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This is The Day God Has Offered

1 Oct

My friends know that I enjoy rainy, gloomy days. This morning my friend Regina Puckett posted her daily poem and it is perfect for how I feel about rainy days.

This is The Day God Has Offered

by Regina Puckett

I welcomed in a rainy, disheartening fall day

Even though all it offered were hues of gray

I accepted it’s silent challenge to find the color

Somewhere among its gloomy leaden, pallor

Even though it tries so hard to hide the bliss

There’s joy in the way the rain and earth kiss

There’s hope in the water that soaks the ground

And there’s music in the wind and its rustling sound

I’ll dance today in the mist and with the rain

I’ll playBecause this is the day God has offered me today

Source: This is The Day God Has Offered

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A big, untold story| Joel C. Rosenberg’s Blog

22 Sep

A big, untold story: Since last Yom Kippur, millions of Jews have begun searching for the Messiah, and for atonement for their sins. The media isn’t reporting this. But it’s worth examining.  Over the past year since the last Day of Atonement, millions of Jews around the world have begun a quest to find the Messiah. At sundown, we begin Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This is the highest holy day on the Jewish calendar, and one of great Biblical and historic and cultural importance to my people. I so wish I was home with Lynn and our sons in Israel tonight. Instead, I am in the U.S. speaking at a number of events, from Dallas to San Luis Obispo to Washington, D.C. to Toronto. I am speaking about the darkness that is falling in our world. But I am also explaining to people about a fascinating phenomenon that I’m observing. Since last Yom Kippur, millions of Jews have begun a quest to find the Messiah. For reasons I cannot fully explain, Jews are suddenly searching for answers to the deepest and most important questions concerning life and death and God and atonement and eternity, in numbers unprecedented in history. Some are searching through the Hebrew Scriptures for answers. A stunning number are actually reading the New Testament, most for the first time. They are searching on Google for information about the Messiah. They are even watching a new series of videos by Jews who claim to have found the answers. The videos — some of which have gone viral — were produced and posted on a new website called http://www.imetmessiah.com. To me, these are fascinating developments. They certainly aren’t being reported by the media. But they are worth examining. That said, more on all that in a moment. First, a few thoughts about Yom Kippur itself. In the Scriptures, the Israelites were commanded by the Lord to fast and pray and bring their sacrifices to the Temple in Jerusalem, and then to ask for the Lord’s forgiveness for all the sins they and their nation had committed that year. And the Scriptures were clear: only the sacrifice of a perfect animal — a sacrifice performed with a humble, repentant, sincere heart, and with faith in God’s mercy and grace — could bring about forgiveness of sins. “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” (Leviticus 17:11) “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22) But here’s the problem we Jewish people have face since the destruction of the Temple: What does one do to receive atonement in the modern age, without a Temple? How can one make sacrifices, and thus receive forgiveness of sins — and thus the right to enter the holiness of heaven and live with the Lord in heaven forever and ever — without being able to sacrifice a perfect lamb at the Temple in Jerusalem, where the Lord designated all sacrifices to occur? The destruction of the Temple by the Romans in 70 A.D. was a huge blow to Judaism for many reasons, but chief among them because it deprived us of the one place to receive atonement from God. The good news was found in Daniel 9:24-26. The Hebrew prophet Daniel explained to us that: someday the Messiah (or “Anointed One”) would come to us when the Messiah came, his purpose would be “to atone for wickedness” and “to bring in everlasting righteousness” the Messiah would then be “cut off and will have nothing” after the Messiah was “cut off,” then Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed Daniel specifically noted that foreign invaders “will come and will destroy the city and the sanctuary” Think about that. Daniel told us something extraordinary — that a coming Messiah would bring atonement for our sins before the Temple would be destroyed. That, in retrospect, makes sense, right? Why would the God of Israel take away the Temple before providing a new way for atonement? Now, add in what the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah explained to us that not only was the Messiah coming to the Jewish people, but that He would bring a “new covenant,” a new and exciting and God-ordained way by which we would have a personal relationship with the Lord our God. The Hebrew Prophet Isaiah gave us still more details about this coming Messiah. He explained that the Messiah would serve as King of the world eventually, but first the Messiah would be our “Suffering Servant.” That is, He would be rejected by the people, would suffer, and then die as our atoning sacrifice. Consider these extraordinary passages from Isaiah 53:

