Befriended Stranger

Praised be God for a wonderful day which could have been better only if I were with my loved ones. But I am learning to be content with whatever God has provided. Which is exactly what started my talk on the Covenant of God, today at the DC Baha’i Center…

One day, when I was in 7th grade I asked my mom what were we going to have for dinner. She replied “Whatever God has provided.” I arrogantly responded, “Come on, you cooked it, what does God have to do with it, plus where do you see a God? We have laws of physics, Newton, science, but no God.” My mom, in her gentle wisdom replied “There is a power that holds the universe together, even though you do not see it, that is God, you will see it one day.”

O SON OF MAN!
Be thou content with Me and seek no other helper. For none but Me can ever suffice thee.

Baha’u'llah

Many years later, I indeed see God, in His creation and through His Messengers. And with small steps I am learning to see the world through His eyes.

My encounter with Rafael the other day and my conversation with Ciara yesterday after the Convention Report, inspired me to think of ways to share the healing message of Baha’u'llah with people in my own neighborhood. I had been thinking of the homeless people who sleep on the benches next to Arlington Central Library. Reading today the first chapter of “Life at First Sight“, a lovely collection of Phyllis Edgerly Ring’s essays on seeing the world through the eye of the heart, made me decide that I do not need any special occasion or preparation but just a desire to go and share. So, I got a prayer book and the last few slices of the banana bread I had left and walked across the street.

There on a bench was a lady with piercing blue eyes and sad face, putting all her belongings in bags all around her. As I approached her, she looked at me with guarded eyes. I greeted her and asked if I may offer a piece of the banana bread I had baked. She looked at me again and smiled. As I handed her the bread and explained the ingredients, she thanked me and visibly relaxed. I introduced myself, she tried spelling my name, then I asked about her name — Gloria.

Then I asked Gloria if I could offer a prayer and what should the prayer be for? She said “To help with my situation”. I offered a prayer for assistance but felt that was not enough so I continued with:

O God!  Refresh and gladden my spirit.  Purify my heart.  Illumine my powers.  I lay all my affairs in Thy hand.  Thou art my Guide and my Refuge.  I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being.  O God!  I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me.  I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.

O God!  Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself.  I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

She really liked this one and I offered her the little prayer book. She asked me if I go to church and I told her that I am a Baha’i and what the Baha’is believe. She smiled longingly and said “This would be nice to happen one day”… It will…

I had to go then but will be back to visit Gloria.

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt
(King James Bible, Hebrews, 8:8-9)

Gather them, then, together around this Divine Law, the covenant of which Thou hast established with all Thy Prophets and Thy Messengers, and Whose ordinances Thou hast written down in Thy Tablets and Thy Scriptures. Raise them up, moreover, to such heights as will enable them to perceive Thy Call.
(Baha’u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha’u'llah, p. 106)

Dear friends!

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, music, fellowship, food cooked with love, tea poured in peace, cake shared
with smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator and recharges us for the week ahead.

I invite you and your loves ones to the regular Monday evening interfaith Prayer Station!

This Monday, June 1st, the theme is Divine Covenant. I have many books of prayers from different faith traditions but if you wish, feel free to bring your own prayer.

We’ll start at 7 pm with light refreshments followed by reading, at 7:30 pm, of selected Holy Writings from diverse religions on the theme
of Divine Covenant. We’ll also uplift and refresh our souls with music, and offer prayers as the spirit moves us.  We’ll conclude with
tea and cake.

We’ll also say prayers for anyone in need, so if you can’t join us and would like to request prayers please contact me.

In His service,
Mitko

He asked, “What is your name”.

I answered, “Mitko”.

He said, “Let me guess… You are from Russia?”

I said, “No, but close enough — from Bulgaria. And what is your name?”

“Rafael,” he said, “from Mexico but grew up in this country since I was 12″.

