#matter of insulting the glory of the Holy Prophet

[dfroza]

For we haven’t approached you—or anyone else for that matter—with some error or impure motives or deceitful agenda:

Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament is the 2nd chapter of the letter of 1st Thessalonians:

Brothers and sisters, you yourselves know that our coming to you was not a waste of time. You remember how we had just suffered through brutal and insulting attacks in Philippi; but because of God, we boldly stepped into the open to tell you His good news, even though it would likely mean more conflict for us. For we haven’t approached you—or anyone else for that matter—with some error or impure motives or deceitful agenda; but as we have been approved by God and entrusted with the good news, that’s how we are telling the world. We aren’t trying to please everybody, but God, the only One who can truly examine our motives. As you know, we didn’t sandwich the truth between cunning compliments—we told it straight—and before the eye of God, we never conspired to make a single cent off of you. We didn’t come seeking respect from people—not from you or anyone else—although we could have leveraged our position as emissaries of the Anointed One, the Liberating King. Instead, we proved to be gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her own children. We were so taken by you that we not only eagerly shared with you God’s good news, but we also shared with you our own lives. That’s how much you’ve come to mean to us.

Don’t you remember, my brothers and sisters, how hard we worked and struggled? We worked day and night so that we wouldn’t be a burden to any of you and so that we could continue to proclaim to you the good news of God. Both you and God can confirm how well we treated the believers: we were always holy, just, and blameless. As you know, we comforted and consoled each of you as a father soothes his own children, encouraging you to live lives worthy of God—of the One calling you into His own kingdom and into His glory.

So we have good reason to give thanks to God without pausing. For you have taken into yourselves the word of God we brought to you and received it as a message from God—not just something whipped up by someone like you or us—and that word is at work in you who believe. And, brothers and sisters, you even became imitators of the churches of God in Jesus the Anointed that gather in Judea because you were willing to suffer at the hands of your own countrymen as they suffered from the unbelieving Judeans. These are the same people who killed the Lord Jesus, as well as the prophets, and continued attacking until they drove all of us out. They don’t just offend God; they are clearly hostile to the rest of the people because they are trying to silence our life-saving message to the nations; and as a result, their sins are always filling up and overflowing. But in the end, they will face God’s wrath.

Brothers and sisters, we are like orphans, separated from you for a short time (in presence, yes, but not in heart); and we desperately desire to see your faces again. However, as much as we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, assure you we tried again and again—Satan thwarted our plans. For what is our true hope, our true joy, our victor’s crown in all this? It is nothing if it isn’t you standing before our Lord Jesus the Anointed at His arrival. You are our glory! You are our joy!

The Letter of 1st Thessalonians, Chapter 2 (The Voice)

A note from The Voice translation:

It’s only by the leading of the Spirit that these first-generation church planters find themselves in this most disagreeable city (although it seems there’s no place Paul can go without causing a commotion). Likewise, it is neither by chance nor by any human power that these people are drawn out of their comfy old habits into a radical new way of living. A miracle really takes shape when, by trading in their old ways of living, believers take to heart the message of Jesus, and their unshakable faith shakes up conversations everywhere.

Kingdom work begins at the surrender of life, by giving yourself away and expecting nothing in return. Real change is then ushered in by the loving touch of the Spirit, moving out from people living transparently faithful lives even in the middle of commotion.

Today’s paired reading from the First Testament is the 11th chapter of the book of Numbers:

The people griped about life in the wilderness, how hard they felt things were for them, and these evil complaints came up to the ears of the Eternal One. He was furious about this ingratitude, faithlessness, and lack of vision. His anger was kindled, and His fire raged among them and devoured some of the camp’s perimeter. The people of Israel cried out and ran to Moses and begged him to do something! Moses did. He prayed to the Eternal One, and the flames settled down. On account of this incident of the burning fire from the Eternal, the place where it happened is called Taberah, which means “burning.”

A contingent of Israelites had a strong craving for different food, and the Israelites started complaining again.

Israelites: Who will give us meat to eat? Remember in Egypt when we could eat whatever amount of fish we wanted, or even the abundant cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But this, this can hardly be called food at all! Our appetites have dried up. All we ever have to look at is manna, manna, manna.

The thing about the manna is this: It is like coriander seed but the golden color of gum resin, falling on the camp with the morning dew. The people could just walk around and pick it up. After grinding it with millstones to a kind of flour or crushing it with a mortar, they boiled it in a pot and then formed it into patties. These tasted something like cake prepared with oil, a kind of sweet bread. Well, Moses overheard the people in all the clans moaning at the door of their tents about the manna. The Eternal grew really angry again, and Moses thought the whole situation was wrong.

Moses (to the Lord): Why are You so hard on me? I am your devoted servant. Why don’t You look on me with affection? Why do I have the great burden of these spiteful people? Did I conceive them, bear them, and give birth to them? Why should You tell me to carry them—as a nanny does some suckling infant—into the land that You swore to their ancestors? And now, where am I supposed to find meat to feed this crowd crying out that I give them food to eat? I simply cannot keep carrying them along. They are way too heavy. If You plan to treat me like this, then just kill me now. If You care about me at all, just put me out of my misery so I do not have to live out this distress.

Eternal One (to Moses): Listen, just do this for Me. Get 70 community elders, ones whom you know are real leaders among the people, and bring them into the congregation tent where we meet. Tell them to stand with you there. I will then descend among you. I will speak with you, and withdraw some of My Spirit from you and place it on them so that they can help you with the burden of this people. Then you won’t have to carry it all alone. Then tell the people this: “Purify yourselves for what will happen tomorrow. You will eat meat because you have cried to Me, saying, ‘If only someone would give us meat to eat! We were content back in Egypt.’ The Eternal will indeed give you meat, and you shall eat it. You’ll be eating meat not just one day, or two or five or ten or twenty, but every single day for an entire month. Meat, meat, and more meat. You’ll eat meat until it comes out of your noses and you can’t stand it anymore. For you’ve rejected Me, who is with you, by asking why you left Egypt.”

Moses: There are 600,000 people walking with me here. You say that You’re going to give them heaps of meat for an entire month? Think of the logistics! Are there really enough sheep and cattle traveling with us to slaughter, or enough fish in the sea for that matter, to provide such a supply?

Eternal One: Do you doubt Me? Do you question My power, that I can do what I’ve said? Just watch—you’ll see what will happen.

So Moses went out and told the people what the Eternal One had said. He also gathered 70 community elders and situated them around the congregation tent. Then the Eternal descended in a cloud and talked with Moses, and He took some of the Spirit He laid on Moses and laid it on those 70 elders. At the moment when the Spirit touched them, each one prophesied, but they did not continue doing this.

A couple of men (Eldad and Medad) who had been organized during the Israelite counting, didn’t come to the tent but remained in the greater camp area and prophesied there. A young man ran to Moses and reported it.

Young Man: Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!

Joshua (Nun’s son and Moses’ assistant from the time he was little), also was alarmed.

Joshua: Moses, my lord, stop them!

Moses: Are you so agitated on my account? If only all of the Eternal’s people were prophets, that He would lay His Spirit on them.

After this, Moses and the elders of Israel went back into the greater camp.

Suddenly the Eternal One blew a wind carrying quails in from around the sea and letting them drop all around the camp. There were quails as far as the eye could see—a day’s journey on one side of the camp and another day’s journey on the other side, and they were about three feet deep on the ground. The people got to work right away, gathering the quails. It took them the rest of that day and all night and the entire next day to pick up all the birds. Finally, no one had fewer than 60 bushels, and they spread them out all over the camp. While the people were still biting meat off the bone, before it was even chewed, the anger of the Eternal was unleashed against them. He struck the people down with a terrible plague. Because He killed so many of them on account of their craving and because of these buried there, the place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, which means “graves of cravings.” The people journeyed on from there to Hazeroth, where they stayed for awhile.

The Book of Numbers, Chapter 11 (The Voice)

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures for monday, july 8 of 2024 with a paired chapter from each Testament (the First & the New Covenant) of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms

A post by John Parsons:

Shavuah tov, chaverim! Our Torah portion this week (i.e., parashat Chukat) begins with the words: "zot chukat ha-Torah" (זאת חֻקַּת הַתּוֹרָה), "this is the decree of Torah" (Num. 19:2), referring to the sacrifice of a specially chosen red cow (פרה אדומה) whose ashes would be used to purify someone contaminated by contact with a dead body. The language of the Torah here is both striking and unique, suggesting that this ritual is the "seminal decree" of the entire Torah.

The red cow, or "red heifer," had to be a perfect specimen that was “without blemish, in which there is no defect.” The sages interpreted “without blemish” to refer to the cow’s color, that is, it was to be without a single white or black hair. This is the only sacrifice in the Torah where the color of the animal is explicitly required. Moreover, the cow was never to have had a yoke upon it, meaning that it must never have been used for any profane purposes.

Unlike other sacrifices offered at the altar at the Tabernacle, the red heifer was taken *outside the camp* to be slaughtered before the priest, who then took some of its blood and sprinkled it seven times before the Tabernacle. Then the heifer would be burned in its entirety: its hide, flesh, blood, and even dung were to be burned (unlike other sacrifices). Also unlike other offerings, the blood of the sacrifice was to be completely burned in the fire.

Hyssop, scarlet yarn, and a cedar stick would then be thrown upon the burning heifer, which were the same items used to cleanse from tzara’at (skin disease). These items, along with the blood of the red heifer, were therefore assimilated into the ashes of the sacrifice, which were gathered and mixed with living water to create what was called the “waters of separation” (i.e., mei niddah: מֵי נִדָּה) for the community. Anyone that came into contact with death (i.e., a corpse) was required to be cleansed using these waters. The purification procedure took a full seven days, using three stalks of hyssop dipped into the water and shaken over the defiled person on the third day and then again on the seventh day. After the second sprinkling, the person was immersed in a mikvah and was declared “clean” the following evening.

The sages have said that this commandment is “chok,” meaning that it transcends human reason, and therefore we are to simply accept it by faith. If we think about the meaning of the red heifer sacrifice, however, we will realize that its ashes were used to cleanse people from contact with death. To fulfill God's decree, however, required sacrificial love, since the priest who offered this service would himself become defiled (separated) for the sake of healing of others.

The Hebrew word for love is "ahavah" (אַהֲבָה), from a root verb (יָהַב) that means “to give.” Love means giving of yourself to benefit another person (John 15:13). This central decree of Torah, then, which is beyond our ability to rationally understand, is that God's love is so great that it is willing to become "dust and ashes" on our behalf so that we might find blessing and life.

Abraham Twerski comments: “The mitzvah of parah adamah (i.e., the red heifer) represents the suspension of logic in deference to the Divine Will. This attitude is not restricted to this mitzvah. Scripture introduces the mitzvah of the parah adamah with the words “this is the law of the Torah.” Surrendering one’s own reasoning and accepting the superior reasoning of God is the law of the entire Torah... To the extent that we let go of our own will, we can understand the Divine will. Our ancestors at Sinai understood this ideal when they proclaimed, “we will do and then we will understand.” Torah is not beyond our understanding, but we must be willing to make the sacrifices that true Torah understanding demands.”

Yeshua willingly became unclean on our behalf - through contact with our sin and death - so that we could become clean (see Isa. 53:4, 2 Cor. 5:21, Gal. 3:3, Eph. 5:2, Titus 2:14). The pure became impure through His sacrificial offering. Because of Him, we have been cleansed from our sins (and the separation of death) "by a better sprinkling" than that which the Tabernacle of Moses could afford (Matt. 26:28, Heb. 9:14, 12:24, Eph. 1:7, 1 Pet. 1:2,18-19, Rom. 5:9; Col. 1:14, 1 John 1:7, etc.). Amen, blessed is the name of the LORD.

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

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Parashat Chukat Summary:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Chukat/chukat.html

Numbers 19:2 Hebrew reading:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/num19-2a-jjp.mp3

7.8.24 • Facebook

from Today’s email by Israel365

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

[maqsoodyamani]

نبی اطہرؐ کی شان میں گستاخی کا معاملہ : نوپور شرما ممبئی پولیس کے سامنے پیش نہیں ہوئیں

نبی اطہرؐ کی شان میں گستاخی کا معاملہ : نوپور شرما ممبئی پولیس کے سامنے پیش نہیں ہوئیں

نبی اطہرؐ کی شان میں گستاخی کا معاملہ : نوپور شرما ممبئی پولیس کے سامنے پیش نہیں ہوئیں ممبئی، 26 جون ( آئی این ایس انڈیا) بی جے پی کی معطل رہنما نوپور شرما ہفتہ کے روز ممبئی پولیس کے سامنے اپنا بیان ریکارڈ کرانے کے لیے پیش نہیں ہوئیں جو ان کے خلاف پیغمبر اسلام ؐ کی شان اقدس میں گستاخانہ بیانات دینے کے معاملے میں درج کیے گئے تھے۔ایک افسر نے بتایا کہ نوپور شرما کیخلاف پیدھونی پولیس اسٹیشن میں 28…

[lawrenceop]

HOMILY for 8th after Pentecost (Dominican rite)

Rom 8:12-17; Lk 16:1-9.

In the first letter of St Peter, the apostle says: “As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace” (1 Pt 4:10). Each of us, therefore, by reason of holy Baptism wherein the Holy Spirit, the one who is called Donum Dei altissimi, “the Gift of God Most High” has received a Gift. For God, the Blessed Trinity, has given himself to us so that he dwells in us, and his grace shapes our attitudes, our actions, our behaviours in a Christ-like way. Therefore, the apostle Peter calls us to be “good stewards” of God’s “varied grace”, for each in our own ways, and in our particular circumstances and different states of life – married, single, widowed, lay, ordained, and so on – have been called to be good and faithful stewards of God’s grace.

What does it mean to be a good steward of God’s grace? The Gospel parable explains that it is to be prudent, decisive in action, wise and even shrewd in working hard for the increase of Christ-like virtues, for an increase in charity, in God-like behaviour. Hence the Lord exhorts us to strive for “true riches” for “he who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” This means that we should never take anything for granted, nor treat God’s gifts, the Sacraments, the Sacred Liturgy and so on, as our possession. For these are all sacred Gifts of God the Most High, and he has entrusted them to us so that we may increase in true riches, namely in charity; in love and concern for one another; in an evident sacrificial love for the Church, the stranger, the widow and orphan, and the created order.

“Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon”, says the Lord, and the Fathers of the Church have long understood this to mean that money, which is also a gift entrusted to us by God, should be put to good use to help us grow in true riches. Hence, benefactors are needed for charitable works of mercy; for the service of God in the Liturgy through beautiful objects that give glory to God; for the building of churches and shrines and the giving of votive offerings to Our Lady and the Saints, such as our on-going restoration projects here in the Rosary Shrine; and for almsgiving to the poor and the needy. Notice that the goal is not to draw attention to one’s good works, but rather, as Jesus says, to “make friends”. In other words, almsgiving is an act of love, and it calls us into a relationship with the one we are helping so that we might grow in the virtues of charity, magnanimity, generosity, and so on. For in giving to others we follow the example of Christ who, as St Paul said, “though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” (2 Cor 8:9) Therefore, our good works, our gifts to the poor, our care for others is all meant to make us more Christ-like and so grow in the virtue of charity. This is what is entailed in Christ’s call for each of us baptised to become good stewards of God’s graces.

For each of us will, on the Day of Judgement, be called to “turn in the account of your stewardship” (Lk 16:2). This too is a certainty which of which we are reminded in today’s Gospel. Whether one is pope or pauper, a priest or a catechumen, a nun or a Catholic mother, we shall all be called to account for our own stewardship of the graces that have been given to us. Therefore, while we yet live, let us be careful, and indeed, let us be shrewd and wise, that we should not squander the graces given to us. Hence the Gospel parable begins with these words: “There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.” Let us be very mindful, therefore, not to waste the graces and gifts of God given so freely and lovingly to us for our sanctification.

