Travel and History: Ten Facts About the Republic of Turkey

When you travel, it is good to know historical facts.  Modern-day Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a country strategically located between Europe and Asia, and its leaders have an integral role on the world stage. The Asian part of Turkey was at one time called Asia Minor and was a part of the ancient Roman empire. Later, Turkey became part of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. 

Its historical, religious, political, and cultural significance, including the fact that its largest city was once the capital of three empires ~ Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman ~ should not be discounted or minimized. The heritage of Turkey and its influence in today’s political and economic arena are intricately woven into world history and world affairs.

♦ Here are TEN FACTS About the Republic of Turkey:

1. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is revered as the founder of the Republic of Turkey and is also called the “Father of the Turks”.
2. The founder of the Republic of Turkey was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1934.
3. The current capital city of Turkey is Ankara.
4. Istanbul was once the capital of three empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman.
5. Istanbul was once historically known by the name Constantinople.
6. “Turkey entered World War II in 1945 on the side of the Allies, who secured an agreement that Turkey would become a democracy.”
7. Even though Britain or the UK has voted to exit the EU (“Brexit”), Turkey wishes to be accepted as a member state of the European Union (EU).
8. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is an international alliance between European and North American countries and Turkey is a member state.
9. Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are all famous buildings in Turkey; must-see places for any traveler or visitor. The Topkapi Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
10. The Independent published a list of Turkey’s 7 most popular cities that attract tourists. Even though Cappadocia is located in Central Turkey and is mentioned in the Bible, this city was NOT on their list.

Content previously published at Virily.com

Related Links:

What is the Capital of Turkey?

Accession of Turkey to the European Union

Top 10 most famous places to visit in Turkey

* * *FOR YOUR READING LIST (if you enjoy a good mystery):

• Istanbul Passage

• The Iznik Enigma

*

The Sultan Ahmet Mosque aka Blue Mosque, built in the 1600s during the rule of Ahmed I. #FamousBuildings in #RepublicOfTurkey #travel #vacation #touristattractions #travelplanner #Turkey pic.twitter.com/dUP2rbfYRe

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) December 29, 2018

Hagia Sophia was first a cathedral, later a mosque and now a museum. #FamousBuildings in #RepublicOfTurkey #travel #vacation #touristattractions #travelplanner #Turkey pic.twitter.com/P2WiuF20jO

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) December 29, 2018

Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower built in 1348. During the #ByzantineEmpire it was called the ‘Christea Turris,’ or the Tower of Christ. #FamousBuildings in #RepublicOfTurkey #travel #vacation #touristattractions #travelplanner #Turkey pic.twitter.com/rstsHEz3F7

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) December 29, 2018

Society and Culture: Talking About My Generation

Years back, I stumbled upon a blog written by a young woman named Shaniqua. She was either in high school or her early years of college. She posed an interesting question, and it’s a question that no doubt is asked often and probably asked in every generation. She wanted to know:

• Are young people worse off today than previous generations?

I was born in the 50s. It’s not that the children or young people, PRE-1980s or 1990s were better off. It’s that … speaking from an American point of view … the world “we” lived in had very clearly defined “black and white, right and wrong” standards. These guidelines (or standards) made decision-making and not succumbing to peer pressure OR following the “in crowd” OR being tossed to and fro by any trend or movement, a little easier to make contrasts and comparisons for the purposes of making choices …that is to say, making wise life choices … speaking from my point of view. Would love to be able to boast that all of my decisions were wise choices, but I can not. That’s probably everybody’s lament.

Nevertheless, when we started moving from the “black and white” into the “gray areas” where Walt Disney programs were replaced by uncensored programming being disseminated to the masses … things just weren’t so clear-cut anymore. Don’t get me wrong. It’s good to question accepted “norms” and ask WHY. But asking questions doesn’t automatically mean that everything “that is questioned” is wrong and needs to be changed to the exact opposite to make it better and right.

