Why I Like to Give Out Bibles - My Experience This Year

    Last week I enjoyed volunteering for two days at our university's Bibles for America table.  Each year we pay for a spot in a fair that takes place before classes start that showcases clubs and community services. For over 20 years I've had a rewarding experience volunteering at this fair.  It's definitely always been one of my year's highlights.  This year we gave out Gospels of John with a Free NT card tucked inside.

     My favorite part is talking with the students.  I usually start out by asking them how long they've been reading the Bible.  One girl I talked to this year said since she was four years when her mother started reading it to her.  I could tell she loved the Bible.  Whenever students tell me that they already have a Bible, I like to tell them, of all the Bibles I own this is my favorite because of the footnotes. Then I open it up and let them see some of the lengthy notes.  That's usually enough, and they take a Gospel of John with a smile. 

    Some of them want to know what version it is, and I show them on the cover that it's the Recovery Version.  Most of the time this will cause them to give me a blank look which is my invitation to tell them that after a thousand years of the Dark Ages and beginning with Martin Luther, many lost truths of the Bible started to get recovered. These footnotes reveal these lost truths; plus they also give Greek meanings and historical and Biblical backgrounds that help you better
understand the meaning of the verses.  That's probably why the BFA T-Shirts that many volunteers wear say--"A Bible You Can Understand." 

    I also like to tell students that when this version was being worked on, the translators laid out all the best Greek translations and then chose the best rendering for each passage.  That's a real labor of love if you ask me.  

   This year a student asked me a thoughtful question that I don't think anyone has ever asked me while volunteering.  He asked me what our big vision was in being at the university's info fair. I thought for a second and then this answer welled up in my heart, The Bible helps build up the Body of Christ.  

    Today as I was writing the draft for this post, I was thinking about that answer and how it connects to 1 Corinthians 14:26 which really gives a window on how the New Testament believers used to meet.  "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."  And without the footnotes on this verse, I wouldn't have seen the whole picture:  

 "...This is like the Feast of Tabernacles in ancient times. The children of Israel brought the produce of the good land, which they had reaped from their labor on the land, to the feast and offered it to the Lord for His enjoyment and for their mutual participation in fellowship with the Lord and with one another.... " (Holy Bible, Recovery Version, Living Stream Ministry: Anaheim, California 2003). 

As we each read the Bible every day certain verses will jump out at us and give us hope or strength. Then when we gather with our fellow believers, we have something just like this verse says from the Bible to feed and build up the Lord's Body.  

    If you would like to receive this study Bible, you can click on this link, Bibles for America will send you a free New Testament study Bible.  If you have some questions about God, you can also listen to some of their gospel videos like one which says, Why Do We Exist? 

 List of Posts on Handing out Bibles & Gospel Tracts

Why Do I Volunteer For Bibles for America?
The Best Things in Life are Free! - Bible for America Distribution at WWU
Adventures in Handing out Gospel Tracts - Part 1 of 1
Adventures in Handing out Gospel Tracts - Part 2 of 2
Volunteering for Bibles for America - Part 1 of 2      Volunteering for Bibles for America - Part 2 of 2

Something Else You Can Do With All Those Herbs! Why Not Try Making Your Own Rose Moisturizing Balm & Sore Muscle Balm

 For years I've been making cold infused oils from my organic herbal garden.  The lavender oil is great for  sore muscles and bronchitis, and rose oil is a wonderful facial moisturizer that also gives UV protection.  A few years ago I experimented with my teenage granddaughter and added some beeswax to the oil after it's six-to-eight-week infusion.  So fun to do together.   In taking this next step I checked a few of my favorite go-to sites for herbs the first one is Wellness Mama and the other is the Nerdy Farm Wife to see if they had a recipe I could use.  

The first balm I made was one with my beautiful magenta roses that smell like heaven itself.  I have a few posts on making infused oils and you can  read them to find out more about it.  I learned the beeswax to oil ratio from the Nerdy Farm Wife.  