My brothers and sisters, there will be times and circumstances and moments such as these present times where, from so many different fronts, we will feel sorely tried, and our faith will be shaken. But know this: the Gift of God the Most High has been given to you and to me. God has poured out his riches upon us, not because we deserve them, but because he is Love, and he has loved you and me with an eternal love. Therefore, we have been recipients of great blessings and spiritual gifts from God. His grace has been given to us so that, in difficult moments, we can respond with grace, with obedience, with humility. For this is the Way taken by Our Lord, the Way to Calvary. So let us draw strength from Our Lord, as we think of how he was innocently condemned, and then led to the Cross, to be executed and humiliated and mocked alongside violent criminals. And yet, all along the Way, as the prophet Isaiah says: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth”. (Isa 53:7)

The graces and gifts of God have been given to us for such times as these, not for a life of ease and comforts and getting one’s own way, for such are the ways of the world and of the flesh, but rather for times when we shall have to contend for our faith and strive and suffer for the sake of charity. So it is in these moments that God’s grace enables us to shine with true Christ-like virtue. For it is in hardship that we shall be sanctified, if we remain steadfast in hope, in charity, and indeed, if we remain united in the bond of peace, with faith in God our loving Father.

Often we can react in worldly ways – petulance, insult, undue anger, and so on – because we are afraid. But Scripture reminds us that we have been given spiritual riches by God, and so we are called to greatness, to genuine holiness. Therefore, in the epistle today, St Paul says: “you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship” so that we become “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Rom 8:15, 17)

Mark well that proviso: we must also suffer with Christ, and so Christ himself has given us his grace so that we can suffer like Christ: with patience, forbearance, self-control, humility, obedience, and love. Hence, as he died on the Cross, our Lord said: “Father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34) The way of the good steward, therefore, take us this way to the summit of Calvary. Therefore, lest we waste the spiritual riches given to us by God, let us strive for true riches, indeed seek the only thing that matters, ultimately, which is that we should become like Christ in charity, and so be found worthy of eternal union with him. Everything is directed to this sole end, for it is only in loving union with God that we are saved.

So, let nothing tear us away from Christ and his Holy Church, nor prevent us from following him, the Suffering Servant of God. But rather, remember the words of St Teresa of Avila, a great mystic and Saint, a faithful and true steward of God’s graces as a Carmelite nun, who had nevertheless suffered greatly in trying to reform and renew her Order:

“Let nothing disturb you,

Let nothing frighten you,

All things are passing.

God never changes.

Patience

obtains all things.

Whoever has God

lacks nothing.

God is enough.”

[lifeofresulullah]

The Life of The Prophet Muhammad(pbuh): Before His Birth, His Birth and His Childhood

The Prophet is Given to a Foster Mother

The universe, which rejoined its master was joyful. The heart of the Arabia, which harbored the person that would provide the heart of the humanity with light and peace, was very excited.

Makkah, in which the unmatched event of the universe took place, was so excited and joyful that it was as if it wanted to fly to the lofty realms.

Hazrat Amina was peaceful and jubilant. It was as if the sweet smiles of her lovely child were helping her to forget a tinge of the intense pain that she felt over her husband’s death. Her child was her only consolation that secured her hope for the future.

The fortunate Amina could only suckle her glorious child for week. After this, Abu Lahab’s handmaiden, Lady Suwayba became the wet nurse of the Master of the Universe and suckled him for days. 

Before that, Lady Suwayba had nourished Hazrat Hamza. In this way, she had attained the fortune and honor of being the means in joining the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his esteemed uncle as foster brothers.

The Master of the Universe (PBUH), who possessed such virtue and feelings of faithfulness, never forgot the smallest favors that people did for him, nor did he leave them unrequited. Throughout his entire life, he never forgot Lady Suwayba who nourished him for a period of time. He would frequently visit her and would always show her kindness, respect, and pay her compliments.

Yes, faithfulness was the foundation of good manners that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) brought to the face of the Earth. The smallest trace of ingratitude cannot be found in the immaculate and upright life of   our Beloved Messenger (PBUH).

At one point in time, Hazrat Khadija, who had taken lessons from the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) virtue and gratitude, wanted to purchase Lady Suwayba, who would frequently visit Hazrat Khadija’s home, for the purpose of setting her free; however, Abu Lahab did not lend himself to this idea. It was not until after the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) migration to Medina that Abu Lahab freed Lady Suwayba on his own. 

Abu Lahab was our Holy Prophet ‘s (PBUH) own paternal uncle. Afterwards he did not testify and admit to the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) Prophethood; he did not forsake being a pagan and did not refrain from his attempts in being our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) biggest enemy, either. For this reason, he incurred the wrath of Allah and did not earn a value that is equivalent to the nail of his slave, Lady Suwayba. In fact, it has been explained that because of Lady Suwayba, Abu Lahab has obtained a driblet of grace in the afterlife.

After his death, he was seen in a dream where he was found screaming in the severe punishment of hell. They asked him: “Why are you screaming? What is the matter?”

He answered: “What else could be the matter? The absence of water is making me burn! I never saw any good in my life, yet I did find one fortune: Because I set the woman, who nourished Muhammad, free, I have been spared the opportunity to absorb water and be watered” and as he said this, he showed his index finger (the finger that testifies faith). 

This incident is certainly a case in point. A ferocious enemy of Islam, like Abu Lahab, who did not refrain from oppressing, torturing, and insulting the Master of the Universe throughout his entire life, was the recipient of such beneficence and grace and a tinge of his punishment in hell was alleviated. This means that goodness done not only upon our Beloved Messenger PBUH, but also upon those who have served him, is also not left unrequited by God Almighty’s grace and beneficence.

In addition, one should think of the greatness in gifts, favors, and Divine endowments of the eternal realm that are awaiting those who have made the Master of the Universe (PBUH) their absolute imam and guide in every matter and the true believers who have felt honored to uphold his Sunnah on the Earth .

The Custom of Giving Babies to Wet Nurses

Mecca’s weather was hot and muggy. It did was not good for the children’s delicate nature and was not a favorable condition for a healthy upbringing. In the desert, the weather was nice, the water was sweet and clean, life was easy, and the climate was mild. Besides, some of the tribes that lived in the desert had a language and diction that was smooth and sharp. They maintained their nobility and practiced good conduct.

Based on this, the Qurayshi gentry and leading figures practiced the custom of handing their children over to the tribal women in the desert to be breastfed for a cost, so that their children could grow and be brought up under healthier conditions and to learn and speak a dialect of Arabic that was appropriate in its essential form. The child would remain with his/her wet nurse for 2-3 years, and sometimes even more.

For this reason, many tribes that lived in the uplands/prairies, Sa’d bin Bakr’s tribe in particular, would have a caravan of women go to Mecca a few times a year in which the women would take the newly-born infants with them to their homeland for the purpose of nourishment.

Among the tribes in the vicinity of Mecca, Sa’d bin Bakr’s tribe was the one that had acquired fame since it was distinguished for its honor, generosity, chivalry, humility, and speaking Arabic properly. For this reason, the leading figures of Quraysh mostly wanted to hand the custody of their children over to the women of this tribe.

The Arrival of the Women from Bani Bakr’s Tribe to Mecca

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was being nourished by Lady Suwayba.

At that time, a strong drought was prevalent in the homeland of Sad’s sons although such a strong drought had not occurred till then. The drought resulted in a famine that left the tribal community poor and miserable. It was so bad that they had difficulty finding something to eat. Their camels and sheep had weakened and their milk had ceased.

During this year of intense famine and drought, the tribeswomen of the Bani Bakr had gone to Mecca in a crowded procession with the intention of finding a child to nourish and of obtaining a portion of their livelihood.

All of the women, with the exception of one extraordinary lady, had chosen a child who was appropriate for them. Strangely enough, none of them chose nor approached our Beloved Messenger (PBUH) because they thought they would not be able to obtain much money and help since he was an orphan.

There was only one woman who arrived late in Mecca. She was distinguished among her tribe for her decency, cleanliness, gentleness, and modesty. Due to their old and frail donkey, Halima and her husband had fallen behind the rest of the procession. When they entered Mecca, all of the newly-born Qurayshi children, with the exception of one very extraordinary infant, had been chosen by the women of the Bani Bakr tribe that were in the forefront.  With the fate and wisdom of the Possessor of the Absolute Power, Halima could not find anyone in need of nourishment.

Her husband, Harith, was sad, too. All of their friends shared the children of the wealthy families among themselves. She was the only one who was left empty-handed and it was only because she arrived late.

This virtuous woman, who now had a pale and sad countenance and was unaware of the plan that Divine fate had drawn for her, wandered the streets of Mecca with despair and the distress of not being able to find an appropriate fitting child.

Incidentally, she encountered an old man with a friendly face and who, through his presence, summoned the respect of his surroundings. This individual was Abdulmuttalib, the grandfather of the Master of the Universe (PBUH). They looked each other as if they had been looking to become the relief for their troubles. Then they began to engage in conversation:

Abdulmuttalib asked, “Where are you from?”

Halima: “I am a woman from the Bani Sa’d Tribe” (Sons of Fortune/Luck)

Abdulmuttalib: “What is your name?”

She answered, “Halima”.

Abdulmuttalib: “How wonderful! How wonderful!  Fortune and gentleness are two traits that carry the beneficence of this world and the honor and glory of the afterlife” After he said this, Abdulmuttalib took a deep breath and followed with: "Oh, Halima! I have an orphaned child next to me. I offered him to the women of the Sons of Sa’d but they did not accept him. Come and be the wet nurse of this child. Maybe you will attain prosperity, wealth, and fortune for taking care of him”.

At first, Halima became hesitant upon hearing this unexpected offer. However, she did not want to return to her homeland empty-handed. For this reason, she overcame her hesitation and accepted the offer from within. Nevertheless, she did not want to disclose her answer without first asking and receiving permission from her husband. She immediately returned to her husband and after she explained everything to him she said, “I was unable to find a child to nourish. I do not favor going back empty-handed among my friends. By God, I am going to take that orphan”.

Her husband, Harith, supported her view and said, “There is no harm in taking him. Perhaps Allah will endow us with prosperity and blessings thanks to him”. 

Upon this, they returned to Abdulmuttalib.

Abdulmuttalib took Halima to Hazrat Amina’s modest home which the Beloved Prophet (PBUH) illuminated.

Halima went to our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) bedside. Our lovely Master (PBUH) was wrapped in a white fabric made from wool and was sleeping soundly on a blanket of green yarn. The surrounding smelled like musk!

Halima was in a state of amazement. She immediately warmed up to this child so much that she could not bear to wake him up!

The cloud of gloom and anguish had left Halima. She was so happy that it was as if she was walking on air. It was such a great bliss to have suddenly come across an infant of excessive beauty after squirming in the distress of not being able to find a child.

Halima could not resist anymore. She neared the Master of the Universe’s (PBUH) bedside very closely and slightly lifted the corner of his blanket. With a mother’s love and compassion, she kissed his forehead and hands that smelled like roses and that were softer than cotton and as white as snow.

At that moment, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) opened his eyes and replied to Halima’s kisses with a sweet smile. They got along with one another.

While one of them was in despair because of not being able to find a child, worn out, and downhearted, the other was a radiant orphan who had been rejected by the women. Fate had filled both of their worlds with happiness.

[troybeecham]

Today, the Church remembers Gregory of Nazianzus (c. AD 329– 25 January 390), also known as Gregory the Theologian, who was was a 4th-century Archbishop of Constantinople, and theologian. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age. As a classically trained orator and philosopher, he infused Hellenism into the early church, establishing the paradigm of Byzantine theologians and church officials.

Ora pro nobis.

Gregory made a significant impact on the shape of Trinitarian theology among both Greek- and Latin-speaking theologians, and he is remembered as the “Trinitarian Theologian”. Much of his theological work continues to influence modern theologians, especially in regard to the relationship among the three Persons of the Triune God. Along with the brothers Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, he is known as one of the Cappadocian Fathers.

Gregory is a saint in both Eastern and Western Christianity. In the Roman Catholic Church he is numbered among the Doctors of the Church; in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches he is revered as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, along with Basil the Great and John Chrysostom.

He is also one of only three men in the life of the Orthodox Church who have been officially designated “Theologian”, the other two being the Apostle St. John (the Evangelist), and St. Symeon the New Theologian.

After his baptism at age 30, Gregory gladly accepted his friend Basil’s invitation to join him in a newly founded monastery. The solitude was broken when Gregory’s father, a bishop, needed help in his diocese and estate. It seems that Gregory was ordained a priest practically by force, and only reluctantly accepted the responsibility. He skillfully avoided a schism that threatened when his own father made compromises with Arianism. At 41, Gregory was chosen suffragan bishop of Caesarea and at once came into conflict with Valens, the emperor, who supported the Arians.

An unfortunate by-product of the battle was the cooling of the friendship of two saints. Basil, his archbishop, sent him to a miserable and unhealthy town on the border of unjustly created divisions in his diocese. Basil reproached Gregory for not going to his see.

When protection for Arianism ended with the death of Valens, Gregory was called to rebuild the faith in the great see of Constantinople, which had been under Arian teachers for three decades. Retiring and sensitive, he dreaded being drawn into the whirlpool of corruption and violence. He first stayed at a friend’s home, which became the only orthodox church in the city. In such surroundings, he began giving the great sermons on the Trinity for which he is famous. In time, Gregory did rebuild the faith in the city, but at the cost of great suffering, slander, insults, and even personal violence. An interloper even tried to take over his bishopric.

Theodosius wanted to further unify the entire empire behind the orthodox position and decided to convene a church council to resolve matters of faith and discipline. Gregory was of similar mind in wishing to unify Christianity. In the spring of 381 they convened the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, which was attended by 150 Eastern bishops. After the death of the presiding bishop, Meletius of Antioch, Gregory was selected to lead the Council. Hoping to reconcile the West with the East, he offered to recognize Paulinus as Patriarch of Antioch. The Egyptian and Macedonian bishops who had supported Maximus’s ordination arrived late for the Council. Once there, they refused to recognise Gregory’s position as head of the church of Constantinople, arguing that his transfer from the See of Sasima was canonically illegitimate.

Gregory was physically exhausted and worried that he was losing the confidence of the bishops and the emperor. Rather than press his case and risk further division, he decided to resign his office: “Let me be as the Prophet Jonah! I was responsible for the storm, but I would sacrifice myself for the salvation of the ship. Seize me and throw me … I was not happy when I ascended the throne, and gladly would I descend it.” He shocked the Council with his surprise resignation and then delivered a dramatic speech to Theodosius asking to be released from his offices. The emperor, moved by his words, applauded, commended his labor and granted his resignation. The Council asked him to appear once more for a farewell ritual and celebratory orations. Gregory used this occasion to deliver a final address and then departed.

His last days were spent in solitude and austerity. He wrote religious poetry, some of it autobiographical, of great depth and beauty. He was acclaimed simply as “the Theologian.”

Throughout his life Gregory faced stark choices. Should he pursue studies as a rhetor or philosopher? Would a monastic life be more appropriate than public ministry? Was it better to blaze his own path or follow the course mapped for him by his father and Basil? Gregory’s writings illuminate the conflicts which both tormented and motivated him. Biographers suggest that it was this dialectic which defined him, forged his character and inspired his search for meaning and truth.

For those who, like you, seek the truth of God’s love above all things, even at great personal cost; for those called to the service of the Holy Church, but who do not truly find their rest within the machinations of institutions that are so often lead by those who seek personal glory; for sensitive souls like you who are placed in positions of authority, but are often misunderstood or ineffectual for lack of desire to rule over others, but rather desire to lead through teaching and preaching the wondrous mystery of God, by the pursuit of humility, by example of holiness of life, devotion to worship, prayer, and learning, and love for the God who is Love.

O God, by your Holy Spirit you give to some the word of wisdom, to others the word of knowledge, and to others the word of faith: We praise your Name for the gifts of grace manifested in your servant Gregory, and we pray that your Church may never be destitute of such gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

[jesusfollowerswomenministries]

Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Jesus is with us and will comfort us even when we go through trials, tribulations, mockery and insults from others, backstabbing, betrayal, hatred from others. Jesus will cover us in His divine love and mercy, He will keep us filled with His Holy Spirit and peace and truth. We are never without God, He never stops being there for us, He never will leave us nor forsake us no matter what. We need not to fear nor be discouraged because God is trustworthy, reliable, good, loving, unfailing, unchanging and He is our God, He won't fail being who He is. Never give up because God never gives up on us. Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; “and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQOpxR-Fw_h/?utm_medium=tumblr

[basicsofislam]

ISLAM 101: Muslim Culture and Character: Dynamics of Spiritual Life: “IF YOU LOVE GOD, FOLLOW ME: GOD WILL LOVE YOU”

The sublime verse, “Say: “If you love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. For Allah is the Oft Forgiving and the Most Merciful” (3:31).” Proclaims in definite fashion just how necessary and important it is to follow the Practices of the Prophet. Yes, among the syllogisms of logic, this verse is the most powerful and certain of the sort called hypothetical or conditional syllogisms.

