How Did God Call Abraham in Genesis 12:1?

    It didn't take long after the flood before Satan instigated a flat out rebellion against God. In fact according to Halley's Bible Handbook  that rebellion took place  just 101 years after the flood  when everyone on earth united to build the tower of Babel (H. H. Halley. Halley's Bible Handbook.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. 1965, Print.)

    The Bible tells us in Genesis 11:7-8 that God wasn't happy with this building and confounded their language so they couldn't work together. The footnote in my Recovery Version of the Bible says that archeological records indicate that both this city and tower were full of the names of idols!  

     For about 326 years God didn't have any testimony on this earth (page 83). Halley states that all the Babylonian cities of that time were filled with idol worship. It may have looked like God had lost everything.  But the omniscient God knew he had one person on the earth.  In Ur of Chaldea lived a man named Abram.   

 Nothing can stop God, and one day  God spoke to Abram. These two verses show the first two times God appeared to Abraham--the first was in Ur and the second in Haran:

And he said, Men, brothers, and fathers, listen:  The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran. Acts 7:2

Now Jehovah said to Abram, Go from your land and from your relatives and from your father's house to the land that I will show you.  Genesis 12:1 [spoken in Haran--see Gen. 11:32]

By reading chapter 39 of the LIfe-Study of Genesis I learned more about why God had to call Abraham repeatedly.   These excerpts are on page 540, 546, and 547:

There is a very crucial difference between these two callings of God.  In the first calling God told Abraham to get out of his country and his kindred (Acts 7:3). In the second calling God told him to get out of his country, his kindred, and his father's house (Gen. 12:1)….To be saved is to be called to fulfill God's purpose.  When God came in to call Abraham, it was not for the purpose that Abraham be saved from hell or filled with joy, it was for the purpose of fulfilling God's plan….To be saved is to be delivered out of many negative situations so that we may come into God's goal…..God's goal is firstly Christ….Secondly, God's goal is the church….God is God.  No one can frustrate Him.  Once He has chosen and called you, He will not be stopped by anything.  Sooner or later He will get through.  He will come to you again and again (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Genesis. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1974, Print).

     The story of Abraham shows us clearly that God will never be undone by His enemy.  God kept appearing to Abraham until he cooperated with Him.  God's appearing changed the entire course of history. Wow!

You can  also listen to live excerpts from these messages on  Genesis on Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.  

Other Posts on the Life-Study of Genesis:

From the Life-Study of Genesis - What is the Focus of the Bible?
What Happened Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2?
Why Did God Create Man in Genesis 1:26?
Why Did God Create Man With 3 Parts in Genesis 2:7?
Why Did God Put Man in Front of the Two Trees in Genesis 2?
Seeing God's Purpose of Life & Building in the Book of Genesis
What is the Story Behind the Story of Cain & Abel?
What Did Enosh Learn to Do in Genesis 4:26?
How Did Enoch Escape Death in Genesis 5:24?
Why Did Noah Need to Find Grace in Genesis 6:8?
What Does the Rainbow Symbolize in Genesis 9:13?
How Did God Call Abraham in Genesis 12:1?
How Did God Fulfill the Birth of Isaac in Genesis 12:7?
What Does the Marriage of Isaac & Rebekah Show in Genesis 24?
How Does the Story of Jacob Show God's Selection in Genesis 25?
Why Did Jacob Dream About a Ladder in Genesis 28:12?
Seeing Our Spiritual Journey in the Lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, & Joseph
Why Did Jacob Call theTwo Altars in Genesis 33 & 35 By Different Names?
How Do the Stories of Jacob & Joseph Mirror God's Purpose in Genesis 1:26?
How Did Joseph's Dreams Really Get Fulfilled in Genesis 41?

Judi's Gluten Free No Fail Pie Crust

I love the day before Thanksgiving!  It's so much fun to bake pies, cook up the cranberry sauce, and get things organized for baking the turkey tomorrow. 

 Today my daughter-in-law helped me make the pies.  Baking and cooking together is a fun tradition in our family. This is a new pie crust recipe that my friend Judi gave me a few weeks ago.  It's an old fashioned sort of crust with both egg and vinegar!  

It rolled out really well which can be tricky when you're working with pie crust!