                                                    ROSE FACIAL MOISTURIZING BALM

1.  Fill a Mason jar half to three-fourths of rose petals that have dried for at least two days. 

2.  Top with extra-virgin olive oil, almond oil, or grapeseed oil so it's 1/2" from the top of the jar.

3.  Let the rose petals infuse for six to eight weeks in a dark place.   Shake every few days or so.

4.  Strain the petals into a new mason jar.

5.  Put a mason jar lid on the bottom of a small saucepan filled with enough water for the rose oil to warm up.  

6.  When the oil is warm, add 1 tablespoon of beeswax pellets for every three ounces of oil. 

7.  Watch and stir occasionally as the beeswax melts. When they're completely melted, take the pan off the stove and let sit for 2 minutes.  

8.  Add 10 drops of geranium essential oil or rose absolute. 

9.  Pour in 2 or 4 oz jars and let cool.  

10.  Label.  This balm has a shelf life of one year.  

                                                 SORE MUSCLE & ARTHRITIS BALM

 A few years ago I made this balm with just a few herbs from my garden, but when one of my grandsons got diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, I read all my labels, and put everything that worked into a jar to soak in the sun during the day. 

 I got the horsetail from a neighbor's yard, and the red clover I pick wild, but everything else grows in my garden pots.  Whenever I make this balm, I always use equal proportions.  This summer I made 2 quarts and let it steep in a big pickle jar.  I am happy to hear that it has helped a few of my friends who have trouble with arthritis. 

1.  Fill a quart Mason jar half to three-fourths full of the following herbs that you have dried for 10-12 days and let steep in extra virgin olive oil or grapeseed oil for 6 to 8 weeks:

              1 T calendula - for sore muscles                      1 T lemon balm - muscle spasms

              1 T comfrey - wound healer                             1 T peppermint  - pain

               1 T daisy - relieve pain in aching joints          1  T  plantain - anti-inflammatory

              1 T dandelion - arthritis                                    1 T  red clover - joint pain

              1 T feverfew - joint health                                1 T rosemary - arthritis

               1 T horsetail -   sprains                                     1 T strawberry leaf - arthritis

              1 T lavender - joint pain and sore muscles        1 T sage - joint pain

                                                1 T yarrow -  anti-inflammatory

2.  Strain herbs into a new mason jar.

3  Put a mason jar lid on the bottom of a small saucepan filled with enough water for the herbal oil to warm up.  

4.  When the oil is warm, add 1/2 cup of beeswax pellets for 4 cups of olive oil. 

5.  Watch it while you do other things in your kitchen and stir occasionally as the beeswax melts. When they're completely melted, take the pan off the stove and let sit for 2 minutes.  

6.  Take the oil off the stove for two minutes.  Then add 10 drops of frankincense essential oil.  It also helps with joint pain and makes it smell good!

7.  Pour in 2 or 4 oz jars and let cool.  

8.  Label.  This balm has a shelf life of one year.         

Summer is a Great Time to Dry Herbs & Make a Cold, Cough, & Flu Tea for the Fall!

                                    How I Got Into Making My Own Tea

      This is an update of something I posted a few years ago.  I have added about twelve more herbs to this tea, and so I wanted to let anyone else know what they can do with those beautiful medicinal herbs and spices that they are growing!   

    Over 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 a daisy. 

      A few years after planting them, I wondered couldn't I dry this peppermint and make my own tea?!  So that began a summer hobby that I've had for many years.  Every year I'd pick a few more to research and start drying.  It was fun researching about the plants that I had gotten from her and from the nursery.  It's surprising that many of them had medicinal benefits.  It was also interesting to find out that many of the herbs I grow for spices like oregano, sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram are great for fighting the common cold and soothing a cough. 

        About ten years ago a dear friend named Rose, whose Chinese recipes I've shared on this blog, gave me some rose bushes when she moved to Illinois.  I was really surprised to find out that certain roses can be dried and some of them have both antibacterial and antiviral properties. I grow organically and so a few years ago I thought let me check and see if there's anything in the strawberry and raspberry leaves in my garden, and I was surprised to find they contain a wealth of botanical compounds great for maintaining health. 

