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OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS, The testimony of the Qur'an to the
The references in the Qur'an to the sacred scriptures of the Jews and Christians are very many, and in all cases Muhammad refers to these sacred writings with the highest respect end veneration. He acknowledges their inspiration, admits the existence of such documents in his own day, and appeals to them in support of his own mission.
The following verses of the Qur'an, in which there are references to the Old and New Testament, have been placed in chronological order, and the translations are given for the most part from Sir William Muirs Manual on "The Quran," published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge : –
Surah lxxxvii. 18: "Verily this is in the books of yore; the books of Abraham and Moses."
Surah liii. 37—40: "Hath he not been told of that which. is in the pages of Moses, and of Abraham who acted faithfully? That a burdened soul shall not bear anothers burden, and that there shall be nothing (imputed) to a man, but that which he himself hath wrought," &c."
Surah xxxii. 23-25: "And verily We gave Moses the book: wherefore be not in doubt as to the reception thereof, and We made it a direction to the Israelites. And We made from among them leaders who should direct according to Our command, when they were steadfast, and believed in Our signs. Verily thy Lord, he will judge between; hem on the Day of Resurrection as to that concerning which they disagree."
Surah liv. 43: "Are your unbelievers (Ye Makkans) better than those (i.e. of the days of Noah, Lot, Moses, &c., just referred to;) or is there an immunity for you in the Scriptures? "
Surah xxxiv. 30: "And the unbelievers say : – We will not believe in this Qur'an, nor in that (which was revealed) before it."
Surah xli. 45: "And verily We gave Moses the book, and they felt to variance concerning it."
Surah xlv. 15, 16: "And verily We gave the children of Israel the book, and wisdom, and prophecy, and We nourished them with pleasant food, and We exalted them above the rest of the world; and We gave them plain directions in the matter (of religion;) and they fell not to variance until after divine knowledge (or the Revelation,) had come unto them, out of jealousy among themselves. Verily, thy Lord will decide between them on the Day of Judgment, concerning that about which they disagree."
Surah xxxvii. 84:" Verily when it is said unto them :—There is no God but the Lord; they arrogantly reply,—What! shall we give up our gods for a frenzied poet? Nay, he cometh with the truth, and attesteth (the Revelations) of the (former) apostles."
Surah xxxvii. 114: "And verily we were gracious to Moses and Aaron, and saved them and their people from great tribulation; and We brought them assistance, and they were the conquerors; and We gave them the perspiouous book, and directed them into the right way."
Surah xxvi. 194: "Verily it (the Qur'an) is a revelation from the Lord of creation; the faithful Spirit bath caused it to descend' on thy heart, that thou mightest be one of the warners, in the plain Arabic tongue. And verily it is in the former Scriptures. What! is it not a sign unto them that the wise men of the Children of Israel recognize it?"
Surah xlvi. 12: "And when they refuse to be guided thereby, they say ;—this is an antiquated lie. Yet preceding it there is the Book of Moses, a guide and a mercy; and this Qur'an is a book attesting (previous Revelation), in the Arabic tongue, to warn the transgressors, and glad tidings to the righteous."
Surah xlvi. 30: "And (call to mind) when We caused a company of the Genii 'to turn aside unto thee that they might hear the Qur'ãn; And, when they were present thereat, they said, – Give ear. And when it was ended, they returned to their people as warners; they said.,—Oh our people! verily we have heard a book revealed after Moses, atttesting the revelation that precedeth it; it leadeth to the truth, and unto the straight path."
Surah xxxv. 25: "And if they reject thee, verily they who preceded them rejected (their prophets), who brought them clear signs, and writings, and the enlightening book."
Surah xxxv. 31: "And that which We have revealed unto thee is the truth, attesting that which precedeth it?"
Surah xix. 11 "Oh John! take the book (the Taurat) with power;- and We gave, him wisdom while a child."
Surah xix. 28, 29: "And she (Mary) pointed to him (the infant Jesus:) they said, — How shall we speak with a child in the cradle? (The infant Jesus) said,— verily I am the servant of God; he hath given me the book (i.e. the Gospel), and made me a prophet."
Surah xlii. 1.: " Thus doth God the glorious and the wise, communicate inspiration unto thee, as he did unto those that preceded thee."
Surah xlii. 12: "He hath ordained unto you the religion which he commanded unto Noah, and which We have revealed unto thee, and which We commanded unto Abraham, Moses, and Jeans ;—saying, Maintain the true religion, and be not at variance therein."
Surah xlii. 14, 15: "And they did not differ until after the knowledge (of Divine, Revelation) came unto them, rebelliously 'among themselves: and unless the word had gone forth from thy Lord (respiting these) until a fixed time, verily the matter had been decided between them. And verily they that have inherited the book after them are in a perplexing doubt respecting the same. Wherefore invite men unto the true faith), and stand fast as thou hast been commanded, and follow not their desires. And say, I believe in whatever books God hath revealed, and I am commanded to decide between you; God is our Lord, and your Lord. To us will (be reckoned) our works – to you, yours. There is no ground of dispute between us and you. God will gather tin together, and to Him shall be the return."
Surah xl. 55, 66: "And verily We gave unto Moses guidance. and We caused the Children of Israel to inherit the book,—a guide and an admonition unto people of understanding hearts. Wherefore he patient, for the promise of God is true, and ask pardon for thy sin &c."
Surah xl. 72: "They who reject the book and that which We ha ye sent our messengers with (the Old and New Testament)— they shall know: when the collars shall be an their necks, acid the chains by which they shall he dragged into hell :—— then shall they be burned in the fire."
Surah xxv. 36: "And verily We gave Moses the hook, and We appointed his brother Aaron his helper."
Surah xx. 132: "And they (the Qaraish) say: — 'If he doth not bring us a sign from his Lord (we will not believe).' What I hath not an evident demonstration come unto them in the former pages?"
Surah xliii. 43: "And ask those of Our Apostles whom We have sent before thee, whether We have appointed any besides the Merciful, as a God whom they should worship."
Surah xii. 111: "It is not a story fabricated, but an attestation of (the revelation) which is before it, and an explanation of every matter, a guide and a mercy to the people that believe."
Surah xi. 17, 18: "These are they for whom there is no portion in the next life but fire: and that which they have done shall perish therein; vain will that be which they have wrought. What! (shall such a one be equal unto him) who proceedeth upon a plain direction front his Lord; and a witness from him (i.e. from the Lord) attendeth him, and before him (or it) is the Book of Moses a guide and a mercy."
Surah xi. 3: "And verily We gave Moses the book, and they fell to variance regarding it. And had not the word gone forth from thy Lord, surely the matter had been decided between them; and verily they are in perplexing doubt concerning the same."
Surah x. 37: "And this Qur'an is not such that it could have been fabricated by other than God: but it is an attestation of that (i.e. of those Scriptures) which precede it, and an explanation of the book,— there is no doubt therein,— from the Lord of creation. What' will they say, he (Muhammad) hath forged it? Say,—then bring a Surah like unto it."
Surah x. 13: "If thou art in doubt regarding that which We have sent down unto thee, then ask those who read the book (revealed) before thee. Verily the truth hath come unto thee from thy Lord; be not therefore amongst those that doubt."
Surah vi. 20: "Those to whom We have given the book recognize him as they recognize their own sons. They that have destroyed their own souls, these believe not."
Surah vi. 90: "These are they to whom We have given the book, and wisdom, and prophecy, and if these (the Quraish) disbelieve the same, verily We have given it in trust unto a people who are not disbelievers there- in. These are they whom God hath guided; wherefore persevere in the guidance of them."
Surah vi. 93: "And they do not estimate God with a just estimation, when they say,—God hath not sent down—(i.e. revealed, anything to Man. Say, who sent down the book, which Moses brought, a light and a direction to mankind? Ye (var. read, they) make (or transcribe) it upon sheets of paper which ye (or they) show, and ye (or they) conceal much; and ye are taught that which ye knew not, neither did your fathers. Say, —God: then leave them to sport in their follies.
Surah vi. 93 : "And this book We have revealed, – blessed,- certifying the truth of that (revelation) which precedeth it, and that thou mightest admonish the people of the city (Makkah) and those around it."
