tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38993767383786023152024-03-13T08:25:22.054+00:00Wandering4loveofGod'Peregrinate pro Dei Amore' :
reflections on travels around the worldMullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.comBlogger388125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-58133459297119514622016-01-09T16:55:00.001+00:002023-10-28T20:19:27.663+01:00Peace Garden @ Muslim Burial Ground #Woking<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BEvE9tdU1XYp/VpE2mX95-FI/AAAAAAAACGw/mnUYauv8H1k/s1600/12376374_10153401993234366_7911818486965482181_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DTOwDX4SUVIWwYFmNDSeFCGJIEYATefxCepzIpFqdVE7RVdYFUDjrmD_t_vAcJLsu4vReW11CiYG0MbEwjdiqQvtbTNqxi-fylMHIIQ2ZU5Kdju8WoKOSBjEzSvsNYIDDEkhoSY21Uc/s320/12376374_10153401993234366_7911818486965482181_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">The Peace Garden at the restored Muslim Burial Ground </span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg">at <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem">Woodham Common, </span></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">Woking as featured on BBC recently. Read a description here <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-35209441" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>uk-england-surrey-35209441</a></span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">This is the BBC documentary, featuring my good friend Zafar Iqbal, who is works for Woking Council. </span></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9yL89rAqvcc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9yL89rAqvcc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">It is a more extended version there (c 1 hour) is also a shorter version<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0cDsdMvplQ"> here</a> (c 20 mins) <a class="" dir="ltr" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DY0cDsdMvplQ&h=lAQF_EewY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg">You can watch </span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">also <a class="" dir="ltr" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DFfogn5w2dQM&h=UAQGkBb0x" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Woking Borough Councils short film about the site </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">If you look carefully you can see a bloke sitting on the bench in the opening sequence - which is me!)</span></span></span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"> It seems really important in our day to recognise the contribution Muslim troops made in WW1 in the defence of Britain. It offers a very different narrative to so much of the polarisation that we hear today.</span></span></span></span><br />
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-70493357475756722642016-01-07T16:44:00.000+00:002016-01-08T16:45:02.210+00:00SimpsonSaga2015 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3CF2-xNMrokls7wy8Wm9dQ6vOpzafnmmmX-81Mlarz3q-0UjgzRO4tsGEnVBVmb6J8JHD8_20EJR4UOFdntuhlPp-PkGniMRDBq7UB1az3SvOBhtLzszJD68So-933Infg2DU-Doj3M/s1600/SAGA2015_Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3CF2-xNMrokls7wy8Wm9dQ6vOpzafnmmmX-81Mlarz3q-0UjgzRO4tsGEnVBVmb6J8JHD8_20EJR4UOFdntuhlPp-PkGniMRDBq7UB1az3SvOBhtLzszJD68So-933Infg2DU-Doj3M/s400/SAGA2015_Page_1.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Here is our latest <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/simpsonsaga?source=feed_text&story_id=10153398215639366"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">SimpsonSaga</span></a> 2015 ..... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">You can download the the rest from dropbox <a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7993360/SAGA2015.pdf">here </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> <a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7993360/SAGA2015.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">As usual it is written between Western Christmas (25th December) and Orthodox Chirstmas (7th January) we were all involved in adding to each others write-ups. Therefore it is very tongue-in-cheek, a mixture of reality and humour. At least you will get to see some of our family pics ....
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Enjoy! And Happy (Orthodox) Christmas ...</span></div>
MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-7361125777883789652015-12-14T10:42:00.002+00:002015-12-14T10:42:27.962+00:00In the bleak midwinter <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I came across this song <a href="https://vimeo.com/148480532">In the bleak midwinter</a> sung by Cathy Burton, whilst preparing for a carol service. I thought it was beautiful and very appropriate, given the refugee crisis we are in. <br />
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<i>This reworked version of In the Bleak Midwinter, with new
lyrics written by Krish and Miriam Kandiah and recorded by Cathy Burton,
a singer/songwriter from Chichester, focuses on the needs of these
refugee children and reminds us of an often overlooked aspect of the
Christmas story: the Jesus was a child refugee.</i></blockquote>
It is part of <a href="http://www.homeforgood.org.uk/in-the-bleak-midwinter">Homeforgood's campaign</a> to find home for Syrian refugee children.<br />
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We will be featuring the song as part of our International Carol Service at Christchurch Woking on Saturday 19th December at 7pm. The theme is 'Jesus the refugee' and we will be supporting a programme in Lebanon working with Syrian Refugees (more on that another time). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8hkvNQRzrtdWT6Bghq8JS-XP98KdF-DRz9Gywihw6SE_eVBZ-XtXYEHvc82-dmRF33ijCWAzf9WlxKYzGDC3yWDJb6mqWVenELy0xkIE4NlrkbO7VDAqiG8aO2gjzqHu0RhHWIZ0-cU/s1600/CarolServicePoster-Dec-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8hkvNQRzrtdWT6Bghq8JS-XP98KdF-DRz9Gywihw6SE_eVBZ-XtXYEHvc82-dmRF33ijCWAzf9WlxKYzGDC3yWDJb6mqWVenELy0xkIE4NlrkbO7VDAqiG8aO2gjzqHu0RhHWIZ0-cU/s320/CarolServicePoster-Dec-2015.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
Do come and join us if you're in the area<br />
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-21602640358420917622015-03-09T14:26:00.002+00:002015-03-09T14:27:10.784+00:00HopeforMuslims - a Wind in the House of Islam <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Celebrated Christian author to visit the UK</span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Dr David Garrison,
author of the acclaimed book </span><i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A Wind in the House of Islam</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">will be taking part in a speaking tour of the
UK in June. The ‘Hope for Muslims’ tour aims to be a catalyst for more prayer
and more action on reaching out to our Muslim neighbours.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In his book, Dr David
Garrison concludes that never in the history of Muslim/Christian interaction have
we seen the response to the Gospel we are seeing today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a story of how, in answer to
prayer and in response to a religion that is becoming increasingly divided,
thousands of Muslims are choosing to become followers of Jesus. Dr Garrison
tells us that today, in more than 70 separate locations in 29 nations new
movements of Muslim-background followers of Christ are taking place.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Dr Garrison defines a
movement to Christ to be at least 100 new churches started or 1,000 baptisms
that occur over a 20-year period in one people group. His research
involved seeing many of the churches for himself and systematically
interviewing more than 1,000 Muslim background believers from the groups he
details. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Dr Garrison will speak
at venues in Scotland, Northern Ireland, moving down through England, finishing
in the London area on 21st June. The tour will end as the 30 Days of Prayer for
the Muslim World begins, coinciding as always with the Muslim fast of Ramadan.
This prayer movement, which began in 1993, has been one of the keys to the move
of God we are seeing. We want to see the wind of God's Spirit continue to blow
right across the Muslim world, including right here in the UK.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Dr Garrison’s book, </span><i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A Wind in the House
of Islam</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">will be available for sale
during the tour and from selected Christian bookshops around the UK.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Hope for Muslims is an
initiative of a wide range of mission agencies of the Global Connections
network.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">For more information
contact:</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">E:
abower@globalconnections.org.uk</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">T: 01926 487755</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">W: www.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">hopeformuslims.org<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><a href="http://www.windinthehouse.org/"><span style="color: #00000a; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.windinthehouse.org</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>www.30-days.net</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Further information</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">About the author</span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">For nearly 30 years Dr
David Garrison has been a missionary pioneer with the Southern Baptist
International Mission Board. His faith journey has led him to study a dozen
languages and travel through 100 countries.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Dr Garrison currently
lives in Colorado with his wife of 35 years, Sonia, and two of their four
children, where he serves as the Southern Baptist International Mission Board’s
Global Strategist for Evangelical Advance.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">About the book</span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">There are nine rooms
in the House of Islam. A wind is blowing through every one of them.</span></div>
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<i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A Wind in the House of Islam</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">explores
the stories of more than 1,000 Muslim-background followers of Jesus Christ from
each of the nine rooms in the House of Islam. Join Dr Garrison in this amazing
journey of discovery, tracing the work of the Holy Spirit as He blows through
the House of Islam.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Dr Garrison travelled
a 250,000 miles into every corner of the Muslim world collecting interviews
from more than a thousand former Muslims who have given their lives to Jesus
Christ. These Muslim-background believers were interviewed because they were
part of larger movements of Muslims to Christ in their communities. He asked
them, “What is your story? What did God use to bring you to faith in Jesus Christ?”
Along the way, Dr Garrison discovered that we are in the middle of the greatest
turning of Muslims to Christ in history. These historic movements are taking
place all across the Muslim world, from West Africa to Indonesia.</span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Book review</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A Wind in the House of Islam</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> by David Garrison<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b><i>This book is inspirational. It contains all the serious research of
an academic treatise, yet is easy reading and faith building. A Wind in the
House of Islam tells the remarkable story of God's activity in drawing
millions of Muslims to faith in Christ. This mass movement of the 21st
Century (just 12 years!) is set against the historical failure of the church's
mission in the previous centuries. Given that Islam is the last major
people group to respond to the Gospel, these stories and events are highly
significant. </i></span><i><span lang="EN-US">Each of nine major regions of
Muslim-dominated countries is examined </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">and while the response to Christ is
proportionally higher in some than others, every region is telling the same
basic story. Dr Garrison has given us a window into a world many of us knew
little about, have been troubled by and have judged by the media's fear-ridden
headlines. Behind those headlines we learn that God is powerfully at work!
