I’m a Muslim living n New Mexico, I would like to make the Pilgrimage this year (Inshallah). Whats the going price and where do I sign up?
Travel agent may be just the thing for this, at least that’s what I’m thinking.
Please back up your answer with a quote. I am doing research and cannot find where the bible states that fasting is an obligation, same for the Pilgrimage.
And also, where does the Bible make reference to Easter and Christmas. They also don’t seem to be mentioned in the bible. I understand that the Bible is very symbolic but I’m working on a paper and need to know the rules of what I mentioned above.
Thank you
well first you will not find anything in the bible about christmas and Easter because these are pagen holidays and you will have to get info on those some where else. But here is some info about fasting.
In Bible times, people fasted for various reasons that met with divine approval. Some fasted to express extreme sorrow or repentance for sins (1 Samuel 7:4-6), to implore God’s favor or seek his guidance (Judges 20:26-28; Luke 2:36, 37), or to sharpen one’s concentration while meditating.—Matthew 4:1, 2.
The Bible, however, also refers to fasts that God did not view with favor. King Saul fasted before consulting a spirit medium. (Leviticus 20:6; 1 Samuel 28:20) Wicked people, such as Jezebel as well as the fanatics who planned to kill the apostle Paul, proclaimed fasts. (1 Kings 21:7-12; Acts 23:12-14) The Pharisees were well-known for their regular fasting. (Mark 2:18) Yet, they were condemned by Jesus, and they failed to impress God. (Matthew 6:16; Luke 18:12) Likewise, Jehovah ignored the fasts of certain Israelites because of their bad conduct and wrong motives.—Jeremiah 14:12.
These examples show that it is not the act of fasting in itself that pleases God. However, many sincere servants of God who did fast met with divine approval. So should Christians fast?
Is Fasting Obligatory for Christians?
The Mosaic Law ordered the Jews to “afflict [their] souls,” that is, to fast, once a year on Atonement Day. (Leviticus 16:29-31; Psalm 35:13) This was the only fasting that Jehovah ever commanded his people to do.* Jews who lived under the Mosaic Law would have obeyed that command. But Christians are not required to observe the Mosaic Law.—Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:14.
Although Jesus did fast as the Law required, he was not known for this practice. He told his disciples how they were to act if they chose to fast, but he never commanded that they fast. (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14) Why, then, did Jesus say that his disciples would fast after his death? (Matthew 9:15) This was not a command. Jesus’ words simply suggest that at his death his disciples would feel deep sorrow and would lose the desire to eat.
Two Biblical accounts of early Christians who did fast show that if with good motive a person chooses to abstain from food, this is acceptable to God. (Acts 13:2, 3; 14:23)# Christians, then, are under no obligation to fast. Yet, a person who chooses to do so should be alert to certain dangers.
Beware of the Pitfalls
One pitfall to avoid regarding fasting is self-righteousness. The Bible warns against adopting “mock humility.” (Colossians 2:20-23) Jesus’ illustration of the proud Pharisee who felt morally superior to others because of his regular fasting leaves no doubt that God rejects such an attitude.—Luke 18:9-14.
It would also be a mistake to publicize the fact that you fast or to fast because another person tells you to do so. According to Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus counseled that fasting should be a private matter, between you and God, and that you should not announce it to others.
“The kingdom of God does not mean eating and drinking, but means righteousness and peace and joy”
One should never think that fasting somehow compensates for sinning. To be acceptable to God, a fast must be accompanied by obedience to his laws. (Isaiah 58:3-7) Heartfelt repentance, not the act of fasting itself, is what leads to the forgiveness of sins. (Joel 2:12, 13) The Bible emphasizes that we receive forgiveness by Jehovah’s undeserved kindness expressed through the sacrifice of Christ. It is impossible to earn forgiveness through any works, including fasting.—Romans 3:24, 27, 28; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8, 9.
Isaiah 58:3 illustrates another common error. The Israelites suggested that Jehovah owed them something in return for their fasting, as if by fasting, they were doing God a favor. They asked: “For what reason did we fast and you did not see, and did we afflict our soul and you would take no note?” Many today likewise think that because of their fasting, they can expect God to perform some favor for them in return. May we never imitate such a disrespectful and unscriptural attitude!
Others believe that it is possible to earn merit by submitting the body to discomfort through fasting, whipping themselves, or the like. God’s Word condemns this notion, showing that “a severe treatment of the body” is “of no value in combating” wrong desires.—Colossians 2:20-23.
A Balanced View
Fasting is not obligatory; nor is it wrong. It may be beneficial in some circumstances if the dangers mentioned above are avoided. Fasting, however, is not the focus of acceptable worship. Jehovah is “the happy God,” and he wants his servants to be happy. (1 Timothy 1:11) His own Word says: “There is nothing better for them than . . . that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.”—Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13.
