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 |   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
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Istiqlál (Independence), 8 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Friday, February 14, 2020 Artist: Baha'i Children's Choir Title: Prince of Peace Lyrics3 They called Him the Prince of Peace, They called Him the Prince of Peace, From Constantinople to Adrianople, To Akka the prison by the sea. There lived a man across the ocean, There lived a man across the sea, He spoke of love, He spoke of justice, He spoke to man of unity. His light is shining forth in all His Glory, His light is shining for all to see. It's covered the earth, Given it new birth, His light is shining forth for you and me. His teachings spread from kings to laymen, His teachings spread to all mankind. His teachings took on all religions, And left no helpless soul behind. This is one of the first songs I learned after declaring my faith in Baha'u'llah. It is still one of my favorites. Some of the lines have been running through my mind for the last few days, so I decided to search for it on YouTube. I found this version, which was recorded during Ridvan 2012 in Seremban, Malaysia. The first verse gives the cities Baha'u'llah was banished to. In the last verse, where it says "His teachings spread from kings to laymen," it refers to Baha'u'llah's letters to the kings and political leaders of the world. Baha'u'llah proclaimed the three onenesses: (1) the Oneness of God, (2) the Oneness of the foundation of all religions, and (3) the Oneness of the human race. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 7 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Thursday, February 13, 2020
5 DAY TRUTH or FICTION BLOGGING CHALLENGE Blog Prompt for Day 4 - Given that we've all had a ghostly encounter, convince your fellow bloggers that your ghost story is true. (even if it isn't) On the morning of November 29, 2012, my sister and I were going to visit my mother at the hospice where she was staying. I'd decided to move Mom there while we were waiting for a room at a memory care home. I was having difficulty caring for Mom and thought a place where she had access to 24/7 nurses care was a good idea. My sister had come into Las Vegas the day before, and her husband had taken the truck back to Searchlight. Faye and I got ready to go, and went out to my car. My car wouldn't start. We called Triple A and a service tech came out to start the car. He found that the battery was dead, and charged it. There was no logical reason why the battery was dead. It was a new battery, and the night before I had made sure that all the doors and windows in the care were closed. The Triple A tech got the car started and my sister and I went to the hospice to visit my mother. When we got to the hospice, we walked down the hall to my mother's room. When Faye and I went into the room, we found that Mom was dead. I called for the nurse, who came in and made the official determination that Mom had passed. She told us that Mom was alive less than thirty minutes before, when one of the Nurses Assistance had given her a bath. There was no reason for my car battery to be dead, apparently it last all it charge sometime before Faye and I left the house. If my sister and I had left the when we planned, Mom would still have been alive when we arrived. Faye and I would have been in the room when Mom died. I believe that Mom didn't want us in the room when she died, so her spirit drained the car battery to delay our arrival at the hospice. I can understand Mom's reasoning in this. I was in the hospital room when my Grandfather died. I saw him take his last breath, there was nothing I could do to prevent Grandpa's death any more than I could have prevent Mom's death if I were in the room with her. Witnessing someone you love take their last breath is more traumatic than walking into a hospice room and finding someone you love already dead. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 7 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Thursday, February 13, 2020 Artist: First Dallas Choir & Orchestra Title: Battle Hymn of the Republic Lyrics: First Published Version4 Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on. (Chorus) Glory, Glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on. I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps, They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps: His day is marching on. (Chorus) Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on. I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel: "As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal"; Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel, Since God is marching on. (Chorus) Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on. He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat; Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on. (Chorus) Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Our God is marching on. In the beauty of the