Alchemy. Such a misunderstood science. I hope this article can help set things straight for whomever reads it.

Alchemy is an ancient art, first practiced in the Middle Ages. It was devoted to finding a substance that would transmute, (or turn) common metals in to gold, silver or other precious metals, and also to cause immortality in humans. Alchemy was most likely the first time people dipped their toes into chemistry.

Alchemy began in Ancient Egypt, and was especially prevalent in Alexandria in the Hellenistic period. At the same time, China had been tinkering with the ideas as well. Early writings about alchemy by greek philosiphers are sometimes thought of as the first chemical theories. Empedocles (im-ped-oh-klees) formed the all too famous theory that all things in existence were made of air, fire, earth and water. Later, the emperor Diocletian (die-oh-klee-shun) ordered all of the Egyptian texts on the chemistry of gold and silver to be burned and for all expirements to stop.

Zosimus the Theban disvovered that sulfuric acid is a solvent of metals, and, using this, he removed oxygen from the red oxide of mercury, turning the oxidized mercury pure again, much like if you took rust off a nail, it would be a normal nail again. Alchemy’s fundemental concept came from an Aristotelian doctrine saying that all things tend to reach perfection at some point. Since other common metals were “less perfect” than gold and other precious metals, it made sense to these researchers that these metals would eventually turn to gold. Also it was thought that nature must make gold out of common metals deep within the earth, so with any luck, this process could be done in the lab with good result.

Eventually Alchemy reached Arabia, where the first book on Chemistry was written. From there it travelled through Spain, into Europe. Roger Bacon, and Albertus Magnus both believed that transmutation to gold was possible. Most people, including these two famous Alchemists, believed that gold was the perfect metal, and that if the philosipher’s stone was created, it would be a substance so much more perfect than gold, that it would make the less perfect metals transmute.

Roger Bacon believed that gold dissolved in Aqua Regia* was the elixer of life. The Italian Scholastic philosopher St. Thomas Aquinas, the Catalan churchman Raymond Lully, and the Benedictine monk Basil Valentine also did much to further the progress of chemistry and alchemy, in discovering the uses of antimony, the making of amalgams, and the isolation of spirits of wine, or ethyl alcohol.

Perhaps the most famous Alchemist was the Swiss Philippus Paracelsus. He believed that the elements of compound bodies were salt, sulfur and mercury, representing earth, air and water. Fire however was imponderable to him. He believed also, that there was one more element, the source of the four ancients. This one element that created everything was called Alkahest, and he stated that if it were found, it would prove to be the universal medicine, an irrisistable solvent, and the philosipher’s stone. In other words, it was the ultimate form of perfection.

After this, the alchemists of Europe split into two main groups. Those based on facts and hard research, and those who dabbled in the metaphysical, these entangled alchemy in fraud, necromancy, and imposture. This gives alchemy the current mysterious status.

Perhaps the most fun part of Alchemy is the coded engravings that were made during the time. Many of them are still around, and almost impossible to decifer without an explanation. Using obscure characters including the planets themselves as symbols for who-knows-what. Kings, queens, crows, multi-blossom flowers, and green lions abound.

Arabic TV channels now available in the United States can enhance the viewing pleasure of many Arab Americans. Keeping up with events in their homeland is as easy as turning on the tv. There are a lot of channels available now from Directv and Dish Network. So for those who are not aware of them, I will list the Arabic channels here.

Dish Network

ABU DHABI is a 24-hour-a-day Arabic-language general entertainment channel, is considered to be one of the most respected channels in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi offers the Arab-Americans an exciting lineup of diverse programming including news, current affairs, movies, fashion, sports and much more.

AL ARABIYA is a top ranked 24-hour-a-day Pan Arab news channel catering to the Arab audience worldwide. Al Arabiya’s news programming includes politics, business, current affairs, finance updates and sports highlights.

AL JAZEERA 24-hours-a-day and exclusively on DISH Network, Al Jazeera is the top Arabic news channel in the Middle East that offers news from around the world. Al Jazeera has a wide selection of documentaries and uncensored political talk shows.

AL ZIKR a family oriented radio channel providing 24 hours of cultural programming with focus on history, language, habits and religion. The programming includes live talk shows covering a variety of subjects and events and Al Zikr covers valuable cultural Arab events from many locations in the Arab world linking the Arab and Moslem immigrants with their homeland.

ART AMERICA provides a unique blend of Arabic and multi-language programming consisting of mini-series, dramas, movies, sports (live and recorded soccer events directly from the Middle East) and talk shows.

ART MOVIES features Arabic-language programming from Egypt, Lebanon and different regions of the Middle East. ART Movies offers newly released and classical movies, mini-series, dramas and talk shows such as “Sahraa.”

ART MUSIC radio channel consists of modern and classical Arabic music, talk shows and interviews with new and established performers in the Arabic music industry.

DANDANA TV is a 24-hour-a-day Arabic music video channel broadcast from the U.S. Through its hip shows, music videos and coverage of major Arab-American events, Dandana TV is the pop culture face of the DISH Network Arabic bouquet.