Please continue reading  on Joel’s Blog: A big, untold story: Since last Yom Kippur, millions of Jews have begun searching for the Messiah, and for atonement for their sins. The media isn’t reporting this. But it’s worth examining. | Joel C. Rosenberg’s Blog

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Hurricane Mania

1 Sep

Woo-hoo we have a guest blogger today! We have been trying to convince our friend,  Pam to try her hand at blogging ( she is an excellent writer) for years-Onisha

Hurricane Spaghetti Plot

A friend, and a new Florida resident, asked for “storm wisdom and suggestions”….so here goes, my tongue-in-cheek, short version of how to deal with Hurricane Mania in Florida.

   

Florida Homeowner 101 Tutorial –

9 Steps for a Safe Hurricane Experience

1. “PREP”  No matter what is happening around you, try to remain calm until 24 hours before landfall (and have a room reservation inland with a 24-hour free cancellation policy).  While remaining calm,  it’s ok to pull out the pre-packed Hurricane Prep Kit/Bin/paper sack from underneath the staircase before, or at the 72-Hour mark before landfall. This action is socially acceptable as a Florida resident. New to Florida?  You are allowed to use your “call a friend, option, search the Internet, wander around the plywood section at Lowe’s, or look helpless by the flashlights. You are even allowed to worry a little as long as it directs you into a smart action plan.

2. “KEEPING INFORMED”  It’s ok to watch local weather folks but remember to breathe deeply between reports/updates. Updates will continue to look differently as the event progresses-lots of times for the good-but you should kinda worry when your outside cat turns up missing (they sense these things) or the weather channel brings on the gray haired experts (who aren’t normally on camera) or they start broadcasting live feeds at the end of your driveway!

3. “FOOD”  Check the expiration dates on canned goods (last BIG Florida storm was 10 years ago). Respect Tropical Storms-they are not “an out of the woods” trump card. Power goes out with 45 mph winds too!  If you lose power have a pact with your family or friend that everyone crashes at the “house with power”; “Tag-you’re it” agreement. Not really a legal document but you may get a free meal out of it.

4. “SPIRITUAL SPIN”  You can remain in denial until the 24-Hr. mark.  Still time to pray the storm away at this point. Others may already be praying; it’s time for you to hop on and join them to make sure you are part of the action (this has worked MANY times in Florida).  When you finally see where landfall is going to happen, and its somewhere else, God will forgive you if you think/say “Thank God it went somewhere else!”.  Just don’t repeat that to your friend who just lost his roof in another state.

5. “PARTY TIME” It’s ok if you have a “cone party” but NOT a Hurricane Party!  Cone parties are for watching the shifting of the cone landfall probability maps on TV.  You can serve a spaghetti dinner, as they are now referring to the different tracking models as “spaghetti” maps. These predictions come everywhere from the National Weather Center, colleges (from Master Program students??!), Weather Underground (from Underground Atlanta? Or Natchez Under the Hill?), and from the freelance “weatherman” who is tracking the storm from his den while watching football and the Weather Channel updates.

Hurricane Parties are still NOT in vogue in Florida or smart!  Give the cops your next of kin’s phone #.

6. “OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER”  “Hope for the Best but Prepare for the Worst -just get ready!” Message from the Governor usually happens before or around the 72-Hour mark or whenever they can’t figure out where it’s going.

7. “COMMUNICATION”   No! You may not have phones, texting, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, etc available for crucial updates and calls for help. Figure it out. Your phone may not be able to get you help as you are under rubble or broke down on the road, unless you have great confidence that cell tower #20 is up and running or that your phone battery has juice!  Don’t take chances thinking technology (and the Weather Channel app) replaces early preparedness or common sense. Ever heard of batteries, weather radios, and flashlights?  Think ancient survival.  Call an old person if that’s a reach for you. Also, think,”I’m an idiot” for taking a video outside in 80 mph winds for a FB post.

