FOOD ART AND FAMILY TRADITIONS: HOW TO HAVE A GLUTEN FREE SUMMER

Well, here we are towards the end of August.  This summer has passed like the blink of an eye! 

So many people are trying to squeeze all the worth out of those last days of summer by planning end-of-summer gatherings with family and friends. 

 Sometimes all you need for fellowship is to relax over a cup of coffee or share a good meal.  If you can’t rent a house at the beach this year, just take some time off work and have guests into your home for a few days.  Talk, look at photos, play music, watch movies, take a walk around the neighborhood, visit the local pub, take in the local attractions together.

I love doing this. This year though, I’ve had to educate myself a bit more, because I’m finding so many of my friends have developed reactions to certain types of foods, particularly gluten. 

Gluten is a natural protein that is found in wheat, barley, rye and oats.  You find gluten products in flour, rye bread, bulgar and graham crackers.  I’ve had to teach myself how to cook meals that won’t bother a person who must eat gluten-free, after all, I want them to feel right at home at my house, and if they must eat gluten-free food, I want to make that available, but with as little fuss as possible. 

When these people visit, I’ve tried to find gluten free food and recipes that everyone in the house can eat and enjoy with them.   If you don’t mention to everyone that you are eating gluten-free, they just think you’ve come up with some imaginative new recipes. 

It also helps to know which products on the market you can buy that do not contain gluten.  I like to make breakfast at my house during the week days a serve-yourself occasion.  I’ll typically put a tray out on the kitchen table full of cereal, grits, oat meal, etc., in the easy-to-fix packets and  a bowl of fresh fruits (bananas, apples, oranges,grapes, grapefruit, etc.) and an assortment of fresh home-made bread/muffins/bagels with a pretty dish of butter, jam, honey and jelly.  I’ll include a stack of bowls and saucers on the table with some pretty paper napkins and some silverware.   There is usually skim milk and fresh orange juice in the refrigerator, and I’ll  brew a pot of coffee when I get out of bed, or the person who rises before me will see the coffee supplies on the counter by the coffee pot.  This way everyone can come to the table at their own waking-up time, and help themselves to whatever makes them happy.  The day starts with very little work or stress, but everyone is usually filled and satisfied.  On the weekends we might break this routine and cook eggs and biscuits, or waffles or pancakes, or a breakfast casserole.

I pondered how this routine would work with a gluten-free diet.  I found that Chex cereal, as well as some Rice Krispy cereals have many gluten-free products.  Honey Nut Chex, Chocolate Chex, Cinnamon Chex, Apple Cinnamon Chex, Rice Chex and Corn Chex are all gluten free.   Wheat Chex and Multi-grain Chex are NOT gluten free.  The Chex cereal selection gives me a good glutten-free start on my usual breakfast tray.  I’m going to put some fresh blueberries, bananas and strawberries in my fruit bowl.  All of these would be tasty in the cereal with skim milk.

If you browse the website at gluttenfreely.com, you can find a lot of suitable products that are gluten free.  For instance, Bisquick can be bought gluten-free, just check the box label when you shop. Chebe makes a gluten-free cinnamon roll mix.  A company called UDI’s makes several gluten-free breads and breakfast bread selections, such as raisin bread and cinnamon bread as well as a multi-grained bread.  They also make bagels.  Don’t go overboard here though, these mixes are much higher priced when they come pre-cooked and pre-packaged.  I’ve started stocking up my pantry with them just a few at a time when I have a little extra to spend on groceries.  With all of these good healthy choices, my breakfast tray can stay stocked through the week without a bit of extra work.

I like for lunch to be light and easy, sandwiches, soups, pastas, salads, etc.  Here are a few lunch recipes I found for a good gluten free lunch:  Cebe makes a gluten-free pizza mix and so does Bisquick.  Even better, UDI’s has a pre-packaged gluten free pizza crust.  Just follow the instructions for baking the crust, top with your favorite toppings, and add some cheese.  Pizza is great for lunch!