DUBAI SATELLITE CHANNEL offers variety television entertainment from the United Arab Emirates that includes top sporting events, the latest news, movies, documentaries and TV series.

DUBAI SPORTS is a 24/7 sports channel broadcasting from Dubai. One of the leading sports channels in the Arab world due to its distinguished sports programming including highlights of various major soccer leagues from different continents, International speed boat racing, horse racing and more.

ESC-1 live from Egypt, ESC-1 features a wealth of television entertainment including the Egyptian Soccer League, “Good Morning Egypt,” variety shows, movies, talk shows, children’s programming and much more.

FUTURE TV offers top-rated Lebanese TV series, live news, game shows, cartoons, variety shows, family entertainment, soccer matches and much more 24-hours-a-day

IQRAA broadcasted 24-hours-a-day from Egypt, is the first Arabic-language channel that offers religious, media, social and economic programs tailored to the Muslims audience. Iqraa’s programming includes documentaries, live talk-shows, dramas, cultural and educational programs.

LBC The Lebanese Broadcast Channel, will fill your days with movies, sports, mini-series and talk shows such as “Ya Liel Ya Aien.”

MBC Middle East Broadcasting Center is a leading pan-Arab news and entertainment channel. The channel’s program offerings include general entertainment programs such as “Aalam,” comedies such as “CBM,” talk shows including “Kalam,” game shows, in-depth news, social programs and children’s programming.

MELODY ARABIA broadcast from Egypt, is the highest viewed 24-hour-a-day Arabic-language music video channel in the Middle East and North Africa. Melody Arabia offers a variety of music programming including video clips from the 80’s, 90’s, as well as contemporary releases, many of which are premiered on Melody Arabia and are exclusive to the channel. Melody Arabia is a tremendous addition to overall entertainment for Arab Americans in the U.S.

NBN The National Broadcasting Network, is considered the first 24-hour-a-day specialized news and thematic TV station in Lebanon. NBN prides itself on offering a wide variety of programming with in depth news shows including “Al Masa’iya” which has a very loyal following throughout the Arab World, superior documentaries such as “Ahzab Lubnan,” provocative talk-shows and up to date sports and business programs.

NEW TV a 24-hour-a-day Arabic-language station broadcast from Lebanon, offers a wide range of general entertainment programs including dramas, musicals, news, documentaries, cultural, educational, special events and general entertainment shows for all generations and ages.

NILE DRAMA is your choice for Egyptian current and classic movies, TV series and family programming for all ages.

NOURSAT is the first and only Christian channel from Lebanon and the entire Middle East. Noursat’s programming includes talk-shows, documentaries, history, classical musical recitals and social and spiritual programs.

DirecTV ORBIT AL-YAWM is a contemporary Arabic entertainment and variety channel, delivering more than 35 hours of live Orbit productions per week. Al-Yawm offers the smartest fashion tips, intimate beauty care advice, the best recipes, and light-hearted comedy shows. Orbit Al-Yawm top programs include Oyoun Beirut and Al-Qahira Al-Yawm.

ORBIT SEEN (the Series Channel) is the first 24-hour Arabic thematic channel of its kind in the region, featuring the best Arabic TV series from the Middle East. The Series Channel delivers the widest variety of TV productions from drama to comedy and from melodrama to historical biography. Orbit Seen features outstanding dramas like Kkaled Bin Alwaleed and Sikkat Alhilali.

ROTANA CINEMA channel is the leading movie service in the Middle East. It draws from the largest and richest library of Arabic-language films in the world, as well as cinema news and entertainment programs, including “The Hala Show,” hosted by Dr. Hala Sarhan.

ROTANA MOOSSIKA channel is an Arabic variety/entertainment channel that is dedicated to music videos, programs, concerts and festivals. Rotana Moossika has compiled the largest Arabic music library in the world, and exclusively features some of the top acts from the Arab world, including Amr Diab, Nagwa Karam, George Wassouf, Alissa and Kazem.

ROTANA ZAMAN channel delivers state-of-the-art digitally restored classic Arabic movies to millions of viewers around the world. Enjoy the legendary stars and singers – Om Kalthoum, Halim and Fairouz, as well as the popular program “Kashf el Mastour.”

So there you have it. 25 different channels. Entertainment for the whole family, young and old alike. Instead of seeing a five minute clip of news from the Middle East, watch in-depth coverage of the same event. It’s like bringing your homeland in to your living room.

About twenty years ago, a friend and I took a trip to the Mideast, and the trip ended in Egypt – first Cairo, then Luxor, and then back to Cairo again before heading home. Of all the places in the world I’ve been to date, Egypt has got to be at the top of the list. At the same time, Egypt was also one of the poorest countries I had ever visited. The people had very little. There were a lot of mud-brick houses and a lot of unpaved, dusty streets. In the evenings, the streets were lined with young men in caftans sitting beneath the lamp posts, doing their homework or studying. They had no electricity at home. Regardless of their apparent poverty, the Egyptians, in general, appeared to be the happiest population in the world. They didn’t consider themselves to be victims. Life, in its simplicity, was evidently good.