I commend the book: it will illuminate your understanding, warm your
heart, raise your spirits and encourage your prayers.</span></i><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
Reviewed by Andrew Kane - Teaching Pastor, Christ Church Woking </span></blockquote>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Supporting resource</span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">30 days of Prayer
for the Muslim World</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> is a prayer guide for those wishing to pray for
Muslims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 30 days of prayer
coincide with the Muslim fast of Ramadan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #00000a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">For further information or to order a prayer
guide, please visit www.30-days.net</span>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-31558198197453441632015-03-08T17:12:00.001+00:002015-03-08T17:22:10.282+00:00The road is not finished yet <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Week 2 of our holy::ground online Lent retreat<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">, </span>using Brian McLaren's book:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘we make the road by walking<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span>Chapter 28:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A New Path to Aliveness, based on Matthew 5:17-48 about Jesus not abolishing but
fulfilling the Law and prophets<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span>I was struck by one image .... </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If tradition could be
compared to a road that began in the distant past and continues to the present,
Jesus dares to propose that the road is not finished yet. To extend the road of
tradition into the future – to fulfil its potential – we must first look back
to discern its general direction. Then informed by the past, we must look
forward and dare to step beyond where the road currently ends, venturing off
the map, so to speak, into new territory. To stop where the road of tradition
currently ends, Jesus realises, would actually end the adventure and bring
the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tradition to a standstill. So
faithfulness doesn’t simply<u> allow</u> us to extend the tradition and seek to
fulfil its unexplored potential; it <u>requires</u> us to do so<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (p163)</span></i></div>
</blockquote>
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I have been on a fairly long journey this past week. Sunday Flight
from London to Manila,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>via
Singapore. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Monday a flight to
Roxas in the north of Panay Island (Western Visayas) Then on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wednesday, a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6 hour journey in a van to
Cataclan<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the North West tip
to catch a Catamarang to Boracay where we held our three day Tearfund workshop at the
Eco Village Conference Centre near Puka Beach<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the north of the island.</div>
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On Saturday afternoon we went back to Tambisaan Jetty and a boat
to Caticlan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then
embarked on a 8 hour van journey to Iloilo City,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where we stayed overnight<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and continued on Sunday morning to the Port to catch a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FastBoat to Bacolod and then a van to
Cadiz<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the North of Negros
Occidental. (arriving about 4pm). I took a number of (instagram)
pictures on the journey and have been meditating on them in relation to
the passage. </div>
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<b>PICTURE</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> ONE: St Catherine's Church, Mambusao</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
the road from Cataclan to Iloilo, we stopped at a small town called<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mambusao and I had a brief reflective
moment walking around the Town Square and standing outside St Catherine’s
church. The cement was decomposing, the paintwork peeling, but the most
heavenly music was coming from within, behind closed doors<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…. elusive<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hymns at twilight<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe the church symbolises the traditional institutional
approach to religion – outwardly strong, steadfast certain<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but as you approach you
realise it is crumbling and inaccessible. Moral certainly and a universalising
theology looks initially attractive and clear, providing solid certainty in an
unstable world. And it has an other worldly sound to it<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the walls are crumbling and
the future uncertain….. and the doors are locked to strangers. Life seems to be
happening in the Town square </div>
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<br /></div>
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And the road goes on to new places and new experiences….. </div>
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<b>
</b><br />
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<b>PICTURE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> TWO: Boat on the Sibuyan Sea </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had another reflective moment on the fast boat to Bocalad.
On the waters of the Sibuyan Sea<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where
everything was more fluid, unstable and fast-paced. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">You can watch a clip on Facebook <a href="https://instagram.com/p/zrqvKwBEuO/?fb_action_ids=10152739889174366&fb_action_types=instapp%3Atake&fb_ref=ogexp&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B1053861574629715%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22instapp%3Atake%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%22ogexp%22%5D&fb_collection_id=486228154733719&ref=profile">here </a> </span></div>
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Morality does seem to be changing so rapidly and feels
unstable. My colleague was sitting inside the boat feeling nauseous in the choppy
seas. Faith and certainly seem to be at sea in a postmodern world. Morality is
more fluid, more liquid. Remember Don Cuppit’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Sea of Faith’ ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or some would suggest that it’s more ‘faith at sea’ these days…. It's certainly more liquid...</div>
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<b>PICTURE</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> THREE: Motor Tricycles in Cadiz</b> </span></div>
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Traveling in a small Tricycle a colourful motorised motorcycle and
sidecar in Cadiz. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They carry visible
signs of faith<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘God Is
great’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is Lord, ‘Trust in
God’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘God will provide’ …..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bumper sticker theology.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I like these local, contextual, colourful forms of transport – each
region has their own like the local Jeepneys…. Converted from jeeps after WW2, they make for an exhilarating ride. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been reading a book as I travel on Contextual Theology by Clemens
Sedmak<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doing Local theology: a Guide for Artisans of a New Humanity (MaryKnoll, 2002)
</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All good theology is contextual:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Theology is done
locally. In order to be honest to the local circumstances theology has to be
done as local theology, as theology that takes the particular situation
seriously. Local theology can be done with basic theological means. It can be
done by the people, and it is done with the people.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(p3)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Very little theology is universal and good theology demands local
application. It goes beyond book knowledge<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and is based on real, every day experience. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That makes theology local, colourful adventurous. It lives in
the vernacular,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>like<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘treasures in earthen vessels’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>always based on the somewhere we are
living and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>embedded in the here and now.</div>
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<b>PICTURE FOUR: eating Balut in Cadiz </b></div>
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In holy::ground we do what we call kitchen table theology, where we discuss scripture around the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Anyone can contribute. This is part of '</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">extending the road of
tradition into the future'. </i>Sedmak talks about the need for ‘little theologies’ (not just 'bumper sticker'
theology) and describes a model of local theologian as 'village cook'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span>Doing local theology is like cooking with local
ingredients. In Cadiz we were invited to try the local delicacy <span class="hascaption">in the market where the locals eat<b> Balut </b>- steamed Duck Embryo
– I decided to give it a miss……..</span> not all local theology can be
stomached by outsiders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
</div>
<b></b></div>
MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-5611420441322268322015-02-24T17:02:00.001+00:002015-12-14T10:45:24.231+00:00a new kind of hero <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jesus ….turned our
normal status ladder and social pyramids upside down. He advocates an identity
characterised by solidarity, sensitivity and non-violence. He celebrates those
who long for justice, embody compassion and manifest integrity and non-duplicity.