Here is a good chicken salad recipe that can either be served up in lettuce cups or served like I make it;  molded into a chicken salad cheesecake:

Asian Chicken Salad Pie (or) with Lettuce Cups

• 2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
• 4 medium green onions, diagonally sliced (1/4 cup)
• 1 can (8 oz) sliced water chestnuts, drained, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup gluten free spicy peanut sauce (from 7-oz bottle)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 24 small (about 3 inch) Bib lettuce leaves (about 1 1/2 heads), breaking larger leaves into smaller size
• 1/2 cup chopped gluten free roasted salted peanuts
• Sometimes I put my chicken salad recipes into a cheesecake spring-form pan, and use the crushed nuts around the sides when it is turned out on a cake stand.  Makes for a pretty presentation.

Preparation:

1. In medium bowl, mix all ingredients except lettuce and peanuts.
2. Spoon about 2 tablespoons chicken mixture onto each lettuce leaf. Sprinkle with peanuts.

Makes a nice, lite lunch that doesn’t leave you feeling too stuffed in the middle of the day.  Great with a little hot tea and lemon.

Another lite and easy lunch recipe is Grilled Chicken Tacos:

Grilled Chicken Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained, rinsed
• 1/3 cup chunky-style salsa
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 8 soft corn tortillas (6 inch), warmed
• 1/4 cup gluten-free shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (1 oz)
• 2 tablespoons gluten-free reduced-fat sour cream

Preparation:

1. Heat gas or charcoal grill. In shallow dish, mix oil, lime juice, chili powder and salt. Add chicken breasts, turning to coat.
2. Place chicken on grill. Cover grill; cook over medium heat about 12 minutes, turning once, or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F). Remove from heat; slice crosswise into strips.
3. Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat beans, salsa and cilantro over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated. Divide chicken evenly onto half of each tortilla; top with beans, cheese and sour cream. Fold tortilla in half over filling

These are very tasty!

If you would prefer to have a fruit salad, here is a good selection:

Honey-Lime Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup frozen (thawed) limeade concentrate
• 2 teaspoons poppy seed, if desired
• 4 cups cut-up fresh fruit
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Preparation Instructions:

1. Mix honey, limeade concentrate and poppy seed in medium bowl.
2. Carefully toss fruit with honey mixture. Sprinkle with almonds.

The first time I saw this salad served I thought it was so pretty!  The Chef took watermelon triangles and stacked them in a circle (wide edge toward the center) forming a star shape, around a plate leaving a  hole in the center in which he added heaps of the fruit salad and topped with some mint sprigs.  It made a very pretty presentation and tasted delightful.

Here’s a salad recipe to add to the lunch collection:

Papaya-Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger root or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 5 cups bite-size pieces fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup julienne strips jicama
• 1/2 cup sliced radish
• 1 medium papaya or mango, peeled, seeded and cut up
• 2 tablespoons sunflower nuts

Preparation:

1. In tightly covered container, shake all dressing ingredients.
2. In large bowl, toss dressing and remaining ingredients except nuts. Sprinkle with nuts.

Here is one more great lunch recipe and you will now have five days worth of gluten-free lunch recipes:

Chili Blanca

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
• 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped (1 cup)
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 3 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
• 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 can (15 to 16 oz) great northern beans, drained, rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) cannelloni beans, drained, rinsed
• 2 cans (4.5 oz each) chopped green chilies
• 2 cups Progresso® chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
• 3/4 cup gluten-free shredded reduced-fat Monterrey Jack cheese (3 oz)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation Instructions:

1. In 4- to 5-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook onions and garlic in oil 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions are softened.
2. Stir in cumin, salt, red pepper and chicken. Cook 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is lightly browned.
3. Stir in beans, chilies and broth. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; cook 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center. Add cheese; stir until melted. Stir in cilantro.

Now you know everyone will need a nice snack before dinner time, so here are five good ideas for snacks that are gluten free and easy to make:

You can freeze this next one ahead of time:

Creamy Peach-Berry Dessert

Ingredients:

• 2 cartons (6 oz) Yoplait® Light or Original Harvest Peach® yogurt
• 1 package (8 oz) gluten free fat-free cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 of a container (8 oz) frozen light whipped dessert topping, thawed
• 1 cup chopped pitted and peeled fresh peaches or thawed and drained Cascadian Farm® frozen peach slices
• 1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened blueberries, raspberries, and/or strawberries, thawed and drained if frozen
• Fresh mint leaves (optional)
• Fresh berries (optional)

Preparation:

1. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt and cream cheese. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping, peaches, and the 1 cup berries.
2. Spoon mixture into a 2-quart square baking dish; spread evenly. Cover and freeze about 8 hours or until firm.
3. To serve, let stand at room temperature about 45 minutes to thaw slightly. Cut into squares. If desired, garnish with mint leaves and additional berries.

