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 |  Gratitude breaks the spell of Writers Block |
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Staring at a blank page is like staring into a snowfield. The snow, untouched by civilization and unmarked by living creatures, blinds you for a few minutes, it glistens reflecting subtle shades of pure white and rainbows at odd angles. If you stare at the snow too long, you get lost in the interplay of light and shadow. As the day wears on, you become awestruck at the beauty of the snow's perfection. You marvel at the way an oak tree cast its ebony shadow across the pure white snow. You watch the tree's shadow change, grow and shrink, as Earth turns and the sun moves from morning to evening. If you stand out in the snow too long without moving, you risk snow bite or freezing. If you are fortunate, a red fox will walk across your line of sight. The fox will leave his footprints written in the snowfield. As you watch the fox move, the spell holding you in one spot staring at the snow is broken. You are free to go inside out of the cold and out of danger. I must say, writing 500 words a day isn't difficult, unless I'm attempting to write on a single subject. On Monday, October 28, 2013, I began posting my weekly goals at "Weekly Goals"  . On Tuesday, October 29, 2013 I began keeping track of may accomplished goals in this journal."O SON OF BEING! Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds." Bah'u'll'h The Hidden Words of Bah'u'll'h, Part I.'From the Arabic, #31, page 11 'Heinlein's Rules for Writers Rule One: You Must Write Rule Two: Finish What Your Start Rule Three: You Must Refrain From Rewriting, Except to Editorial Order Rule Four: You Must Put Your Story on the Market Rule Five: You Must Keep it on the Market until it has Sold' Robert A. Heinlein It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation, such as crafts, trades and the like. We have graciously exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship unto God, the True One. Ponder ye in your hearts the grace and the blessings of God and render thanks unto Him at eventide and at dawn. Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others. Thus hath it been decreed in this Tablet from whose horizon the day-star of wisdom and utterance shineth resplendent. Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Pages 21-29: gr 32 I changed the way I did entries in this book several times. Beginning on March 21, 2018 the entries will cover the topics of spiritual, inspirational, and religions. However, the genres it will be under are Women's, Inspirational, and Spiritual with a tag of Religious. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 1 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Yesterday, June 4, I spent most of the morning getting up and down out of pickup trucks, or waiting for a tow truck. Anyway, we got the car back home. This morning, we sold the car and the people that purchased it towed it away. There is a car we can purchase; however, it cost $500.00. So, we're going to have to raise the money to purchase it. On Thursday, June 7, I'm returning the tag to the DMV, and after that I'm calling my insurance company to counsel the policy. That will give us a little more money, but that still isn't enough, yet. The Poet1 The poet proclaims mirroring to humanity the present reality. The poet foretells revealing to humankind a glorious vision of the future. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 19 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Monday, June 4, 2018 "The soul of man must be happy, no matter where he is. One must attain to that condition of inward beatitude and peace, then outward circumstances will not alter his spiritual calmness and joyousness." Does my religion make me happy? This is a paraphrase of the question ask by David Langness in the first of a series of article about "Religion and Laughter"4. This question is pertinent at this time because of an event that happened yesterday to bring me down. That event--my car giving up the ghost--knocked me into a deep depression. After reading prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah, I could feel a smile on my face. The prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah, the Bab, and 'Abdu'l-Baha always make me happy. When I read and meditate on the scripture revealed by the Bab and Baha'u'llah, I am happy. The only time depression hits is when I focus on material problems without taking them to the Glorious Lord. To answer the question, "Yes, my religion, my spiritual path, makes me happy." Placing my problems in the hands of the Blessed Beauty, reading the revealed Words of the Almighty, and taking action that the Holy Spirit reveals. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 18 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Sunday, June 3, 2018 It's the beginning of the first full week in June 2018. I have a busy week planned on Monday, June 4, I have a podiatrist appointment at 1:00 P.M., with the Lyft car picking me up at 12:00 P.M. Sometime this afternoon, I need to get all the dirty clothes in the basket because De is going to do laundry on Monday. On Friday, June 8, I'm going to the Baha'i Center to watch a screening of "The Gate: Dawn of the Baha'i Faith" at the Baha'i Center. My writing projects for this week are set and ready to post on "Weekly Goals"  "Invalid Item" in "Welcome to My Life" This week's assignment for "~ The Poet's Place Cafe~" . Review at least four items per day either under Browse by Genre or Read & Review Do something listed under Other things I have to do or Poems To Write. The goal is to finish at least one thing under one of those items. Entry for "I Write in 2018" Week 23 Read at least three pages in The Tablets of the Lord of Host before going to sleep. Read articles 6 Common Misconceptions about the Baha’i Faith and/or another article on BahaiTeachings.org . Poem/Essay for "Invalid Item" Week 43 - Nothing due for week 43.This morning got off to a good start. I had a chocolate covered doughnut with my first cup of coffee. I posted an entry in "Melting Snow" "Genetic Kinship" , I posted that entry on "Blogging Circle of Friends Prompt Forum" , "Blog City Prompt Forum" . and a link on my Facebook page. I discovered several article on BahaiTeachings.ogr7 is want to read, and I reviewed one poem. Today I'm focusing on reviews, posting poems to "Devotional Poetry" and "Poem Experiments" , creating a survey,l and reading. I completed almost everything I had to do last week yesterday, and so I have a little time today to relax.Silence8 The interval between the axon's transmission and the dendrite' reception. The pause between the blue tinged sky and the sun's rising. The space between the characters of a word. poet's Note: ▼ It is the day of Beauty. It is the beginning of a new week. It is the first full week of June 2018. There is one more day left in ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. At sunset on June 4 the month of Núr (Light) begins. Over the past few months, I've been letting the bad news of the world effect my moods, which isn't good for my physical or spiritual health. Over the next 19 days I'm going to attempt to alleviate this by looking closer at the funny things in life. I don't laugh enough, I've suspected this was true for a long time; however, it I didn't coalesce until I read "Does Your Religion Make You Happy?"9 by David Langness, which is the first in a series of article titled "Religion and Laughter"10 "O Ye that sleep, Awake! O ye heedless ones, Learn wisdom! O Blind, receive your sight! O Deaf, Hear! O Dumb, Speak! O Dead, Arise! Be Happy! Be Happy! Be full of Joy!" Abdu’l-Baha11 Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 17 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Saturday, June 2, 2018 Celebrating the Day of Glory and the Month of Grandeur12 I intone prayers revealed by the Pen of Glory, the Blessed Beauty. I intone prayers celebrating the month of Grandeur, the day of Glory. Each day of the week commemorates an attribute of God, and each month of the year a characteristic of the Almighty. Every day of the week, and of the month is a reason to celebrate; a reason for praising the Lord of Glory. Facebook Status Update If you live in an apartment, and you hear the walls talking or mumbling. They're not talking to you, the people in the next apartment have their television turned up too loud. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 16 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Friday, June 1, 2018 Estimated extent of Baha’u’llah’s Writings "Although the documents identified as Baha'u'llah's primary works have been the focus of translation work so far, they represent only a small portion of His writings during His 40-year ministry. All totaled, He revealed thousands of tablets, which altogether would constitute a volume more than 70 times the size of the Qur'an and more than 15 times the size of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible." from the Baha’i World News Service, 22 September 200213 In the Winter of My Life14 In the winter of my life, I contemplate the sacred writing revealed by Baha'u'llah and weep. I cry because I know, that no matter how long I have left on the physical plane, I will never be able to read and meditate on more than 1% of those scriptures. Facebook Status Update First Friday breakfast intoning God's Most Great Name: A joyful morning. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 15 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Thursday, May 31, 2018 “Kindle the fire of love and burn away all things, Then set thy foot into the land of the lovers.” Baha'u'llah15 The thirst in the seeker's heart, for the Beloved, is quenched when the fire of love is lit. Feline Perfection16 Perfection is a cat staring out at the night. Gratitude List for Thursday, May 31, 2018 Today I am thankful... 