by Admin | Jun 11, 2024 | Articles, Bible, Life Poems, Poems, Poetry, Religious Poems, Spiritual Poems
On Prayer by Kahlil Gibran
Kahlil Gibran
1883 – 1931
Then the priestess said, Speak to us of Prayer.
And he answered, saying:
You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.
For what is prayer but the expansion of yourself into the living ether?
And if it is for your comfort to pour your darkness into space, it is also for your delight to pour forth the dawning of your heart.
And if you cannot but weep when your soul summons you to prayer, she should spur you again and yet again, though weeping, until you shall come laughing.
When you pray you rise to meet in the air those who are praying at that very hour, and whom save in prayer you may not meet.
Therefore let your visit to that temple invisible be for naught but ecstasy and sweet communion.
For if you should enter the temple for no other purpose than asking you shall not receive:
And if you should enter into it to humble yourself you shall not be lifted:
Or even if you should enter into it to beg for the good of others you shall not be heard.
It is enough that you enter the temple invisible.
I cannot teach you how to pray in words.
God listens not to your words save when He Himself utters them through your lips.
And I cannot teach you the prayer of the seas and the forests and the mountains.
But you who are born of the mountains and the forests and the seas can find their prayer in your heart,
And if you but listen in the stillness of the night your shall hear them saying in silence,
“Our God, who are our winged self, it is thy will in us that willeth.
It is thy desire in us that desireth.
It is thy urge in us that would turn our nights, which are thine, into days which are thine also.
We cannot ask thee for aught, for thou knowest our needs before they are born in us:
Thou art our need; and in giving us more of thyself thou givest us all.”
by Admin | Jun 11, 2024 | Ancient Texts, Articles, Bible, Emerald Book Club, Gratitude Poems, Life Poems, Poems, Religious Poems, Spiritual Poems
Oh Give Thanks
105 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4 Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
7 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.
20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.
27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.
29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.
31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.
32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.
34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,
35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.
37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.
39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;
45 That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord.
by Admin | Jun 3, 2024 | Life Poems, Nature Poems, Poems, Poetry, Summer Poems
Now have come the shining days
When field and wood are robed anew,
And o'er the world a silver haze
Mingles the emerald with the blue.
Summer now doth clothe the land
In garments free from spot or stain—
The lustrous leaves, the hills untanned,
The vivid meads, the glaucous grain.
The day looks new, a coin unworn,
Freshly stamped in heavenly mint;
The sky keeps on its look of morn;
Of age and death there is no hint.
How soft the landscape near and far!
A shining veil the trees infold;
The day remembers moon and star;
A silver lining hath its gold.
Again I see the clover bloom,
And wade in grasses lush and sweet;
Again has vanished all my gloom
With daisies smiling at my feet.
Again from out the garden hives
The exodus of frenzied bees;
The humming cyclone onward drives,
Or finds repose amid the trees.
At dawn the river seems a shade—
A liquid shadow deep as space;
But when the sun the mist has laid,
A diamond shower smites its face.
The season's tide now nears its height,
And gives to earth an aspect new;
Now every shoal is hid from sight,
With current fresh as morning dew.
by Admin | May 31, 2024 | Ancient Texts, Articles, Bible, Emerald Book Club, Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, a passage from the Hebrew Bible, articulates a profound reflection on the nature of time and the cyclical rhythms of human existence. It emphasizes that life is composed of a series of predetermined and contrasting seasons or periods, each with its own appropriate activity. This concept is often summarized by the phrase,
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."
King Solomon
Solomon (/ˈsɒləmən/), also called Jedidiah, was a Hebrew monarch of ancient Israel and the son and successor of King David of the tribe of Judah, according to the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. He is described as having been the penultimate ruler of an amalgamated Israel and Judah.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Scholarly Perspective:
From a scholarly perspective, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is part of the Wisdom Literature of the Hebrew Bible, attributed to Qoheleth or the Teacher. This passage explores the notion of temporality and the divine ordering of time.