lilies[14] Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me. As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,[15] While God is marching on. (Chorus) Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Our God is marching on. Lyrics: Original Final Verse5 He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave, He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave, So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave, Our God is marching on. (Chorus) Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Our God is marching on! The Battle Hymn of the Republic is one of those songs that sounds better when sung by a choir, with a full band accompanying it, which isn't how I first heard the song. The first time I heard this song was in a Sunday service held in the First Southern Baptist Mission in Blackwell, Oklahoma. At that time the Mission--as those of us who attended services there called it--was located in the Smelter Heights. The only musical instrument the Mission had was a used piano donated by the First Southern Baptist church located in downtown Blackwell. At one time or another, I have heard people sing all five verses. I loved this song when I first heard it, and I love it even more as a Baha'i. The first reason I love it is because it reminds me of a dream I had when I was growing up in Blackwell. I saw Him descending out of light, robbed in the sun's bright splendor. Clouds of glory could not conceal the beauty of His countenance. Nor could snow capped peak rival the magnificence of His hair and beard. The second reason I love this song is that I believe the same Divine Attributes that Christ manifested are manifest in Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God. In this sense Christ has returned. Not the literal or physical Christ, but the attributes of God that Christ reflected to humanity. Footnotes |
ʻIdál (Justice), 6 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, February 12, 2020 5 DAY TRUTH or FICTION BLOGGING CHALLENGE Blog Prompt for Day 3 - Everyone has a story to tell, so... What did you do with the money? What did I do with the money? I didn't do anything funny! Contrary to popular or unpopular opinion, money isn't the root of all evil. It is a tool. Like any other tool it should be used either wisely or frivolously, depending on whether one is a penny pincher or a spend thrift. I know from experience that being a penny pincher is just as big a pain in the backside as being a spend thrift. The one advantage of being a spend thrift is that you have everything you wanted or thought you wanted except financial security in your old age. The main advantages of being a penny pincher is that you have financial security in your old age and money to leave your children or to give to your favorite charity when you die. What did I do with the money? I didn't spend it on my honey! The truth is I don't know what I did with the money; I do know that I have one hell-of-a good time while the money lasted. Fortunately, I'm not homeless, yet. There are times during the month, close to the end of the month, when I suspect I could be homeless. I'm walking a very thin line, while attempting to live on Social Security--which about the middle of the month--becomes an oxymoron. What did I do with the money? I could have spent it on my honey! I know I spent some of it on myself. However, thinking back over the decades, I realize I could have had a lot more fun if I had pinched a few more pennies. Of course, you have to be careful pinching pennies because the little buggers can pinch back. It's too late now to should on myself, I have to move on and survive the best I can. I can survive with the assistance of family, friends, and government assistance; and without the assistance of ex-lovers. I don't need to get involved with any of the guys I knew when I was younger, because they're just going to want me to support them again. |
ʻIdál (Justice), 6 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Artist: Hank Williams Title: Cool Water Lyrics6 All day I've faced the barren waste With out the taste of water... cool, water. Ole Dan and I, with throats burned dry, and souls that cry for water... cool, clear water. The nights are cool and I'm a fool. Each star's a pool of water... cool, clear water. And with the dawn I'll wake and yawn and carry on to water... cool, clear water. The shadows sway and seem to say Tonight we pray for water.... cool, clear water And way up there He'll hear our prayer and show us where there's water... cool, clear water. Keep a-movin' Dan. Don't you listen to him Dan. He's the devil, not a man. He spreads the burnin' sand with water. Say Dan can't you see that big green tree, where the water's runnin' free. It's waiting there for you and me and water.... cool, clear water. Dan's feet are sore he's yearnin' for Just one thing more than water.... cool, clear water. Like me I guess he'd like to rest where there's no quest for water... cool, clear water. Hank Williams was one of Grandpa Frank's favorite singers. I remember the vintage Victrola radio-record player that set in my Grandparent's living room. Grandpa had a collect of records that he had acquired over the years. One of the records I remember him playing was Hank Williams recording of cool water. Grandpa wasn't afraid of technology, in fact, when he farmed he was the first farmer in his are to have a Fordson (Mom gave me this information) tractor.  