He was sitting next to me on the bus, probably homeless, one of the people who always carry all their belongings in bags. He had reminded me that my bicycle’s light was on. I had forgotten to turn it off after the torrential rain made me reconsider biking back home and instead go on the bus. At the next bus stop I gingerly jumped out, turned off the back light and went back on the bus. Rafael then reminded me that not only the back light was on but the front one too. Another bus stop, another quick run to the bike rack in front of the bus to turn off the front light.

Back at the bus, I searched my backpack, found a card and gave it to Rafael:

He turned it back and read:

He looked at me and said “I like it. I will give it as a gift to my wife, her name is Rosa”.

I smiled and said, “Rafael, you have a kind heart and I thank you for your care. Not many people would have cared to let me know about the forgotten light”.

He smiled back and said “We are running out of money, you might be running out of battery. More importantly, we need to respect each other. We are all humans.”

I said “This is so true. And we are all members of one human family”.

He replied “Yes, indeed”

Then I pulled the second card and gave it to him:

He looked at it, turned it back and started reading out loud:

Adoration of One God and Reconciliation of all Major Religions — true, Rafael said.

Appreciation of the Diversity and Nobility of the Human Family — that is what I am talking about, he said…

…and Elimination of All Prejudice — he nodded.

Establishment of World Peace, Equality of Women and Men, and Universal Education — he kept on nodding.

Cooperation between Science and Religion in the Individual’s Search for Truth — always, he said, search for truth!

Spreading Hope, Joy, and a Positive Vision of Humanity’s Future — very nice, Rafael said, having read all of this so loud and clear that the people on the bus around us could hear it.

Then he asked, “So what religion are you?”

I replied, “The Baha’i Faith, this is what the Baha’is believe” giving him the card he had given me back, just as the bus reached its destination. Seconds later, busied with my bike, I lost my new friend, Rafael, to the crowd. But now he has a card to guide him on the search for truth.

Dear friends, I would like to invite you to the commemoration of the Ascension of Baha’u'llah in Arlington, VA, starting this Thursday night, May 28th at 10 pm and culminating with the reading of the Tablet of Visitation on Friday, May 29th, at 4 am.

We will gather on Thursday night at 10 pm for refreshments and a choice of activities:

1) A selection of Baha’i movies:

• “The Promise of All Ages” – a documentary about the life of Baha’u'llah
• “Pilgrimage: A Sacred Experience” – a beautiful video meditation on the sacred experience of Baha’i pilgrimage
• “Smith & Dragoman: Live in Concert” – a live recording of the concert performance of the extremely talented Baha’i band Smith & Dragoman from Canada
• “Embrace the World Tour” – a documentary about the U.S. tour of an international group of talented Baha’i musicians bringing about the oneness of humanity through their music
• “The Noble Thief” – a moving one-man-play about the spiritual transformation of a flawed but sincere man through his growing love of Baha’u'llah

2) A board game called “Spiritual Pursuit” which would test our knowledge of the Baha’i Faith, its teachings and history.

We will continue with a devotional program of Holy Writings, Prayers and Sacred Songs starting at 3 am and culminating with the reading of the Tablet of Visitation at 4 am early Friday morning:

The praise which hath dawned from Thy most august Self, and the glory which hath shone forth from Thy most effulgent Beauty, rest upon Thee, O Thou Who art the Manifestation of Grandeur, and the King of Eternity, and the Lord of all who are in heaven and on earth! I testify that through Thee the sovereignty of God and His dominion, and the majesty of God and His grandeur, were revealed, and the Daystars of ancient splendor have shed their radiance in the heaven of Thine irrevocable decree, and the Beauty of the Unseen hath shone forth above the horizon of creation. I testify, moreover, that with but a movement of Thy Pen Thine injunction “Be Thou” hath been enforced, and God’s hidden Secret hath been divulged, and all created things have been called into being, and all the Revelations have been sent down.

I bear witness, moreover, that through Thy beauty the beauty of the Adored One hath been unveiled, and through Thy face the face of the Desired One hath shone forth, and that through a word from Thee Thou hast decided between all created things, caused them who are devoted to Thee to ascend unto the summit of glory, and the infidels to fall into the lowest abyss.

