#canaan fir

[vandaliatraveler]

Photos from a lovely, post-Debby weekend in the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Good, strong breeze to drive out the heat and keep the sky vibrant and constantly on the move. The narrow-leaved gentian (Gentiana linearis) is now at peak bloom in the mountains. This enchanting perennial loves damp mountain seeps and bog edges and is pollinated primarily by bumblebees, which are adept at prying open the flowers or just chewing through them if all else fails. The pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) is also in bloom - my mom used these delicate perennials in her dried-flower arrangements.

[carly41619]

On Friday, I hiked in Canaan Valley to appreciate the unique wetland environment of the area. Canaan Valley is one of the Southernmost sites of balsam fir, a boreal tree species commonly chosen for Christmas trees. The local variety of fir is often listed separately as “Canaan fir”, as it expresses some traits more typical of the Fraser fir farther South.

December 2024, Canaan Valley Resort State Park, WV

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

Sderot resident: People opened their doors when Hamas terrorists knocked, thinking they were IDF troops

By CANAAN LIDOR

Shoval Kahlon, a resident of Sderot, describes the situation in the border town which was infiltrated by Hamas terrorists.

“There are Hamas troops walking around. We see videos of them. They’re walking round with impunity,” she tells the Kan public broadcaster from the bomb shelter of her home.

Security forces are fighting terrorists in at least four areas in the town, the broadcaster reports.

“We woke up at 6:30 a.m. to alarms, we thought it was the usual rocket attacks but we started hearing gunshots on the street, sounded like it came from the parking of our building. Then we realized something was unusual. We then started seeing Hamas people in pickup trucks. They knocked on the homes of residents, who thought they were Israeli soldiers. They took them hostage,” says Kahlon.

14min ago

US condemns Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens

By JACOB MAGID

An ultra-Orthodox Jew peers out of a building after a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, Israel, on Oct. 7, 2023 (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The United States “unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians,” says White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson.

“There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand firmly with the government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks,” Watson says.

US “National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has spoken to Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and we remain in close contact with our Israeli partners,” Watson adds.

24min ago

Baby found at kibbutz where Hamas gunmen infiltrated; parents nowhere to be seen

A baby has been found at Kibbutz Kfar Aza near the Gaza border, and the parents are nowhere to be seen, Channel 12’s Tamir Steinman reports.

The baby is alive. Kibbutz residents are pleading for anyone who has information on the baby’s family to come forward.

The kibbutz is one of several places where Hamas gunmen are still believed to be on the loose.

Steinman, speaking a few minutes later, also says several of his friends and contacts who live in areas close to the Gaza border, including some he was talking to earlier today, “are no longer answering… and it’s clear why they’re not answering.”

Continuous real time updates at The Times of Israel.

[monsooninn]

Berakhot 10a:5. "The Cheering Box."

While mankind waits for its government managers to receive the wake up call, the Rab says the people of the planet can start formulating their approach to Shabbos in order to set expectations for the relief of the immense amounts of suffering it has allowed to sprawl, to catapult around the world.

I have not heard one bit of news related to the end of the homelessness, the poverty, the many tyrannies or military buildups in favor of a proper way of life. The biggest step we can take, an assault on Russia has begun, which is very unfortunate for all the Russians that are now going to join the ranks of those ravaged by war. After their long history of uncertainty and longing, now this.

The next, the death of Donald Trump and his complete erasure from life on earth and that of his allies in the Republican Party and Mormon faith remain as elusive as the hopes of the Russian for peace in their lifetime. Recall, they tunneled underneath Israel in plain sight then emerged like human cockroaches to prey upon the innocent, and still they walk and talk. An outrage to the rest of the world that wants to recover and be happy some day.

Now back to the Shabbos. The Mishnah says the evidence, the Beruria "explanation of the evidence", Rani, "reports by speakers" has no fruits for its actions. Without spokespersons for the Shabbos, the filth like Donald Trump and "JD Vance" get to own the floor. Criminals that are not prosecuted always own the floor. Eventially, they come looking to own yours too and then what?

5. He said to her that he was appointed to Beruria: He wrote "Rani is barren and has no child", why is there no child - Rani?

The Torah was given to us in a barren desert, an open ended place where life stopped and burnt or it forged ahead and triumphed. Because the world cannot bring itself to forge ahead to Shabbos, a time without strife, we are burning to death without hope in the Desert of Beruria.

We need a Report, from Joe Biden stating Donald Trump and the Republican Party will no longer be permitted to harm the people of this world and then we will know our way out of the Desert. There is no point to recorporation of the Nation of Israel without this report. Israel and all who reside in it are doomed if Joe Biden will not do this.

If he were to do this the Beruria would change. Instead of cries out outrage we would obtain evidence of the Ark of the Covenant, the cheering box instead:

"The root ארן ('rn I) isn't used in the Bible so we don't know what it might have meant to Hebrew speakers. But the renowned theologians Simonis and Gesenius assume it is similar to an Arabic verb meaning to be agile or nimble. A Syriac noun seems to be similar, and that denotes a certain kind of wild goat. BDB Theological Dictionary reports of a similar Aramaic noun that too means wild goat.

However, our root also yields the masculine noun ארן ('oren), which means fir or cedar and is used in the Bible only by Isaiah (Isaiah 44:14, along with the curiously look-alike words ארז ('erez) and תרז (tirza), both also denoting trees).

It's possible that our verb ארן ('rn) is related to the verb רנן (ranan; see below), and that the noun ארן ('oren) doesn't denote a specific tree but rather a tree that rustles or creaks in the wind. The sound of the wind through the trees might sound as a large group of people cheering; 1 Chronicles 16:33 has trees sing for joy before the Lord.

And then there is the root ארן ('rn II), which also doesn't occur in the Bible. But its derivative ארון ('aron) is the word that is usually translated with Ark (of the covenant, not the Ark of Noah). But this word is not reserved for the Ark. It's also used for the coffin in which Joseph's bones were carried back to Canaan (Genesis 50:26), or the chest in the temple in which money was collected (2 Kings 12:10).

Perhaps this noun ארן ('aron) is related to רנן (ranan) in that it doesn't simply denote some box, but rather an object that was typically designed to be in the middle of cheering and noise."

