Raisins: Origin and Biblical Perspective

by Lady Jess

Raisins are dried grapes. The word 'raisin' is derived from the Old French word meaning 'grape' while 'raisin sec' means 'dry grape'. Raisin comes from the older Latin word 'racemus' meaning 'a bunch of grapes'. Raisins are made all over the world. They can be eaten raw or used in cuisine. Raisins are normally sun-dried, but could as well be "water-dipped," or dehydrated.

Different kinds of raisins depend on the kind of grape it's made from, seedless or non-seedless. Raisins have a many different colors (green, black, blue, purple, yellow) and sizes. Smaller raisins, which are made from a specific kind of seedless grape known as the Black Corinth and when dried are called Zante currants, are darker in their color and have a tart, tangy color. Seedless varieties include the Sultana, which is known as "Thompson Seedless" in America, and Flame."Golden raisins" are made from Sultanas that have been treated with Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and flame dried to give them their signiture color. Green colored raisins come from Iran.

Raisins are about 69% sugars by weight, and most of that is fructose. Like grapes, raisins are also very high in a specific kind of antioxidants. Because of the amount of sugars in the raisin, it makes it very sweet. Though, if they are kept for a long time, the sugar inside the fruit becomes crystallized and it makes the dry raisins gritty, but does not change their usability. The sugar grains dissolve when the raisins are soaked in hot water and the raisins may also re-hydrate a bit. People who are Diabetic may use raisins instead of regular processed sugar. *If you are Diabetic, you may want to consult your physician on your intake of raisins. Especially if your case is different.*

Just as the grape was treated with all of those chemicals or methods to make it shriveled up, have you been treated with sin and the world and become dried up in the Spirit? I was thinking about this and I decided to share it with you.

It is very important to be full in the Spirit continually, but, like all humans, we need a renewing of His Spirit. David said in Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Even the man who was called "the man after God's own heart" needed a renewal in the Spirit. Only God can do this, in Jesus' name. Has the world hardened you, has it shrunk your fruit? God can ripen you again. We CAN live in Christ. We can be plump and ready by feeding on Christ's Spirit. We must let the Spirit fill us. The less of us, the more room there is for Christ.

"Father, God, empty me completely. Live through my days, and my articles. Let people find you at the depth of my soul. In all of these troubles, while the world falls around me, I can stand strong in Christ. Though souls cry around me, I can rejoice in Yeshua alone. Through the rushing about of the world, I can rest in the Prince of Peace."

2 Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect through weakness. Very gladly therefore will I rejoice rather in mine infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

Since we are a part of the Tree of Life, we don't have to TRY to live in the Spirit and we don't have to ATTEMPT TO be in Christ. An apricot doesn't have to TRY to be an apricot, it is one because of where it came from. From what produced it. That Good Tree produced us as His fruit, so we don't have to WORK at being in Christ.

Titus 3:5-7 "Not by the works of righteousness, which we had done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of the new birth, and the renewing of the holy Ghost, Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior, That we, being justified by his grace, should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

I want Jesus to give me Life.

Lady Jess is a teen lady who is homeschooled along with her siblings. She assists her mother in teaching her younger siblings, is an interpreter for deaf ministry, sings in a local choir, and is in training to be a homeschooling parent herself one day.

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Fingerprints

by Miss Alyssa

Fingerprinting is the most commonly used forensic evidence in the world.

The History of Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting was first performed by the English in July, 1858. Sir William James Herschel began requiring palm prints and later on, simply the prints of the right Index and Middle fingers on every contract made with the locals of Jungipoor, India. However, Herschel was not using fingerprinting for scientific evidence but simply to impress upon the people the importance of keeping their contract with him. Nevertheless, he did eventually realize that they could prove or disprove identity.

During the 1870's, Dr. Henry Faulds recognized the importance of fingerprints as a means of identification. In addition, he created a method of classification. In 1882, Gilbert Thompson of the U.S. Geological Survey in New Mexico, performed the first known use of fingerprints in America. He used his thumb print on a document to prevent forgery.

In 1897, the Calcutta Anthropometric Bureau became the world's first Fingerprint Bureau. Working in the Calcutta Anthropometric Bureau were Azizul Haque and Hem Chandra Bose. Haque and Bose were the two Indian fingerprint experts credited with primary development of the Henry System of fingerprint classification. It was named for their supervisor, Edward Richard Henry.. The Henry classification system is still used in all English-speaking countries.

