Faith Counts

Patience is an essential part of faith as it requires trust and perseverance in the face of challenges and adversity. It's through patience that we learn to trust in a higher power and have faith that things will work out in the end.

Believe in yourself and your abilities, for your future is as bright as your faith. Trust in the journey and keep your head high, success is just around the corner. #faith #motivation #believeinyourself

Lily Brasch, a disability activist, made history at New York Fashion Week as the first model with muscular dystrophy to walk the runway unassisted. Despite facing a scheduling conflict with the start of the weekly Jewish holiday of Shabbat, Brasch took to the catwalk at 5 p.m. and quickly made her way to a nearby hotel to celebrate with her sisters. The Chicago native, who moved to New York to attend Columbia University, founded the Born to Prove foundation to promote disability awareness and break barriers. She hopes to inspire others within the Jewish community to achieve their dreams despite any perceived limitations.

Love is eternal and unwavering, and it surrounds us every day. We are fortunate to be able to share in this love and to spread it to those around us. Let us strive to be beacons of love and kindness in the world. #unconditionallove #spreadlove #inspiration

According to a new study by the Center for Church Management at Villanova University, congregational giving among Catholics in the US has returned to pre-pandemic levels, but is now being provided by fewer donors. The research also reflects the pandemic's acceleration of trends, including a decline in religious affiliation, congregational membership and fewer Americans giving to charity in general. The data shows that congregations have not been impacted equally, and that those in the South and West of the country saw an increase in giving, while those in the Northeast and Midwest experienced a decrease.

Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival that takes place annually in the month of March, usually one day after the Hindu festival of Holi. It is celebrated to mark the spring season and to commemorate the valiant warrior spirit of the Sikh community. The festival was started by the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, in the late 17th century. He organized a mock battle or military exercise called 'Gatka' to train his soldiers and to showcase their martial arts skills. The tradition has continued since then, and now thousands of Sikhs gather at Anandpur Sahib, a holy city in the northern state of Punjab, to participate in the festival. During Hola Mohalla, Sikhs engage in a variety of activities such as Gatka, a mock battle that involves the use of swords, sticks, and other weapons. There are also processions or 'Nagar Kirtans' where Sikhs march through the streets singing hymns and showcasing their martial arts skills. The festival is also a time for the community to come together and celebrate. Langars or community meals are organized where everyone is welcome to share a meal regardless of their caste, creed or religion. This tradition of communal meals is a hallmark of Sikh culture and is an integral part of the festival. Overall, Hola Mohalla is a joyous occasion that celebrates the spirit of courage, valor, and community. It is a unique festival that combines martial arts, music, and spirituality, and is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Sikh community.

"Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart." - Mahatma Gandhi This quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of prayer as a heartfelt connection with God. Whether we are asking for something specific or simply opening ourselves up to the divine, prayer is a powerful tool for cultivating inner peace, strength, and resilience.

🎸Gary Rossington, a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, who sadly passed away at the age of 71, was not just a rock legend but also a man of faith. Along with popularising Southern rock through hits like "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird," he often talked about the importance of his Christian beliefs in his life and music. Despite health challenges towards the end, Gary remained steadfast in his faith, inspiring many along the way. As he once said, "I've always been a believer in God, and I know He's always with me." Rest in peace, Gary Rossington 🙏 #Faith #LynyrdSkynyrd #GaryRossington #SouthernRock #RockLegend #MusicHistory

Happy Holi! 🎉🌈 Today is the festival of colors, also known as Holi, which is one of the most popular and vibrant festivals celebrated in India and other parts of the world. 🇮🇳🌍 Holi signifies the victory of good over evil, and it's a time when people come together to forget their differences and celebrate with colors, music, and dance. During Holi, people throw colored powders and water at each other, sing and dance to traditional songs, and enjoy festive food and sweets. 🎶🎉 Apart from being a fun-filled festival, Holi also has a deeper meaning. The colors used during the celebrations represent different emotions, such as love, happiness, and friendship. This festival reminds us to let go of any negative feelings and embrace positivity and joy. 💛💜❤️ So, on this special day, let's spread love, happiness, and positivity all around, and may God gift you all the colors of life, joy, happiness, friendship, love, and all the other colors you want to paint in your life. Happy Holi! 🌈🙏 #FaithCounts

A new docuseries titled “How I Got Over” explores the resilience of the Black church and highlights how adherence to the Bible has influenced the accomplishments of influential Black Christian leaders in American society. The five-part series delves into the history of seven historic Black denominations and features interviews with both well-known and lesser-known leaders. The series emphasizes the importance of conservative theological stances and notes that the Black church is not monolithic, with many embracing a more conservative Christian orthodoxy. The documentary aims to highlight the substantive differences between denominations while showing that the primary arguments were not about orthodoxy. #FaithCounts

Spread kindness wherever you go 🌟 #Kindness #DalaiLama #SpreadLove #BeKind #PositiveVibes

Pause, breathe, and choose. Each moment presents an opportunity to move closer to your spirit or further away from it. #ThichNhatHanh #SpiritualJourney #Mindfulness

Nearly 2,500 years ago, in the middle of two million square miles of the Persian Empire, in the city of Shushan, there lived an orphan, a beautiful Jewish girl named Hadassah, though she is better known by her Persian name, Esther. Esther’s story of faith and courage happened thousands of years ago, but it lives on today because people are still inspired by her faith and courage. As the Bible story goes, Ahasuerus, the king of Persia became angry with his wife Vashti for disobedience. He began looking for a new wife from the young virgins of his empire. Esther was brought before him and he liked what he saw. Soon she was chosen to replace Vashti as queen. At the time, Esther had been raised by her cousin Mordecai, and even after she became queen, he was never far away. He counseled her as often as he could and in the beginning advised her to hide her Jewish identity. King Ahasuerus appointed an evil man named Haman to the highest position at court and decreed that everyone should bow down to him. Whenever Esther’s cousin Mordecai was in Haman’s presence he refused to show him this respect. Haman resented Mordecai and abused his position of power by sending forth a decree to exterminate the Jews. Mordecai went to Esther and pleaded with her to approach the king to save their people. Doing so would put her life at risk, but Mordecai believed that God had made her queen so she could save her people. Esther decided that she would go to the king for help, but before doing so, she fasted for three days and told Mordecai to ask their people to do the same. When the time was right, she did risk her life to approach the king and shared Haman’s evil plans to annihilate her people. The king flew into a rage and sent Haman to be hung on the very gallows the vizier had built to hang Mordecai. Every year, Jewish people celebrate Esther’s story of faith and courage on a holiday known as Purim. The word “Purim” means “lots” in ancient Persian, because it’s believed that Haman cast lots to choose which day he would massacre the Jews. Today the holiday is celebrated by exchanging gifts of food, donating to the poor, and eating a celebratory meal #purim #faith #faithcounts

The #jewish holiday #Purim starts tonight at sundown. For those who don't know what that is, check out #linkinbio that explains this holiday. #FaithCounts

The Bear's Jeremy Allen White takes home the award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a comedy series at the SAG Awards 2023, thanking his peers for making him feel less lonely on this journey