You might think, at first, that people like the Egyptian population who lived in what we would consider abject poverty would be be frantic to achieve a higher standard of living. You’d have another think coming, though. Even I, a stranger among them, could sense their satisfaction with what they had. The poor are generally not the most frazzled. On the contrary: that dubious honor would be reserved for the more successful among us.

What are the reasons behind this rather odd phenomenon? After all, according to Abraham Maslow, the more urgent your needs are at the bottom of his hierarchy (physical needs, safety and security needs, etc.), the fewer resources are available for reaching the higher realms of the hierarchy (like cultural, artistic, creative and spiritual needs). So, shouldn’t those who are eking out a subsistence at the bottom of the pyramid be the more stressed-out? After all, their very lives are on the line!

Consider this: once your basic needs have been met, you gain the benefit of having unstructured time that’s available for fulfilling your wants. Needs sustain you where you are in life; wants move you forward. Here’s the clincher: a want, once it’s been fulfilled, becomes a need. Remember that statement, because there’s where you find your stressors. The more you have accomplished, the more pressure you experience to maintain your quality of life. To say it in other words, the more successful you are, the more frazzled you become. In this light, your choices become starkly obvious: either deal with it, or simplify your life.

It’s been important to me to work as a life coach with successful people, not because I’m an elitist, but because they’re the ones who can most profit from my services. As I experienced in Cairo, just because you’re poor doesn’t mean that you’re miserable. Likewise, just because you’re successful doesn’t mean you’re going to be happy. Many times, the opposite is true. You might think of that whenever you’re tempted to envy the so-called ‘rich and powerful’ – those whose success has put them in the limelight. Many are those who can find contentment in poverty; few are those who find it in wealth and influence.

One last story before I go. I had often heard of the ‘sword of Damocles,’ and I knew it meant an imminent threat, but I never knew the story until this past week. It seems that Damocles was loudly envious of King Dionysius of Syracuse. Tired of his envy, Dionysius seated Damocles in his own seat at a sumptuous banquet held in his honor. But Damocles was unable to enjoy his moment in the spotlight because Dionysius had suspended a sword over Damocles’ seat, hanging by a mere thread. He learned the lesson from the King that wealth and power are precarious, and be-frazzlement is often the price that has to be paid for success. That’s a lesson that serve us all well to learn.

Beauty! We all look for beauty in our life, we appreciate it, we admire it and we cant live without it. We seek beauty in nature, in art, in our home and most important in ourselves. People say that beauty comes from inside, if this is true, then why do women care so much about wearing makeup? Makeup is the greatest invention for women because it has given them the opportunity to improve their physical appearance and become more beautiful; which is what they aspire for. Women want to be more beautiful for two reasons, first, self fulfillment, and second, to become more attractive which lifts their spirit and gives them overwhelming happiness. This is not only true of women today but has been true for centuries.

Makeup is as old as the Pyramids of Giza, which is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact. The first evidence of makeup appeared in ancient Egypt 4000 years ago. It might be possible that the art of makeup existed before the Egyptians but the recorded history doesn’t take us that far back in time.

Fashion and personal appearance was high priority among ancient Egyptians. Applying makeup was a part of everyday rituals and lifestyle for Egyptians. Makeup was worn by both male and female, young and old, rich and poor. The royalty of the time and the wealthy hired face painters to apply their makeup for them. Those who could not afford a face painter applied their own.

If you look through any of the portraits of ancient Egyptians that are painted on the walls of the temples and tombs in Egypt, you will find that they are all consistent in having meticulously and beautifully outlined and ornamented eyes. It is virtually impossible to find a portrait of an ancient Egyptian whose eyes are not decorated. During all periods and dynasties, eye makeup was a daily prerequisite for both men and women. Not only did the men and women of Egypt wear makeup but also the statues of their gods and goddesses were adorned with all these different types of cosmetics.

Eye makeup is certainly the trademark of the ancient Egyptian makeup style, black and green were the main colors used. The contour of the eye was made from Kohl, to create the almond shape which has become synonymous with the Ancient Egyptians. Kohl, which is the black coloring was obtained from galena, a natural mineral. They also used the color green for their eyes. The green coloring was achieved with a green pigment called malachite, which is a copper ore.

To compliment their eye make up, ancient Egyptians used a type of rouge to color their lips and cheeks. The red coloring was obtained from red ochre, a pigment made from naturally tinted clay.

To paint their nails and color their hair, ancient Egyptians used henna, a dye obtained from the leaves and shoots of the henna shrub, a native plant to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa.

Ancient Egyptians used make up not only for cosmetic reasons, but also for medicinal and spiritual purposes. Ancient Egyptian Physicians prescribed the use of kohl to prevent eye diseases. It was used for its disinfectant qualities. Kohl also offered a shield for the eye against the sun and a deterrent to flies.

The green eye makeup used by the Ancient Egyptians was believed to induce or evoke the eye of Horus, the God of the Sky & Sun, which provided protection to them. Also it was believed that the green eye makeup protected them against the evil eye as well.