8. “THE ESSENTIALS”  Filling the tub with water is not so you have water if your son’s wife goes into labor (hot water needed for that you know) or to be used for drinking water (is YOUR bathtub really THAT clean?).  Tub water does work for flushing the toilet-do I need to spell it out? Young person-YouTube may have a video for you on this simple procedure.

9. “WEAK MOMENTS”  Know that you may “chicken out” after holding out until the 24 hour mark….especially if Mother Nature decides to deliver a surprise or two-like making a right hand turn straight into the coast, or slowing down until it’s a monster storm large enough to cover Florida coast to coast on the radar!  It’s ok to panic, but only for a moment (you must NOT appear as an unprepared Florida resident a.k.a. stupid). Just pack the dog and cat and RUN if not too late.  Try not to ride out the storm in the road gridlock or at the 7-11 where the line to the bathroom is 28 and one wheelchair deep!  Also remember your fellow evacuees will not be in a pleasant mood, may be hungry or may be regretting their decision to place their lives in the path of a fickle storm-be prepared for glares, lane blocking, horn blowing and……

In conclusion, there’s not a perfect “10 steps for Hurricane Safety” in this post, just an apology from this humble writer that she couldn’t come up with 10, and a reminder that there is no “perfect, tidy” fool-proof plan. Just go back to Steps 4 and 6 and go by that-take it from this storm veteran and be Safe, Smart, and Senile-no not senile!   but you get the idea!

Just be prepared-visit with friends in the grocery store-have a plan and plywood-and know if you live in Florida long enough you will see some kind of storm in your lifetime.

Blessings and in Sincerity, Pam

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The Bank Robbery~Part 3

19 May

Guest Blogger

Norma Garcia Rowe

Norma head shot

 

Suddenly the sounds of gunfire stopped, and the phone started ringing. Outside, a police officer spoke through a bullhorn, “In the bank, in the bank, answer the phone.” Next, we began to hear sounds of things breaking. We couldn’t tell exactly what it was because we were in the vault, but we thought maybe the gunman was trying to get at us. Those moments of wondering what he would do next were very frightening. Certainly, if he got to us he would be in the mood to start shooting hostages!

Later, we found out that the LAPD SWAT- team was creating a diversion by breaking two of the bank windows in the back while an officer crawled, inside a bomb shield, through the front door. The ordeal took about two hours. Finally, the SWAT team got inside the bank and realizing the hostages were shut-up in the vault and being concerned that the gunman or an accomplice might be in there with us, the officer in charge commanded, in a very loud (and frightening) voice, “I want all of you to come out one-by-one and close the door behind you.”

The girl who had been throwing up was so scared that the O. O. asked if he could come out with her. The officer in charge said, “No, Negative!” By then my legs were working again, so when my turn came I stepped out the door and, boy, what I saw scared me more than what I had gone through before. It was a bunch of heavily armed SWAT-team men some down on one knee with the rest standing behind them. All of them were aiming at ME! It was like being in front of a firing squad.

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Such a frightening moment needs a little humor

 

As we came out, our manager, who had been called from his meeting, identified us through a window. When we had all emerged, he hugged me and said, “I knew you were strong enough to handle this.” I was the only one of the girls that wasn’t crying.

They rounded us up in the back of the bank and the officer in charge said, “We are going to send you out now, but you will have to walk past a dead body.” They didn’t know who it was, but we did. I told a SWAT- team member close to me that the bank robber was not in the vault.