According to Wikipedia, the term “anti-establishment” was first used in a British magazine movement in 1958, and there were or are such movements that occurred in Iceland, Italy, the United Kingdom, India, Australia, as well as in the USA. The Arab Spring is even categorized or described as anti-establishment.

According to me, this was a popular term used in the USA, and based on the way I saw and heard the word being used, my interpretation was that you dared to challenge The Authority. Quite frankly, I think my generation (the 60s and 70s) took the anti-establishment movement in the USA a little bit too far off course. Of course, that’s just my opinion, and I could be wrong.

* * *

♦ How would you respond to Shaniqua’s question about previous generations? Do you think they were better off or worse?

♦ What’s your opinion of the anti-establishment movement in America (or of a similar movement you may know of that happened or is happening somewhere else in the world)?

* * *

Links of Interest:

Which generation am I? Boomers, Millennials, Gen X, Generation Z birth years – Business Insider

The Generations – Which Generation are You?

American Generations Fast Facts – CNN


* * *
Content previously published at Virily.com

Travel and Vacation: Explore the City Rome: Where to Go and What to See (Guest Post)

The Eternal City Rome is home to more than 3 million people and rises from the Lazio region of west central Italy. Cradled between the Apennines and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

According to legend, Rome was founded by twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. And it was here, on Palatine Hill, that the foundations of the city were laid. A city that would soon become the Capital of the World.

Even today, the atmosphere of Roman times could be felt throughout the city.

Colosseum in Rome: symbol of ancient Rome

Surviving earthquakes and centuries of stone thieves, the magnificent Colosseum remains the most enduring symbol of Ancient Rome. The impressive structure is still in very good condition, you just need a little imagination to frame images of gladiators in battle. Over four centuries, tens of thousands of gladiators, slaves, and Christians died in a blaze of glory.

The Colosseum at night is pleasing to the eye, during the summer it is now possible to see the Colosseum at night on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Make sure to buy your Colosseum tickets in advance during the planning stage of your Rome vacation, otherwise you’ll have to queue for a long time.

Roman Forum

Beneath the birthplace of Rome is the Roman Forum - the Roman Forum filled with temples, monuments and markets.The Forum was the center of public life in Ancient Rome and the most famous meeting place in the world, and was the heart of the city. . When the Roman Empire fell in the fifth century, the forum was reduced to a meadow of cows; a mere orchard. But, the eight columns of the Temple of Saturn and the Arch of Septimius refused to crumble.

In the 17th century, young European travelers came to Rome in search of the roots of Western civilization. This hunger for the antiquities of Rome led to their preservation. And yet, travelers come from all over the world. The Roman Forum is very close to the Colosseum in Rome.

The Pantheon: the place to worship

On the nearby Arch of Constantine, an inscription bears the words, inspired by the divine. The Pantheon, one of the oldest Roman buildings, was a place to worship all the gods, from Juno, the god of fertility, to Mars, the god of war.

Pass under the central oculus of the dome and stand in the same divine light that has bathed emperors, gladiators, merchants, and travelers for nearly two millennia.

Toss the coin in the Trevi Fountain

Located in the center of the city hidden in the labyrinth of Small Street is the Trevi Fountain. No Roman holiday is complete without making a wish at the Trevi Fountain. Toss a coin in Trevi and one day you’ll be back in Rome (it can be another relaxing city break in Rome). Flip two coins and you will fall in love with a Roman. After flipping coins, you can relax on the steps with a scoop of ice cream, the city’s famous ice cream.

World’s largest church St. Peter’s Basilica

Rome may no longer be the capital of the world, but it has long been the center of Christianity. Today, modern pilgrims continue to cross the river, guided by the angel of the bridge as they make their way to one of the great squares of the world.

Piazza Saint Pietro, Saint Peter’s Square.

And here is the largest church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica. Filled with masterpieces by Bernini, Giotto, Raphael, Saint Peter’s crowning glory is its dome, designed by the brightest star of the Renaissance, Michelangelo.

From the dome you can see the holy square where two colonnades extend like open arms to welcome the faithful who gather by the thousands to receive the blessings of the Pope. This Vatican City is the seat of the Catholic Church and the home of the Pope.