I bear witness that he who hath known Thee hath known God, and he who hath attained unto Thy presence hath attained unto the presence of God. Great, therefore, is the blessedness of him who hath believed in Thee, and in Thy signs, and hath humbled himself before Thy sovereignty, and hath been honored with meeting Thee, and hath attained the good pleasure of Thy will, and circled around Thee, and stood before Thy throne. Woe betide him that hath transgressed against Thee, and hath denied Thee, and repudiated Thy signs, and gainsaid Thy sovereignty, and risen up against Thee, and waxed proud before Thy face, and hath disputed Thy testimonies, and fled from Thy rule and Thy dominion, and been numbered  with the infidels whose names have been inscribed by the fingers of Thy behest upon Thy holy Tablets.

Waft, then, unto me, O my God and my Beloved, from the right hand of Thy mercy and Thy loving-kindness, the holy breaths of Thy favors, that they may draw me away from myself and from the world unto the courts of Thy nearness and Thy presence. Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. Thou, truly, hast been supreme over all things.

The remembrance of God and His praise, and the glory of God and His splendor, rest upon Thee, O Thou Who art His Beauty! I bear witness that the eye of creation hath never gazed upon one wronged like Thee. Thou wast immersed all the days of Thy life beneath an ocean of tribulations. At one time Thou wast in chains and fetters; at another Thou wast threatened by the sword of Thine enemies. Yet despite all this, Thou didst enjoin upon all men to observe what had been prescribed unto Thee by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

May my spirit be a sacrifice to the wrongs Thou didst suffer, and my soul be a ransom for the adversities  Thou didst sustain. I beseech God, by Thee and by them whose faces have been illumined with the splendors of the light of Thy countenance, and who, for love of Thee, have observed all whereunto they were bidden, to remove the veils that have come in between Thee and Thy creatures, and to supply me with the good of this world and the world to come. Thou art, in truth, the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Glorious, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Compassionate.

Bless Thou, O Lord my Lord, the Divine Lote-Tree and its leaves, and its boughs, and its branches, and its stems, and its offshoots, as long as Thy most excellent titles will endure and Thy most august attributes will last. Protect it, then, from the mischief of the aggressor and the hosts of tyranny. Thou art, in truth, the Almighty, the Most Powerful. Bless Thou, also, O Lord my God, Thy servants and Thy handmaidens who have attained unto Thee, Thou, truly, art the All-Bountiful, Whose grace is infinite. No God is there save Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.

- Bahá’u'lláh

Would you join me, even if just in spirit?

I am exhausted but amazed and grateful for the marvelous power of God’s Messenger for this day and age. Baha’u'llah is lining up for me both blessings and tests in such a remarkable way that there is no doubt His purpose is to cleanse me of all defilement and make me a purer channel of His love so I can get closer and closer to God.

The 3rd Baha’i Chorale Festival was just outstanding. I will be reflecting on this amazing experience later but just to mention briefly — the weekend was filled with encounters with amazing souls, each one of which had a silent gift to give me along with inspiration for more and more dedicated service to the Blessed Beauty and God’s creation.

I had many heartfelt talks with my wonderful roommate and many others and had an opportunity to pray and pray and pray at the Mother-Temple.

I did not have time to prepare for a solo with the Metropolitan Washington Baha’i Chorale but then Van Gilmer honored me with an opportunity to be part of a group of soloists who each contributed a different but beautiful voice to the gorgeous song “O Baha’u'llah”. What an honor to sing with Roya, George, Roxy, Sean and yes, Red Grammer, and 150 other talented singers at the top of my lungs “May my life be a sacrifice to Thee, may my soul be offered up for Thee”. What a spiritual experience to sing “I am going back to my Father”, then “He has come back as He said that He would and I am so glad I found Him” and finally “Rejoyce Ye With Great Joy”. Just wait for the “Sacred Songs III” live CD to be out! These two concerts were out of this world!