 

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The Bank Robbery~Part 2

12 May

Guest Post

Norma Rowe

Norma head shot

 

After I heard the voice telling me to leave the vault and go into the bank lobby with the robber, I went. He had demanded that two girls go, but I was the only one who did. He didn’t ask for another one. He, instead, came with me to the teller window and told me to put money in bags. Even though he kept telling me to hurry up, I carefully included the “bait” money (marked bills). At one point I saw a small red light flashing, which indicated that the alarm had been activated. I remembered what he had said about blowing someone’s head off, so I tried to conceal the light. I failed, but fortunately he didn’t see me or the light. I then came to the vault-teller’s box, a large one, which required two different keys. I couldn’t open that one, and by then he was making me very nervous so I called to the Operations Officer to come out from the vault and open it for me. He grudgingly came and got it open but now he had to join us in filling the bags. I was toward the front of the building when I glanced up to see a police officer looking in the window. He was wearing a motorcycle helmet. Oh, good, I thought. The police are here so now we are safe.

I looked back at the thief and at that very instant he was firing at the officer. Up until that moment I had thought that maybe the gun wasn’t loaded but when I saw a flare come from the weapon, the hope of an unloaded gun vanished! My first instinct was to run toward the police officer, so I could be out of danger, but I discarded that idea thinking the guy could easily shoot me in the back. I couldn’t stay where I was, in the middle of gunfire, but if I ran toward the back of the building to join the others I had to pass him and he could easily grab me to use as a hostage. Again, something inside of me was assuring me that I could run by him and he wouldn’t grab me. I did.

As I ran back, the O.O. who had ducked behind a desk, kept yelling, “Get down, get down!” I finally ducked behind another desk but he said, “not there, here.” He wanted me where he was because it was closer to the vault, but once I hit the floor I couldn’t stand on my own two feet again. It was like that “shield,” that “armor” I had felt before, had lifted, so he stretched out his arm and I stretched out mine and he grabbed my hand and pulled me across the floor and we got on our feet to run into the vault to barricade ourselves but my legs wouldn’t support me. I was nicknamed “rubber legs” after that. One of our customers, a retired bank manager, saw what was happening and came out and helped the O. O. lift me off the floor and drag me into the vault with them. We closed the door, and barricaded it with a metal cabinet nearby.

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Why should I use natural cleaning products

14 Apr

Lavendar Lydia's Herbals

Last year I began to take a serious interest in herbal remedies and In June I found Lydia of Lydia’s Herbals asked if she would allow me to interview her. The interview has been a popular stop on the blog. If you would like to read it, her is the LINK. This year my interest has turned to making my own cleaning and personal care products, so I contacted Lydia and asked if you would stop by  and share her knowledge.

So, welcome back to Old Things R New, Lydia. What is your take on natural cleaners?

You may wonder what all the hype about natural cleaners is. First of all, it isn’t just a fad. It is something that everyone should research and make wise choices for their family. There are very real dangers lurking on the cleaning products aisle of the supermarket.

Here is some research on cleaning product choices.
The Environmental Protection Agency lists our homes as one of the top 5 environmental risks to our health. The causes include insulation and weatherproofing, which effectively seal toxins into our homes. These emissions come from building materials, electronics, grocery bags, paper towels- but the two main sources are cleaning supplies and body care products.

Why does this matter?

Environmental toxins build up in the body, and can lead to many problems. One of the main problems is Sick Building Syndrome, which is directly linked to poor indoor air quality. It causes congestion, nervous system disorders, allergies, asthma, fatigue, and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. This is especially problematic for children, because their exposure is greater than that of adults. They spend more time sleeping, playing on the floor, and putting items in their mouths. All of these activities contribute to a heavy toxin load.

So what can we do about this?

There are many ways to reduce the toxic load in your home. Here are several suggestions:

  • Buy used- used items have already released most of their toxins, so they won’t release them into your home.
  • Open your windows- This allows fresh air in and toxic air out.
  • Get a houseplant- houseplants have been shown to filter out toxins in the air, and they don’t have a limit of toxins that they can absorb. The most effective plants are ferns and palms, but rubber plant, English ivy, ficus, peace lily, mums and daisies are also good choices.
  • Make your own cleaners- we will be discussing how later in this post.
  • Make your own body care products- it is quite simple, and there are many recipes online for all kinds of beauty products, including perfume and make-up.