As an example of a hypothetical syllogism it is said in logic: “If the sun comes out, it will be daytime.” For a positive result it is said: “The sun has come out. It therefore points to the conclusion that it is now daytime.” For a negative result, it is said: “It is not daytime. One therefore draws the conclusion that the sun has not come out.” According to logic, these two conclusions, negative and positive, are definite.In just the same way, the above verse says: “If you love God, you will follow God’s Beloved. If you do not follow him, it points to the conclusion that you do not love God.” If a person loves God, it entails following the Practices of God’s Beloved. Yes, one who believes in Almighty God will certainly obey Him. And the most acceptable, the most direct, and the shortest among the ways of obeying Him is without doubt the way God’s Beloved showed and followed.Yes, it is necessary and self-evident that the All-Generous One of Beauty, Who fills the universe with so many bounties, should want thanks from conscious creatures in return for the bounties. And clearly that All Wise One of Glory, Who adorns the universe with so many miracles of art, will make the most excellent of conscious creatures His addressee and interpreter, and herald and leader of His servants. And certainly and self-evidently that All-Beauteous One of Perfection, Who makes the universe reflect the innumerable manifestations of His beauty and perfections, will give the most perfect worshipful stance to the one who is the most comprehensive and perfect measure and means of displaying His beauty, perfection, Names, and art, which He clearly loves and wants to display. He will make his conduct a fine example to others and encourage them to follow him so that his fine conduct may appear in others too.If you believe in God, you will surely love Him. Since you love God, you will act in the manner He loves. To do that, you must resemble the one God loves. And he may be resembled by following him. Whenever you follow him, God will love you too. Anyway you have to love God so that He shall love you.Love of God necessitates and results in following the Practices of the Prophet.

How fortunate the person whose share of following them is great! And woe on the person who does not appreciate the Practices and embarks on innovations!These phrases form only a brief and concise meaning of the verse. It means that the most exalted goal for man is to receive the Almighty God’s love. The verse shows that the way of achieving this elevated is by following God aims Beloved and his Practices. If at this station Three Points are proved, the above truth will become completely clear.First Point: Man was created with an infinite innate love for the universe’s Creator. For included in human nature is love of beauty, worship of perfection, and love of bestowal. His love increases in accordance with the degrees of beauty, perfection, and bestowal, reaching the furthest degrees of ecstatic love.Furthermore, contained in tiny man’s tiny heart may be a love as great as the universe. Yes, the fact that writings equivalent to a library of thousands of books may be inscribed in the faculty of memory, which is a coffer of the heart’s the size of a lentil, shows that the human heart may contain the universe and bear love that great.Since human nature has such an infinite capacity to love bestowal, beauty, and perfection; and since the universe’s Creator possesses infinite sacred beauty, the certain existence of which is self-evidently established by His works to be seen in the universe; and since He possesses infinite holy perfection, the existence of which is necessarily proved by the embroideries of His art apparent in beings; and since He is the owner of infinite bounties, the existence of which is certainly, indeed, observably, established by the infinite varieties of His bestowal and bounties to be observed in living creatures. These surely demand infinite love from man, who is the most comprehensive, the most needy, the most thoughtful, and the most yearning of conscious beings.Indeed, all human beings are capable of infinite love for the All-Glorious Creator, and in the face of His beauty, perfection, and bestowal, the Creator is more deserving than anyone to be loved is. All the varieties of love and intense attachment a believing human being has for his life, immortality, and existence, his world, his self, and other beings, are droplets of his capacity to love God. His various intense emotions are transformations of that capacity of his to love, and distillations of it in other forms. It is clear that just as man takes pleasure at his own happiness, so does he receive pleasure at the happiness of others to whom he is attached. And just as he loves one who saves him from disaster, so does he love one who saves those he loves. As a consequence of this state of mind, if a person thinks only of this out of all the varieties of Divine bounties bestowed on all men, he would say:“My Creator saved me from non-existence, which is eternal darkness, and gave me a beautiful world like this one. Then when the time comes for me to die, He will again save me from non-existence, which is eternal extinction, and from annihilation, and bestow on me in an eternal realm an everlasting and most magnificent world. And like He has bestowed on me external and inner senses and feelings with which to benefit from all the varieties of delights and good things of that world and to roam around it and make excursions. So He also bestows innumerable bounties on all my relations and friends and fellowmen, whom I much love and to whom I am attached. Those bounties are also mine in a way, because I am happy and received pleasure at their happiness. Since in accordance with the rule, `Man is the slave of bestowal,’ everyone in a sense worships benevolence, certainly in the face of such innumerable favors. Since I have a heart as great as the universe, it necessitates its being filled with love at those favors, and I want to fill it. If in fact I am unable to love that much, I can do so through capacity, by intention, by belief, by acceptance, appreciation, longing, taking the part of, and by will.” And so on.

Analogies may be drawn with the love for bestowal we have briefly alluded to here for the love man feels for beauty and perfection. As for the unbelievers, they are infinitely hostile because of their unbelief, and even bear a wrongful and insulting enmity towards the universe and beings.Second Point: Love of God necessitates following the Practices of Muhammad. For to love God is to do what pleases Him. And the things that please Him are manifested in most perfect form in the person of Muhammad. There are two aspects of resembling Muhammad’s actions and deeds.The First: Obeying Almighty God’s commands in respect of loving Him and within the bounds of what pleases Him necessitates following them, for the most perfect leader in such matters is the person of Muhammad.The Second: Since the person of Muhammad is a most important means to innumerable Divine favors for man, he is surely worthy of boundless love for the sake of Almighty God. If man is capable of resembling someone he loves, by nature he wants to do so. This definitely necessitates that those who love God’s Beloved try to resemble him by following his Illustrious Practices.Third Point: Almighty God has boundless love, just as He has infinite compassion. As He makes Himself loved in infinite fashion through all the fine qualities and adornment of the creatures in the universe, so He also loves in particular conscious beings who respond with love to His making His artifacts loved. It may be clearly understood how important and exalted an aim it is to try to attract the love of a Being one manifestation of Whose mercy are all the subtle wonders and good things and delights and bounties of Paradise. Since it is stated clearly that His love is won only through following the Practices of Muhammad, it is certain that it should be man’s greatest aim and his most important duty.

[rucbarthatbowtiesarecooldw]

Sunday Afternoon Session

President Henry B. Eyring

- I’m praying for you to feel and have lasting happiness

- Lasting Happiness: That is what our Heavenly Father, His beloved son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost have offered every child - to you and me. That offer is sometimes called the plan of happiness.

- Increasing in holiness is the only path to happiness

- Greater holiness is made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ, cleansing and perfecting us

- How to gain holiness

- Humility

- Meekness

- Patience

- Keeping the commandments

- Temple attendance

- Sacrifice

- Making and keeping sacred covenants

- You have never been here before - you are remembering a moment before you were born. You have been in a place a sacred place like this. You could feel the Savior was going to be in the place you stood.

- When there is spiritual peace in my heart I can feel an assurance of that happiness

- 7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; 8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. 9 Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands. 10 Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job. - D&C 121:7-10

- 7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. 8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? 9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever. D&C 122:7-9 ——My Kindness Shall not Depart from Thee

- greater holiness will not come simply by asking for it; it will come by doing what is needed for God to change us

- Daily repentance is the pathway to purity

- When we choose to repent, we choose to change. We choose to allow Jesus to transform us into the best version of ourselves.

- 1. More holiness give me, More strivings within, More patience in suff’ring, More sorrow for sin, More faith in my Savior, More sense of his care, More joy in his service, More purpose in prayer. 2. More gratitude give me, More trust in the Lord, More pride in his glory, More hope in his word, More tears for his sorrows, More pain at his grief, More meekness in trial, More praise for relief. 3. More purity give me, More strength to o’ercome, More freedom from earth-stains, More longing for home. More fit for the kingdom, More used would I be, More blessed and holy— More, Savior, like thee. - Hymn 131

Elder Hans T. Boom

- Your sound is making all the difference!

- The gong may play only a few ties but it changes the whole song

- We are all needed to bring color and meaning to this world

- We all know where we can do better. There is no need to continually remind each other. But there is a need to love and minister to each other and in doing so, provide a climate of willingness to change.

- Heavenly Father will never leave us, he will help us get up again.

- We have been taught His gospel. We know it and God knows it - so we cannot deny it.

- He did not send us here to fail, but to return gloriously to Him.

Elder M. Russell Ballard

- Please do not it’s an opportunity to look at your family members with love (and appreciation).

- Everything we are taught during conference is taught through the Love of Christ

- He turns 91 in two days and is still wondering if he is ready

- living right can be a pretty confusing concept

- Especially with social media, where any voice can share beliefs about God

- We have eternally true gospel principles so we may be better prepared

- Our greatest battle is between our spiritual and carnal natures.

- Spiritual Beings having a human experience: https://youtu.be/PXw_5r5ZHpM

- This is who you really are and who you have always been. A son or daughter of Heavenly Father.

- Learning to choose the things of the spirit over the things of the flesh is one of the reasons we have this earthly experience as part of His plan.

- You are first and foremost and always a spiritual being.

Elder Peter M. Johnson

- Deception, Distraction, discouragement: what satan uses

- We are created in His image and have a work to do

- If we are not careful they can distract us from fulfilling our potential

- AKA carful not casual in living the gospel

- Are you so focused on everything you have to do that you forget who you are?

- If we do not understand who we are, then it is difficult to recognize who we can become

- 1 remember the first and great commandment is to Love God with all our heart might mind and strength

- As we do that our capacity to love will increase

- 2 pray in the name of Christ everyday, everyday, everyday

- 3 Read and study the Book of Mormon everyday, everyday, everyday

- Studying with a question prompts revelation

- 4 Prayerfully partake of the sacrament every week, every week, every week

- My dear friends, please do not let anyone steal your happiness, do not compare yourself to others, and please remember the loving words of the Savior: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” - John 14:27

Elder Ulisses Soares

- Focus on spiritual not earthly

- to those with same-sex attraction there is always hope in the love of God and in the Atonement of Jesus Christ

- There was a distinction made by him between those who identify as LGBTQ+ saints and those people who have committed serious sins

- You are not incapable - please do not give up

- Don’t hold on to negative feelings and emotions

- We cannot repent for other people, but we can forgive them.

- Trust in His promises and endure to the end

- Taking upon us his cross and trying to become like him require us to follow his example

- 18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. 22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. - Psalm 33

Elder Neil L. Andersen

- This precious fruit represents the incomprehensible blessings we receive because of the Saviors Atonement

- This fruit is the most precious to the soul

- Heed not those who insult and despise

- If He loves you why would ________ happen?

- He would have healed you

- He would help others to understand your situation better

- There is eternal joy that comes only from Him

- Because He did this He knows how I feel right now.

- When the focus of our lives is on Gods plan of salvation and Jesus Christ and his gospel we can feel joy no matter what is going on in our lives

- Russell M. Nelson is blessed with revelation from God. Like Lehi of old he is the prophet of God. He wants all of Gods family to partake of the fruit of the tree.

President Russell M. Nelson

- As new temples are dedicated, people not of our faith will come to the open houses. Many of those people will have questions.

- It is up to us to help them receive the answers they seek

- Temple questions have been edited for clarity

- He shared but I can’t type that fast

- In some respects it is easier to build a temple than it is to build a people prepared for the temple

- Spring 2020 will be exactly 200 years since First Vision

- Designated as a bicentennial year

- Prepare for a unique conference commemorating the restoration

- how would my life be different without that knowledge I’ve received from the Book of Mormon?

- How have these events of the restoration made a difference in my and my families lives

- revelation continues and will under the Lord’s direction until the work has been accomplished

—don’t know what he means by any of this but I’m excited for next conference. :)

[wisdomrays]

JIHAD, TERRORISM, HUMAN RIGHTS: Love, tolerance, and jihad in the life of the Prophet

The blessed life of the Pride of Humanity, peace and blessings be upon him, was interwoven with threads of peace and tolerance as if it were a beautiful piece of lace. To begin with, peace is fundamental to Islam. There are many verses in the Qur'an connected with this matter. 

For example, in one of these the Prophet is addressed:

But if the enemy inclines toward peace, do you (also) incline toward peace, and trust in God: for He is the One that hears and knows (all things). (Al-Anfal 8:61)

Even in an atmosphere in which two armies have fought against each other and blood has been spilled, if the enemy forgoes fighting and wants to make a treaty, then the Muslims are commanded not to react emotionally, but to make a treaty, putting their trust in God. Thus, a universal principle regarding this subject has been established. Consequently, to talk about fighting or conflict is completely contrary to the basic spirit of a religion that enjoins treaties and reconciliation, not only in time of peace, but even during wartime.

The mission of the Prophet was to communicate the faith as he had been enjoined by God. He did this without any prejudice. This was true to such an extent that, the Prophet, this man of love and peace, visited even the most hard-hearted unbelievers, such as Abu Jahl and 'Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'ayd, many times without displaying any resentment. He desired that all people should be able to feel Paradise in their hearts. He often said:

Pronounce there is no deity but God and be saved.[ Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa'l-Nihayah, 3:62-63. ]

What he meant by this was: "To attain fulfillment in your heart, help the seed of belief which has been sown in your heart to grow into paradise and secure your other world." 

Once Abu Jahl answered this invitation in a disrespectful and mocking way, "Hey, Muhammad, if you are doing this to make us witnesses of your call before God, do not invite me to religion again. I will bear witness there." 

This unbeliever always answered without respect. But in spite of Abu Jahl's insults, the Glory of the World, peace and blessings be upon him, talked about Islam every time they met and never changed his exemplary style; these insulting words, attitude, and behavior never affected him.

One event that is connected with the Pride of Humanity's vast love, compassion, and tolerance for humankind took place during the conquest of Makka. After the conquest was complete, everyone gathered around the Prophet and, looking into his eyes, they began to wait for him to make a decision concerning their fate. Up until the last moment a small group, among whom was Abu Jahl's son, Ikrimah, had opposed the Muslims' entrance to Makka. Once more their feelings of violence and revenge were inflamed. At a moment when the atmosphere was incredibly tense, the Messenger of God asked the Makkans who were waiting with anticipation and anxiety, "What are you expecting me to do to you?" Some of the Makkans who knew well what a noble, forgiving, and generous person he was did not refrain from showing their feelings and said, "You are the most generous of the generous, the noblest of the noble." The Prophet's goal was neither possessions nor property, neither sovereignty nor power, nor the conquest of land. His aim was to save people and conquer their hearts. This Man of Love and Affection gave his decision concerning his enemies, saying:

I say to you as Joseph once said to his brothers. There's no blame for the actions that you have performed before. God will forgive you, too. He is the Most Merciful of the Merciful. Go, you are all free.[ Al-Iraqi, al-Mughni an Haml a-Asfar, 3:179. ]

What this approach actually meant could be expressed as follows: "Do not suffer any internal pain. I have no intention to punish anyone. Everyone's behavior displays his or her character. This is how I do things."

After the return to Madina, Ikrima ibn Abu Jahl, who had spilled blood even during the conquest of Makka, was convinced by his wife Umm Hakim to return from where he had escaped, and he was taken before the Prince of Prophets, peace and blessings be upon him. Before he entered the Prophet's presence, those around him said that if he asked for forgiveness, the Messenger of God would forgive him. In all probability, before Ikrima came into his presence the Prophet had warned those around him, "Ikrima is coming. Do not hurt his feelings by saying unbecoming things about his father." As soon as Ikrima stepped inside, the Messenger said warmly, "Welcome to the one who emigrated by boat." Never expecting words full of this much love and affection, Ikrima later said, "As long as I live I will never forget this behavior of the Prophet." Four years after Ikrima became Muslim, he was martyred at Yermuk. Murmuring the words, "O Messenger of God, have you found the goodness you expected as compensation for the evil done by the one who emigrated by boat?" he joined the other martyrs.[ Ibn Athir, Usd al-Ghabah, 3:567-570; Muttaqi al-Hindi, Kanz al-'Ummal, 13:540-541. ]

As I stated above, the Messenger's call was his mission to represent the truths he told to others. In other words, it was his duty to practice in his life the things he said. He always practiced a thing before calling on others to do the same. The things we have explained so far comprise the general character of the Prince of Prophets, peace and blessings be upon him. However, some try their best to misinterpret the existence of and encouragement to jihad in the Holy Qur'an and the Sunna as being in conflict with our Prophet's universal love and affection. But jihad can mean an armed struggle as an action tied to special conditions that is sometimes necessary to carry out in order to protect such values as life, property, religion, children, homeland, and honor. It is also resorted to sometimes when it is necessary to remove obstacles from the path that leads to raising God's Word. Today these two situations are constantly confused; sometimes this is due to ignorance and sometimes it is done intentionally. Love, affection, and tolerance, in their broadest dimensions, were enjoyed during the Age of Happiness, a time full of peace and happiness, a time which in the words of the Prophet was, "the best of centuries." As a matter of fact, this period represented the apex of Muslim civilization; it was a golden time when peace, love, and understanding were given their true position in society.