Makeup was also important in the afterlife. Egyptians cared so much about how they would present themselves before the gods during the Judgment of the Dead. They wanted to make sure that their physical appearance was at its best when facing the gods on this day to give a good impression. That is why, eye makeup equipment (palettes, grinders, applicators) have been found among the earliest burials of the pre-dynastic period and this practice continued in the following dynasties.

We can not talk about makeup and beauty during the Ancient Egyptian times without mentioning the beautiful Nefertiti (her name means the beautiful one has come) who is the royal wife of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten. It is said that even in the ancient world, her beauty was famous. The statue of her bust that is 3300-year-old is one of the most famous pieces of Egyptian history. Due to her bust, Nefertiti has become an icon of female beauty. The iconic bust of Nefertiti is available in the Berlin Museum as part of the Egyptian collection.

It is so amazing that some of these things are used today. Kohl is still available and is used in many Arab countries. Henna is also still used for coloring the hair and temporary tattoos.

Some things just don’t change!

Egyptian cotton has been used for making cotton garments and bath towels for many years. Enjoy the warmth and comfort of wrapping around these plush towels around your body after a warm bath that would make you relaxed and happy. Egyptian cotton towels are made of the natural fibers of cotton, which can absorb dampness fully to make you warm and dry. Made from the long fibers of Egyptian cotton, the towel is durable and well cut for rough use.

Egyptian cotton is a popular choice for making towels as it has more thread count and thickness that ordinary cotton. The strength and durability of the fibers coupled with the low risk of shrinkage, makes it a perfect choice. The woven fabric is durable and can be washed at home. Super absorbent, warm and breathable, cotton towels, wick out the moisture from your body and are well suited for babies and adults alike. Available in a range of colors including the popular choice of white, these towels are soft and thick and last many years with proper care. No matter how your bathroom is designed, a pile of colorful towels placed at one end will greatly add up to the milieu of the bathing space!

Organic towels are in vogue these days and are soft on all types of skin. Fondly called as the “king” of cottons Egyptian cotton is priced for its long and highly absorbent fibers. Indulge in the soothing luxury and warmth of these soft towels that form everyday essentials for any home. Egyptian towels are expensive as they contain longer, more-fibrous threads, which increase its absorbing capacity. These ultra-soft towels are used high-end spas and hotels apart from hospitals and gyms among others Towels made of low density fibers are well suited for a gym bag or a beach tote; whereas the thicker towels would suit the guest room of your house better

Egyptian Cotton towels could become hard and rough over the time and to make it soft by soaking them in a cup of vinegar for a few minutes and then rinsing it off as it will loosen the fibers and soften the towel. Excess use of detergent and fabric softeners also will spoil the texture of the luxury towels.

Why did ancient Israel have an army? Was it because they didn’t have faith? Did they believe in themselves instead of trusting God? Did they insist on fighting their own battles, rather than let God wage war for them?

Why did God fight for Israel in Egypt? Did they exercise faith then? Did they somehow lose their confidence in the wilderness, after having seen God’s mighty miracles? Does that make sense? They’d heard what God was going to do to Egypt from the onset, and they saw with their own eyes what God did through 10 consecutive plagues. After defeating the world’s only superpower, had God spent His energy?

God took on the gods of Egypt single-handedly. He didn’t want Israel’s participation lest their deliverance be misconstrued as a successful slave revolt. He took a slave people to become His Servant-Nation. Israel had only changed masters.

When God led Israel out of Egypt by Moses, He purposely told Moses to bypass the hot spots where Israel would encounter hostile forces, lest they opt for the “security” of Egypt (Ex. 13:17). They went out of their way to avoid war! It doesn’t sound like they were eager to do battle when you read the accounts of their griping and complaining to Moses (Ex. 14:10-12).

Moses, full of faith, encouraged the congregation to believe God. The first time Israel engaged in battle was at Moses’ command! He instructed Joshua (also faithful) to assemble a fighting force and defeat the pesky Amalekites (Ex. 17:8-16).

God had fought the first few rounds against Israel’s enemies, showing Israel He would destroy their foes. Now God would fight in and through and for Israel! Moses’ uplifted hands of blessing and authority insured Israel’s military success. It was evident to all where their true strength came from (Ps. 33:16). Israel was only a fighting instrument in God’s Hands (Isa. 41:15, Micah 4:13).

Many people understand the commandment against killing should be translated “murder.” God commands His ministers of state to execute judgment and utilize capital punishment for various offenses (Rom. 13:4). We’re told to remember Moses’ law and obey it (Malachi 4:4). God has authorized the State to act within the guidelines of His Law Book.

Israel wasn’t anxious to enter Canaan – they were afraid! Moses admitted they were outnumbered and outgunned by the Canaanites, but reassured Israel that GOD would be with them and grant them supernatural victory (Deut. 7:1-2, 16-24). When the spies brought their report to Moses about Canaan’s men and might, they wanted to run with their tails tucked between their legs (Numbers 13:31). Only Joshua and Caleb put things in perspective and encouraged the people to trust in God (Numbers 14:9). Israel didn’t have any faith in their own ability or God’s!

