Friday Frivolity: Spiritual, not religious
Today’s funny comes from CollegeHumor with a wonderfully insightful video about a church for the “Spiritual, not religious”. Warning: contains some salty language.
Qur’an Cover-to-Cover: Day 14 (“The Poets”)
Weighing in at 227 verses, today’s chapter is one of the longest I’ve read thus far…
Surah 26 – “The poets” (Ash-Shuara)
This surah opens with an assertion which we’ll see a lot of in future chapters, that “[the Qur’an is a] clear Book”. I have the suspicion that there is some historical context behind the introduction to this affirmation.
- Perhaps some critics of Muhammad thought, like myself, that often the Qur’anic text often isn’t terribly understandable?
- Or maybe this was meant to juxtapose the Qur’an with the sacred texts of other religions?
The text then goes on to say that Allah could have sent down some uncontrovertable sign if he had wanted, but that the people have already denied the sign of the earth itself, with its abundance of life.
A Hamilton Hanukkah
It’s Hanukkah, so it means it’s time for a new song from the Maccabeats…
Qur’an Cover-to-Cover: Day 13 (“The inevitable”)
The last couple of chapters have covered new and interesting material, focussing on the Biblical characters such Moses and the Blessed Mother. Today, however, we return to the Qur’an’s sweet spot: judgment, Heaven and Hell.
Surah 56 – “The inevitable” (Al-Waqia)
A portrait of the Resurrection is painted, a day when “the earth is shaken” and “mountains are broken down”. We are told that mankind will become “[of] three types”:
- The Companions of the right who go to Paradise
- The Companions of the left who go to the Fire
- The Forerunners who go to Paradise
I’m not exactly sure what makes “The Forerunners” distinct from “The Companions of the right”.
Wise Words on Wednesday: Let It Snow
Christians, like snowflakes, are frail, but when then stick together they can stop traffic
– Vance Havner
Qur’an Cover-to-Cover: Day 12 (“Ta-ha”)
Today’s chapter of the Qur’an focuses on the life of Moses…
Surah 20 – “Ta-ha” (Taha)
We start with the origin story of Moses, starting with the Burning Bush. Unlike the Biblical account, Moses has his family with him at the time he encounters the bush. Allah calls to Moses and tells him to worship Him alone, to “establish prayer” and then warns him of Judgement Day. Allah instructs Moses in transforming his staff and hand, then tells him he’s going to go to Pharaoh who “has transgressed [i.e. tyrannized]”. Moses asks Allah to “untie the knot from my tongue” and to grant his brother Aaron as a minister. Allah grants his request.
Music Monday: Learn to Let Go
“Learning to Let Go” by Levv, the collaboration group between Audrey Assad and Seth Jones:
Living alone, living a lie, stealing what you need from me
Your heart in your chest, knife in your breast
Call it what you want, honey
When you battle like a soldier, dropping bombs on everything you see
Fighting a forsaken war, what for?
You create your enemies
Runaway, runaway I wish you would give it up and come home
The fear in your eyes, you’re seeing spies everywhere you turn, you know
But you battle like a soldier, dropping bombs on everything you see
Fighting a forsaken war, what for?
You create your enemies
But I am learning to let go of you.
Give me a rhyme or reason why I should turn my back and be gone
At times I confess, it seems the best and easiest way to go on
But I battle like a soldier, picking up the pieces of our love
Fighting a forsaken war: what for, when it’s time to give up?
So I am learning to let go of you.