The Value in Gematria is 6161, ואו‎‎א, oh and ah, "brotherhood is a firepot."

"As ω (o, or oi!), which is an expletive or exclamation, usually transliterated as O or Oh! This particle of exclamation occurs 17 times in the New Testament; see full concordance. Its Hebrew equivalent is אח ('ah), which is identical to the word meaning brother, which in turn may explain the curious cry "O brother!".

The root אחח ('hh II) is of unclear meaning or connection to cognate languages. Its sole Biblical derivative is אח ('ah), meaning fire-pot (Jeremiah 36:22-23 only). To the Hebrews this word may have denoted a devise that kept one warm and safe, much alike a brother would."

To withhold a report that would make the world happier and feel more secure, that would open up the future to the unfortunate is a sin. The Biden White House must not attempt to shoulder the burden of this sin.

While it protects Donald Trump and the Republicans, the rest of the world should protect its right to Shabbos and Shabbat contained in the Ark of the Covenant which says we cannot be forced to live in circumstances that subject us to harm by our fellow man.

[mybookof-you]

Canaan fir tree seed cones.

SRS 2024.05.20

[jrhughes]

Jacob is Sent to Find a Wife

December 31, 2023  

Genesis 28:1-22  

Golden Text:       Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Proverbs 18:22  

Although Jacob is sent to find a wife, when we last looked in on the family, we find that Isaac has decided to bless Esau in spite of the fact that God had told him through his wife that the older (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob).In short, Isaac wanted to rebel against God. In Chapter 27, Isaac proclaims that he is going to die and he wants to bless his son Esau so he tells Esau to go get savory meat (venison) that Isaac may eat that meat and give the blessing that was now to be that of Jacob back to Esau.  

Remember that Esau had sold his birthright to Jacob when he came out of the field hungry and traded his birthright for a mess of pottage. Esau has despised his birthright but now Isaac has thought he was going to go against the will of God and bless Esau with a blessing that was supposed to be Jacob’s.  

Rebecca the mother of Jacob and Esau, heard what Isaac was saying to Esau and she worked with her son Jacob to deceive Isaac to think Jacob was Esau and so, because of the deception, the blessing went to Jacob as God has intended.  

Shortly after Jacob left, having received the blessing of Isaac, Esau arrived and wanted the blessing from his father. Isaac trembled and admitted to Esau he had been deceived by Jacob and that he had blessed Jacob and Isaac said,”Yea and he shall be blessed.” Esau was bitter and that bitterness led to anger and the anger led to his plan for murder.  

The Bible says “And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father had blessed him and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.” It is not clear whether Rebecca heard these words uttered by him or if it was revealed to her by God, but she knew the plan and purpose of Esau to kill Jacob. And she wanted to send her son Jacob away to be with her brother Laban in Haran , hopefully until the anger of Esau turned away.  

But at the same time, Esau had married again a Canaanite woman and Rebecca used that to convince Isaac that he should send away Jacob to be with her brother Laban and there find a wife other than of the Canaanite women.  

Message Text: Genesis 28:1-22  

1 And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan . 2 Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.  

Apparently by now, Isaac was settled in the fact that the blessing would go to Jacob. I’m sure Isaac must have been aware of the fact of the death threat by Esau toward his brother, however, he seemed to encourage Jacob to go to Padan-Aram and take a wife of the daughters of Laban, Rebekah’s brother, not mentioning the death threat. God had not yet revealed to Jacob or Isaac or Rebekah the full plan He had for Jacob. As we read we will learn that God was preparing through Jacob for the 12 tribes of Israel .  

Adam Clarke (1762– 1832) says:  

It appears, from Genesis 28:11, that he lodged in the open air, with a stone for his pillow; and from Genesis 32:10, that he went on foot with his staff in his hand; nor is there even the most indirect mention of any attendants, nor is it probable there were any. He no doubt took provisions with him sufficient to carry him to the nearest encampment or village on the way, where he would naturally replenish his bread and water to carry him to the next stage, and so on.  

3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; 4 And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.  

And Isaac here passes on the blessing of God made first to Abraham and then to Isaac. Isaac tells Jacob to be fruitful and multiply and that he and his seed (children) will be prepared one day to inherit the land wherein Isaac is now living, which Isaac tells Jacob God gave unto Abraham and here Isaac passes the promise on to Jacob.  

Adam Clarke (1762 – 1832) states: 

Give thee the blessing of Abraham - But, according to St. Paul, much more than this is certainly intended here, for it appears, from Galatians 3:6-14, that the blessing of Abraham, which is to come upon the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, comprises the whole doctrine ... redemption from the curse of the law, remission of sins, and the promise of the Holy Spirit, including the constitution and establishment of the Christian Church.  

5 And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.  

We notice that Isaac sent Jacob away. He did not want Jacob to take a wife of the Canaanite women. That was no longer his plan nor was it God’s plan but instead he was to go on to Laban, Rebekah’s brother. (Rebekah of course was the mother of Jacob and Esau.)  

Adam Clarke (1762 – 1832) says: 

Bethuel the Syrian - so called ... because he dwelt in that country which had been formerly possessed by the descendants of Aram .  

6 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan; 7 And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram; 8 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father; 9 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.  

Esau was a keen observer. Not only had they blessed Jacob but had forbidden him to take a wife from the daughters of Canaan . Up to that point, Esau’s wives were from Canaan . Esau noted that Jacob had obeyed his parents and was gone to the home of Laban to find a non-Canaanite wife. Esau realized that his wives, the Canaanite wives, were displeasing to both his father Isaac and his mother Rebekah. Rather than pray and seek God or talk to his father, Esau went unto Ishmael. Ishmael was the son of Abraham. Surely a daughter of Ishmael would be acceptable to Isaac and Rebekah. But we will later learn that was not true either.  

Adam Clarke (1762 – 1832) says:

Then went Esau unto Ishmael - Esau did this with a sincere desire to obey and please his parents. Having heard the pious advice which Isaac gave to Jacob, he therefore went and took a wife from the family of his grandfather Abraham ... Esau married his father's niece; Jacob married his mother's niece. It was therefore most obviously to please his parents that Esau took this additional wife.  

10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba , and went toward Haran. 11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.  