Judi's No Fail Pie Crust - For 2 crusts

1.  Prepare dry ingredients - In a large mixing bowl put:
(1) 1 cup of white rice flour, 1 cup of sorghum flour, and 1 cup of tapioca flour.
(2)  Mix together 1/4 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, and 1 tsp. salt.

2.  With a fork mix in 2 cubes of softened butter or a combination of butter and coconut oil.

3.  In a small bowl whisk together:
(1)  1 egg
(2)  Then add 1 T apple cider vinegar
(3)  Stir in 1/4 cup of ice cold water.

4.   Add the liquid mixture to the flour and butter and quickly combine with a fork.

5.  Roll the dough out between sheets of wax paper or use flour on a counter.  

6.  Make two balls.  Put on heavily gluten free floured board and roll each of them out into an an 8” circle.  Since I adapted this recipe to gluten free flour, add enough flour to the bread board and rolling pin until the pie dough has just  the right consistency and doesn't stick to the rolling pin or come off the bread board!

7. Cut into 4 pieces and one by one place them into a pie plate, seal edges with fingertips. 

8.  Bake for 20 minutes at 425 if you are just baking the shell without a filling.  See below for making a pie with the apple filling.

Other Gluten Free Baking & Desserts on This Blog:

Breads & Coffee Cakes: 
Gluten free & Low-fat Banana Bread    (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Celebrate Fall With Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread  (A friend's recipe)
Delicious Gluten Free Zucchini Bread (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Favorite Gluten Free Cranberry Nut Bread  (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)
Claudia's Blueberry Coffee Cake (Made Gluten Free!)   (From a former neighbor)
Here's a Zucchini Bread with a Hawaiian Twist! Gluten Free Pineapple Zucchini Bread (From my Syre School Cookbook)

Cakes:
Gluten Free German Apple Cake   (From my grandmother)
You Won't Believe It's Gluten Free Carrot Cake (From my daughter's husband's grandma--whew)
Judi's Super Moist Gluten Free Chocolate Cake    (From a church friend)
Judi's Gluten Free Orange Chiffon Cake    (From a church friend)
Marilyn's Spectacular Gluten Free Oatmeal Cake   (My mother-in-law's specialty!)
The Best Gluten Free Black Bottom Cupcakes   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Delicious Gluten Free Rhubarb Cake   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Grandma's Gluten Free Applesauce Cake   (From an Internet search--tastes like my grandma's!)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Banana Cake   (From my grandma)
Rosie's Gluten Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Overwhelmed By Your Bumper Crop of Zucchini? Try Claudia's Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Cake!   (From my former neighbor Claudia of 12 years)
Decadent & Gluten Free German Chocolate Cake  (From my Come & Dine church cookbook)
Debbie's Delicious Hot Water GF Chocolate Cake   (From my Come & Dine cookbook)
Debbie's Less Oil Carrot Cake (Made Gluten Free!)   (From my Come & Dine cookbook)
Judi-s Crazy Cake (You Can Easily Make It Gluten Free!)  (From a church friend)

Cookies:
The Ultimate Gluten Free Cowboy Oatmeal Cookies   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Mom's Go To For Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
The Best Gluten Free Recipe for Snickerdoodles    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Rocky Road Brownies    (From a church friend)
Mark's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies - Made Gluten Free!   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Judi's Gluten Free Oatmeal Craisin & Coconut Cookies (From a church friend)
Marie's Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies (Also Great Gluten Free!)   (My friend Marie's recipe)
Bebe's Gluten Free Whoopie Pies  (From my friend Debbie)
Scrumptious Gluten Free Blackberry Cake   
Gluten Free Coconut Chocolate Chip Macaroons  - (Recipe on Baker's bag of coconut)

Cornbread & Rolls:
Beth's Amazing Gluten Free Cornbread   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Judi's Favorite Gluten Free Buttermilk Biscuits   (My friend Judi's sister's recipe)

Crisps & Pies:
Lena's Rhubarb Crunch (A crisp with a gluten free top and bottom crust!) (My daughter-in-law's mother. She's an amazing cook, which I think most of us moms become after a few years!)
Delicious Gluten Free Apple Crisp    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Ginger's Outrageous Apple Pie    (From a church friend)
The BEST Lemon Meringue Pie with Mrs. Lauralicious Gluten Free Pie Crust  (Internet)
My Grandmother's Favorite Banana Cream Pie  (A recipe from my grandmother)
Granny's Lemon Cheesecake Squares   (From my friend Judi's granny)
Simple & Gluten Free Chocolate Cream Pie   (From my Syre School Cookbook)