Raspberry Lemonade Ice Pops

Ingredients:

• 1 container (6 oz) Yoplait® Light Fat Free raspberry lemonade yogurt
• 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
• 6 paper cups (5-oz size)
• 2 containers (6 oz each) Yoplait® Light Fat Free very vanilla yogurt
• 6 flat wooden sticks with round ends

Preparation:

1. In blender, place raspberry lemonade yogurt and frozen raspberries. Cover; blend on medium speed until smooth.
2. Divide raspberry mixture evenly among paper cups. Top with vanilla yogurt. Place cups in freezer about 20 minutes or until partially frozen. Insert 1 stick in each cup. Freeze 1 1/2 to 2 hours longer or until completely frozen.
3. To eat, peel off paper cups.

Marble Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 box (15 oz) Betty Crocker® Gluten Free yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup water
• 2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 1 box (15 oz) Betty Crocker® Gluten Free devil's food cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup water
• 3 eggs
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla
• 3 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, melted, cooled
• 3 to 4 tablespoons milk

Preparation:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottoms only of 2 (8- or 9-inch) round cake pans with shortening or cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, beat yellow cake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Set aside.
3. In another large bowl, beat devil's food cake ingredients on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
4. Spoon yellow and devil's food batters alternately into pans, dividing evenly. Cut through batters with table knife in zigzag pattern for marbled design.
5. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on cooling racks 15 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool completely, top sides up, about 1 hour.
6. In medium bowl, beat powdered sugar and 1/3 cup butter with spoon or electric mixer on low speed until blended. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla and the chocolate. Gradually beat in just enough milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable.
7. On serving plate, place 1 cake, rounded side down (trim rounded side if necessary so cake rests flat). Spread with 1/4 cup frosting. Top with second cake, rounded side up. Frost side and top of cake with remaining frosting.

Easy Monster Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1 box Betty Crocker® Gluten Free chocolate chip cookie mix
• 3/4 cup candy-coated milk chocolate candies
• 1/2 cup Rice Chex® cereal

Preparation:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir butter, peanut butter and egg until blended. Stir in cookie mix until soft dough forms. Stir in candies and cereal, breaking cereal apart as dough is stirred.
2. Onto ungreased cookie sheets, drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 3 inches apart.
3. Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool at least 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely before storing in airtight container.

Blackberry Kuchen

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 4 cups fresh blackberries
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup Bisquick® Gluten Free mix
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup cold butter
• 1 1/4 cups Bisquick® Gluten Free mix
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons cold butter
• 6 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Sweetened whipped cream, if desired

Preparation:

1. Heat oven to 425°F. Grease 8- or 9-inch square pan with shortening. For Filling, in large bowl, stir together granulated sugar and flour. Gently stir in blackberries, coating completely in sugar mixture; set aside.
2. For Topping, in medium bowl stir together brown sugar, baking mix and cinnamon. With pastry blender or fork, cut in butter until mixture looks like fine crumbs; set aside.
3. For Cake, in separate large bowl, stir together baking mix, granulated sugar and flour. With pastry blender or fork, cut in butter until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in all remaining cake ingredients except sweetened whipped cream; spread in pan. Top with Filling (do not press into batter). Sprinkle with Topping.
4. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until top is brown. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm with sweetened whipped cream.

Don’t you love these recipes so far?

I have to give credit where credit is due, all of these came from the Gluten Freely Web Page – it is just brimming with great information on gluten free meals.  The photos here are what I did with their ideas.