[godfirstgodalways]

Hi. I’ve been struggling in my faith. After I graduated I felt really lost and directionless and would seek God and feel that He was silent. After many months of this. I’ve stopped really seeking God about anything. We used to talk s much and be so close but now we don’t really talk at all. And I don’t know how to get back

Hello, thank you for this. :) About a week and a half ago, God really convicted me about testimonies. I forgot how it came about but anyway….every Christian has a story to tell. What is the one story you have that drove you to seek God more? Whatever it is it gave you that motivation to be passionate about Him. I believe it’s completely normal to fall out of love with God because we are human and we are not perfect, but I also believe Christians can have more than one testimony. I do. I believe that the more stubborn a person is the more testimonies they will have. So, I’ll ask you this, is there anything in your life right now that has really been troubling you besides that you feel lost or you feel He’s silent towards you? I mean is there something more specific that you think is causing you to feel this way? Dig deep but don’t stay there, dig deep and look up. I’d like you to examine where you’ve been pouring most of your attention to that is causing your faith to suffer. Connect the dots and evaluate your lifestyle, ask God in your prayer to reveal to you what your new testimony is. Christians are encouraged to spread the Word and your testimony is a powerful tool to help you gain that faith and to witness to others as well. I believe our first testimony loses its sting because we probably have made a habit out of living in the glorious experiences of the past, the grand times we were with God up on the mountaintop. I don’t know if this is your case, but maybe you haven’t really been outspoken about your testimony…..that could be another reason. If you can relate to that, then maybe start journaling about the time when you gave your life to God and express how you miss being present in His presence, and eventually turn that journal entry into a prayer, a love letter to God. Ask Him to convict you of what He is discipling you for. He’ll love it because it’s worship and praise even if you’re not talking to Him or singing, just writing and mindfully being aware of Him. Journaling for me has helped me balance my relationship with God with my practical day to day life. You can blog about your testimony/testimonies and from there you’ll start to grow again and hopefully be more vocal about it. 

You’re in a good place to begin seeking the LORD again because of your desperation. The more desperate you are for God’s presence, the more He will be revealing His love for You. He’s loved you all this time and it never changed don’t forget, but it’s your focus and faith that matters because the decision to believe in His love is all on you. THE MORE DESPERATE YOU ARE FOR HIS LOVE, THE MORE YOU WILL BECOME AWARE OF HIS LOVE FOR YOU.  Remember that when you are weak, then you are strong. He never fails you for giving Him your undivided attention. He always strengthens the poorest in spirit when He is their ultimate hope. I am praying that you will be reminded and encouraged by God in your alone time with Him that nothing has separated you from Him, that despite how far you feel from Him, it was only your mindset that was far and He is still with you always ready to listen whenever you want to acknowledge Him again. Repent and be blessed!

Matthew 5:3-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

2 Corinthians 12:9-11 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

By His Grace, Sheela (Via godfirstgodalways)

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

20th September >> Mass Readings (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada ): Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

   or Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, and Paul Chong Hasang, and their Companions, Martyrs. Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Red)

First Reading 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 I preached what the others preach, and you all believed Brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, the gospel that you received and in which you are firmly established; because the gospel will save you only if you keep believing exactly what I preached to you – believing anything else will not lead to anything.    Well then, in the first place, I taught you what I had been taught myself, namely that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; and that he was raised to life on the third day, in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared first to Cephas and secondly to the Twelve. Next he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died; then he appeared to James, and then to all the apostles; and last of all he appeared to me too; it was as though I was born when no one expected it.    I am the least of the apostles; in fact, since I persecuted the Church of God, I hardly deserve the name apostle; but by God’s grace that is what I am, and the grace that he gave me has not been fruitless. On the contrary, I, or rather the grace of God that is with me, have worked harder than any of the others; but what matters is that I preach what they preach, and this is what you all believed. The Word of the Lord R/ Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 117(118):1-2,15-17,28 R/ Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. or R/ Alleluia! Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,    for his love has no end. Let the sons of Israel say:    ‘His love has no end.’ R/ Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. or R/ Alleluia! The Lord’s right hand has triumphed;    his right hand raised me up. I shall not die, I shall live    and recount his deeds. R/ Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. or R/ Alleluia! You are my God, I thank you.    My God, I praise you. I will thank you for you have given answer    and you are my saviour. R/ Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. or R/ Alleluia! Gospel Acclamation 2 Corinthians 5:19 Alleluia, alleluia! God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled. Alleluia! Or: Matthew 11:28 Alleluia, alleluia! Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord. Alleluia! Gospel Luke 7:36-50 Her many sins have been forgiven, or she would not have shown such great love One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table, a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.    When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has.’ Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Speak, Master’ was the reply. ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he pardoned them both. Which of them will love him more?’ ‘The one who was pardoned more, I suppose’ answered Simon. Jesus said, ‘You are right.’    Then he turned to the woman. ‘Simon,’ he said ‘you see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’ But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’ The Gospel of the Lord R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. ——————

Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, and Paul Chong Hasang, and their Companions, Martyrs

(Liturgical Colour: Red) Either: First Reading Wisdom 3:1-9 The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out; as sparks run through the stubble, so will they. They shall judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen. The Word of the Lord R/ Thanks be to God.   or Alternative First Reading Romans 8:31-39 God did not spare his own Son With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give. Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen? When God acquits, could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus? No! He not only died for us – he rose from the dead, and there at God’s right hand he stands and pleads for us.

   Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. As scripture promised: For your sake we are being massacred daily, and reckoned as sheep for the slaughter. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us.    For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Word of the Lord R/ Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 125(126):1-6 R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,    it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter,    on our lips there were songs. R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels    the Lord worked for them!’ What marvels the Lord worked for us!    Indeed we were glad. R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage    as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears    will sing when they reap. R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. They go out, they go out, full of tears,    carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song,    carrying their sheaves. R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. Gospel Acclamation 1 Peter 4:14 Alleluia, alleluia! It is a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the name of Christ, for the Spirit of God rests on you. Alleluia! Gospel Luke 9:23-26 The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously Jesus said:    ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self? For if anyone is ashamed of me and of my words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his own glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.’ The Gospel of the Lord R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

[dfroza]

“For we haven’t approached you—or anyone else for that matter—with some error or impure motives or deceitful agenda”

Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament is the 2nd chapter of the letter of 1st Thessalonians:

Brothers and sisters, you yourselves know that our coming to you was not a waste of time. You remember how we had just suffered through brutal and insulting attacks in Philippi; but because of God, we boldly stepped into the open to tell you His good news, even though it would likely mean more conflict for us. For we haven’t approached you—or anyone else for that matter—with some error or impure motives or deceitful agenda; but as we have been approved by God and entrusted with the good news, that’s how we are telling the world. We aren’t trying to please everybody, but God, the only One who can truly examine our motives. As you know, we didn’t sandwich the truth between cunning compliments—we told it straight—and before the eye of God, we never conspired to make a single cent off of you. We didn’t come seeking respect from people—not from you or anyone else—although we could have leveraged our position as emissaries of the Anointed One, the Liberating King. Instead, we proved to be gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her own children. We were so taken by you that we not only eagerly shared with you God’s good news, but we also shared with you our own lives. That’s how much you’ve come to mean to us.

Don’t you remember, my brothers and sisters, how hard we worked and struggled? We worked day and night so that we wouldn’t be a burden to any of you and so that we could continue to proclaim to you the good news of God. Both you and God can confirm how well we treated the believers: we were always holy, just, and blameless. As you know, we comforted and consoled each of you as a father soothes his own children, encouraging you to live lives worthy of God—of the One calling you into His own kingdom and into His glory.

So we have good reason to give thanks to God without pausing. For you have taken into yourselves the word of God we brought to you and received it as a message from God—not just something whipped up by someone like you or us—and that word is at work in you who believe. And, brothers and sisters, you even became imitators of the churches of God in Jesus the Anointed that gather in Judea because you were willing to suffer at the hands of your own countrymen as they suffered from the unbelieving Judeans. These are the same people who killed the Lord Jesus, as well as the prophets, and continued attacking until they drove all of us out. They don’t just offend God; they are clearly hostile to the rest of the people because they are trying to silence our life-saving message to the nations; and as a result, their sins are always filling up and overflowing. But in the end, they will face God’s wrath.

Brothers and sisters, we are like orphans, separated from you for a short time (in presence, yes, but not in heart); and we desperately desire to see your faces again. However, as much as we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, assure you we tried again and again—Satan thwarted our plans. For what is our true hope, our true joy, our victor’s crown in all this? It is nothing if it isn’t you standing before our Lord Jesus the Anointed at His arrival. You are our glory! You are our joy!

The Letter of 1st Thessalonians, Chapter 2 (The Voice)

A note from The Voice translation:

It’s only by the leading of the Spirit that these first-generation church planters find themselves in this most disagreeable city (although it seems there’s no place Paul can go without causing a commotion). Likewise, it is neither by chance nor by any human power that these people are drawn out of their comfy old habits into a radical new way of living. A miracle really takes shape when, by trading in their old ways of living, believers take to heart the message of Jesus, and their unshakable faith shakes up conversations everywhere.

Kingdom work begins at the surrender of life, by giving yourself away and expecting nothing in return. Real change is then ushered in by the loving touch of the Spirit, moving out from people living transparently faithful lives even in the middle of commotion.

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the 52nd and closing chapter of the book of Jeremiah:

Zedekiah was 21 years old when he became king. His reign in Jerusalem lasted for a total of 11 years. His mother was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah (not the prophet of Anathoth). Zedekiah committed evil in the eyes of the Eternal, just as Jehoiakim had done. All that then happened to Jerusalem and Judah took place because of the Eternal’s anger. He finally forced them out of the land and away from His presence. It was then that Zedekiah foolishly rebelled against the king of Babylon.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon brought his entire army to surround Jerusalem. On the 10th day of the 10th month, during the 9th year of Zedekiah’s reign, the mighty army of Babylon was camped outside the city and built siege mounds around it. This siege lasted 18 months, well into the 11th year of Zedekiah’s reign. By the 9th day of the 4th month of that year, the famine had become so severe inside the city that no one had anything to eat. Panic was setting in as people feared starvation. When a section of the city wall was breached, all the warriors of Jerusalem escaped through a gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. Even though the Chaldeans had the city surrounded, these warriors escaped the city under the cover of night and fled east toward the Jordan Valley. But the Chaldean army discovered this and chased after Zedekiah, catching him on the plains of Jericho. All of his soldiers had scattered, and he was alone when they captured him. They took him to the king of Babylon, who had set up his command post at Riblah in the land of Hamath. It was here that the king pronounced judgment on Zedekiah. Zedekiah was forced to watch as his own sons and the nobles of Judah were butchered in front of him in Riblah. This was the very last thing he saw, because after this Nebuchadnezzar blinded Zedekiah’s eyes. He was then placed in bronze shackles and carried off to Babylon, where he remained in prison until his death.

About a month later, on the 10th day of the 5th month, Nebuzaradan (the captain of the imperial guard and trusted advisor of the king) arrived in Jerusalem. This was during the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign in Babylon. He systematically destroyed the important structures of the city. He set fire to the Eternal’s temple, the king’s palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem. All of the Chaldean troops that had accompanied the captain then tore down all the walls surrounding Jerusalem. The capital was now in ruins. Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the imperial guard, gathered together those still living in the city, including some of the poor and those artisans who had not been deported earlier. He put them with the deserters who had fled to Nebuchadnezzar and forced them all into exile, far away from their homeland. But he left the remaining poor people behind to care for Judah’s vineyards and fields.

Before the Babylonian army burned the temple, they proceeded to take everything of value. They took the bronze pillars at the entrance of the temple and the stands and bronze sea that were inside the Eternal’s temple. After breaking them in pieces, the Chaldeans took the bronze back to Babylon. They also took the pans, the shovels, the snuffers, the bowls, the dishes, and every bronze utensil that was used during the temple rituals. The captain of the guard also took the various sacrificial bowls, firepans, pots, lampstands, dishes, and anything else made of gold or silver. The weight of bronze from the two pillars, the sea, the 12 bronze bulls under the sea, and the stands was so great that it could not be accurately measured. These items were very old, for they had been crafted for the temple of the Eternal in the days of King Solomon. The bronze pillars were 27 feet high and had a circumference of 18 feet; they were hollow, but the bronze walls of the pillars were about 3 inches thick. The bronze capital atop each pillar was 7½ feet high and covered with latticework and pomegranates—all made of bronze—circling the entire capital. There were 96 pomegranates on all sides of the capital, 100 total in the latticework around the top.

Nebuzaradan, the captain of the imperial guard, took Seraiah (the high priest) and Zephaniah (next in line to be high priest), along with 3 officers in charge of the gates. Of those still in the city, he took the officer in charge of the army and 7 of the king’s advisors. He also took the army commander’s secretary, who was in charge of enlisting people into the army, and 60 other men. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the imperial guard, took this entire group to the king of Babylon, whose command post was in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Nebuchadnezzar had them all beaten and killed. This is how Judah was taken from her land and sent into exile.

This, then, is the number of people Nebuchadnezzar took captive during 3 deportations: In the 7th year of his reign: 3,023 Judeans; in the 18th year of his reign: 832 citizens of Jerusalem; and in the 23rd year of his reign: 745 people were taken into exile by Nebuzaradan, captain of the imperial guard. In all 4,600 people were taken captive.

On the 25th day of the 12th month during the 37th year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, Evil-merodach, king of Babylon, ascended to the throne and showed mercy to Jehoiachin and released him from prison. Babylon’s new king was good to Jehoiachin and gave him a place of honor higher than the other nations’ exiled kings in Babylon. And so it was that Jehoiachin exchanged his prison clothes for new clothes, and for the rest of his life he dined regularly at the king’s table. The king of Babylon even gave him a daily allowance on which he lived until the day of his death.

The Book of Jeremiah, Chapter 52 (The Voice)

A set of notes from The Voice translation:

Jeremiah’s words are often not “his” words. Early in life, his mouth is touched by God, and from then on the prophet is God’s mouthpiece to the world. Jeremiah thinks with God’s mind and speaks with God’s voice when the world around him is crumbling (1:9–10). In many ways, he sees the world as God sees it and then shares those visions, no matter the cost. His ministry spans five kings of Judah, few of whom bother to listen to him. He survives public ridicule, loneliness, and attempts on his life. He witnesses his beloved Jerusalem fall just as he predicts. But he knows the faithfulness of God. The Eternal has promised to sustain him through a difficult life, and so He does.

Years later, during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Evil-merodach (562–560 b.c.), hope emerges. The exiled king Jehoiachin is shown kindness; it seems God has not forgotten them.

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures for Sunday, October 22 of 2023 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms

A post by John Parsons about thought:

How we think about things matters. Our thoughts determine how we see, feel, interpret, reason -- and choose. In a sense, our thoughts express who we really are: they are “inner verbalizations” that reveal our character. And since our thoughts lead to feelings that are inevitably expressed in actions, our actions ultimately express what we believe (at least at any given moment in time). To change undesirable behavior, we often need to back up and detect erroneous assumptions that underlie and justify our choices. Often these assumptions operate on a “pre-conscious” level of awareness. We must slow down and ask ourselves what we are really thinking and believing whenever we consider the choices we are making. But the two are inextricably linked together: our thoughts determine our actions and our actions express our thoughts...

Psalm One stands as a sort of “preface” to the entire Book of Psalms (ספר תהילים) by first of all extolling the way of the righteous (i.e., derekh tzaddikim: דֶּרֶךְ צַדִּיקִים) in contradistinction to the way of the wicked (i.e., derekh resha’im: דֶרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים). It is therefore a foundational Psalm that is intended to encourage us to separate ourselves from the ways and customs of the prevailing godless insanity and culture (2 Cor. 6:17).

