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 Footnotes |
Fidal (Grace), 3 Kalimat (Words) 177 B.E. - Tuesday, July 14, 2020 "I am he, O my Lord, that hath set his face towards Thee, and fixed his hope on the wonders of Thy grace and the revelations of Thy bounty. I pray Thee that Thou wilt not suffer me to turn away disappointed from the door of Thy mercy, nor abandon me to such of Thy creatures as have repudiated Thy Cause. I am, O my God, Thy servant and the son of Thy servant. I have recognized Thy truth in Thy days, and have directed my steps towards the shores of Thy oneness, confessing Thy singleness, acknowledging Thy unity, and hoping for Thy forgiveness and pardon. Powerful art Thou to do what Thou willest; no God is there beside Thee, the All-Glorious, the Ever-Forgiving." Bahá’u’lláh3 This is the Day of Grace, This is the Day of Grace, when God's numerous names are united in a sing phrase, and the foundation of all religions is revealed as a mighty stronghold. Footnotes |
Kamal (Perfection), 2 Kalimat (Words) 177 B.E. - Monday, July 13, 2020 "All praise be to Thee, O my God, for the things Thou didst ordain for me through Thy decree and by the power of Thy sovereignty. I beseech Thee that Thou wilt fortify both myself and them that love me in our love for Thee, and wilt keep us firm in Thy Cause. I swear by Thy might! O my God! Thy servant’s shame is to be shut out as by a veil from Thee, and his glory is to know Thee. 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. Send down, therefore, O my Lord, upon me and upon my loved ones that which will protect us from the mischief of those that have repudiated Thy truth and disbelieved in Thy signs. Thou art, verily, the All-Glorious, the Most Bountiful." This is the Day of Perfection, This is the Day of Perfection, the day of Baha'u'llah-- who is God's latest Manifestation-- who has come to unite humanity. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 1 Kalimát (Words) 177 B.E. Sunday, July 12, 2020 Feast of Words "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’lláh6 Facebook Status Update I believe in the power of prayer, therefore, I recite a prayer revealed by the Ancient Beauty-- Baha'u'llah-- for peace and unity. The Day of Beauty This is the Day of Beauty, one of God's attributes, which is reflected to humanity though the mirror of God's glory. This is the beginning of the Wondrous7 month of Words, another divine attribute reflected to humanity by Baha'u'llah. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 19 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Saturday, July 11, 2020 "I have wakened in Thy shelter, O my God, and it becometh him that seeketh that shelter to abide within the Sanctuary of Thy protection and the Stronghold of Thy defense. Illumine my inner being, O my Lord, with the splendors of the Dayspring of Thy Revelation, even as Thou didst illumine my outer being with the morning light of Thy favor." This is the Day of Glory, it's the first day of a Wondrous10 week, it's another day to wake in God's shelter, to give thanks for the sanctuary of divine protection, and give praise to the Creator through Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God. Today is the last of of the Month of Mercy; at sunset another Wondrous month begins. I raise my voice in praise of the Glory of God, I ask forgiveness of my sins, and pray for another day to proclaim the Glorious Lord. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 18 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Friday, July 10, 2020 Today's Facebook Status Update Friday! At last it's Friday, the end of my week, and time to give thanks for surviving the last seven day. *** It's Friday and my mind feels like a blank page, I can't seem to think of anything to write other than my mind feeling like a blank page. It's Friday evening, and my mind is silent, I write without thinking of words to write or to say. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 17 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Thursday, July 9, 2020 Martyrdom of the Bab On July 9, 1850, at noon in the barracks square of Tabriz, the Bab--along with a faithful believer--was martyred. The Bab and Anis were suspended by ropes and a nail before 750 rifles. The first attempt failed, and when the smoke cleared the Bab was gone, while Anis stood their calmly. the commander of that regiment took his troops and left. The Bab was found in His cell finishing a conversation He had begun before being taken to the barracks squar. A second regiment of 750 rifles were brought in. When the smoke of the rifles had cleared, the bullets had mangled and merged the bodies of The Bab and Anis without touching their faces. Candles: Inspired by 750: A Visual Meditation of the Martyrdom of the Bab by Nancy Wong and Robert Reddy Candles shed the light of unity across the Earth, and proclaim to all humanity a new revelation and religious dispensation. Candles shed the light of peace upon the planet, and announce-- as did the Bab-- the arrival of the maturity of the human race. |