Grandpa would purchase anything he thought that Grandma wanted or that would make her life easier. For years Grandma used an electric wringer washing machine. When automatic wringerless washers came out, he purchased Grandma one of those. I think the one he purchases was a Westing House, but I'm not sure. He never purchased her an automatic dryer because she wouldn't have used it. Grandma like to hang her clothes outside on the clothes line to dry. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 5 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, February 11, 2020
5 DAY TRUTH or FICTION BLOGGING CHALLENGE Blog Prompt for Day 2 - I've heard it said that truth is stranger than fiction, but is it? Finish the story - It started out as any typical day but then... It started out as any typical day but then Lion slipped out the sliding glass doors onto the enclosed patio. At least, it was supposed to be an enclosed patio. The problem was that there was a small area, at the top--just large enough for a sparrow to enter--that wasn't enclosed. I didn't worry about that area, because I had never seen a sparrow or any type of bird inside the patio screes. Outside, yes, but never inside. It was spring, and birds were singing and flying throughout the backyard. The bird entered the patio through the unenclosed area, and Lion saw the bird. I saw the bird attempting to get out of the patio, so I opened the sliding doors to go out. I didn't look for Lion or any of the cats when I went onto the patio. The bird landed on the patio floor. Lion saw it and lunged for the bird, catching the bird in his mouth. The bird was paralyzed by fear and stopped moving. Since the bird wasn't moving, Lion didn't bit down, he just held the paralyzed bird in his mouth. He looked proudly up at me, as if to say "Mama, look what I caught." "Lion," I said, "drop the bird." Lion opened his mouth, the bird flew one the patio table, and stayed there while I got Lion into the house. After I made sure the sliding glass doors were closed, and all the cats in the house, I turned my attention to the bird. I opened the patio screen door and the bird flew into the backyard. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 5 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, February 11, 2020 Artist: Chubby Checker Title: The Twist Lyrics7 Come on, baby, let's do the twist Come on, baby, let's do the twist Take me by my little hand and go like this Yeah, twist, baby, baby Twist ooh yeah, just like this Come on, little miss and do the twist My daddy is sleepin' and mama ain't around Yeah, daddy's just sleepin' and mama ain't around We're gonna twisty, twisty, twisty Till we tear the house down Come on and twist, yeah, baby Twist ooh yeah, just like this Come on, little miss and do the twist, yeah Related Yeah, you should see my little sis You should see my, my little sis She really knows how to rock She knows how to twist Come on and twist, yeah, baby Twist ooh yeah, just like this Come on, little miss and do the twist Yeah, that's all rock Yeah, twist on now, twist Check Out Chubby Checker is one of my favorite vocalist. I remember watching him on television, listening to him on the radio, and playing at least one of his records. However, my favorite memory is going to the Showboat, with my mother, and seeing him in person. I'm not sure of the date, I know it was sometime in the late 1990s when my mother was still working at the Showboat. The Showboat had a couple of--what I would call--small lounge rooms on the first floor. They hired singer, who were famous with the Baby Boomer generation. The only thing required of the audience was the purchase of a drink of some type. Mom and I went, we ordered either coffee or hot tea, and set at a table listening to Chubby Checker sing. The songs I remember him singing was The Twist and Let's Twist Again. Mom was in her late 60s or early 70s at the time. She was still working, she work up until the eventually closed that casino-hotel. Anyway Mom enjoyed listening to Chubby Checker as much as I did. Which is one of the reasons I don't buy into the generation labels. I think the generation labels are false and don't apply to real world interactions. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 4 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Monday, February 10, 2020