Jacob went out from Beersheba toward Haran and the home of Laban, apparently all alone. No camels, no entourage, and as he traveled, the sun set. He decided to lie down for the night. The Bible tells us he took stones for his pillows. That doesn’t sound too comfortable but apparently it sufficed Jacob.  

As Jacob went to sleep, he had a dream, an unusual dream. He saw a ladder that set on the earth and the top of it, why it reached to Heaven! Then as he watched, he saw the angels of God going up and down on it. We don’t know if it was a moving or a stationary ladder. We are only told it was a ladder and the angels went up and down on it.  

Adam Clarke (1762 – 1832) says:

A certain place and tarried there - From Genesis 28:19, we find this certain place was Luz, or some part of its vicinity. ... Or the gates might be shut by the time he reached it, which would prevent his admission.  

He took of the stones - He took one of the stones ...  Genesis 28:18  

He dreamed, and behold a ladder - It is very likely that its primary design was to point out the providence of God, by which He watches over and regulates all terrestrial things ...  In his present circumstances it was highly necessary that Jacob should have a clear and distinct view of this subject ... It might be intended also to point out the intercourse between heaven and earth, and the connection of both worlds by the means of angelic ministry. ...  It was probably a type of CHRIST ... for GOD was manifested in the FLESH, and in Him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. ... By Him God comes down to man; through Him man ascends to God.  

13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I Am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 And, behold, I Am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.  

Suddenly, the LORD stood above the ladder and spoke to Jacob, proclaiming Himself to be the LORD GOD of Abraham and Isaac and told Jacob, The very spot you are lying in, I will give it to you and your children.  

And God said, his children would be numerous (as the dust of the earth). He would occupy the entire land to the east west north and south. Then He said, to his children, the children of Jacob, all of the families of the earth be blessed, of course referring to the Messiah of Israel and the Saviour of all mankind to come through the line of Jacob.  

Adam Clarke (1762 – 1832) says:  

 I Am the Lord God of Abraham — Here God confirms to him the blessing of Abraham, for which Isaac had prayed, Genesis 28:3-4.  

Thy seed shall be as the dust — The people that shall descend from thee shall be extremely numerous, and in thee and thy seed-the Lord JESUS descending from thee, according to the flesh, shall all the families of the earth - not only all of thy race, but all the other families or tribes of mankind ... be blessed; for Jesus Christ by the grace of God tasted death FOR EVERY MAN, Hebrews 2:9.  

And, behold, I Am with thee — For I fill the heavens and the earth. ... Thy descendants also shall be My peculiar people, whom I shall continue to preserve as such until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of-until the Messiah shall be born of thy race, and all the families of the earth - the Gentiles, be blessed through thee;  

16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. 17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.  

After Jacob awoke from the conversation in dream with the LORD, he was awestruck. He realized the LORD was in this place. And he was fearful, he was frightened, just to have been in the Presence of God. He came to the conclusion that this was the gate of Heaven.  

Adam Clarke (1762 – 1832) says:  

How dreadful is this place! — The appearance of the ladder, the angels, and the Divine glory at the top of the ladder, must have left deep, solemn, and even awful impressions on the mind of Jacob  

18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel : but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.  

These verses merely tell us that Jacob arose early in the morning, took the stone he had used for a pillow, set it up for a pillar and poured oil upon the top of it. He named the place Bethel (House of God). He knew he was in the presence of Almighty God but he didn’t fully understand how God was preparing him.  

Adam Clarke (1762 – 1832) says:  

And Jacob-took the stone - and set it up for a pillar — He placed the stone in an erect posture, that it might stand as a monument of the extraordinary vision which he had in this place; and he poured oil upon it, thereby consecrating it to God.  

And poured oil upon the top of it. — Stones, images, and altars, dedicated to Divine worship, were always anointed with oil.  

He called the name of that place Beth-El — That is, the house of God; for in consequence of his having anointed the stone, and thus consecrated it to God ... This word should be always pronounced as two distinct syllables, each strongly accented, Beth-El.  

20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.  

Jacob made a vow which was a promise to God. We are told in the Bible we are better off not to make a vow than to make a vow and not keep it. But Jacob’s vow was sort of self centered. It started off with, IF God will be with me and will keep me... Then Jacob asked for bread and clothing and said that if Jacob comes again and is able to go back to his father Isaac’s house in peace - then he is ready to make the LORD his God. And the stone which he set for a pillow would be one of the foundation stones for God’s house. There he promises God that he will keep the tithe, or give one tenth to God.  

Adam Clarke (1762 – 1832) says:  

         Vowed a vow — A vow is a solemn, holy promise, by which a man bound himself to do certain things in a particular way, time, c., and for power to accomplish which he depended on God hence all vows were made with prayer.  

If God will be with me, -- Jacob seems to make this vow rather for his posterity than for himself, as we may learn from Genesis 28:13-15 for he particularly refers to the promises which God had made to him, which concerned the multiplication of his offspring, and their establishment in that land. ... but as his taking refuge with Laban was probably typical of the sojourning of his descendants in Egypt, his persecution, so as to be obliged to depart from Laban, the bad treatment of his posterity by the Egyptians ... were all typical of the exodus of his descendants, their travels in the desert, and establishment in the promised land  

I shall worship God in this place. And this purpose he fulfilled, for there he built an altar. ...  

On the teaching of tithes ... as a whole tribe, that of Levi, was devoted to the public service of God; and when the land was divided, this tribe received no inheritance among their brethren. Hence, for their support, the law of tithes was enacted ...  If the ministers of God give up their whole time, talents, and strength, to watch over, labor for, and instruct the people in spiritual things, justice requires that they shall receive their support from the work.  

Next week we will see how Jacob and Laban work one against another for an advantage. When Jacob comes to the land of Laban , he has nothing, when he leaves God has indeed blessed him with two wives, two concubines, twelve sons and one daughter and thousands of livestock.  

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know that You love me and have a wonderful plan for my life that includes heaven with You forever in the next life. Here we see God has a plan for Jacob and the line to Messiah and the Saviour of all mankind. We need a Saviour because all have sinned. We have earned for ourselves death in the lake of fire. But Jesus died on the cross to pay that death penalty so that all who believe He is Lord and accept His death to pay for their sins can be in heaven with Him one day for ever and ever. In this lesson and the one to come we see the hand of God, that He is in charge of everything. Thank You Father, thank You Jesus, thank You God the Holy Spirit. Come in to my life in a bigger way and make me a fit vessel for Your use here on earth. This I pray in Jesus’ Name - Amen.       

