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Published 3-21-11 - The Religion Network publishes every Monday
ON TODAY'S SITE:

Nan C. Merrill, Rumi, Book of Psalms
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Dear Readers,

How do we name the One who is so vast He is unnameable;
how to contain the Lord of All that Is, inside a single utterance?

We are speechless before Him because He is the Word, yet we
need to try and describe Him as the beginning  of our under-
standing of Him. To converse with the Divine we must rise
above our intellect by descending into our hearts. There
alone are we able to translate the Word into something
we nearly are able to comprehend.

While man cannot completely name God, we can and do use
language to describe bits and pieces of the Holy Nature.
When we put the pieces together and stand back, we
see some of the Artistry that is He. What joy!

- Lisa

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God_gives_life_SistineChapel
Sistine Chapel ceiling - Creation: God gives life to Adam - by Michelangelo Buonarotti


NAMES FOR GOD IN DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS


JUDEO CHRISTIAN:

Maker of Heaven and Earth ... The Omnipotent

Divine Love ... Shepherd of Israel

Lord God of Hosts ... The Most High

The Almighty ... The King

Beloved ... Mighty One

Gracious One ... Spirit of Truth

Living Presence ... All Knowing

The Light ... The Holy One

God of All Comfort ... Father of All Mercies



HINDUISM:

Timeless Being ... The First Person

Cosmic Controller ... Supreme Lord


SIKHISM:

One ... The Formless One

"Your Names are so many and Your Forms are endless.
No one can tell how many Glorious Virtues You have."


ISLAM:

The Irresistible ... The Fashioner of Forms

The Guardian ... The Magnificent

(All collected from many sources, including the Holy Bible)

 

SISTINE CHAPEL DETAIL
Sistine Chapel ceiling - Creation detail



I abandon myself to You,
O Living Presence, my strength.

You are my stronghold,
my freedom,
Almighty One, the rock and
foundation of my life,
Just One, tower of strength,
the source of truth and light,
I call upon You, Heart of my heart,
singing praises to your Name,
and fear no longer holds me ...

Yes, You are the Light of my life;
You shine through my darkness.
Yes, with You I can do all things;
and my spirit soars like an eagle.
Your ways lead to wholeness,
O Loving Presence;
Your Word in me is life;
How tenderly You live in my heart!



Psalm 18
Nan C. Merrill
continuum, 2009

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The Alchemy of Love

You come to us
from another world

From beyond the stars
and void of space.
Transcendent, Pure,
Of unimaginable beauty,
Bringing with you
the essence of love...

You are the master alchemist.

You light the fire of love
in earth and sky
in heart and soul
of every being.

Through your loving
existence and nonexistence merge.
All opposites unite.
All that is profane
becomes sacred again.

Excerpts of the poem, "The Alchemy of Love,"
by Rumi (1207-1273)
From "The Love Poems of Rumi,"
Translated by Deepak Chopra & Fereydoun Kia
Harmony Books, 1998


The Last Word:

Therefore, I shall give thanks to You
among the nations, Hashem, and to
Your Name I will sing.

Psalm 18:50
The Stone Edition Tanach



 

 






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 








 







 







































 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utterly Random Bonus Quote:

I must see new things
and investigate them.
I want to taste dark water
and see crackling
trees and wild winds.

Egon Schiele (1890-1918)
Austrian painter
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Welcome to
The Religion Network!

I'm Lisa Bowman, editor
of The Religion Network,
a multi-faith Web site.
We offer motivational
thoughts exploring
various topics weekly.


The Religion Network
holds that inspiration is
found in all faiths; and
furthermore, that finding
commonalities in the
world's religions builds
bridges of understanding.

Religion as an institution
is a precious gift,
blessing us and
uplifting communities.
However you worship,
may this site enhance
your journey. To read
my personal story, click:
biography.

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THE RELIGION
NETWORK :

MORNING JOY



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