Notice that the very first verse of the very first Psalm declares that the happy or fortunate person (ashrei ha-ish) neither “walks” (הָלַךְ) in the counsel of the wicked, nor “stands” (עָמָד) in the way of sinners, nor “sits” (יָשָׁב) in the seat of the scornful: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful" (Psalm 1:1).

Although King David used parallelism in this verse, we note that the verbs “walk,” “stand,” and “sit” mark an unmistakable progression -- or rather a regression away from the upward walk of the righteous to a place of murky despair, cynicism and bitterness.... Looked at from the reverse perspective, the ungodly first heed wicked counsel and then walk in its doctrine and presuppositions. This causes them to slow down and “stand” in a sinful state (i.e., to dwell/abide in a state of ignorance). The sense of life’s urgency is lost to them: there is no place to “go,” no development, no “goal” or purpose to life... Finally, the wicked decide to “sit” down, or “dwell” in their misery with an abiding scorn.

Note that the righteous - the tzaddikim (הַצַּדִּיקִים) - do not “walk” in the “counsel of the wicked.” In other words, since they live by a different set of axioms, they realize that the thoughts of the wicked are grounded in fallacious assumptions about reality. And since thought ultimately determines action, the repudiation of the assumptions of the wicked inevitably leads to a different lifestyle or “walk” for the righteous. This is the collision of faith between the righteous and the world system I’ve written about elsewhere.

Second, since the righteous man walks according to a different set of principles (i.e., the counsel of the godly), he will not be found “standing” in the way of sinners. Since the “way of sinners” (דֶרֶךְ חַטָּאִים) is essentially one of ignorance (i.e., sin [חֵטְא] “misses the mark”), the righteous soul actively discerns and walks by the truth about reality. Such discernment often means rejecting the status quo and therefore standing apart from the crowd. This is suffering “outside the camp” of the world, the lonely place of faith that leads the righteous to separate themselves from the "groupthink" and self-deception of the crowd.

Third, because the righteous walk differently - away from the crowd - they will not be found “sitting” with the scorners. The word translated “sits” (יָשָׁב) can also be translated as “dwells.” The word translated “scorner” is leitz (לֵץ), a cynic who mocks (yalitz) everything in a show of superficial superiority. The leitz is unteachable and arrogantly considers himself as better than others. The Book of Proverbs (ספר משלי) regards him as an incorrigible fool. The way of the righteous is one of humility and genuine love for others created b’tzelem Elohim (in the image of God). Sanctified speech upbuilds others and expresses good will.

We depart from the way of the righteous whenever we heed of the counsel of the wicked -- whenever we begin making their words our own by uncritically listening to them.... When we attend to various news reports from the mass media, or when we unthinkingly accept the prevarications of politicians, for example, and passively accept their distorted versions of reality, we are “taking counsel of the wicked.” The same can be said regarding heeding the messages of the advertisers, of television shows, movies, popular music, medical “experts,” and so on. Often the messages are subliminal and attempt to cajole us to accept alternative versions of reality... Is it any wonder that television is referred to as “programming”? Advertisers, politicians, educational psychologists, sociologists, social engineers, etc., all understand that manipulating how people think determines what they will eventually do... Getting you to uncritically accept their messages is the first step to entrapping you.

If we are not careful, we might find ourselves believing the twisted versions of reality that are passed off as being “true” in the world. If we find ourselves complaining, murmuring, or despairing over things of this world, we are seeing the evil that we are “scripted” to see, and therefore we become wicked ourselves. The “counsel of the wicked” is assimilated into our thoughts, our words, and our actions... Whom we listen to is of vital importance!

The way of the righteous is “faith, hope, and love” (1 Cor. 13:13). Hakarat tovah (הַכָּרַת טוֹבָה) is a Hebrew phrase that means “recognizing” or “receiving” the good, i.e., gratitude. Hakarat tovah is one of the middot ha-lev (qualities of heart) that should mark the lives of those who are grace-based and focused. Gratitude is the product of joy (i.e. chara: χαρα) obtained from the gift of being conscious of God's grace (i.e., charis: χαρις). Faith accepts that all things work together for good - gam zu l’tovah (“this too is for the good”) and therefore rejects assumptions that create bitterness and anger.

The sages note that Psalm 1:1 could have been written as, “Cursed is the man who walks in the way of the wicked, who stands in the way of sinners, and who sits in the seat of the scornful,” but King David took a healing approach by stating positively what needs to be corrected in our lives. Positive criticism focuses on the potential for good we see in others. Using harsh words of rebuke leads to pain and misunderstanding. Our speech needs to be sanctified -- edifying and building up hope in others (Eph. 4:29). The essence of Torah is mercy, and therefore we should always judge others (including ourselves) in the best possible light. Hakarat tovah means recognizing the good in others and choosing to see with ayin tovah (עין טובה) a “good eye.”

Focusing on God - elevating our thoughts - delivers us from the path of the wicked to the realm of divine happiness. God has told us that we can escape from the pervasive counsel of the wicked by finding delight (חֵפֶץ) in the “law” (i.e., Torah, תּוֹרָה) of the LORD: "But his delight is in the Torah of the LORD, and in his Torah he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).

The truly happy person - ashrei ha-ish (אַשְׁרֵי־הָאִישׁ) finds delight in the Torah of the LORD. Note that the Hebrew word asher (אָשֵׁר) means to go straight, to walk or press on, or to make progress. Pressing on in righteousness leads us to true happiness, a state of blessedness. The “happy man” represents the ideal man of God who is not ensnared by the ways of the wickedness that surrounds him. His victory over the world is found in his faith (1 John 5:4). The way forward is the Torah-perspective.

Note further that the word “delight” is linked with the use of our tongues, which is of course directly connected with the words that verbalize our thoughts... מִי־הָאִישׁ הֶחָפֵץ חַיִּים אהֵב יָמִים לִרְאוֹת טוֹב׃ / “Who is the man who is eager for life, who desires days of good?” נְצר לְשׁוֹנְךָ מֵרָע וּשְׂפָתֶיךָ מִדַּבֵּר מִרְמָה׃ / “Guard your tongue from evil, your lips from deceitful speech” (Psalm 34:12-13). Again, our thoughts/words determine our character, which in turn are expressed in our actions. Listening to the truth, filling our hearts with God’s word, setting our affections on heavenly reality, thinking on worthy things -- all are remedies for the clamor and chatter and fallacies so prevalent in our world today. Consciously heeding to the message of God’s truth elevates us from the morass of disinformation, propaganda, and deception that is used to control and manipulate the crowd.

Psalm One closes with a great prophecy: כִּי־יוֹדֵעַ יהוה דֶּרֶךְ צַדִּיקִים וְדֶרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים תּאבֵד / “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed” (Psalm 1:6). Who we listen to matters; how we think matters. Many of us have become so conditioned and influenced by the world that we don’t even realize we are under its spell! Refuse the counsel of the wicked; do not heed the propaganda and messages of those who attempt to instill fear within you. There is no fear in God’s love, and God’s love and glory fills the earth (Isa. 6:3)! Take every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah. Walk in His love (Eph. 5:2); stand in His truth (Eph. 6:14), and dwell in His promises (Eph. 1:20; John 15:4-10). For the LORD is our Teacher and we are his students. So let us work hard to obtain a Torah perspective on life! Amen v’amen!

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

Psalm 1:1 Hebrew reading:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/psalm1-1-jjp.mp3

Hebrew page:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/psalm1-1-lesson.pdf

­10.21.23 • Facebook

from yesterday’s email by Israel 365:

Rampant crime, looting, and the breakdown of sexual boundaries are endemic problems sweeping the US and European nations alike. At the same time, we see heavy-handed censorship that demands uniformity of speech and thought coupled with Communist-style promotion of the all-powerful state as the only path to survival. Tragically, this has become the direction of the current US government in cooperation with media and corporate elites who seek to limit personal freedom and undermine traditional Biblical values. The flood and the tower are both alive and well in 2023.

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

October 22, 2023

Carest Thou Not?

“And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38)

There are times when we have great problems and God seems to ignore our prayers, and finally we begin to wonder if He cares about us at all. There is no need to wonder. God cares about the sparrow, and He surely cares about His own dear children. If there is not some clear reason why He fails to answer (such as sin in our lives), then perhaps it is simply (as in Job’s case) a test of our faith.

When the disciples thought Jesus didn’t care, He rebuked them thus: “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). Mary and Martha sent word that their brother Lazarus was deathly ill, but then Jesus “abode two days still in the same place where he was” (John 11:6). When the sisters complained about His delay, He replied: “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).

One day a woman of Canaan cried out to Him for mercy on her for her demon-possessed daughter, “but he answered her not a word.” He seemed not to care, but she kept calling on Him and worshiping Him, until He finally said to her: “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt” (Matthew 15:23, 28).

The disciples, the sisters of Lazarus, and the Canaanite woman all wondered at His seeming lack of concern, but He did care. He finally calmed the storm, raised Lazarus, and healed the daughter. His delay was in order to test and strengthen their faith.

Can He not also test us, “that the trial of your faith...though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7)? HMM

[ivy72376]

BIBLE REFLECTIONS, SEPTEMBER 1-30, 2021

God is our saving health... This Psalm on Neginoth feels prophetic and oddly written for our time; and because of that, it feels strongly powerful and timeless... May we find confidence and hope in the Psalmist's words; as we heed his encouragement to sing for joy unto our Great Healing God, The Saving Health of all the nations; and in holy fear, humbly live our days in obedience to His Way...

#HappySeptember30midnight

Praise is joyful, and worship is solemn... Both are our expressions of thanks and testimonies about the goodness of our God, and His abundant mercy... No matter how we do it on a Sunday or in communal worship, the most important thing is that it reflects in our everyday lives... For how can one keep silent, when God has been so good to answer our prayers... No need to brag what specifically, though, because most assuredly people will know; what should remain our duty is by giving praise and honor, we direct recognition to God's grace and mercy, rather than our own limited efforts and capabilities...

#HappySeptember30

Because God uses a different tape measure... Some people, who find their confidence from the affirmation of others, and who believe that only in becoming thin and "sexy", can they feel satisfied of their own bodies, might have a hard time accepting that fatness is a blessing... But in the Word it is, especially as stated here by the Psalmist (v. 11)... And so, may I suggest that many of us should expand our vocabularies further, because being fat is not quite exactly the same as being obese; the former means more fleshy and curvaceous, while the other is most often a debilitating medical condition... If one is fat, but physically active, eats nutritiously, sleeps well, and has a generally sunny disposition in life, that person is healthy compared to thin, slim and wiry people who lounge around or drag their feet while walking, binge on junk food or doesn't eat at least three balanced and complete meals per day, sleeps badly, grumpy and moody and most often depressed, a host of health syndromes and allergies, and has gone through several surgeries to remove inflammations, cysts, stones and whatnot (no offense meant to the latter group, some of whom with which I am personally related by blood, extended families and work)... May we take the perspective of the Psalmist, that it is only by living lives of humility and obedience to God can we have true good health, both physically and spiritually... To aspire to be thin just to fit that beautiful dress in the store rack is ungodly and an act of conforming to the world; but a life of prayer, faithfulness, honesty and thankfulness to God that He has made us wonderfully and well--flabs, aches, warts and all--so that in all moments of our lives, we can give praise and glory to Him, not just with our words, but with our actions and motivations, is true higher and heavenly level lifestyle indeed...

#HappySeptember29midnight

In the war of words, God's justice reigns... Especially because evil people, more so now in the social media age, craftily and cruelly abuse this as their most destructive battleground and strategy; at every turn, honing their skills to put down, insulting and abusing, harassing and oppressing people who are humbly living and doing the best they can to live peaceably and honestly, and even so far as attacking and striking those who seek to bring life, right knowledge, wisdom and peace to all... But when the latter put their faith in God, trusting Him to uphold their cause and bring them justice and fairness, He will always hear and protect, deliver and save them from the evil machinations, psychological, mental and emotional impact of the wicked people's words and actions... May we wisely consider our motivations and assertions, our thoughts, speech and deeds, so that like the Psalmist, we can confidently declare, "And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of His doing. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory."...

#HappySeptember29

Many times in the lives of those whom God loves and cares for, there are wilderness moments: when wealth, achievements, careers, endeavors, positions, status and relationships are seen and felt as worthless... They may not actually be so, but it is in these moments that God makes His beloved people realize that He is all that they need... Yes, the apostle Peter prophesied that all the elements will melt with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:10-12), and Ezekiel saw a valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37)... But, like the Psalmist, they too believed that if we but trust in and have faith in Him, follow His will and leading, God will restore everything, to more than their former glory and goodness; and especially so, because in the Bible, fatness is a result of blessing and praise (Genesis 27:28), while thinness (leanness, or slim-ness) is associated with cursing and punishment (Isaiah 10:16), so that may we sing along with the Psalmist, "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips" (v. 5)...

#HappySeptember28midnight

Openly, greatly... This Psalm is to be sung by Jeduthun, one of the chief singers in the temple, and his group... By name and lifelong function, the Jeduthun are called to be lead lauders or praisers of God, and everything He is in the lives of His people: our rock, our salvation, our deliverer... What should be noted well is that with this trust and hope, God's people can be confident that in all the uncertainties and troubles of human life, we shall not be moved (v. 6); and even if we should be moved, He will be there to strengthen, equip and support, so that we are not moved greatly (v. 1), in order that we are not weakened and lose heart... What is truer and more sure instead is that in openly praising God, in sincerely and transparently dedicating our lives and efforts to Him, He can and will move greatly and mightily in and through us...

#HappySeptember28

This Psalm is another Neginah, to be played on stringed instruments... But it is not a sad song, because it doesn't reflect despair or distress by the Psalmist... What it seeks to show us though, is that no matter the ups and downs and turbulence of life, those who put their trust and hope in God (not on wealthy foreign sponsors, supporters, bureaucratic backers, or influential connections), though they may not rise to the high echelons of power and status in society, can rest secured and be at peace; because God is the only help and covering they need, their hiding place, their sure hope, the inspiration of their obedience, their strength and the substance of their confidence... May we not boast of what we have, what we have attained, how secure we are because we are well-connected, and how steady and rich life seems to be because of whom we know; for God can destroy all those things (that have become our idols) in one snap... But may we humbly live and glorify God and His abundant mercy and goodness, as we seek to live out His peace to all, His life-giving spirit flowing like mighty rivers from us, to a darkened and fearful world...

#HappySeptember27midnight

This song is titled Shushaneduth, for as biblical translations say, "the lily of testimony", it is to be played on the cymbals that are shaped like the lily-flower, and therefore every word is a strong declaration... It is also a Michtam, as written, for it is an eternal proclamation... Indeed, in the life of God's people, many enemies abound, those who--out of envy and greed-- oppress, harass, bully, and abuse others, in order to promote themselves, and to try to deprive them from learning the truth, to be truly saved, to receive the grace and goodness due to them... Yet, as narrated in the song, God's people never lack the talent, the skill, the strength and help in times of oppression, tribulation and trouble; even in the face of hypocrites, pretentious and duplicitous, evil and wicked people, God's people will be saved and upheld... And in whatever challenge they may face, even if struck and put down, stomped upon, those who truly fear God, who remain humbly obedient to His call to bring life and peace as His children, will have the upper hand and the victory, as the Psalmist said in verse 12, "Through our God we shall do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies"...

#HappySeptember27

Even in physical, verbal, and spiritual ambush, God is our defense... And this lament by the Psalmist, in this third Altaschith and Michtam, still holds true in the life of God's people today... Not only with evil people outside of the faith and normal culture, but even within the body of Christ: some pretend to have been saved and surrendered their lives to God, yet are still driven by materialism and envy, worldliness, and glorification of "slim and sexy" body size, body-hugging and revealing clothes (unless one has a mental disorder, that is), rather than the growth and maturity of their spirits (because honestly, if one claims to be a child of God, proclaiming themselves to live in holiness and not conforming to the lusts of the world, yet still says "oh, it is good to be sexy", or "hey, aren't you sexy?", isn't one being lustful and worldly, a hypocrite of the faith by which he calls himself, in direct disobedience to what our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 5:28? Hmmm... I think I have just borrowed some of Lewis and Tolkien's words...)... Anyway, as the Psalmist said, these people belch out their words, showing us by the stench of their speech, what are inside their minds and bellies... Their words are swords, acting to be sweet and diplomatic talkers, yet are full of insults, put downs and insinuations... They lie in wait that the faithful make one mistake, and like hungry vultures, attack by becoming judgmental, hurling insults and slander, puff up their pride and prejudices, and claim themselves more holy, more righteous, more knowledgeable, wiser and right... The Psalmist only has harsh words for them, in imploring God for their downfall... But because our Lord told us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), we can only pray that we be delivered by the traps, bullying, harassment, abuse and oppression of such people... For truly, for those who hold on to their faith and trust in God, who live in humility, and those who strive to live peaceably with all, no matter how disagreeable they may be, we "can sing: God is our defense, and the God of our mercy"...

