The Wave Sheaf Offering. Do You Lie To Your Kids? Update.

The Wave Sheaf Offering.

“Why is the wave sheaf offering still important for a Christian?”

Transcript:

“What is the wave sheaf offering? Why is it important during Days of Unleavened Bread?” Today we’re going to answer that question, we’re going to review the wave sheaf and its connection to the Days of Unleavened Bread and even moving forward and its importance to remembering the connection to all God’s Holy Days. So let me back up and ask the question again, “What is the wave sheaf offering?”

In simple terms the wave sheaf offering was a grain offering harvested during the first days of Unleavened Bread. Depending on when the Sabbath falls in this week it was to be harvested on the Sunday following the weekly Sabbath. In the instruction God gave ancient Israel, the priest was to take a sheaf of the early barley harvest, it was to be cut, it was to be beat out and made into fine flour, put in a bowl, a certain measure, and it was to be waved before God in acceptance before the congregation. Let’s read of that in Leviticus chapter 23. Seems like an odd thing to go through but it is deep with meaning. I’m hoping to show you some of that today.

Leviticus 23 and in verse 9, let’s pick up the thought here. Leviticus 23:9 – And the Eternal spoke to Moses, saying, Verse 10 – “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them:`When you come into the land which I will give you, and reap of its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. Verse 11 – `He shall wave the sheaf before the Eternal, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. Verse 12 – `And you shall offer on that day, when you wave the sheaf, a male lamb of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering to the Eternal. Verse 13 – `It’s a grain offering shall be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to the Eternal, for a sweet aroma; and its drink offering shall be of wine, one-fourth of a hin. Verse 14 – `You shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you have brought the offering to your God; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. And as we just read, “the morrow after the Sabbath” – so this would be a Sunday and this year that’s tomorrow. This was to be done before that spring harvest was to begin in earnest.

Now, God instructed Israel to begin the spring harvest season by waving this ephah of barley. That’s a measure of about two quarts in our modern measurement system. This grain was not on the stalk, the wave was to be cut, as we’ll read here in a moment, it was to be beaten out fine. Let’s just do that, in verse 13. Verse 13 – grain offering two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour… That’s beaten down, like we would use to bake. It’s not the rough, on the stalk barley. This is interesting, the significance of this.

Now barley was the spring harvest grain, it wasn’t the primary grain, but it was an easy one to sow because it could be placed in the ground in the fall before everything went dormant. Then in the spring as the ground began to warm up this barley would start to grow. The Israelites, as we read, were not to eat of any other harvest of the early crop until this wave sheaf took place. Now in our modern society I would speculate that very few of us actually had a connection to farming in terms of our living and we may not understand how that works. But if you’re driving around you notice that a lot of the fields that are green.” 

Continued at: https://www.ucg.org/sermons/the-wave-sheaf

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The Wave Offering is the last day of the Feast of The Unleavened Bread, which we, in our church, just celebrated.

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Do you lie to your kids?

“Are White Lies a Necessary Part of Parenting?

by Brianna Wine

Society winks at and even encourages parents to tell their children white lies. But are little lies really harmless to our children?

“Come on, please get out of the pool. It’s time to go!”

The frustrated mother looks over at me, pleading for help. I sympathize with her, but look away to continue monitoring the pool. As a lifeguard, it’s my job to ensure everyone’s safety, but often I am required to do a little babysitting as well.

A little later, I hear her yell, “Okay, you have five more minutes and then you have to get out or else!” The child keeps swimming. Oh no, I think, as I see the parent start to walk over to me. The mom winks and says behind her hand in a whisper, “Hey, can you blow your whistle and say the pool is closed? When we leave, everyone can get back in. That is the only way Maddie will leave the pool. She just won’t listen to me.

As she said it, she looked at me for approval of her idea—but it was something I could not give. Instead of lying about the pool closing, I firmly instructed her child to leave the pool. As I became a nanny and then a teacher, I regularly witnessed these types of interactions between caregivers and children.

