March, 2008
Tender heart, tender herb
As the Baha’i Fast is approaching its closure, I am reflecting on the experience of my heart these past few weeks. A sweet video that was sent by a friend captures it very nicely — “The Baha’i Fasting: 51 Reasons Why”. I particularly like this reason: During fasting the heart becomes tender and the spirituality [...]
Spirit and Nature
This morning I witnessed a wonderful discussion on the Wilmette Institute forum and with permission from the participants, I will repost Brent’s response to Ernest: Ernest observes: “Is it that things of the spirit are not subject to strict mathematical laws?” I think that’s a good observation. When God decided to give us water, He [...]
Playing pick-a-boo with God
Sometime ago the thought for a posting titled “Playing pick-a-boo with God” came to mind following an interesting interplay with my two-year old daugther but I never had the time to follow up and write it. I feel, the time now is right. Here is the original story that prompted the idea for the title: [...]
The Greater Covenant of Baha’u'llah
The Greater Covenant of Baha’u’llah — the promise that God will never leave us alone and will send yet another messenger — is yet another chapter in “the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future”. The Bab writes: “The Lord of the universe hath never raised up a prophet nor [...]
National Public Radio on Baha’i Virtues Classes
Everybody in the Baha’i community here in Northern Virginia is excited about a story broadcast this morning on National Public Radio: “Class Teaches Virtues to Children of Many Faiths”. Praised be God, this is a wonderful story and the world needs more of these! In the past decade, the Baha’i faith has sponsored about 900 [...]
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver
This morning a friend sent this story. It is beautiful — enjoy it! Malachi 3:3 says: ‘He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.‘ This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to [...]
The sign of love and the meaning of calamity
O SON OF MAN! For everything there is a sign. The sign of love is fortitude under My decree and patience under My trials. (Baha’u’llah, The Arabic Hidden Words) O SON OF MAN! My calamity is My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy. Hasten thereunto that thou [...]
You’ve been reading Gleanings for more than a week?
I got an email today from the Bookshelf application on Facebook: “You’ve been reading ‘Gleanings from the Writings…’ for more than a week. Still true?” This question made me smile — how is it possible to complete reading “Gleanings” in a week? I truly think one could read and reread and refer and come back [...]
The bounty of fasting
Whatsoever the Creator commandeth His creatures to observe, the same must they diligently, and with the utmost joy and eagerness, arise and fulfill. They should in no wise allow their fancy to obscure their judgment, neither should they regard their own imaginings as the voice of the Eternal. In the Prayer of Fasting We have [...]
