%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |   This blog contains responses to blog prompts, & thoughts on spiritual or religious themes |
Disclaimer: Any views, about religion or sacred scriptures, expressed in this blog are my own and not the official views of the Baha'i Faith or any other religion. If you wish to know more about the Baha'i Faith, please check one of these websites: The Baha'i Faith: The Official Website of the Worldwide Baha'i Community  or Baha'is of the United States ."The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers." Abdu'l-Baha1                     Other Blogs and Journals Content Rating 18+ "Writing in Snow" "The Snowflake Chronicles" "Snow Melt" "More Snow Melt" "Welcome to My Life" "Melting Snow" "Memories of Snow" "Dreams of Snow " "Poem Experiments" "Devotional Poetry" Other Journals Content Rating ASR "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" "Treasures lie hidden beneath the throne of God; the key to those treasures if the tongue of poets." The Bab "O my God! O my God! Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose. May they follow Thy commandments and abide in Thy law. Help them, O God, in their endeavor, and grant them strength to serve Thee. O God! Leave them not to themselves, but guide their steps by the light of Thy knowledge, and cheer their hearts by Thy love. Verily, Thou art their Helper and their Lord." Bahá’u’lláh2 ![Merit Badge in WDC Soundtrackers
[Click For More Info]
Congratulations on successfully completing all of your entries in [Link To Item #1970896] (2020 Edition)!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-WDC_Soundtrackers-1979333_7.gif){kind=tracking} ![Merit Badge in Stay At Home
[Click For More Info]
Thank you for playing along with the April [Link To Item #30dbc] #SaferAtHome Unofficial Month! Though we are physically distanced during this time, we don't have to be socially distant! Thanks for connecting with us!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Stay_At_Home.gif) ![Merit Badge in Blogging
[Click For More Info]
Honorable Mention for your Blog in the Bard's Hall Blogging Contest, June 2020.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/type-Blogging-2180.gif) ![Merit Badge in BCOF
[Click For More Info]
Thank you for joining us on this blogging adventure. I would travel anywhere with you as my cohorts in crime. *^*Heart*^* Lyn](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-BCOF-1901868_10.gif) ![Merit Badge in Blog Camping
[Click For More Info]
I would travel to the ends of the earth with you. It was a very enjoyable blogging experience. Thank you for participating. *^*Heart*^* Lyn](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Blog_Camping-1788309_13.gif) ![Merit Badge in Reach For The Stars
[Click For More Info]
For winning second place in [Link To Item #2213121] . Congratulations!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Reach_For_The_Stars.gif) ![Merit Badge in You Are Stronger
[Click For More Info]
You're amazing!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/Kudos-You_Are_Stronger.gif) ![Merit Badge in Blog City
[Click For More Info]
Impressive!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Blog_City-1972895_13.gif) ![Merit Badge in The Blogging Banana Bar
[Click For More Info]
Congrats on Your Super Effort
in NaBloPoMo 2023
with [Link To Item #1985857]
The Bar is Always Open from Andre](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-The_Blogging_Banana_Bar-2246010_9.gif) ![Merit Badge in Celebration
[Click For More Info]
Thank you for Celebrating at
[Link To Item #1985857]
for the Old2New Year Blogging Party
between 2023 and 2024.