Desserts with Fruit:
Sensational Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake   (From the back of Costco's organic sugar)

Terrific Gluten Free Strawberry & Peach Trifle  (Modified from an Internet search)
My Favorite Gluten Free Strawberry Cheesecake (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Just Like Grandma's (But Only Gluten Free) Berry Cobbler (My husband's grandma's recipe)
Gluten Free Lemony Rhubarb Bars (From my Syre School Cookbook)
Old Fashioned Strawberry Buckle (Made Gluten Free)   (A recipe I picked up from a berry farm)
From New Zealand - Triple Berry Pavlova  (A friend's recipe - Heritage School Cookbook)

Holiday Cookies & Baking:

Old Fashioned Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies  (Modified from back of the Libby's pumpkin can)
My Family's Favorite Gingerbread Cookies (Now Made Gluten Free!)  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Grandkids Favorite Gluten Free Peppermint Sugar Cookies  (From Syre School Cookbook)
Our Favorite Pumpkin Pie   (With extra spice-- from back of Libby's pumpkin can)
Perfect Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake   (From back of cream cheese box)
Gluten Free Polish Fruitcake  ( Modified from Internet search)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Gingerbread Cake   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Nordy Bars  ( From my Syre School Cookbook)
Grandma Pitcher's Old Fashioned Sandies (Made Gluten Free)  (My husband's grandma)
Make a Family Tradition & Make Your Own Fruitcake    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Muffins:

My Favorite Banana Nut Muffins   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Gluten Free Tremendous Pumpkin Muffins   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Bursting with Blueberries Gluten Free Muffins   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Toni's Outrageous Gluten Free Corn Muffins    (From back of a Bob's Red Mill package)
Sassy Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Puddings & Ice Cream: 

Dairy Free Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream (And other ice cream favorites!) (From searches)

Baked Coconut Pudding   (Something I worked out from my Aunt Sue's rice pudding recipe)

Tangy Lemon Pudding   (From my daughter-in-laws family reunion cookbook)

What Does the Rainbow Symbolize in Genesis 9:13?

   Although Noah lived in an evil age, he received grace and walked with God.   And because of that, God could entrust him with the job of building the ark.  Man had become so corrupted, God didn't have any other options except to start over again.  For 120 years Noah and his family worked on that ark.  During that time Noah warned everyone that God was going to destroy the earth with a flood (Genesis 6:17).  

Picture I took while vacationing on Whidbey Island

     Undoubtedly many people scorned and laughed at him because it had never rained before. The Bible says the earth was watered by a mist that came up from the ground (Gen. 2:6).  But Noah and his family kept building and preparing food for all the animals (Gen. 6:21).

    When the day of the flood arrived, sorry to say, only Noah's family--just 8 people--went into the ark.  In chapter 32 of the Life-Study of Genesis, Witness Lee talks about how probably after the flood was over, whenever Noah's family saw any clouds, they might have felt a bit fearful. Here's the covenant God made with them:

     And I establish My covenant with you, that never again will all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again will there a flood to destroy the earth. 
    And God said, This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living animal that is with you, for perpetual generations: 
      I set My bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.   Genesis 9:11-13

   This covenant is very special because ever since then rainbows often appear after a storm.  I learned from this chapter that rainbows also symbolize God's faithfulness to keep His word. These excerpts on pages 436-437 encouraged me a lot:

A picture a friend took.

God's covenant declares that whenever the sky is cloudy, God will send a rainbow….you can say, "…The sky is dark and the cloud is great, but a colorful rainbow is coming. Look at the rainbow. When you say this, you call not being as being through faith...The covenant is simply God's word.  God is faithful to whatever He says.  This is the rainbow.  Whenever a cloud comes, you must call God's faithfulness to come. That means that you call out the rainbow.  Whenever you feel that you are weak, you must call for God's faithfulness, saying, 'O God, You are faithful. I am weak, but You must make me strong according to Your Word.….There is a verse for every circumstance that you face. If you hold on to God's covenant, I can promise you that regardless of what happens to you, there is a verse as a living promise for you to rely upon and live by. We all need to learn how to live under God's covenant (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Genesis.  Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry. 1974, Print). 

