blend for 1 -2 more minutes or until fully combined.

3. Fry Pancakes - Put 1-2 T of coconut oil into a large skillet and pour about 1/4 cup of batter into the pan and tip it to make a thin pancake.  When it bubbles, flip it and cook until done.

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)
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)
Family Favorite Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes (From my daughter's home ec teacher)

Waffles, Crepes,  Fritters & Dutch Babies 
Gluten Free Gingerbread Waffles   (This is one I adapted from Rachel Ray)
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)

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)

Seeing the Revelation of the Body in Corinthians 12

     Did you know that our physical body is the best illustration of the Lord's spiritual Body?  Even Paul thought so because in 1 Corinthians Chapter 12 he compares these two together.   And I liked it when Witness Lee brought this out in chapter 57 of the Life Study of 1 Corinthians:  

"Now we must go on to see that with the Body there is the need of the different functions.  If my physical body did not have any functions, the body would not be able to do anything.  However, in every member of my body there is a function.  The function comes out of the gift of each member.  The finger, the hand, the arm, and the shoulder all have their gifts.  Every member of our body, no matter how small or unimportant it may seem, has a gift.... By means of the functions of all the members of the body, the body is able to work" (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of 1 Corinthians. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1981, Print).

    Then in Chapter 58 he shares how all the spiritual gifts are not for the individuals but for the building up of the Lord's Body.  For example, our feet have the gift of walking, but they don't do this just for themselves.  In the same way our eyes have the gift of seeing, but they do this for the benefit of our entire body. 

    It is amazing to think about these parallels in relation to the Lord's spiritual Body. I like the expression Witness Lee uses in this message to describe the apostle Paul--Body conscious. I really like that expression because it shows Paul's view of the spiritual gifts was not  individualistic.  Paul's view was that all the gifts of the believers should be for the building up of the Body of Christ.  

Here's a link so you can listen to any of the programs on the Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee that are on the book of  1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians.

Other Blogs on the Life Study of 1 & 2 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians:
How did the Lord Solve the Problem Among the Believers in 1 Corinthians?
The Fellowship of the Believers in 1 Corinthians 1:9
What is God's Farm in 1 Corinthians 3:9?
What is God's Building in 1 Corinthians 3:9?
From the Life-Study of 1 Corinthians - How Do the Believers Build With Gold, Silver, & Precious Stones in 1 Corinthians 3:12?
Seeing the Revelation of the Body in 1 Corinthians 12
How Did the Early Believers Meet in 1 Corinthians 14:26?

2 Corinthians:

How Can You Be Like A Letter of Christ in 2 Corinthians 3:2?

What are the Sufferings For in 2 Corinthians 4:7-15?
How Does Transformation Happen in 2 Corinthians 3:18?
From the Life-Study of 2 Corinthians - Did You Know Pressures Cause Renewing in 2 Corinthians 4:16?
Why Do Believers Need to Be Reconciled in 2 Corinthians 5:18?
Giving in 2 Corinthians 8 & 9
Why Didn't the Lord Remove Paul's Thorn in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9?