ʻIdál (Justice), 16 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Wednesday, July 8, 2020 Tomorrow, July 9, is the Commemoration of the Martyrdom of The Bab. On July 9, 1850, The Bab was executed, by a firing squad, for nothing than proclaiming he was sent from God and that The Glory of God would soon be made manifest. The Bab, like Christ, shed His blood for humanity. The Bab also shed His blood to prepare the way for Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God. When I became a Baha'i, I accepted Baha'u'llah as the return of Christ. I've always wondered about the relationship between the Bab and Christ, since their deaths were so similar. That question was answered today when I accessed Counsels and Explanations - by 'Abdu'l-Baha "You have written that there is a difference among the believers concerning the “Second Coming of Christ.” Praise be to God!—time and again this question hath arisen and its answer hath emanated in a clear and irrefutable text from the pen of Abdul-Baha that what is meant in the prophecies by the “Lord of Hosts,” the “Promised Christ” is the Blessed Perfection (Baha’u’llah) and His Highness the Supreme (the Bab). The faith of everyone must resolve around this palpable and evident text." 'Abdu’l-Baha11 I can find the answer to any question in the Baha'i Scriptures, if I search long enough and hard enough. Sometimes the answer doesn't come until I'm ready for it or I'm going to need it in a discussion. Since this answer has come today, I wonder what is coming into my life in the near future. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 12 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Saturday, July 4, 2020 Independence Day
DAY 2177: July 4th! Here in the US, this is Independence Day. Tell us what independence means to you. What does independence mean to me? One of the dictionary definition of independence is "freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others."12 The problem with this definition, and most dictionary definitions, is that it doesn't include responsibility. For me independence means taking responsibility for one's own actions. It means searching for truth--whether it scientific or spiritual truth--for yourself rather than taking someone else's word for an idea. It means the ability and willingness to change your opinion when facts prove otherwise. In an independent nation, all citizens must take responsibility for their actions, thoughts, and opinions. They have to ask what they base their opinions on. Do they consider opposing opinions are being valid? Or do they dismiss opposing opinions because they are different from what they have been taught or read on specific blog, which agree with them? Are they open minded and have friends from different cultural, religious, political affiliations or of different colors? Do they look beyond what the history books tell them to fine the true history of their nation? Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 11 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Friday, July 3, 2020
The prompt for DAY 2786 is “Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.” ― Ursula K. Le Guin ~ Your thoughts? Love Remewed "God is Love!" "Love is only of the four kinds that I have explained. (a) The love of God towards the identity of God. Christ has said God is Love. (b) The love of God for His children—for His servants. (c) The love of man for God and (d) the love of man for man. These four kinds of love originate from God. These are rays from the Sun of Reality; these are the Breathings of the Holy Spirit; these are the Signs of the Reality." "God is Love!" In each age God is revealed through one of the Holy Spirit flowing through one of God's Sacred Manifestations. Please Note: When man is used in the sacred scriptures it usually refers to humanity in general as opposed to a specific gender. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 10 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Thursday, July 2, 2020 Today I am thankful... ...for the prayers revealed by the Bab and Baha'u'llah. Since they were revealed by two of God's Manifestations, they are the most powerful prayers any human being can say. ...that I was able to walk--with my walker--to the mail box without falling. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this majestic Thursday morning. ...that there are five Thankful Thursday in July 2020. ...for the doughnut holes I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I am able to use my printer to print and copy important items. ...for the Lorna Doone Short Bread Cookie Crisp I have for my afternoon snack. ...that the power bill for July is only $38.36. ...for the 1,649,183 GPs in my Gift Points account. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 8 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Tuesday, June 30, 2020 Day 30 entry for "The Bard's Hall Contest" . The "Blogging Circle of Friends " prompt for Day 2783: "People are like stained - glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within." ~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross ~ Let this quote inspire your blog entry. This quote explains why stained glass windows inspire me. I've written several short poems about the stained glass windows I've seen in Las Vegas. The following poems were written sometime 149 B.E. (After March 21, 1993 before March 21, 1994) Stained Glass Curtains was inspired by meditating on God's ancient covenant, which each Manifestation renews. On the Day of Resurrection was inspired by walking past a Christian church during the day and seeing the darkness of the stained glass images. The others are descriptions of windows seen from the inside. I visited these Houses of Worship when I was attending Interfaith discussions. I think I may have had longer poem in mind, or intended using them in some other way. On the Day of Resurrection By day the dark collage of colored glass Looks hopeless on a world illuminated by the sun Those going past see only darkness in the panes That shown so bright and colorful by night. Stained Glass Dawn: A Restaurant Window Stained glass forest glows with the morning light. Brown limbs with green and yellow leaves stand out against a sky of red and brown. Stained Glass Window In a Latter Day Saint Chapel Stained glass flower with twenty yellow leaf-shaped petals: the bottom of each petal is blue, there are red buds between each petal, and the sections of the red-yellow-blue flowers are separated by black lines. Stained Glass Window In a Protestant church The stained glass cross glows bright in the sunset, and divides the sunlight into rainbow colors; the cross' central orb shines yellow and white, the four arms of colored glass glow yellow, orange, and purple. Stained Glass Window In a Jewish Temple The twenty-seven sections--panes--on each side of the center form a fan-like half circle; the center portion, of the window, is wood and resembles a book; at the top center of the book two hands hold; there are symbols--characters--on the book and at the bottom of the "fan" are more symbols or letter: House of prayer, House of study, House of assembly, Eternal light. Stained Glass Curtains Stained glass curtains Separate into granite chambers The Books of God Stained glass curtains Isolate in the own chapels Faith's Children Stain glass curtains Shatter as the echoes of an unseen power Reverberates through stone corridors Stained glass curtains Shatter uniting in a single covenant The Books of God Stained Glass Window In a Catholic Church The window is round, with a women wearing a crown, the women is Mary, the Blessed Mother, behind and above her from left to right is Jesus, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, and God the Father. |
Kamál (Perfection), 7 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Monday, June 29, 2020 Day 29 entry for "The Bard's Hall Contest" . The "Blog City ~ Every Blogger's Paradise" prompt for DAY 2172: For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven-- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Since it is so, spiritually speaking, why do you think our planet now has this Covid 19 pandemic? The pandemic is occurring to demonstrate that Earth is like a single nation, what occurs in one of its nation-states will move into another nation-state. Another reason for the pandemic is to show the oneness of humanity. The human race is a single multicolored species, in order for human kind to survive any crisis--no matter if the crisis is man-made or natural--we have to cooperate with each other. We have to help each other, it does not matter if the other person we are helping is of a different color, a different gender, a different cultural origin, a different religion, a different national origin, or a different sexual orientation. Humanity will not survive unless it starts to work together as a single species. "The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Daystar of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. The one true God, He Who knoweth all things, Himself testifieth to the truth of these words." Humanity will survive this crisis, and any other crisis that is below our sight's horizon. It will not be easy because many people do not want to give up their learned prejudices and feelings of superiority. However, eventually most people will see the beauty in the flower garden of humanity. The road ahead is not smooth, indeed it is under construction without any detours around it. Humanity will survive this and every other crisis we encounter. In the end the human race will be united in its diversity. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 6 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Sunday, June 28, 2020 Day 28 entry for "The Bard's Hall Contest" . Facebook Status Update for June 27, 2020 Even though God-- the Creator-- is everywhere, we are still expected to wear masks when we leave our houses or apartments. Show respect for the Creator and humanity by wearing a mask when you go out. Facebook Status Update June 28, 2020 We worship and unknown God, Made known by the Mirrors of His Attributes: Made known by Abraham, The Father of the Faithful, by Krishna, The Educator, by Moses, The Law Giver;, by Zoroaster, The Pure, by Christ, The Son, by Muhammad, The Seal of the Prophets, by The Bab, The Gate, and by Baha'u'llah, The Glory of God. Neva Darbe © June 28, 2020 |
Jalál (Glory), 5 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Saturday, June 27, 2020 Day 27 entry for "The Bard's Hall Contest" . On the wings of prayer On the wings of faith I fly proclaiming Baha'u'llah to humanity. |
Istiqlál (Independence), 4 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Friday, June 26, 2020 Day 26 entry for "The Bard's Hall Contest" . On the last Friday in June 2020, Word for word I recite: "Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!" The Báb17 The darkness-- like clouds in front of the sun-- passes into oblivion. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 3 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Thursday, June 25, 2020 Day 25 entry for "The Bard's Hall Contest" . I'm thankful for 2020! I know it sounds odd to be thankful for a year that "the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are riding away from at breakneck speeds"18. Twenty-twenty is a watershed year! The year that is moving humanity and nations into a new reality. This is the year that international non-cooperation is showing the danger of unbridled nationalism. This is the year that the oneness of the human species is becoming more acceptable to the human consciousness. This is the year that prejudices--whether they are religious, national, or racial--are being shown for the demons they are. This is the year conscious individuals begin to look into their own thoughts and beliefs, in order to purge themselves of the superstitions of the past. "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’lláh19 I'm thankful for the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah, the Bab, and 'Abdu'l-Baha, because they give me strength and hope during this time of national and international uncertainty. I'm thankful that Humana, my healthcare company, sent me two cloth masks and instructions on how to wash them. Footnotes |
ʻIdál (Justice), 2 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Wednesday, June 24, 2020 This is the year of change, Moving forward into the reality of humanity as one race! Day 24 entry for "The Bard's Hall Contest" . |
Fiḍál (Grace), 1 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Tuesday, June 23, 2020 Feast Day of Raḥmat Day 23 entry for "The Bard's Hall Contest" . The "Blogging Circle of Friends " prompt for Day 2776: Use these words in your blog entry: Rose, Honeysuckle, pink, wisdom, peace. Feast of Mercy Roses and honeysuckles "O God! Dispel all those elements which are the cause of discord, and prepare for us all those things which are the cause of unity and accord! O God! Descend upon us Heavenly Fragrance and change this gathering into a gathering of Heaven! Grant to us every benefit and every food. Prepare for us the Food of Love! Give us the Food of Knowledge! Bestow on us the Food of Heavenly Illumination!" ‘Abdu’l-Bahá20 Word by word we consume the bread of wisdom, the fruit of peace, and sip the elixir of life from the scriptures revealed by The Bab, Baha'u'llah, and 'Abdu'l-Baha. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 19 Núr (Light) 177 B.E. Monday, June 22, 2020 Sometimes I wonder what's so motivational about Monday, or any other day of the week. Motivation has to come from withing or from something inspiring and on this Monday I feel like crying. Sooner or later, this depressed feeling will pass I hope its sooner. I'm going to post this and try to do something to beat this depression. Day 22 entry for "The Bard's Hall Contest" . |
Jamál (Beauty), 18 Núr (Light) 177 B.E. Sunday, June 21, 2020 Father's Day Day 21 entry for "The Bard's Hall Contest" . "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-Bahá21 Father's Day 2020, and-- what few-- memories I have of my Father flow through my mind. Daddy was a tall man, carried me on his shoulder, sometimes wore a hat, and worked a blue collar job. Daddy liked apple jelly on his hot cakes, and drink his coffee with cream. Father's Day 2020 is a day of letting the tears go, and holding onto the memories. Footnotes |