Surah vi. 114; "He It is that hath sent down to you the book, explaining (all things;) and those to whom We have given the book know that it (the Qur'an) hath been sent down from thy Lord in truth. Wherefore, be not thou (O Muhammad) among those that doubt."
Surah vi. 124: "And when a verse cometh unto them, they say,—We will not believe until there is brought unto us (a revelation) like unto that which the apostles of God brought."
Surah vi. 154: "Then We gave Moses the book complete as to whatever is excellent, and an explanation of every matter, and a direction and a mercy, if haply they might believe in the meeting of their Lord."
Surah vi. 155: "And this book (the Qur'an) We have sent down,—blessed; wherefore follow it, and fear God, if haply ye may find mercy; lest ye should say,—Verily the Scripture hath been revealed to two people (the Jews and Christians) before us, and we are ignorant of their reading —or lest ye should say — If the Scripture had been revealed to us, we surely would have followed, its direction and mercy." &c.
Surah xxviii. 44: "And verily We gave Moses the book, after that We had destroyed the former generations,—an enlightenment unto mankind, and a direction, and a mercy, if haply they might be admonished."
Surah xxviii. 47: "And thou wert not on the side of Mount Sinai, when We called out (to Moses ;.) but (thou art) a mercy from thy Lord, that thou mayest admonish a people unto whom no warner hath come before thee, if perchance they may receive admonition ;— and lest, if there befall them a calamity for the evil works they have committed, they should say,—Oh Lord! if thou hadst sent unto us a prophet., we had followed thy revelations, and been of the number of the believers. And now that the truth hath come unto them from us, they say,—if there were to come (a revelation) like unto that which came unto Moses (we should believe). What! do they not disbelieve in that which was given unto Moses heretofore: they say,—two impostures that mutually assist one another; and they say,—verily we reject them both. Say,— bring a book from God that guideth more aright than these two, If ye be true ; and if they answer not," &c.
Surah xxviii. 53: "Those to whom We have given the Scripture before it (i.e. before the Qur'an,) believe therein; and when it (the Qur'an) is read unto them, they say,—We believe in it; verily it is the truth from our Lord, surely we were Muslims from before."
Surah xxiii. 25: "And verily We gave Moses the book,, if haply they might be directed; and We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign," &c.
Surah xxi. 7: "And We sent not before thee (as Apostles) other than men whom We inspired: ask, therefore, the people of the Scripture, if ye know it not".
Surah xxi. 49: "And verily We gave Moses and Aaron the distinction (al-Furqan), and a light, and an admonition to the pious,—those who fear their Lord in secret, and who tremble for the. hour (of Judgment). This blessed admonition also We have sent down; will ye therefore deny it?"
Surah xxi. 105: "And verily We have written in the Psalms, after the Law, that my servants, the righteous, shall inherit the earth."
Surah xvii. 2: "And We gave Moses the book, and made it 'a direction to the Children of Israel, (saying) —Take ye not other than Me for a patron."
Surah xvii. 4, 5, and 7: "And We declared in the book, in respect of the Children of Israel,'—saying, Ye shall surely work corruptly on the earth twice, and ye shall be elated with great arrogance. And when the threat of the first of these two (visitations) came to pass,' We sent against you our servants of terrible strength, &c., and when the threat of the second (visitation) came to pass," &c.
Surah xvii. 55: "And verily We have bestowed favour upon some of the prophets more than upon others, and We gave David 'the Psalms," &c.
Surah xvii. 108: "Say,—Believe in it (the Qur'an), or believe not: — verily they unto whom the knowledge (of Divine Revelation) hath been given anterior to it, when they hear it recited unto them, fall down upon their faces worshipping: and they say,—Praised be our Lord; verily the promise of our Lord is fulfilled. And they fall down on their races weeping, and it increaseth their humility."
Surah xvi. 43: "And We have not sent before thee other than men whom We have inspired ;—wherefore ask the people of the Scripture if ye know not. (We sent than) with evident signs and books, and We have sent down unto thee the revelation, that thou mightest make, known to mankind that which bath been revealed to them, that haply they might reflect"
Surah xiii. 45: "And those who disbelieve say,—Thou art not sent ;—say,-—God sufficeth for a witness between me and between you, and also he with whom is the knowledge of the book."
Surah xxix. 27: "And We gave to him (i.e. to Abraham) Isaac and Jacob, and We placed among his descendants prophecy and the book."
Surah xxix. 46: "And contend. not with the people of the book (Jews and Christians) but in a generous manner, excepting those of them who act wickedly; and say,—We believe in that which hath been revealed to us, and in that which hath been revealed to you: and your God and our God is one, and we are to Him resigned."
Surah xxix. 47: "And thus have We sent down to thee the book (the Qur'an,) and those to whom We have given the Scripture believe in it."
Surah vii. 158: "And I will shortly write down it (i.e. my mercy,) for those who fear the Lord and give alms, and those who believe in our signs: those who shall follow the apostle, – the illiterate prophet,—whom they shall find written (i.e. described) in the Pentateuch and in the Gospel among them; be shall command them to do that which is excellent," &c.
Surah vii. 168: "And (call to mind) when thy Lord commanded that there should certainly be sent against them (i.e. the Jews) until the day of resurrection those that would afflict them with grievous distress ;—verily thy Lord is swift in vengeance, and he is surely forgiving and merciful. And We dispersed them in the earth amongst the nations; there are of them that are virtuous, and there are of them that are not so. And We proved them with blessings, and with adversities, if perchance they might return. And there succeeded after them a generation that inherited the book, who receive the temporal advantage of this world, and .say,—lt will be forgiven unto us. And if there come unto them an advantage the like thereof, they accept it. What I hath there not been taken from them the covenant of the book, that they should not say of God other than the truth, and they diligently study that which is therein."
Surah lxxiv. 30: "Over it (Hell) are nine-teen angels.; and We have not made the guardians of the fire other than angels; and We have not expressed their number, except as a trial to those who disbelieve, and in order that those to whom We have given the book may firmly believe, and that they who believe may increase in faith; and that those to whom We have given the book may not doubt, nor the believers."
Surah ii. 1-5: "This is the book In which there is no doubt,—a guide to the pious ;— they who believe In the Unseen, and observe prayer, and spend out of that which we have provided them with ;—and they who believe in that which hath been revealed unto thee, and that which hath been revealed before thee, and have faith in the life to come. These walk according to the direction of their Lord, and these are the blessed."
Surah ii. 36: "Oh Children of Israel! remember My favour wherewith I have favoured you, and fulfil My covenant,—I likewise will fulfil your covenant; and fear Me, and believe in that which I have revealed, attesting the truth of the (Scripture) which is with you: and be not the first to reject the same; and sell not my revelation for a small price; and clothe not the truth with error, and do not conceal the truth while ye know it."
Surah ii. 50: "And when We gave Moses the book and the distinction (between good and evil, – Furqan,) —if haply ye might be directed."
Surah ii. 71: "And when they (the Jews of al-Madinah,) meet the believers, they say, – We believe; but when they retire privately one with the other, they say,—Why do ye acquaint them with what God hath revealed to you, that they may therewith dispute with you before your Lord? What do ye not understand? Do they not know that God knoweth what they conceal as well as that which they make public."
Surah ii. 79: "What do ye (the Jews) believe in part of the book, and reject part thereof? But whosoever amongst you doeth. this, his reward shall be none other than disgrace in the present life, and in the Day of Judgment they shall be cut into a more awful torment."
Surah ii. 81: "And verily We gave Moses the Book, and caused prophets to arise after him, and We gave to Jesus, the Son of Mary, evident signs, and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit."
Surah ii. 89: "And when a Book (i.e. the Qur'an) came unto them from God, attesting the truth of that (Scripture) which is with them, (although they had from before been praying fof victory over those who disbelieve); yet when that came unto them which they recognised, they rejected the same."
Surah ii. 83: "And when it is said unto them ;—Believe in that which God hath revealed; they say —We believe, in that which hath been revealed unto us; and they' reject that which (hath been revealed) after it, although it be the truth attesting that which is with them."