Piazza Navona is one of the great squares of Europe

Once a stadium, today Piazza Navona is one of the great squares in Europe. The crowds and thunderous carts have long faded replaced by a trio of fountains, baroque architecture, artists, and the aroma of Rome’s best coffee.

Traditional Roman cuisine near the Tiber river

As the sun sets over Rome, head to the island sanctuary of Isola Tiberina. Let the rushing water of the River Tiber soothe your senses and indulge in authentic Roman cuisine that has been perfected by generations of Italian grandmothers and great-grandmothers. This is just a highlight. Really tasting all of Rome’s treasures can take a lifetime. But Rome only needs a moment for you to fall in love with it, so be prepared.

Shopping in Rome

During your relaxing vacation in Rome, if you are planning or have already planned to do some shopping, you will find designer stores with all the famous brands such as Zara, Gucci, Prada, etc.

**Original Source (annelouis24.tumblr.com) This writer wrote this post for my blog and then disappeared. (?)

You're So Old! Must Be Time for You to Die.

When I was a child I heard a man utter what he said was an old Irish proverb. "You begin to die the moment you're born."  While there is truth in that proverb it seems morbid to view the precious gift of life in that manner.  Don't you think so?

There are so many interesting, weird, and strange questions people ask when it comes to life and death. Questions that I would never think to ask. Here's an example.

When do you know you're old enough to die?

Considering that death does not discriminate. Considering that the good die young, the unborn die, and anyone who is living knows that one day they will die … why would you ask that question? As if death and old age are inextricably connected, and when you reach a certain age, YOU NEED TO DECIDE that it's time to die.

Amanda Jones was 109 when she voted in the presidential election that resulted in Barack Obama becoming POTUS (President of the United States). Imagine if, when she reached age 108 that she decided it was time for her to die. She died one year later, after the election, at the age of 110.

♦ Amanda Jones' life touched three centuries, during which she worked as a maid and a stay-at-home mother of 10 with deep religious faith, Baker said. Jones had voted actively for more than 70 years, even when it meant picking cotton to save money to pay a poll tax. ~ Source

Reports of her death indicate that Ms. Jones passed away peacefully in her sleep.

* * *

Barbara Ehrenreich, is a woman who holds a PhD in cellular immunology and who decided when she was in her 70s that she was old enough to die. She was interviewed by Lucy Rock and the article was published in The Guardian. As of the date of this short post, she is still alive. Ms. Ehrenreich thinks that "there’s an age at which death no longer requires much explanation". Based on her research, she advises not to bother visiting doctors who recommend medical tests, treatments, or preventative medicine, etc., as if they can do anything that will prolong your life. My understanding of what Doctor Ehrenreich is advising is that it is likely that many doctors are just making merchandise out of you.

I do have to say that I agree with her about her research, which led her to the conclusion that the US health and wellness industry generates billions of dollars. I have always thought and said, "Healthcare is Big Business."

But I should also say that Ms. Ehrenreich was diagnosed with breast cancer. Some may feel it's a material or relevant fact, and not to mention, it would be a significant omission.

At first, I thought the question was odd ~ "When do you know you're old enough to die?" ~ but in the end, after reading the interview where she expressed her thoughts and views, I agree with her advice.

Do you agree with Ms. Ehrenreich?

* * *

REFERENCES:

Rock, Lucy. "When Do You Know You're Old Enough to Die? Barbara Ehrenreich Has Some Answers. ~ The Guardian", Guardian News and Media, 7 Apr. 2018, www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/apr/07/barbara-ehrenreich-natural-causes-book-old-enough-to-die.

Gardner, Geoffrey. "109-Year-Old Daughter of Slave Votes Obama. ~ NPR", National Public Radio, Inc., 31 Oct. 2008, www.npr.org/sections/newsandviews/2008/10/109yearold_daughter_of_slave_v.html.