He creates a new kind of hero, not warriors, corporate executives or
politicians, but brave and determined activists for pre-emptive peace, willing
to suffer within the prophetic tradition of justice (Brian McLaren<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We make the road by walking p 158-159) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
</blockquote>
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Today I met some of these heroes as we been visiting the
Tearfund team in Roxas<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">, </span>Philippines
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The team was set up in the wake of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>super Typhoon Haiyan (the local name is
Yolanda) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">which cut a path across eastern and central Philippines on Nov. 8, with
some of fastest wind speeds on record. It killed or left missing more than
5,000 people and displaced an estimated four million. A major international
relief mission helped survivors, many of whom would remain dependent on aid for
months….</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now a year on we were meeting the team of Community Enablers,
the ‘foot soldiers’ of Tearfund's disaster response team, who present the
rebuilding<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>programme<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the community ,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and help identify the neediest. They do
lots of technical project management stuff to do with base surveys and
validation<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and implementation and
monitoring and evaluation. They keep an eye on the quality and quantity of the
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mixing ‘professional excellence’ with ‘spiritual passion’,
they are the hands of the Tearfund team, the relational bridge between ‘donor’
and ‘beneficiaries’. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They listen to the stories of devastation and heartbreak and
turn them into slow painful action to rebuild what has been broken. They are
nearly all women. ‘We are good listeners’, says Ann one of the more experienced
Community Enablers ….‘and sometime good advisers’ </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A team of 10 who go out in pairs as good news bringers to
each sector or ‘Barongai’ where Tearfund has decided to work (a bit like the
short term mission in Luke 10). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Following
Jesus where the need is greatest’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They are helping to reconstruct CORE housing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>270 houses in total. We saw a half dozen buildings in
various stages of construction and met some of the beneficiaries and their
family members who were helping the construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a team effort<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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These community enablers, what <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Freire">Paulo Freire</a> called
‘animateurs’ or informal educators and social activists,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are indeed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘living boldly and freely in this new identity as salt and light’</i> (McLaren p159)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> photos by Patrick Goh</span></div>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-3931135036291129972014-12-22T22:18:00.000+00:002015-03-08T22:20:10.605+00:00Advent 3 - slaughter of innocents <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
Having
kept Herod in Christmas, I really want all this to go away.... it is
too tragic and devastating for words ..... Having read about Herod and
'The Slaughter of the Innocents' Matt. 2:17-18: That same cry in now
heard in Peshawar “A voice was heard in Peshawar, weeping and loud
lamentation, weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted,
because they are no more.”<br />
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It was a massacre of the innocents. Every report must admit this – because it’s true. But it is not the whole truth. independent.co.uk</div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">I'm
still in the darkness of the 'slaughter of the innocents' ... trying to
move on. The International Carol Service was a glimmer of hope for me,
esp with Padre Rana sharing from a Pakistani perspective about Mary's
humility and wisdom that led to life and the wise men's folly that led
to death (through involving Herod in the story) . Today we had a prayer
vigil with the Pakistani community in Jubilee square and I shared a
little of standing together against violence and how this can only be
done one person at a time, heart to heart - diye se diya jelao - One
light lights another. In the meantime a page from my journal.....</span></span></div>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-75080674944810858202014-12-16T22:14:00.000+00:002015-03-08T22:39:10.178+00:00Advent 3 Keep Herod in Chirstmas <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Week 3 Keep Herod in Christmas ....<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>We do not live in an ideal world. To be alive in the adventure of Jesus
is to face at every turn the destructive reality of violence. To be
alive in the adventure of Jesus is to side with vulnerable children in
defiance of the adults who see them as expendable. To walk the road with
Jesus is to withhold consent & cooperation from the powerful and to
invest it instead with the vulnerable. It is to refuse to bow to all
the Herods and all their ruthless regimes - and to reserve our loyalty
for a better King and a better Kingdom</i> Brian McLaren p90</blockquote>
<br />
I found this detail from a Giovanni Painting of the slighter of the innocents on a blog 'Why Red is the Christmas colour' <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fspleen-me.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D2892&h=CAQG8ZZEe&enc=AZNhwvwIa4Y8IT2jmAXA4WtAa1L5z4O56XzeF-yF-sdi3Wj2kWNKDz3NAUJ-xojpdzFPw6rxkvX6Dqp0uOOgCeGIhoxWzte0bOTnJoTq3JUZwEUrXkJnod2umzrTWiQhXyB4weXNgzt8USXFS5jD_eL3&s=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://spleen-me.com/blog/?p=2892</a><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Another picture was posted on another group I am part of .... It seemed
relevant to our retreat, The picture is by Daniel Bonnel ... </span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br /></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> Mary answered the angel, </span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">"Behold, I am the maidservant of the Lord. </span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Let it happen to me according to your word." </span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38</span></span></div>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> <span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"> "Thank you for the faith of a maiden, </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">in whose obedience your plan </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">for the reconciliation of the whole world was begun.<br />
I beg you, too, that you might empower me in pure simplicity. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">Teach my
mouth and all my parts </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">to make this simple response </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">to whatever task you
set before me</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">- this:<br /> Let it be to me according to your word.<br /> "Yes!"<br /> Amen"</span></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">Walter Wangerin in Preparing for Jesus</span></span></span> </div>
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<span data-reactid=".gw.1:3:1:$comment822336771151367_824519174266460:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-reactid=".gw.1:3:1:$comment822336771151367_824519174266460:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.0"></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".gw.1:3:1:$comment822336771151367_824519174266460:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".gw.1:3:1:$comment822336771151367_824519174266460:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".gw.1:3:1:$comment822336771151367_824519174266460:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".gw.1:3:1:$comment822336771151367_824519174266460:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">I
was inspired by Daniel Bonnel's painting and had a go at doing one at
our holy::ground meeting - 'falling into Christmas'. (without any visual
clue - no wifi!) And if you remember the angel I drew became
unintentionally ominous ! More of a fallen an</span></span><span data-reactid=".gw.1:3:1:$comment822336771151367_824519174266460:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".gw.1:3:1:$comment822336771151367_824519174266460:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".gw.1:3:1:$comment822336771151367_824519174266460:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">gel
.... I called the picture 'Whatever!' (thinking whatever anything,
something that big and frightening says, will have to be obeyed) So I
reworked the one I had originally started on, in a slightly more
abstract style.... I still find those words ringing in my ears 'be it
unto me according to your word' I find Mary's act of submission
totally insprirational .... and so now maybe I'll face the other '
dark angel' and think about evil and keeping Herod in Christmas ....
after all RED is a Christmas colour .....</span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-16487508592478222252014-12-10T18:50:00.000+00:002015-03-08T18:52:15.797+00:00we make the road by walking ......Advent 2 Magnificent Magnificat <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">MAGNIFICANT
MAGNIFICAT: </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">encountering an angel, Zachariah is struck dumb, as
Elizabeth bears within he a new prophetic voice - John the Baptist -
after centuries of silence 'a voice crying in the wilderness 'prepare
the way of the Lord' Mary too enco</span></span><span data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".8z.1:3:1:$comment821813497870361_821814587870252:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">unters
the angel and realising the impossible can happen, responds" 'be it to
me according to your word' - impossible possibilities: possible
impossibilities' Everything is turned on its head.. in the upside down
kingdom... the weaker feminine takes the lead, the proud are silenced
and the exalted are humbled and the humble are exulted. Hungry are
filled with good things and the rich are sent away empty.....</span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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my favourite quote this week (p85/86) : <br />
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That's what it means to be alive in the adventure of Jesus<br />
We present ourselves <br />
our bodies<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> our stories<br /> our futures<br /> our possibilities <br /> even our limitations<br /> 'Here I am' we say with Mary<br /> 'Let it be with me according to your will'</span></blockquote>
<br />
<br /></div>
MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-49451617658378242812014-12-08T18:45:00.000+00:002015-03-08T18:52:55.698+00:00We make the road by walking Advent 1 Prophesy <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$text0:0:$0:0">a fabulous 'prophetic' song by Sinead O'Connor (She looks great in a dog collar) </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$text0:0:$0:0"> </span><a class="" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8jjudZBWSI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8jjudZBWSI</a><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/e8jjudZBWSI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e8jjudZBWSI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">What are your 8 good reasons to stick around? I found myself thinking of this in terms of Brian McLaren's question</span></span><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">
about prophetic hope in our everyday contemporary context and thinking about what I actually do ......... </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0"> My 8 good reasons include </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">FAMILY (R
T J A J), </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">faith, </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">health, </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">work/ministry, </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">network of friends/contacts; </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0"> home/house, </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">Pounstina, </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">Ceili&Walks... </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_817042005014177:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">and an open fire...</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_819265014791876:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_819265014791876:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_819265014791876:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_819265014791876:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">and
my favourite quote so far from the book....... </span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_819265014791876:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_819265014791876:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_819265014791876:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9c.1:3:1:$comment817026835015694_819265014791876:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">'to be alive in the
adventure of Jesus is to have a desire, a dream, a hope for the future.
It is to translate that hope for the future into action.... in the
present and to keep acting in the light of it, no matter the
disappointments, no matter the setbacks and delays. (p80)</span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2voVoroyM17bcd3f-tAlVA4Tn2nVIIxa4Xg4L87vZ5EhW4amr_GQF86oGL8dus0rIVq8lTrE3q8lKSORoimqoaCRkgCp2z8d-SQso_dzE-rTbkBaB-9E8dl-Bt4BiuoOwLUnWKXy2aQw/s1600/10407062_10152547336579366_2363601280203167977_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2voVoroyM17bcd3f-tAlVA4Tn2nVIIxa4Xg4L87vZ5EhW4amr_GQF86oGL8dus0rIVq8lTrE3q8lKSORoimqoaCRkgCp2z8d-SQso_dzE-rTbkBaB-9E8dl-Bt4BiuoOwLUnWKXy2aQw/s1600/10407062_10152547336579366_2363601280203167977_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-46049435099195930612014-12-06T18:28:00.000+00:002015-03-08T18:41:55.532+00:00we make the road by walking.... Advent 1 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
in holy::ground we are using Brian McLaren's Book as the source of our reflections during ADVENT from 30/Nov to 24/Dec. using various resources from Brian McLaren's book 'We make the
road by walking ...... You can join us in two main ways ONLINE and
SUPPER conversations every Monday in Advent Details on holy::ground
facebook group. You can also continue with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/288169554721726/">Creative Art Journaling</a><br />
<br />
<span data-reactid=".co.1:3:1:$comment817070925011285_817071171677927:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".co.1:3:1:$comment817070925011285_817071171677927:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".co.1:3:1:$comment817070925011285_817071171677927:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".co.1:3:1:$comment817070925011285_817071171677927:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$0:0">Brian McLaren introduces his book <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJGuJDgxLNA">here</a> -</span><a class="" data-reactid=".co.1:3:1:$comment817070925011285_817071171677927:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJGuJDgxLNA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><span data-reactid=".co.1:3:1:$comment817070925011285_817071171677927:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"> life is a journey and faith is an adventure and we make the road by walking.... </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
Brian McLaren singing his <a href="http://vimeo.com/89333698">song 'we make the road by walking' </a> <br />
<br />
the<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00HW2EG9U/ref=sib_dp_kd%E2%80%A6"> kindle edition</a> of the Retreat book is available for £4.68 <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I tried a little creative journaling: <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCnfQxtevPWfTUJRCJ8IP119gG-hAm8ppMko7jFhaHp6tnOtOt2Boa4Nj8zZyK8Y3WncHeIKk5UdgsLwKpTa-Ev_wasjjBD4pl-4hmiS5JHViYvxeGW_GAieMDMG8x1RjgH4ucMkWwGQ/s1600/10849788_10152547339264366_3828498743950466690_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCnfQxtevPWfTUJRCJ8IP119gG-hAm8ppMko7jFhaHp6tnOtOt2Boa4Nj8zZyK8Y3WncHeIKk5UdgsLwKpTa-Ev_wasjjBD4pl-4hmiS5JHViYvxeGW_GAieMDMG8x1RjgH4ucMkWwGQ/s1600/10849788_10152547339264366_3828498743950466690_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After killing the white on the page with a paint wash I looked to see
what I could see on the pages: <i>'As I looked the ancient of days took
his seat. his clothing was white as snow & the hair of his head
like pure wool & streams of fire came from him. the court sat ....