5 DAY TRUTH or FICTION BLOGGING CHALLENGE Blog Prompt for Day 1 - You've been keeping this from us, up until now, tell us about a time when you had a brush with the law. Cars Were My Downfall Cars were always my downfall. If it weren't for cars, I would have not criminal record. It started in the last century, sometime in my high school years, which was sometime in the 1960s. We had moved from Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Shawnee, Oklahoma. For some reason, I hadn't yet gotten my first driver's license. I don't know why I hadn't gotten my first license yet. I could have been afraid of the car or my gut feeling was telling me that there were police officers just waiting for me to screw up. My stepfather decided that I should get a license, so we went onto a country road where I could practice. That session didn't go very well because I was stopped by an Oklahoma Highway Patrolman for speeding or driving weird. I can't remember which, while this incident didn't result in me facing a judge it go my name in the local paper because I was stopped by the OHP. My next encounter with the law was in Blackwell. I moved back to Blackwell to take care of Grandpa Frank and Grandma Mary. I only had a learner's permit, and Grandpa could no longer drive because of dementia. When the officer ask me if I had someone with me when I came to the police station, I lied. I had came up by myself with only a learner's permit. I failed the test because I was so nervous that I ran a stop sign. I was fortunate that the officer didn't give me a ticket. We went back to the police station, he went into the building, and I drove home. I was lucky he didn't wait to see if someone got in the car with me. I eventually got my driver's license in Blackwell, Oklahoma. My luck finally ran out when I came to Las Vegas. Here I got three tickets, which I had to pay for. One was for speeding, another for running a red light, and the third was for parking the wrong way on a one-way street. I paid the court for those, probably more than if I'd had to pay for the earlier encounters with the law. After all, Karma eventually kicks in and when she does she's a bitch. |
Kamál (Perfection), 4 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Monday, February 10, 2020 Artist: Louis Armstrong Title: Swing Low Sweet Chariot Lyrics8 Swing low, sweet chariot Comin' for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Comin' for to carry me home I looked over Jordan, and what did I see Comin' for to carry me home A band of angels comin' after me Comin' for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Comin' for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Comin' for to carry me home If you get there before I do Comin' for to carry me home Just tell my friends that I'm a comin' too Comin' for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Comin' for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Comin' for to carry me home I'm sometimes up and sometimes down Comin' for to carry me home But still my soul feels heavenly bound Comin' for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Comin' for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Comin' for to carry me home I look over Jordan, and what do I see Comin' for to carry me home A band of angels comin' after me Comin' for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Comin' for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Comin' for to carry me home When and where did I first hear this song? I have no idea!. I've heard several different version, sung by numerous vocal artist. I know several of the versions have been recorded by different artist over the years, so Grandpa Frank might have had a recording of it. I could have heard it in church because the words suggest a song that would be sung in a Baptist church. I did a little research about the song, and found out it was written by Wallis Willis, who lived in Indian Territory (now Choctaw county) in Oklahoma. I also learned that it is now the official Gospel song of Oklahoma.9 Traditional Lyrics10 Swing low, sweet chariot Coming for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Coming for to carry me home I looked over Jordan, and what did I see? (Coming for to carry me home) A band of angels coming after me (Coming for to carry me home) If you get there before I do (Coming for to carry me home) Tell all of my friends, that I'm coming there too (Coming for to carry me home) Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 3 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Sunday, February 9, 2020 Artist: The Academy Choirs Title: The Star Spangled Banner U.S. National Anthem Lyrics11 Oh, say, can you see? By the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming; Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming. And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air. Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there: Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave? O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In fully glory reflected now shines in the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh, long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution! No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust": And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. We love it so much, I think you do too. I don't very many clear images of my father. I remember a tall man, who drink coffee, sometimes with cream and sometimes black. I remember he worked at the Blackwell Zinc Smelter (the same place Grandpa Frank worked). I have a foggy memory of him carrying me on his back, and of setting on the front porch steps with him.  