You can  also listen to live excerpts from these messages on  Genesis on Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.  

Other Posts on the Life-Study of Genesis:

From the Life-Study of Genesis - What is the Focus of the Bible?
What Happened Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2?
Why Did God Create Man in Genesis 1:26?
Why Did God Create Man With 3 Parts in Genesis 2:7?
Why Did God Put Man in Front of the Two Trees in Genesis 2?
Seeing God's Purpose of Life & Building in the Book of Genesis
What is the Story Behind the Story of Cain & Abel?
What Did Enosh Learn to Do in Genesis 4:26?
How Did Enoch Escape Death in Genesis 5:24?
Why Did Noah Need to Find Grace in Genesis 6:8?
What Does the Rainbow Symbolize in Genesis 9:13?
How Did God Call Abraham in Genesis 12:1?
How Did God Fulfill the Birth of Isaac in Genesis 12:7?
What Does the Marriage of Isaac & Rebekah Show in Genesis 24?
How Does the Story of Jacob Show God's Selection in Genesis 25?
Why Did Jacob Dream About a Ladder in Genesis 28:12?
Seeing Our Spiritual Journey in the Lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, & Joseph
Why Did Jacob Call theTwo Altars in Genesis 33 & 35 By Different Names?
How Do the Stories of Jacob & Joseph Mirror God's Purpose in Genesis 1:26?
How Did Joseph's Dreams Really Get Fulfilled in Genesis 41?

Judi's Crazy Cake (You Can Easily Make It Gluten Free!)

Last weekend I tried a cake recipe for the first time that my friend Judi gave me awhile ago.  She's given me a lot of incredible recipes (and a lot of those are on the list at the bottom of this recipe), and so I knew this one would be good.  

   There's a few different ways of making crazy cake, but Judi just puts hers together the normal way.  I couldn't believe at first that this recipe doesn't call for any eggs!  

   I brought this cake out to my daughter's house for a family dinner, and my son-in-law right away said how good it was and that it DID NOT taste gluten free!  Now that's what I like to hear!

Judi's Crazy Cake

1.  Mix dry ingredients - In a medium sized mixing bowl stir together:
(1)  1 cup of white rice flour, 1 cup of sorghum flour, and 1 cup of tapioca flour
(2)  2 cups of white sugar, 2 t of baking soda,  1/2 cup of baking cocoa, and 1/2 t of salt.


2.  Mix together the liquid ingredients - In a medium sized bowl mix together:
(1)  1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
(2)  2 T of apple cider vinegar and 1 t of vanilla extract
(3)  2 cups of water

3.  Combine the liquid ingredients with the flour mixture.  

4.  Bake in a lightly greased and floured 9 x 13 at 350 for 30 minutes.  Check with a toothpick.

5.  Cool on a wire rack before frosting with Judi's  fudge frosting or use your own favorite.

Judi's No Fail Fudge Frosting

Mix in a pan:    2 cups of sugar, 1/2 cup of baking cocoa, 1/2 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of water, 1/8 t of salt, and 1 T of vanilla.  Bring to a hard boil and it for 2 minutes stirring constantly.  Set the pan in cold water and whip with beaters until thick.  Spread on cake.  

Other Gluten Free Baking & Desserts on This Blog:

Breads & Coffee Cakes: 
Gluten free & Low-fat Banana Bread    (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Celebrate Fall With Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread  (A friend's recipe)
Delicious Gluten Free Zucchini Bread (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Favorite Gluten Free Cranberry Nut Bread  (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)
Claudia's Blueberry Coffee Cake (Made Gluten Free!)   (From a former neighbor)
Here's a Zucchini Bread with a Hawaiian Twist! Gluten Free Pineapple Zucchini Bread (From my Syre School Cookbook)