Surah li. 85: "And verily Moses came unto you with evident, signs (or revelations); then ye took the calf," &c.
Surah ii. 86: "For he (Gabriel) hath caused it (the Qur'an) to descend upon thy heart by the command of God, attesting that (Scripture) which is before it, and a direction and good tidings to the believers."
Surah ii. 95 "And when a prophet came unto them from God. attesting that (Scripture) which is with them, a party of those who have received the Scripture cast the Book of God behind their backs, as if they knew it not."
Surah ii. 107: "The Jews say, the Christians are not (founded) upon anything; and the Christians say the Jews are not (founded) upon anything; and yet they read the Scripture."
Surah ii. 130 (see also Surah lii. 79) "Say —We believe in God and in what hath been revealed unto us, and in what hath been revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael. and Isaac, and Jacob, and the Tribes; and in what hath been given unto Moses and unto Jesus and in what hath been given unto the prophets from their Lord: we make no distinction between any of them; and unto Him we are resigned."
Surah ii. 139; "Verily We saw thee turn about thy face into the Heavens: wherefore We will cause thee to turn towards a qiblah that will please thee —turn therefore thy face towards the holy temple: wheresoever thou art, turn thy face towards it. And verily those to whom the Scripture hath been given, they know that this is the truth from their Lord, and God is not unmindful of that which they do. And if thou broughtest unto those to whom the Scripture hath been given, every kind of signs they would not follow thy qiblah, nor wilt thou follow their qiblah," &c.
Surah ii. 142: "Those to whom We have given the Scripture recognise him as they recognise their own sons; but. verily a section of them hide the truth, although they know it."
Surah ii 169: "Verily they that conceal the Scripture which God hath revealed, and sell it for a small price;— these shall eat nought but the fire in their bellies, and God shall not speak unto them on the Day of Judgment, neither shall He purify them; they shall have bitter torment These are they that have bought error at the price of direction. and punishment at the price of pardon:—how shall they endure the fire !— this because God bath sent down the Book in truth; and they that dispute regarding the Book are in a grievous error."
Surah ii. 209: " Mankind was one people, and God sent. prophets as preachers of good tidings, and warners: and He sent down the Scripture with them in truth, that it might decide between men in that in which they differed —and they differed not therein, excepting those to whom it was given after there came to them clear demonstrations, wickedly amongst themselves; and God guided those that believed to the truth concerning which they disputed, by His will." &c.
Surah ii 254: "Of these prophets We have preferred some above others. Some of them hath God spoken unto, and He hath raised some of them to nigh dignity. And We gave unto Jesus, the Son of Mary, evident signs, and We strengthened Him by the Holy spirit. And if God bad pleased, those that came after them, would not have contended with one another, after the evident signs (or plain revelations), had come unto them. Yet they fell to variance. And amongst them were those that believed: and amongst them were those that disbelieved. And if God had wished, they had not contended with one another; but God doeth that which pleaseth Him."
Surah ii. 286: "The apostle believeth in that which hath been re.voaled unto him from his Lord: and the faithful, everyone of them. believeth In God, and in His angels, and in His books, and in His apostles; we make no distinction between any one of his apostles."
Surah lvii. 18: "And those that believe in God, and in His apostles, these are the righteous, and the witnesses with their Lord; they have their reward and their light; but, they that disbelieve, and accuse Our revelations of falsehood, these are the companions of hell-fire."
Surah lvii. 25: "We have verily sent Our apostles with evident demonstrations; and We revealed unto them the Scripture, and the Balance, that men might observe justice; and We revealed (the use of) Iron wherein is great strength. and advantages to mankind, and in order that God might know who assisteth him and his apostles in secret,—for God is mighty and glorious. and verily We sent Noah and Abraham; and. We placed amongst their posterity, prophecy and the Scripture: and amongst them were those that. were rightly directed, but many of them were evil-doers. Afterwards We caused Our apostles to follow in their footsteps; and We caused Jesus, the Son of Mary, to succeed them, and We gave him the Gospel: and We put into the hearts of his followers compassion and mercy; and as to Monasticism they invented the same,.— [We did not prescribe it unto them].- simply out of a desire to please God, but they have not observed it with a right observance. And We have given those of them that believe, their reward, but many or them are evil-doers. Oh ye that believe! fear God, and believe in His prophet. He will give you a double portion of His mercy, and will create for you a Light wherein ye shall walk, and forgive you, for the Lord is forgiving and merciful."
Surah xcviii. 1: "The unbelievers from amongst the people of the Book, and the idolaters. did not waver until there came unto them a clear—a prophet from God reading pure pages, containing right Scriptures: And those to whom the Scriptures have been given did not fall to variance, until after a clear (Revelation) had come unto them: and they are not commanded (in their own Scriptures) other-wise than that they should worship God, rendering unto Him the orthodox worship, and that they should observe prayer, and give alms: and this is the right faith."
Surah lxii. 5: "The likeness of those who are charged with the Law (the Taurat) and do not. discharge (the obligations of) it, is as the likeness of the Ass laden with books. Evil is the likeness of the people which rejecteth the signs of God: and God doth not guide the unjust people."
Surah xlviii. 29: " Muhammad is the prophet of God: and those who follow him are fierce against the unbelievers, but compassionate among themselves. Thou mayest see them bowing down, prostrating themselves, seeking the favour of God and his pleasure. Their signs are in their faces from the marks of their prostration. This is the likeness of them in the Pentateuch and the likeness of them in the Gospel, — as a seed which putteth forth its stalk and strengtheneth it, and swelleth and riseth on its stem, and delighteth the sower thereat, — that the unbelievers may he indignant thereat. "
Surah lxi. 6: And when Jesus, the Son of Mary, said — O children of Israel, verily I am an Apostle of God unto you, attesting that which is before me of the Taurat, and giving glad tidings of an apostle that shall come after me, whose name is Ahmad (the Praised)."
Surah iv. 48: "Hast thou not seen those to whom We have given a portion of the Scripture?—they buy error, and desire that ye may err from the way: and God best knowoth your enemies. God sufficeth for a patron. and God sufficeth for a helper. Of those who profess Judaism there are that dislocate words from their places. and say — 'we have heard, — and, have disobeyed'; and 'do thou hearken without hearing;' and, ' look upon us' ; twisting with their tongues, and reviling the faith. And if they had said, ' we have heard and obeyed and,' hearken'; and,' look upon us': it find been better for them and more upright : hut God hath cursed them for their unbelief, and they shall not believe, excepting a few. O ye unto whom the Scriptures have been given! believe in what We have revealed attesting that (Scripture) which is with you, before We deface your countenances, and turn them front backwards, or curse them as We cursed those who (broke) the Sabbath: and the command of the Lord was fulflilled."
Surah iv. 49: "Hast thou not seen those to whom a portion of the Scripture hath been given? they believe in false gods and idols, and they say to the unbelievers, These are better directed in the way than those who believe."
Surah lv. 52: "Do they envy mankind that which God hath given them of His bounty? And verily We gave to the children of Abraham the book and wisdom. and We gave them a mighty kingdom. Amongst them are those that believe in Him and thosei also that two away from Him."
Surah iv. 58 : Hast thou not seen those who fancy that they believe in that which hath been revealed unto thee, and in that I which hath been revealed before thee? They desire to go for a mutual decision unto the idol Jaghat : yet verily they have been commanded to disbelieve therein, and Satan desireth to deceive them into a wide deception."
Surah iv 130: "To God belongs whatever is in the heavens and in the earth, and verily We commanded those to whom the Scripture was given before you, and you likewise,— Fear God, and, if ye disbelieve, verily to God belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens end the earth."
Surah iv. 135: "O ye that believe behave in God and in his prophet, and in the book which He hath revealed to His prophet, and in the book which He revealed from before; and whoever disbelieves in God, and in His angels, and in His books, and in His prophets, and in the last day, verily he hath wandered info a wide error."