The first systematic use of fingerprints in the U.S. by the New York Civil Service Commission for testing occurred in 1902. In 1903, the New York State Prison system began the first systematic use of fingerprints in America for criminals. In 1904, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) created America's first national fingerprint repository named, "The National Bureau of Criminal Identification." In 1905, the U.S. Army began using fingerprinting, the U.S. Navy two years later, and the U.S. Marine Corp one year after that. In 1924, the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was established. By the year1946, the FBI had processed 100 million fingerprint cards in manually maintained files. By 1971, the number of cards reached 200 million. Nowadays, there are computerized files of fingerprints as well as manual files.

Dusting for Fingerprints

Unless it is a very important case (i.e. murder), the police usually only dust with powder for prints. Unfortunately, this method leaves behind or destroys around fifty percent of the identifiable prints on plastic, glass, and metal surfaces. A bright flashlight is another good way to discover fingerprints. Chemical processing can discover things the above two methods cannot but is reserved for serious cases for a variety of reasons. To do such serious investigation causes a lot of damage to whatever area is being investigated, etc.

The professionals use aluminum powder. Below is how to make your own fingerprint powder.

Please ask for your parents’ permission before trying this experiment!

Adult supervision and help is recommended.

You will need starch powder, a candle, two porcelain dishes and a knife.

Put a little of the starch powder on a dish. Light the candle and hold the second dish in the flame. The candle flame will deposit soot on the second dish. Scrape the soot from the dish and put it on the starch powder. Continue doing this until the amount of soot matches the amount of starch powder. Mix the two together and you should have fingerprint powder! When you are ready to lift a print, dust it generously. Blow the excess away from the fingerprint. If you want to lock the fingerprint in place, cover it with clear tape and stick it on a card.

Fingerprints--Their Uniqueness and Mark

Every fingerprint is unique. That is why fingerprinting works. It is amazing that there are over six billion fingerprints and not one of them are the same! God created people to be incredibly complex and unique. God made each of us special. Someone may be artistic but not be able to draw well. Someone may love art and also love mathematics. Someone may be an extrovert but still be shy. Though our personalities and likes may be different, there are some things we should all strive for. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, and more! We must remember that it is only by God’s grace that we are able to do anything good. God has given each of us gifts and abilities that we should hone and utilize in accordance with His will.

Whenever we touch things, we leave fingerprints. Some are dry, some are wet, some are dirty, and some are sticky. In the same way, what we do and say leave their mark in the world around us. When we die, what kind of "fingerprints" will we be leaving behind? Will our actions make an impact for eternity by fulfilling the Great Commission? Will we provide for the neediest among mankind? Or will our fingers be focused only on what we can gain for ourselves? May we use our fingers for the furtherance of God’s kingdom and for His glory!

"Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight." Psalm 144:1


Miss Alyssa, a 15 year old homeschooler, is interested in writing and film-making for the glory of God and the furtherance of His Kingdom. She is passionate about reaching the unreached with the Gospel. She blogs at One Nation Under GOD.

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Dashen Acorns

by Miss Monica June


When you come to a tree, look at its branches and the ground around it for some acorns. Only oak trees have acorns as their fruits. Acorns have very many different shapes, but all of them pretty much look like acorns.

Just like how all Christians look different, they should all still love God.

From late August through December, many species of oak are ripening for collection. Ripening dates are different from year to year and from state to state by as much as three to four weeks, making it very hard to use actual dates to determine maturity.

The best time to collect acorns, is when they begin falling. Best picking is late September to the first week in November, but it depends on oak tree species and location within the United States. The acorn is perfect when it is plump and the top of it comes off easy.

Now God is walking around picking us up and dusting us off and he WILL use you to create something beautiful (like a tree).

The two most important factors for caring for the acorns that you will plant are: not allowing the acorns to get dried out for a long time and not allowing the acorns to get too hot. Acorns will lose their ability to grow very quickly if they get dried out.

God does not want us to dry out. He gives us water (the Bible) and we will not get hot (have sin).

When you're picking your acorns you need to keep them in the shade, and put them in your refrigerator as soon as you can if you are not planting them right away. Do NOT freeze you acorns!

God will keep us under the shadow of the Almighty. He will keep us in the shade so we do not dry out.