What many have failed to realize is ancient Israel wasn’t going to enter the Promised Land by faith alone; it was going to require faith and works! God wasn’t going to do all the work for them. Israel had to actively claim their inheritance. Don’t we also?

Israel lacked faith that GOD could work miracles through them! They knew God could take on their enemies, but they doubted He could work through them. They concentrated on their weakness rather than on God’s strength. God expected Israel to fight His battles and He would guarantee their success. Israel took one city at a time, slowly but surely making progress, subduing the land and defeating their foes, and yet giving God all the credit – like our process of conversion (Ps. 44:1-8).

Even David, a man after God’s own heart, fought numerous battles for God and His people, but considered God the Victor. David would ask God whether he should attack at this time or place, and what to do, when and how, and God answered him (1 Chron. 14:10).

Did Abraham, the father of the faithful, sin by waging war against those who had kidnapped his relatives (Gen. 14)? Melchizedek blessed him, He didn’t rebuke him! Levi and sons, following Moses’ call to arms (at God’s command), went through Israel’s camp and slaughtered those who’d sinned with the golden calf (Ex. 32:28). Did they lack faith? No! They were acting faithfully! They put God before family and friends. Couldn’t God have just sent a plague? Yes. But He worked through men.

Since God works through men, why didn’t Jesus let Peter defend Him? 1) Because prophecy had to be fulfilled and 2) because God’s Kingdom wasn’t established yet – otherwise Jesus said His servants should fight! This example teaches us that loyal citizens ought to be willing to fight and defend their king and country!

Presently we have a “dual citizenship.” Paul didn’t deny that he was a Roman citizen or hesitate to exercise his civil rights (Acts 16:37, 22:25, 25:11). He didn’t just turn the other cheek when he was about to be scourged! There’s a time and a place to wage war or declare peace (Ecc. 3:8); to suffer persecution and death, or to run for your life (Mat. 24:16, John 8:59)!

Spiritually speaking, we should all understand we’re only mortal, taking up temporary residence on earth, and therefore be mindful of eternity and live accordingly, waiting for our eternal inheritance in God’s Kingdom (2 Cor. 5:1, Ps. 39:12, 2 Pet. 3:11).

But what about “spiritual fornication?” If we exercise our right to vote and get involved in politics, isn’t that defiling ourselves with this world’s system? Only if and when it contradicts the commandments of God. We should never disobey God to follow men (Acts 5:29). We’re in this world and do take an active part in its system of government and education every time we go to work and pay taxes or send our kids to school or college! We’re only to avoid those aspects of this world’s system that are Biblically wrong (1 Jn. 2:16).

Joseph served in pharaoh’s administration. Was he spiritually defiled? Daniel was in the belly of the beast – Babylon – yet he served the king and God. Whenever there arose any conflict of interest, Daniel put God first, as we must also always do. Nehemiah worked in the Persian government, yet he was also blameless before God. God even referred to Cyrus and Nebuchadnezzar as His servants.

God is our Heavenly King over all, that’s why we can’t allow others to try and usurp His authority over our lives. He’s our Husband and to listen to anyone else who would dare go against His Word is spiritual adultery and fornication. This is one of modern Israel’s biggest sins: giving in to international peer pressure rather than obey God!

Yet God isn’t our only ruler. He’s ordained that men aren’t to be left in a state of anarchy, but ought to obey the Noachide laws binding on all mankind: to establish a system of justice, abstain from idolatry and immorality, and refrain from eating blood (Acts 15:29).

Even Christ will be King of kings and Lord of lords; He won’t be ruling alone. God’s our Minister, and Jesus Christ’s our High Priest, yet we don’t object to having human ministers also. Do we have a double standard when it comes to politics? We speak of “dirty politics.” And there is too much graft and corruption. But what about religious scandals? Perverted preachers and adulterous ministers? Does that mean we should reject the whole idea of God having human servants? “Dirty religion?” Both Church and State need to let Christ clean up their act (Malachi 3:3).

God didn’t forbid Israel from having a king or a high priest. He simply put restrictions on them and offered guidelines. The king was to be Israelite; he wasn’t to put his trust in financial securities or gold, or depend on a huge army or arsenal of weapons for Israel’s defense; and he was to study the Scriptures daily (Deut. 18:15-20). He was permitted a token military force made up of volunteers (Judg. 7:2, Deut. 20:5-9). The priest was to bless Israel’s troops before they went to battle, encourage them that God would fight through them, and sound the alarm with the sacred silver trumpet (Deut. 20:1-4, Nu. 10:9, 31:6).

God was upset with Israel when they demanded a king, but not because they wanted a king – He had made an allowance for that through Moses – but because they were rejecting God as their Supreme Ruler (1 Sam. 8:20).They wanted to walk by sight, not by faith, overconfident in human leaders (Ps. 118:9).