"Slave's Daughter Who Voted for Barack Obama Dies Aged 110. ~ The Telegraph", Telegraph Media Group, 19 Dec. 2008, www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/3853793/Slaves-daughter-who-voted-for-Barack-Obama-dies-aged-110.html.

On Voting, Amanda Jones & What We Owe Our Ancestors

♦ You’re So Old! Must Be Time for You to Die. https://t.co/elDA4hELXM #aging #healthcare #lifestyle #choices #lifeanddeath #questionsandanswers #healthandwellness @Rx4Wellness2018

— Treathyl Fox (@cmoneyspinner) June 5, 2019

A Few Biographical Notes About Galileo

Galileo is a famous historical figure and is noted for his contributions to astronomy and other areas of scientific study.  Here are a few biographical notes to create a snapshot of Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642).

Though he did not invent it, Galileo pioneered the use of the refracting telescope for observing the night sky. He improved upon the telescope and significantly enhanced its by grinding and polishing his own lenses, in order to increase the magnification, and that made it possible to actually see that there were craters and mountains on the moon and saw that the Milky Was was made up of thousands of individual stars.

Image credit:  Amazon.co

"After his formal trial, which took place on May 10 of that year, Galileo was convicted of a “strong suspicion of heresy,” a lesser charge than actual heresy."

~ QUOTE SOURCE: The truth about Galileo and his conflict with the Catholic Church | UCLA

“Nearly 70 at the time of his trial, Galileo lived his last nine years under comfortable house arrest, writing a summary of his early motion experiments that became his final great scientific work. He died in Arcetri near Florence, Italy on January 8, 1642 at age 77 after suffering from heart palpitations and a fever.”

~ QUOTE SOURCE: Galileo Galilei - HISTORY

In his day, his work was deemed heresy, but these days Galileo is praised for his contributions to astronomy and is called the "father" of observational astronomy, modern physics, the scientific method, and modern science.

Galileo fathered 2 daughters out of wedlock, who both became Catholic nuns. His oldest daughter, Virginia, corresponded regularly with his father. 124 of her letters survive to this day. Unfortunately, all of Galileo's replies to his daughter were burned. Her letters create a picture of a daughter's loving and supportive relationship with her father. The daughter herself was somewhat of a radical in her day. Even though she saw what happened to her father, she still dared to take a stand against corruption in the priesthood. Galileo died in 1642, but he outlived his daughter, who died of dysentery in 1634.

Galileo and the Stargazers: The Jim Weiss Audio Collection of inspiring true stories of heroic scientists ... https://t.co/LIdAKg2rtn via @amazon @audible_com
#16 in Historical #Biographies for Children
#21 in #Audiobooks on #Science & #Technology for #Children #education pic.twitter.com/yvUk1bGCsp

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) February 21, 2022

Original Source 

The Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence is a Mystery Series Written for Children:

Do you enjoy mysteries?  Are you fascinated by the history of ancient Rome?

Do you enjoy it when history is made interesting instead of just being tested on how well you can recall dates, events, and names of people and places?

Think you might like reading a historical mystery series?
(Written for young readers but nobody has to know you’re an adult. One of my guilty pleasures is reading children's books.)

Here is a recommendation. This series has won awards. It’s called The Roman Mysteries and was written by Caroline Lawrence. Her goal for undertaking this task was to entertain children while reading and educate them about this ancient civilization. She succeeded. In fact, her books received praise from teachers and parents, as well as awards and recognition. This is not the only mystery series she has written but since it deals with life in ancient Rome which is one of my favorite topics, it is being recommended for mystery lovers who also have an interest in the Roman Empire.