Psalm 91:1 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."


Germinating and Potting Acorns:
After figuring out when you want to plant your acorns, you should take the best looking acorns (plump and rot-free) and place them into very loose potting soil in one-gallon gardening pots or very deep containers. The tap root will grow very quickly down to the bottom of the containers, but the width of the root is not as important.

The Hebrew word for fat is, Dashen. It means, to be fat, grow fat, become fat, become prosperous, and anoint.
Just how the acorn is fat and plump, we as Christians are fat and prosperous.

When we are in Christ we are plump and rot-free!

Proverbs 28:25 "He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat."
When we put our trust in God and are living in his word, we are plump and rot-free!

Containers should have holes in the bottom for drainage. Place your acorns on their sides at a depth of one half to one times the width of the acorn. Keep the soil moist but still having air. Make sure your pots do NOT freeze!

Transplanting Acorns:
Don't allow an oak seedling’s tap root to grow out of the bottom of the container and into the soil below. This will break the tap root. If it is possible, seedlings should be moved as soon as the first leaves open and become firm. But before the root gets to deep. The planting hole should be twice as wide and deep as the pot and root ball. be very careful and remove the root hall. Gently set the root ball in the hole with the root crown on the soil surface. Fill the hole with soil, firmly tamp it and soak.

God will soak us in His word so we can grow and be a beautiful Christian (oak tree) :D


Miss Monica June is a young teen girl who is homeschooled and is pursuing her artistic talent of jewelry making. She enjoys cooking and encouraging others to share about their education at From The Learning Room.

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The Pollination of God's Word

by Charlene Jamison


We can find God in everything and I mean that literally. Everything of life testifies of Him. One illustration I will show you will be through flowers and pollination. This fascinating procedure has a wonderful testimony of our relationship with Christ and others.

What is pollination? It is the transfer of pollen from a stamen (male part) to a pistil (female part). A flower has both reproductive parts. The seeds are made at the bottom base of the pistil which is called an ovule and pollination starts the production of the seeds.


Flowers need to attract other animals to help them carry their pollen to another plant. Some examples of animals who help with pollination are humming birds, bees, butterflies, moths, flies, and so forth. What's interesting is that those animals are usually unaware of it. They land on the flower because it's bright colors and sweet smell attracts them. The pollen sticks onto them as they rub against the stamens. The pollen goes with them from plant to plant.


This gave me a wonderful illustration of evangelism and spreading the gospel. As flowers, are we bright and cheerful so we may attract others to see the light of God within us? Do we have a sweet smelling savor, which are kind words that come out of our mouths? We should evaluate ourselves whether we draw others unto us.

This is an opportunity for us to place our 'pollen' onto them, and plant seeds in their lives. God's Word never comes back void. Unbeknown to the person you touch, they will carry it with them wherever they go. Touching one life can reach many more down the road. You'll never see quite how many more flowers bloom in God's garden because of your testimony.




"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:11









Charlene is a deaf mom of two boys, one being hard of hearing. Her heart for God shines through her life and she has the 'law of kindness' in her words. She has her Bachelors Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, writes for AGMinistries, and you can read more about her at 'Bring on the Rain'.

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Life Giving Son-Light

by Mrs. Martha

Someone once asked me what I liked about leaves and it was difficult for me to choose just one answer! Did you know caterpillars dine on leaves for nutrition and they even use the leaves as shelter for their cocoon before they emerge as stunning butterflies, isn't that amazing?! I also adore how leaves add art to the streets of my home town, especially during the Fall.

As a child, I often gazed at the leaves and watched them gently sway to the ground. Their colours were vibrant; a variety of orange, yellow, and brown. Every now and then, a breeze would collect the leaves and swirl them in a circular motion... creating an illusion of fire in the wind.

This beautiful display caused me to ponder quite a few things, what caused the leaves to shed their green hue for an orange tint during Autumn? Why would the leaves eventually wilt off the protective branches only to be trampled upon the cold ground? It didn't make sense to me and my young inquiring mind could not rest until I found a scientific explanation:

Plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into glucose. Glucose is a kind of sugar. Plants use glucose as food for energy and as a building block for growing. The way plants turn water and carbon dioxide into sugar is called photosynthesis. That means "putting together with light." A chemical called chlorophyll helps make photosynthesis happen. Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color.