Survey says

In 2013 a parenting survey collected data from around the United States on a variety of topics related to parenting techniques and the parents themselves. The survey was titled, “Spanking? Lying? Confessions of American Moms.” The parents surveyed were 99.1 percent women, 81.7 percent of them were married, and 49.4 percent had a bachelor’s degree or higher.

A few of the questions focused on parents deceiving their children, such as: “Have you ever lied to your child to get out of something you couldn’t deal with (for example, saying you couldn’t go to the toy store because it was closed)?” The survey reported that 48.4 percent of the parents said yes and 25.8 percent said sometimes.

Although the numbers who lie to their kids seem shocking at first, think about how many times you have heard empty threats like, “If you do not come now, I am going to leave you at the store and never come back”? or heard parents tell their children, “You better not do that, Santa is watching.”

Are all lies harmful?

Sure, we all know the Bible says it’s wrong to lie, but telling your child Santa exists or that fairies are real is just a fun form of pretending, right? Sometimes it’s just easier to not tell the truth. Are white lies really that harmful?”        Continue reading at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/blog/are-white-lies-a-necessary-part-of-parenting/

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Update.

Sunday evening, as I said last week, we celebrated the ‘Foot-washing’, and the ‘Bread and Wine..’ “Do it in remembrance of me.” 

Monday, 30th. April, the Passover started at dusk, so we had another evening gathering in the dining hall of the church.  We had the readings, the seder plate with the symbols, and the four little glasses of wine.  The supper was lamb, as it should be, with several veggies and unleavened bread made by different people in the congregation.  I made some too, and even though it was my first attempt everyone loved it and it was all devoured in a hurry.  Mine had been made with some almond flour, maybe that’s why it tasted different.   I don’t drive in the dark, so my German neighbor Hans took me to both the evening meetings.  He likes to go to these Biblical Holy Feasts, as his church doesn’t celebrate them.

It has been a busy “Feast of Unleavened Bread” week.  Waiting for contractors to look at the plumbing in the Mini-house took up several mornings.  The main drain was cut to add the kitchen sink drain, and that is as far as it got, so we couldn’t use any water over there. Why do people not show up when they have made an appointment? More time was spent with a trip to the Social Security Office, and a shopping spree at Lowes and Krogers !  Twice, I rescued a stranded neighbor when their car broke down.

All leavening was out of my house and the church kitchen and stored in my vacant mini-house.  We had a great daytime service for the beginning of the Feast on Tuesday, the 1st. May.  I made a Gelfite Fish loaf for the Holy Day potluck, and opened a couple of cans of Matzos Balls in Chicken Broth and added a bag of frozen mixed vegetables.  I also made a strawberry jel-like dessert with non-pork gelation with cut up fresh pears and plums in it.  That disappeared quickly, too.

The special Bible readings that day were Lev.22:23-44 about the Holy Day, Num. 28:16-25, 2 King 23:1-9,21-25, and 1 Pet.2:1-10, and the Teaching was about The Blood of Christ. 

During the week we all ate unleavened bread, which I didn’t miss, as I liked what the pastor’s wife and I had made, anyway, I don’t eat a lot of bread.  I had some whole wheat Matzos, too. Plaster it with almond butter and jelly, and you have a good snack. We had our usual Sabbath service on Saturday.  I took a crockpot of Bison and cabbage, and another crockpot full of freshly cooked veggies.  We would still be eating unleavened bread until the last day of The Feast of Unleavened Bread which would be over in the evening Monday, the 7th. May.

The Bible readings were continued where we had left off reading the Bible on the regular Sabbaths at Lev. 16:1-18:30, Ezek 22:1-22:19, and Heb 9:11-28.  We also read Psalms 1, 19 and 15. The teaching was about God’s Plan of Redemption, and how Jesus is the beginning and the end.

This is supposed to be posted on Sunday, but this time it is really late.  It’s going to be time to write the next one in a couple of days.

Do You Want Fries With That? Recipes. Grooming.

But what else are you getting with your fries?