#HappySeptember26midnight

This Psalm is a continuation of the previous one, both an Altaschith and a Michtam, so that we may not forget that God's deliverance and preservation are true and timeless... May we learn to set our lives, our words, our actions and motivations in order, because surely, "there is a reward for the righteous, or those who do right; because God is not only Creator and Lord, He is the Supreme and Great Judge of the earth too" (v. 11)...

#HappySeptember26

God's anointed one shall not be destroyed... This psalm is both an Altaschith, "do not destroy", which means that both the song and the people for whom and by whom it is sung, are sealed for preservation... It is also a Michtam, a golden or precious writing, again doubly referring to the song itself, and the heart behind it... During the days when he was persecuted by King Saul, David declared and claimed this song, both to preserve himself and that of King Saul... Many of us have yet to attain that level of forgiveness and understanding, but that is actually the heart of God... May we learn to grow into the spirit of the song, as we go through difficulties and calamities; for surely, no matter how hard life may be, we can take cover and find refuge under the mighty wings of our God (v. 1)...

#HappySeptember25midnight

King David killed Goliath during wartime... Which even in their times and cultures that maintain a sort of unwritten Articles of War, should have merited no consequential punishment after... Indeed, there wasn't, because David became anointed... But then, he wasn't king at the time, because King Saul was still on the throne, so the Philistine people and relatives of Goliath exacted their vendetta, while David was on the run for his life, and helpless... We realize that even then and until now, war doesn't pay; because the spark of hatred, insult, offense and affront will always remain in the hearts of surviving families, brethren and comrades, fuelling another conflagration of attack and war... For this reason our Lord Jesus Christ came and proclaimed, "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9), to declare that wars and conflicts are normal human experiences, but the ones who accept their calling to attune their lives vertically to the One who created and rules over all, must abandon all feelings of hatred, rage, resentment, vendetta and vengeance, leaving these all up to Him (Deuteronomy 32:35)... Then, we can have this hope: to not take offense at slights and insults (Matthew 5:11), at persecutions, threats and assaults (2 Corinthians 4:8), because "what time we are afraid, we can trust in God" (v. 3, 4), for He is for us (v. 9) who humbly submit to His will; and so we need not fear what man can do to us (v. 11, Matthew 10:28)... May we find strength and peace in this...

#HappySeptember25

Another Maschil on the Neginoth teaches us again of a timeless truth: that God's people are not immune in a world of suffering and oppression... Like King David, God's people are normal human beings, who oftentimes get desperate and seek a way out... But that is never a good way, because as the king realized with his own troubles, no matter how difficult life gets, God will always sustain those who look up to Him, and surrender their cares and burdens to Him (v. 22, the same words his root and offspring Jesus Christ promised in Matthew 11:29)... Yes, if we but trust God enough, not be proud of ourselves and feel entitled, if we are able and as long as it is within our power and good conscience--to accept the help and support of others, whoever they may be (because no matter from which direction it comes from, all help, whether we think the people offering them are sincere or not, are actually gifts from God), then we will feel our burdens become easier and lighter... They do not disappear though, but God will give us the strength to manage them; and we will gain the confidence that in this life's journey, we are not alone, because of God and the people He sends our way; and we are not pressured to feel and act like the world revolves around us, because it doesn't; but that its every moment should be lived for the One who created us and set us free to enjoy eternity with Him...

#HappySeptember24midnight

On this chapter, another Maschil of eternal truth, to be played on the Neginoth, or stringed instruments, we are sobered by the Psalmist's realization of King David's predicament: how that strangers who don't even know much about him, and to whom he had only shown respect, could sell him out to his enemy, and endanger his life... This situation is not new, because throughout history, many more people are that selfish and greedy, who, without even lifting a finger to help, would gladly betray others to save their own skin, or for a profit... And even in our social media age, groups of people abound, who destroy other people's reputation, or slander and shoot down the truth and good message that they bring, just to make themselves appear knowledgeable, and feel good, and for the very crafty, earn some bonus points, or even financial rewards for trolling... Yet, King David's words are timeless too: for God will not have mercy on liars, slanderers, blasphemers and evildoers... He will strengthen His faithful ones, deliver them and give them justice, and will accomplish His desire on His enemies, and those that harm His people--whether that be for their good or destruction, is out of our hands, for God shall deal with each person, according to the measure of their words and deeds... May we be humbled, may we be more circumspect, may we be more respectful and true...

#HappySeptember24

 Today's psalm is a Maschil, a song of eternal truth, specifically instructed to be played on a Mahalath, a lute or lyre or a guitar, because it is a sad song... And we realize why: because for the God who made us, and who has such glorious plans for our future; to not be acknowledged, to be ignored, whose presence and love are to be denied, is the saddest realization of all... Who are we to think that the world revolves around us; and to believe that we are entitled to comfort, convenience, favor and grace, without being humble enough to acknowledge our dependence on God, and the help and community of other people... If we hadn't grown into that learning yet, this pandemic should have made us realize that we could get sick and die any moment, but for the favor the Lord grants us when we humbly pray and implore to be given yet another day: to work, to earn our keep, to realize our dreams, to help and to love and cherish the people He sends our way... May sad songs remind us of the One who loves us truly, Who will never leave us when we cling on to Him in faith, and who daily showers us with new mercies every morning He so graciously wakes us up to until the end of our days...

#HappySeptember23midnight

 Evil people are consistent: doing mischief, being proud, abusive and oppressive, greedy and materialistic... Yet this Maschil reminds us of an eternal truth: their hope and trust in themselves, their positions and connections, and their wealth will come to nothing... Because the only One truly worth trusting in is God; for He will come to the rescue of His faithful ones, and will always be a source of strength and hope for them...

#HappySeptember23

 The ultimate repentance Psalm... Which many of us like to preach about and try to parrot after, especially as it was penned by the king who was after God's own heart himself... What many people don't realize and explore more is that first, this Psalm was addressed to The Chief Musician, which Jewish and Bible scholars understand to be God Himself... And with such tall appeal to the highest authority in the universe, one should be humbled and shamed enough not to sin again... Hence, it was but right that in his later years, King David indeed reformed himself and lessened his cavorting with his harem, especially since his double crime of adultery and murder went unpunished by the Law of Moses as mandated in the Ten Commandments, yet resulted in the death of his newborn son... And we learn too that even in his last days, he reaped the consequences of his sin by being impotent enough to stop his daughter from being raped by her half brother, and his beautiful son and then-heir Absalom murder his rapist-half brother, and organizing a rebellion, which led to his death... It was to King David's memorial that we learn that even the seemingly holiest and favored people can sin most depravedly... However God is merciful, for when they repent, they are forgiven and renewed... Unfortunately however, or fortunately if we take the perspective from the Word, forgiveness is a lifetime process where the repentant sinner must bear the evil and tragic consequences of the past... Being forgiven doesn't mean getting away scot-free for life; it simply means that when vengeance and justice are demanded, the offender must and can actually pay the price with confidence and faith, no matter how painful and devastating it may be... For the grace given by forgiveness as what this Psalm wants us to learn, is not being freed from the responsibility of owning up to our faults; but because God has forgiven us, we now have more grace to weather the aftermath; and so be able to face the future with trust and faith in Him, Who can create in us clean hearts, and renew a right spirit within...

#HappySeptember22midnight

 Asaph and his sons declare in this psalm what is most important to God: it is not offerings or flattering words that are not matched by disobedient and prideful living, but thanksgiving and praise, humility, making true our promise to live for Him, and calling on His Name... May we be humbled and convicted, as we set our words, our motivations, and our deeds consistently and right...

#HappySeptember22

Here is another pragmatic song for the performance of the sons of Korah, rubbing in the wisdom that dependence on earthly wealth, status, position and possessions are nothing without God, particularly since we cannot bring them with us to the grave... Even if places, buildings and monuments are named after us, still what counts in the afterlife are not these but our relationship with a physically intangible God, whose work in our lives can be made manifest through moments lived in humility and selfless service and generosity to others, in not flaunting our wealth even if we say we have worked hard to earn it, but to share with and bless those less fortunate than us... Truly, if in this pandemic we believe that lifting ourselves up is one way to thrive, then we must get down from our high horses, for a life that truly matters is one where the will and the love of God matters more, and where the care and benefit of the weaker and oppressed ones matter more than our reputation, our fame, our image, our body size, and our convenience...

#HappySeptember21midnight

Setting our hopes in the right places... And may our visions not be misaligned too... As what this Psalm from the sons of Korah reminds us of... That we must worship and serve the One True God, Who commands His loving kindness then from the physical Mount Zion and even now and in the future, from the spiritual Zion of His kingdom, if we are to live meaningful lives... This is not a matter of compulsion, because the Word says that even kings and leaders of the earth who would like to have all glory to themselves are threatened by this faith, and they and those they put their hope in are destroyed; which means that many of our world and religious leaders of today may mandate some form of religion or faith, but we know it is false; for as it is laid bare, it only serves their own selfish and greedy purposes, to enrich themselves and hold on to power and authority at the expense of others... But we still can hope and trust in God, who ultimately has the upper hand, and declare the creed as what the Psalmist proclaims, "this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even unto death"...

#HappySeptember21

Worshipping with understanding (v. 7)... Is what the sons of Korah, some of the premier lead singers and musicians in God's temple, remind the people then and even until now... God did not make us stupid automatons compelled to render service through praise and worship; because though His laws rule the universe, but our God is never a dictator... The sons of Korah encourage us to remember His greatness, His goodness and mercy, and that we are nothing without Him... Incidentally, today is the start of Jewish Sukkot, the Festival of Booths or Tabernacles; in which the chief aim is to remind God's people that we are all pilgrims and foreigners here on earth; that when it is our time to go, no matter how rich we are, or how high in society we may rise to, that we can never bring with us, even a penny of our wealth beyond the grave... And so with this understanding and full awareness, we worship and praise our God Who gave us life and breath, Who gave us strength and skill, Who gave us wisdom and choice, and Who daily showers us with mercy and grace, no matter what we may have done... May we be humbled, may we be constantly reminded, and may we not lose our hope, trust, obedience and awe...

#HappySeptember20midnight

This chapter starts off one of the higher-pitched songs, probably because it is upon Alamoth, young maidens or virgins, and therefore normally of soprano voices... In here, the Psalmist emphasizes in high voice, that no matter what happens, even if literally the world around us is falling or coming to its end, we can still trust and have hope because, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"... May we take this to heart, stop living stubborn lives in disobedience, so that even if life's troubles overwhelm us, we can be confident of God's words, when He declares, "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth"...

#HappySeptember20

Well, what do we know, the Psalms contain a Maschil that is a love song too... Maybe this is one reason why biblical scholars, most of them men obviously, choose to interpret this as referring to the Messiah and His bride, the church; because the verses contain undeniably sensual (that is, ancient versions of fan-girling, a willing harem and concubinage) and therefore a bit inappropriate, innuendos for the Holy Book... Yet, we cannot deny that such high adulation hinting at joyful affection and passion is both a manifestation of God's desire that His people feels for Him, and for married men and women to their spouses too... One need only look at social media feeds to discern that in many cases, husbands and wives seem to adore each other so much even unto the high heavens, second only to God Himself... It is a lifetime truth also, and we need not feel shy when the word of God so plainly tells us of it: that in the same manner that we can so deeply and possessively fall in love and fawn over our significant others, and our offsprings, is actually the same kind of love our God has for us, however physically intangible He may be... For He is truer than most fickle human affections and connections; and even if the ties that bind us to our loved ones get severed at death, yet even beyond and through all eternity, for those who have given their lives to Him in worship and service through living His Word and will, they will never fail to have Truth, His mercy and grace reign throughout their physical lives, and His kingdom and the glory of His presence forever...

#HappySeptember19midnight

A precarious privilege... How the Israelites settled in the holy land, when God made them go to war and drive out the inhabitants that have been living in the land long before them, is still a contentious issue even until this very day... And from the time the Psalmist penned this Maschil and until now, he reminds us of one eternal truth as exemplified in the lives of the Israelite nation, that they still get to experience even just a few days ago: the privilege of being called a holy nation by God is something very precious and vulnerable, for its debatability by people who were left out since they believe that presumably they were not initially included, and how it is always the spark that fuels wars and acts of terrorism around the world... And for us, Gentiles who believe that our Lord Jesus Christ have grafted us into the same promise and blessing, may we be reminded of such precious and dangerous gift too: in a world where the love of many has increasingly gotten cold, which declares that Christianity is now in decline and being abandoned by an increasingly disillusioned and darkened body; now is always the best time to stand up and live our faith, so that the failures of leaders and past generations that have tarnished the faith left to us may be overcome by a better testimony... That yes, nobody is perfect, and no one can gain holiness by our own efforts, church and man-made traditions, creeds, principles, philosophies and traditions alone, but only by lives personally surrendered to God, and in meekness and humility with godly wisdom, lived for His Word and will every day... May we become those better witnesses, those more worthy members of God's family, whose lights shine for all the world to see...

#HappySeptember19

This chapter is a continuation of the previous one, a Maschil, where the Psalmist talks to himself, not to get so disappointed and depressed because he will yet praise God... May we listen in too, and learn; that in spite of the lies and darkness that pervade earthly life, we do not lose heart, because the God we believe, hope and trust in, will always shower us with His truth and light... He gives us life and health, HE IS our life and health...

#HappySeptember18midnight

In this chapter which is another Maschil, or lesson of eternal truth, the Psalmist illustrates for us that depression, or in his term, his soul was 'cast down', can set in for the believer, when even though we praise enthusiastically with the crowd of God's people and pray unceasingly, yet sometimes God seems to not grant our petitions; so that our enemies and even some of our fellow brethren ask and wonder if we are doing right and okay, and where is God in our life if He has not answered our prayers... Yet the Psalmist would have us remember that even in such times when it is emotionally difficult and spiritually draining to go on, if it seems that God is not being favorable to our situation, we still must hope in, praise and bless God; for He will yet save and deliver, and hear us, maybe not immediately when we want it, but in some future time, in His perfectly good time... May we not forget that when it is too painful and difficult to continue, we must not give up if only to take the chance to praise, to hope, to expect and to be able to receive more grace from Him in the future... Because life is not a gamble, these are definitely worth living for...

#HappySeptember18

In this chapter, the Psalmist reminds us of his experience with fair-weather friends who, in his times of illness and sorrow, only wish the worst for him, not bothering to support him in any way, nor lift his spirit up... We should learn from this too: to wisely associate with people who do their best to do good, and to bring out good in others... Good thing for him, the Psalmist has God in his life, protecting him, saving him, healing and blessing him as always... And this God is our God too, and He will do the same for us, when we humbly follow His will in whatever relationship and connection we establish with other people, whether at work or in our personal lives... Let our friendships and communion with others then, be subject to His wisdom, His will, His blessing, and His grace...

#HappySeptember17midnight

In waiting patiently, there is grace and mercy... And this is what the Psalmist wants us to remember; that though we can give all that we can, out of what we have, out of what we can do, out of the time given to us on earth; but it is our trust and hope, our patient endurance and never-ending prayer, conversation and appeal to God that He inclines His ears to... Yes, we can show our love of Him by giving Him out of what He has given us, but elsewhere He said, He "desires mercy (love) and obedience (out of love), not just sacrifice, nor offering" (Hosea 6:6, Matthew 9:13, 1 Samuel 15:22-23)... God desires that more than speaking about and giving for Him, that we live for Him, and be guided by His will and word each day... May we have the minds to understand and the hearts to humbly obey...