During World War II, Daddy served in the Army Air Corp--now the U.S. Air Force--and stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. At that time Mom worked at the County Hospital--now University Medical Center on West Charleston Ave.--as a maid. I remember Mom telling me she took a bust from Nellis to the County Hospital.  His name was Melvin Fay Darbe, he was born on a farm in Kansas on March 26, 1921, died someplace in Kansas on April 14, 1998, and is buried in the Lincoln Cemetery in Lincoln County, Kansas. I found out about my father's death when I did an internet search for him. Daddy is the child setting on the plow horse in the above photo, the man holding him on the horse is his father, Grandpa John. Daddy is one of the missing links in my life. I never saw him again after my parents divorce. One of my biggest regrets is that I never got to say good-bye to Daddy before he died. Now the only thing I can do is pray for the progress of his soul in the next world. "O Lord! In this Most Great Dispensation Thou dost accept the intercession of children in behalf of their parents. This is one of the special infinite bestowals of this Dispensation. Therefore, O Thou kind Lord, accept the request of this Thy servant at the threshold of Thy singleness and submerge his father in the ocean of Thy grace, because this son hath arisen to render Thee service and is exerting effort at all times in the pathway of Thy love. Verily, Thou art the Giver, the Forgiver and the Kind!" 'Abdu’l-Bahá12 Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 2 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Saturday, February 8, 2020
DAY 2640 Prompt: If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write. — Martin Luther What do you think? Have you ever written anything that might change the world? Do you know of anyone who has written anything that might change the world? One Heart At A Time: To The Bab and Baha'u'llah One heart at a time, their writings are changing the world. One heart at a time, their scriptures are uniting humanity and healing the wounds of hate. One heart at a time, the knowledge of the Bab and Baha'u'llah spread the love of God across the Earth. |
Jalál (Glory), 2 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Saturday, February 8, 2020 Artist: Luke Slott Title: One Hundred Thousand Veils Lyrics13 Come down and walk these roads around the city of Tehran where seven candles burn Follow me all you who claim to be possessed of charity down to the Crimson Sea One hundred thousand veils have covered the sun and darkest clouds have blocked and blackened the blue sky Did you hear the fate of those who educate who even in the grave find no respite from hate? Have you seen the youth who gave their lives for truth, that girl who kissed the noose and welcomed all abuse? One hundred thousand suns have fallen to earth with blasts that block the ears from hearing the new song. One hundred thousand veils have covered the truth How many mothers' cries are lost in the tumult? There is no war to fight you have no sacred right no holy book to cite to make these wrongs seem right Does it so offend to want this world to mend, to walk in hope to the end and see each man a friend? Come down and walk these roads around the cities of Iran which boast so much to man. Mr. Slott wrote this song for International Human Rights Day, which is December 10. The song is about the treatment of the Baha'is in Iran. They are persecuted by being imprisoned, killed, denied an education, and a way to make a living because of their faith. The incidents mentioned in the song refer to Baha'i youth in Iran who were killed because they refused to recant their faith. "Ask a Baha’i to deny any of the great Prophets, to deny his faith or to deny Moses, Muhammad or Christ, and he will say: I would rather die … A Baha’i denies no religion; he accepts the Truth in all, and would die to uphold it." Abdu’l-Baha14 Baha'i in Iran, once called Persia, have been persecuted from the inception of the Baha'i Faith. The Babi's, the predecessors of the Baha'is, were persecuted from the moment the Bab declared His mission in 1844. Baha'u'llah was imprisoned because it accepted the Bab's declaration as authentic, and exiled from Iran. The persecution of the Baha'is continued after Baha'u'llah declared His mission in 1863, and it still occurs today. Those of us who live outside of Iran, do our best to proclaim our faith. In addition, we do what we can to let the world know about the treatment of our spiritual brothers and sisters who are still living in Iran. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Friday, February 7, 2020 Artist: Luke Slott Title: Have You Heard? Lyrics15 Have you heard of the troubles of Moses? So much light on the earth He did shed. All the people, they rose up against Him and they rained down their darts on His head. He came with a message of peace, love and justice and the promise of a Great One to come when the wolf and the lamb will dwell together and the whole human race will be one. Have you heard of the sufferings of Jesus? How pure and selfless He was. All the people, they rose up against Him and put God’s only Son on a cross. He came with a message of peace, love and justice and the promise of a Great One to come when on earth it will be as in Heaven and the whole human race will be one. Have you heard of the sorrows of Buddha when He looked at the sadness of man? All the people, they rose up against Him and put nothing but sadness in His hands. He came with a message of peace, love and justice and the promise of a Great One to come when peace shall reign on earth forever and the whole human race will be one. Have you heard of the woes of Muhammad? All the bruises and abuses He bore All the people, they rose up against Him and they closed in His face every door. He came with a message of peace, love and justice and the promise of a Great One to come when all the people will be gathered together and the whole human race will be one. Now I don’t ask you to believe me when I tell you Bahá’u’lláh has come. I just ask you, my brother, to see me and the whole human race as one. Finally Friday! Perhaps I should say "Thank God It's Friday!" All though I think everyday should begin with "Thank God it's [place day of the week here]!" Everyday should be a day we give thanks for. Everyday we need to find at least one thing we're grateful for, because--I know from experience--gratitude alleviates sadness and depression. This morning I went to my podiatrist to have my toenail cut. All the way to the doctor's office I contemplated the song I would feature today. I didn't come to a decision on the way there, and on the way back I dozed on the paratransit bus. After I got home, I decided that since it is Friday, and the Feast Day of Mulk (Dominion) that I would listen to one of my favorite Baha'i vocalist. There are 41 days until March 20 and the beginning of a new Baha'i year. Since the vernal equinox occurs after sunset on March 19, Naw-Ruz will be celebrated between sunset March 19 and sunset March 20. The next Devotional Service will be on Sunday, March 1, I'll have to get a new Baha'i datebook at that time. I like "Have you heard?" because it demonstrates the concept of Progressive Revelation. That is each one of the Manifestations of God mentioned in the song were part of God's ongoing plan for humanity. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Thursday, February 6, 2020 Title: Amazing Grace Artist: Judy Collins Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun. March 19, 2020 will be my Mother's 99th birthday. November 29, 2020 will be the 8th anniversary of her death. One of Mom's favorite songs was Amazing Grace, which was Grandma Mary's favorite song. Grandma Mary was Mom's mother.  Mom and Me After Mom's death, I lived in the house we shared for about a year before it was sold and I could move out. Moving out started a new phase in my life and in mourning Mom. I still mourn her, but in a different way. Now I can smile, instead of cry, when I remember her. When I was living in the house, I wrote the following poem. "Even Now" Even now, nine months after her death, I wake up in the middle of the night listening for the sound of the machine, the echoes of the oxygen concentrator, which sat on the left side of her bed. Even now, I hear her voice call my name and walk wearily down the hall before I remember that she now sleeps beneath a rose colored headstone in Palm Eastern Mortuary and Cemetery. I still hear Mom's voice in my dreams; however, instead of getting up to walk down the hall to check on her, I access the prayer app on my cell phone and say the following prayer reveal by 'Abdu'l-Baha18 for the progress of Mom's soul. "O Thou forgiving God! Forgive the sins of my loving mother, pardon her shortcomings, cast upon her the glance of Thy gracious providence, and enable her to gain admittance into Thy Kingdom. O God! From the earliest days of my life she educated and nurtured me, yet I did not recompense her for her toil and labours. Do Thou reward her by granting her eternal life and making her exalted in Thy Kingdom. Verily, Thou art the Forgiver, the Bestower, and the Kind." Footnotes |
ʻIdál (Justice), 18 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, February 5, 2020 Title: Bridge Over Troubled Water Artist: Simon & Garfunkel Lyrics19 When you're weary, feeling small When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all (all) I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough And friends just can't be found Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down When you're down and out When you're on the street When evening falls so hard I will comfort you (ooo) I'll take your part, oh, when darkness comes And pain is all around Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Sail on silver girl Sail on by Your time has come to shine All your dreams are on their way See how they shine Oh, if you need a friend I'm sailing right behind Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind It's Wednesday, half-way