May Ever Year be Happy. Andre *^*CHIMP*^*](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Celebration.gif) ![Merit Badge in Discovery
[Click For More Info]
For winning Round 14 of [Link To Item #2213121] ; Congratulations!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Discovery.gif) ![Merit Badge in Hot Potato
[Click For More Info]
Thanks for helping Andre fracture some New Year's Resolutions!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Hot_Potato-2295276_4.gif) Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 16 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 31, 2019 November Writing Goals  Finish poems 185 to 200 in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" dedicated to The Bab. Respond to "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" prompts and comment on other participants blog entries. Finish editing my edition of the November Spiritual newsletter. Finish editing m y edition of the November Fantasy newsletter. Participate in "The Contest Challenge" . Participate in "I Write in 2019" .  Review at least 30 items. Keep up with the weekly poems for "Invalid Item" . Write, at least, one story and submit it to a WDC contest. |
‘Idál (Justice), 15 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Anwesenheit, a German word, meaning presence refers to that feeling we get when we're by ourselves of being watched. I discovered this word while reading the Live Science article "Why Are Some Adults Really Afraid of Ghosts?"3 by Stephanie Pappa. Next time I'm alone, and feel that someone is watching me I now know what to call that feeling. Defenestration, which refers to the act of throwing someone out the window.4 I have to thank Robert Waltz  for making me aware of this word. I've never had the inclination or the opportunity to defenestration anyone or anything. Probably because I have a lousy aim and would miss the window.Bastard according to dictionary.com one of the one of the origins of this word is the old French term " fils de bast" meaning “child of a packsaddle”.5 For An Untitled Poem "Child of a packsaddle", I can't name you! Bastard, offspring of the muse, who fathered you? I have no clue! Therefore, no title will I give you. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 14 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, October 29, 2019 "This is the day when [the Bab] set foot in this world and illumined it with his light. There is every reason for rejoicing ..." Baha’u’llah,6 This is the day when heaven and earth raised their voices in jubilation, when the Concourse on High expressed it exaltation. This is the day for humanity to rejoice, because the Bab was born, because the door to unity and world peace was opened. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 13 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 28, 2019
DAY 2534: "When walking through the 'valley of shadows,' remember, a shadow is cast by a Light." Austin O'Malley Let this quotation inspire your blog entry. Walking Through the Valley of Shadows I walk through the Valley of Shadows with the light of God's Glory as my guide. The road is rough and narrow, covered with stones and thistles, and edged by poisonous vines. I walk through the Valley of Shadows safe in God's ancient covenant, with Baha'u'llah as my guide. |
Jamál (Beauty), 12 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 27, 2019 Celebrating the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab On Saturday, October 26, I attended the bicentenary celebration of the Birth of the Bab. The celebration was a musical play telling about the main events in the Bab's life and ministry. This consisted of dramatic performances that portrayed the people who knew the Bab, with each performance being followed by a musical selection. Musical Prelude Brief Context of the Times The Bab Declares His Mission The Station of the Bab Music: "I Am the Promised One" The Bab's Mother, Fatemeh Music: "God is Sufficient Unto Me" The Wife of the Bab, Khadijih Music:Santoor Solo Mulla Hussein, the first to believe Music: "The Gate of the Gate" Tahirih, the only female "Letter of the Living" Dance and Music: "Solace of the Eyes" Anis, the one who was with Him when He died Music: "Allahuma" Sam Khan, the appointed executioner Music: "He was More than a Man" Darkness to Light Music: "The Queen of Carmel" Fulfillment Music: "Soon Will All That Dwell on Earth" |
Istiqlál (Independence), 10 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Friday, October 25, 2019
DAY 2531: Write about an adult event or gathering from the point of view of a child. It's Friday, and I'm not ready for Friday. When I was a child I was always ready for Friday, and every adult I knew was ready for Friday. Friday was a magical day. It was the first of two days I got to stay up watching the late show on television. Friday was the day I looked forward to weekend. In spring, summer, and autumn Friday was the day we got in Grandpa's car and went to the Lake to stay until Sunday morning. Friday is no longer anything special. It is no longer the end of the workweek or the school-week. Now Friday is a day to catch up on what I didn't finish during the week. I don't know how much I'll accomplish today, which means I have some things to carry over to Saturday and Sunday.