Coming back home I had soft landing into the “real” world with the Prayer Station which gave Baher and me an opportunity to encourage a seeker who had grown up in a Baha’i family but is now searching independently for truth. Is there any better way to look for the truth?

In addition to the prayers and selection of Holy Writings on the theme of Divine Remembrance, we listened to two songs, the first one of which was “Cause Me To Taste” by Van Gilmer from the Canadian performance of the Metropolitan Washington Baha’i Chorale:

Cast not away, O my Lord, him that hath turned towards Thee, nor suffer him who hath drawn nigh unto Thee to be removed far from Thy court. Dash not the hopes of the suppliant who hath longingly stretched out his hands to seek Thy grace and favors, and deprive not Thy sincere servants of the wonders of Thy tender mercies and loving-kindness. Forgiving and Most Bountiful art Thou, O my Lord! Power has Thou  to do what Thou pleasest. All else but Thee are impotent before the revelations of Thy might, are as lost in the face of the evidences of Thy wealth, are as nothing when compared with the manifestations of Thy transcendent sovereignty, and are destitute of all strength when face to face with the signs and tokens of Thy power. What refuge is there beside Thee, O my Lord, to which I can flee, and where is there a haven to which I can hasten? Nay, the power of Thy might beareth me witness! No protector is there but Thee, no place to flee to except Thee, no refuge to seek save Thee. Cause me to taste, O my Lord, the divine sweetness of Thy remembrance and praise. I swear by Thy might! Whosoever tasteth of its sweetness will rid himself of all attachment to the world and all that is therein, and will set his face towards Thee, cleaned from the remembrance of anyone except Thee.
(Baha’u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha’u'llah, p. 82)

The second one was a gorgeous rendition by Ava of “Ay Yadeh To / Thy Remembrance”. Ava was gracious enough to respond to my request for help with the translation of the lyrics to this beautiful Persian song. She replied:

“I’m glad that you are playing this song. The song is about how when you remember Him, all the sadness will go away, and you ask Him (The Blessed Beauty) to be on your side… And you will get more power and strength by saying Allah’u'Abha…”

I will keep on remembering Him for He has never forgotten me:

I bear witness that Thou hadst turned toward Thy servants ere they had turned toward Thee, and hadst remembered them ere they had remembered Thee.

Allah’u'Abha! God is All-Glorious!

I am on my way to Chicago to participate in the 3rd Baha’i Chorale Festival. Come see me perform with 150 other singers at the Baha’i House of Worship on Sunday, May 24th, 2009. There will be two concerts, at 10 am and 12:30 pm. And as part of the chorale festival I will get to solo with the Washington Metropolitan Baha’i Chorale. This should all be fun and very refreshing change from the grueling weeks.

Part of the fun will be seeing old and new friends. Curiously, my hotel roommate will be no other than Red Grammer, the Grammy Award nominated singer. See Red perform his “See Me Beautiful” at the Great Wall of China:

And as promised to myself and a dear soul who played instrumental role in my healing, I have started taking a series of online courses on the Tanakh, the New Testament and overall Christianity. I will be writing more about my study progress in due time.

Until then, remain in peace and in God’s All-Embracing Grace!

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
(King James Bible, John 20:16)

It is my hope that your hearts may become as ready ground, carefully tilled and prepared, upon which the divine showers of the bounties of the Blessed Perfection may descend and the zephyrs of this divine springtime may blow with quickening breath. Then will the garden of your hearts bring forth its flowers of delightful fragrance to refresh the nostril of the heavenly Gardener.
(Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 23)

Dear friends!

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, music, fellowship, food cooked with love, tea poured in peace, cake shared with smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator and recharges us for the week ahead.

I invite you and your loves ones to the regular Monday evening interfaith Prayer Station!
I have many books of prayers from different faith traditions but if you wish, feel free to bring your own prayer.