and books were opened'</i> (from Daniel) My ancient of days looks ever
so slightly bored....<br />
<br />
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-41610200622447004932014-12-04T23:20:00.000+00:002014-12-04T23:24:24.838+00:00My Travel Map <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This map of places I've travelled to you is brought to you care of <a href="http://matadornetwork.com/travel-map/7e1fe3a3a6b15c05184637747ef9de1f-1417734695">MatadorNetwork</a> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://matadornetwork.com/travel-map/7e1fe3a3a6b15c05184637747ef9de1f-1417734695" title="Phil Simpson’s Travel Map"><img alt="Phil Simpson’s Travel Map" src="http://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/travel-maps/7e1fe3a3a6b15c05184637747ef9de1f-1417734695/my-travel-map.png" style="max-width: 100%; width: 100%;" /></a></div>
Phil Simpson has been to: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/afghanistan/">Afghanistan</a>, Armenia, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/austria/">Austria</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/middle-east/bahrain/">Bahrain</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/belgium/">Belgium</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/south-america/brazil/">Brazil</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/north-america/canada/">Canada</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/china/">China</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/central-america/costa-rica/">Costa Rica</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/croatia/">Croatia</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/cyprus/">Cyprus</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/czech-republic/">Czech Republic</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/denmark/">Denmark</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/africa/egypt/">Egypt</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/finland/">Finland</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/france/">France</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/georgia/">Georgia</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/germany/">Germany</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/gibraltar/">Gibraltar</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/greece/">Greece</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/hong-kong/">Hong Kong</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/hungary/">Hungary</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/india/">India</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/indonesia/">Indonesia</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/middle-east/iran/">Iran</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/middle-east/iraq/">Iraq</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/ireland/">Ireland</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/middle-east/israel/">Israel</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/italy/">Italy</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/japan/">Japan</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/middle-east/jordan/">Jordan</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/kazakhstan/">Kazakhstan</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/kyrgyzstan/">Kyrgyzstan</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/middle-east/lebanon/">Lebanon</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/luxembourg/">Luxembourg</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/malaysia/">Malaysia</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/malta/">Malta</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/myanmar/">Myanmar</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/nepal/">Nepal</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/netherlands/">Netherlands</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/oceania/new-zealand/">New Zealand</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/norway/">Norway</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/pakistan/">Pakistan</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/middle-east/palestinian-territory/">Palestinian Territory</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/philippines/">Philippines</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/portugal/">Portugal</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/middle-east/qatar/">Qatar</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/romania/">Romania</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/russia/">Russia</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/singapore/">Singapore</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/south-korea/">South Korea</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/spain/">Spain</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/sri-lanka/">Sri Lanka</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/sweden/">Sweden</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/switzerland/">Switzerland</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/middle-east/syria/">Syria</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/taiwan/">Taiwan</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/tajikistan/">Tajikistan</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/thailand/">Thailand</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/turkey/">Turkey</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/turkmenistan/">Turkmenistan</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/ukraine/">Ukraine</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/middle-east/united-arab-emirates/">United Arab Emirates</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/">United Kingdom</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/">United States</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/asia/uzbekistan/">Uzbekistan</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/destinations/europe/vatican/">Vatican</a>. Get your own travel map from <a href="http://matadornetwork.com/travel-map/" target="_blank">Matador Network</a>.<br />
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I think I need to concentrate more on Africa South America and Oceania. Anyone need a consultant in any of these places... <br />
At least I've traveled to more places than my age ...... need to keep on moving on ....<br />
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Actually Ive just noticed I've missed off Tunisia, Kenya and Ethiopia...<br />
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-70188733963478829642014-10-04T17:35:00.003+01:002014-10-04T17:35:59.604+01:00Prayer of Bredan the Navigator<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I came across this <a href="http://godspace-msa.com/2014/03/19/the-prayer-of-st-brendan/">prayer of St Brenden</a> the Navigator I've used his story before to frame my own journeying. and on this occasion used the images and prayer on my twitter feed. I got lots of nice comments on FB about the 2 pastel pictures I did a while back. So decided to do the blog as well. The first picture is inspired by an image of the <a href="http://saintsbridge.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/brendan-clonfert_door_romanesque.jpg">entrance to Clonfert</a> The second based on an image of a celtic saint praying by the sea </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASY_gMbBGgcYCsY7WOS64WMSyZPxg9MV879eZGPcf-fG1rUVdD0D5_OIX7yQ_JDS06QuEK_4y8mErZE7BP6b_15KXsMyODnRak97DpEPuTqX7UHV3zy-Lm6cc7fG5tY5zq3P8yDUn8LQ/s1600/10704031_10152415947614366_1373661561701919941_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASY_gMbBGgcYCsY7WOS64WMSyZPxg9MV879eZGPcf-fG1rUVdD0D5_OIX7yQ_JDS06QuEK_4y8mErZE7BP6b_15KXsMyODnRak97DpEPuTqX7UHV3zy-Lm6cc7fG5tY5zq3P8yDUn8LQ/s1600/10704031_10152415947614366_1373661561701919941_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>Help me to journey beyond the familiar</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>and into the unknown.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>Give me the faith to leave old ways</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>and break fresh ground with You.</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-DkAerfcEGoaeMk-efnNeV1vARJ8Hi-ajxAlQN7pF12HBWyfdGTopLetsYdowKveW0pZepXzwjYfnsdXGA5B2VF6QYIEt6eQt4fVolIM9ts2WG3nDdxmOhzu0xRPnSTkQ3XaMI60UQY/s1600/10626797_10152417698824366_3711797642083116647_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-DkAerfcEGoaeMk-efnNeV1vARJ8Hi-ajxAlQN7pF12HBWyfdGTopLetsYdowKveW0pZepXzwjYfnsdXGA5B2VF6QYIEt6eQt4fVolIM9ts2WG3nDdxmOhzu0xRPnSTkQ3XaMI60UQY/s1600/10626797_10152417698824366_3711797642083116647_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">Christ
of the mysteries, </span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">I trust You to be stronger </span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">than each storm within me. </span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">I will trust in the darkness </span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">and know that my times, </span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">even now, are in
Your hand.<br /> Tune my spirit to the music of heaven, </span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">ans somehow, make my obedience count for You.</span></span></span></b></blockquote>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-32495964586213432032014-09-11T23:43:00.000+01:002015-01-16T16:43:21.026+00:00Prayer from Afghanistan <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBvRD16DzcxE5vGrnCUUi1x7YGOGVVfXhX2Khb5UCY67QWylJwD6_eNlGcJGO76kFZe4DTUGIeIwX2PRX2igl1LGbRP_vRSrtqx3bkJVp-XzlWvfE5OAv6SAvns2jdoE_LxdXHblXXhY/s1600/OldAfghanMan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBvRD16DzcxE5vGrnCUUi1x7YGOGVVfXhX2Khb5UCY67QWylJwD6_eNlGcJGO76kFZe4DTUGIeIwX2PRX2igl1LGbRP_vRSrtqx3bkJVp-XzlWvfE5OAv6SAvns2jdoE_LxdXHblXXhY/s1600/OldAfghanMan.jpg" height="400" width="301" /></a></div>
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I love this prayer from John Carden's book: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Procession-Prayers-Meditations-Around-World/dp/0304701394">A Procession of Prayers:</a> Meditations and Prayers from around the world. It's (appropriately) in the chapter on the Mystery of Christ's Epiphany to Wise Men. (p 55) The picture is one I painted ages ago, in Oil Pastels from a similar image I found on the web.. I suppose that for me this blog is an appropriate response to 9/11 - and a prayer for the country of Afghanistan<br />
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<b><i>And so, that is why, at nightfall when my people are asleep, kneeling barefoot, close to the altar of my little chapel, I become their intercessor - like Abraham, Jacob, Moses, like Jesus. A stick of sandlewood sends forth its fragrance, the symbol of all those who today are worn out with their labours in suffering, heavy with all their hopes - all of those who today have fallen asleep thinking only to meet a Judge - to them I present him as their Saviour, and I introduce them to the eternal Nuptials. All those little children who were born this day I make children of God. All the prayers said today in the homes, the mosques, I transform into an 'Our Father'. My heart is nothing more than a melting pot, where, in the fire of Christ's love, all the dross of my people is turned into gold - and through my lips it is the whole of Afghanistan who cries that 'Abba' to the Father that the Holy Spirit inspires. </i></b></blockquote>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-21035196767704775102014-08-09T14:24:00.000+01:002014-08-09T14:24:20.304+01:00 O that my eyes were a fountain of tears.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwVIn48Coa830U8yQplzbV8H3CaWZOUfIW-YQ2QV2O-jtV-G52qYc6tTlwvhIs40Xot6jJaZtiVau78yUEOpwZKqNewM0lWfnLSfbb6a1Ro7j1oWRtguGXKRR2l_4k6BNiCfbD7tRw3I/s1600/10458897_610289755735257_9068423388002701789_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwVIn48Coa830U8yQplzbV8H3CaWZOUfIW-YQ2QV2O-jtV-G52qYc6tTlwvhIs40Xot6jJaZtiVau78yUEOpwZKqNewM0lWfnLSfbb6a1Ro7j1oWRtguGXKRR2l_4k6BNiCfbD7tRw3I/s1600/10458897_610289755735257_9068423388002701789_n.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gaza may be small – something like 50km by 10 km – its
c 360Km2 about the size of the Isle of Wight ! But being small and
living cheek by jowl is no excuse for Hamas (alegedly) using human shields or firing
rockets from hospitals or schools – although there are a lot of myths
about this and I’m not sure I believe the propaganda …
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And I suppose its a matter of perspective – resistance
fighters in WW2 are seen as heroes – and ‘collaborators’ as traitors.