Surah iv. 149: "Verily they that reject God and His apostles, and seek to make a distinction between God and His apostles; and say,—We believe in a part, and we reject a part: and seek to take a path between the same these are infidels in reality, and We lave prepared for the infidels an ignominious punishment. But they that believe in God and in His apostles, and make no distinction between any of them, to these We shall surely give their reward, and God is forgiving and merciful. The people of the book will ask thee that thou cause a book to descend upon them front the heavens, and eerily they asked Moses for a greater thing than that," &c.
Surah iv. 161: "But those of them that are grounded in knowledge, and the faithful, believe in that which hath been revealed unto thee, and in that which hath been revealed before thee. And those that observe prayer, and give alms, and the believers in God and in the last day, unto these shall We ye a great reward. Verily We have revealed our will unto thee, as We revealed our will unto Abraham, and Iahmael. and Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and Jesus, and Job, and Jonas, and Aaron and Solomon, We gave unto David the Psalms; and Apostles, whom We have already made mention of unto thee; and God spake with Moses in open discourse," &c.
Surah iv. 169: "Ye people of the book! Do not extravagance in your religion; and say not of God other than the truth. For verily the Messiah, Jesus, the Son of Mary, is an apostle of God. and His word which he placed in Mary, and a spirit from Him. Wherefore believe in God and in His apostle; and say not,—" the Trinity"; – refrain; it will be better for you. For verily God is one God ; — far exalted is He above the possibility that there should be unto Him progeny! to Him belongeth whatever is in the heavens and in the earth, and He sufficeth as a guardian."
Surah iii, 2: "God! there is no God but He, the living, the eternal. He hath caused to descend upon thee the Scripture in truth, attesting that which is before it: and He sent down the Taurut and the Gospel from before for the guidance of mankind: and He sent down the Furqan. Verily they that reject the signs of God, to them shall be a fearful punishment. And God is mighty, a God of vengeance."
Surah lii. 19: "And those to whom the book was given, did not fall to variance until after that the knowledge came unto them, wickedly among themselves."
Surah iii. 23: "Seest thou not those to whom a portion of the Scripture hath been given? They were called unto the book of God, that it might decide between them. Then a party of them turned away, and went aside. That was because they say,— the fire shall not touch us, but for a limited number of days. And that. which they have devised hath deceived them in their religion.."
Surah iii. 48: "And (God) shall teach Him (Jesus) the Scripture, and wisdom,and the Tourat, and the Gospel ;— and (shall send Him as) an Apostle unto the Children of Israel. (Jesus shall say) Verily I have come unto you — . . . attesting the truth of that which (Scripture revealed) before me in the Torat, and that I may make lawful unto you a part of that which is forbidden unto you."
Surah iii. 64: "O ye people of the Book: why do ye dispute concerning Abraham.?— seeing that neither the Tourat nor the Gospel was revealed until after him; do ye not understand? Ah! ye are they which dispute concerning that of which ye have knowledge: why, therefore, do ye dispute concerning that of which ye have no knowledge? and God knoweth, bat ye know not."
Surah iii. 68: "A party of the People of the Book desire to cause thee to go astray: but they shall not cause (any) to go astray, excepting their own souls, and they, perceive it not. Oh People of the Book I why do ye reject the signs of God, while ye bear testimony (thereto)? O people of the Book! why do ye clothe the truth with that which is false, and hide the truth, while ye know (it)? and a party of the people of the book say,—Believe in that which is sent down unto those that believe, in the early part of the day; and reject (it, in) the latter part thereof; if haply they may turn back: and, believe not (any) excepting him that fotloweth your religion. Say,—Verily the direction is the direction of God, that there should be given unto one (i.e. to Muhammad, a revelation) like unto that which bath been given unto you. Or, will they dispute with you before your Lord? say,— Verily favour is in the hand of God: He giveth it unto whomsoever He pleaseth; and God is widely comprehensive (in His mercy) and wise."
Surah iii. 77: "And verily amongst them is a party that twist their tongues in (reading) the book, that ye may think it is out of the book, though it is not out of the book; and they say,—' It is from God,' and it is not from God; and they speak a falsehood concerning God, knowingly."
Surah iii. 78: " It becometh not a man that God should give him a book, and wisdom, and prophecy, and that he should then say to mankind, Be worshippers of me besides God; but rather, Be ye perfect, inasmuch as ye know the book, and inasmuch as ye study it."
Surah iii. 80: "And (call to mind) when God made a covenant with the prophets, (saying) This verily is the book and the wisdom which I have given unto, you; thereafter shall come an Apostle attesting the truth of that (Scripture) which is with you; ye shall surely believe in him, and assist him."
Surah iii. '98 : "All food was lawful to the Children of Israel, excepting that which Israel made unlawful to himself, before the Tourat was revealed. Say, —Bring hither the Tourat, and read it, if ye be true. And whoever contriveth a lie concerning God after that, surely they are the transgressors."
Surah iii. 99: "Say; O ye People of the Book! why do ye disbelieve in the signs of God, and God is witness of that which ye do? Say, O ye People of the Book! why do ye hinder from the way of God him that believeth, desiring to make it (the way of' God) crooked, while ye are witnesses?"
Surah iii. 113: "They are not all alike. Amongst the People of the Book there is an upright, race that read the signs (or revelations) of God in the night season, and they bow down worshipping. They believe in God and the last day, and command that which is just and dissuade from that which is wicked, and: they make haste in doing good works. These are the virtuous ones."
Surah iii. 119: "Behold, ye are they that love them (the Jews) and they do not love you, and ye believe in the entire Scripture."
Surah iii. 184: "They who say that God hath made a covenant with us, to the effect that we should not believe on an apostle until be cometh unto us with a sacrifice to be consumed by fire – say. — Verily apostles have come unto you before me, with evident demonstrations, and, with that of which ye speak. Why, therefore, have ye slain them, if ye be true? and if they accuse thee of imposture, verily the apostles before thee have been accused of imposture, who came with evident demonstrations, and the Scriptures, and the enlightening book."
Surah iii. 188; "And when God took a covenant from those to whom the book was given,—that. they should unfold the same to mankind, and that they should not conceal it, and they threw it (the covenant) behind their backs, and sold it for a small price, and woeful is that which they have sold it for; think not that they who rejoice in that which they have done, and desire to be praised for that which they have not done, shall escape from punishment. To them shall be a grievous punishment."
Surah iii. 199: "And verily of the People of the Book there are those who believe in God, and in that which hath. been revealed to you, and in that which hath been revealed to them, submissive unto God; they sell not the signs of God for a small price. These are they who have their reward with their Lord; for God is swift in taking account."
Surah v .14-16: "And for that they have broken their covenant. We have cursed them, and We have made their hearts hard; they dislocate the word from its place, and they have forgotten a part of that whereby they were admonished. Thou wilt not cease to discover deceit in them, excepting. a few of them.. But, pardon them, and forgive, for 'God loveth the beneficent. And of those that say, We are Christians, we have taken a covenant from them, and they have forgotten a part of that whereby they were admonished. Wherefore We have placed enmity and hatred between them, until the Day of Judgment; and God will surely then declare unto them that which they have wrought. O people of the Book! verily our apostle hath come, unto you; he shall make manifest unto you much of that which ye have hidden of the book, and he shall pass over much."
Surah v. 47: "O thou apostle! let not those grieve thee who make haste after infidelity from amongst them that say, 'We believe.' with their mouths, but their hearts believe not. And from amongst the Jews there are that spy out in order to tell a falsehood; they spy out, for another people that come not unto thee. They dislocate the word from out of its place. They say, 'If this be given you, then receive it — but if it be not given you, then beware."
Surah v. 50: " And how will they make thee their Judge, since they have, beside them the Tourat, in which is the command of God? Then they will turn their back after that, and these are not believers. Verily We have revealed the Tourat; therein is guidance and light. The prophets that submitted themselves to God judged thereby those that were, Jews; and. the doctors and priests (did the same), in accordance with that which was confided to their charge of the book of God, and they were witnesses thereof. Wherefore fear not man, but fear Me, and sell not thou the signs of God for a small price, And he that doth not judge by that which God hath revealed, verily they. are the unbelievers. And We have written for them, — verily life for life, and eye for eye, and nose for nose, and ear for ear, and tooth for tooth; and for wounding, retaliation; and he that remitteth the same as alms it shall be an atonement unto him. And he that judgeth not by that which God hath sent down, they are the transgressors. And We caused Jesus, the Son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, attesting the Scripture of the Tourat, which preceded it; and We gave Him the Gospel, wherein is guidance and light which God
hath revealed, and follow not their rain desires (by swearing) away from that which hath come unto thee. To every one of you have We given a law and a way; and if God had pleased He had made you all of one faith: – but (He hath not done so, in order) that He might try you in that which He hath given you."