Okay, let’s think about dinner.  Here are five great recipes that are totally gluten free and very tasty too:

If You have Chicken on hand, this one is great:

Chicken Chilaquiles Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 10 corn tortillas (6 to 8 inches in diameter), cut into 1/2-inch strips
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken or turkey
• 1 1/3 cups salsa verde or green sauce
• 2 cups shredded Chihuahua or mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in 10-inch skillet until hot. Cook tortilla strips in oil 30 to 60 seconds or until light golden brown; drain.
2. Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease 2-quart casserole.
3. Layer half of the tortilla strips in casserole; top with chicken, half of the salsa verde (about 2/3 cup) and 1 cup of the cheese. Press layers gently down into casserole. Repeat with remaining tortilla strips, sauce and cheese.
4. Bake about 30 minutes

Got Pork Chops?  Try this one:

Smothered Pork Chops
Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 6 bone-in pork loin chops, 3/4-inch thick (about 2 lb)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 can (18.5 oz) Progresso® Vegetable Classics French onion soup
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Preparation:

1. Make rice as directed on package.
2. Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Cook garlic and pork chops in oil 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until pork chops are brown. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. In small bowl, mix soup and cornstarch. Pour over pork chops; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until pork is no longer pink and meat thermometer inserted in center reads 160°F.

Here is a good way to get your fish in, and I like to serve it with a baked sweet potato….

Planked Salmon with Peach Mango Salsa:

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 medium mango, cut lengthwise in half, pitted and chopped (1 cup)
• 2 cups chopped peeled peaches
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped bell pepper
• 1 untreated cedar plank, 16x6x2 inches
• 1 large salmon fillet (about 2 lb)
• 1/4 cup packed gluten free brown sugar

Preparation:

1. In medium bowl, mix lime juice, honey and salt; toss with remaining salsa ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Meanwhile, soak cedar plank in water at least 1 hour.
2. Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Place salmon, skin side down, on cedar plank. Make diagonal cuts in salmon every 2 inches, without cutting through the skin. Rub brown sugar over salmon.
3. Place cedar plank with salmon on grill. When cedar plank begins to smoke, cover grill. Cover and grill salmon over medium heat 30 to 35 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with fork. Remove salmon from plank, using large spatula. Serve with salsa.

Craving a cheeseburger?  Why not try this gluten-free Cheeseburger Pie?

Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
• 1/2 cup Bisquick® Gluten Free mix
• 1 cup milk
• 3 eggs

Preparation:

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in salt and pepper. Spread in pie plate; sprinkle with cheese.
2. In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, milk and eggs until blended. Pour into pie plate.
3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Enjoy the last days of summer, and remember your friends who need to eat gluten-free, it is actually healthy for all of us!

IN SEASON - FLAG DAY

(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Today is Flag Day.  So what does that mean to us?  Do we Americans really know anything at all about the history of our flag?  Here are some of the facts you might not have realized.

We didn’t always have “Old Glory.”  In 1775 American ships in New England waters flew a flag with a green Pine Tree on a white background with the

inscription that read “An Appeal To Heaven.”  The Continental Navy had a red and white striped flag with a snake in the middle that said “Don’t tread on me.”  There were many other flags being flaunted by different groups.  The Sons of Liberty flew a red and white striped flag.  The New England flag could be seen in certain area of the country and it displayed a green pine tree in the upper left corner (this area of the flag is called the canton) with red white and blue stripes.  The Forster flag displayed six small white stripes for a canton on a  solid red background. 

In January of 1776 the grand union flag in Continental colors was displayed on Prospect Hill.  The British Union Jack was in the canton and there were 13 alternate red and white stripes.  It is said the George Washington, himself, replaced this flag with the one commissioned to Besty Ross at a later date.   Prospect Hill, dominated the road from Charlestown and had great strategic importance in the Revolutionary War.   This place was known as the "Citadel"  The castle there, dedicated in 1903 is a monument commemorating the fortifications on top of this hill.  A tablet inside reads:  "This tablet is erected in memory of the soldiers of the Revolution and of the Civil War who encamped on Prospect Hill and of the banners under which they valiantly fought."

Too many flags were being flown by the American colonies.  It was confusing and dividing.  There needed to be one flag that everyone could rally around which represented the hearts and souls of the people now living in America. 

By this time four generations of families had grown up in the new country.

   

Betsy Ross was born in 1752 in Philadelphia.  Her maiden name was Elizabeth Griscom.   She was the great granddaughter of a carpenter who had arrived in New Jersey from England in 1680.  Betsy, as she later came to be called, was one of 17 children born to her Quaker parents.  She attended Quaker school with her sisters and became a very good seamstress.  

When she turned 17 her father apprenticed her out to become an upholsterer.  It was while she was in school that she fell in love with another apprentice named John Ross.  He was NOT a Quaker and her parents and religion forbid her to marry him.  She defied them in 1772 choosing to give up her family and religious belief in John’s favor.  It was quite the scandal in Philadelphia.  The Quakers as well as her immediate family completely cut all ties to her.  