When winter comes, the woody parts of trees and shrubs can survive the cold. The above ground parts of herbaceous plants (leaves, stalks) will die off, but underground parts (roots, bulbs) will remain alive. - Source: Science Made Simple

With this new found knowledge embedded within me, I could not help but compare leaves with our relationship with the Almighty God. The leaves turn into the direction towards the sun to receive it's nutrients. Leaves then turn into a vivid color of green which represents life. As Christians, we need to turn to the Son and receive his life giving nutrients. Without Him, we will turn into autumn leaves that dry up, fade and fall into the world where it is trampled and swept away in the wind.

God gives us a wonderful example of our walk with Him with leaves. Do we want to shine brightly in the sun, provide a place of shelter for others even through stormy times? Or do we want to hang on weakly, quickly falling down to the ground from the impact of a single rain drop? Lets embrace God during our every waking moment, arm ourselves with the Truth, and allow God to fill our souls with his life-giving Son-light!

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." -Psalm 1:3 (KJV)




Mrs. Martha is a married Christian lady and mother of one son. She loves the Lord and is on a journey of falling in love with her Saviour each and every day. She blogs at FlyAwayBirdie.

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Branches Grafted In

The Branch in Relation to Christ

Whether it be in a dream (Gen. 40:10), or a parable (John 15:5), the branch is mentioned 90 times in the Bible. It is used to describe days and people. There are many different approaches we could have in studying about the branch, but I am going to take Romans 11 and talk about that for now.

Romans 11 is when Paul is writing about Christ being the root and the good olive tree, physical Israel being the natural branches, and us (the Gentiles) being the branches grafted in.

^"7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded."

Some Jews obtained salvation, but the rest rejected it.

^"8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day."

Even to this day, God has allowed some to be asleep that they won't see and won't hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

^"17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;"

The Jews, the natural branches, were broken off so that we, the wild olive tree, might receive Salvation from the root.

^"18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee."

We should not be high minded against the natural branches, but we should pray for them to come to the knowledge of Christ.

^"19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in."

As verse 11 says "I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy."

^"20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:"

Or, Yes; because of their unbelief they were broken off, and we stand by faith. Not to be proud, but to fear:

^"21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee."

We should not be boastful, because Christ (in us) cannot be boastful or have anything to do with pride. In Matt. 17:5 it says that God was 'well pleased' not proud.

^"22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off."

We shall abide in goodness because it is of the Spirit. (Eph. 5:9) If we forsake the spirit, we will be cut off as Hebrews 6:4-6 says.

^"23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again."

If the Jews believe in Christ and that he has fulfilled the Law, they will be brought back to the root, which is Christ. Only God is able to do this.

^"24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?"

"25 If it was possible for us, who are the unnatural branches and of a wild tree, to be grafted into the family of God, how much more possible is it that the natural branches should come back to the family of God."

Since the Jews rejected Christ, they now have the same responsibility and opportunity of choosing Christ as their Savior.

Colossians 3:11 "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."

We have been so blessed to be grafted into the TRUE vine. His banner over us is LOVE.




Lady Jess is a teen lady who is homeschooled along with her siblings. She assists her mother in teaching her younger siblings, is an interpreter for deaf ministry, sings in a local choir, and is in training to be a homeschooling parent herself one day.

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A Tough Exterior

By Miss Cassandra

Have you ever seen a tree without bark on it? I have. I live in a town full of trees. There are many varieties around my house. Let me tell you, the few I have seen that have their bark removed, for whatever reason, are not what you would call beautiful. They are usually so discolored and scarred that you can't tell what kind of tree it is. If a lot of the bark is missing you might even think that it is just a very overgrown weed.

Merrian-Webster's Dictionary defines bark in this way "BARK: the tough exterior covering of a woody root or stem; specifically the tissues outside the cambium" I had to look up the word cambium. I had never heard it before, but what I found fits this subject so well. "CAMBIUM: a thin formative layer that is responsible for secondary growth "

We are supposed to have a growth in our Christian lives. Something just under the surface that can't help but spring up because we are new creations in Christ.

II Corinthians 5:17 " Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Bark keeps us from seeing the inner layers of trees. We know they are there, but we don't really know what they look like. They are covered, forgotten, hidden and concealed. That is the way God sees our iniquities once we accept His mercy.

Psalm 85:2 "Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah."

Hebrews 8:12 "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more."