Surah v. 68: "Say — O people of the Book! is there any other cause of your enmity against us, but that we believe in God, and in. that which hath been revealed unto us, and in that which. hath been revealed from before? — but the most of you are evil doers."
Surah v. 77: "Say :—O ye people of the Book! ye are not grounded upon anything, untill ye set up (or observe) the Tourat and the Gospel, and that which hath been revealed unto you from your Lord."
Surah v. 91: "Thou wilt surely find the most bitter amongst mankind in their hatred towards those that believe to he the Jews and the idolaters. And thou wilt surely find the most friendly inclined amongst them towards the believers, to be those who say, We are Christians. That is because there are amongst them clergy and monks, and they are not arrogant. When they hear that which hath been revealed to the prophet, thou Wilt see their eyes flowing with tears because of that which they recognise of the truth. They say, O our Lord! we believe; write us down with the witnesses; and what should binder us that we should not. believe in God, and in that which hath come unto us of the truth? and we desire that our Lord should introduce us amongst the righteous; God hath rewarded them for that which they have said, with gardens through which flow rivulets. They shall be for over therein and that is the reward of the virtuous."
Surah v. 119: "And (call to mind) when God said, — O Jesus, Son of Mary! remember My favour towards thee, and towards thy Mother, when I strengthened thee with the Holy Spirit, that thou shouldest speak unto man, in the cradle, and also in mature age; and I taught thee the Scriptures, and wisdom, and the Tourat, and the Gospel; and when thou madest of clay in the form of a bird by My command, and thou blewest thereupon, and it became a bird by My command; and thou healedst the blind and the leper by My command; and when thou didst raise the dead by My command…. And when I spake by inspiration unto the apostles, saying, — Believe in Me, and in My apostle (i.e. Jesus;) they said,—We believe; bear witness that we are true believers."
Surah lxvi. 13: "And Mary the daughter of Imran, who preserved her virginity; and. We breathed into her of Our spirit, and she attested the words of her Lord and His Scriptures, and was amongst the pious."
Surah ix. 113: "Verily, God hath bought from the believers their selves and their wealth, on the condition of paradise for them they fight in the ways of God :—and whether they slay or be slain, the promise of God thereupon is true in the Taurat, and in the Gospel, and in the Qur'an." [CHRISTIANTTY, JEWS, JUDAISM.]
Based on Hughes, Dictionary of Islam


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Top Sellers in Church Life > Church Growth:
Multiplying Churches
Exploring God's Mission Strategy
Steve Timmis (Editor)
An Acts 29 title
Church planting as community mission
New edition
For many church leaders, struggling to cope with internal problems, church planting does not even appear on the agenda of things to be considered. But - how do we reach this lost generation in which we have been placed? Multiplying Churches, written from Acts 29's years of experience, unpacks how church plants can be used not only to reach people with the Gospel, but to encourage an entire church family to be actively involved in doing so. This serves as a timely reminder that mission needs to be our identity rather than our event.
Steve Timmis lives in Sheffield where he is a pastor in The Crowded House. He is the Executive Director of Acts 29, a diverse global family of church planting churches. He and his wife, Janet, have four married children and, currently, nine grandchildren.
From the heights of biblical theology, to the plains of who does what, these brief chapters are again and again both practical and wise. I happily commend this book.
Mark Dever, Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church and President, 9Marks.org, Washington, DC
Multiplying Churches provides a biblical foundation and theological parameters for church planting activities. Read it prayerfully with your Bible in hand, then make application to your life and ministry!
Jon D. Payne, Visiting Lecturer of Practical Theology, RTS Atlanta, Georgia & Senior Minister, Christ Church Presbyterian, Charleston, South Carolina
Fifteen years ago, the church planting movement was in its infancy. Today, many things have been learned but new challenges lie ahead. Therefore I am glad for the new edition of this book, in which those early lessons can be reviewed and the new horizons faced.
Tim Keller, Senior Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City, New York
Multiplying churches through church planting movements involves warfare and wisdom. Multiplying Churches addresses well both of these and I delight in commending it to those willing to be on the front lines.
Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina
This is not another "how to" book. The authors fully recognise the unique centrality of the church in God's purposes. I hope its intention of stirring us to radical thinking and acting will be fully realised.
Jonathan Stephen, Principal, Wales Evangelical School of Theology, Bridgend, Wales
In Multiplying Churches, the authors lay out a vision for church planting that is gospel rich, but helpful and practical.
Ed Stetzer, Billy Graham Chair, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois
Church Planting must be the priority of all Christians. ... Steve Timmis has done us all a favour by bringing together these different contributions which illustrate to us not only the uniqueness of our message and the importance of the task but also the many different ways in which God works in people's lives.
Frank Retief, Former Bishop of the Church of England in South Africa
No reviews yet.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Spoilers ahead!
A few not-so-shocking giveaways about this week's new movie releases, including Justice League and Frank Serpico
Matthew Lickona 6 p.m., Nov. 17
(Page 2 of 3)
Jim then walked out to find our patient. He said, "There doesn't appear to be anyone here." Apparently, his staff was so determined to get out early that they'd all left the building and told Stephan to leave as well.
I had Tamara's cell phone number, so I thanked Jim and reassured him that I would locate Stephan. Tamara answered the phone driving home on the freeway. I told her what we had found and said, "You have to turn around and go back to the hospital," which she did.
The neurosurgeon operated on Stephan the following morning, removing a section of bone from several consecutive vertebral bones (a laminectomy) and cleaning out the pus-filled abscess. When I went to see him later in his sixth-floor room with a sweeping view of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, he was asleep, but Tamara met me in the hall, gave me a long bone-crushing hug, and thanked me. She had dark sleep-deprivation raccoon rings around her eyes but assured me she was okay. "I know I'm overdue for an appointment with you, but I'll see you soon."
The next day I found Stephan sitting upright in the company of friends and enjoying the view. He introduced me and said to his friends, "I have to give the doctor his props. He was the one guy who right from the beginning knew where the problem was. I gave him a bad time, but he was right."
I asked Stephan how he felt. "The pain is almost gone," he said. He pointed to his surgical wound, a vertical line down the back of his neck to shoulder level, with a gentle indentation in the space that the spinous processes of his vertebral bones had formerly occupied. "I can deal with this." The sense of relief he projected exceeded mine, but not by much. I allowed myself a wide smile. "I'm so glad" was all I could say.
A few days later, he stopped by the Berkeley office. Previously, he'd never shown us any face other than pride and anger. He shocked us all with hugs for everyone in the office, calling Carol his "angel" while weeping in gratitude, prompting her to pull me aside to confirm that "This is what makes all that we do worth it."
Almost a month later, with Christmas just a few days away, Stephan came back for a follow-up appointment, during which he shook me firmly by the hand and informed me that he now was almost pain free without any medication and that he had full strength in his left arm and hand. He had even resumed lifting weights.
While he was in the hospital, Stephan had opened discussions with his surgeon and with me about where the abscess had come from. "Shooters," what physicians call people who use intravenous drugs, get spinal abscesses from the bacteria they unintentionally inject into their bloodstream, but these abscesses are otherwise rare. "The neurosurgeon said it probably came from some dental work I had done a month ago," he'd told me when I came to see him in the hospital. Deep cleanings and procedures involving injury to the gums can cause some of the hordes of bacteria living in the mouth to disseminate into the bloodstream and cause infections in other parts of the body. The chances of an otherwise healthy person getting a spinal infection from a dental procedure, however, are similar to the probability of lightning striking one's spinal cord. Perhaps the stab wound to his chest so many years ago had left some scar or pocket that the bacteria had invaded. In any case, this was one of those "bad things happen for no good reason" scenarios that we see often in my line of work, and I was thrilled to see that he had made a complete recovery.