The kings were to lead the way (Ps. 1:10-11). They were to follow in the footsteps of King David who enacted the law of Moses (1 Kgs. 2:3). Israel was only to follow men as they followed God. The prophet Samuel warned them of greedy rulers, excessive taxes, and corrupt administrations, but they still decided to go ahead with their political elections. Not that the religious world was free from fault (1 Sam. 8:3). And God reveals that the best man shouldn’t always win (Dan. 4:17). But if we pray for God to lead us in deciding who to vote for or against, it’s His responsibility to let us know what to do. Of course we should study the party platforms and see which one is more closely aligned to biblical principles. It’s vain to think that our vote could thwart God’s Will! He’ll promote and demote whom He will (Ps. 75:7).

Ancient Israel was both Church and State: a theocracy. God recognizes these two branches of government and encourages us to do the same (Malachi 4:4-5). The two anointed positions in Israel were that of priest and king (Zech. 4:14). The oil was representative of God’s Holy Spirit that Israel prayed would guide and direct their leaders.

We’ve seen how God has authorized human leaders to take life (Lev. 20). They’re free to deputize a police force (to protect and defend communities), as well as use the armed forces to defend their country and kin.

God holds His leaders responsible not to get greedy or become bloodthirsty. We’re not to relish war, but use it as a last resort (Deut. 20:10-12).We’re only to fight wars of self-defense and not throw our weight around (Lk. 3:14). We’re to hate the sins of our enemies and learn to love them, knowing they’re also made in God’s image and hopefully will come to their senses someday; we’re not to be trigger-happy or gloat over our enemies’ downfall (Prov. 24:17).

God’s going to utilize Israel to punish various nations during their trek back to the Middle East (Isa. 11:14). And God will be fighting through the Jews at Jerusalem (Zech. 14:14). Christ’s coming back to earth to wage war before He ushers in peace!

God hasn’t only intervened for Israel. He’s determined the outcome of various wars and battles to let one group of Gentiles beat another (Deut. 2:19-23). Moses also said it would’ve been a sin if the different tribes of Israel didn’t rally to each others defense (Nu. 32:20-23). And it’s a disastrous sin to go to war if God’s servants instruct otherwise (Deut. 1:42-45).

It’s all a matter of faith and obedience. We’re to realize God is our true Commander in Chief and the Captain of our Salvation, and follow the lead of His Holy Spirit (Jos. 5:13-15, Heb. 2:10). But let’s not forget that God can and does work through inspired men (Neh. 9:27).

The problems of Africa are hard to quantify but that they exist are undeniable. Since independence in the twentieth century at least some of these countries have either descended into civil war based on tribal conflict or have returned to being suborned by the West. Africa’s salvation might precisely lie in that its problems are so numerous that it cannot be solved by any external agency. Having said that it has been Africa’s bad luck to have missed out on such momentous happenings as the Industrial revolution or the enlightenment as indeed did much of Asia for that matter. It’s pertinent to point this out as though we mightn’t agree on the solutions to African problems we can be pretty clear as to how they came about vis-a-vis their historical underpinnings.

It was to trace such origins that I stumbled upon by happenstance in the most unlikely of places, a lending library, a book by called ‘Armies of God’ by Dominic Green. To the uninitiated ‘Armies of God’ by Dominic Green might appear to be a theological work or even one of fantasy. In fact this book seeks to trace British colonial policy in the Nile valley between 1867 to 1899, a defining period in world history as it also set the scene for the great conflagration of the First World War.

Happenings in the region in what has become Egypt and Sudan began first as a reaction against Ottoman rule in the former country and a religious revolt led by the Mahdi in the latter. As Sudan was Egypt’s ‘informal empire’ happenings in one could not be divorced from another. Matters were further complicated by Egypt itself being under the nominal domination of a decaying but still potent Ottoman empire. It’s hard to understand such convoluted relationships as these which were as much determined by local exigency as geography and yet at the same time they fall into the pattern of history being as much dominated by individuals as well as circumstances. In that context we come across a fairly rich tableaux of individuals who determined events starting from the maverick ‘Chinese’ Gordon and his antagonist the Mahdi to Kitchener. Even the young Winston Churchill had a stint in the Sudan as a junior British military officer, a fact I was unaware of till reading this book.

Dominic Green’s book poses numerous issues for contemplation such as the relationship between rulers and ruled, the phenomenon of fanaticism as a rallying force and last but not the least of how colonial powers can jockey one another to promote vested interests. It’s of course a world that no longer exists but in the depth in which some of these issues are examined we cannot but deny that some of those underpinnings continue to have a contemporary resonance.

Once upon a long time ago, living in ancient Egypt had its good times as well as its bad times. Some scribe wrote that during the good times, kindness within the family seemed to increase the ability of Egyptians to get the most out of life. Egyptian pyramid builders had to know about the stuff of geometry and the scribe figured out that there were two sorts of geometry. One sort was about lifeless things like stone pyramids and the other sort was about living feelings. The feeling stuff was different, because it could be used to think about ideas that went on forever, while the lifeless stuff did not. The living geometry was used to try and figure out about the feeling stuff belonging to the geometry that went on forever. They called that the sacred geometry of the immortal soul.