May God bless you in all that you do for Him, Brother J.R. Soul winner, Bible teacher, Defender of the Faith

[breakingnews365]

Christmas: The History, Origin, Facts and more related to the occasion

Christmas: The History, Origin, Facts and more related to the occasion

Christmas What Is Christmas and When Did it Start? Christmas is the yearly Christian celebration commemorating Christ’s birth, hung on December 25 in the Western Church. The traditional date of December 25 goes back as far as A.D. 273. 2 pagan festivals honoring the sun were also commemorated on that day and it is possible that December 25 was selected to combat the influence of paganism. To this…

[callsign-phoenix]

I wrote this as a part of my advent calendar fics, I hope you like it!

It is a Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin x gn!reader imagine.

Thank you @marvelandotherfandomimagines for proofreading!

Day 4: picking out a Christmas tree

Warnings: the tiniest bit of cursing

“And that has to be done today?” Your boyfriend asked you with a roll of his eyes as he looked over at you by the front door.

Christmas was your source of joy and you couldn’t start decorating early enough, and of course the Christmas tree was one of the most important parts of your decor.

Jake was usually very busy with work, which was perfectly alright, but it only left you a few moments to spend time as a couple together.

This time Jake would have preferred to spend it in the comfort of your bed, no doubt.

Instead, you dragged him outside to go Christmas tree shopping, and after a few words of protest he gladly let that happen.

You found one of those sales at the corner of a few streets down and took your time looking around, searching for the perfect tree for your small but happy home.

You immediately got busy looking for the perfect tree with Jake following you along.

You went through the different types of trees; pine trees, spruce trees, and cypresses, but none of those were good enough.

While you had help choosing by a salesman and you were happy with a lot of the options it was Jake who developed a harsh and unbreakable opinion.

At first you had thought he was making fun of you because he feigned interest but you soon realized that he wasn’t faking it, Jake started to be actually even more invested than you were.

In the end you ended up by the different kinds of fir trees, making your way through balsam, canaan, and douglas fir until you reached the kind of tree that you knew was perfect for you.

You immediately fell in love with the grand fir trees they had standing around and chose a rather small one, but Jake wouldn’t have it for the world.

“You can’t be serious, babe. That thing is too small for a dog to pee on. We’re not taking it home,” he commented and while you were slightly offended you had to laugh at his choice of words, nodding along and following him this time as he led your investigations.

He made his way to one of the tallest and widest trees on the property and stopped dead in his tracks, staring at it for a while before turning around to grin at you.

You were shocked by his choice, not even a second doubting that he was serious about what he was doing.

“Baby, it won’t fit,” you said matter-of-factly but Jake didn’t budge, not once swaying from his fervent opinion.

Carrying the tree home alone was a nightmare and you didn’t even want to know how much it cost.

You did your best to get the fir tree into your home and living room, after which you spent some time searching for a tree stand while Jake stood holding your new roommate by its restraints.

When you finally found it and brought it along Jake did his best to keep the tree upright.

As you had said the top of the tree was bent because it pressed against your ceiling and you chuckled as you saw that, looking over at Jake to find his eyebrows furrowed in anger.

“I guess we’ll have to cut it off,” you chuckled just to tease him and Jake let out a scoff, glaring at you in mock-affront.

“Over my dead body,” he let out before he kept standing there, arms crossed defiantly in front of his chest and staring at the top of the tree to come up with a better solution.

You took that time to get the boxes with ornaments.

In the end you did have to cut the tip off.

But while you were happy just leaving it the way it was Jake decided to do you one better and cut off a little more than needed, just to be able to put the natural tip back on using a hammer and a nail that ran through both parts of the tree.

It was a mess and you had already collected a fair amount of needles and twigs from the floor, but when Jake stepped back in satisfaction you had to say that he had done well.

It had taken you an entire afternoon to choose a tree and to put it up, but when you moved to hug your boyfriend he let out a moody groan.

You started peppering kisses along his neckline until they reached his lips, your hands roaming his chest until he pulled away.

“What’s up baby, you’re not in the mood?” You asked gingerly, and grinned at him as you pulled away.

“That stupid tree took a lot of energy to put up already,” he groaned, but your grin only softened at that.

“Alright, my hero, then I’ll do all of the work,” you whispered, and Jake found enough energy in him to be able to bolt into the bedroom.

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[jawritter]

Twelve Days Of Christmas

Chapter 6,

Summary: Dean never realized that Y/N missed Christmas until he turned off an annoying Christmas song on the radio on the way home from a hunt, now he will make it his personal mission to give her the Christmas he misses so much, and if he plays his cards right, maybe he will give her what he has wanted to give her for so many years, himself.

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader

Written For: @spnchristmasbingo​​​​​

Square Field: Christmas Tree

Word Count: 2024

Warnings: Fluff, brief mention of past trauma, light angst.

A/N: This is to help me catch up on my SPN Christmas Bingo card lol Chapter 7 will post tomorrow! I knew chapter will post every day until Christmas! I know I’m insane lol. This is a real time fic collection and all mistakes will be my own! Please do not copy my work! Hope you all enjoy these!!

**SERIES MASTERLIST**    **MASTERLIST**    **BECOME A PATREON**

Snow, you had seriously never seen this much snow in your life. You were starting to think it was never going to stop snowing. It snowed all night long, finally slowing to light dusting somewhere around daybreak, and by the time you and Dean had pulled yourselves out of bed, it was evident no one was going anywhere until the snowplows came through to clear the roads, which could take a few days. 

You were totally fine with the idea of hanging around the cabin today. It had been a busy week already. Dean had gone above and beyond what anyone had ever done for you already, and if today was just a day where you hugged out and did nothing, that was okay. Not every day had to be some grand adventure for you. 

Dean, on the other hand, had been eyeing the cluster of small Canaan Firs on the back corner of the property all day. They were just big and full enough to make a small Christmas tree for the two of you. So, without much explanation other than, “get your coat and boots,” you followed Dean towards the little cluster of trees. The small ax he’d found in Baby’s trunk was swung over his shoulder as he trudged ahead of you through the almost kneed deep snow, making a path for you to easier walk in as he paved the way forward to his destination. 

