“We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high; make it not, therefore, as wings to self and passion.”

Dear friends!

And who hath a better religion than he who resigneth himself to God, who doth what is good, and followeth the faith of Abraham in all sincerity?

(The Qur’an, Sura 4 – Women)

The essence of religion is to testify unto that which the Lord hath revealed, and follow that which He hath ordained in His mighty Book… The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds; he whose words exceed his deeds, know verily his death is better than his life.
(Baha’u'llah, Tablets of Baha’u'llah, p. 155)

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, music, fellowship, tea poured in peace, banana bread baked with love and shared with a smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing songs and prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator and recharges us for the days ahead.In anticipation of World Religion Day, I invite you and your loves ones to a Prayer Station dedicated to the theme of “Religion and Faith “ on Thursday, January 12th at 7:30 pm.

O ye who believe! fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam (submission).
And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make his signs clear to you: that ye may be guided.
Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong; they are the ones to attain felicity.
(Islam, Quran, Surih 3, 102 – 104)

Know verily that the essence of justice and the source thereof are both embodied in the ordinances prescribed by Him Who is the Manifestation of the Self of God amongst men, if ye be of them that recognize this truth. He doth verily incarnate the highest, the infallible standard of justice unto all creation. Were His law to be such as to strike terror into the hearts of all that are in heaven and on earth, that law is naught but manifest justice. The fears and agitation which the revelation of this law provokes in men’s hearts should indeed be likened to the cries of the suckling babe weaned from his mother’s milk, if ye be of them that perceive. Were men to discover the motivating purpose of God’s Revelation, they would assuredly cast away their fears, and, with hearts filled with gratitude, rejoice with exceeding gladness.
(Baha’i Faith, Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 175)

Dear friends!

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, music, fellowship, tea poured in peace, banana bread baked with love and shared with a smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing songs and prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator and recharges us for days ahead.

I invite you and your loves ones to a Prayer Station dedicated to the theme of “Gratitude” on Thursday, December 15th at 7:30 pm.

We read selections of the Holy Writings and Prayers from different faith traditions on the theme of “Gratitude”. Feel free to bring your own books of prayer or inspirational poetry. There will be also uplifting and soul-refreshing music followed by tea and sweets. Prayers will be offered for anyone in need, so if you can’t join us and would like to request prayers please contact me.

Like her Canadian prairie home, Munirih Sparrow’s sound is acoustically uncluttered and softly joyous; her groove is strong and soulful. You’ll be moved by her voice and story. Sparrow weaves Baha’i prayers and originally written songs resulting in an intimate performance exploring the interplay of spirituality and art. The performance is intuitive and genuine, leaving you with the feeling that you’ve just made a new friend.

Dear friends!

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, music, fellowship, tea poured in peace, banana bread baked with love and shared with a smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing songs and prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator and recharges us for the days ahead.

This Friday, December 9th, lease join me at 7:30 pm for a fabulous house concert with Munirih Sparrow and a fitting conclusion to the Musical Prayer Station in 2011!

What: Musical Prayer Station – house concert with Munirih Sparrow
When: Friday, December 9th at 7:30 pm

Please let me know if you can come so I can plan the refreshments — or if you have any prayer requests

You don’t want to miss this! And make sure to invite your friends too — they will be grateful as well!

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
(Christianity, Holy Bible, John, 16:12-13)

These are the appointed days which ye have been yearningly awaiting in the past — the days of the advent of divine justice. Render ye thanks unto God, O ye concourse of believers.
(Baha’i Faith, The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 161)

Dear friends!

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, music, fellowship, tea poured in peace, banana bread baked with loved and shared with a smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing songs and prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator and recharges us for days ahead.

I invite you and your loves ones to a Prayer Station dedicated to the theme of “Advent” on Thursday, December 1st at 7:30 pm.

We read selections of the Holy Writings and Prayers from different faith traditions on the theme of “Advent”. Feel free to bring your own books of prayer or inspirational poetry. There will be also uplifting and soul-refreshing music followed by tea and sweets. Prayers will be offered for anyone in need, so if you can’t join us and would like to request prayers please contact me.

The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord.

(Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 53)

Dear friends!

• Interfaith Prayer Station starting at 8 pm at my apartment
• Lake Street Dive‘s concert starting at 8:30 pm at IOTA in Arlington (for a sample see “Hello Goodbye” or “Henriette“)

O ye beloved of God! When the winds blow severely, rains fall fiercely, the lightening flashes, the thunder roars, the bolt descends and storms of trial become severe, grieve not; for after this storm, verily, the divine spring will arrive, the hills and fields will become verdant, the expanses of grain will joyfully wave, the earth will become covered with blossoms, the trees will be clothed with green garments and adorned with blossoms and fruits. Thus blessings become manifest in all countries. These favors are results of those storms and hurricanes.

(Abdu’l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu’l-Baha v1, p. 12)