Proverbs 16:6 "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil."

Trees also use their bark for a protection . The cover is needed to keep the inner parts safe from harm, bugs, mold, and anything else that would love to tear it apart. Just like Satan, our flesh, and other people would try to tear us apart. He wants to keep us safe from all harm, but He can't do that if we refuse the covering He has picked for us.

Psalm 59:16 "But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble."

The tree is also comforted, in a sense, by it's bark. The bark keeps out the elements. The heat and cold, the rain or draught, and the smog. All of these things would cause "pain" to the tree if not for the bark. We can avoid pain from life the exact same way.

Psalm 32:10 "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about."

'Compass about' means to surround and cover. That is the way God sees His mercy on us. Surrounded and covered by forgiveness, compassion, and love.
The Greek word for mercy in the Bible is: ἐλεέω eleeō
- - to compassionate (by word or deed, specifically by divine grace): - have compassion (pity on), have (obtain, receive, shew) mercy (on). - -

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word is:רחם râcham
- - A primitive root; to fondle; by implication to love, especially to compassionate: - have compassion (on, upon), love, (find, have, obtain, shew) mercy (-iful, on, upon), (have) pity, Ruhamah, X surely. - -

God loves the fact that He has extended mercy to us the same way he loves the way He created the trees.

Micah 7:18 "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy."

Genesis 1:12 "And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."

The word "mercy" is found in the Bible 276 times in 261 verses. That in itself should tell us that God thinks it important for us to be covered in His mercy.


Cassandra is in love with the Lord in a way different than it ever before. She was always brought up to know the Bible. Recently she has come to live out the Bible in a freedom that she never thought was possible. God is showing her things in such a real and close way. She loves knowing without any doubt that He cares about the tiny details of our lives. She blogs at Content of Praise.

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Are You Connected?

On our farm, we grow sandalwood trees, which are rich in oil. After at least 13 years of growing, they are harvested and sold to produce sandalwood oil. Surprisingly different for a tree, the sandalwood cannot grow to its full potential without the help of some other trees, due to a weak system for providing food for the whole tree. Although the root system itself is normal, it lacks the ability to find the goodness in the soil and draw from it. This classifies Sandalwood as a parasite tree. Without a strong system, the tree will struggle to grow, and will die if completely isolated. What is the tree to do?

God has made the Sandalwood tree to latch onto other plants and nearby trees and draw from their source of nutrients, these are called host trees. On our farm, we have three different sorts of trees which act as host trees at different times in the sandalwoods life. Initially, the Sandalwood is grown by seeds in a pot with a ground cover called alternanathera. Over the next two-three years, the Sandalwood roots will grow beyond the ground cover and onto another tree planted a couple of feet away from the Sandalwood. This tree is known as Sesbania, and will last for about six years, before it dies and the Sandalwood roots will move on to find another row filled with other host trees such as, Cathromium, Albizia (Raintree), pongamia, dalbergia (Rosewood) which provides sufficient nutrition until harvesting time.

From the outside Sandalwood looks greedy, or even weak. When you take a second look at the Sandalwood though, there is an enormous analogy between us and God. Let’s check it out.

Sandalwood trees need to connect with ‘host trees’ through the roots to be strong. Likewise we need the LORD to be our host tree, where we constantly drink from his goodness and love. The sandalwood tree doesn’t need to rely on anything else to survive when it has the host tree, because everything all the nutrients that sandalwood needs are found within the roots of the host tree.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Some sandalwood companies don’t use host trees to grow sandalwood, but instead leave the tree to grow with its own roots. Don’t be like that – you might turn out an OK person just like a tree turns out to be an OK tree, but you will never have the abundant life that is found in God and God alone. I look around at the world today and see so many awful things – drugs, divorce, suicide, abortion and depression – and can only wonder at what would happen if the abundant life promised in God was there instead. Draw from God and continually put your trust in Him– he is there for you and won’t let you fall!

"But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God." Psalm 31:14

"But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever." Psalm 52:8

One of my favourite artists, Colin Buchanan, once wrote a song based on Psalm 1, Grow Like a Tree. The first verse is as follows:

Grow like a Cabramurra snowgum

Steady and strong in the Lord

Facing the cold winds of hardships

With roots that go

Deep in God’s word

* How do we feed off God?
* Delve into His Word.
* Never stop praying.
* Memorize scripture.
* Have daily devotions.
* Join with other like-minded Christians.
* Glean from other wiser Christians by reading books and blogs and listening to sermons.