From a few paces back you could see the white flurries land on his broad shoulders as well as the back of his jacket and sock hat as he went, his large silhouette standing out in stark contrast to the snow as he pushed on forward through the unforgiving cold. 

You could hear him humming along to a tune that you didn’t recognize as he turned over his shoulder giving you a little smirk while he watched you struggle to keep up with him through the deep snow. Being short wasn’t exactly working in your favor at the moment, and he paused, turning to fully face you with the ax still slung lazily over his shoulder much like he did his vampire machetes after a hunt. 

“Need me to carry you Y/N/N,” he called sarcastically, and you childishly stuck your tongue out at him before answering. 

“I’m doing just fine on my own Winchester!” 

“Okay, Sweetheart, I was just offering since the snow is almost as tall as you are. I was afraid you’d fall into a drift and I wouldn’t be able to find you until the snow melted,” he teased, and you rolled your eyes dramatically. 

“You just worry about getting us a tree cut down and stop worrying about me,” you tell him, earning a deep chuckle from him as he turned and started to make his way toward the tree line again. 

The sun was starting to go down, it was late but you and Dean both had been pretty lazy today. Doing nothing but watching Christmas movies, you pick this time, and eat as much artery-clogging food as you could manage since you didn’t have Sam the health nut breathing down your throat. The darkening sky overhead cast an almost postcard type feel to the scenery around you, but your gaze was on the back of Dean’s head as he hummed along his way.

He looked particularly smug with himself as he kept making his way towards his goal, still chuckling as your footsteps crunch along behind him. Your inner child was screaming at you to not let him get away with that. So reaching down as you went, you grabbed a handful of snow in your gloved hands and started to pound it into a ball. 

Just as Dean turned to make another comment about you talking all day to catch up to him, you launched the snowball, hitting him squarely in his broad chest, laughing as he looked grumpily from you to the show that still clung to the outer layer of jacket that was on his body before a smile carved by the devil himself appeared on those pink, wind kissed lips of his. 

“Oh Baby, it’s on now.”

Reaching down on the ground in front of him, Dean grabbed a handful of his own snow.

You turn to try and run back towards the house for safety, but it was no use, he was taller and faster than you were. Before you could even take three steps you were nailed in the back with a larger snowball, and Dean’s laugh echoed through the cold air around you as you staggered a little. 

You quickly try to gather up another snowball, but Dean was faster, quickly launching another and barely missing you as you ducked lower to the ground. 

Deciding to change your tactics a little, you charge at him, hurling two more snowballs in his directions. He rolled across the ground to escape them, laughing as you cursed and scrambled to gather up more snow.

“Oh, now you want to play dirty? Well, you shouldn’t write checks you can’t cash baby girl,” he growled playfully, looking up from his sprawled out position with his eyes almost glowing with a childlike excitement you had never seen in Dean before.

Without warning he jumped off the ground, running towards you at an impressive speed. The sudden change totally threw you, and all you could was stand there like an idiot for a moment before turning on your heels and bolting back in the opposite direction. 

Unfortunately, your pause was going to be your demise. Dean’s long legs carried him to you faster than you would have guessed possible, one long arm wrapping around your torso as the other grabbed a handful of fresh powder, dumping it down the back of your shirt and jacket. 

You twist and try to get away from the cold, screaming and laughing until your lungs hurt. If anyone was watching they were surely going to think he was killing you. Both of you were laughing so hard at this point that Dean lost his footing, falling down on his backside and pulling you down with him, both of you lying there in the snow as you tried to catch your breath from your little snowball fight. 

“Okay, truce?” Dean asked breathlessly, still smiling widely. The dim light of the winter evening casting the most gorgeous glow over the exposed skin of his face that you suddenly realized was very, very close to yours, and that you were still sitting on top of him. 

For just a moment you contemplated revenge, but decided better of it, knowing Dean could turn the tables on you in an instant and suddenly have the upper hand again. 

“Truce,” you agreed, slowly climbing off of him and helping him stand to his feet. 

Dean kept up with your pace this time as you made your way towards the tree line, looking at the trees there. While all of them were full and beautiful, they were all a little too big up close to bring into the cabin. 

“You know, there’s a box out in the woodshop labeled Christmas Stuff, bet there’s an artificial tree out there too,” Dean said, looking towards the shed that felt like it was a thousand miles away from you in the dimming light that stretched across the snow-covered lawn. 

“You know, I bet you’re right, cause even if we get one of these bad boys cut we’d have to drag it all the way back up there,” you point out in a huff of white fog, and Dean nodded in agreement. 

“Come on, hop up on my back and I’ll carry you there,” he offered as you gave him a shocked look. “Come on don't be stubborn.”

“Okay,” you agreed reluctantly as Dean knelt down in front of you in the snow for you to wrap your arms around his neck while his gloved hands came to your thighs, hoisting you up as if you weighed nothing at all.

It didn’t take him nearly as long as it would have taken the both of you walking to reach the woodshop, and as you slipped down from his back and turned on the light, you noticed the welding torch Dean had been using when he planned on taking the “big splash” still laying on the workbench and froze. 

Dean noticed your hesitation and followed your gaze with his own before pulling a heavy and on his shoulder. 

“Come on baby girl, let’s not dwell on the past okay? That’s not why we’re here.” 

You knew he was right, but the thought of him out in the middle of the ocean, buried in a metal coffin, trapped with Michael terrified you to this day. In fact, you still had nightmares about it even if you would never tell him that.

You let Dean guide you to the back of the shed, quickly finding boxes of decorations and Christmas lights of all sorts, and finally a tree. 

“Got it!” Dean yelled excited, producing a box marked “Christmas Tree,” and adding it to the growing pile of decorations on the ground. 

“Great, let’s get it to the cabin, I’m freezing,” you tell him. You weren’t really all that cold, but wanting to get away from this room where he’d almost literally created his sealed fate. Dean picked up on your hurry, and nodded, grabbing the boxes he could along with the Christmas tree and following you back into the warmth that awaited in the cabin. You didn’t really take a breath until you were back in its warm enclosure. 