So, lets get started by learning about the ingredients used to make household cleaners.

  • Baking soda- an alkaline scrubber, it has a pH of 8.1 . Most supermarkets sell big boxes in the baking aisle.
  • Washing soda- a much stronger alkaline with a pH of 11, it needs to be handled with care and only by adults. It is found in the laundry aisle at most supermarkets. ( Here is a link to Amazon to give you a visual~Onisha)
  • Vinegar- Plain distilled white vinegar. It is an acid. Supermarkets sell gallon jugs. Don’t worry, you will use that much.
  • Borax- a naturally occurring mineral, it is also alkaline with a pH of 9.5. It is found in the laundry aisle at most supermarkets.
  • Liquid vegetable/castile soap- I just make my own, but a good brand is Dr. Bronnor’s. (Amazon link)
  • Essential oils- I get mine from Mountain Rose Herbs. Good oils to have on hand for cleaning include lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, tea tree, orange and peppermint. If you have small children, you should not use eucalyptus or peppermint. Eucalyptus has ketones, which can cause liver damage in small children. Peppermint has caused breathing problems in children under 3, so use caution. Always research an essential oil before using!
  • Distilled water- This works best in the recipes because it has all the minerals and bacteria removed.
  • Spray bottles- you will need one spray bottle for each spray you make. Do not reuse spray bottles from other cleaning supplies or you could end up with a deadly reaction. I get them in the beauty section at the supermarket.
  • Labels- Address labels or masking tape work well. I usually just use a permanent marker directly on spray bottles.

Some tips for using your cleaners- Acid based cleaners work best on dissolving mineral build up and soap scum, while alkaline cleaners remove stains, odors and grease. ( I had no idea what would  make a cleaner acid based so I emailed Lydia. The answer was a real head slap for me…. vinegar!)

Thank you, Lydia for the excellent information. I added my comments above in parenthesis and italics.

The Amazon links may or may not be affiliate links. I am never sure if they work, but if they do, I may earn a small fee. if you buy from Amazon after clicking on one of the links.

I have begun collecting recipes for natural products on our Rebekah Lyn Books Pinterest board or if you are not a Pinterest fan, here is a LINK to one of my favorite sites. I have begun using a shampoo made with castile soap and coconut milk. For the first two weeks my hair felt gummy but I was expecting that and stayed with the natural shampoo. Now I love it and can’t imagine using anything else. Making the shampoo is fun, knowing I am not polluting my body….. priceless.

Be sure to visit Lydia on her website

 Lydia’s Herbals 

Herbal health from a Christian Worldview

Click HERE 

Calendula

Calendula

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My Second Business

18 Nov

Leon is a new contributor to Old Things R New. Last Wednesday he suffered a serious stoke. Please keep him in your prayers.

My Second Business

 Leon Holecheck

 

When I was 9 years old, my dad gave me 50 cents to mow the front and back lawns.  That was a lot of work and a lot of money. When the lady who lived down the street found out I mowed lawns, she offered me 50 cents to mow her front lawn. I used her lawn mower and  it was in good shape and had been well lubricated. It took me most of that Saturday morning and afternoon to finish the job, because it was a big lawn. It was summer time and I sweated a lot and drank a lot of water. It was a huge relief to sit down on the lawn in the shade and rest from time to time. She required me to trim the edges of the lawn along the curb and on both sides of the sidewalks. I had to do all that edging on my hands and knees. She was happy with my work, and when she paid me, she told me she would pay me another 25 cents to mow the backyard. She wanted me to come back every Saturday.

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Another lady further down the street offered me one dollar to mow her lawn. Then another lady offered me a dollar and fifty cents to mow her lawn. My last mowing job paid me the most, but it was the hardest. The lady paid me three dollars to mow her lawn. The lawn mower was very old and nobody had ever lubricated it. The blades would barely turn and it was very hard to push. I only mowed lawns, during the summers, because in 1949 I got a job working at a filling station, which was close to my house, on Saturdays for thirty five cents an hour. I worked at the filling station job for a little over a year before I started thinking about joining the circus. But, that’s another story for another time.