"Fries are not made from 100% potato.
When fast-food restaurants started, fries were made from real potatoes, which were peeled and sliced each morning. Today, nearly all fast-food fries arrive at the restaurants frozen and processed.

Since potatoes become discolored during the freezing process (when they are stored in temperatures below 45 F), they must be treated with sulphites at the production plant to avoid this natural phenomenon. Oh, and there is no peeling or slicing involved -- all fries are now made with machines.

Sulfur dioxide is also commonly used to bleach the fries, which gives them a nice, white appearance when frozen. Also, a sugar dip is sometimes used to improve the sugar content of the potatoes.

In addition to these preservative agents, the fries are cooked in hydrogenated oils -- molecularly changed oils that are used in a variety of processed foods and are toxic to the body. Hydrogenated oils preserve the consistency and longevity of the fries, which means that it takes a long time before they get soggy or moldy. Hydrogenated oils have been linked to heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

So if you thought that you were on your way to getting your five-veggies-a-day by ordering fries, think again. You're not really eating only potatoes."

From: http://www.knowledgesutra.com/forums/topic/54117-fast-food-secrets/

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But we all know that regular French Fries are bad for us anyway, even if we make them at home.

Alternatives:

We all love fries, but have you tried sweet potato oven fries? Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins B6, C and beta-carotene, as well as a good source of fiber.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet potatoes
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Cut the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch strips or wedges and toss in the oil and salt. Arrange in a single layer on a nonstick baking sheet. Place in oven for 30 minutes, turning once.

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ROBIN'S BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

4 sweet potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
nonstick cooking spray
salt to taste
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2) Cut the sweet potatoes lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick strips. Toss with the olive oil.
3) Coat a large cookie sheet with the nonstick cooking spray. Arrange potatoes in a single layer.
4) Bake the potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom.
5) Sprinkle with salt and serve.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.

("I spoke with a friend who is a chef and their restaurant only makes sweet potato fries in a convection oven. That's how I make them now and they come out great about 425 with olive oil and a little bit of salt".)

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Add 1/2 tsp. dried Italian herb seasoning, or you can add cayenne pepper, or Taco Mix if you like spicy.

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Peanut Butter Crusted Sweet Potato Fries

"It’s hard to explain what happens to the peanut butter in the oven. It doesn’t become hard like, say, breadcrumbs would but it doesn’t keep the normal peanut butter texture. There’s really not anything to compare it too. You definitely need crunchy peanut butter for this because the crunchy pieces are what make the fries. The crunch against the soft, pillowy sweet potatoes is… amazing.

Peanut Butter Crusted Sweet Potato Fries
from Oh She Glows

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into thin fry-like strips
3 tablespoons chunky peanut butter
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium size bowl, mix together the peanut butter, olive oil, and salt. Take sweet potatoes and toss in bowl with your hands until fully coated. Line up on baking pan and cook at 400F for 20 minutes. Flip and bake for another 10 – 20 minutes or until crisp."

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Today:

 

Early this morning, Muffie, Claudia's neighbor's dog, came to stay until tomorrow evening, as he and Claudia were going to a casino.  Muffie stays in the house with me, but I closed the cage doors on the cat's cages when I gave them their breakfasts, as this was also the day I was to groom Mikey, my neighbor's white Poodle.   I didn't want to take any chances of the cats getting upset over boisterous Mikey, so that is why I locked them up.

 

Muffie, Misty and Paco got to know each other, and they all get along well.

 

So I picked up Mikey, and then drove down and picked up Jay.  Jay had left a bunch of heavy old lumber that came out of the cargo trailer in the big bin that we use for taking stuff to the burn pile, so I wanted him to empty it, as it was a bit heavy for me.  

We got the hoses strung out to the burn pile, and watered down the surrounding grass, and lit it.  We got some more pine needles raked up and on the pile.  I do the back yard, as that is my job.  The dry hot weather is making the pine trees shed their needles.  

We sure could use some rain, if you have some to spare.