#HappySeptember17

Probably bewildered by all the trouble the world is experiencing right now, even given the fact there are so many well-meaning people praying, giving, helping, sacrificing, but seemingly to no avail for an ever- darkened humanity that steps closer and closer to the edge of destruction, somebody asked: "how does one know if the troubles we are going through are mere trials, or punishments?"... Deep question indeed, but the honest answer is: we don't know, because only God knows and understands what we are going through, how we might get through them, and what will the future hold for each and everyone of us... Indeed we have seen throughout the whole of human history, that good and nice people suffer along with the bad, and more often experience more tragedies than wicked ones... Yet, goodness never dies out, faith never gets snuffed out, and hope never fails; simply because God is good, and He is true to His promises and prophecies... and like the Psalmist here who went through much hardship and tribulations, so that he eventually asked God to make him know and understand when he will die, we too can feel frustrated at times... It is worth remembering however that no matter what we go through, even if we don't understand the why and how, yet we can rest assured that our "now" and our "tomorrow" are in the hands of our God... The important thing is, we don't let these hardships pass without us learning, maturing, becoming better... May we all grow in the grace and knowledge of Him who loves us so much that He gave His Only Son, so we may be able to spend eternity with Him, when we believe, and live the rest of our lives in pure obedience to that faith...

#HappySeptember16midnight

This day incidentally, is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest (and some say, the truest) holiday of the Jews, and the only one of its kind the world over and among all cultures; for unlike other holidays which are usually celebrations, this one is a memorial of prayer, fasting and repentance, in order that the sinful man may get closer to the Holy God... There is much to learn from this holiday, and even from today's chapter, as King David declared... We realize that sometimes due to our sins, sometimes due to life's circumstances, and sometimes due to the cruelty of evil and wicked people, we all undergo suffering and pain... Yet God is gracious; He waits for us to seek forgiveness, to repent of our wrongdoings, and to appeal to Him for help out of the midst of our difficulties... For just as King David believed and experienced His goodness, so too He remains consistent, and will still listen to, commune with, and eternally be a Savior and Deliverer of all those who trust and depend on His mercy and goodness all throughout time...

#HappySeptember16

In this chapter, King David seems to be laying bare his beef against the wicked--those envious people, who clearly manifest their schemes and machinations against those who do what is good, just, fair and right... He also repeatedly presents the marks and benefits of the righteous--people who are humble, who are merciful and generous, peace-loving, promoters of life and justice, who are blessed abundantly yet are always delightedly content with God, His will and Word, and His way of living--and of how God will save and deliver them each time they are in difficulty... Indeed, it takes faith and trust to take the great king at his word; yet, as surely as we believe religious myths and traditions, all the more strongly should we heed this great Psalmist and Israelite King, whose life and reign are recorded in the annals of history and archaeology, as much as his humanity and faith are detailed in the Word... May we have hearts and faith such as his...

#HappySeptember15midnight

It is the height of wickedness to believe that in spite of our deceitful and cruel, yet hypocritical words and actions, we are good, we are doing fine, we are strong and invincible, and God will not hold us accountable... Because God always sees and hears, He will call to account, He will dispense justice and put us all in our proper places and rightful ends... Yet for those who humble themselves and trust in Him, this Psalm of King David declares for us that out of the abundance of God's mercy and grace, they shall be abundantly satisfied... May we have the eyes to see, ears to hear, and humility to conduct our words and actions right...

#HappySeptember15

 For many of us powerless humans, it is natural to appeal to a higher power when we are wronged, oppressed, violated or abused, especially by those people with more power and influence... But King David, a man after God's own heart, had the right attitude: he appealed to God Himself, Creator and Ruler of all... And it would be wise for us to follow his example, for then we would experience true joy: "And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in His salvation." (v. 9)...

#HappySeptember14midnight

 God's blessings and grace starts first of all in the mind and the heart... Those who fear and love Him, who do their best to live His will and Word in their lives, who guard their speech and actions not to oppress and abuse others and instead be generous and gracious, are kept safe, given courage and sanity, and a proper perspective in the face of the world's ridicule, rejection, persecution... For as many as His promises as declared and claimed by King David in this chapter, so indeed will God's provision, protection, peace, wisdom and discernment be poured out on those who continually praise Him, and who trust and hope in Him...

#HappySeptember14

 To be truly blessed is a reciprocal act: whom God calls and chooses as His inheritance (also, John 17:1-26), and those who, even if they might not be physically part of the chosen, yet, made the decision and accomplished the deed of making God their Lord, King and Master; for they are grafted to the True Vine, and brought to the One Fold (John 15:1-8, 10:16)... For indeed, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He chose for His inheritance." (v. 12)...

#HappySeptember13midnight

In this first Maschil, or instructional Psalm, the Psalmist starts us off with our basic instruction in life: that we are to trust God, Who instructs and teaches us in the right way to go, and Who guides us Himself with His eyes... And we can know for certain if we have obeyed well, because His sure promises will be clearly manifested in our lives: that unlike the wicked and stubborn who will encounter many sorrows, the one that trusts God will receive abundant mercy, and will be glad and rejoice...

#HappySeptember13

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, how careful we may be, however much we give our best, because of the selfishness and greed of some, we still encounter tragedy, suffering, and pain... Yet, we can always count on God's faithfulness, "our fortress and rock (v. 3)", the "keeper of our spirits" (v. 5), "Who has our times in His hands" (v. 15), "Who lays down and grants great goodness to all those who fear Him" (v. 19), and "Who shows marvelous kindness even in a strong and fearful city" (v. 21)... May we heed the challenge of the Psalmist, as he encourages us to love God, to be faithful, and not to boast but be confident inwardly that we can and will do our best for Him as a manifestation of what we believe (v. 23)... And as we derive good courage from His sure promises and constant provision, may we receive from Him strength--physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually--and hope...

#HappySeptember12midnight

For those who have put their trust in God, it is not always sunshine and roses; for the worries, cares and sorrows of life may trouble us even through the night... But God in His mercy, gives us joy in the morning, in the grace that He gives us by keeping us alive... And so, may we not trust in our own prosperity, relying on it for security, for it is only God who can help us, give us strength and enable us to stand strong... It is only Him who can turn our mourning into dancing, that He may be glorified through our lives...

#HappySeptember12

Here one can know if they have their priorities straight, and their hearts in the right place; when, in times of honor and recognition, we give glory to God instead of promoting ourselves; when, in times of suffering and pain, we can still give glory to God, and worship Him, not because we are worthy, or we feel good and righteous, but because God alone is worth lifting up and worshipping, in the beauty of the holiness which He alone can give... And then we reap what is the real reward: through trials and tribulations, even in sorrow, He will give us strength, He will bless us with peace...

#HappySeptember11midnight

We are such needy creatures, and rightly so, for without God, we are nothing... All that we have, all that we do, can only find meaning and fulfillment with His strength, His anointing and saving grace...

"Blessed be the Lord, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him. The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever." (v. 6-9)

#HappySeptember11

Even in the midst of persecution and hardship, we have a true partner and companion...

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?...For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock...Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." (v. 1, 5, 14)

#HappySeptember10midnight

In these times of tragedy, suffering and pain, it is not a soul-searching that we need, as if our souls have been lost, but rather, an examination of our hearts, our motivations, our principles, and our ways of life, measuring them against Truth, and against the will and the Word of God... Maybe then God will hear, He will heal, and He will save; because He does, in fact, but only those whose hearts humbly seek Him and obey His call... May we have the wisdom to heed His Word...

#HappySeptember10

 Even though we are sinners, with such weak resolve in life, but because God is good, He helps and protects those who trust Him; and leads through the right and secure path, those who humbly submit to His leading... May we all make the right choice today, and for the rest of our waking days...

#HappySeptember09midnight

 The Lord, the King of Glory, actually owns everything we see around us... It is but right that we prove ourselves responsible stewards, not be greedy or selfish or clingy of these things because we can not bring them with us when we die, and to give Him the glory, honor and praise...

#HappySeptember09

 "le Seigneur est mon berger"... The first line of the twenty third Psalm, as translated into French, evokes images of being in a lush pasture or forest garden, on top of a hill or mountain, because that is precisely what 'Berg' means (pasture on top of a mountain or hill, and 'berger', meaning shepherd or gardener)... An apt description of the inner peace and confidence of one who can truly yet humbly declare the words of this Psalm, as engraved in our hearts... So that no matter the floods of problem or despair, we feel secure in the knowledge that our God keeps our spirits safe... That even if our physical bodies get sick or exhausted, He is always with us to refresh, restore, heal especially inwardly, and make us dwell in His presence, if we so choose, forever...

#HappySeptember08midnight

 The Messiah's passion Psalm... Teaches us humility in the face of hardship, patience in the time of affliction, trust in the time of difficulty, hope in the time of trouble... For God hears those who come to Him in faith, and in meekness depend on Him for help and deliverance... Even to a generation of descendants, a people yet to be born, He will still do mightily, and pour out and declare His glory, His power, His mercy and grace...

#HappySeptember08

 Whether King or High leader, poor country man or miserable slum dweller: whoever trusts in the Lord, by His mercy, they shall not be moved... Those who humbly ask God for life, will be given eternal life and more - - healing, deliverance, salvation; while their oppressors become God's enemies, and will be destroyed, along with their descendants... May we have the wisdom and courage to choose the right side...

#HappySeptember07midnight

 Though we have nothing, though we are nobody, yet we can trust in our God, who hears and saves those who trust in Him...

#HappySeptember07

 Yes, indeed, from our atmosphere up to the cosmos beyond, God's glory is revealed... And even in the strongest and darkest storms, we can have hope, we can learn patience and endurance, we can gain wisdom and understanding... For we know that whether those that govern all creation, or those that must be used in the administration of human relations and the affairs of people, His laws and ordering are perfect and complete; and His promises of provision, care, protection and security, are true...

#HappySeptember06midnight

"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies."... When God is our defense and shield, our victory, there is nothing to fear against the enemy...

#HappySeptember06

 May we behold God's countenance in righteousness, unafraid, confident, full of hope and joy, even if the whole world should turn against us, or turn its back on us... For we have a God who rejoices in making us the apple of His eye, who delivers and heals, all those who trust in Him alone...

#HappySeptember05midnight

 We can always strive to be in company with, and be surrounded by the people we love and care about; but the only affirmation we need is God's, who preserves and restores those who trust and worship Him alone, and in whose presence, there is fullness of joy...

#HappySeptember05

 The person who lives in integrity and fairness will abide by God's presence, and not be shaken by the storms of life...

#HappySeptember04midnight

 Unlike what unbelievers and atheists think, God is not just an abstract concept or convenient cause of those who could not plumb the real essence of life... For even the full height, extent and depth of human philosophy and understanding could never fathom His being... He is real, and He rules the affairs of those who live right by Him: in justice and fairness, in deliverance and restoration, in grace and power, in mercy and love...

#HappySeptember04

 Sometimes, like the Psalmist, we also think that God is taking too long in answering our prayers... Yet, like him, we can realize too that God will always do things in His proper timing... As He had given us so bountifully in the past; so will He not fail to give us the healing, deliverance, breakthrough, growth and advancement we deserve, at the right time, and when He believes we are ready for it...

#HappySeptember03midnight

There will soon be a fitting end to all liars, flatterers, and wicked abusers and oppressors; for the Lord will rise and defend the poor and needy who humbly appeal to Him for help...

#HappySeptember03

 We are all tried and tested... And while the Lord hates those who remain prideful and ignorant; He watches over those who repent, reform, and humbly obey His guidance...

#HappySeptember02midnight

 Even wicked and cruel, rude, oppressive, abusive, and offensive, people have Psalms dedicated for them... But only to remind us that no matter how much harm they inflict on the innocent, the poor, the humble, God will hear the cause and cries of the latter, save and strengthen them, and punish the evildoers... So, however difficult the situation and unfortunate the circumstance, there is no reason to give in to our baser nature and lash out at others, verbally or physically, because God always hears, and dispenses right judgment...

#HappySeptember02

 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed and the humble... And it is not something to brag about; nor a license for complacency, abuse, or feel superior of and be entitled to; but one that we should be deeply and meekly eternally grateful for...

#HappySeptember01midnight

 We thank God that for the glory of His excellent Name, He has given us stewardship of His creation... May we prove ourselves responsible and worthy...

#HappySeptember01

[eternal-echoes]

Day 4 – Monday, August 3rd to August 4th, 1942 At the Amersfoort transit-camp

When the vans reached the camp, they emptied their passengers who were taken over by the S.S. guards. These began to drive them, cursing and swearing, beating them on their backs with their truncheons, into a hut where they were to pass the night without having had a meal.

The hut was divided into two sections, one for men, one for women. It was separated from the main lager by a barbed-wire fence. Altogether, the lager held at that moment, about three hundred men, women and children.

The beds were iron frames arranged in a double tier, without mattresses of any kind. Our prisoners threw themselves on the bare springs trying to snatch a few minutes sleep; but few slept that night, if only because the guards kept switching the lights off and on, from time to time, as a precaution against attempts to escape, which was next to impossible in any case. Their cold harsh voices filled the prisoners with anxiety about the future and, in these circumstances, it is anxiety which can turn a prison into a hell on earth.

The religious grouped themselves spontaneously into a little community which regarded Saint Edith as its Superior, so unquestionable was the ascendancy of her spirit. Arrangements were made to recite the Breviary, the Rosary and to meditate. A copy of the Imitation of Christ which had been smuggled into the camp provided matter for meditation. The Confiteor was sung daily, despite the catcalls of the guards.

The two Trappist priests were unable to celebrate Holy Mass and distribute Holy Communion at Amersfoort; but they heard confessions and did what they could to redress the morale of the internees, shaken by the sudden change in their fortunes. Their presence was a blessing, all the more so, since it was generally felt that the journey was a ‘journey to heaven’ as one Sister put it; for them their would be no return. On one occasion, the guards stood the two Trappist Fathers against a wall and pointed their guns at them, in the presence of the Sisters — all for a joke.

The prisoners were resigned to their fate; no one criticized the Dutch Bishops for the pastoral letter, the publication of which was the immediate cause of their distress, for no one knew whether there were not other causes at work.

Twice a day the prisoners were granted a respite; they were allowed to walk around inside their barbed-wire enclosure for ten to fifteen minutes under the watchful eyes of their German guards. The hygienic facilities in the camp can be left to the imagination. The guards forced them to stand for hours waiting for the roll-call to take place. One starving internee picked up a piece of dry bread that had been thrown away; for the ‘theft’, the entire camp was punished by being made to stand for hours on end in the barracks-square, until they began to drop down from sheer exhaustion. It was the signal for a series of kickings and beatings as the guards tried to force their prisoners onto their feet again.

Gospel Readings

“You will then be handed over for punishment and execution and men of all nations will hate you for your allegiance to me.” Matthew 24:9

“Jesus was led off under arrest to the house of Caiaphas the High Priest, where the lawyers and elders were assembled … The chief priests and the whole Council tried to find some allegation against Jesus on which a death-sentence could be based, but they failed to find one … The High Priest tore his robes and exclaimed, ‘Blasphemy! Need we call further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What is your opinion?’ ‘He is guilty,’ they answered; ‘he should die.’ Then they spat in his face and beat him with their fists.” Matthew 26:57

“The men who were guarding Jesus mocked him. They beat him, they blindfolded him and they kept asking him, ‘Now, prophet, who hit you? Tell us that.’ And so they went on, heaping insults upon him.” Luke 22: 63-65

“Herod and his troops treated him with contempt and ridicule.” Luke 23:11

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be (Any suitable prayer may be said here) Saint Edith, Pray For Us!

[lifeofresulullah]

The Life of The Prophet Muhammad: Before His Birth, His Birth and His Childhood

The Prophet is Given to a Foster Mother: Part 1

The universe, which rejoined its master was joyful. The heart of Arabia, which harbored the person that would provide the heart of humanity with light and peace, was very excited.

Makkah, in which the unmatched event of the universe took place, was so excited and joyful that it was as if it wanted to fly to the lofty realms.

Hazrat Amina was peaceful and jubilant. It was as if the sweet smiles of her lovely child were helping her to forget a tinge of the intense pain that she felt over her husband’s death. Her child was her only consolation that secured her hope for the future.

The fortunate Amina could only suckle her glorious child for a week. After this, Abu Lahab’s handmaiden, Lady Suwayba became the wet nurse of the Master of the Universe and suckled him for days. 

Before that, Lady Suwayba had nourished Hazrat Hamza. In this way, she had attained the fortune and honor of being the means of joining the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his esteemed uncle as foster brothers.

The Master of the Universe (PBUH), who possessed such virtue and feelings of faithfulness, never forgot the smallest favors that people did for him, nor did he leave them unrequited. Throughout his entire life, he never forgot Lady Suwayba who nourished him for a period of time. He would frequently visit her and would always show her kindness, respect, and pay her compliments.