Check out Philippians for more on how to live as a citizen of heaven. When we are planted next to streams of water and positioned with good sun, and we soak it up, we will grow to be as tall as cedar trees and attached to God as the sandalwood connects to its host.


Miss Jessica is a 14year old homeschool girl who lives in Australia. She loves the Lord and enjoys music, reading, history, computers and sewing. Jessica has a warped sense of humour and is always ready for a giggle. She helps her mum around the home and participates in the local church music team. You can find out more about Jess at her blog Little Miss Giggle.

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The Rainbow

"I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth." Genesis 9:13

The rainbow is known world-wide but, besides the flood, what does it have to do with the Bible? Well, I found this online and decided to share it with y'all.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Violet is the first color in light. This was the color of the robe they put on Christ before they crucified him. The violet robe meant royalty so it signified king of the Jews.

Violet light measures 700 angstroms. (Angstroms is units used to measure light waves) The number 7 is associated with God throughout the Bible. Violet has the high frequency of all the seven colors of light.

The next color in the spectrum is DARK BLUE

1^st Day Gen:1:2 And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light.

The next color in the spectrum is light BLUE

As we look to the Heavens we see that it appears light blue

2^nd Day Gen:1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

Gen:1:8 And God called the firmament Heaven.

The next color in the spectrum is Green!

3th Day Gen:1:11

And God said, Let the earth bring forth GRASS, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

The next color in the spectrum is Yellow!

4^th Day Gen:1:14

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night: and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

Gen:1:15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.

Gen:1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night ( The number 4 and 40 throughout the Bible has to do with separation good and evil.)(Moses and Christ spent 40 days in the desert being tempted. The children of Israel spent 40 years in the desert.)

The next color in spectrum is orange

5^th Day Gen:1:20

And God said Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

(First life with blood) (Lazarus was RAISED from the DEAD on the 5th day)

The next color in the spectrum is RED it is the STRONGEST ray.

6^th Day Gen:1:27:28

So God created man in his own image;in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and SUBDUE it;

And have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

God called him ADAM, (which means RED man) Adam was given DOMINION

Wasn't that interesting?

The Bible mentions the word rainbow 2 times:

Revelation 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. Revelation 10:1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: I hope you enjoyed learning about this. There is so much in the Bible that some people don't realize and it's always fun to look stuff up sometimes.


Lady Jess is a teen lady who is homeschooled along with her siblings. She assists her mother in teaching her younger siblings, is an interpreter in her church's deaf ministry, sings in two local choirs, and is in training to be a homeschooling parent herself one day.

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Life's Lessons from The Beaver

By Lady Jess

God created everything so, therefore, we can see him in everything. Everything that he has created was designed to help us through life and teach us lessons. One of those lessons that we can learn from is the beaver. Beavers and their dams play an important role in nature. Here are some things that I learned about them. A beaver dam creates deeper water, which keeps them safe from predators.

It also provides a home and community for other beaver families. It could cause flooding for those around them but, on a positive note, it also filters bad stuff out of the water and it creates a great environment for other animals. Beavers are smart animals. They know exactly where to build their dams, which is near an area with deep water.

They mostly work at night and make repairs to their dam constantly. They are diligent in providing for their homes. Beavers dams can make life inconvenient to some humans, their dams could flood the farm lands. The dams could also make roads, bridges, train trestles, and levees unstable. Beavers don't know this though. They are just working on their own lives taking care of their families the way God created them to do.

Some humans do not respect that. Some humans will kill beavers in order to keep them off their land. It's not the beaver's fault that their normal life, that God created them to live, is inconvenient for some humans. There are other humans who do try to respect their lives. They set traps that safely catch them and then they are relocated to another area. I still think that even though they are not killing the beavers, it's not fair to the beavers to be forced to move to another area. Sometimes fences are built to keep them out of that area before they build their dams there. I can see how God is teaching us through the life of a beaver family. We need to work together on our home to keep it safe from danger. Even though some people might reject you and how you live your life, there are other people looking out for you, and God still loves you.

I hope that you have enjoyed learning a few things from the life of a beaver. What ways do you see God teaching you about family through the life of a beaver?