Our worship should be characterized by joy,
I want to travel to Israel in 2011 and then Spain.
group tours
does your church do Pilgrimages? you can ask what tour company they use since it’s usually safe and least expensive.
Faith makes even the most impossible things possible, faith can turn poison into medicine, faith serves as a lantern in the dark and it is the faith that takes the form of hope, courage, compassion and wisdom when the going gets tough. These lines echo the essence and power of faith … By lighting the lamp of faith in their hearts, the devotees from across the world flock to the Dargah Sharif at Ajmer to offer prayers. And it is believed that no prayer offered at the Dargah goes unanswered. The Urs Fair is celebrated every year at the Dargah Sharif in memory of the sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, who worked for humanity. It is the largest and one of the most important Islamic fair in India. According to sources, the Mughal Emperor Akbar once came to the Dargah Sharif in the 16th century to offer prayers for an heir and later his prayer was answered.
The holy Lake Pushkar is another important religious site in Rajasthan. It is a famous Pilgrimage of the Hindus who come here to receive blessings of the lord. There is a legend attached to the lake, which goes that when Lord Brahma, the creator of the Universe, was searching for a serene place to perform Vedic Yagna, a lotus flower fell from his hand on the land of Pushkar, and his search ended then. Water spurted out from the place where the flower fell, resulting in the formation of a lake called Pushkar. The waters of the sacred Pushkar lake is believed to be endowed with curative and medicinal properties and it is said that a dip in the lake can cure various skin diseases and also free devotees of their sins. Devotees from far and wide come to take a dip in the Pushkar Lake in the month of Kartik Purnima (October/November). Pushkar is the only place in the world that has a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma.
Do you wish to pay a visit to a temple where rats are treated like a king and worshiped like the heavenly deities? If yes, come to Rajasthan. The Deshnok temple or Karni Mata Temple is a famous and unique temple of the state. Located 32 km from the popular city of Bikaner, the temple is dedicated to Karni Mata (the incarnation of goddess Durga). It is a beautiful temple embellished with silver and gold work and is also the abode of around 20,000 rats, which are considered holy by the people of Rajasthan. It is said that these little creatures don’t cause any harm to anyone and are only interested in food. The ‘ respected rats’ live freely in the temple, engrossed in feasting on a variety of prasad(sacred food), which they happily share with the devotees. It is said that five white rats inhabit the temple and the sight of such a white rat is considered highly auspicious as it is believed that they are the incarnations of Karni Mata. A mysterious fact about this temple is that inspite of the presence of thousands of rats here, the place has never reported any incident of plague or any other rat borne disease.
Arun Gangwar
http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/rajasthanthe-blessed-land-of-pilgrimages-706196.html
Christmas celebrations in African nations is characterized by much outdoor activity because the season often occurs during a time when the weather is pleasant. Using palm trees and participating in processions are also characteristic features of activities related to Christmas in many parts of Africa.
In South Africa, activities that occur outside during Christmas include the usual caroling, but also the unusual ones of swimming and camping. The beach and mountains play an important role during Christmas in South Africa because the season occurs during the hottest time of the year - summer.
Given the pleasant nature of the weather during Christmas, families also take advantage of it by often going sightseeing in the countryside on a relaxing drive in the late evening of Christmas Day. A rich and sumptuous menu that includes a suckling pig or roast beef, turkey, mince pies, yellow rice, vegetables and puddings usually makes up the traditional South African Christmas dinner.
To create a festive environment, decorated pine branches and fir, sparkling cotton wool and tinsel are used in homes and businesses as decorations.
A similar decorative pattern of using evergreen, palm trees and lighted candles are also seen in countries such as Ghana and Liberia. While these are used in homes and businesses, they are also often carried in processions and during caroling activities.
While South Africans gather at the beach during Christmas time to enjoy the warm summer waters, people in other African nations often gather outside at in town squares and in the streets to march, sing and enjoy an overall feeling of merriment.
Despite the seemingly general similarity in activities, however, countries have their own individual style that makes Christmas celebrations unique.
Of all the celebrations in African nations, Christmas activities in Ethiopia stand out for their difference in when they are celebrated and how it is done. One of the features that make Ethiopian Christmas different is that the main celebratory event occurs on Jan. 7, around the time known as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day in North and South America.
Given the general modest economic financial situations of a significant number of the population in many African countries, Christmas celebrations also tend to occur over a shorter period of time, compared to activities in more wealthier countries.