1. ...that "This Is Islam" was featured in "Spiritual Newsletter (May 30, 2018)" .2. ...for the beautiful cool May morning, because I can leave the door open to the outside world. 3. ...that that my health insurance pays for 12 one-way or 6 two-way rides a year, because I can use them to go to my Podiatrist office. 4. ...for the cups of hot black coffee I had this morning. 5. ...that I found my copy of The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, because it contains some of the mystic writings of Baha'u'llah. 6. ...for the can of sweet Arizona ice tea I had with lunch. 7. ...that I have 1,826,036 GPs in my Gift Points account. 8. ...for bottles of froze water, because I like to drink it on when the temperatures begins rising above 90 degrees. 9. ...that I am thankful that I have a working air conditioner in this apartment. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 14 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, May 30, 2018 "...There can be no doubt whatever the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God." Bahá’u’lláh17 My morning began on a good note. The first thing I saw when I logged in was this week's spiritual newsletter, "The Gift of Religious Pluralism," "Spiritual Newsletter (May 30, 2018)" I submitted the following to "Spiritual Newsletter (May 30, 2018)" : "How has your spiritual journey been enhanced by exploring a tradition outside of your own? It revealed to me that there is only one God, and religion, as reveal through His messengers, is a gift to humanity. I was raised in a Southern Baptist family in northern Oklahoma. My search, my spiritual journey, began at a young age due to two dreams, and questions my Sunday school teacher couldn't answer. It took a while for me to find the meaning of the dream, and get the answers to the questions. I found those answers when I discovered Baha'u'llah and the sacred scriptures He revealed.I accept the validity of the messages and Holy Books brought by Abraham, Christ, Muhammad, Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, the Bab, and Baha'u'llah. There are probably other messengers I have not mentioned because God has been sending His messengers to humanity for as long as humanity has existed. My appreciation of the Holy Books is further enhanced by the devotional service I attend once a month. The devotional service is held at the Baha'i Center in Las Vegas. At the spiritual portion of the service the sacred scriptures from various religious traditions are read. At the social portion refreshments are served and the attendees greet each other and talk." The next thing that happened was when I went out after the mail. I discovered the May/June 2018 edition of "The American Baha'i." It contains several interesting and inspirational articles, and the first item is the Ridvan 2018 message from The Universal House of Justice. I have already read this letter once, because I can access the letter from the Baha'i Prayer app on my smartphone. I need to look at this message a little closer, which can be difficult on my phone. Also, I need to check online to find two other letters about eliminating racism and religious prejudice. Fortunately, I can print those letter off so that I can sit down and read them. *** The World Repaired18 One soul at a time the tears of a thousand years were dried; the deep heart wounds sutured, with forgiveness-love; and the million plus names of God united in a phrase. Then the Children of the Book, the Children of God, The Chosen Ones, the Saved, became guiding lights on the highway to unity. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 13 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, May 29, 2018 Ascension of Baha'u'llah "Let not your hearts be perturbed, O people, when the glory of My Presence is withdrawn, and the ocean of My utterance is stilled. In My presence amongst you there is a wisdom, and in My absence there is yet another, inscrutable to all but God, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing. Verily, We behold you from Our realm of glory, and shall aid whosoever will arise for the triumph of Our Cause with the hosts of the Concourse on high and a company of Our favoured angels." Baha'u'llah19 One hundred twenty-six years ago, an May 29, 1892 at 3:00 A.M., Baha'u'llah ascended into the Abha paradise. His physical presence no longer blessed this world, and ocean of His words was silenced. His spiritual presence was and is still felt by Baha'is across the planet. Across the planet, in every city and nation, Baha'is are proclaiming Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God, through their actions and their buildings. Everywhere local Baha'i houses of worship, and Baha'i Centers are being built. They welcome every individual, no matter the religious, national, or other affiliations. Quality Control20 The soul has quality of design to be reliable over time. The body needs quality of incoming materials to provide the soul with a healthy casing. Quality control of process is assured by education. Quality assurance results from faith in God. Poet's Note: ▼ *** Facebook Status Update Today's exercise routine: house phone rings, standup, answer phone, say hello, listen to robot voice, hangup phone, go back to chair, set down, and continue writing whatever I was writing before the phone interrupted me. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 12 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Monday, May 25, 2018 Memorial Day A good start to the workweek of May 28. I wrote a poem in response to the "Blogging Circle of Friends " "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6 The sacred books of every religion gives the same advice in different words. They all advise us to put everything in the hands of the Almighty, and to put are request to the Creator either directly or through one of His Manifestations. Sometimes, in the rush of life, we sometimes forget to say a prayer for assistance or thanksgiving. When we forget we encounter problems appear greater then they should because we haven't put our problems in God's hands. Night21 Black like humanity's matriarch, her raven hair braided with precious gems, her strong arms embrace her frightened children, as she lulls them to sleep with an ancient lullaby. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 10 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Saturday, May 26, 2018 "…Pray to be forgiven, O people, for having failed in your duty towards God, and for having trespassed against His Cause, and be not of the foolish…" Baha’u’llah22 I'm cleaning out my desk drawers, and going through hard copies of poems I wrote over the past few decades. One of the poem's I rediscovered is titled "The Poem I Can't Write." Rereading the poem got me to thinking about forgiveness, and the difficulty, we human beings have, of forgiving. I've known for sometime that there is, at least, one person I've had difficulty forgiving. The Poem I Can't Write Forgiveness is a place inside; an alcove where my soul resides. Forgiveness is the verse I can't write in my ego shrouded night. After rereading the quote from Gleanings, I realized I have to forgive that person. I have to let go of the hurt, and the fear that was caused by the person. However, that person died years ago, so I can't go to him and say "I forgive", and, even if I could, would the person understand my hurt. How do I forgive? How do I let go of the past? I need to move on with my life, and holding onto this will hurt my soul. I think the best way to handle this is to write another poem title "The Poem I Can Write." The Poem I Can Write Forgiveness is a poem I must write on the alcove of my soul. Forgiveness is a place inside that helps me to let go of ego's fears that cripple the progress of my soul. Alright, sometimes forgiveness is a selfish act because it allows us, as human beings, to let go of the past. It allows us let go of things that are holding us back from achieving our full spiritual potential. I suspect that the best way to let go of something is to pray it out and/or write it out. We have to stop obsessing about the hurt, and worrying about what we should have done. *** Pennies from Heaven23 Coins descend on me, bright coppers rain from above, bringing me luck, joy, peace, and love. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Istiqlál Independence), 9 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Friday, May 25, 2018 "…in the other world the human reality doth not assume a physical form, rather doth it take on a heavenly form, made up of elements of that heavenly realm." I've always imagined my soul as a butterfly transforming in the chrysalis if matter; however, a butterfly is a physical creature of earth; its transformation a metaphor for the soul of a human being. I don't know what elements from the spiritual realm will compose my spiritual body. I can only hope that some of it is a form of spiritual light. There was a time, before becoming a Baha'i that I had a fear of death. I no longer fear death because I know my soul is eternal. My worry (or perhaps apprehension is a better word) now is to determine what I have made of my life, and how what my actions reveal about the way I've lived. The only thing I can do now is attempt to make each day better, while asking forgiveness for falling short. Facebook Status Upday A three day weekend of remembering, eating, and Memorial Day sales. What is it about Memorial Day weekend, that brings to mind thoughts of physical death and what comes after? Or do these thoughts have more to do with