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—–The End—–

 

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Immovable: Standing Firm in the Last Days

6 Nov

Today I am pleased to share a new book with you by  Dr. Tim Riordan. He serves as pastor of SonRise Baptist Church in Newnan, Georgia. His book,  Immovable: Standing Firm in the Last Days  is based on the 6th Chapter of Ephesians. I have not had the opportunity to read it yet, but I am always interested in relating world events to prophecy…Onisha

 

 

Tim Riordan PhotoWhat is going on in the world? This question seems to be on the minds of many people today as we consider world events. Some people face these times of uncertainty with great fear and dread while others engage these times with wonder and expectation. For those of us who are Christians, there is another question on our minds: “Do world events have anything to do with Bible prophecy and the return of Jesus?” While God is clear in His Word that no one knows the time or day when Jesus will return (Matthew 24:36), He also tells us in the same passage to “keep watch.” He gave us specific prophecies in the Bible related to world events telling us these would be indicators that His return was near, and He stated that these anticipated happenings would grow in increasing intensity: “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs” (Matthew 24:8). The miracle of birth begins slowly, maybe even weeks before the actual delivery. Early contractions are so insignificant that many young mothers may not even notice them. As the prophecies of Matthew 24 begin to be fulfilled, they will start small and grow in significance. There is no doubt that we are seeing a growth in intensity of world turmoil, and some of these specific prophecies are becoming more pronounced with every passing day.

If we are living in the last days, what does this mean for the Church? What does it mean for you and your family? It is because of my burden for the Church and my belief that we could be facing very challenging days in the near future, I wrote my new book, Immovable: Standing Firm in the Last Days. I Tim Riordan Book Coverbelieve that God has given Christians equipment, or armor, to help us endure the evil days leading up to Christ’s return and to bear fruit during a time of unparalleled opportunity. Ephesians 6:13 says, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” I shared these thoughts about this verse in my book: “While ‘the day of evil’ can refer to a time of intense temptation or spiritual conflict that can come at any point in any Christian’s life, it seems that God may be calling us to think about THE day of evil. Is it possible that this passage is calling Christians approaching the last days to prepare for battle by putting on spiritual armor?” With that question going through my mind, I began studying Bible prophecy about the last days comparing it to the teaching of the spiritual armor of Ephesians 6. The connection was significant, and I believe there are important implications relating the spiritual armor for the last generation before the return of Christ. These implications are not only important for us, but also for our children and grandchildren.

I encourage you to consider our times and the clear teaching of Scripture. Study Bible prophecy with an eye on the evening news and consider how the spiritual armor of Ephesians 6 will help you prepare for what is to come. What do you need to do to put on the spiritual armor of God so you will stand firm in the last days? Being immovable is really not an option for the Church. The world is desperate to see strong, healthy believers standing firm in the last days. When the winds of heresy and deception blow, will you be immovable holding firmly to the truth of God? The only way you or I will stand firm is if we put on the armor of God and allow the immovable Lord Jesus Christ to live victoriously through us.

 

Dr. Tim Riordan serves as pastor of SonRise Baptist Church in Newnan, Georgia and is the author of Songs from the Heart: Meeting with God in the Psalms and his newest book Immovable: Standing Firm in the Last Days. For more information on his books or ministry, visit his website at www.timriordan.me.

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My First Business

5 Nov

 

We have a guest blogger today, who I will hope will visit us often. Leon Holecheck is a retired architectural draftsman who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico and is a childhood friend of Bill Lites. . Leon has always been thrilled by the circus, and when he was 15 the small Diano Circus came to town and when they left, Leon (with his folks’ permission) left with it.   He didn’t stay with that circus long but returned home to finish his education. You can read his full bio here.