"I want to make you aware of something so you're not caught off guard," he began, and I sensed the end of the happy part of our conversation. "I have consulted three attorneys, and I just want to warn you that they want to see your records. They don't want anything having to do with my colonoscopy or matters like that. They want any records that might show a delay in diagnosis so they can sue you. I want to sue the dentist, but the attorneys want to look over what you did also. I've told them, 'I think that all you'll find is that he was the guy who found the problem and ordered the MRI so that I could see the surgeon.' You are the reason I am standing here today, the reason I'm not dead. I do not want you to be named in the lawsuit."
I thumbed through the chart, gathering my thoughts to come up with a careful answer. His words surprised me only a little, and I chuckled inside the way one does after locating a lost wallet only to find it empty. This is our world, and I have been around long enough to know that pulling out all the stops to save a life does not mean you won't later have to face lawyers.
I said, "I have to tell you that to me this would be an extreme miscarriage of justice. Especially when you look at what everyone here did for you."
He acknowledged that. "I don't want you to be involved, but the attorneys said that they have to review your records. I told the attorney about how you even saw me when I did not have an appointment, during your break when you were going to go to your other office." Thanks, I had forgotten that, but malpractice attorneys do not have any interest in whatever beneficence a potential physician defendant might have shown; it is their goal to make as much money as possible, and the more professionals they can name in a lawsuit, the more money they stand to make.
"You realize that if you sue me, I cannot continue to be your physician, or Tamara's physician."
It's good to hear he decided not to follow through with the suit. People always want to put blame on someone for things which are not necessarily human error.
People never really get to see the physician's side of story. Thanks for the insight! :)
Thank you, Dr. Eichel, and I will be sure to read your other blogs! I am looking for books written from a doctor's point of view; just finished Paul Austin's "Something for the Pain" about life in the ER, but would like to read a physician-authored book or two more focused on the actual medical practice, rather than the doctor's personal life (in Austin, an ER doc, it is understandably all about finding ways to sleep).
As a patient with a serious lifelong condition, I am constantly If you have any recommendations, I'd much appreciate it.
Oops. Meant to say that I am constantly and of necessity finding myself navigating the healthcare system, and it would be enlightening to read about doctors' thoughts about sending patients to the ER, pain management, and the evolution of one's bedside manner, as well as all aspects of one's daily practice.


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MGM Television is holding on to its leadership for another two years.
The company has extended the contracts for several of its top executives through 2016. Roma Khanna, President, Television Group and Digital; Chris Ottinger, President, International Television Distribution and Acquisitions; Steve Stark, President, Television Production and Development; and John Bryan, President, Domestic Television Distribution are the recipients of MGM TV's vote of confidence.
"MGM television, under Roma's direction, is stronger than ever, and is an important producer and distributor of content for television and digital platforms worldwide," said MGM chairman and CEO, Gary Barber, in a statement. "This stellar senior executive team has contributed enormously to building the MGM Television group and spearheading its transformation into a formidable player in the industry."
Also read: MGM Revenues Rise More Than 100% on 'Vikings,' 'G.I. Joe' Success
Under this team, MGM TV has expanded in both domestic and international marketplaces. It has found success with current original series such as History Channel's "Vikings" and MTV's "Teen Wolf," as it readies to premiere its adaptation based on feature film "Fargo" for FX.
Internationally, the company has expanded its sales team and has sold its theatrical releases globally, including "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," "Skyfall" and "21 Jump Street."
Khanna said of the team, "Chris, Steve and John are crucial to MGM Television's renaissance. Chris has skillfully introduced MGM content to emerging markets around the globe, offering our television shows and films on free, paid, and VOD platforms.
"Steve deftly shapes our creative vision on all the MGM television content audiences see on air. From 'Fargo' to 'Vikings,' to 'Teen Wolf,' he works closely with the creative teams and our broadcast partners to ensure quality among writing, directing and cast. With John's years of experience and deep connections across major domestic station groups, he has expertly navigated MGM Television in the first-run syndication and distribution business. I look forward to continuing the television division's success."


text: Hi, I have been having problems with my ABS and brakes lights coming on and have checked all the obvious (pads, oil, sensors etc) but with no success. Following reading a few threads on this website I noticed you can get OSB2 cables to try and self diagnose probs like this. My question is will the like of the one on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-COM-USB-K...ryZ30921QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem be suitable for my A6 V6 2.8 quattro and if so where abouts is the connectio0n on the car as I cant find it! Many thanks Alex


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What wonderful gifts MerrieJane!!
A fantastic gift!
How marvelous. Already on his/her cushion, ready to rule the house.
Beautiful flowers, sweet little dog.
oooohhh, you lucky mom..What a wonderful gift, and what did you call him?


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Hello,I want to create a new schematic from the library which is created by me. I put an instance from this library to the new schematic. I want to change pin names of this instance. The problem is that some pin names have a bus notation ( Ex: A<3:0>) and i want to change width of this pin (Ex: A<5:0>). Cadence document says width of pin cannot change by " myInst~>pin~>term~>numBits". Is there any way to do this?
You can't change the name of the pin on an instance - it makes no sense. This is nothing to do with it being a bus pin - but the pin name (or rather terminal name,) can only be set on the master (i..e the symbol itself). This then has to match the corresponding schematic, otherwise view switching during netlisting won't work.
So I'm not sure what you're really trying to do here?
Thanks for the prompt reply Andrew.
I might have not been very clear. The aim is to generate a schematic and a symbol programitically, instantiating several modules under a new schematic and a symbol which are connected to the above hierarchy level. The instantiation might have different bus widths, so the pins have to change accordingly. I'm not trying to just modify the selected instance, which, I realize may not be ideal, but right now, using a scratch cellview (a copy of a generic symbol-schematic pair and editing the corresponding pin names and widths under that symbol.)
I realize that the approach I'm taking (instantiating the instance first and then trying to edit it) may not be correct. Is there a better way to approach this?
A bit of a late reply - I'm still not really sure what you're doing. You normally would need to set the pin (or terminal) names on the symbol and then instantiate it and connect it up - even if doing it programmatically.


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Mirrodin Pure Community Set DesignLogin or register to post comments
|Fri, 2012-04-27 17:55
It's not that difficult.
Look up cards with the name of the two characters in Gatherer and then do the same for flavor text. Gather those cards together and make a few functional reprints, color shifts, cycles etc of those cards.
Moreover, add flavor text to represent them in certain cards. A great for instance would be Ornathoper --- in this block, I think having flavor text from Urza should have been mandatory considering the Ornathoper is his invention and we're dealing with a plane he's directly influenced.
This isn't rocket science :-| IMHO it's all basic elements of understanding what it takes to make a really awesome set.
|Fri, 2012-04-27 19:15
Lighthammer - Oh, you meant flavor text.
For Ornathopter, we have another problem - Ornathopter isn't really in Mirrodin. Its from Core Set.
That said, Sheoldred shares many similarity with Yawgmoth, and probably only one who don't despise Yawgmoth's way.
For Urza... We can't put it on Mirrodin because even Venser hardly knows about him. - Karn is the only one. So we have to do... Something with Karn. Preferably something for Venser.
|Fri, 2012-04-27 21:03
Head Administrator
Alright on Urza – We wouldn't be able to do much with Urza simply because no Mirrans have any idea who he is and the extent of his actual influence was creating Karn. Karn, Venser, and presumably the Praetors are the only ones who would likely know his existence. Ironically, Mirrans don't even know who Karn is. Venser had to drag Koth along relunctantly. Anyways, with that said, I think that we could do some cards that are throwbacks whether remakes or functional reprints as easter eggs. Not only as a throwback to origins but also as a statement of the similarities between the Phyrexian conflict then and now. Kind of an acknowledgement of the eternal struggle against Phyrexia. I wouldn't do flavor text involving this unless it is a quote from Karn.
On Yawgmoth – This is much more doable as all New Phyrexia recognizes Yawgmoth if only to recognize his failure. I think including his in flavor text makes perfect sense especially since the recent failure could be used for comparison. Jin-Gitaxius/Urabrask could quip a quote at the other Praetors that they are repeating Yawgmoth's mistakes, etc.