growing older? I know that I'm approaching the door leading into the world of the spirit. Perhaps that has something to do with it. When Mom was approach the end of her life, we never discussed this. I know she accepted bodily death as a part of life. I know she looked forward to seeing her parents in the next world. I think that's all she wanted me to know because she lived her life attempting to do the best she could. I think I'm living my life that way; however, I will not know until my soul ascends into the world of the spirit. The Witness26 Every undivided component of matter affords evidence of God Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 8 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Thursday, May 24, 2018 Today I am thankful... 1. ...that "Spring Romance" was featured in "Romance/Love Newsletter (May 23, 2018)" .2. ...for coffee and the coffee maker. 3. ...that "Bridge at the End of the World" was featured in "Fantasy Newsletter (May 23, 2018)" .4. ...for air conditioning and the ability to pay the electricity bill. 5. ...that I have 1,731,536 GPs in my Gift Points account. Facebook Status Update Grandma always called Memorial Day Decoration Day. Posted under the discussion topic commitment in "~ The Poet's Place Cafe~" . "Commitment is an attribute of the soul, which make a certain amount of commitment innate to every human being. Since it is a spiritual attribute it also needs practice to develop deeper forms of commitment. As a person goes through life the individual encounters tests that forces the person to chose between commitments and set priorities."A Poet Is27 A poet is a woman who sits in tears as she tears life's pages from time's coloring book. A poet is a man who kneels to pray for strength to pursue his prey of words across the mind's ripply brook. Footnotes |
'Idál (Justice), 7 ‘Aẓamat Grandeur 175 B.E. - Wednesday, May 23, 2018 Declaration of the Bab Perhaps I should have titled this entry Planning the Poem: Part 3, because that is what I'm doing. I thought I have the poem planned and ready to begin the middle seven stanzas, but I was wrong. This morning I read an article by Edward Price, on BahaiTeachings.org28, titled "Reflections on the Declaration of the Bab"29. That article listed the six messengers of the Prophetic Cycle as Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, and the Bab, who bridges the Prophetic Cycle and the Cycle of Fulfillment. It went on to list the Bab and Baha'u'llah under the Cycle of Fulfillment. In the poem "God's Religion" I'm going to put stanzas about Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, the Bab, and Baha'u'llah. I will use Abraham, Krishna, and Buddha in another poem about progressive revelation. God's Religion It is the power of the spiritual to inspire through the Essence of Divinity humanity's reawakening. Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, the Bab, and Baha'u'llah It is in the power of the spiritual to educate through the messengers from the Almighty the human soul. I'm planning this poem in the same way I plan all my poems. First, I decide on a theme or title. Second, I write my ideas out in either prose or line phased. Third, I do research and change the poem as needed. I'm not sure if this is the best way to research and write a poem; however, it works for me, so I'm not going to change it as long as it works. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 6 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, May 22, 2018 "The Prophets and Messengers of God have been sent down for the sole purpose of guiding mankind to the straight Path of Truth. The purpose underlying Their revelation hath been to educate all men, that they may, at the hour of death, ascend, in the utmost purity and sanctity and with absolute detachment, to the throne of the Most High." Yesterday, 5 ‘Aẓamat, I began a poem titled God's Religion. I have the first stanza, which expresses the basic unity of religion, written. In that stanza I suggested that the reason the Almighty send divine messengers was the reawakening of humanity. I didn't put the education of the human soul so that it can ascend to "the throne of the Most High", which is what happens when the soul is awakened. I'm not going to rewrite the stanza, instead I'll write another stanza, and decide later which stanza to use for the poem's prologue and epilogue. God's Religion It is the power of the spiritual to inspire through the Essence of Divinity humanity's reawakening. It is in the power of the spiritual to educate through the messengers from the Almighty the human soul. Since the middle seven stanzas are (tentatively) about Baha'u'llah, the Bab, Christ, Muhammad, Abraham, Krishna, and Buddha; I'll have to do a little research before starting them. I'll conduct my research on BahaiTeachings.org32, because there are several articles on that website that discusses, from a Baha'i point of view, each of those messengers. There is one more messenger I have to research, so I may use that messenger instead of The Bab, because the Bab is considered the forerunner of Baha'u'llah. I'll have to pray about which messenger to place in the middle seven stanzas. *** Obligation to Peace33 Society's duty is to establish the conditions of peace. The individual's duty is to create the circumstances for peaceful coexistence. Their choice of techniques come from the scriptures, individual and tribal experiences, and reason. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 5 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Monday, May 21, 2018 “Every divine Manifestation is the very life of the world, and the skilled physician of each ailing soul.” Abdu’l-Baha34 Do I need more motivation at the beginning of the week than at the end? If that is the case, then I have received a triple dose of motivation this week. On Sunday, I went to the monthly Devotional Services at the Baha'i Center in Las Vegas. The theme (I felt) for the May Devotional was the Holy Spirit reflected through the Divine Manifestations sent by the Almighty. Some of the sacred readings were from the Baha'i scriptures, the Holy Qur'an, and the Holy Bible. One of the phrases used by the speaker, who discussed the concept of progressive revelation was "God's Religion". Last night, before going to sleep, I began a poem using that title. God's Religion It is the power of the spiritual to inspire through the Essence of Divinity humanity's reawakening. So far, that is all I have written. The plan is to write a stanza on some of the different Manifestations, such as Baha'u'llah, the Bab, Christ, Muhammad, Abraham, Krishna, and Buddha. Right now, I am planning only nine stanzas, the introductory stanza the stanzas about each of the Manifestations I have listed, and an epilogue stanza. I will work on the poem again this evening before going to sleep because I appear to be able to write spiritual poems easier after prayer and scripture readings. If I get an idea for a line or stanza earlier, I will write it in my journal. My second dose of motivation came through the snail mail. It was a postcard form The StoryMaster  and The StoryMistress  . The message on the front of the card read:You are amazing. Remember that. The third dose was a series article, by Cynthia Barnes-Slater< I am reading on BaahiTeachings.org35 titled " Tests Troubles & Help from on High"36. I aught to be able to accomplish a lot with three doses of motivation. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 4 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Sunday, May 20, 2018 “Grieve not at what hath befallen thee, but put thy whole trust in God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the Wise.” Baha’u’llah37 Healing Medicine38 I turn on the news, I see hate and fear flowing free. I weep for humanity, the progeny of Adam, who do not appear to see their commonality. They have divided themselves artificially: by color, creed, nationality, etc. I have lost their trust in the Almighty, and divided the All-Knowing Creator by names, attributes, etc. The medicine to heal their disease, is unity: the ability to see humanity, as a single species, God, as a single essence, and religion, as a progressive revealed through Divine Messengers. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 3 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Saturday, May 19, 2018 "All Art is a gift of the Holy Spirit. When this light shines through the mind of a musician, it manifests itself in beautiful harmonies. Again, shining through the mind of a poet, it is seen in fine poetry and poetic prose. When the Light of the Sun of Truth inspires the mind of a painter, he produces marvellous pictures. These gifts are fulfilling their highest purpose, when showing forth the praise of God." Abdu’l-Baha Art39 Gift of the Holy Spirit, and the healer of humanity's wounds when the artist soul turns in praise to the glorious Lord. Origins "Everything has a spirit!" Echoes from the dawn of faith Flows across the planet; Descends in torrents Down granite cliff faces To merge With concepts From God's mot recent revelation: "Everything reflects an attribute of God!" Like water dripping from the roof of a cave, Filtered through layers of sediment, Carrying with it the minerals of faith: "God works in history!" "All revelation is from God!" Through the vocal chords of His Manifestations, He directs the evolution Of His creation, His words echo across Earth, Flow through the minds of His lovers: "God reveals His will through His prophets!" Standing on the bank of a river, The thirsty seeker sees Only the water flowing past. Looking up stream The mist of distance Hides past branches From the seeker's view. Looking down stream The mist of time Hides fture branches. Only the section of the river At the seeker's feet is familiar; Past and future branches Remain nameless and unnamed. "Many rivers flow from a single source!" Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 2 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Friday, May 18, 2018 ". . .the wise and reflecting soul will know of a certainty that this infinite universe with all its grandeur and order could not have come to exist by itself." Abdu'l-Baha At the Sacred Threshold40 At the sacred threshold, my grieving heart is solaced by verses revealed by the Pen of Glory. At the sacred threshold, I contemplate the grandeur of creation, and give thinks for the majesty of the endless universe. At the sacred threshold my spirit reflect on the dominion and greatness of the Almighty Creator. Footnotes |
‘Idál Justice), 19 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, May 16, 2018 Speak up We have to speak up, we have to speak out, sometimes we may have to shout so that our voices are heard over the screeches of hate mongers. Response sent to "Spiritual Newsletter (May 16, 2018)" : "I live in America, another Christian nation, which is experiencing similar problems. In addition, the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence says: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."(https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript) America is living up to neither the Christian ideals nor those stated in its own Declaration of Independence. I don't know what is going to happen in the next year.Why? I suspect part of the problem is fear because the everything on the planet is changing so fast. Political leaders are afraid they are losing power. Most people know they can't control what is happening in the world, and so they attempt to hang onto the xenophobia of the past. What can be done? Continue to speak up, and hope and pray that someone is listening to us." While I was writing the above, someone called who wanted to to tell one of Senators to vote no on the a the confirmation of one of Trumps appointees. I doubt it will do any good because it was a Republican Senator, and, I suspect, he's already taken a bribe to vote yes. I didn't vote for this Senator in the last election, and I won't vote for him in the next. I don't know that my vote will make a difference, because it didn't in the last Presidential election. I didn't vote for Trump, but it didn't matter. I will vote in the next election. I'm not sure who I will vote for yet, but I will vote. I will vote even though it may not do any good. I will still vote. I will vote because it is part of being a good citizen of America, and there is always the slim hope that it will do good or someone will listen. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 18 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, May 15, 2018 "Humanity is but a single Brotherhood: So make peace with your brethren." The Holy Qur'an 49:10 I was raised in Blackwell, Oklahoma, in a Southern Baptist family. On Sunday, I went to Sunday School at either the First Southern Baptist Mission in the Smelter Heights, or the First Southern Baptist Church uptown. It was at the Mission (My family always called the little church in the Smelter Heights the Mission.) that I accepted Christ as my personal savior, but it was at the Big Church uptown that I was baptist. At that time, I knew of only one sacred book, the Holy Bible, which (I was told.) combined both Jewish and Christian scriptures. I didn't learn there were other Holy Books until I left Oklahoma and moved to Las Vegas. By the time I moved to Las Vegas, I'd been on my personal spiritual search for several years. When I came to Las Vegas I heard about the Baha'i Faith. I declared my belief in Baha'u'llah at the first fireside (introduction to the Baha'i beliefs) attended. I knew, from the Writing of Baha'u'llah that were introduced at the Fireside that Baha'u'llah was sent from the same God that sent Christ. Grace of God41 Through the Grace of God humanity is one race: a single brotherhood, and sisterhood. Through the Grace of the Almighty, the sacred scriptures have been sent down to guide the human soul. The sacred books I have in the house, at present, are all Baha'i scriptures. I used to have a Holy Bible, which belonged to Grandma Mary. I let my sister send that to my brother Tom in Colorado, because he ask for Grandma's bible. I have a copy of the Holy Qur'an and the Bhagavad Gita in storage, and I expect to find those when my sister bring another bunch of my stuff she has in storage. I'm happy with the sacred books I have in the house, at this time, if I want to look up a scripture I can do so on the Internet. The scripture I have at the beginning of this entry, I found on Facebook. One of the groups I belong to has members who are Baha'i, Christian, and Muslim. Footnotes |
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