We’ll start at 7 pm with light refreshments followed by reading, at 7:30 pm, of selected Holy Writings from diverse religions on the theme of Divine Gardener. We’ll also uplift and refresh our souls with music, and offer prayers as the spirit moves us.  We’ll conclude with tea and cake.

We’ll also say prayers for anyone in need, so if you can’t join us and would like to request prayers please contact me.

The gem of tonight’s study circle was this profound quotation on the need for humility when speaking of God and His Manifestations:

They who are the beloved of God, in whatever place they gather and whomsoever they may meet, must evince, in their attitude towards God, and in the manner of their celebration of His praise and glory, such humility and submissiveness that every atom of the dust beneath their feet may attest the depth of their devotion. The conversation carried by these holy souls should be informed with such power that these same atoms of dust will be thrilled by its influence. They should conduct themselves in such manner that the earth upon which they tread may never be allowed to address to them such words as these: “I am to be preferred above you. For witness, how patient I am in bearing the burden which the husbandman layeth upon me. I am the instrument that continually imparteth unto all beings the blessings with which He Who is the Source of all grace hath entrusted me. Notwithstanding the honor conferred upon me, and the unnumbered evidences of my wealth — a wealth that supplieth the needs of all creation — behold the measure of my humility, witness with what absolute submissiveness I allow myself to be trodden beneath the feet of men….”

(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 7)

These days I am practicing being peaceful in solitude. I am generally an extrovert and have for so long depended on the support of those around me, that it is a now challenge to be facing a war by myself — a war I never sought nor I ever envisioned but a war which is important nevertheless and which I strive to face with a peaceful heart; a war I would not be able to endure were it not for God, who alone can turn “abasement into glory, and weakness into strength, and powerlessness into might, and fear into calm, and doubt into certainty”.

Last night’s Prayer Station provided the perfect setting for meditation on the power and wisdom of God’s commandments — I was by myself — for the test of following the commandments is when you are on your own and nobody (but God) is looking. I followed the devotional program and started with the beautiful song “Neglect Not My Commandment” by Elika Mahony from her CD “Fire and Gold“:

39. O SON OF MAN!
Neglect not My commandments if thou lovest My beauty, and forget not My counsels if thou wouldst attain My good pleasure.
(Baha’u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)

Then I read from a selection of Holy Writings on the topic of Divine Commandments:

Say: From My laws the sweet smelling savor of My garment can be smelled, and by their aid the standards of victory will be planted upon the highest peaks. The Tongue of My power hath, from the heaven of My omnipotent glory, addressed to My creation these words: “Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty.” Happy is the lover that hath inhaled the divine fragrance of his Best-Beloved from these words, laden with the perfume of a grace which no tongue can describe. By My life! He who hath drunk the choice wine of fairness from the hands of My bountiful favor, will circle around My commandments that shine above the Day Spring of My creation.
(Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 332)

O people of God! Do not busy yourselves in your own concerns; let your thoughts be fixed  upon that which will rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and sanctify the hearts and souls of men. This can best be achieved through pure and holy deeds, through a virtuous life and a goodly behavior. Valiant acts will ensure the triumph of this Cause, and a saintly character will reinforce its power. Cleave unto righteousness, O people of Baha! This, verily, is the commandment which this wronged One hath given unto you, and the first choice of His unrestrained Will for every one of you.
(Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 93)

Happy is the man who will arise to serve My Cause, and glorify My beauteous Name. Take hold of My Book with the power of My might, and cleave tenaciously to whatsoever commandment thy Lord, the Ordainer, the All-Wise, hath prescribed therein.
(Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 68)

Happy is the man who will arise to serve My Cause, and glorify My beauteous Name. Take hold of My Book with the power of My might, and cleave tenaciously to whatsoever commandment thy Lord, the Ordainer, the All-Wise, hath prescribed therein.
(Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 68)

He who meditates on him, and everywhere and always lives according to his (commandments), and who, full of devotion, sees him who is difficult to be seen and subtle, will rejoice in (his) heaven.
(Buddhism, The Dharma Sutras, Apastamba Prasna I, Patala  8, Khanda 22)