DAY 2032: Everyone’s addicted to something in some shape or form. What are things you can’t go without? Addiction is an illness that affect the body, mind, and soul of the individual afflicted. It has numerous causes, and there are many people in society today dealing with it. Some know they are dealing with and addiction, while other don't. As for everyone being addicted to something, that's an overstatement. I don't think everyone is addicted to something. One of the problems with addition is that our present society appears to subtly encourage it. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 9 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 24, 2019
DAY 2530: Use these random words in your blog entry today: touch, proportion, exempt, count, clerk, circumstance, rub, characteristic, use, nightmare. Have fun! It's Thankful Thursday, the one day of the week set aside for expressing gratitude. Gratitude is a spiritual characteristic, which can be practiced by anyone no matter what their religion is or isn't. Gratitude under all conditions is a component in individual happiness or contentment. Gratitude in adversity changes a person's perspective and makes difficult circumstance a little easier to deal with. Gratitude doesn't make us exempt for sorrow, instead it gives us something to hold onto. Count your blessings: Do they increase in proportion to the ones you count? Each day you are blessed by the touch of the sun on your cheeks. Does counting your blessings decrease the nightmare of depression? Let you soul be a clerk and use your blog as a place to file the blessings of the week. When you count your blessings you rub the dust off the mirror of your spirit. |
‘Idál (Justice), 8 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 23, 2019 "Arts, crafts and sciences uplift the world of being, and are conducive to its exaltation. Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences, however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth … Great indeed is the claim of scientists and craftsmen on the peoples of the world." 'Abdu'l-Baha tells us, in The Promulgation of Universal Peace, that "Scientific knowledge is the highest attainment upon the human plane,"9 because it lets us explore reality. 'Abdu'l-Baha further states that there are two types of realit (1) material and (2) spiritual.10 We can use the scientific method to explore both types because we humans have both a material nature and a spiritual nature. We use science to discover the universe in which we live. Since our scientific knowledge is always expanding and evolving, we can't discover absolute truth while living on the material plane. We can discover facts based on science, however, since the material/physical universe continues to evolve our scientific knowledge of the universe continues to change and evolve. This fact was brought home to me when I read 5 Accepted Climate Change Facts – and a Few Unaccepted Ones by David Langness, which is Part 1 of the serues Climate and the Human Spirit .Science is one of God's gifts to humanity, it helps us discover the inner reality of everything, but in order to use science properly we have to learn to ask questions. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 6 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 21, 2019
DAY 2527: What is your favorite autumn desert? Do you have a special memory about that desert? Autumn Desert Autumn is the season of memories, nostalgia, and tears. Autumn is the juncture between summer and winter, when memories of my Grandmother's pumpkin pies waft through my mind, like the aroma of pumpkin spice in her kitchen between Halloween and Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving and Christmas. Autumn deserts-- always bring back memories of pumpkin pie-- were Grandma's specialty, and always tasted best because her secret ingredient was love. |
Jalál (Glory), 4 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Saturday, October 19, 2019
DAY 2525: Night Noises Night Noises If they wake you in the middle of the night they give you a heart stopping fright, but when you turn on the light you find that everything in the bedroom is all right. You get up and wander through the house looking for any sign of a mouse, the only thing you find is an open refrigerator with the cat and the dog eating yesterday's leftovers. |
Istiqlál (Independence), 3 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Friday, October 18, 2019 The Rose of Carmel Atop the mountain blooms the white Rose of Carmel reflecting to humanity the light of unity. The seed of this rose was planted by The Bab in the soil of the Bayan11 and water with His blood; Baha'u'llah transplanted the rose into the Garden of the The Kitáb-i-Aqdas12. All the colors are equal, their intensity the same thus revealing the oneness of the names of God, the foundation of religion, and of humanity. Half way down the mountain the Queen of Carmel stands inviting the human race to experience the perfume of unity and sip the rose water of immortality. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 2 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 17, 2019 "He hath moreover deposited within the realities of all created things the emblem of His recognition, that everyone may know of a certainty that He is the Beginning and the End, the Manifest and the Hidden." The Bab13 Every created thing reveals an attribute of God, a symbol of the reality of the Unknowable Divine Essence. No individual can have direct knowledge of the Divine Essence, that is why the Creator is referred to as the Hidden. Knowledge of the Divine Creator is shown through the Manifestations of the Divine attributes, that is why God is referred to as the Manifest. Still withing each created thing can be found a divine attribute, and the fine these divine characteristics we must look with unprejudiced eyes, putting aside preconceived ideas, and ancient dogmas. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 1 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Feast of Knowledge "The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion." ‘Abdu'l-Bahá The basis of religion-- love of God, prayer, fasting, and the golden rule-- do not change from dispensation to dispensation, from Manifestation to Manifestation. The essentials, the spiritual laws, may be restated in a language easier for maturing humanity to understand, but they do not change. As the race matures, evolves, both spiritually and materially each Manifestation brings laws and teaching appropriate to human kinds stage of growth. In the present age, when Earth can be seen as a single planet, a single country, God has sent The Bab and Baha'u'llah to reveal the knowledge of the unity of the human species and the common foundation of religion. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 19 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, October 15, 2019