Dean dropped his boxes on the ground, coming up and taking yours from you before slipping his arms around your waist and hugging you tight into him. 

“You okay Y/N,” he asked after you finally returned his hug, holding on to him like he might disappear in front of you if you let him go. 

“I’m fine,” you lie, but Dean saw through it, he knew you all too well, he knew that seeing that had bothered you even though you were trying to hide it. 

“Hey,” letting go of you he pulled a glove free of his hand with his teeth and placed it to the side of your face, making you look up into his astonishing green eyes. “I’m still here, and I don’t plan on going anywhere any time soon.” 

You nod and lean your head into his chest as his fingers glide their way through your hair and calm your racing heart a little. 

“Tell you what, that’s enough adventure for tonight. We can decorate tomorrow, right now I’m going to make you some Winchester Surprise for dinner and we can get drunk and prank call everyone that’s stone age enough to still have a number in the local phone book there.”

You hadn’t expected that, but the thought of Dean calling someone and asking them if their refrigerator was running had you cracking up in spite of yourself. Just like that, all the bad melted away as his lips pressed lightly to your forehead, and removed your jacket for you. Just like that, he chased away the bad memories again, leaving only a peace you had never felt until this moment in its wake. 

Sure the two of you had both been through your share of hell, in Dean’s case literally, but you had never seen it until right then how much you needed him and how you weren’t willing to live without him. He was your person, and you just wished you could be his. 

Even though the past tried to drag itself back up to haunt you, standing in the kitchen with Dean and helping him cook his favorite meal for the two of you felt so natural that you wouldn't have ended day 8 any other way. No matter what happened after Christmas was over, this memory would be your favorite of them all. Just you and Dean, being together in a rare slice of normal, what more could a hunter ask for?

Forever Tags: 

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[vandaliatraveler]

Late afternoon at the balsam fir swamp in Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

From top: nodding bur-marigold (Bidens cernua), also sometimes referred to as nodding beggarticks, a clumping, wetlands-loving annual whose flowerheads nod as they mature and get heavier; bushy St. John's wort (Hypericum densiflorum), a gorgeous, densely-packed shrub with vibrant yellow flowers and copper-colored bark; white meadowsweet (Spiraea alba), a rapidly-colonizing shrub whose branching clusters of white flowers are one of summer's most generous gifts; narrow-leaved gentian (Gentiana linearis), a tall, elegant bottle gentian that can only be pollinated by bumblebees strong enough to pry open (or chew through) its closed petals; flat-topped white aster (Doellingeria umbellata), also known as parasol whitetop, a tall, attractive mountain aster with flat, branching clusters of white flowers; and the dainty white flowers of virgin's bower (Clematis virginiana), a vigorous, twining vine that forms beautiful, dense waves of foliage and flowers.

[puckngrind]

Skating Lessons part 21

Summary: Christmas prep with Mason. 

Warnings: Swearing, foreplay, the usual...

Word count: 2131

Series Masterlist

“Where are we going so early?” You almost whine as Josh loads Mason in the car.  Knowing he has to be tired from his game the night before.

“Its a surprise.” Josh smirks at you as he leans over Mason to buckle him up. He jumps in the driver seat and hands you your coffee that seems to have appeared from nowhere. “Drink me!” He jokes as he starts to drive. He heads out of Columbus and towards the country.

“Josh?” You draw out his name with the question of where your drive was taking you.

“Look familiar yet?” He runs his hands down to yours like always.

“I know. I know.” Mason chimes in. Your eyes dart back towards your son who has his noses pressed into the window and his hand in the air.

“Really?” Your eyebrow goes up.

“Let’s see if Momma can figure it out, kay?” Josh chuckles and squeezes your hand.

Your eyes move back and forth as Josh’s watch gives directions that you cannot see. You finally get to the exit and it looks familiar.

“Are we going to our Christmas tree farm?” Your voice raises at the realization. This was the tree farm you’ve grown up going to. Since Mason you have always gone with your parents and clearly never paid attention to the route.

“Yeah Babe. I asked your dad where to go. With my long road trip coming up I wanted to make sure we got a tree up.” He brings your hand to his lips and kisses lightly.

“So Jingles can come back!” Mason’s voice was excited.

“Who is Jingles?” Josh questions in the sweetest tone.

“My elf. He comes to help Santa! Jingles comes when we are ready for Christmas.” Mason’s excitement for the season oozing out of every word. You look at Josh’s face and smile taking a mental note to explain the whole Elf on the shelf concept to him when little ears aren’t listening. “How’s Momma going to walk around the tree farm?” Mason turned his attention to the winding country road Josh turned on.

“I already thought of that.” Josh eyes Mason for a split second in the mirror and shoots a look at you.

“Of course you have. Perfect example.” You whisper while Josh shrugs his shoulders and turns into the farm.

Opening your door you inhale the smells of evergreen and cinnamon that dance in the air. The family owned farm has always been your favorite and the bonfire they throw scraps of tree on with cinnamon sticks makes every memory of cutting down a tree come rushing to your brain. “That’s smell is heaven.” Josh breaks your trance and pulls you toward him for a hug.

“Smells like Christmas.” You breathe in deeply.

“So Mace, can you handle the wagon and I got Momma?” Josh turns to Mason and he nods in agreement. Josh dressed Mason this morning and you realize as they stood there that the two have on the same buffalo plaid shirt that coordinates with your green one. The warmer Ohio day meant forgoing the heavy coats which your ice loving boys seemed to enjoy. “Ready?” Josh looks at you with that part sinister part loving look you are all too familiar with. He turns around and dips down so you can get on his back.

“Are you giving me a piggy back ride?” You question and Mason laughs.

“At least until we get out to the trees.” Josh looks back and smiles at you. “Come on Babe! There is a tree to find!” You shake your head and do as your told. As promised, Josh puts you down in the Canaan fir section of the field and disappears like Mason. “How tall is your celling?” Josh pokes his head from around a 10 foot tree.

“We normally get an 8 foot.” You hobble over to where your boys were standing behind this tree.

“Not what I asked (y/n).” He raises his hand up to see how tall it was compared to him. “This one will fit.” Josh looks down at Mason and then you.

“True. Plus it has a nice shape.” You eye your boys excitement and pure joy that matches.