Another difference in celebrations of Christmas in Ethiopia is the participation of various people who take part in a Pilgrimage and converge on the capital city during Christmas Eve. These wanderers fill the night air with a din of praying and chanting and create a multicolor spectacle when they gather on Christmas morning to have a religious service.
But retaining a similarity with other African nations, Ethiopians enjoy a Christmas dinner that includes a meat stew. Stews, rice, root vegetables such as yams, breads and soups often are part of the menu of traditional Christmas day dinners in African nations.
Christmas dinners are likely enjoyed by families outside, where everyone shares the meal while sitting in a circular pattern outside under the shade of a sprawling tree, instead of sitting in a formal setting at a table.
As is the practice in every household during Christmas, Africans also exchange gifts. Popular items that are exchanged as Christmas gifts include cotton cloth, soaps, sweets, pencils and books, all very practical items that can be readily used. Again, this may be related to the modest financial resources of up to half the population in many African countries, as well as to cultural norms. Individuals aren’t able to afford extravagant gifts but they still want to surprise children, family and friends at Christmas with an unexpected gift. The generally pervasive cultural norm of humility and modesty that exists among traditional African peoples, also plays an important role in not having overreaching extravagance at Christmas.
Jessica Santoli
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/christmas-celebrations-in-african-nations-707827.html
India travel, an exciting trip is full of adventures and surprises. India has the largest democracy in the world with a population over 1 billion. The capital city, New Delhi along with other major cities of Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad forms some of the main and adventurous places to visit. Agar, known for Taj Mahal, is located at only three hours distance from New Delhi. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Mughal ruler, Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved Mumtaz Mahal.
India, a land of diversity, has a rich variety of Indian culture, religions, languages, exotic food, dress style and all. The pristine beauty of land with rich heritage and monuments with historical and cultural importance offers an array of place to see throughout the Indian mainland. Indian monuments, temples, forts and caves all display the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of the country. Travelers to India shall gather complete passport and visa information either online through agencies or confirm it up from Indian embassies.
India has shown good improvement in tourism sector as it is an important destination for tourism, adventure, spiritual or business purpose. With regards to purpose of accommodation for the tourists, there are number of wide range of hotels to cater to the need of visitors. Some of the main places to visit in India are:-
Apart from these, there are many more places or cities in India that are most visited tourists’ places, due to some of the notable fort or museum, or monuments. Some of the most famous National Parks and Sanctuaries in the world are also found in this country. Furthermore, India is a secular country, where Pilgrimage tourism is extremely popular.
Nancy Eben
http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/main-places-to-visit-while-on-india-travel-710198.html
in the year 9 hijri ,the first Pilgrimage ,how many people were from Madinah with Abu Bakr r.a for the pilgrimage( Hajj )
300 hundred from Madinah
The sea is never too far away in Mauritius. The moment you step out of the airport, you smell the sea. And as you turn onto the M2, which is Mauritius’ only motorway that runs from the airport in the south to the capital, Port Louis, in the north, the rear view mirror captured the sea in its intense blue colour.
Everyone seemed to be in relaxed mode in Mauritius, and you drive in the slow lane, taking your time to soak in the languid air. The next morning, you would be in the sea- rather, below the surface- making eye contact with schools of colourful fish. The diving spots are just 10 to 15 minutes by boat from the beach, and it takes you less than two hours to get back to the shore after the underwater action.
On your third day in Mauritius, head south from Flic en Flac and drive through the Black River Gorges National Park. Next up is Chamarel, a village famous for its coloured earths. Experts attribute this wonder to the unequal cooling of volcanic rock.
Next head to the Grand Bassin. Also known as the Ganga Talao, this is a Pilgrimage for the island’s large Hindu population. A myth says that a few drops of the Ganga, which fell from Lord Shiva’s dreadlocks, led to the the creation of this gigantic lake. This explains why a giant statue of the Hindu god doMinates the entrance to the Talao.
Make your way back to Flick en Flac via the road that runs along the south coast. This is one road that every visitor must do- especially the stretch from Souillac to Baie du Cap. At places the road comes to close to the sea that you could park your car, take three steps and be on the beach. Take another five steps and you will be standing knee deep in the India Ocean. You just cannot escape this when you come here.
Though Mauritius’ claim to fame are its beaches, I would recommend that you hire a car and spend a day at the wheel, exploring towns and places. Take the opportunity to check out a few hotels.
If you’re there with someone special, you could check into the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa.
For a lovely time under the water with a friendly bunch of divers, visit www.pierre-szalay.com
Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips, hints, guide and points to ponder pertaining to traveling, do please browse at our websites.