John and Betsy, alone and completely out of their own efforts, opened up an upholstery shop that became famous in the area.  The thing that set them apart was Betsy’s marvelous skills as a seamstress.   It was during this time that the State of Pennsylvania commissioned Betsy and John to make the flags for their naval ships.  Betsy designed what is now known as The American Flag.  Her source of inspiration for this flag's composition will be discussed later in this article.  

 In 1776 at the start of the American Revolution, John Ross was killed in a gunpowder explosion.  Betsy acquired his property and kept up the upholstery business.  She worked day and night to fill the demands of the shop for orders of flags for Pennsylvania.  

After a year of being a widow, Betsy remarried.  Her new husband named Joseph Ashburn was a sailor.   In 1781 the ship he was on was captured by the British and he died in prison soon after.  Once again Betsy was a widow.  

In 1783 she was remarried to a man named John Claypoole.  John had been a friend of Joseph’s and they were in prison together when Joseph died.  John , having escaped, delivered the news of Joseph’s death and his last endearing words to Betsy and that is how the two became acquainted.  John had spoken with Joseph when he was dying.  His last words were of his love for Betsy.  Joseph asked him to deliver his final words to Betsy as a personal favor from a friend.  

Betsy had a long and happy marriage to John Claypoole.  It lasted for 34 years.  In 1817 after a long time of disability, John died, leaving Betsy a widow for the third time.  

Finally, at the age of 84 Betsy Ross died too,leaving behind more than the simple legacy of a seamstress.    50 years after her death her grandson shared the story of how she sewed the first American flag.  As the story goes, while Betsy was married to John Ross they were visited by President George Washington.  His visit seemed to have inspired Betsy's thinking in the sewing of the flag in June of 1776.

Harper’s Monthly picked up on Betsy’s grandson’s speech about his grandmother’s life and published the story in 1873.  Everyone across the country of America at that time loved and read Harper's Monthly.  That is how Betsy Ross became famous for making the first American flag, many long years after her death.

Due to the fact that this story is a legend without proper documentation, many nay-sayers have tried to discredit the life work of this brave and courageous woman named Betsy Ross by denying that the story is true.  

Even if she had not sewn the flag, Betsy Ross's legacy would stand as a prime

example of what American women have endured throughout our nation’s history.  She stands for the decency of faithful marriage between a man and a women.  She stands for brave widows in the country that have used their skills and talents to raise and care for their children in extraordinary, unique and exemplary ways.  She stands for personal integrity and self education in every aspect of daily life.  She stands for hard work in the midst of constantly changing circumstances.  

Let the nay-sayers be silent about Mrs. Ross and give her the national identity she deserves for the symbol of her life’s work!  She has made us proud!

  The National Historic Park in Philadelphia summed up the contribution of our flag sewed by Betsy Ross in this way: 

“Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. When we view the flag, we think of liberty, freedom, pride, and Betsy Ross. The American flag flies on the moon, sits atop Mount Everest, is hurtling out in space. The flag is how America signs her name. It is no surprise that Betsy Ross has become one of the most cherished figures of American History.”

I can think of no greater way to describe the life of Betsy Ross and the contribution she made to America by giving us that beautiful Old Glory that we who are truly American’s at heart still display in our homes and across the land.

God bless America.  May she return to being faithful to The God who made her great, and may she return to the honor and glory that has long been represented by this flag that proclaims the liberty and freedom on one nation under God.

COME AS A CHILD LESSON 74 - AN UNCHANGEABLE BLESSING

(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Isaac grew very old and he was blind.  He knew he was about to die.  He called Esau to his side and told him to get his bow and arrows and go out to hunt some wild game for him.  He said when Esau returned and they shared this meal he would give him his blessing. 

They did not know that Rebekah was listening and that she overheard the conversation.   As we will soon see, ease dropping is a very dangerous way to pass your time.  I've often wondered how things would have turned out if Rebekah had been busy  minding her own business and going about her own life that day and had not had the time or inclination to be listening to other people's conversations.

When Esau left Rebekah told Jacob what she overheard.  

She instructed Jacob to go out to the flock and bring her two young goats so that she could prepare the tasty food that Isaac liked.  She then wanted Jacob to take the food to him and receive the blessing from him.  