Verily We sent messengers before thee, among them those of whom We have told thee, and some of whom We have not told thee; and it was not given to any messenger that he should bring a portent save by Allah’s leave, but when Allah’s commandment cometh (the cause) is judged aright, and the followers of vanity will then be lost.
(Islam, The Holy Qur’an (Pickthall tr), Sura  40 – The Forgiving One)

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
(Christianity, King James Bible, Mark)

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
(Christianity, King James Bible, Revelation)

And God spoke all these words, saying: I am the LORD thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness, of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down unto them, nor serve them; for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of them that love Me and keep My commandments.
(Judaism, Torah (Law), Shemos (Exodus))

If ye walk in My statutes, and keep My commandments, and do them; then I will give your rains in their season, and the land shall yield her produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

(Judaism, Torah (Law), Vayikra (Leviticus)

If, O ye mortals, ye mark those commandments which Mazda hath ordained — of happiness and pain, the long punishment for the follower of the Druj, and blessings for the followers of the Right — then hereafter shall it be well.

(Zoroastrianism, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasna)

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
(Christianity, King James Bible, 1 John)

The ordinances of God have been sent down from the heaven of His most august Revelation. All must diligently observe them. Man’s supreme distinction, his real advancement, his final victory, have always depended, and will continue to depend, upon them. Whoso keepeth the commandments of God shall attain everlasting felicity.
(Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 289)

Then another song followed, this time it was “Statutes” by Ali Youssefi‘s first CD “One Step Away” (speaking of Ali, his new CD “The Flight” is out but I will write more about it at a later time):

38. O SON OF BEING!
Walk in My statutes for love of Me and deny thyself that which thou desirest if thou seekest My pleasure.
(Baha’u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)

Now was time for prayers: I prayed for guidance, for protection, for healing, for my beautiful daughters, for those I love and for those I struggle to love. And then another song, “Attract the Hearts of Men” from TaliaSafa‘s CD whose lyrics come from the powerful quote:

Attract the hearts of men, through the call of Him, the one alone Beloved. Say: This is the Voice of God, if ye do but hearken. This is the Day Spring of the Revelation of God, did ye but know it. This is the Dawning-Place of the Cause of God, were ye to recognize it. This is the Source of the commandment of God, did ye but judge it fairly. This is the manifest and hidden Secret; would that ye might perceive it. O peoples of the world! Cast away, in My name that transcendeth all other names, the things ye possess, and immerse yourselves in this Ocean in whose depths lay hidden the pearls of wisdom and of utterance, an ocean that surgeth in My name, the All-Merciful. Thus instructeth you He with Whom is the Mother Book.
(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 33)

If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
(King James Bible, Exodus)

And Paradise shall be brought near to the pious, not far off. This is what ye are promised, to every one who turns frequently (to God) and keeps His commandments: who fears the Merciful in secret and brings a repentant heart. ‘Enter into it in peace: this is the day of eternity!’
(The Holy Qur’an (E.H. Palmer tr), Sura  50 – Q)

The ordinances of God have been sent down from the heaven of His most august Revelation. All must diligently observe them. Man’s supreme distinction, his real advancement, his final victory, have always depended, and will continue to depend, upon them. Whoso keepeth the commandments of God shall attain everlasting felicity.
(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 289)

Dear friends!

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, music, fellowship, food cooked with love, tea poured in peace, cake shared with smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator and recharges us for the week ahead.

I invite you and your loves ones to the regular Monday evening interfaith Prayer Station! I have many books of prayers from different faith traditions but if you wish, feel free to bring your own prayer.

We’ll start at 7 pm with light refreshments followed by reading, at 7:30 pm, of selected Holy Writings from diverse religions on the theme of Divine Commandments. We’ll also uplift and refresh our souls with music, and offer prayers as the spirit moves us.  We’ll conclude with tea and cake.

We’ll also say prayers for anyone in need, so if you can’t join us and would like to request prayers please contact me!