   So because in the Northwest we have a pretty rugged winter, I began putting together all the herbs that treat  colds, coughs, and flu and I put them in jars and made labels for them.  Over the years I've given them to my family and friends as gifts.   Every summer I enjoy cutting and drying herbs so I can mix up 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. 

    Many of these herbs can also be steeped in extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, or almond oil and made into an infused oil. Check some of the links below for things I've made and go online and check other websites!   Have fun!!

 

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

 

God's Promise of Hope for 2020

      This has been a year like none other, right?  But in the midst of heartache and concerns on so many levels, God's still on the throne of the universe.  That's been a big comfort to me these past months.  As this year is drawing to a close, I started writing up prayers like I usually do for my children and grandchildren. This is a time where I can focus on each child and their family. It''s always been a special time of reflecting on where they are on their journey and writing out prayers of encouragement.

       I also thought about making another flyer to hand out to neighbors when we take our walk. My husband and I wrote it together at lunch a few weeks ago.  The verse that came up in my heart was Isaiah 9:6:

         For a child is born to us, 

A Son is given to us, 

And the government 

Is upon His shoulder;

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor,

Mighty God,

Eternal Father

                                                         Prince of Peace. 

     :  It's amazing that the prophet Isaiah wrote this verse 700 years before Christ's birth!!  And if you carefully read this verse you'll see that the child born to Mary was unlike any child that had ever been born before. 

     Isaiah tells us that Christ would not only be the Son given by the Father but also the Mighty God and eternal Father Himself.  That may be hard to wrap your head around, but this is a window into Christ's incarnation.  

    This may make you wonder why did Christ come anyway?  As we were writing and talking as we wrote this tract, I realized that God didn't leave it up to speculation.  In John 3:16 we have those beautiful words that have been spoken millions of times:

For God so loved the world

That He gave His only Begotten Son,

that everyone who believes into Him would not perish,

but would have eternal life. 

    If you put these two passages together one from the Old Testament and the other from the New Testament, you'll see that the word give is in both.  The Son given to us in Isaiah 9:6 was given by God in John 3:16 for our salvation.  

    It's easy to receive this greatest of all gifts.  If you've never done so before, all you have to do is say from your heart:    Lord Jesus, I believe You died for my sins.

                                        I open my heart to receive You.  Thank You for 

                                        dying for me and coming to live in me.   Amen.

The Best Asian Lettuce Wraps

This summer I  made lettuce wraps a lot.  My garden was running over with lettuce, kale, chard, tomatoes, and a lot of other delicious vegetables.  I discovered this recipe a few years ago.  They said it was a P.F. Chang copycat, but since I've never had those, I didn't have anything to compare it to.  All I know is that these lettuce wraps are fantastic! Even with taking out the bean sprouts and the mushrooms!  

When my two granddaughters stopped in one time after I made these for dinner, I gave them a few wraps, and right away the older one said, "Grandma this is what I want you to make for my birthday this year!"  That's quite a compliment from a 13 year old!!  

Besides the adjustments I made, I also added a few things like some cilantro and brown rice.  The recipe came with a dipping sauce, but I had some jars of sweet chili sauce I needed to use, and they were perfect!  This recipe can be modified by adding different vegetables. It was delicious with some Asian bok choy soup and fruit. 

 Copycat Asian Lettuce Wraps

1.  Prepare vegetables:  Mince ½ of a yellow onion, grate 2 carrots, mince 2 cloves of garlic, finely slice 3 green onions, chop up 1/3 cup of cilantro, and chop up 1 4 oz. can of water chestnuts.

 2.  Meanwhile cook 1 cup of brown rice.

 3.  Brown 1 pound of organic ground turkey; when almost done add the onion and cook for a few minutes.  Then add the grated carrots and garlic and cook for 1 or 2 minutes more. 

 4.  In a large bowl put the browned ground turkey and vegetables.  To that add the sliced green onions and  cilantro.  Then stir in the brown rice and mix well.

 5.  Seasoning:  In a measuring cup put ¼ cup of tamari/soy sauce, 1 T coconut sugar, 1 T rice vinegar, and 2 tsp. of sesame oil.  Pour over the bowl of meat and vegetables and mix well.  Put in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

 6.  Wash lettuce leaves and arrange on a platter. 

 7.  Put a small Chinese soup spoon into the meat and rice mixture so people can make their own.  Let people top their lettuce wrap with some sweet chili sauce.   These are so good. 

