The Kiss

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  “Ryabovitch pulled the bed-clothes over his head, curled himself up in bed, and tried to gather together the floating images in his mind and to combine them into one whole. But nothing came of it. He soon fell asleep, and his last thought was that someone had caressed him and made him happy—that something extraordinary, foolish, but joyful and delightful, had come into his life. The thought did not leave him even in his sleep. When he woke up the sensations of oil on his neck and the chill of peppermint about his lips had gone, but joy flooded his heart just as the day before.” The Kiss By Anton Chekhov (1860–1904)

Arba'een of Imam Hussain

Ok, I had to look this one up, but that’s ok because I learned something today that I did not know yesterday.

Today is an holiday called, “Arbaeen of Imam Hussain.” “Arba’een” means “forty,” marking 40 days after the death of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala. 40 days is the time of mourning in Islam. This time is used to observe the establishment of justice and taking a stand against injustice, though interpretations of these details are disputed. Some observe peacefully, while others protest even with terrorism. Regardless, the Arba’een has been observed for centuries by walking to the tomb of Imam Hussain (with the exception of the 30 year ban of the holiday under the rule of Saddam Hussein, former president of Iraq). Significant eternal promises are attached to this journey:



One may think of this a kind of New Year’s observance, as 40 days is more than enough time to establish a habit, a lifestyle change. This is a day to do something different with the hopes of making an eternal impact.

What does God’s Unchanging Word promise to those who submit to Him? Are you a person of The Book? The Qur’an says: ‘O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law , the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord.’ (Sura 5:71) God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah saying, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)”

Would you like to study the Holy Books with me?

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