Zikhru'llah

About 10 or 15 years ago, I had a home health position that was so challenging [in terms of the people I was working with] that I literally couldn't get through the day without serious prayers in the morning. At the same time I developed the theory that if difficult tests cause me to say heavy-duty prayers, I may as well say the prayers and maybe I wouldn't need the tests, so I wouldn't have to go through tests. I guess it sort of worked.

Currently I've been ruminating on the idea that I still only call on God when I have problems or difficulties and so forth. I'd like to move to a level where I pray for the delight in God's presence, or for the love of God, and so forth, not just because I have a problem.

I'm not there yet. It's just a goal.

Recognizing Christ

To follow up on recognizing the station of Christ, I think the words of Baha'u'llah apply:

Say: The first and foremost testimony establishing His truth is His own Self. Next to this testimony is His Revelation. For whoso faileth to recognize either the one or the other He hath established the words He hath revealed as proof of His reality and truth. This is, verily, an evidence of His tender mercy unto men. He hath endowed every soul with the capacity to recognize the signs of God. How could He, otherwise, have fulfilled His testimony unto men, if ye be of them that ponder His Cause in their hearts. He will never deal unjustly with any one, neither will He task a soul beyond its power. He, verily, is the Compassionate, the All-Merciful.

~Baha'u'llah

Finding Christ

I reposted a cartoon on Facebook showing a lady answering her door to two preacher-types, who are asking her if she's found Jesus yet. I had to look closely to see a depiction of Jesus hiding behind the drapes. So a person close to me asked me if I had found Jesus, or that sort of question. I think they assume that since I am a Baha'i, I must not be saved.

Really, finding Christ is not a problem. I think what the Christians are always prompting people to do is to make a bargain with Him so we can be saved and not go to hell. Which to me is not quite the same as recognizing the station of Christ.

So I posted the question on Facebook: If you are walking down the road about two thousand years ago and you pass His Holiness Jesus Christ, do you think you would recognize His station? Remember, you don't belong to a church, you don't have a painting of Jesus on your wall, there is no New Testament, and no church around the corner with a clergyman telling you what to believe. How would you recognize Christ?

Ponder this for awhile, if you like.

Red Beans and Rice # 39

A new take on red beans and rice, very simple, easy and delicious. Lately I've eaten several bowls at different times and still am not tired of it.

Red Beans and Rice # 39

Cooked brown rice
Cooked red or kidney beans
1/2 lime
Green Tabasco

First, cook the brown basmati rice. I've stopped using my old rice cooker, as it always ends up with rice stuck to the bottom. Too much heat in one place. I like to add a little olive oil, salt, and 5 or 6 whole cardamom pods, which makes deliciously fragrant brown basmati rice.

Fill a bowl 3/4 with rice, and add about a cup of cooked red or kidney beans. Squeeze half a lime over bowl, shake on several drops Green Tabasco, and heat in microwave.

Creamy Potato Soup with Peas and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Creamy Potato Soup With Peas and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

4 red potatoes, diced
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1/4 cup red lentils
1/2 cup cooked brown rice, mooshed up
3-4 sun-dried tomatoes, cut up
1 cup frozen peas [these go in later]
Seasonings to taste: cumin, grated turmeric root, coriander, dill, ground rosemary, liquid smoke, salt
olive oil [optional]
Silk plain soy milk

In a nonstick wok, Saute onions till carmelized
Throw in diced potatoes, lentils, rice, tomatoes, 2 cups water and seasonings.
Simmer 1/2 hour to 45 minutes until lentils and potatoes and tomatoes are soft.
Stir in soy milk, 1/2 to 1 quart. Stir in frozen peas and heat until flavors are blended.

Is There Any Remover of Slime?

I got slimed* last night at work by someone whose motivations are clear to me but it would be backbiting to reveal. Wish I could bring a raincoat to work.

It's two o'clock and I haven't had breakfast yet. Looks sunny out.

Planning to go to Feast tonight.

I need to say 500 Remover of Difficulties to purify myself from the slime. Takes about 3 hours, usually. Whatever it takes to stay emotionally fit for work, I guess. Beats unemployment.

Angus Cowan said once that he worried about saying the Remover of Difficulties. He thought he might prove to be the difficulty, and be removed.

Is there any Remover of Difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God. He is God. All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding.

~the Bab

That last line is a real poser for me. I hope I have it figured out before The End.

I've heard people joke about someone standing by a car on the freeway with a flat tire [the car, not the person] saying the Remover of Difficulties. Maybe God is removing exterior difficulties, but after the last time I said a string of 500 of the prayers, I decided the main difficulties are interior. I decided to just trust that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to do--at least, my best--and I need to just trust God.

Who has more power than God over my life? Other than me, fumbling along, inadequately making my dumb choices? Obviously, except for the times God is de-creating bullets, my guess is He just works with whatever circumstances are available; that is, not changing people's freedom of choice. [I just figured out I mean individual people's, not mass humanity's peoples'.]

I hope by the end of my two days off I will have done something meaningful, and be de-slimed. Wish me luck or say prayers, whichever is your pleasure.

*Sliming is saying anything to someone that makes them feel sick, shameful, sad, angry, etc. and saying it with that intention.