 

My First Business

Leon Holecheck

Leon & Bill

 

It was about 1944 (I think I was 6) and it was a hot sunny afternoon. The temperature was in the 90’s and I decided that I was going to open a new business and make a lot of money. My mother would give me an allowance of 15 cents every Saturday for helping her make the beds, empty the trash, run errands to the grocery store and a few other chores. It just didn’t ever seem to be enough money for me.

I decided that I would set up a stand and sell Kool Aid out on the front yard in the shade of my favorite tree next to the street. I thought it was a wonderful idea and knew that many people would come and buy a glass of Kool Aid from me at five cents a glass.

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I told my mother what I wanted to do and she agreed to help me. Boy, was I excited! I went into the garage and got an old wooden orange crate that I could use as a counter, and placed it next to the street. She gave me a nickel and I immediately went around the corner to the grocery store and bought a package of strawberry Kool Aid.

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I took the package back to my house and gave it to my mother. She took a large glass pitcher and filled it with ice cubes from the icebox, and then poured the contents of the package into it. She added sugar and filled it with cold water. She stirred the contents and gave it to me.

She also gave me a glass and a small towel.

I took the pitcher and glass out and set them on the orange crate. I started yelling “Kool Aid for sale.” There were no people walking up or down the street, and it never occurred to me that the neighbors might be staying indoors out of the heat that day. After a while, my throat got dry from yelling, and I decided to have a glass of Kool Aid.

 

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As I was sitting there on the grass, I soon realized that I did not have a sign for people to read about what I was selling. I took the pitcher with me and went inside the house to make a sign. I took a piece of white paper and a pencil and wrote “Kool Aid 5 cents.” I took the pitcher and the sign back out to the orange crate and attached the sign to the front of the crate. Surely that would help me sell a lot of Kool Aid, and I would be very busy. There still were no people walking up or down the street, so I drank another glass of Kool Aid.

As time went by, I had to drink another glass of Kool Aid because of the heat. I even took my shirt off it was so hot. One car drove by and I yelled at him, but he didn’t even slow down. I used the T-towel to wipe out the glass when I was finished.

At the end of about two hours, I got bored sitting on the grass waiting for someone to walk by. The pitcher of Kool Aid was almost empty and I decided to call it quits. I drank the last glass of Kool Aid and took the pitcher and glass and towel back in the house. That was the end of my first business venture.

 

—–The End—–

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Herbal Remedies and Essential Oils~Herbal health from a Christian Worldview

12 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I'm a winner

 

When I retired, one of my goals was to learn more about herbal remedies, so I was delighted when in the process of searching for book bloggers, I stumbled upon Lydia’s Herbals. I contacted Lydia and she graciously agreed to be interviewed. Enjoy~Onisha

buffet

 

Why were you drawn to herbal remedies and how did you educate yourself in the art?

Originally, I wanted to start a pretty garden, but I wanted it to be useful. So I decided to make an herb garden. Then I had to learn about how to use them, so I read library books on the subject. The books didn’t provide enough hands on information, so I searched for an herb course from a Christian worldview. After nearly giving up on ever finding one, I found Vintage Remedies, Inc. and took the Family Herbalist Course as part of my high school coursework. When I finished, I decided to take the Master Herbalist Course so that I would know even more and be more equipped to use the herbs. I really like Vintage Remedies, as they are evidence based, so they try to take a safer approach than many others.

Essential oils are all the rage now. Do you have any advice about them?

 Don’t use them neat (undiluted)! There are several companies advocating the use of neat essential oils, or using them internally. Doing so can cause SERIOUS problems. Neat essential oils can burn your skin, and many oils can be toxic in small quantities, causing liver and/or kidney damage. Essential oils are very powerful, so less is more. They also work better when applied externally, as well as being safer.

Most essential oils need to be diluted by putting 3 drops of essential oil into 1 Tsp. of carrier oil. I usually use olive oil for the carrier oil, but almond oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil are other choices.

Diffusion is also a good method to use, you can add a drop or 2 of essential oil to some boiling water and let it diffuse into the air. There are also many diffusers available to purchase. I use a terra-cotta diffuser from Mountain Rose herbs for a small room, or a pan of water on the stove or wood stove for a larger room.