 Note:  The original recipe called for mushrooms, and bean sprouts and a special dipping sauce. I substituted cilantro and brown rice, and made the sweet chili sauce the dipping sauce to make it easy.

Other Chinese recipes on this blog:


CHICKEN RECIPES:

Gluten Free Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry  (Modification of Internet recipe)
Gluten Free Chinese - Chicken Broccoli Stir-Fry  (Modification of Internet recipe)
Gluten Free Chinese - Authentic Chinese BBQ Chicken  (From my Bible Study friend Rose)
Rose's Chinese Yellow Curry with Chicken & Vegetables  (From my Bible Study friend Rose)
Gluten Free Chinese - Fantastic Soy Sauce Chicken  (Modification of Internet recipe)
Rose's Authentic Stir-Fried Chicken & Vegetables (Made Gluten Free!)
Gluten Free Sweet & Sour Chicken (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)
Authentic Chinese Chicken & Leek Stir Fry  (Shared with me by a Chinese student's mother)

TOFU RECIPES:
My Asian Student's Favorite Tofu & Vegetable Stir-Fry  (Modification of Internet recipe)
Orange "Beef" Tofu Stir- Fry  (Modification of Internet recipe)

FISH RECIPES:
Steamed Scallion Ginger Fish with Stir-Fried Bok Choy  (Modification of Internet recipe)
Fantastic Mahi & Vegetable Stir Fry   (Modification of Internet recipe)
Tasty Gluten Free Sweet & Sour Fish  (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)

NOODLES & RICE:
Gluten Free Chinese Fried Rice    (From my Come & Dine Cookbook)
The Cheung's Gluten Free Chow Mien  (My Bible study friend Rose taught me this)

 Soups

My Favorite Chinese Chicken Soups  - Bok choy chicken, chicken & spinach, and chicken & cabbage (Modified from Internet search by our Chinese students)
Make Your Own Gluten Free Chicken Pho!  (Modified from a newspaper article)
Gluten Free Chinese Hot Pot  (Modified by a Chinese student)
Chinese Egg Drop Soup  &  Chinese Egg & Tomato Soup  (Modified  from a student's recipe)

Vegetarian & Gluten Free Tom Yum Soup (A delicious Thai soup) 
Deluxe Miso Soup (Kenchinjiru)   (Adapted from Internet search)
A Thai Mom Teaches Me How to Make Tom Yum Kung  (A student's mom's recipe)
A Vietnamese Cooking Lesson - Lien's Vietnamese Sweet & Sour Soup  (An International student's aunt's recipe)
Cooking Beef Pho for Vietnamese Students  (Modified Recipe)
Asian Curried Chicken Soup  (From my Come & Dine church cookbook)
Rose's Very Own Recipe for Chinese Beef Bone Soup  (from Rose my friend from Taipei)

SALAD RECIPES
Gluten Free Chinese Chicken Cabbage Salad  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Rose's Refreshing Cucumber Salad  (From a Bible study friend)

Taking Another Look at the Bible & Prayer During This Pandemic Crisis

       For some funny reason when I first started hearing about the spread of the coronavirus to other continents, it made me think about the bubonic plague.  I had a vague recollection of that tragic time in medieval history, but this is the 21st century, and none of this made sense!   So for the past few months I've just been processing coronavirus facts and praying.  

    Probably because I'm a teacher or some other quirky reason on February 27th, I made a chart so my husband and I could track the changes in some of the major countries on earth.

     On that date and the time we checked, the countries with the largest numbers were China, South Korea, Japan, and Italy.  The United States where I live had only 60 cases.  

     A few days ago on April 4th my husband brought up the Worldometers website so we could write down the changes, and the numbers in the world were staggering with a total of 64,691 deaths at the time we checked.  On February 27th the U.S. reported 60 deaths, and on Apeil 4th that number had reached 8,432!  Where have you parked all of these statistics and overwhelming facts from the last few months?  It was more than perplexing for me to wrap my head around.

