Sunday, September 23, 2007

Weather

Alhumdulillah!

Well, the fall season is finally here. No more of these hot temperatures we have been having. It looks like it may try to rain and it is in the forecast that we will have some rain for the next few days. It just in time for the fair that's come to town. I may plan to go to it, but haven't made up my mind. The Razorbacks lose again, this time to the Kentucky Wildcats. Folks are now ready to see the coach get out of Dodge. I have to admit; if it wasn't for him, the Razorbacks would still have Mitch Mustain as quarterback, his buddy Damian Williams as wide receiver, and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. But, it was never met to be and last year, the coach ran them off and the dudes at ESPN probably think the Razorbacks stink. Anyway, that's what Hogs do. Stink! They like to play around in the mud and get dirty. And many Americans eat that stuff. Go figure. I don't have much to say. I leave you with the 23rd Psalm written in an interesting version.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.
"He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me to water in places of repose;
He renews my life;
He guides me in right paths
as befits His Name.
Though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness,
I fear no harm, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff - they comfort me.

"You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my drink is abundant.
"Only goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for many long years."

(JPS Version)

Friday, September 14, 2007

Weekend plans not pursued

Bismillah Arrahman Arraheem. Ramadan Mubarak!

There is a football game this weekend in Conway where UCA hosts Tennessee-Martin. UCA has a 0-2, losing their first game of season away from home to Louisiana Tech 28-7. The UCA Bears has special team problems and I am not sure if it is worth driving all the way over there from my home, pay a ticket, and watch them just to see them lose. This may be a weekend plan not pursued, though part of me would like to leave home from a while. Things at work has not been too great. It's a big rumor mill. Maybe I should get into real estate, another plan not pursued. I may need to get a new watch band; I don't need a new watch. I just to replace my old watch band that is beginning to fall apart. A plan that may be pursued, but once I get into the weekend, it may be a plan entirely blown off. I will just have to wait and see. I may need to purchase a new computer. I would like to make home-made videos with it and post them on YouTube. This old computer has hardware that is messed up and I can't make videos. Even if I do, these are videos with no sound. It may be time to invest in one. This computer I am using is seven years old. But, it still works and this is another plan not pursued. Oh, well! So much for this weekend.

We have our minds on things like that and we don't think about the hereafter, when our lives end on this earth and we all go to meet our Maker. This is something I should think about and every one of you should, too.

The Rich Man and Lazarus: Luke 16:19-31

The Words of Jesus:
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and lick his sores.
"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.
"But Abraham replied,'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but no he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'
"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'
"'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
"He said to him,'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" (New International Version)

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Quranic Quotes

Bismillah Arrahman Arraheem Alhumdulillah Rabbiealamin

Surah 16, The Bees 68-70
"..thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men's) habitations;
Then to eat all the produce (of the earth), and to find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought. It is Allah who creates you and takes your souls at death; and of you there are some who are sent back to a feeble age, so that they know nothing after having known much; for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Powerful."

There is a verse I've read on the Holy Spirit. "Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims." - Surah 16, The Bees, 102.

51. - "Allah has said; 'Take not (for worship) two gods (ilah); for He is just One God (Allah), then fear Me (and Me alone)."

Monday, September 3, 2007

Labor Day

Bismillah Arrahman Arraheem

Here in the U.S. we celebrate Labor Day and it is a holiday. Many people are off from on this day to celebrate the working man and woman and this is a day observed for all of us who work so hard to earn a living. For most countries around the world, Labor Day is on May 1. Here it is on the first Monday of September. This day was inaugurated by the Knights of Labor who in 1882 held a parade in New York, and again in 1884, when a resolution by George R. Lloyd, one of the Knights of Labor, was passed , recommending that parades be held on Labor Day. According to an article entitled "Labor Day" in Bulletin No. 29 of the U.S. Dept. of Labor, published July 1900, Oregon was the first state to legislate for general observance of Labor Day as a legal holiday. This law, enacted, enacted Feb. 21, 1887, specified the first Saturday of June as Labor Day; but in 1893 the day of observance was changed to the first Monday of September. Other states which passed similar legislation in 1887 were: Colorado on March 15; New Jersey, April 18; New York, May 6; and Massachusetts, May 11. All these states set the first Monday in September as the holiday. In Eurpoe the celebration of the first day of May as Labor Day commenced in 1890.

Of course, here in the U.S., there are people who do work on Labor Day. You will notice that right away if you choose to eat out on this day. Employees work for employers who will them, "On Labor Day, You Labor." They don't get a day off. For those of us who do get a day off, we need to think of them and treat them with kindness.
Also, Labor Day has lost its meaning in America. For many, it means the last day of summer. And that's all it is to them. Just like Memorial Day signifies to them as the first day of summer, when it is a day to honor our war veterans who died in battle. That's how things have changed.

Anyway, I'd thought I should post this.