Ok, so I have been thinking about how each color and tribe should be handled and the strategy we should use to continue the designs. First off, I am not interested in creating any further divided "factions" whether directly or indirectly. If anything, all Mirrans should come off as working in tandem. Although the Phyrexian's hierarchy is crumbling as we speak, translating this directly in card design as a whole is problematic and most likely won't mesh or feel right in actual play. We can use flavor text and color schemes to do this; maybe a few cards.
– When the Razor Fields fell it scattered the leonins and many fell to affliction. This also cut off the Loxodons but the survivors were able to hold up at Bladehold, and Auriok community for a last stand against Elesh Norn.
The Vedalken hierarchy is run amok with the phyrexian infection as Jin-Gintaxius uses the Pantopticon and Lumingrid as his main base for experimentations. This affects the Neuroks greatly as well since they rose to rule the Vedalken following the original series. Phyrexian oil is being pumped into the Quicksilver Sea forcing the remaining Vedalkens and Neuroks to move further inland.
All the Mephidross has been turned over to Phyrexia, thus all the Nim should be Phyrexian aligned. Morioks have been afflicted but still fighting. I honestly have no idea how they can be portrayed, they are blind for pete's sake. A better version of the Moriok reanimator that is constructed worthy is a good way to go.
Vulshok lead a heartened resistance against the Phyrexians and have an unspoken truce with Urabrask and his Phyrexians in The Forge. Urabrask turned a blind eye to the resistance hiding there and the Mirrans don't attack them on sight in return. The Krark Clan has remained untouched in their hidden tunnel system.
Due to Glissa's involvement in the war, the Viridians take the greatest hit in the battle. With Melira's help the Tel'jelad and Sylvoks ally to push back the Phyrexians and kill Vorinclex.
New Phyrexia
With Vorinclex gone, Elesh Norn and Sheoldred continue their plans as best they can. Elesh Norn's forces invaded the Leonin city and caused their retreat but failed to fully compleate them. Shoeldred has control of the Mephidross and uses it to launch all attacks on Mirrodin (Elesh Norn also used it to attack the Leonin city).
The Progress Engine
Jin-Gintaxius is greatly disappointed with the way that the other Praetors handle matters. His scientific approach just doesn't mesh with Shoeldred or Vorinclex's gain by power methods. When Vorinclex is defeated this fulfills his warnings. When Shoeldred and Elesh Norn decide to continue operations as planned he ceases contact not wanted to waste his time with their doomed efforts. Using the Lumingrid as his base of operation, he turns to his own plans for his "Great Synthesis": rigorous research on Mirran body structure, recruiting unafflicted agents, and pumping oil into the water system.
The Quiet Furnace
Urabrask is impressed with the Mirrodin resistance and considers the Mirrans flesh/metal bodies to be leading to perfection. When Vorinclex is defeated he turns his eye to allow safe passage for the survivors and resistance, especially in their gained ability to reforge themselves. He also defects from the rest of Phyrexia considering that Mirrans may be the way to perfection. Although he does not think that their current form will do, he is willing to watch and wait until the right time to gain perfection.
A couple random notes:
Living Weapon – I think we should move this into Mirran territory as well. It works all too well with everything Mirran as it boosts equipment themes, artifact themes, and battle cry themes. Although, I do have issues with the whole germ token thing. Unfortunately, that makes it difficult to argue the flavor behind it. Thoughts?
Split cards – We need to be able to use what we put in each color to tell the story about what is happening. Split cards forces our hand against doing that. Although, I initially loved the idea I think we need to kill it. Especially since it is only one cycle. I think the idea has more place in something like Ravnica or Alara.
New Phyrexian card shifts – Besides the ones we "reprint" I think I see Lighthammer's point about what we want to take from New Phyrexia. Certain cards are important and we need our own takes on it if we don't reprint. Puresteel Paladin for instance. He defines an equipment based deck which is something we need. I already mentioned shifting splicers but making them Mirran aligned. There are other cards we may need to do though, like what is our Vapor Snag? Or Mutagenic Growth?
Please take a look at the set file and start making new ideas to add based off of my comments above. We can focus where Mirrans are the strongest- but you can talk about anything if you have something to add.
Some of mine:
Sentinel of the Hammer
|Sat, 2012-04-28 05:24
Some well thought ideas there Guitarweeps. I'm probably gonna need to re-read this post and think about a few major aspects of it.
A few thoughts (in no particular order) come to mind:
Some of the New Phyrexia cards that still seem to serve the overall purpose of the block but are Phyrexian themed could simply be functional reprints. Vapor Snag for instance, could be reprinted as Quicksilver Pull (yea, bad name, but it makes the point). I'm unsure if the mechanic needs to be changed at all.
I'm not sure if we defined Puresteel much yet, but it seems to me that we could make a secondary equip cost for these items as "Remove all -1/-1 counters from target creature you are equipping to" (better wording needed) and make them either immune to having counters placed on them or (maybe even as a vertical cycle) immune to having -1/-1 counters placed on them (IE Unommon Equipment would make them immune to all counters and Rare would make them immune to -1/-1 counters).
As far as Neurok goes, the one main thing I should toss out is the story should follow Kara Vrist on some level in regards to Mirrian Blue. She is a Neurok who is following the teachings of Melira in the story. This block certainly paired colors as enemy colors largely on many levels.
WB - Elish Norn maybe?
I wonder if those groupings shouldn't be highlighted more for cross compatibly ?
BTW --- could you please remind me what Reforge does?
PS --- I think I'll be able to think more along the lines of Mirrodin after all the Avacyn theorcrafting is done. My brain is totally in Angel and Demons mode. I can't tell you how hard it is to not suggest Angel and Demon sounding card names right now :-|
|Sat, 2012-04-28 09:46
Head Administrator
Flavorwise, only Melira can remove the infection.
Puresteel is (tentative definition) a metal derived of the Mirran darksteel mixed and enchanted while mixed with etherium (from Tezz). The result is an indestructible metal which repels the infection. The reason that Venser is able to use to cure Karn is because he is able to teleport it into Karn's body. He can't do that for everyone because he is dead.
The Quest for KarnI am opposed to it removing counters simply because we can't have too much ammo against infect without killing it completely as a deck type to run in constructed and limited. Infect is a hard enough strategy to rely on without putting too much ammo in that kills it.
much like he teleports his own heart into Karn to save him in the real story. We might be able to use that too. Maybe the procedure works to clear the infection but stops Karn's heart? So he teleports his own heart in to save Karn?
Reforge came from the idea that Mirrodin should have a new mechanic in Mirrodin Pure. What we were trying to hit on was that their desparation caused them to turn to resourcefullness. Thus:
Reforge <cost> (<cost>, sacrifice an artifact: Return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield. Reforge only as a sorcery and only from the graveyard.)
It can only be used on artifacts although we have a 1 damage damage spell that runs the wording, not the actual keyword. Obviously, we are also running hybrid 2/C colored artifacts too.
On another note, something I meant to put above. I think that the Phyrexian planeswalker idea should be scrapped. It hurts me to say so... but I think that it doesn't fit and I have kept it in just because I really wanted to do it. I think that the correct design decision is to kill it as this is not the setting for it.
Kara Vrist is perfect; somehow I read over each other color but not blue? Either way she helps connect the blue resistance with the rest of the Mirrans. I wouldn't focus so much on groupings of "people" so much as a strategy type. I know that WotC makes sure during limited testing that each color pairing whether allied or enemy has clear strategies to draft. We should keep that in mind and in many cases this will line up with story-driven pairings.
|Sun, 2012-04-29 19:41
@Guitarweeps - On your living weapon note; I think it would be acceptable, with Urabrask's help, that the Mirrans have living weapons.
How about something like this for your Moriok resistance:
EDITED rarity for Guitarweeps.
|Sat, 2012-04-28 23:49
Head Administrator
Love the card! Should be uncommon though. I really don't want to start saying Urabrask is helping them though... hmm...
|Sun, 2012-04-29 16:15
But inadvertently as may be, Urabrask is from what I can see. (Hey, that rhymed!) Maybe there should be some equipment without a watermark, or with a special Urabrask one for living weapons that are not totally Phyrexian but not Mirran-designed.