       Anyway week by week words started trickling in trying to give meaning to what was going on. First I heard a message where the brother underscored the divine truth that God is ON the throne and not absent from His universe!!  I really like Ezekiel 1:26, 27B-28A on this: "And above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne,...and upon the likeness of the throne was One in appearance like a man [Christ], above it....And there was brightness all around Him. Like the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud on a day of rain,.." 

      And this is verified in the book of Revelation in 4:2-3:  Immediately I was in spirit; and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and upon the throne there was One sitting...and there was a rainbow around the throne.... God's throne is a huge fact that God has taught me through some painful situations in my life.

    It's important to keep God's throne before us, especially today when it feels figuratively like the sky is falling. That's when you need to look at the rainbow that is above the throne which I learned in a Life-Study of Genesis is a sign of God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises! 

      Another pivotal truth I've been encouraged to bank on is because God IS on the throne, He's calling the shots. He's working out His greater purposes even though we don't get what they are.  A recent message I heard brought up Ephesians 1:11 which says: In whom also we were designated as an inheritance, having been predestinated according to the counsel of the One who works ALL THINGS according to the counsel of His will. 
 

 
     Nothing gets past God's gate, and I learned this profoundly when I read through the Life-Study of Job, unless He permits it.  And we see this truth in Daniel 4:25  which says: "...until you come to know that the Most High is the Ruler over the kingdom of men..."  So whether it looks like it or not, that's still the divine fact!

 
     In another message that I recently heard,  a brother stated that at this time God needs His people to pray that His will would be done on earth as it is in heaven.   Since April 1st my husband and I have been participating in a 21 days of prayer on Unceasinglypray's website.  Every day there's a prayer burden and the verses from Scripture that support it. 

I've learned from my reading that a powerful way to pray is just to pray back God's word and claim it.  This 21 days of prayer mirrors the time Daniel spent in the prayer recorded in Daniel 10:13.  Besides reaching out to family, neighbors, and coworkers, I really feel that this is one of the main things God is calling His people to share in during this crisis.

CHECK IT OUT!  If you would like to receive a free Bible in another language, check out Rhema's website!  They also have free ebooks in different languages, and a tract that's related to the coronavirus on the webpage. 

Other Related Posts on Prayer:

From the Life-Study of Exodus:
Taking a Closer Look at the Tabernacle in Exodus: The Incense Altar

From the Life-Study of 1 & 2 Samuel:
What We Can Learn from Hannah's Prayer in 1 Samuel 1


From the Life-Study of 1 & 2 Kings:
Taking a Look at King Solomon's Prayer in 1 Kings 8:48

From the Life-Study of Daniel:
Overcomers In Babylon - What We Learn About Prayer in Daniel

From the Life-Study of Matthew:
What is the Crucial Significance of Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13?
Have You Seen the Battle Between the Two Kingdoms in Matthew 12:26-28?

From the Life-Study of Luke:
Why is Persistent Prayer Important in Luke 18:1-8?

From the Life-Study of Acts:
How is Acts a Book on God's Move & Prayer?
Seeing God's Move & Satan's Frustration in Acts 14

From the Life-Study of Galatians:
How Do We Practically Enjoy Grace in Galatians 5:18?

From the Life-Study of Ephesians:
How Do We Apply the Armor of God in Ephesians 6?

From the Life-Study of Philippians:
Why Does Paul Put Anxiety and Prayer Together in Philippians 4:6?

From the Life-Study of Colossians:
From the Life-Study of Colossians - What Happens When We Pray?
What is Christ Doing at the Right Hand of God in Colossians 3:2?

From the Life-Study of 1 Timothy:
What is Paul's First Exhortation in 1 Timothy 2:1?

From the Life-Study of James:
What James 5:17-18 Teaches Us About Elijah's Prayer

From the Life-Study of Revelation:
What are the Golden Bowls of Incense in Revelation 5:8?

Other Posts on Prayer:
Why Prayer Matters
Hearing God   (From Collected Works of Watchman Nee, Vol. 18 - Tell Him)