We know a bit about this subject because it was used to describe the meaning of ancient Egyptian paintings that were painted during the 1st Kingdom of Egypt. Egyptian writings in stone tells us that about 4000 years ago a terrible drought wiped out the 1st Kingdom and one hundred years later the people restored government back into existence. However, new rules applied, the geometry used to explain mercy, compassion and justice had to be used to put those ideas into political law. We might refer to the people doing this as belonging to a sort of mystery school. Some Greeks, including our old school friend Pythagoras, went to Egypt to learn more about the secrets of these Mystery Schools.

After a while several Greek Universities were set up to figure out more about the eternal mysteries and the ancient Greeks added more good stuff ideas to those of mercy,compassion and justice, including love, freedom, and truth. In geometry all of these ideas had to balance each other in order to correctly solve political and scientific problems. Things got more and more complicated and the universities decided to invent a science devoted to the living stuff as well as the logic about the dead stuff. Their life-science was known as the Science for Ethical Ends. The idea of good and evil was sorted out. Good was about the health of the universe and evil was figured out to be the destructive property of unformed matter inside the atom. Those Greeks were getting so clever they figured out a way to measure how much the earth weighed and how far away it was from the sun and they had figured out some pretty incredible stuff about atoms.

Pythagoras learned about The Music of the Spheres, that as the moon and stars moved about they sang a sort of song that could be heard by the atoms moving about within humans. This sort of musical communication between celestial bodies and small atoms is well known today and it’s a bit like the communication force that shatters a wine glass when singing a high note. The moon could be considered to influence the female fertility cycle and therefore the celestial music might represent a science to explain a mum’s love and compassion for children.

All the ethical stuff had to be put into a medical science to guide ennobling government so that humans could learn how to evolve to become good enough to act for the good of the spiritual universe. Spiritual in that ancient science referred to modern day spooky holographic stuff, anyhow, by being good, that is, by caring for the holographic environment, humans could become godlike and avoid extinction from the evil residing within the atom. This science was called The science of universal love and its teachers were called Saviours, saving humanity from atomic evil. It was taught throughout Italy during the 1st Century BCE and Cicero the Roman Historian complained that it was not suitable for Roman rule.

The science of universal love was a strange idea about a whirling force that pulled little bits of material stuff together to make worlds, which we know today was an attempt to explain the effects of gravity. As well as doing this the whirling force, called the Nous, was thought to evolve intelligence in the universe. It was thought that when the Nous had created parts of the universe it went away to create more parts, leaving humans to evolve as part of universal creation. The idea of good being for the health of the universe and that humans could, in some mysterious way, become responsible for such goodness became a source of intense study for several hundred years, until the Romans burnt down the Great Library of Alexandria and most of the ancient scrolls were lost

Attempts to rediscover the lost science became known as the Renaissance. Things got into a fine old pickle causing the greatest scientific mix up imaginable. The Knights Templar dug up some of the ancient scrolls from underneath a temple in Jerusalem and decided that Jesus Christ was the greatest teacher of the lost science, and hundreds of years later The President of America Thomas Jefferson wrote his own Bible about it. The East India Company sent Charles Darwin on a voyage to find the secrets of evolution and he came back to write that the universe was ruled by the same scientific laws that governed the running of steam engines. Albert Einstein thought that was a great idea and science became so ridiculous that it became impossible to even think scientifically about the magical importance of a young mothers love for her child.

The world had gone chasing after money, the silly science that we got stuck with, is falling into a mess causing a global economic confusion. Recently the ancient science of spiritual reality has been photographed working within the human DNA and we appear to be in danger of changing into some form of robot ruled by bits of endless governmental forms to fill out. All around the world scientists are trying to measure the loving forces that come into play between a mum and her baby. Einstein’s steam engine law, considered that when all the heat in the universe gets lost into cold space all life must be destroyed, is no longer considered to be a complete picture of everything. The female loving force does not allow for that to happen at all.

The amazing thing about the new science struggling to emerge from a world of greed is that a new medical science has been created by some of the world’s greatest scientists. A mother’s love and compassion is so essential to future human survival that not only are the ancient mysteries being upgraded into a new science but as mothers become aware of their importance, the magical song of life can now be measured by delicate instruments. Already plans are in existence based upon a mother’s lullaby to her babe, to be put into a computer game quite the opposite to the existing computer games of violence and destruction, so that the leaders of commercial gain might be able to balance their enterprises.

Professor Robert Pope

Ancient Egyptian Art is one of the most recognized, admired and collected art in the history of the world. From delicate gold jewelry to vivid paintings to massive statues dozens of feet tall, for over 5,000 years Egyptian art has fascinated, delighted and awed generation after generation with its beauty, style and mystery. While genuine ancient pieces of art are rare and extremely valuable, modern Egyptian artists make beautiful art and jewelry that is inspired by some of the greatest recovered works from ancient sites, and which adheres strictly to the styles used by ancient artists. Jewelry in gold and silver with inlaid stones are fashioned after pieces of jewelry recovered from ancient tombs. Papyrus Paintings are painted in vivid color on genuine papyrus, made using the same principles developed thousands of years ago on the banks of the Nile, where the papyrus plant grows to this day. Paintings are executed in the style of frontalism, one of the most striking characteristics of ancient Egyptian Art.