“So can we get this one Momma?” Mason runs around the tree and collides into your side. Josh puts up a hand to steady you.

“It does look like the perfect tree.” Your smile reaches your eyes as you look down at Mason and up to Josh.

“Well let’s document this shi...stuff.” Josh pulls out his phone and props it in the limbs of the tree next to where you were standing. Kneeling down he pulls you to his knee and Mason stands in front of him. Using his watch he clicks the camera mode. “Okay, on three.” Mason counts and you all three smile.

“And this is why we are matching eh?” You look at Josh as Mason runs towards the wagon. Josh just kisses you while you remain on his leg. Your hand reaches up to cup his face. “Thank you.” You breathe out while standing up.

“For?” Josh stands and pulls you into his side.

“You know...being perfect.” You nudge him and he laughs.

Josh takes the saw and blanket Mason retrieved from the wagon and gets down to cut the tree. Mason lays right next to him and you couldn’t resist taking too many pictures of the cuteness.

“Timber!” Mason yells from under the tree as it falls to the ground.

The whole process was a turn on. Josh looking like a lumberjack and easily cutting down the tree. His attention to details like dressing all three of you the same and having Mason help in the tree finding process. You quickly came back to reality when Josh and Mason placed the tree on the wagon and Josh picked you back up. Mason’s little muscles pulled the tree back to the front and you took the distance to kiss Josh’s neck and whisper in his ear.

“Can we talk about how hot you look right now?” You kiss his neck again and Josh squeezes your legs.

“Oh really.” You cannot see his face but you know his smirk is plastered on.

“Oh yeah. Cutting down our tree. Making sure to take a picture of the three of us. Letting Mason help. Looking the way you do. Anderson, you make me weak.” You pop up from his back and place a kiss on his cheek.

“Noted.” Josh chuckles as you reach the tree shaking and roping area. Josh carries you back to the car while the tree is being prepped. He and Mason head back to pay for and retrieve the tree. You see them coming back. Mason with two hot chocolates in hand and Josh with the tree on his shoulder. You press your thighs together at the sight.  He was so damn sexy in his plaid carrying a giant tree with ease.  

The drive back was filled with Christmas songs and Josh playfully running his hands up and down your leg while singing loudly.

You have never put a tree up so easily in your life.  You remember your parents did not argue much but the putting the tree in the tree stand was maybe the one thing that stressed everyone out.  Josh placed you on the couch, had Mason hold the door, put the tree in the stand and with one hand steadying it with Mason’s help he tightened the eye hooks with ease.  

“Did that just happen?”  You sipped your coffee and looked up at Josh.   “What?”  Josh’s puzzled look was adorable.

“That was...impressive.  Now let’s see this tree!”  You wink at him feeling the heat in your cheeks as he grabs scissors and cuts the tree free.  

Mason and Josh retrieved your Christmas boxes and the three of you started to decorate the tree.

“Josh, does your house need a tree?”  Mason yawned out after placing his favorite Stinger ornament at his eye level.

“Nope.  I’m not there much these days and I only had a small fake one the last few years that sat on my counter.”  Josh leaned down to Mason’s level.  “I’m glad I can help with a real tree this year.  It’s what I grew up with.”  “In Canada is Christmas different since you are closer to the North Pole?” Mason yawns again and both you and Josh laugh a little.

“Well I grew up near Toronto which is super close to the US but my parents always made sure we got to bed early since Santa was so close to us.”  Josh stands up and holds out his hand.  “Let’s get you to bed so Jingle can come.”

“Jingles, but we aren’t ready for Christmas!”  Mason whined.

“Baby, Josh and I will finish.  Promise.  Jingles will be here in the morning.”  You kiss him and Josh takes Mason to bed.

Grabbing your favorite ornament from when Mason was born you try to reach up to get it higher on the tree when Josh’s hands grabbed your hips.  

“Fuck you look gorgeous standing in front of this tree.”  He whispers and lifts you up to place the ornament.  Spinning you around he looks deep into your eyes.  “Christmas looks good on you (y/n).”  Josh holds your face and kisses you deeply.  

“Same babe but can we finish the tree first and get the elf out?”  You say breathlessly.  

“Yeah, but I’m not promising to behave since the little dude is in bed.”  Josh kisses down your neck and your breath catches in your throat.

He lived up to his lack of promise.  Josh’s hands were up your shirt, his lips on your neck and lips, and picking you up to spin you around while singing Baby it’s cold outside.  You did get the tree finished and Josh hoisted you onto his shoulder to place the angel at the top.  Sliding you down his body you feel the electricity between the two of you.  He stops and holds you so your faces are parallel.  Wrapping your legs around him careful not to get your boot in the way.

“This road trip is gonna kill me.”  He groaned and kisses your lips.  

“You and me both but at least this damn boot should be off by the time you return.”  You knock it into his ass.  

“That’s going to be amazing as hell.  Plus there is always phone sex.” Josh chuckles and attacks your neck.

“Joshua!” You playfully act offended. “It’s five days right?”  

“Yup.  For the 12 day roadie in March you might just have to sneak in my luggage.”  He pulls back to look at you. 

“Babe.” You move your hand to his face and he drops you slowly down to the ground.  “it’s your job.”

“Yeah, and it won’t last forever then I’ll be retired in my 30s and bugging the hell out of you.”  He laughs and pulls your body into his.  Josh always eluded to the future but never quite so directly.  It made your stomach flip with anticipation.

“Josh.”  You aren’t sure what to say but he kisses you where the words fell.

“Now let’s talk about this elf?”  His eyebrows move up.  “Where exactly to you keep this said Jingles?”  he laughs and you two make your way to the secret closet that Mason never gets into.  You place Jingles in a coffee cup with three packets of hot chocolate, a candy cane and sprinkle marshmallows over the counter.  “So let me get this straight...the elf is to check in on you for Santa but he’s a naughty elf?”  Josh watches from his lean on the counter.

“Sounds about right...all the other parents do it...peer pressure.” You laugh.

“Now can we go to bed?” Josh whines and makes his way to you.  “Because I’m gonna need some motivation to head out in the morning.  And you’re sexy ass has been hard not to pin to every wall I can find.” He growls loudly and lifts you up.