Cakes:
Gluten Free German Apple Cake   (From my grandmother)
You Won't Believe It's Gluten Free Carrot Cake (From my daughter's husband's grandma--whew)
Judi's Super Moist Gluten Free Chocolate Cake    (From a church friend)
Judi's Gluten Free Orange Chiffon Cake    (From a church friend)
Marilyn's Spectacular Gluten Free Oatmeal Cake   (My mother-in-law's specialty!)
The Best Gluten Free Black Bottom Cupcakes   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Delicious Gluten Free Rhubarb Cake   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Grandma's Gluten Free Applesauce Cake   (From an Internet search--tastes like my grandma's!)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Banana Cake   (From my grandma)
Rosie's Gluten Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Overwhelmed By Your Bumper Crop of Zucchini? Try Claudia's Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Cake!   (From my former neighbor Claudia of 12 years)
Decadent & Gluten Free German Chocolate Cake  (From my Come & Dine church cookbook)
Debbie's Delicious Hot Water GF Chocolate Cake   (From my Come & Dine cookbook)
Debbie's Less Oil Carrot Cake (Made Gluten Free!)   (From my Come & Dine cookbook)

Cookies:
The Ultimate Gluten Free Cowboy Oatmeal Cookies   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Mom's Go To For Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
The Best Gluten Free Recipe for Snickerdoodles    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Rocky Road Brownies    (From a church friend)
Mark's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies - Made Gluten Free!   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Judi's Gluten Free Oatmeal Craisin & Coconut Cookies (From a church friend)
Marie's Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies (Also Great Gluten Free!)   (My friend Marie's recipe)
Bebe's Gluten Free Whoopie Pies  (From my friend Debbie)
Scrumptious Gluten Free Blackberry Cake   
Gluten Free Coconut Chocolate Chip Macaroons  - (Recipe on Baker's bag of coconut)

Cornbread & Rolls:
Beth's Amazing Gluten Free Cornbread   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Judi's Favorite Gluten Free Buttermilk Biscuits   (My friend Judi's sister's recipe)

Crisps & Pies:
Lena's Rhubarb Crunch (A crisp with a gluten free top and bottom crust!) (My daughter-in-law's mother. She's an amazing cook, which I think most of us moms become after a few years!)
Delicious Gluten Free Apple Crisp    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Ginger's Outrageous Apple Pie    (From a church friend)
The BEST Lemon Meringue Pie with Mrs. Lauralicious Gluten Free Pie Crust  (Internet)
My Grandmother's Favorite Banana Cream Pie  (A recipe from my grandmother)
Granny's Lemon Cheesecake Squares   (From my friend Judi's granny)
Simple & Gluten Free Chocolate Cream Pie   (From my Syre School Cookbook)

Desserts with Fruit:
Sensational Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake   (From the back of Costco's organic sugar)

Terrific Gluten Free Strawberry & Peach Trifle  (Modified from an Internet search)
My Favorite Gluten Free Strawberry Cheesecake (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Just Like Grandma's (But Only Gluten Free) Berry Cobbler (My husband's grandma's recipe)
Gluten Free Lemony Rhubarb Bars (From my Syre School Cookbook)
Old Fashioned Strawberry Buckle (Made Gluten Free)   (A recipe I picked up from a berry farm)
From New Zealand - Triple Berry Pavlova  (A friend's recipe - Heritage School Cookbook)

Holiday Cookies & Baking:

Old Fashioned Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies  (Modified from back of the Libby's pumpkin can)
My Family's Favorite Gingerbread Cookies (Now Made Gluten Free!)  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Grandkids Favorite Gluten Free Peppermint Sugar Cookies  (From Syre School Cookbook)
Our Favorite Pumpkin Pie   (Modified from back of Libby's pumpkin can)
Perfect Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake   (From back of cream cheese box)
Gluten Free Polish Fruitcake  ( Modified from Internet search)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Gingerbread Cake   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Nordy Bars  ( From my Syre School Cookbook)
Grandma Pitcher's Old Fashioned Sandies (Made Gluten Free)  (My husband's grandma)
Make a Family Tradition & Make Your Own Fruitcake    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Muffins:

My Favorite Banana Nut Muffins   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Gluten Free Tremendous Pumpkin Muffins   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Bursting with Blueberries Gluten Free Muffins   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Toni's Outrageous Gluten Free Corn Muffins    (From back of a Bob's Red Mill package)
Sassy Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Puddings & Ice Cream: 

Dairy Free Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream (And other ice cream favorites!) (From searches)

Baked Coconut Pudding   (Something I worked out from my Aunt Sue's rice pudding recipe)

Tangy Lemon Pudding   (From my daughter-in-laws family reunion cookbook)