Frontalism

Frontalism is the style in which every known piece of ancient Egyptian art was produced. In paintings, the style of frontalism means that the head of the character is drawn in profile, while the body is drawn from a front view. However, even though the face is in profile, the eye is drawn in full, as it would be seen from the front. The legs always face the same direction as the head, with one foot forward and one back.

Ancient Egyptian figures, especially of gods and pharaohs, are noticeable for their very formal, even rigid stance and posture, but their faces are always serene, regardless of the scene in which they are depicted. There were very strict rules about how a god or pharaoh could be represented, which even included a prohibition against anything being drawn in front of the face or body of the pharaoh, even when the scene depicted clearly required it for any kind of realism. Realism was simply not a goal of ancient Egyptian Art. It is these very formal and stylized rules that have made Egyptian Art one of the most widely recognized forms of art in the world.

Over thousands of years Egyptian artists adhered to this one style, which is quite remarkable, especially as compared to the extreme differences in art expression that have occurred in the modern world in just the past 100 years or so. The only acknowledged variations are in the portrayals of animals and common people as compared to the more formal depictions of pharaohs and gods. As can be seen in many Egyptian paintings, animals and common people or slaves are represented in a more natural manner, though still within very strict and formulaic rules.

This frontalist style is the primary reason why ancient Egyptian art is so easily recognizable, and its appeal has lasted through many centuries to this day.

Invoking the sacred flame ritual from the temples of Isis and Osiris in the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt is one of the most potent forms of meditation. Ancient Egyptians know the art of releasing the hidden higher spiritual powers of the human psyche through invocation and ritual.

Isis is a primordial goddess of universal power considered as divine mother and lord of fertility and Osiris her husband and brother considered to be the Sun god and the guardian of death.

The sacred flame ritual from the temple of Isis and Osiris is the miracle power based on the true faith. The latent power of your higher self is released when you believe in miracles. The magical power of faith helps in triggering the tremendous power of the subconscious mind. It infuses your higher mind with the power of faith which can heal you of any negative condition in your life

When to use the sacred flame ritual

· This mediation is used for solving the problems and overcoming challenges of life, sickness, worries, anxiety, bad habits, lack of money and prosperity.

· Manifesting your dreams and aspirations of new job, own house, financial security

· To achieve fulfilment in love and marriage and find your soul mate.

· To remove the undesirable persons, obstacles, unpleasant conditions from your life.

· To raise the inspiration for creative work like painting, writing, singing, composing inventing etc.

· Providing divine protections against psychic attacks, witchcraft and black magic

· Performing miracle healing for you, your friends and relatives for different physical and mental ailments.

· To improve your personality and become more magnetic and attractive.

· To achieve spiritual awareness and self realization

Sacred Flame Ritual Outline

· Material needed: a small urn [vessel], a candle, some incenses, pieces of blank papers, and a pen.

· A quiet and a dark room is used as a sacred shrine of Egypt. Also have incense or other fragrance, which helps the psycho-neurons centres to achieve a state of elevated consciousness.

· Before starting the meditation on the sacred flame, write down your requests on the small pieces of papers [use only 5-6 pieces at a time].The request should be brief and to the point.

– I want a new job with the monthly salary of 10,000$

– I wish my own three bedrooms flat in an apartment in a posh locality of the city

– I desire to quit the bad habit of smoking, drinking or gambling

– I desire marriage with [name of the person]

– I wish to attract my true soul mate

– I wish to remove the interference of [name of the person] in my office or home.

– I wish to regulate my blood pressure and blood sugar

– I wish to dissolves my uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts

– I desire higher spiritual awareness.

· After you have briefly listed your requests, approach the burning candle with the pieces of papers in your hands.

· You may then read the invocation of the sacred flame, which comes from the holy inscriptions found on the walls of temples of Isis and Osiris.

“I now approach to the sacred shrine in the temple of Isis and Osiris to ask for assistance of higher spiritual forces. I now consign to the sacred flame these dreams, aspiration and desires, inscribed on these pieces of, asking that they manifested through creative spirit.

Now read the paper one by one, light them one by one and drop them into the urn letting them to catch fire.

I now release the creative power of the sacred flame to burn away all the obstacles and obstructions that stand in the path of achieving my objective, dreams and desires. I now have full faith that these desires and requests shall be Manifesting on the earth to meet my destiny.”

· When the flames have completely died out only charred ashes remains, crumble them up and remove them in a piece of paper to disposed them away from your home.

· Repeat the potent ritual after 3 weeks, giving the divine forces enough time to bring your desires in manifestation.

· Sometimes the mystical power works at once and some time it takes longer, depending on the level of the faith, the application of the right method and the nature of your request.

BY

GEETA JHA [SPIRITUAL HEALER]

INDIA