“Shhhh...” you giggle.  “You aren’t getting anything if you wake up Mace.  Plus, you were the tease today with your lumberjack-ness.  I had to control myself all damn day.” 

Josh has a look on his face that you know well and quickly makes his way to your bedroom to toss you gently on the bed.  

“Sure you aren’t too tired from all your heavy lifting today?  Tree, me, tree, me...” You bite your lip and Josh crowds your space.

“Fuck no.  Want me to show you?”  He grabs your ass and you know you are in for it.  “Why would my baby want a lumber fucking jack when you can have this?”  Presses his body into you and you feel yourself melt under him.

[johnschneiderblog]

The replacements

It was a painful decision, but I finally faced the facts and started culling trees from my modest Christmas tree plantation that would never make the grade - the stunted, the misshapen, the skeletal victims of bugs, disease, deer antlers ...

On Wednesday I replaced the discards with 40 Canaan fir seedlings (like the one in the picture) from Tannenbaum Farms, which is just down the road from where I live.

Canaans, which are native to the mountain areas of West Virginia, are virtually indistinguishable from Fraser firs, which, in my opinion, are the Cadillacs of Christmas trees. Canaans are said to be a bit hardier than Frasers.

I was about half-way through my planting Wednesday afternoon when a light rain began to fall. I pushed on and finished just before the cats and dogs arrived.

I would call that perfect timing.

[dailytafsirofquran]

Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Surah Al-Baqarah Ayah 258

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

258. Have you not looked at him who disputed with Ibrahim about his Lord (Allah), because Allah had given him the kingdom! When Ibrahim said (to him): "My Lord is He Who gives life and causes death.'' He said, "I give life and cause death.'' Ibrahim said, "Verily, Allah brings the sun from the east; then bring it you from the west.'' So the disbeliever was utterly defeated. And Allah guides not the people, who are wrongdoers.

The Debate Between Ibrahim Al-Khalil and King Nimrod

The king who disputed with Ibrahim was King Nimrod, son of Canaan, son of Kush, son of Sam, son of Noah, as Mujahid stated.

It was also said that he was Nimrod, son of Falikh, son of Abir, son of Shalikh, son of Arfakhshand, son of Sam, son of Noah.

Mujahid said,

"The kings who ruled the eastern and western parts of the world are four, two believers and two disbelievers. As for the two believing kings, they were;

- Suleiman bin Dawud and

- Dhul-Qarnayn.

As for the two disbelieving kings, they were;

- Nimrod and

- Nebuchadnezzar.''

Allah knows best.

Allah said,

Have you not looked, meaning, "With your heart, O Muhammad!''

at him who disputed with Ibrahim about his Lord, meaning, about the existence of Allah.

Nimrod denied the existence of a god other than himself, as he claimed, just as Fir`awn said later to his people,

I know not that you have a god other than me. (28:38)

What made Nimrod commit this transgression, utter disbelief and arrant rebellion was his tyranny and the fact that he ruled for a long time. This is why the Ayah continued, Because Allah had given him the kingdom.

It appears that Nimrod asked Ibrahim to produce proof that Allah exists.

When Ibrahim said (to him): "My Lord is He Who gives life and causes death",

meaning, "The proof of Allah's existence is the creations that exist after they were nothing and perish after they had existed. This only proves the existence of the Creator, Who does what He wills, for these things could not have occurred on their own without a Creator who created them, and He is the Lord that I call to for worship, Alone without a partner.''

This is when Nimrod said, He said, "I give life and cause death".

Qatadah, Muhammad bin Ishaq and As-Suddi said that he meant,

"Two men who deserved execution were to be brought before me, and I would command that one of them be killed, and he would be killed. I would command that the second man be pardoned, and he would be pardoned. This is how I bring life and death.''

However, it appears that since Nimrod did not deny the existence of a Creator, his statement did not mean what Qatadah said it meant. This explanation does not provide an answer to what Ibrahim said. Nimrod arrogantly and defiantly claimed that he was the creator and pretended that it was he who brings life and death.

Later on, Fir`awn imitated him and announced, I know not that you have a god other than me. (28: 38)

This is why Ibrahim said to Nimrod, Ibrahim said, "Verily, Allah brings the sun from the east; then bring it you from the west".

This Ayah means,

"You claim that it is you who brings life and death. He who brings life and death controls the existence and creates whatever is in it, including controlling its planets and their movements. For instance, the sun rises everyday from the east. Therefore, if you were god, as you claimed, bringing life and death, then bring the sun from the west.''

Since the king was aware of his weakness, inadequacy and that he was not able to reply to Ibrahim's request, he was idle, silent and unable to comment. Therefore, the proof was established against him.

So the disbeliever was utterly defeated.

Allah said,

And Allah guides not the people, who are wrongdoers.

meaning, Allah deprives the unjust people of any valid proof or argument. Furthermore, their false proof and arguments are annulled by their Lord, and they have earned His anger and will suffer severe torment.

The meaning that we provided is better than the meaning that some philosophers offered, claiming that Ibrahim used the second argument because it was clearer than the first one. Rather, our explanation asserts that Ibrahim refuted both claims of Nimrod, all praise is due to Allah.

As-Suddi stated that the debate between Ibrahim and Nimrod occurred after Ibrahim was thrown in the fire, for Ibrahim did not meet the king before that day.

[gocurrentcom]

Real XMAS trees are in demand this year

Real XMAS trees are in demand this year

Planted in the spring, then sheared in the summer, looking their best for us, come Christmas time. Bill says the Canaan fir trees are the most popular this year. Before any tree leaves the farm, they get a shake to get rid of any loose needles. Then they’re wrapped for the car ride home.

[dllndllndlln]

Very, VERY pleased with how the Christmas tree turned out this year! We have a 7.5 ft. Canaan fir, complete with more than 150 ornaments, 800 lights, and a whole lot of love. I went with a black/white/purple color scheme (because I wanna get my money’s worth from those spooky purple LED lights from Halloween - now they are spooky purple LED lights for Christmas! 💀🎄🖤✨) #christmas #christmasdecor #christmastree #lights #christmaslights #homedecor #holidaydecor #holidayseason #christmastime #🎄 https://www.instagram.com/p/CIUgGVJLng8/?igshid=1hfmjnf943ysr