Looking at the Major Truths in the Minor Prophets - Seeing Human History in the Book of Joel

     The Ethiopian eunuch told Stephen in Acts that he couldn't understand what he was reading in Isaiah 53 unless someone helped him.  I often feel this way when I read the Life-Studies--I appreciate the clear exposition and spiritual applications  contained in these chapters. 

We had a beautiful January snow this year.

     For example, the book of Joel begins by talking about the stages of a locust.  Without the insight from the Life-Study of Joel, I'd probably just gloss over it. But I learned that these locusts parallel Nebuchadnezzar's great image in Daniel 2.  That's worth a wow.  When I read the Life-Studies of Daniel, I learned that each part of this image from the head of gold which represented Nebuchadnezzar as well as each of the other parts portrays the major empires in world history!!

     In chapter 15 of the Life-Study of Joel I learned that within the history of these empires is a divine history.  Here's that excerpt on pages 99-100:

We should not think that man has a history but that God does not have a history.  In this universe there are two histories: the history of man, the human history, and the history of God, the divine history.  We may liken the history of man to the shell of a walnut and the history of God to the kernel within the shell.  In the Minor Prophets the "shell" is clearly defined, and the "kernel" is revealed in some detail....In Daniel 2 this history is signified by a great human image, with the four sections of this image corresponding respectively to the Babylonian Empire, the Medo-Persian Empire, the Grecian Empire, and the Roman Empire. Although it is easy for us to see the shell, which is something outward and physical, we must have a kind of intrinsic insight in order to see the kernel within the shell, to know the divine history within the human history  (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of the Minor Prophets.  Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1993, Print). 

           Who would have thought the Minor Prophets contain this lens to view all of human history?  In this chapter Witness Lee also points out that the Lord's incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection are all parts of the divine history that took place during the history of the Roman Empire.  And even the church that the Lord died for on the cross is a part of this divine history that is even now being worked out in human history.  Isn't that incredible!  I would encourage you to click on the above link and read this entire chapter for yourself.

     And all of this can even be brought down one more level.   At the end of this chapter our brother reminds us that when each of us got regenerated, we were reborn into the divine history.  So he leaves his readers with this heart-searching question--"Are we living in the divine history or are we living merely in the human history?"  May God continually show us where we are!



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It's That Time of Year Again - Why Not Make Your Own Cold, Cough & Flu Brew?

               How I Got Into Making My Own Tea

      Twenty years ago I lived next door to a horticulturist who had a flower shop in downtown Seattle.  Eventually she made both her front and backyards into different types of flower gardens.  When her fight with a brain tumor was almost at an end, she told me I could dig up any of the plants I wanted.  Besides some beautiful perennial plants,  I chose some lemon balm, peppermint, feverfew, sweet woodruff, and daisy. 

      A few years after planting them, I began doing some research to check out  their medicinal benefits.  I learned how to dry peppermint and lemon balm.  Over the years I researched some of the other plants I got from her garden like daisies and sweet woodruff, and I found out that they were also great for colds and coughs.  Then I found out that certain roses can be dried and some of them have both antibacterial and antiviral properties. So because in the Northwest we have a rugged winter, I began  putting together all the herbs that treat  colds, coughs, and flu and I made them for my family and gave them also as gifts.  Every year since then I have dried herbs and medicinal flowers so I could make a fresh batch of this tea. 

HERBS & FLOWERS FOR COLD, COUGH & FLU TEA

 

Click on the link below on how to dry herbs for more details but basically herbs are placed on racks, cardboard, or paper towels or plates for about two weeks.  They should be dry to the touch and easy to rub off into a jar or bowl.



(1) Calendula:  Reduces a fever, soothes a sore throat, stimulates the immune system, flavonoids prevent infection and inflammation. 

 

(2)  Daisy:  Colds, cough, bronchitis and reduces a fever.

(3)  Dandelion leaf:  Antibacterial and antiviral properties.  Make sure you pick these in the woods or a clearing where there are no pesticides. 
  

(4)  Feverfew:  Use for wheezing and coughs.  Also an energizing herb.   Pain reliever; helps with asthma, fever, and sinus congestion. I usually dry it in vases.

 

(5) Lavender:  Helps relieve headaches and nervous exhaustion common when ill.
 
(6) Lemon Balm:  The tannins and polyphenols in lemon balm extracts have antibacterial & antiviral effects.  Used in treatment of colds, flu, and cold sores. Contains eugenol a natural pain reliever. 
 

(7) Nettle:  Colds, bronchitis, stimulates the lymphatic system. (I pick these from a nearby forest.)

 

(8) Rose:  Antibacterial and antiviral, clears lungs, flushes toxins and soothes a sore throat.

 

 
(9) Yarrow:  Contains antiseptic qualities that fight bacteria.  Good for colds, flu, and fever.  Helps detoxify the body  Good for soothing a sore throat. 

Update July 15, 2023 - Over the past few years I have continued to research herbs that are good for colds, cough, and flu.  Yesterday I was putting together a batch of herbs that I dried and I had about 22 of them! Besides the 9 listed here, you can also dry on racks or cardboard the following herbs that I've learned in recent years also help tackle colds and coughs: 

1.  Peppermint  - antibacterial/viral

2.  Raspberry leaves  -  an immune system booster

3.  Sweet woodruff  -  antibacterial/viral/fungal

4.  Lavender - good for the common cold and coughs

5.  Sage  - antibacterial/viral/fungal

6.  Oregano - antibacterial/viral/fungal and an immune system booster!

7.  Hyssop - for the common cold, bronchitis, and a fever reducer

8.  Catnip Mint - antibacterial/viral and good for coughs

9.   Rosemary - Good for respiratory problems and an immune system booster!

10. Chamomile - good for the common cold

11.  Bronze Fennel - Good for congestion

12. Red clover blossoms - Good for a bad cough

13. Marjoram - Antimicrobial, good for common cold and coughs

14.  English ivy - Congestion and bronchitis

Have fun doing some of your own research and make your own brew! The strong flavor of peppermint and lavender generally masks the stronger tones of oregano and sage. 

 

Other Blogs on Making Herbal or Flower Teas:
How to Dry Herbs to Make Your Own Herbal Teas
How to Brew a Cup of Medicinal Herb Tea
How to Make Your Own Lavender Oil & Tea
How To Dry Roses & Make Your Own Rose Tea, Rose Oil & Rose Water
Make Your Own Home Made Remedies - How to Make Calendula Tea, Calendula Oil & Salve
Make Your Own Home Made Remedies - Peppermint Tea & Oil
How To Make Your Own Strawberry Leaf Tea
Did You Know That Salad Burnet Can be Made into Tea?
Make Your Own Home Made Remedies - What Can You Do With the Feverfew in Your Garden?

About Making Your Own Spices:
 How to Dry Herbs to Spice Up Your Cooking

Other Things You Can Do with Herbs:
 How To Dry Roses & Make Your Own Rose Tea, Rose Oil & Rose Water
How to Make Calendula Tea, Calendula Oil & Salve
Make Your Own Home Made Remedies - Peppermint Tea & Oil
Grandma's Recipe for Dandelion Honey