DAY 2521: Use the following words in your blog entry: ghost, accept, wicked, rose, entreat, flat, shoes, delude Yesterday's Ghost Yesterday's ghost rose out of the fog of unrequited desires, accompanied by the wicked echoes of ego. The test was to let go of yesterday's failures, to forgive yourself, and accept the lessons learned. The past is a worn out pair of shoes, ready to be replaced by new hopes, joys, achievements, and desires. Do not let the fears of ego's evil whisperer delude you into thinking that the road ahead is flat and unmarked by more test and difficulties. Entreat the assistance of the Lord to keep moving forward. |
Kamál (Perfection), 18 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 14, 2019
DAY 2520: October 14 is Indigenous Peoples Day . Let this day inspire your blog entry.Every human being on Earth has a right to have and practice their own cultural identity, which includes, which includes both their native language and religion. For many indigenous peoples over the past centuries their cultural identities, their native language, and their religion was stolen from them because of the misguided idea that assimilation is better than diversity. When someone's cultural identity is taken away from them part of the person's soul dies. Fortunately, a number of indigenous people were able--in one way or another--to hold onto part or all of their cultural identity. Article 1 of the UNESCO "Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity"14 says "Cultural diversity: the common heritage of humanity"15 Cultural diversity, cultural pluralism, and multiculturalism are good things because they encourage unity in diversity, which will help humanity survive in the twenty-first century. When we encounter a cultural of part of a culture we don't understand, we need to ask about it. In fact, we should ask more than one person from that cultural about it, because one individual can't give us a proper picture of the culture as a whole. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 17 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 13, 2019 Sacred Time The Badi, the Wondrous, calendar-- originated in the Persian Bayan by the Bab-- transformed the days, the months, and the years into sacred time. The Badi calendar is the Baha'i calendar used by every Baha'i community across the Earth to determine the Nineteen-Day Feast. The Baha'i calendar is a part of "The Bab's Living Legacy"16, with each month, each day of the month, and each day of the week named for an attribute of God. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 16 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Saturday, October 12, 2019 "Armed with the power of Thy name nothing can ever hurt me, and with Thy love in my heart all the world’s afflictions can in no wise alarm me." Baha'u'llah17 I look at the headlines, at the chaos and disunity afflicting humanity, and I intone a prayer asking forgiveness. I ask forgiveness for the momentary distraction caused by headlines proclaiming the planet's afflictions, and I raise my spiritual eyes to Baha'u'llah-- the Glory of God-- who reflects the name of God in this day. I turn the eyes of my soul to Baha'u'llah and feel the love of God flow through my being. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 15 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Friday, October 11, 2019 Fire of War Prayer "O God, my God! Thou seest how black darkness is enshrouding all regions, how all countries are burning with the flame of dissension, and the fire of war and carnage is blazing throughout the East and the West. Blood is flowing, corpses bestrew the ground, and severed heads are fallen on the dust of the battlefield." Prayer for World Peace The Fire of War prayer is a prayer for world peace, a prayer begging God to forgive humanity's ignorance and warmongering. As we move through the carnage of our own fears and hatred, we are so focused on our own survival that we don't see the light rising above the mountains that separate war from peace, hate from love, or disunity from unity. Look up! World peace is coming, the army of light is marching, and scattering the battalions of darkness. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 14 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 10, 2019 "Glorified is He to Whom pertaineth the dominion of the heavens and of the earth, in Whose hand lieth the kingdom of all created things and unto Whom shall all return. It is He Who setteth the measure assigned to each and every thing and revealeth His goodly gifts and blessings in His sacred Book for the benefit of those who offer gratitude for His Cause." The Bab21 Give Thanks For the Manifestations of God Give thanks for each of God's Manifested for they have proclaimed the Cause of God each according to the capacity of humanity at the time of their appearance. Each and everyone of them proclaimed one of the names of God, and guided the spiritual and material evolution of humanity. Raise your voices in gratitude, giving thanks for Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Krishna, Buddha, Christ, Muhammad, The Bab, and Baha'u'llah. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 13 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 9, 2019
DAY 2515: What are your favorite blogs or podcasts this month? Share a short list and help us all discover some new friends. I have two favorite blogs. One is "Complex Numbers" One of the podcast I have access to through the Baha'i Blog is the Baha'i Blog cast with Rain Wilson. There are others that I like to listen to as well. The great thing about the podcast and the music is that I can listen to it while I'm writing or doing other things. |
 Log in to Leave Feedback |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