As with anything, you have to know what you are doing. Do some research from reputable sources. Aromatherapy for Health Professionals is my favorite book about essential oils. It has safety information as well as many case studies. Many essential oils should not be used if you are pregnant, and there are several that should not be used on small children. There are other safety concerns as well, such as seizures. My favorite resource is one of my textbooks, because it has all the information on how to use essential oils safely. You also need to make sure the oils are good quality. The sources I trust are Mountain Rose Herbs and Native American Botanicals.

Do you have advice for someone like me who is just beginning to explore herbal remedies?

Don’t believe everything you read. Some people will recommend dangerous herbs, and say they are safe. If you can, find someone who is willing to help you learn, but make sure that they know what they are talking about.  I highly recommend Vintage Remedies, and the Family Herbalist course gives you a working knowledge of herbs and essential oils and how to use them safely, including dosing and preparing herbs.

Do you suggest a person grow their own medicinal herbs or is there a retail source for obtaining them?

If you can, grow your own. I sometimes grow my own, but I go through large quantities with my goats, so I have to order them. Mountain Rose Herbs and Best Botanicals have good quality herbs, as does Bulk Herb Store.

If one wants to start a beginner level medicinal herb garden which would be your top five suggestions and why?

  •  Calendula, because it is easy to grow and very good for your skin.
  • Peppermint, also easy to grow. It is good for nausea and headaches, as well as other things.
  • Lavender, because it smells nice and is easy to preserve.
  • Borage, because it is pretty, easy to grow, and has edible flowers. It also attracts bees.
  • Chamomile. It is calming, relieves headaches, and is actually helpful in fighting bacteria. It is also pretty and easy to grow.

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Tell our readers about the products you make, their uses and how you create them.

 I make Lydia’s Herbal Healing Salve, Lydia’s Herbal Muscle and Joint Salve, Lydia’s Herbal Sun Block, Lydia’s Herbal Lip Balm, Lydia’s Herbal Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth, and Lydia’s Herbal Tick Repellent, as well as herbal wormer, herbal minerals, and a few tinctures for animals.

My family and I have used Lydia’s Herbal Healing Salve on dry skin, bug bites, bruises, and rashes. My friends have found it to help with eczema and psoriasis. We use Lydia’s Herbal Muscle and Joint Salve on sore muscles and joints. The others are pretty self-explanatory. I made the toothpaste for my Mom, because she has super sensitive teeth and the store-bought toothpaste wasn’t working for her.

To make any of my products, I first research. Sometimes it takes hours, sometimes it takes days. I look for any safety precautions on the herbs and Essential oils, and look for the best herbs to use for a particular application. After I have thoroughly researched, I come up with a recipe using the herbs and essential oils I researched. Then I order the herbs I need.

For the salves, sun block and lip balm, once the herbs get here, I make an oil infusion. An oil infusion is made by weighing the herbs according to the recipe, then covering them with the right amount of oil.Not sure

I put it in a warm oven for 3-6 hours. I usually let it sit for several days after having it in the oven, to make sure all the herbal properties get transferred. Then I strain the oil, and add beeswax and heat it up until the beeswax is melted. After the beeswax is melted, I add the essential oil and package it.

The tick repellent and tinctures for animals are HErbal tickcreated by making a tincture out of the herbs and alcohol or apple cider vinegar. The tick repellent then gets essential oils added.

 

The sun block basically is a salve, but it has some minerals added to it to increase the effectiveness. The lip balm is also about the same as a salve, just more beeswax.

The toothpaste has some oil infusions in it, and then I add the other ingredients.

The herbal wormer and minerals are just powdered herbs that are mixed together. Not everyone has 15+ goats, so I sell it by the pound. I make it because with the amount of animals we have, we go through a lot of it.

 

I hope our readers have enjoyed this interview as much as I have!

 

 Lydia’s Herbals 

Herbal health from a Christian Worldview

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