through the first week of February 2020, and the waters of my life seem to be calming down. I've managed to pay all of the rent, I have enough money--between my checking account and savings account--to pay the bills that are automatically withdrawn. I still have to figure out how to pay the Internet bill and the electric bill, which come due around February 17 and 18. However, I don't think there will be much of a problem taking care of those or arranging payment. As I was listening to Bridge Over Troubled Water, I got to thinking about the difference between January 2019 and January 2020. This January was stressful, but not as stressful as last January. This year we've only encountered two mice (so far), while last year we encountered ten or eleven in January, alone. February started out stressful and colder, but I don't think it was more stress full than February 2019. It's colder then it was last year, but not more stressful. March will be stressful, but I don't think it will be more stressful than March 2019. I'll have to wait until March to find out. What has alleviated the stress? Prayer, meditation, and listening to music. The prayers revealed by the Bab, Baha'u'llah, and 'Abdu'l-Baha are especially helpful in relieving stress. The music I've been listening to the last few days is extremely helpful. True I have to be careful about the type of music I listen to. Blues, Jazz, and spiritual music are good stress relievers because I can set, listen to the music, and get lost. Those types of music also help to encourage my muse. Baha'u'llah is my bridge over troubled water. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 17 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Title: Black Coffee Artist: Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics20 I'm feeling mighty lonesome Haven't slept a wink I walk the floor and watch the door And in between I drink Black Coffee Love's a hand me down brew I'll never know a Sunday In this weekday room I'm talking to the shadows 1 o'clock to 4 And Lord, how slow the moments go When all I do is pour Black Coffee Since the blues caught my eye I'm hanging out on Monday My Sunday dream's too dry Related Now a man is born to go a lovin' A woman's born to weep and fret To stay at home and tend her oven And drown her past regrets In coffee and cigarettes I'm moody all the morning Mourning all the night And in between it's nicotine And not much hard to fight Black Coffee Feelin' low as the ground It's driving me crazy just waiting for my baby To maybe come around My nerves have gone to pieces My hair is turning gray All I do is drink black coffee Since my man's gone away It's around 2:00 pm here in Las Vegas. I spent most of the morning in my ophthalmologist office for my regular six-month appointment. I my insurance pays for appointments every six months because I have cataracts, dry eye, and glaucoma. My next appointment is August 4. Before I left for the doctor's office, I had two writing.com travel mugs of coffee. When I re turned, I decided to check BahaiTeachings.org for any interesting articles. The article that caught my attention this morning was The Joy of Coffee with True Friends by Jaellayna Palmer. The article reminded me that it's been a while since I had coffee with friends. I usually drink my coffee of a morning, while I'm working online, which is no excuse for not having coffee with friends because I have Skype and a camera in my computer.After reading the article, I decided that I needed to listen to a little blues or Jazz. I was feeling a bit down and blues or Jazz usually brings out of my "brown study", as I like to call my episodes of depression or lonely feelings. If Jazz or blues don't change my mood then a spiritual music will. Anyway, Ella Fitzgerald singing Black Coffee brought me out of my slight depression and inspired me to make today's blog entry. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 16 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Monday, February 3, 2020 Artist: Paul Robeson Title: Motherless Child Lyrics21 Sometime I feel like a motherless child Sometimes I feel like a motherless child And sometimes I feel like a motherless child A long ways from home A long ways from home Come my brother A long ways from home A long ways from home Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone A long ways from home A long ways from home Come my brother A long ways from home A long ways from home For the past few days the first line of this Negro spiritual has been running through my head. I don't know where or when I first heard this song. I'm not even sure it was Paul Robeson who I first heard singing it. "Motherless Child", also called "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" , has been recorded by several different artist. I'm not going to attempt to remember when or where I first heard it, nor am I going to attempt to remember who I first heard singing it, because Paul Robeson's version is my favorite.Paul Robeson was singer, actor, social activist, lawyer, and athlete. Mr. Robeson accomplished a great deal in his life. He needs to be remembered because of his social activism and his rich bass baritone voice,I don't know why "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child" is running through my mind. It could be because I've been depressed and the song resonates with what I'm going through. I know that there have been times in my life when the song lyrics running through my mind have something to do with the my emotions. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 15 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Sunday, February 2, 2020 Title: Blessed is the Spot Artist: Elika Mahony Lyrics22 “Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified.” Bahá’u’lláh I went to the Devotional Services at the Las Vegas Baha'i Center this morning. One of the songs that the choir sang was "Blessed is the Spot." There are two things I enjoy going to devotional Services for several reasons. First, is the lack of preaching, instead of preaching someone gives a talk on the topic of the service. Second, is the words of the sacred scriptures or prayers put to music. In this case, either the choir sings or a music video created by a Baha'i artist is shown. When I go to YouTube and search for "Blessed is the Spot", I find several videos, with different artist, singing this prayer. Today's theme was Black History Month. One of the the speakers, who was black, talked about growing up in a Baha'i house hold and being exposed to people of different cultural, racial, and national backgrounds. Another speaker told the story of Hand of the Cause Louis Gregory. Mr. Gregory, a black man, was one of the early American Baha'is. He was a lawyer before selling his practice, so that he and his wife could go on a thirty year teaching trip across the United States. The Louis G. Gregory Baha'i Museum is in Charleston, South Carolina.A video talk by Masud Olufani, called Freeing Ourselves of the Stain of Racism . Mr. Olufani, a Baha'i, also tells about becoming a Baha'i and what he discovered through the Baha'i scriptures, and through reading famous black writers and poets. In this video, he quotes the Baha'i scriptures that emphasize the unity of humanity, and the reason that Baha'is believe that racism is America's Most Challenging Issue.I believe "Blessed Is The Spot" was a good choice for today's Devotional Service. This prayer shows that every place on Earth is blessed because one of God's names has been mentioned. Since every place on Earth is blessed, every human being--no matter what their culture, color, nationality, or religion--has been blessed by God. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 14 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Saturday, February 1, 2020 Song: One God Artist: Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis Lyrics23 Millions of stars placed in the skys By One God Millions of us lift up our eyes To One God So many children calling to him By many a different name One father Loving each the same Many the ways all of us pray To one god Many the path Winding their way To One God Brothers and sisters there are no strangers After his work is done For your God and my God Are one So many children calling outloud By many a different name One father Loving each the same Many the ways all of us pray To one God Many the paths winding their way To One God Brothers and sisters there were no strangers After the world was done Our God, yes your God, and My God Are one! It's a new month, so I may as well start it out with one of my favorite songs. When I searched YouTube for this song, I looked for the one sang by Barbra Streisand, who is one of my favorite female vocalist. You can't imagine how happy I was to find that Ms Streisand and Johnny Mathis, one of my favorite male vocalist, sang a duet. I don't think this video is a traditional duet, I suspect it's a mix of the song sang at different times by each vocalist. This makes no difference to me because it is well done, with appropriate photos from the Holy Land of Israel. I like this rendition the best because, for me, it symbolizes unity. The song, itself, embodies the concept of divine unity which goes beyond any one religion to take in all religions. It doesn't matter the religion or the name call God because there is only one God, who revealed all religions through many different prophets or manifestations. This version of the song emphasizes both unity of humanity and the equality of men and women. The unity of humankind is shown through the fact that both a black and white vocalist sing the song. Gender equality is expressed through the fact that the vocalist are a female and male, with their voices complimenting each other. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 13 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Friday, January 31, 2020 The Last Day of January 2020 On the last day of January, My Best Friend Baha'u'llah is my best friend Is it any wonder I stand by Him? My faith is based on God's revealed word; Best source of world peace and unity. Friend, can I tell you about Him? |
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