Set in 1^st century A.D., Book 1 of the series is titled “The Thieves of Ostia”. The last of the series, Book 17 is “Man from Pomegranate Street”. The reading material targets ages 10 through 14 and the novels are available in various formats: hard copy, audio, digital, etc.
♦♦♦♦♦♦

Here is the complete Roman Mysteries series:

The Thieves of Ostia (1)

The Secrets Of Vesuvius (2)

The Pirates Of Pompeii (3)

The Assassins Of Rome (4)

The Dolphins Of Laurentum (5)

The Twelve Tasks Of Flavia Gemina (6)

The Enemies Of Jupiter (7)

The Gladiators From Capua (8)

The Colossus Of Rhodes (9)

The Fugitive From Corinth (10)

The Sirens Of Surrentum (11)

The Charioteer Of Delphi (12)

The Slave-Girl From Jerusalem (13)

The Beggar Of Volubilis (14)

The Scribes From Alexandria (15)

The Prophet From Ephesus (16)

The Man From Pomegranate Street (17)

The Slave-Girl From Jerusalem

This exciting adventure recreates the siege at Masada.

Caroline Lawrence has also written other historical mysteries. View Her Author's Page.

Source:  Webnuggetz.com

NOTE: Content previously published elsewhere on the web, however, the site shut down. 

Reading List: Inspiring Biographies

Do you read autobiographies or biographies and personal memoirs for inspiration?

Reading about the lives of other people has always been a source of inspiration for me and no doubt it is the same way for other people too. In fact, if a person is suffering from depression one of the suggested activities to uplift their spirit and pull them out of the dark black hole is reading life stories. Not trying to sound corny but we are all ordinary people and it is encouraging to know that the majority of us endure the same trials and tribulations and most of us overcome or rise above our difficulties and get on with our lives.

But clearly, you do not have to be depressed to draw motivation from reading about the achievements of someone else. For one of my friends, it was the life of Malcolm X. The first biography which influenced my life was about Sammy Davis Jr. It was titled Yes I Can. (I could just kick myself for not keeping the book as it is now considered a collectible. He also published a sequel called Why Me?) 

The first autobiography written by Mr. Davis is also the book that piqued my curiosity and got me interested in reading more and more biographies about anybody – celebrities, men and women in history, people in political circles, etc. I turned this fascination into a hobby and created a Pinterest board called BIO-Snapshots, a collection of trivia, information, and articles about people. Some of my most recent pins link to mini-bios of Nora Baker, Robert Smalls, and Huma Abedin.

Do you get inspired by reading
biographical accounts or personal memoirs?

Click to view my picks.

NOTE: Content previously published elsewhere on the web, however, the site shut down. 

A Character Study of Florence Nightingale

In 1859, Florence Nightingale was the first to set out guidelines for ethical nursing practice. She wrote: “It may seem a strange principle to enunciate as the very first requirement in a Hospital is to do the sick no harm …”

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

(NOTE: It's not a strange principle. It's a sad principle. Some strange people need a guideline expressed in very plain language in the hopes that it pricks their conscience (if they have one) so that they don't take advantage of the sick and do them harm. I do wonder if Ms. Nightingale actually witnessed an incident that compelled her to write down these words.)

* * *

May 12th is International Nurses Day. This special day has been celebrated since 1965. The date was chosen because it is the B-Day (birthday of Florence Nightingale, a pioneer in healthcare and health reform, and the mother of modern nursing. Because of her efforts in the field of nursing, many others did not have to experience their own personal D-Day (day of death).

♦ ♦ ♦

I have always been taught to admire and respect this woman, but never really learned very much about her. Decided to collect a few more facts about this remarkable lady and learned two things about her that were news to me.

- Did not know she was a mathematical genius? Although that really comes as no surprise. She was, in fact, a very gifted child and excelled in mathematics and science.

- Did not know she believed that she was called by God? That, too, really comes as no surprise. Most people who defy the norms of their day, particularly women, and determine to set out on a specific path or chart a course despite the objections or opposition or great peril to one's life, to achieve anything, are usually driven by a voice that nobody else can hear except them. They firmly believe that they have been called to their mission or task that they can not be dissuaded because it would violate their conscience, and they would genuinely feel that the failure to respond to the calling would be like a betrayal to mankind.

So here is little Miss Nightingale, born into a family with sufficient financial means to educate her and develop her knowledge, skills, and abilities, and prepare her for her life's work. She grows to womanhood, and there is a sea of humanity outside her door where she can put this real wealth to good use.