But it really does depend which side you’re on....</div>
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And peace is the only side to be on in the Israel-Gaza
conflict. </div>
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It’s not black and white. There are no goodies and baddies.
But I have enormous sympathy for the citizens of Gaza who were being
strangled by the blockade, before the rockets and the bombings. And for
Israelis and their desire to live in safety, but……. </div>
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a friend of mine Tanas Al Qassis A Palestinian Christian who works for CMS wrote some wise words: </div>
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<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">'If
I were part of the Israeli government, I would invest in the
Palestinian economy, make people flourish, be sure they have enough
food, medicine and schools. This way, I will ensure that Israel will be safe.'</span></span></h5>
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I have been watching far too many images from Gaza and Iraq and am lost in the horror of what is going on …. </div>
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All I / we can do is pray (and silence is so much better than words) and somehow hold on to hope …</div>
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a friend of mine posted the following quote: “The world
is a messy place. Particularly in the context of the digital age where
the noise of data can feels tsunami-like. Your job …. is to translate
the noise of living into sounds that people can hear. De-cluttered
writing is the art of bringing the noise level down”. Ravi Koli</div>
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I have turned to song as a way of translating the noise into sound that people can hear….. And this one does it for me ….Sinead O’Connor – If You Had A Vineyard from the album Theology – ’</div>
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<i><b>'O that my eyes were a fountain of tears that I might weep for my poor people’ </b></i></blockquote>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-2340961235006254182014-08-08T15:51:00.000+01:002014-08-08T15:55:12.952+01:00Eyeless in Gaza <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcgy1tKxC1XQS69rZeR0CI6UKFZm5DNxe9mi_8BFM9KwxGtUCP9bwadoqH8lWmL6r_QsluEahucvmXB_1N_089SsLpZmhdVOnXs3HtVkz8MPfvSqOIZSq7PN3F9PX9DHQxuZ9ybadcSo/s1600/Banksy-gaza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcgy1tKxC1XQS69rZeR0CI6UKFZm5DNxe9mi_8BFM9KwxGtUCP9bwadoqH8lWmL6r_QsluEahucvmXB_1N_089SsLpZmhdVOnXs3HtVkz8MPfvSqOIZSq7PN3F9PX9DHQxuZ9ybadcSo/s1600/Banksy-gaza.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Banksy-gaza.jpg
Painting of Hope in the Gaza Strip Barrier Wall On June 2002 in the
Occupied territories a concrete barrier walls were being erected.</span></div>
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I
have read Malanie Phillip's <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/columnists/article4166005.ece">Times article</a> about not getting the real truth about Gaza and still think the Israeli response is
disproportionate .... </div>
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I
am no supporter of Hamas and their tactics, but Israeli bombing of Gaza is
inhumane - the casuality figures speak from themselves. I think the
same about Hirohima and Nagasaki (which we remember this weekend) and also
allied 'smart' bombing in Afghanistan. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: left;">
The
'Muddle East' is very complicated and evades any attempts to make it clear
distinctions between goodies and baddies. And once the dogs of war are released
everything gets even messier. But the killing of so many civilians is not a proper response.
<br />
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<div class="uc" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: left;">
In all of this dreadful conflict, I have found Colin Chapman’s article below most helpful…. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.fulcrum-anglican.org.uk/articles/trying-to-make-sense-of-gaza/">Trying to make sense of Gaz </a> It's on
the Fulcrum website
http://www.fulcrum-anglican.org.uk/articles/trying-to-make-sense-of-gaza/ Just one quotation from the article: </span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="uc" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: left;">
<i>If some Palestinians have not been supporters of Hamas and blamed it for
the escalation of the fighting in the last two weeks, the ferocity of
Israeli attacks on Gaza has probably had the effect of rallying
widespread support for Hamas and its demands. One of the lessons of the
Northern Ireland peace process was that there was no significant
breakthrough until all parties – including those regarded as being extreme – were brought into the political process. …</i></div>
</blockquote>
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Also BBC today had an article on <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20415675">life in Gaza</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">(Here is a more up to date trip from May 2014 of <a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/peacemaking/mosaic-peace-blog/">Mosaic conference</a>)</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It brought back memories </span></span>....</span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">I visited there as part of a delegation (Feb 2002) when I was Regional Director for CMS and have
seen the situation first hand (I know it was many years back) but it helps to
identify and imagine what people are going through. Re-reading the report of
the visit<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">, </span>I realise, of course, nothing
ever changes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> .... </span>The endless cycle of
violence keeps repeating itself. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
The reference to Samson as possibly the first suicide 'bomber (below) made me think of the play I'd studied at school: 'Eyeless in Gaza' (hence the title of this blog) O that we would have eyes to see ..... and know how to pray ...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
‘Pray not for the Jew or Muslim or Christian, Israeli or Palestinian or
Arab; pray rather for ourselves, that we might not separate them in our
minds but instead join them in our prayers.’</blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Report: Across the lines (CMS, Feb 2002)</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <b>DAY 8<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaza</b></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Suhaila Tarazi, Al Ahli Hospital, Gaza City</span></b>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Today
began ominously. There had been several Israelis killed over the last few days,
and Israel was in the mood for retaliation.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
went down to Gaza this morning, passed through the Eretz checkpoint where you
choose either to be a VIP, diplomat, or international organisation/tourist.
Palestinians are filtered off to enter what looks like a cross between a long
tunnel and cattle grid, but of course there weren't any Palestinians today.
Gaza has been closed for a long time. Most of its citizens are effectively
prisioners. Over 100,000 Palestinian people used to work in Israel. Now they
can't, and unemployment is at 60%.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The oppression of a people is nowhere more
tangible than by taking the dusty road across Israel down to this strip of land
- a mere 25 miles (along the coast), by 5 miles. Disconnected from the
heartlands of Judea and Samaria (modern day West Bank), Gaza contains over 1
million people. Blown about by desert sand, Gaza City is more akin to Egypt or
Pakistan than any town in Israel or even the West Bank….”</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Katharine
Maycock</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></i></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLH4FaNl6R9BoTc46NJEY9tiC8v6mktJP3gUv1rKn915X0SmnBNf1S2vnmPrNuosc2wuHziMwt_vDMlHXQ-r9RYANgq7m2NZX17ynQzyPyLL1_viJOEdrN8-yW8aUHlCK3col9drQdFo/s1600/Al+Ahli+hospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLH4FaNl6R9BoTc46NJEY9tiC8v6mktJP3gUv1rKn915X0SmnBNf1S2vnmPrNuosc2wuHziMwt_vDMlHXQ-r9RYANgq7m2NZX17ynQzyPyLL1_viJOEdrN8-yW8aUHlCK3col9drQdFo/s1600/Al+Ahli+hospital.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We made our way to the Al Ahli Hospital, founded by CMS in the 19<sup>th</sup>
century and now run by the Anglican diocese: the only Christian hospital in
Gaza where 3000 Christians live alongside 1 million Moslems! The hospital is
quite simply a beacon of light in a desperately dark place.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We met the
hospital administrator, Suhaila Tarazi. Suhaila is a saint. She is smart,
vivacious, friendly and generous in her explanation of middle-eastern politics
and the sufferings of the Gazans. She spoke about the desperation of the
current situation and how desperate people do desperate things! She spoke of
the desperation of Samson when he killed himself as well as his Philistine
captors. Was he the first suicide bomber? The hospital feels poor and run down.