Jacob argued with her that Esau was hairy and he had smooth skin.  He knew when his father touched him he would know he was Jacob.  Jacob could imagine himself getting discovered and getting cursed instead of blessed by his dying father.   Isn't it strange that this was the argument instead of the fact that they would be deceiving Isaac with a lie.  Jacob wasn't worried about doing wrong; he was simply worried about getting CAUGHT doing wrong.  This whole set up was sadly of the devil.

Rebekah said the curse, if it happened, could be blamed on her.  She begged him just to go and do what she was telling him to do.  Just as Sarah had done previously when things were not going exactly her way, Rebekah took matters into her own hands instead of trusting God.  She made her own plan and included Jacob in her scheming.  Neither of them gave one moment's thought to the fact that what they were doing was wrong!

So Jacob, as usual, pleased his mother.  He brought her back two young goats and Rebekah prepared the food just the way Isaac liked it.  She found some of Esau’s clothes and put them on Jacob.  She covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with goatskins.  Jacob took the tasty food she had prepared in to Isaac.

Now Jacob smelled like Esau and he had the feel of Esau, but Jacob was not Esau.  Sometimes things look and feel like the right thing, but they are not.  That is usually when we make the same mistake as Isaac in this story; we bless the counterfeit instead of the original.  This is always a serious matter and it changes lives and outcomes in ways that we never dreamed would happen.  Christians should take this thought seriously today, as we go through end times.  Jesus warned us not to be deceived.  Is your worship real or counterfeit?  Are you truly following the path of God or is it a counterfeit that Satan has stalled you out with.  Are your ways and actions true or are they done for convenience and acceptance?  Are they just superficial or genuine before God?  In the end it is God who gives the blessing.  Unlike Isaac, our All Knowing God will not be deceived by only what He sees and feels.  God is not blind.  He looks straight through us and sees our hearts and our true intentions.  He KNOWS who we are and we cannot fool him with all of our worldly trappings that fool the world.

When Jacob called his father “My Father” Isaac asked who it was.  Jacob lied and said he was Esau.  Jacob told Isaac to sit up and eat some of the game he had brought and to then bless him. 

Isaac was not so dumb.  He asked:  “How did you find the game so quickly, my son?”  He was referring to the meat in the meal.  Jacob replied, “The LORD your God gave me success.”   It is one thing to lie, but to lie in the name of God is truly disgraceful!

Much like Jacob in this story, the church is full of fake Christians.  They come and offer the meat from other gods and if we are not very careful, we will partake of the wrong meal.  We are so easily deceived, just as Isaac was in this story.  Jesus told us about this in a parable about a wolf in sheep clothing.  Things are not always what they seem.  Test them with the Word and the Spirit of God before you partake.  It is a serious matter that we face.  It was a serious matter that Isaac faced. 

Isaac still seemed doubtful, and he told Jacob to come near so he could touch him to be sure that he was his son, Esau.  Jacob went close to Isaac who touched him and Isaac noted that he sounded like Jacob, but his hands were the hands of Esau.  Isaac seemed convinced finally, and he proceeded to give the blessing to Jacob.  Right before he started Isaac asked one last time; 

“Are you really my son Esau?”  Jacob replied “I am.”  We see here that just like Peter when Christ was being tried, Jacob lied three times about who he actually was.

Jacob fed Isaac the game and they drank some wine.  Then Isaac told him to come near to him and kiss him.  So Jacob kissed him.  Then Isaac could smell Esau’s clothes and he began the blessing:

"Ah, the smell of my son

is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.

May God give you heaven's dew and earth's richness -

An abundance of grain and new wine.  

May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you.

Be lord over your brothers, 

And may the sons of your mother bow down to you.

May those who curse you be cursed, And those who bless you be blessed."

Thus, Jacob, right or wrong, received the blessings passed down from God to Abraham to Isaac.  A blessing is forever.  It cannot be changed or reversed.  When it is spoken, it is spoken.  There is no going back.  Jacob would be blessed no matter how it came about.

Sometimes things happen in life that seem out of order.  There is still no need to worry about the fact that God is in control and working through every action of every human being.  God let this happen.  In the end, it worked out for the best, though it seemed wrong at the time.  