JASSI
http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/mauritius-on-the-road-727590.html
A country of Japan, island, is located in the Pacific Ocean. It has larger population of the world it tenth. The larger area of Tokyo is the greatest metropolitan zone in the world. Japan is an important economic power, constituting the larger second economy after the United States. It is the member of several international agencies such as the linked nation, G8 etc that this nation developed with a high level of life is a world leader in technology, the machines and robotics.
The growing number of tourism towards Japan has tourism by essential part of the economy and the company Japanese women. The hotels of Japan made an excellent provision for housing of the tourist to the country. Various projects are put at execution to meet the need for the people of leisures and to encourage them to leave on long holiday travel. Some of the hotels also started to offer several types of discounts so that they could adapt inside their needs and budget. There are many hotels of budget of Tokyo which the need of the visitors at the cheaper rates.
Kyoto, a city in island of Japan, was previously the capital of Japan and is now the part of metropolitan zone. The most beautiful city of Japan hid the beauty in the temples and the parks. It is etc thus the center of the power, the tradition, the culture and of the religion Japanese women with an accumulation of the unequalled collection of temples, tombs, palate, it became the destination of the principal tourists of Japan and includes the broad network of the hotels of Tokyo which is used each type as visitor.
Tokyo, the capital mixes the old man and new in a way without seam. The religious and feudal past of the country are represented by temples and palates. It is one of the place attracting and expensive to visit. Here, attractions result from a mixture of the tendencies cultural, historical and social important. There are two principal places to visit; Nikko and Kamakura. Nikko is a solemn site of Pilgrimage and a site of world heritage of UNESCO. In its entourage is the astounding and incredible national park. Kamakura is famous for its large statue of Buddha and is the best collection of temples, tombs and monuments.
Osaka is also one of the vibrating cities of Japan. It combines its history and modern economy. The center of peace, Hiroshima, is known for its park of peace and museum of memorial of peace. In the proximity with it, is the island of Miyajima which is worth the visit. Nara, a beautiful place with the splendid temples is close in Kyoto and Osaka. Independently of the whole this, there are much of tourist attractions such as the national park and others of Fuji Hakone Izu. One can easily find the hotels by chance of Japan, which draw aside through the whole country.
Nancy Eben
http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/the-hotels-of-japan-made-an-excellent-provision-for-housing-of-the-tourist-to-the-country-733055.html
India easy travel, a renowned name in tour and travel sector has achieved par excellence in providing world class facilities to tourist. The company has fast growing customers all over India and abroad. Within a short span of time India easy travel has earned trust of its customers, has equally worked with zeal to satisfy customers need and has built a brand name for itself. The mission and vision of this company is to be the leading tour and Travel Company by providing excellent individual as well as family holiday services like Golden Triangle tour, Rajasthan Tour packages and many more tour package in India.
India easy travel, over the last few years has propelled itself to excel in tour services by following few essential steps with rigidity- extending quality services being the first one. Secondly providing hassle free Golden Triangle tour, Rajasthan Tour packages as per customer desired destination.
The tour packages catered by India easy travel are- Golden triangle tour, as the name suggest is a triangle made by geographical location of three beautiful cities namely Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. On our golden triangle tour you get to witness the charming beauty of these cities at their best. On other hand our Rajasthan tour comprises of a complete tour of Rajasthan’s majestic palaces, forts wildlife safari and many exotic activities. Local cuisine can be enjoyed along with the Rajasthani regional dance. Taj Mahal tour- being voted among the Seven Wonders of the World it has never failed to allure the tourist world wide. Taj Mahal was built by then the king Sahajahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal. It is a true symbol of pure love. Apart from these tour Goa tour, kerePilgrimageilgrimage tour, cultural tour are also organized by us.
The services provided to customers on all the tour are highly professional, with a wrap around of personal touch.
India easy travel is a government recognized Delhi based tour and Travel Company incorporated with a firm motive of providing world class tourism services. We provide a tour escort along with the tourist to guide them at every step. Our escorts will suggest you the right place for shopping, budget hotelsin Delhi/New Delhi eating etc. Tourist being cheated by the locals is one such problem which they face while on a tour, our escorts are familiar with the vicinity, therefore no extra expenses is incurred by the tourist in terms of shopping, purchasing or eatables.. We appoint only professional escorts who are highly skilled to help the tourist if required at any stage during the tour. Many travel agencies may claim that they provide good tourist services but what really needs to be paid attention to is that do they provide hygienic fooding, Hotels to the tourist at reasonable rates. Well, we are proud to be claim India easy travel offers a lot of value added services to tourist in order to make their tour mesmerizing and comfortable. Apart from providing tour escorts we also provide accommodation facilities in various hotels as per your demand and needs at discounted rates. Car rental, pre hotel booking, airport pickup facilities are also a part of our services.
shren
http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/golden-triangle-tour-and-rajasthan-tour-services-721152.html