Yes, faithfulness was the foundation of good manners that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) brought to the face of the Earth. The smallest trace of ingratitude cannot be found in the immaculate and upright life of our Beloved Messenger (PBUH).

At one point in time, Hazrat Khadija, who had taken lessons from the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) virtue and gratitude, wanted to purchase Lady Suwayba, who would frequently visit Hazrat Khadija’s home, for the purpose of setting her free; however, Abu Lahab did not lend himself to this idea. It was not until after the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) migration to Medina that Abu Lahab freed Lady Suwayba on his own.

Abu Lahab was our Holy Prophet ‘s (PBUH) own paternal uncle. Afterward, he did not testify and admit to the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) Prophethood; he did not forsake being a pagan and did not refrain from his attempts in being our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) biggest enemy, either. For this reason, he incurred the wrath of Allah and did not earn a value that is equivalent to the nail of his slave, Lady Suwayba. In fact, it has been explained that because of Lady Suwayba, Abu Lahab has obtained a driblet of grace in the afterlife.

After his death, he was seen in a dream where he was found screaming in the severe punishment of hell. They asked him: “Why are you screaming? What is the matter?”

He answered: “What else could be the matter? The absence of water is making me burn! I never saw any good in my life, yet I did find one fortune: Because I set the woman, who nourished Muhammad, free, I have been spared the opportunity to absorb water and be watered” and as he said this, he showed his index finger (the finger that testifies faith). 

This incident is certainly a case in point. A ferocious enemy of Islam, like Abu Lahab, who did not refrain from oppressing, torturing, and insulting the Master of the Universe throughout his entire life, was the recipient of such beneficence and grace and a tinge of his punishment in hell was alleviated. This means that best done not only upon our Beloved Messenger PBUH but also upon those who have served him, is also not left unrequited by God Almighty’s grace and beneficence.

In addition, one should think of the greatness in gifts, favors, and Divine endowments of the eternal realm that are awaiting those who have made the Master of the Universe (PBUH) their absolute imam and guide in every matter and the true believers who have felt honored to uphold his Sunnah on the Earth.

The Custom of Giving Babies to Wet Nurses

Mecca’s weather was hot and muggy. It did was not good for the children’s delicate nature and was not a favorable condition for a healthy upbringing. In the desert, the weather was nice, the water was sweet and clean, life was easy, and the climate was mild. Besides, some of the tribes that lived in the desert had a language and diction that was smooth and sharp. They maintained their nobility and practiced good conduct.

Based on this, the Qurayshi gentry and leading figures practiced the custom of handing their children over to the tribal women in the desert to be breastfed for a cost, so that their children could grow and be brought up under healthier conditions and to learn and speak a dialect of Arabic that was appropriate in its essential form. The child would remain with his/her wet nurse for 2-3 years, and sometimes even more.

For this reason, many tribes that lived in the uplands/prairies, Sa’d bin Bakr’s tribe in particular, would have a caravan of women go to Mecca a few times a year in which the women would take the newly-born infants with them to their homeland for the purpose of nourishment.

Among the tribes in the vicinity of Mecca, Sa’d bin Bakr’s tribe was the one that had acquired fame since it was distinguished for its honor, generosity, chivalry, humility, and speaking Arabic properly. For this reason, the leading figures of Quraysh mostly wanted to hand the custody of their children over to the women of this tribe.

The Arrival of the Women from Bani Bakr’s Tribe to Mecca

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was being nourished by Lady Suwayba.

At that time, a strong drought was prevalent in the homeland of Sad’s sons although such a strong drought had not occurred till then. The drought resulted in a famine that left the tribal community poor and miserable. It was so bad that they had difficulty finding something to eat. Their camels and sheep had weakened and their milk had ceased.

During this year of intense famine and drought, the tribeswomen of the Bani Bakr had gone to Mecca in a crowded procession with the intention of finding a child to nourish and of obtaining a portion of their livelihood.

All of the women, with the exception of one extraordinary lady, had chosen a child who was appropriate for them. Strangely enough, none of them chose nor approached our Beloved Messenger (PBUH) because they thought they would not be able to obtain much money and help since he was an orphan.

There was only one woman who arrived late in Mecca. She was distinguished among her tribe for her decency, cleanliness, gentleness, and modesty. Due to their old and frail donkey, Halima and her husband had fallen behind the rest of the procession. When they entered Mecca, all of the newly-born Qurayshi children, with the exception of one very extraordinary infant, had been chosen by the women of the Bani Bakr tribe that were at the forefront.  With the fate and wisdom of the Possessor of the Absolute Power, Halima could not find anyone in need of nourishment.

Her husband, Harith, was sad, too. All of their friends shared the children of wealthy families among themselves. She was the only one who was left empty-handed and it was only because she arrived late.

This virtuous woman, who now had a pale and sad countenance and was unaware of the plan that Divine fate had drawn for her, wandered the streets of Mecca with despair and the distress of not being able to find an appropriately fitting child.

Incidentally, she encountered an old man with a friendly face and who, through his presence, summoned the respect of his surroundings. This individual was Abdulmuttalib, the grandfather of the Master of the Universe (PBUH). They looked at each other as if they had been looking to become the relief for their troubles. Then they began to engage in conversation:

Abdulmuttalib asked, “Where are you from?”

Halima: “I am a woman from the Bani Sa’d Tribe” (Sons of Fortune/Luck)

Abdulmuttalib: “What is your name?”

She answered, “Halima”.

Abdulmuttalib: “How wonderful! How wonderful!  Fortune and gentleness are two traits that carry the beneficence of this world and the honor and glory of the afterlife” After he said this, Abdulmuttalib took a deep breath and followed with: "Oh, Halima! I have an orphaned child next to me. I offered him to the women of the Sons of Sa’d but they did not accept him. Come and be the wet nurse of this child. Maybe you will attain prosperity, wealth, and fortune for taking care of him”.

At first, Halima became hesitant upon hearing this unexpected offer. However, she did not want to return to her homeland empty-handed. For this reason, she overcame her hesitation and accepted the offer from within. Nevertheless, she did not want to disclose her answer without first asking and receiving permission from her husband. She immediately returned to her husband and after she explained everything to him she said, “I was unable to find a child to nourish. I do not favor going back empty-handed among my friends. By God, I am going to take that orphan”.

Her husband, Harith, supported her view and said, “There is no harm in taking him. Perhaps Allah will endow us with prosperity and blessings thanks to him”. 

Upon this, they returned to Abdulmuttalib.

Abdulmuttalib took Halima to Hazrat Amina’s modest home which the Beloved Prophet (PBUH) illuminated.

Halima went to our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) bedside. Our lovely Master (PBUH) was wrapped in a white fabric made from wool and was sleeping soundly on a blanket of green yarn. The surrounding smelled like musk!

Halima was in a state of amazement. She immediately warmed up to this child so much that she could not bear to wake him up!

The cloud of gloom and anguish had left Halima. She was so happy that it was as if she was walking on air. It was such a great bliss to have suddenly come across an infant of excessive beauty after squirming in the distress of not being able to find a child.

Halima could not resist anymore. She neared the Master of the Universe’s (PBUH) bedside very closely and slightly lifted the corner of his blanket. With a mother’s love and compassion, she kissed his forehead and hands that smelled like roses and that were softer than cotton and as white as snow.

At that moment, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) opened his eyes and replied to Halima’s kisses with a sweet smile. They got along with one another.

While one of them was in despair because of not being able to find a child, worn out, and downhearted, the other was a radiant orphan who had been rejected by the women. Fate had filled both of their worlds with happiness.

The First Abundance

Our lovely Master (PBUH), who had captivated Halima’s heart, was now in her arms.

Yet, what was this? The breasts that had lacked milk for days were immediately filled with milk as soon as our Holy Prophet (PBUH) began to suck from them.

Halima was surprised and her husband, Harith, was in a state of amazement.

Her right nipple was in our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) mouth and her left nipple was in the mouth of his new foster brother, Abdullah, who was Halima’s son. From then on, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) would always drink from the right breast.

The Camel’s Breasts were filled with Milk

Halima was not willing to put the radiant orphan (PBUH) down from her lap for one second. They immediately bid their farewells to Abdulmuttalib and Hazrat Amina and departed from Mecca.

Teardrops were combined with Amina’s sadness. She had virtually become a cloud as she followed her radiant child.

That night, the Harith family had a peaceful sleep outside Mecca. When the morning came, Harith ran to milk their camels. Every nipple he touched had become a fountain of milk. He called out to Halima in amazement: “Oh Halima, know that you have taken a very holy and auspicious child!”

Halima affirmed her husband’s statement: “By God, I hope he is”.

Mecca was left behind.

Halima was riding on a female donkey and had the Master of the Universe (PBUH) in her arms. What happened to the weak, frail donkey that had fallen behind her friends? Where did this speed and steadiness come from? It was as if she was not the same donkey that Halima rode on her way to Mecca.

When she passed and left all the animals in the procession behind, Halima’s traveling companions were surprised and asked with astonishment, “Oh, Abu Zuaib’s daughter, shame on you. Why do you not wait for us? Or is the donkey that you are riding not the same as the one that you rode when you first came?”

The donkey was the same donkey. The only difference was that there was someone else on her, and he was the Master of the Universe (PBUH). The honor of carrying him (PBUH) had exhilarated that weak and frail animal.

“No, by God she is the same donkey; in fact, I’m not directing her. She is going steadily on her own. There is something strange about this”.

It was a shame that nobody from the procession was able to discern the reason for this difference and from where it came.

Yes, all of these occurrences were open proofs that this radiant-faced infant (PBUH) would embrace the future with his grandeur!

Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the Homeland of the Sons of Sa’d

Halima and her husband returned to their homeland after these peculiar occurrences.

Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) would now remain in the land of the Sons of Sa’d.

At that time, intense drought and famine were prevalent in the area. The soil’s abundance had been cut-off, the wells and fountains did not have water, faces were pale, and the animals did not have the strength to stand on their feet.

However, the view suddenly changed when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) arrived. Before his arrival, the animals were not able to find any grasses to eat but now they were filled to repletion. Their breasts were overflowing with milk and like a fountain of mercy, they were pouring it continuously. There were no longer any pale faces in Halima’s home.

The other inhabitants of the area were still experiencing a famine and were continuing to suffer in a circle of hardship. Their animals were still frail, weak, and did not provide adequate milk.

It was as if those who did not accept our Holy Prophet (PBUH) for being an “orphan” were being punished by having to remain in deprivation.

The upland folk was about to burst from curiosity when they saw this situation before their eyes. They could not understand what they saw. They were blaming their shepherds and were scolding them: “How do Halima’s sheep get full? As they walk, milk continuously drops from their nipples. Who knows where she is grazing her sheep? Why do you not go to the place where she goes and grazes your sheep there!?”

The shepherds knew for certain that their employers were being unfair in blaming them. The place where Halima was grazing her sheep was no different from where they were grazing theirs. For this reason, the shepherds were disputing this, however, their objections made no difference. This time, their employers added:

“Very well, how is it that while the sheep in your herd are having difficulty carrying themselves due to starvation, hers are being satiated and are returning with milk-filled breasts?”

Neither the shepherds nor their employers were able to find the answer to this question. All they could do was look at one another with wonder and bewilderment.

However, there was a reason for this and at that time, nobody other than Hazrat Halima and her husband knew what it was. When the shepherds came and asked what the reason was, Halima gave them this answer:

“By God, this is not about pasture or grass. This work is one of the many secrets of the Lord. Everything began on our return from Mecca!”

Of course, the shepherds were not able to understand much from these words; thus, they were unable to get rid of their curiosity.

This was the secret that the prairie folk were unable to conceive:

Since Halima had displayed generosity in accepting our Holy Prophet (PBUH), who is the most beloved to the Possessor of the Universe, Allah, her household was generously being endowed with gifts from His mercy.

Halima and her husband were very well aware of this and for that reason, they looked at this radiant infant in a different light. So to speak, they would protect him from a flying bird and the rising sun as they fluttered around him with great love and care.

[troybeecham]

Today, the Church remembers Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329– 25 January 390), also known as Gregory the Theologian, who was was a 4th-century Archbishop of Constantinople, and theologian. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age. As a classically trained orator and philosopher, he infused Hellenism into the early church, establishing the paradigm of Byzantine theologians and church officials.

Ora pro nobis.

Gregory made a significant impact on the shape of Trinitarian theology among both Greek- and Latin-speaking theologians, and he is remembered as the “Trinitarian Theologian”. Much of his theological work continues to influence modern theologians, especially in regard to the relationship among the three Persons of the Triune God. Along with the brothers Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, he is known as one of the Cappadocian Fathers.

Gregory is a saint in both Eastern and Western Christianity. In the Roman Catholic Church he is numbered among the Doctors of the Church; in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches he is revered as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, along with Basil the Great and John Chrysostom.

He is also one of only three men in the life of the Orthodox Church who have been officially designated “Theologian”, the other two being the Apostle St. John (the Evangelist), and St. Symeon the New Theologian.

After his baptism at age 30, Gregory gladly accepted his friend Basil’s invitation to join him in a newly founded monastery. The solitude was broken when Gregory’s father, a bishop, needed help in his diocese and estate. It seems that Gregory was ordained a priest practically by force, and only reluctantly accepted the responsibility. He skillfully avoided a schism that threatened when his own father made compromises with Arianism. At 41, Gregory was chosen suffragan bishop of Caesarea and at once came into conflict with Valens, the emperor, who supported the Arians.

An unfortunate by-product of the battle was the cooling of the friendship of two saints. Basil, his archbishop, sent him to a miserable and unhealthy town on the border of unjustly created divisions in his diocese. Basil reproached Gregory for not going to his see.

When protection for Arianism ended with the death of Valens, Gregory was called to rebuild the faith in the great see of Constantinople, which had been under Arian teachers for three decades. Retiring and sensitive, he dreaded being drawn into the whirlpool of corruption and violence. He first stayed at a friend’s home, which became the only orthodox church in the city. In such surroundings, he began giving the great sermons on the Trinity for which he is famous. In time, Gregory did rebuild the faith in the city, but at the cost of great suffering, slander, insults, and even personal violence. An interloper even tried to take over his bishopric.

Theodosius wanted to further unify the entire empire behind the orthodox position and decided to convene a church council to resolve matters of faith and discipline. Gregory was of similar mind in wishing to unify Christianity. In the spring of 381 they convened the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, which was attended by 150 Eastern bishops. After the death of the presiding bishop, Meletius of Antioch, Gregory was selected to lead the Council. Hoping to reconcile the West with the East, he offered to recognize Paulinus as Patriarch of Antioch. The Egyptian and Macedonian bishops who had supported Maximus’s ordination arrived late for the Council. Once there, they refused to recognise Gregory’s position as head of the church of Constantinople, arguing that his transfer from the See of Sasima was canonically illegitimate.

Gregory was physically exhausted and worried that he was losing the confidence of the bishops and the emperor. Rather than press his case and risk further division, he decided to resign his office: “Let me be as the Prophet Jonah! I was responsible for the storm, but I would sacrifice myself for the salvation of the ship. Seize me and throw me … I was not happy when I ascended the throne, and gladly would I descend it.” He shocked the Council with his surprise resignation and then delivered a dramatic speech to Theodosius asking to be released from his offices. The emperor, moved by his words, applauded, commended his labor and granted his resignation. The Council asked him to appear once more for a farewell ritual and celebratory orations. Gregory used this occasion to deliver a final address and then departed.

His last days were spent in solitude and austerity. He wrote religious poetry, some of it autobiographical, of great depth and beauty. He was acclaimed simply as “the Theologian.”

Throughout his life Gregory faced stark choices. Should he pursue studies as a rhetor or philosopher? Would a monastic life be more appropriate than public ministry? Was it better to blaze his own path or follow the course mapped for him by his father and Basil? Gregory’s writings illuminate the conflicts which both tormented and motivated him. Biographers suggest that it was this dialectic which defined him, forged his character and inspired his search for meaning and truth.

For those who, like you, seek the truth of God’s love above all things, even at great personal cost; for those called to the service of the Holy Church, but who do not truly find their rest within the machinations of institutions that are so often lead by those who seek personal glory; for sensitive souls like you who are placed in positions of authority, but are often misunderstood or ineffectual for lack of desire to rule over others, but rather desire to lead through teaching and preaching the wondrous mystery of God, by the pursuit of humility, by example of holiness of life, devotion to worship, prayer, and learning, and love for the God who is Love.

Amen