 

Then I took Jay home, so I could groom Mikey in peace and quiet.  He doesn't mind being groomed, but he doesn't like to hold still.  As soon as I get him facing the way I need him to be, he moves, so it is very tiring.  And he insists on licking me, as if to say "I love you, but I don't want this".  Of all the dogs that I groom, my old Misty is the easiest to do.

Mikey's 'Dad' was very pleased with the groom, as usual.

 

Another very hot tiring day.

Peanut Butter and What!!

Suzy and Jerry who live in Rocinante, "Rosie" for short, a 2001 Itasca Suncruiser, had this to say about making peanut butter and ONION sandwiches:

“So, to set the record straight, Suzy and I are guilty as charged of making, eating and loving peanut butter and onion sandwiches. Of course Suzy thought the entire LeRoy family was as nutty as a fruitcake when we offered her the first one. But as game as she is, she took one bite and was instantly converted to a believer.
For you folks out there, this may be hard to believe, so we offer you the recipe and process to try for yourselves.

First, take two slices of good bread for each sandwich. That’s the common part with most other sandwiches. We usually use a bread that is high in fiber, but we know some of you stick to good old white bread. Like when you were little kids. And you didn’t like the crust. And Mom said eat it anyway!

Slather one piece of bread with a good layer of peanut butter. We like chunky, but some of you may prefer smooth, the kind that doesn’t have lumps.
So far this isn’t any different than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But the anticipation is killing you, isn’t it?

Then slather the other piece of bread with mayonnaise. We like light mayo, but you can use what you have in your cupboard. If it’s already been opened, you’ll probably find it in your refrigerator.
Here comes the good part! Take a nice big sweet red onion (or you can use a Vidalia or Walla Walla if you have it). Take off that papery outside skin, and slice right through the middle of the onion. And you now have a choice – you can make one thick slice (1/4 inch), or if you are good with a knife, make a pile of thin slices.

Toss the sliced onion on the peanut butter side of the sandwich.
The next step is important. Sprinkle just a little salt on the sliced onion.

Now, assemble the two halves. It’s easier if you pick up the mayonnaise half and put it on top of the peanut butter and onion side. Otherwise, the onion slices may fall on the floor, and what a waste that would be.

Divide each sandwich in half, either crosswise or diagonally. It’s your choice. Put the two halves on a plate.
Don’t eat it yet. Pour each participant a big glass of cold milk. We prefer nonfat, but it’s your choice if you’ve come this far with us.

Each participant then picks up one sandwich half, inserts a portion of it into his or her mouth, and bites down. Heavenly!     From: http://jerrysuzylifeonwheels.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-sandwich.html
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Vampire Day, or blood-letting!!
Last night I moved the creamer and organic sugar away from the coffee maker, so I would not use them this morning.  Reluctantly, I drank just black coffee with my emails.

Jay also had to go to his doctor, so I took him into the next town, Conroe, too.   It didn’t take long for the vampire lady to suck two vials of my blood,  so on to Jay’s doctor.  That took quite a while, but it was a nice sunny day, so I spent the time outside reading a Readers Digest, drinking ‘white’ coffee, which I had in a thermos in the van.

As we were near Taco Cabana, and we had a coupon, we ate flauta dinners there.  http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/mexicancookingfaqs/f/flautaortaquito.htm  I ate the chicken out of mine, and saved the ‘shells’ for the birds in the different parking lots.

 We were also near the Salvation Army Thrift Shop, but their neighbor, a Bingo Hall, had every parking space filled, so we didn’t stop.  A quick look at two other thrift shops, but we didn’t see anything that said “Take me home”, so on to Walmart for Jay’s prescriptions.  The ‘parking lot birds’ there had some of the greasy deep fried shells of the flautas!!

At the big Flagship Krogers, their birds got some more, while we looked for, and found, a special non-alcoholic wine that Claudia likes, called Fre White Zinfandel: http://www.frewines.com/wines/  We had looked in a smaller Krogers and Walmart, but couldn’t find it. (There are 3 Krogers in Conroe, and also one in our hometown.)
By the time I got home, it was time to start dinner and feed the cats.

A full day.