Photos: Jewish Parents Let Kids Smoke Cigarettes On Purim

By LaVrai, 27 June, 2009, No Comment

I was surprised to just learn that this is a common way to celebrate Purim in this Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Israel.

These little boys sure look like they’re having a good time… I wonder if they sneak a smoke when it’s not Purim. Notice the little one on the left with several cigarettes in his hand.

: An ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth lights a friend’s cigarette during celebrations for the Jewish holiday of Purim in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighbourhood March 11, 2009. (Reuters)

: (Reuters)

Purim is a celebration of the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther.

Photos: Day Life

Photos: People Gather To Lift Their Hands And Praise…Michael Jackson

By LaVrai, 26 June, 2009, 7 Comments

When I saw this first photo here, I was like, hmm, folks having church at the Apollo in NYC? Then I noticed the young lady holding on to the Michael Jackson album. (Click on images to see them larger)

: People gather to remember Michael Jackson at the Apollo Theater on June 26, 2009 in New York City. (Getty Images)

: A woman holds up a radio as a crowd sings Michael Jackson songs after hearing of the death of the pop star June 25, 2009, in front of the Apollo Theater in the Harlem section of New York City. (Getty Images)

: After hearing of the death of pop star Michael Jackson, people gather and sing June 25, 2009, in front of the Apollo Theater in the Harlem section of New York City. (Getty Images)

Photo source: Day Life

Photo For Thought: Marathon Bible Reading

By LaVrai, 7 May, 2009, 1 Comment

Rev. Thelma Dephas takes part in the 20th annual Bible Reading Marathon on May 6, 2009, on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in D.C. (Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images)

See more Photos For Thought here…

Remembering The LORD’s Promise On Earth Day

By LaVrai, 22 April, 2009, No Comment

Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Since this is Earth Day, I find it appropriate to remind readers that we don’t have to worry about the earth being destroyed by anything we do. We may make it unpleasant with pollution, but there’s absolutely nothing we can do of ourselves to destroy this planet. How do I know this?

GOD said it HIMSELF:

Photos For Thought: Celebrating Holy Fire, Bike Blessings

By LaVrai, 18 April, 2009, 4 Comments

(AP)

Photo caption: Christian Orthodox pilgrims hold candles in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, during the ceremony of the Holy Fire in Jerusalem’s Old City, Saturday, April 18, 2009l 18, 2009
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

WP-Bible plugin. The Holy Fire ceremony is part of Orthodox Easter rituals and the flame symbolizes the resurrection of Christ. The ceremony dates back to the 12th century.

(Getty Images)

Photo caption: The Rev. Canon Thomas Miller sprinkles holy water inside the Cathedral of St. John the Divine during the 11th annual Blessing of the Bicycles on April 18, 2009l 18, 2009
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

WP-Bible plugin, in New York City. The event features a bicycle themed prayer and the sprinkling of holy water on dozens of bicycles to start off a safe season of cycling.

You learn something new everyday… See more interesting photos in the Photos for Thought gallery.

Back story -

On Holy Fire (per Jerusalem Post):

Thousands of Orthodox faithful, carrying torches and bundles of candles signifying the 33 years of Jesus’ life, packed into Christianity’s holiest shrine on Saturday to celebrate Easter Week’s holy fire ritual.

Christians traditionally believe Jesus was crucified and buried at the site in Jerusalem’s Old City where the Church of the Holy Sepulcher now stands.

The holy fire ritual, celebrated the day before the Orthodox Easter, honors the belief that a holy fire appears spontaneously from Jesus’ tomb as a message that he has not forgotten his followers.