There were memorials on the wall commemorating Welsh and Scottish soldiers who
fell at the battle of Gaza in 1917. Gaza has seen too many battles. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We made our
way to the chapel for a eucharist. The service there was simple but moving. The
first sound of shelling left me unmoved: surely a sonic boom or the local
quarry? But then more consistent sounds and this time it did seem like bombs.
In fact it was Israeli F16 bombers. They were bombing a PLO prison in the
centre of Gaza city, only about half a kilometer from where we were!! We shared
the peace to the sound of war: a moment we will never forget. After the service
we went up on the roof of the building to see the smoke pouring from the site: a
bit scary and a bit unreal! Then comes the post-mortem. Where? When ? Why? How
many? Is it safe to move yet? Just another day in Gaza! My God its crazy!”</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rev Daniel Burton</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1USpy_KMxA0aDMn1F9k8OzM7CaNhpuaHqKmPsnwopAw1vaxXbA3PvSRns3rv4TnKZ1hdzcxKKVjsPjPWTciTD_KqP5kHVYcoPJWfFVIsWLSn3_mJZmVMTVQxRuHZ8W1g6t_IgpJ6dtR8/s1600/suhielasamira.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1USpy_KMxA0aDMn1F9k8OzM7CaNhpuaHqKmPsnwopAw1vaxXbA3PvSRns3rv4TnKZ1hdzcxKKVjsPjPWTciTD_KqP5kHVYcoPJWfFVIsWLSn3_mJZmVMTVQxRuHZ8W1g6t_IgpJ6dtR8/s1600/suhielasamira.jpg" height="269" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">“Everyday, life is full of blood. Every day there is a new victim.”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Suhaila Tarazi, the Palestinian
Director of Al Ahli hospital told us. <span style="color: red;">“We are all
children of Abraham – we are all brothers, but because of politics, ‘blood’
brothers.”</span></span></span></div>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-21322061034941450922014-07-05T10:24:00.000+01:002015-12-14T10:46:19.170+00:00#LoveFast Thank God for Taxis <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
as part of the <a href="http://www.mahabbanetwork.com/">#Mahabba </a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mahabba-LoveFast/491171160963192?ref=hl">#LoveFast </a>Campaign - <a href="http://www.30-days.net/">#30days</a> of Prayer&ACTION during #Ramadan - we received the following story from Alan in Aylesbury (NB the names of individuals have been changed) <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="uc" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When I
first moved to Aylesbury five years ago I asked God to show me the key to
making friends with Muslim men in the town. They and their families
number about 6,000 or 10% of the population and mainly come from
Pakistan. </span></div>
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<div class="uc" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">God
showed me that using taxis would be the key. As we seldom use taxis
I couldn’t see how this would happen. But about three years ago, after
leading a severely disabled man to the Lord in a local residential home, we’ve
been taking him to church every Sunday – by taxi! Including loading and
unloading the wheel chair and journey time, I reckon we have about 20-30
minutes every week talking with various drivers. </span></div>
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<div class="uc" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
discovered that one regular driver, Ahmed, a devout Muslim, had several
daughters but only one son in his thirties, who was severely disabled. I
first met Hassan when he was seriously ill in hospital and have since visited
him regularly, watching cricket and telling some of the great OT stories.
Family members are always present to join the conversation as Hassan needs
continuous help.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="uc" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hassan
recently suffered a stroke which robbed him of his speech. I cried when I
heard that this young man had now become almost completely disabled. I
asked his father if I could pray to Isa-al-Masih for his speech to be recovered
and praise God there has been a slight improvement. I am now a regular
visitor to this three-generational family home and am becoming a trusted
friend. I never thought I’d thank God for taxis! </span></div>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-65286046211756985472014-06-26T21:10:00.000+01:002014-06-26T21:21:53.873+01:00#LoveFast during #30days of #Ramadan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT7-dLpTwEPVxpO4_JrAvREPUrKjPxSurGKKGzqcJtTUS-Knxpqy-q2XSuozbI-iDYNE-DVqS2JEtWwkmMhDsB8GFL8qV7gXIaCARmRVyAJZ5njofJPo4QPScq-kYx64UeeUPHUzhSo4/s1600/titlephoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT7-dLpTwEPVxpO4_JrAvREPUrKjPxSurGKKGzqcJtTUS-Knxpqy-q2XSuozbI-iDYNE-DVqS2JEtWwkmMhDsB8GFL8qV7gXIaCARmRVyAJZ5njofJPo4QPScq-kYx64UeeUPHUzhSo4/s1600/titlephoto.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt;">I am
currently running a social networking campaign called #LoveFast as part
of #Mahabba #30days of prayer&action during #Ramadan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Join us for 30 days of Christian prayer
and action during Ramadan (similar to Stewardship’s #40Acts Generosity campaign
during Lent). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-12AFkBvfJRJPxzIoQSk6gqyZlRw4_eQkJKw0DGfK482DRljuVItr6kAXpHJIWGK7PSiqu0Gm3AVXFAsMIC9t20mpX-9wkPUOqGtUE0F-cH7Gmar51xdcPR1ZJicc7lsjkC042VJI9UU/s1600/logo-30-days-net.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-12AFkBvfJRJPxzIoQSk6gqyZlRw4_eQkJKw0DGfK482DRljuVItr6kAXpHJIWGK7PSiqu0Gm3AVXFAsMIC9t20mpX-9wkPUOqGtUE0F-cH7Gmar51xdcPR1ZJicc7lsjkC042VJI9UU/s1600/logo-30-days-net.jpg" height="55" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This will run alongside the #30Days of Prayer
for the Muslim World campaign. <u><a href="http://www.30-days.net/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.30-days.net/</span></a></u>> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
There is a Twitter feed; Facebook page; information on MahabbaonTheCity &
MahabbaNetwork website. www.mahabbanetwork.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
And there is an opportunity for you to interact with your blogs,
responses, ideas, pictures, stories. We want you to be able to get
involved with prayer and action during the Muslim month of Ramadan….<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Come and join us…
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> LINKS <br />
Twitter feed @MahabbaNetwork </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook page <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MahabbaNetwork <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mahabba-Network-LoveFast/491171160963192"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mahabba-Network-LoveFast/491171160963192</span></a>
;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mahabba Network website <u><a href="https://www.mahabbanetwork.com/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.mahabbanetwork.com/</span></a></u><br />
The 4 page leaflet/brochure - full of links to youtube etc to get started - can be downloaded via
Drop Box <u><a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7993360/%23LoveFast_Final.pdf"><span style="color: blue;">https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7993360/%23LoveFast_Final.pdf</span></a> </u></span> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcRrNZLJ5jHFQDKReKWNntZYOuHkLDe1pcszJ1lmmQB-xUWMFEC1mmYcDoCyQltnr3nrb6az8chfbNjxYBbemakNJBI-AbJlEa15QFhRRBCj6jH-AY0vbIaFgpt8Q0FHjt-X0Vg_vLXA/s1600/LOVEFAST.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcRrNZLJ5jHFQDKReKWNntZYOuHkLDe1pcszJ1lmmQB-xUWMFEC1mmYcDoCyQltnr3nrb6az8chfbNjxYBbemakNJBI-AbJlEa15QFhRRBCj6jH-AY0vbIaFgpt8Q0FHjt-X0Vg_vLXA/s1600/LOVEFAST.png" height="183" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFUHufu_N6b3HGAGzIZqjPZxj-x7RuDqGUvvdLGvl738zjRasEHOJuvJUVBKSkaRuKZbltwe5OgPrAcmqmWMZVgr5zKKWk9pVfrVNuJgyBT_YI_wyEs6qV89ZEAzZfdQQm_ZJ-PGUkLU/s1600/keep-calm-and-love-fast.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFUHufu_N6b3HGAGzIZqjPZxj-x7RuDqGUvvdLGvl738zjRasEHOJuvJUVBKSkaRuKZbltwe5OgPrAcmqmWMZVgr5zKKWk9pVfrVNuJgyBT_YI_wyEs6qV89ZEAzZfdQQm_ZJ-PGUkLU/s1600/keep-calm-and-love-fast.png" height="190" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><u><a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7993360/%23LoveFast_Final.pdf"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></u></span>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-89545417536806347882014-06-10T11:45:00.000+01:002014-06-10T11:45:09.295+01:00Christo Redentor <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="player-width player-height off-screen-target player-api" id="player-api" style="overflow: hidden;">
</div>
<span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person">
</span>
<span itemprop="thumbnail" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject">
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<div class="clearfix yt-uix-expander yt-uix-expander-collapsed" id="watch7-headline">
<div class="yt" id="watch-headline-title" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="watch-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="CRISTO REDENTOR (Lisa Gerrard - Devotion)">
<b>CRISTO REDENTOR (Lisa Gerrard - Devotion) </b></span></div>
<div class="yt" id="watch-headline-title" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="watch-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="CRISTO REDENTOR (Lisa Gerrard - Devotion)"><b> </b></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PlZ4Aa-OJ40?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
I came across this song on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlZ4Aa-OJ40">YouTube</a> sung by Lisa Gerrard, who sang the hauntingly beautiful <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2ZiIPEorP0">songs in Gladiator </a><br />