Lady Jess is a teen lady who is homeschooled along with her siblings. She assists her mother in teaching her younger siblings, is an interpreter in her church's deaf ministry, sings in the choir, and is assisting her family's ministry for Literacy for Adult Education.

Healthy Steps: Grapefruit Health Benefits

by Mrs. Brown


Grapefruit!

The grapefruit, a relatively new fruit, is a naturally occurring hybrid from the pomelo and the sweet orange. It was first called the shaddock or the shattuck because it was introduced to many people by Captain Shaddock. It was popularized in the 19th Century after being “discovered” in Barbados in the late 18th Century. It was later called “the forbidden fruit” before becoming commonly known as the grapefruit due to its growth in clusters like grapes.

The grapefruit has been successfully used in diets and cleanses for many, many years. Scientific research has found multiple advantages as well!

NUTRIENTS:

The grapefruit is rich in beneficial nutrients including fiber, minerals, enzymes, fatty acids and amino acids. Grapefruits are teeming with vitamins A, B complex, E, and K and are especially well-known for their high Vitamin C content! Less well-known are its phytonutrients called limonoids, antioxidants, lycopene and naringenin. Did you know that not only bananas are able to boast high levels of potassium? This wonder fruit, which is most commonly found in the white or pink varieties, also abounds in folate, citric acid, flavonoids, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and glucarates.

Okay, so grapefruit have all of these fantastic ingredients… so what? What does this actually DO for the consumer?

HEALTH BENEFITS:

The LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX aids in stabilizing blood sugars and even prevents diabetes.

STIMULATES LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

RELIEVES SORE THROATS AND COUGHS

IMPROVES CIRCULATION

METABOLIZES FAT

LOWERS CHOLESTEROL

STRENGTHENS ARTERIES

IMPROVES DIGESTION

The REMOVAL OF EXCESS ESTROGEN prevents breast cancer.

REDUCES AND CAN EVEN AID IN THE REMOVAL OF KIDNEY AND GALL STONES

PROMOTES COLON HEALTH

BOOSTS LIVER ENZYMES

NARINGENIN REPAIRS DNA

The detoxifying properties clear carcinogens from the body.

PRODUCTS:

Besides the fleshy fruit that we typically eat the grapefruit yields a tangy citrus juice. There are also many benefits from the peel, pulp and seeds. Essential oils such as limonene, citral and pinene can be extracted from the peels to be used in aromatherapy. The peel also contains large amounts of dietary fiber. The seed and pulp are used in cattle feed as well as in many human applications.

GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT/GSE:

Grapefruit Seed Extract is a bitter liquid with sweet rewards. It is purported to aid in the healing of wounds, candidiasis, throat infections, stomach ailments and more. It is hypo-allergenic with few (if any) side-effects. It is inexpensive and can be used daily for long periods of time. It raises the pH, which is helpful since many degenerative diseases effect the patient by lowering or causing an imbalance of the pH.

While GSE is ineffective against some feline diseases, it is a strong anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitical for humans and most pets. It also is great at killing “bad” bacteria, while promoting the health and growth of “good” bacteria/flora in the intestinal tract and stomach.

GSE USES:

DISINFECTANT

HOUSEHOLD CLEANER

PREVENTS WATER and FOOD-BORNE ILLNESSES (particularly good when travelling)

USEFUL AS A NATURAL INSECTICIDE

A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE VEGGIE WASH

WOUND CARE (EVEN SCARS)

REMOVES SKIN BACTERIA (ACNE WASH)

CAUTIONS:

If you are taking medications, make sure they do not adversely interact with grapefruits. Never take meds with a glass of grapefruit juice and make sure to read up on your meds and discuss any possible concerns with a doctor or pharmacist. Some medications, such as Blood Pressure meds, have been found to have IMPROVED absorption while in taking grapefruit products, but some medications are made ineffective by the same products.

Additionally, according to juicing-for-health.com “Excessive consumption of any citrus juices can leach calcium from the body system, causing decay of the bones and teeth.”

PREPARATION IDEAS:

Even if you are not intending to use the grapefruit peel, you should still wash the fruit in cool water before cutting to prevent anything on the peel from entering the flesh of the fruit. This is true of all fruit and vegetable preparation.