Those voices could not be ignored. Not by her anyway.

Honoring the Memory Of:

Florence Nightingale (May 12, 1820 – August 13, 1910)

● Learn more about Florence Nightingale.

Florence Nightingale - Timeline

Florence Nightingale - English Nurse

Florence Nightingale - Biographical Sketch

* * *  Original source

Paul the Apostle Knew His Friends: TITUS

Titus was a Grecian convert. Luke does not mention him by name in the Book of Acts, but Paul confirms him as a “partner and fellow helper”. Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas on a trip to Jerusalem. Unable to go for himself, Paul sent Titus to work with the congregation in Corinth, and then bring back news about their well-being and spiritual health. He brought back a good report and refreshed the weary Apostle's spirit. Several years later, Paul would leave Titus behind in Crete to build up the Church there.

Image credit: Magic Studio AI art Generator

The relationship between Paul and Titus was much like to his association with Timothy. The two letters to Timothy and the letter to Titus have been grouped together and referred to as Pastoral Epistles. Both men were directed to ordain elders to oversee the flock of God, warned about false teachers, told to maintain good works, the purity of the Church, and especially ensure their own personal morality and blameless reputation as godly men.

The last reference to this young preacher is Paul's mention of him in a letter to Timothy (whom he had left in Ephesus) that Titus was headed to Dalmatia (conquered by the Romans A.D. 12; today a region of Croatia, Yugoslavia).

Excerpt of content first published at Paul and Friends | HubPages

From #Jerusalem to #Antioch: The Gospel Across Cultures by Jerome Crowe CP https://t.co/LWSgQ4JDld #Christianity #religion #Bible #ancientrome #society and #culture “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." pic.twitter.com/ijwQpBEE8A

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) February 21, 2020

Paul the Apostle Knew His Friends: TIMOTHY (or TIMOTHEUS)

Timothy was called Paul's son in the gospel.  Timothy's mother (Eunice) and grandmother (Lois) were devout Jews who taught him the Jewish scriptures from a child. All three of them were converted to Christianity. This young man traveled with Paul to places where he was sent by Paul – such as Berea, Macedonia, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Philippi – to evangelize, preach, teach, comfort, and assure the believers to press on and not falter. Paul was retracing his steps and revisiting Lystra in Lycaonia when he and Timothy crossed paths. The first time he was in this small city was with Barnabas. On this second trip, Timothy joined Paul's company.

Image credit: Magic Studio AI art Generator

Paul commended his young companion as follows (paraphrased): “We have the same mind. He does not seek his own. He has served with me in the gospel and has the same boldness to as I do to defend the faith. His love and care for all the churches is genuine.”

While in prison in Rome, awaiting execution, the Apostle wrote to Timothy instructing him to persevere and continue the Lord's work without him.

Excerpt of content first published at Paul and Friends | HubPages

From #Jerusalem to #Antioch: The Gospel Across Cultures by Jerome Crowe CP https://t.co/LWSgQ4JDld #Christianity #religion #Bible #ancientrome #society and #culture “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." pic.twitter.com/ijwQpBEE8A

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) February 21, 2020

Paul the Apostle Knew His Friends: LUKE (or LUCAS)

The name Lucas means “light-giving”. Very appropriate since he authored a two-part work – the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles – both written to shed light on the life of Christ and the establishment of His Church.

Image credit: AI art Generated – DeviantArt

His first appearance, historically, is in Troas. Details about his conversion are unknown. Details regarding his faithfulness are made plain in the New Testament scriptures. Luke traveled with the Apostle during his second (from Troas to Philippi), third (from Philippi to Jerusalem) and final (from Jerusalem to Rome) missionary journeys. In addition, during one of Paul's imprisonments, Luke dutifully remained close by. Luke was an educated man; writer, historian, and physician by profession. Paul speaks of him with great affection as the “beloved physician”.