<br />
<br />
You, oh Christ, are the Kingdom of Heaven<br />by Symeon the New Theologian<br />English version by George A. Maloney, S.J.<br />
Original Language Greek<br /><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
You,
oh Christ, are the Kingdom of Heaven;<br />
You, the land promised to the
gentle;<br />
You the grazing lands of paradise;<br />
You, the hall of the
celestial banquet;<br />
You, the ineffable marriage chamber;<br />
You the
table set for all,<br />You the bread of life;<br />
You, the unheard of drink;<br />You, both the urn for the water and the life-giving water;<br />You, moreover, the inextinguishable lamp for each one of the saints;<br />You, the garment and the crown and the one who distributes crowns;<br />You, the joy and the rest;<br />
You, the delight and glory;<br />You the gaiety;<br />
You, the mirth;<br />and
Your grace, grace of the Spirit of all sanctity,<br />
will shine like
the sun in all the saints;<br />
and You, inaccessible sun,<br />
will shine
in their midst and all will shine brightly,<br />
to the degree of
their faith, their asceticism,<br />
their hope and their love,<br />
their purification and their illumination by Your Spirit...<br />
</blockquote>
</div>
MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-86764947298144350832014-06-09T16:22:00.000+01:002014-06-09T16:22:26.069+01:00the little bird and the big fire <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
I attended an interfaith meeting at Willow Grange - the Bishop of Guildford's residence. Only about a dozen of us. We were thinking about how we remain faithful in such troubled time ... with so many stories of conflict around the world, and so much pressure on interfaith relations in Britain <br />
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<br />
Dr Naqvi, the Imam of the Shia Mosque in Woking, told a story about a little bird that tried to put out a fire with a drop of water. It became a metaphor of the small efforts we make on the local level to try and change the global picture. In the face of some many difficulties and so many negative stories, how do we maintain hope ? by contributing our little drops in an ocean. As Mother Theresa once responded: The Ocean is made of many drops ...... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJKLtVqxYyv3knIrFOMjjvTry0Bgm0QH9jyJNx9ugA46Eh9q4Q7h82ajPuF9JaXOyvnc0WSmkwgavaKEUKVetm887SXzb6RnKEscEKEMAKD0Z4uJKl1FtiTPxR77dHoF2PRpGnwiGD78/s1600/Quote-of-the-Month-Feb-2013-1024x1024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJKLtVqxYyv3knIrFOMjjvTry0Bgm0QH9jyJNx9ugA46Eh9q4Q7h82ajPuF9JaXOyvnc0WSmkwgavaKEUKVetm887SXzb6RnKEscEKEMAKD0Z4uJKl1FtiTPxR77dHoF2PRpGnwiGD78/s1600/Quote-of-the-Month-Feb-2013-1024x1024.png" height="193" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I later looked up the story of the little bird on the <a href="http://www.ezsoftech.com/stories/making.a.difference.moral.stories.asp">internet </a>and found this version: <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Once there was a little bird (Ababeel) that lived during the times of
Prophet Abraham (Hazrat Ibrahim AS). When Prophet Abraham (pbuh) was
thrown into fire by the enemy of faith, King Nimrod, a little bird saw
what happen and decide to put out the fire to help Prophet Abraham
(pbuh). The little bird starts scooping up few drops of water in her
tiny beak from the nearby river. The larger birds in the vicinity
watched and laughed at the little bird and they said, "Where are you
carrying the water?"
<br />
The little bird said, "To put out the fire around Prophet Abraham
(pbuh)." The larger birds continue laughing. "How could you put out such
a huge fire with such a small amount of water? It is pointless and
useless."<br />
Do you know what the little bird replied? "I am sure Allah (SWT) will
not asked me whether I manage to put out the fire or not. But Allah
(SWT) will ask what I have done to stop the fire."<br />
Hearing the answer, all the larger birds are silenced.</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We often think that our effort is the one responsible for our
success. This is wrong way of thinking because Allah (SWT) is the One.
If he says we succeeded, we will succeed. Our effort is just a sacrifice
that we are willing to make. Similarly little bird knows that with few
drops of water, fire will not extinguished but it is his responsibility
to contribute whatever it can in anyway with his capability.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyB219kMKbCcaWrODVzwTR58smx5iCDCMx952JFKO_5lno8BgtuGnq4mlPjbVLnaMJWuSnb4uB4o944oija0DX8qNmloDxoaD6sfPtWUihzjRXVwqmrdm0OFiI_mxpquFY4f4GRBdZms/s1600/Islamic-Calligraphy-Drawing-HANDMADE-Zoomorphic-Turkey-Persia-Arabia-India-Art-190734724938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyB219kMKbCcaWrODVzwTR58smx5iCDCMx952JFKO_5lno8BgtuGnq4mlPjbVLnaMJWuSnb4uB4o944oija0DX8qNmloDxoaD6sfPtWUihzjRXVwqmrdm0OFiI_mxpquFY4f4GRBdZms/s1600/Islamic-Calligraphy-Drawing-HANDMADE-Zoomorphic-Turkey-Persia-Arabia-India-Art-190734724938.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-88659196576764506162014-06-04T12:11:00.004+01:002014-06-04T12:11:54.225+01:00greenbelt: travelling light<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong></strong><a href="http://www.pipwilson.com/2014/05/greenbelt-festival-travelling-light.html"><strong>Travelling light.</strong></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDQ0mSZlRyXrTGGnmm9Lpku1OpsMkMeiuj-NnG3kRP9Ob5AEGZLYd3oHeGrSOenDqsSwoiGzhhwdIpWpfrNABq3Q_Vm_4yKK_AdRGRzzhc91kV3IOgngoPmZut2hrCG7W0PMWsR9YkOE/s1600/%23GB14+LOG.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDQ0mSZlRyXrTGGnmm9Lpku1OpsMkMeiuj-NnG3kRP9Ob5AEGZLYd3oHeGrSOenDqsSwoiGzhhwdIpWpfrNABq3Q_Vm_4yKK_AdRGRzzhc91kV3IOgngoPmZut2hrCG7W0PMWsR9YkOE/s1600/%23GB14+LOG.png" height="200" width="170" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
A Poem by Irish poet & bridge-builder<br />
Pádraig Ó Tuama on Greenbelt’s theme:<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because sometimes we</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
travel heavy</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and those heady times we</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
can barely</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
imagine the freebody</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
movement of</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
dance.</div>
<span id="more-299"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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Because sometimes we</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
travel dark</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and from those hard paths we</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
can’t even</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
conjure an image of</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
sunrise</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
or moonrise</div>
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or starlight</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
or fire.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because sometimes we</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
travel solo</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and those lonely times we</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
forget all the others</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
we’ve travelled with</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
lovingly</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
travelled with</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
home.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because sometimes we</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
need to be</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
travelling lightly</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
because sometimes we’re in need of</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
regular reminding</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
that light comes in circles</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and waves</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and small moments</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
and light</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
comes to find us</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and light comes with hope.</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<span class="fsl">message from holy:;ground – Everyone is welcome to
tag along to Greenbelt. No Holy Gnomes this year but we will be involved
in Site Worship. Bring your own tent…. and book through the greenbelt
website (details under <a href="http://holygroundwoking.wordpress.com/next-event/calendar/">calendar </a>and <a href="http://holygroundwoking.wordpress.com/next-event/event-list/">event list</a> on the holy::ground website</span></div>
MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-81539494357823800632014-01-19T13:27:00.002+00:002014-01-20T23:01:42.842+00:00Taverna du Liban, Kabul<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
I like many expats have dined in the Taverna du Liban in Kabul, a mini haven of normality in the midst of so much confusion. You can read the reviews on <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g660089-d2373637-Reviews-Taverna_du_Liban-Kabul_Kabul_Province.html">Trip Advisor.</a><br />
I remember going there with the ORA team in Kabul, and on many other occasions. Good food, good company, good atmosphere.... <br />