Grapefruit can be peeled and eaten like an orange or cut in half and cut into wedges and eaten with a spoon. You can even purchase spoons with serrated edges made just for eating grapefruit! You might want to beware of being squirted in the eye though! This popular method of eating grapefruit has often resulted in a juicy surprise!

In asking friends how they like to eat grapefruit quite a few were in the practice of sprinkling them with one of the following toppings:

Sugar

Brown sugar

Cinnamon-sugar

Powdered sugar

I’ve been told that if you drizzle honey on the cut fruit and broil it or warm it in a toaster oven for 2-4 minutes it makes a delicious dessert and can be served warm with a fresh sprig of mint! Doesn’t that sound just divine? I’ve also been told that if you let the sweetener soak into the fruit for 5 minutes or more before eating that improves the flavor even more!

Grapefruit is delicious in a green salad with chicken and coconut for a tropical flair or gives a wonderful zip to any fruit salad or compote! Grapefruit chutney or salsa is a cool and refreshing dip and it was even suggested to me that grapefruit might be good frozen into popsicles or ice cubes to add flavor to a beverage. YUM! My mouth is watering just THINKING ABOUT it!

Toronja Rellena is a sweetened grapefruit stuffed with honey and dolce de leche is a snack usually sold along the roadside on weekends in Central America. I’d love to try that someday!

RECIPES:

Winter Fruit Bowl

"This fruit salad goes well with any meat dish. The blend of grapefruit and cranberries gives it a tangy flavor-- and a pretty holiday look."

Grapefruit Pie

This recipe was given to me by my friend, Elizabeth King!

2 cups graham crumbs

1/2 cup melted butter

2 teaspoons grated grapefruit rind

5 eggs

2/3 cup sugar

1 cup grapefruit juice

1/3 cup butter, chopped

2 1/2 cups whipping cream

2 tablespoons sugar

Mix graham crumbs, melted butter and rind. Press over the base of a spring form pan. Mix eggs and 2/3 cup sugar in the top of a double boiler. Whisk and cook until thick and creamy. Add juice and chopped butter. Whisk until slightly thickened. Cover. Cool to room temperature. Whip 1 1/4 cups cream and beat it into the mixture. Poor this filling over the crust. Bake at 350 for 1 hour, or until set. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate several hours. Beat 1 1/4 cups cream and 2 tablespoons sugar. Spread over top. Decorate with sprinkles or toasted almonds, etc.

Mrs. Brown is a GGM contributor and owner of a small custom crocheting business/ministry named Bundled In Prayer. She enjoys Bible study, writing, scrapbooking, sewing, reading and more. She is happily married to her best friend, Russ and is in her 12th year of homeschooling her five children.

A Science and Spiritual Lesson

Warning: This article contains long scientific terms, but don’t let that prevent you from receiving an amazing lesson from God.

Red, yellow, orange, brown, purple…these trademark colors are the shades of fall. Down south where I live, people drive and even fly long distances to witness the transformation of nature, when trees change their array of the usual green to beautiful autumnal tones.

I’ve always been fascinated with the science behind this metamorphosis. God, in His infinite wisdom, fashioned each leaf with a chemical called chlorophyll which helps with what we call photosynthesis. As seasons change from summer to fall, less light and cooler temperatures prevent this process. As a result, chlorophyll is no longer produced and we are allowed to see two other pigments, carotenoids and anthocyanins.

Carotenoids produce brown, yellow, and orange colors, the same pigment that makes corn yellow and carrots orange. Anthocyanins produce purple, red, and pink. These are the same colors found in berries and apples. These pigments were there even when the leaf was green, but there was so much chlorophyll, you just could not see them.

What are the qualities that God has imparted to you, but they haven’t yet been displayed like the colors which we are all eager to see in the fall? Sometimes it takes change, often difficult change, to bring out these hidden God-given traits. We have learned from the trees that it is uncomfortable temperatures and sun deprivation. For us, it can be problems with family, friends, finances, or a whole host of other challenges. What colors will be brought out during your stressful change…the beautiful colors of love, patience, or unexplainable peace?

Changing seasons of our life need not always be stressful. God’s word goes so far to say that “we [can] glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” Romans 5:3-5.

Yes, we can endure and even glory in our difficulties because we have the perfect love of Jesus which casts away fear and teaches us to trust Him in all things. Now that’s something that will attract others to you/Him to view our brilliant changes no matter what difficult season of life you may be in. Can somebody shout Amen?