The structure of the passage, with its antithetical pairs (e.g., "a time to be born and a time to die"), serves to underscore the inevitability and balance of life's experiences. Scholars interpret this as a recognition of the divine sovereignty over human affairs, suggesting that human beings, while capable of making choices, ultimately operate within a framework established by a higher power.
This acknowledgment of a predetermined order invites readers to accept the transitory nature of life and the futility of attempting to control every aspect of their existence.
Philosophical Perspective:
Philosophically, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 engages with themes of existentialism and the search for meaning within the human condition. It reflects on the temporality and impermanence of life, proposing that each moment and event, whether joyous or sorrowful, has its rightful place in the grand scheme.
This cyclical view of time challenges linear perceptions of progress and emphasizes the importance of embracing the present.
Philosophers might interpret this passage as advocating for a form of temporal realism, recognizing the inevitability of change and the balance of opposites in shaping human experience.
It also resonates with the Stoic acceptance of fate and the emphasis on living in harmony with nature’s rhythms.
Integration:
Integrating both perspectives, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 presents a holistic vision of time as an organizing principle of existence, divinely instituted and philosophically rich. It calls for a contemplative recognition of life’s seasons, advocating for a balanced acceptance of both the joys and tribulations that define the human journey.
This passage, thus, serves as a reminder of the inherent order and purpose within the flux of life, encouraging individuals to find peace and meaning within the temporal flow ordained by a transcendent order.
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to delve into the profound insights of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 with us. We hope this exploration has enriched your understanding of the intricate dance between time and human experience. Reflecting on the wisdom of embracing life’s seasons can offer a sense of peace and purpose amidst the inevitable changes we face.
We invite you to implement these reflections in your daily life, observing how acknowledging the natural flow of time influences your perspective and decisions.
Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear how this timeless wisdom resonates with you and impacts your journey.
Emerald Book Club
by Admin | May 29, 2024 | Book Reviews, Emerald Book Club
"The Science of Getting Rich" by Wallace D. Wattles is a classic self-help book that explores the principles of achieving wealth and success. The book was published in 1910 by the Elizabeth Towne Company.
Here are 10 key lessons from the book:
- The Power of Thought:
- Wattles emphasizes the idea that your thoughts have a direct influence on your circumstances. Cultivate positive and constructive thoughts to attract wealth.
- The Law of Attraction:
- Central to the book is the concept that like attracts like. By focusing on prosperity and abundance, you attract these into your life.
- The Creative Power of Thought:
- Wattles argues that thought is a form of energy that can be transmuted into its physical equivalent. Your thoughts can shape your reality.
- Gratitude and Positive Visualization:
- Expressing gratitude for what you have and visualizing your success can amplify the positive energy you emit.
- Taking Purposeful Action:
- The book stresses the importance of taking purposeful and positive action. It's not just about thinking; you must actively work toward your goals.
- Eliminate Competing Desires:
- Focus on a single, clear vision or goal. Conflicting desires can hinder progress.
- The Right to Be Rich:
- Wattles challenges the notion that spiritual or moral values conflict with the pursuit of wealth. He asserts that everyone has the right to be rich.
- The Creative Mind vs. the Competitive Mind:
- Wattles encourages cultivating a creative mind rather than a competitive one. Creativity opens up new opportunities and possibilities.
- Acting in the Certain Way:
- To attract wealth, one must act in a certain way. This involves being proactive, confident, and aligning actions with the goal of becoming rich.
- Abundance is Your Birthright:
- Wattles asserts that abundance is a natural birthright, and everyone has the potential to live a life of wealth and prosperity.
"The Science of Getting Rich" provides timeless principles that extend beyond mere financial gain, promoting a holistic approach to success and fulfillment. By understanding and applying these lessons, individuals can work towards achieving not only financial wealth but also personal and spiritual well-being.