So it was a with a real sense of shock that we heard of the <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/up-to-21-mostly-foreigners-killed-in-kabul-suicide-attack-472483?curl=1390137791">suicide bombing and the death of 21 at the restaurant</a>. BBC's Lyse Douset also wrote a piece about Kamal, the cafe <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25790749">owner who died trying to defend his restaurant.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebjyehvY3aq9GdWkXuBDC4c5jqR2HY7vcjzq5Ieg61vdwC2kipNRhNqO1sTnrlIm5hllcsR-yiwnEbXOurY4GRYi3fu2Vb_ecBf7Z5hB7MysIUuHGreN71OGtxSRoGR3COFomfRwu_Rk/s1600/108721349801374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebjyehvY3aq9GdWkXuBDC4c5jqR2HY7vcjzq5Ieg61vdwC2kipNRhNqO1sTnrlIm5hllcsR-yiwnEbXOurY4GRYi3fu2Vb_ecBf7Z5hB7MysIUuHGreN71OGtxSRoGR3COFomfRwu_Rk/s1600/108721349801374.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_52dbcff4278947625635361">
An Afghan friend of mine, now living in the US wrote the following on Facbook - he used to be involved in running a coffee shop in Kabul himself .....</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_52dbcff4278947625635361">
I stumbled across a tweet seconds after the cowardly attack on Taverna
Du Liban restaurant this morning (night time in Kabul). My millisecond
instinct reaction has ta<span class="text_exposed_show">ken me to
‘chaila’ days – fears like today (of what happened at Taverna) has
robbed many nights with the question, threat and fear hanging on the
back of my mind “what if they…” <br /> As I was thinking about the
horror of today’s atrocity, it took me back to the time we’ve decided
for ‘chaila’ to remain in people’s memory than a physical reality.<br />
Call it downheartedness of today’s event or nostalgia (already) of good
ol' days, Taverna was a beautiful corner of Kabul with incredible
hospitality and food. Last time I arrived to pick up a food order, I was
early. I parked the car on the opposite corner of the restaurant and
turned the car off to take a short nap (it was late evening). I opened
my eyes with the sound of a knock-knock on the window - the guard asked
if I was waiting for a guest inside to which I replied “no”. “I am
here”, I said, “to pick up my order and I’m 30 minutes early”. “Go check
inside… they might have it ready for you!” said the guard. I went
inside paid the bill and while waiting for the food to come, Kamal
brought me a glass of fresh pomegranate juice -- “Drink this while you
are waiting, Sedi’i” and we both sat and chatted. </span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu6vl6lolTaw99u9IQNcf42hrJjznER0dEUTInN0cuu-hi5U8cw7wF-23lW-vqSBUAzIUp8ikIM7kIjxT-30yLQkzff0LV3F0YmqDdHklkVkp6gEUl52EJ_6dxpid8w-_136EcjBgQ_k/s1600/1504940_10153798310680647_1468183530_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu6vl6lolTaw99u9IQNcf42hrJjznER0dEUTInN0cuu-hi5U8cw7wF-23lW-vqSBUAzIUp8ikIM7kIjxT-30yLQkzff0LV3F0YmqDdHklkVkp6gEUl52EJ_6dxpid8w-_136EcjBgQ_k/s1600/1504940_10153798310680647_1468183530_n.jpg" height="188" width="200" /></a></div>
I read that
Kamal picked up his gun to defend his guests and died on the first few
minutes of the firefight with these two cold-blooded Talib assailants.
But there was also another gentleman who didn’t get a chance to defend
his guests. His name was Kramuddin. He was 35 years old and father of
five girls and one boy – the youngest 3 months old. His income was Afs
10,000 – roughly $170 per month and he was the sole breadwinner of the
family. He was one of the guards at the entrance gate and died on the
initial suicide attack. Most likely everyone who went to the Lebanese
Restaurant saw him at the gate but may not know his name. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_52dbcff4278947625635361">
<span class="text_exposed_show"> Once again, I’m speechless of what humans are capable of doing in the name of God. <br /> A few days ago, I read a poem which resonates with what has happened today. It loosely translates to: </span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_52dbcff4278947625635361">
<span class="text_exposed_show"> <i>“They search for You in hundreds of colours<br /> And in deceit and cunning<br /> They seek You with spears in wars<br /> In this place, they are looking for You in a rock<br /> You give life, but here…<br /> They take lives and call it your dictum!”</i></span></div>
<br /></blockquote>
</div>
MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-72066629203482762014-01-05T19:24:00.000+00:002014-03-12T19:28:53.842+00:00Three Wise Men <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<dl class="group_content help_item clearfix"><dd class="content_body"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ezsoftech.com/stories/images/wise_men.gif"><img alt=" http://www.ezsoftech.com/stories/images/wise_men.gif" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6w-znovDZB79ozydaA9_N5XaYim_QwsZsM44jF1dD7p8FFb9unYoUuyqfo6Lb8OZ0Pwm9s3Qawfk87RGRYos-BMRumKNMcSC9AEl1-XrpbXYEW5C03xN9mP_Kh279lv9eiIjPNB2JEGk/s1600/3+wise+men+donkey+.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="uc">
<br /></div>
<div class="uc">
One day some wise men, who were
going about the country trying to find answers to some of the great
questions of their time, came to Mulla Nasruddin’s district and asked to
see the wisest man in the place. Mulla Nasruddin was brought forward,
and a big crowd gathered to listen.</div>
<div class="uc">
<br /></div>
<div class="uc">
The first wise man began by asking, “Where is the exact center of the world?”</div>
<div class="uc">
“It is under my right heel,” answered Mulla Nasruddin.</div>
<div class="uc">
“How can you prove that?” asked the first wise man.</div>
<div class="uc">
“If you don’t believe me,” answered Mulla Nasruddin, “measure and see.”</div>
<div class="uc">
<br /></div>
<div class="uc">
The first wise man had nothing to answer to that, so the
second wise man asked his question. “How many stars are there in the
sky?” he said. “As many as there are hairs on my donkey,” answered Mulla
Nasruddin.</div>
<div class="uc">
“What proof have you got of that?” asked the second wise man.</div>
<div class="uc">
“If you don’t believe me,” answered Mulla Nasruddin, “count the hairs on my donkey and you will see.”</div>
<div class="uc">
“That’s foolish talk,” said the other. “How can one count the hairs on a donkey?”</div>
<div class="uc">
“Well,” answered Mulla Nasruddin, “How can one count the
stars in the sky? If one is foolish talk, so is the other.” The second
wise man was silent.</div>
<div class="uc">
<br /></div>
<div class="uc">
The third wise man was becoming annoyed with Mulla
Nasruddin and his answers, so he said, “You seem to know a lot about
your donkey, so can you tell me how many hairs there are in its tail?”</div>
<div class="uc">
“Yes,” answered Mulla Nasruddin. “There are exactly as many hairs in its tail as there are in your beard.”</div>
<div class="uc">
“How can you prove that?” said the other.</div>
<div class="uc">
“I can prove it very easily,” answered Mulla Nasruddin.
“You can pull one hair out of my donkey’s tail for every one I pull out
of your beard. If the hairs on my donkey’s tail do not come to an end at
exactly the same time as the hairs in your beard, I will admit that I
was wrong.”</div>
<div class="uc">
<br /></div>
<div class="uc">
Of course, the third wise man was not willing to do this,
so the crowd declared Mulla Nasruddin the winner of the day’s arguments.</div>
<div class="uc">
<br /></div>
</dd></dl>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-26050606189783726302013-12-21T19:21:00.000+00:002014-03-12T19:23:22.397+00:00 The Mullah and the Veil<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<dl class="group_content help_item clearfix"><dd class="credits small-text clearfix"><span class="uc">This was sent to me by an Afghan friend living inn Kabul ………. :-) </span></dd><dd class="content_body"><div class="uc">
<span class="uc"><br class="uc" /></span></div>
<div class="uc">
<span class="uc">One day Mulla Nasruddin was preaching about hijab (veil) saying,</span></div>
<div class="uc">
<span class="uc"> "those who wear hijab will for sure go to paradise. </span></div>
<div class="uc">
<span class="uc">A woman stood and said I wear it both at home and outside. </span></div>
<div class="uc">
<span class="uc">Mulla Nasruddin said, “Give her the key of paradise.” </span></div>
<div class="uc">
<span class="uc">Another woman said, </span></div>
<div class="uc">
<span class="uc">“I wear hijab when am out of home but I wear underwear at home.” </span></div>
<div class="uc">
<span class="uc">Mulla Nasruddin smiled and said, “Give her the key of my home !” </span></div>
<div class="uc">
<span class="uc"><br class="uc" /></span></div>
<div class="uc">
<span class="uc">hhhhhaahhhahah</span></div>
<div class="uc">
<span class="uc"><br class="uc" /></span></div>
<div class="uc">
<span class="uc"><br class="uc" /></span></div>
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<span class="uc">The illustration, by the way, I got from a blog: ‘Fulla girl in a Mulla World’ </span></div>
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<span class="uc">presumably sung to the tune: ’I’m a Barbie girl in a Barbie world’ ….</span></div>
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<span class="uc">http://tallouza.blogspot.co.uk/2007/03/fulla-girl-in-mulla-world.html</span></div>
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899376738378602315.post-65894186429341073702013-12-13T13:47:00.001+00:002013-12-13T13:47:38.955+00:00Checkpoint - a modern Nasruddin <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I came across a modern version of an ancient Nasruddin story .......<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/20335593" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/20335593">Checkpoint - A tale of Nasruddin. plus advertisement</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6126951">Ross Al - Khirsan</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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MullanaNasruddinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418647055289358430noreply@blogger.com0