Excerpt of content first published at Paul and Friends | HubPages

From #Jerusalem to #Antioch: The Gospel Across Cultures by Jerome Crowe CP https://t.co/LWSgQ4JDld #Christianity #religion #Bible #ancientrome #society and #culture “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." pic.twitter.com/ijwQpBEE8A

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) February 21, 2020

Paul the Apostle Knew His Friends: BARNABAS

Barnabas was Paul's champion. While others may have doubted the sincerity of the Apostle's conversion, Barnabas sought Paul out. When he found him in Tarsus, he encouraged him to become a fellow laborer and convinced others that he could be an invaluable help with the missionary efforts.

Image credit: AI Generated - DeviantArt

“The disciples were called Christians* first in Antioch.” (Acts 11: 26) Barnabas and Paul traveled together to Antioch in Syria to strengthen the community of believers already there. The zealous teamwork of these two men proved very successful. Though the Church began, A.D. 33, in Jerusalem, from Antioch the “good news” would spread to all the major cities in the Roman Empire, including Rome.

Before becoming a Christian, Barnabas was a Jew; a Levite from the island of Cyprus, whose name was Joseph (Joses). He was called “son of consolation (or encouragement)” by the disciples because he had a gift for motivating those who were discouraged to remain focused, steadfast, and faithful. So committed was he that he sold his property and donated the proceeds to help the poor and needy. His act of generosity spurred others on to perform similar good works.

* Greek: Christianoi: “devotees of the Anointed One.

Excerpt of content first published at Paul and Friends | HubPages

From #Jerusalem to #Antioch: The Gospel Across Cultures by Jerome Crowe CP https://t.co/LWSgQ4JDld #Christianity #religion #Bible #ancientrome #society and #culture “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." pic.twitter.com/ijwQpBEE8A

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) February 21, 2020

Lifestyle: Does Your Favorite Room Have a Name?

Is there are favorite room in your home where you go to relax, retreat, block out the rest of the world, or share a special space with someone?

OK. Before I get started I just want to say that I know what a casbah is.

• It’s a fortress in North Africa (and in some other parts of the world). It is a unique medina or Islamic city and the Kasbah of Algiers is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• “Casbah” is a word that I have heard in movies and in music. I watched an old movie, released in 1948 titled “Casbah” (1948) and it was set in Algiers. There was also a song I liked during my teen years called “Rock the Casbah” . Will Smith sampled it on one of his songs. (Will Smith feat. K-Ci’s ‘Will 2K’ — Discover the Sample Source)
• Casbah is also spelled kasbah, qasba, or qasaba.

When I hear the word “casbah”, I usually associate it with something really cool!

When I’m talking about casbah in this article, I’m going in a completely different but still cool direction from the usual meaning of the word and how it is commonly used.

JUST FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME.

Everybody likes to read articles or watch TV shows about the personal lives of celebrities. I kind of like shows where they show the homes where they live. The late Gregory Peck and his wife said they liked to spend time in a room in their house that they called “The Casbah”. It’s a place where they retreat.

Just then I had “Ah hah!” moment. I thought to myself:

‘It would be so cool to have a room in my house that I could call ‘The Casbah’.’

The best part would be decorating the room.

There would be thick rugs and huge comfy pillows. The décor would look Persian.

Yes. I know a casbah is a fortress and there are famous casbahs that are located in Morocco. Morocco is in northwest Africa and Persia (now Iran) is in southwestern Asia.

But it’s MY CASBAH! So if I want to decorate Persian or Iranian style, I will. LOL.

8 Inspiring Decor Ideas from Iran: This article says to use copper pots, some handwoven baskets, various types of hand-stitched cloth, sweet-smelling flowers, decorative rugs, and a Poshti (a decorative pillow for your back). (FYI. There is an excellent selection of poshtis on Etsy.)

At present, I live in an apartment with my sons. But if I ever get into a home again, I plan to have a home office/casbah. Yeah well! I figure I won’t be able to afford a house where I can have one room for my home office and another for a casbah.

Have you never named a room in your house?

• What is your favorite room in your home and why?
• What Your Favorite Room Says About Your Personality

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