God sees the end of the picture, and we can only see where we are right now in time.  God knew that of the two men, only Jacob truly worshiped Him.  Even though Jacob sinned terribly, he still recognized that God was God.

Apparently Esau was caught up in a pagan world.  He did not appreciate, understand, value or respect these blessings, but Jacob did.  

Actually, if you look at their sins; neither son was deserving.   

Perhaps that is why it happened the way it did.  There are probably a million other reasons that we could point to on this side of history, but for now we just have to know that things transpired the way they did,  and God allowed it.  

The mistake of this blessing brought about change in many ways for both of Isaac's sons, as we will see later.  Both of these men's characters were completely reformed from the actions and events that spun out of this one incident in time.  The whole time God was in control.

No sooner than Jacob left his father’s side after this blessing, Esau returned.  He prepared the game and brought it in to Isaac.  He told his father to sit up and eat the game so that he could then give him the blessing. 

Isaac asked “Who are you?”  Esau replied:  “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”

How devastating it must have been for Esau when his own father did not recognize him and suspected HIM of being the impostor!  Esau had plenty of faults, but the one thing he had going for him all along was that he was close to his father.  They shared a close relationship and Esau truly loved Isaac.  This must have bothered Esau more than losing the blessing.

Trembling with anger and dismay Isaac asked, “Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me?  I ate it just before you came and I blessed HIM – and indeed he will be blessed!”

Esau let out a loud, bitter cry and said “Father – Bless me – me too, my

Father!”

But it was too late.  Isaac told Esau how his brother came deceitfully and took his blessing.  Esau noted in the conversation that Jacob had been rightly named!  Remember that Jacob means to trick or to deceive.  Esau said “that is the second time he has taken advantage of me:  He took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing!”

Once again Esau turned to his father and asked:  “Haven’t you reserved ANY blessing for me?”

Isaac, sadly and more or less thinking out loud shook his head and told Esau he had made Jacob lord over him, all his relatives and his servants.  He said he had sustained him with grain and new wine.  

What was left for Esau?

Esau wept and begged for a blessing until his father finally, in his frustration and dismay, said this over him:

"Your dwelling will be away from the earth's richness,

Away from the dew of heaven above.

You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother.

But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck."

Is that not the strangest blessing you have ever heard?  

At first it almost sounds like a doom-filled curse, but a little hope is offered in the end.  Esau must have been beside himself with regret at this point.

Thus, the grudge between Jacob and Esau grew even wider.  Esau made a pledge to himself that he would kill Jacob after he had mourned his father’s death.

Someone told Rebekah about Esau’s intentions, and she immediately sent for Jacob and told him Esau’s plan.  She insisted that Jacob flee to her brother Laban’s house in Harran.  She told him to stay there for awhile until his brother’s fury subsided.  She said she would send for him when this had come to pass.  Her words were “Why should I lose both of you in one day?”  Of course she meant she would be grieving for Isaac and did not want to lose Jacob too.  

 Sometimes when you make your own plan instead of trusting God to do his work; you lose.  Rebekah was about to lose the two most precious men in her life.  She wasn't just losing them, she was losing them after she had done harm to them.  It must have been a terrible time for Rebekah.  Her heart must have been breaking more and more each minute.

Then Rebekah turned to Isaac and told him how disgusted she was with living with Esau’s Hitite women.  She told him that she wanted Jacob to take a wife from among the women of her home.  She convinced Isaac that Jacob should leave for Harran to find a wife.  It was a great plot to hide him from Esau for awhile without disturbing the last days of Isaac.  I'm sure by now Isaac, as disgusted as he was with Jacob's actions, also feared for his life and the wrath of Esau.  

Can you imagine how miserable Isaac must have been to have been deceived by his son and his wife so close to the end of his life?   

Troubles from the world come to everyone.  Isaac; the one who had been willing to give his life so many years ago for all of mankind, suffered from the actions of the three human beings that meant the most to him because they had not followed the ways of God.  They had taken their own paths and listened to the lies of the enemy.  They had let the devil chose their way instead of God.  This surely would not have been the way Isaac wanted to leave this earth, but that is the way it happened in spite of all the good Isaac had done. 

Rest assured that God does His best work when mere men fail.  

God had not forgotten Isaac's faithfulness, and He was in control of all of these descendants of Abraham; even when they refused to listen.