Also, Lighthammer: If we go the enemy-color route, is it possible that the Quiet Furnace may be covertly dealing with the Neurok or Vedalken, or maybe even Jin-Gitaxias, for the missing U/R faction?
|Sun, 2012-04-29 16:33
/random thought
I wonder how useful a "Protection from Deathtouch" mechanic would be.
|Sun, 2012-04-29 16:39
Head Administrator
I think that we could figure a way to argue it from the Quiet Furnace, not sure yet. I don't think that we should do watermarkless cards even if it makes sense. The main reason that I was hoping to have Mirran living weapon was to give it extra room and allow use of hybrid mana.
I think it would have to be "Protection from creatures with deathtouch". I wouldn't suggest using something like that just because deathtouch shows up only 1-3 times per set.
EDIT: For now, we will go ahead and design Mirran living weapon cards. We can always change that around in development.
|Mon, 2012-04-30 07:56
RE: "Protection to Deathtouch"
Pardon that Random thought --- it was kind of me just thinking a lot. It's such a specific trait. I was thinking along the color pie to think who I'd feel would be a good candidate to have something anti-deathtouchish in the broader perspective of magic (not necessarily just for this set).
You're right, of course. This set and block isn't a great place to fiddle with such a mechanic, it was more just thinking out loud, lie I sometimes do.
RE: Living Weapons
I haven't commented a bunch about living weapons myself yet, because I'm having a hard time picturing them in a place where Mirrian forces are prevailing. I wanted to offer up better insight since you've been talking about living weapons for a large chunk of this page.
Honestly, the biggest argument I have against them is the details of what living weapon does. It's that germ token that I don't like. That's the big deal breaker for me. The germ token screams Phyrexia to me.
If we really want Living Weapons here, I'd propose that we flesh out the sub plot a little more to make it make more sense as a Mirrian plot device or as a Phyrexian doomsday weapon of sorts. If it wasn't in Mirrodin Besieged, I'd be all for pitching the wording entirely and making it more Mirrian sounding but having it attach to a spark token or something instead of a germ token.
RE: Google Docs
Guitarweeps, if you haven't been following, there's some really good reasons to toss stuff on Google Drive now. You can now have the current working file in one central location and share it to people so they can open it on their computers.
I'll post an example once Google finishes uploading things :-|
|Mon, 2012-04-30 11:18
Head Administrator
So we can have an MSE set file up there?
And yeah, that is what is giving me a hard time about living weapon too...
|Mon, 2012-04-30 12:27
RE: Google Drive.
Here's a quick summary of how it works:
1. You have a folder on your HDD that is designated as your Google Drive Folder.
Stuff I don't know for sure:
2. What happens when you save?
There's a few questions I DO have about how it specifically works, but it for nothing else, it looks like something potentially really helpful.
PS the Google EULA does state the owner retains all IP rights. Just putting that out there since that's always an important element for these kinds of projects.
RE: Living Weapon
Glad we're on the same page on that one.
|Mon, 2012-04-30 13:28
Head Administrator
I say we try it out and do a test run. Ill have a parent copy if things get funky.
I am going to stay open to the idea of Jordan living weapon to get design ideas. If the flavor can't be explained we will have to scrap them though. I would like to use hybrid management to expand its use. Can't always get what you want in design though.
|Mon, 2012-04-30 15:40
I'm actually still waiting for Google Drive to push all my data =(.
I would have linked the current file as an open file by now but there's no way to prioritize files for upload sadly.
Send me a PM when you get a chance with your google name and I'll add you so we can tinker.
|Mon, 2012-04-30 16:07
We can just mirror Living Weapon by alternating set Scheme, like Wizard did in Zendikar (Zendikar - Worldwake Block and Rise of Eldrazi Block.) or Innistrad (Innistrad - Dark Ascension Block and Avacyn Restored Block.)
Original Scars of the Mirrodin is made by SoM -> Mirrodin Besieged -> New Phyrexia, making a single block. But if we alter it to SoM -> Mirrodin Besieged / Complete a block then go to Mirrodin Pure block, we can refresh many themes we had to inherit from last set, which was heavily favored to Phyrexia.
Or we can just turn give equipments the ability become a selected creature in condition like Glint Hawk Idol.
|Mon, 2012-04-30 16:28
I had suggested sometime last page I think to consider ending the block and opening a new block kind of like Lorwyn and Shadowmoor.
I do kind of also find myself wondering if the events of New Phyrexia actually end at a good enough point that starting a new set entirely to "recapture" New Phyrexia wouldn't be a horrible idea.
In both cases though, that kind of goes against the main idea of the project, which was to do a "What if" scenario.
The problems I feel like we're having with locking down elements of the block are seemingly many of the same reasons Wizards went the direction they did too.
Telling the story and properly illustrating the elements that need to be demonstrated are making it difficult for me to envision a well rounded block keeping it at 175, but I even question if bumping up to 249 will give us the proper room to hit all the notes that need to be hit to make the set truly awesome.
|Mon, 2012-04-30 23:05
Head Administrator
Hmmm... well I want what is best for the set. I suppose that in the "what if" realm that it woudl not be unlikely for WotC to have a made a large Mirrodin Pure if that was what was needed. Maybe I should expand my "what if" scenerio to include whether or not the set could have been expanded. After all, the only reason that New Phyrexia became 175 was because it needed an extra 20 uncommons to support the phyrexian mana theme. This made the set completely out of balance in rarity in comparison to other sets. They did this solely because phyrexian mana needed it. That actually leads me to believe that if they had done Mirrodin Pure that it wouldn't have been 175 (since that number came later in design/development). I think that leaving the set size more flexible to ensure we say what needs to be said is a better approach then I earlier envisioned.
What would you all think of a Mirran psuedo-mirror of living weapon involving pairing creatures? For instance:
Myr Slivblade
I actually came up with this forever ago, on equipment creatures that attached, but abandoned it due to the rules impossibility (supposedly...)
|Tue, 2012-05-01 00:00
Creative Direction Award Best Mechanic Award
That seems a bit too similar to soulbond. Especially since the wording would activate soulbond should you EFFECTNAME a soulbond unit.
This phases in or out before you untap during each of your untap steps. While it's phased out, it's treated as though it doesn't exist.
Set Hub
|Tue, 2012-05-01 03:10
So here's the current Mirrodin Pure MSE file on Google Docs.
Its open to all who has the link. Try adding it to your google drive and lets see what happens.
|Tue, 2012-05-01 03:19
Head Administrator
Thanks. I don't have time to look at it now but I am interested to see how this works.
|Tue, 2012-05-01 15:50
Can't we just sweep their type when we need it?
Myr Silverblade
|Tue, 2012-05-01 18:29
Makuta Miserix
We may have to change the wording so that when it would become a creature from equipment, it would unattach, since otherwise it would have the awkward moment of being a creature that is attached to another creature.
|Wed, 2012-05-02 04:17
On the flavor of Living Weapon: Why doesn't Urabrask defecting justify Mirrans having living weapons? He is the forgemaster, which I assume means he makes the tools of Phyrexia.
Sorry to reiterate this again, it's just that people seem to be overlooking this in my posts.
|Wed, 2012-05-02 04:30
Head Administrator
That is one option. I just don't really think that Urabrask woudl defect AND then support the Mirrans in warfare. I think he would just not be hostile.
|Wed, 2012-05-02 04:32
@Ayxmirdyrer - While that is true, major problem comes from 'Black Germ'. It feels... Very strange to go with Mirran, simply because it feels infectious.
For creature equipping creature, why not? We can make it interact like banding or something...
|Wed, 2012-05-02 04:39
Head Administrator
...or like pairing?
|Thu, 2012-05-03 00:45
I guess we could use something else, like maybe Myr tokens or something?
|Thu, 2012-05-03 14:55
Why not try something a little different.
Artifact Creature - Equipment
The Artifact is a creature in its own right, but when it's wield as a weapon, it does neat stuff.
That just sounds like a natural extension of living weapon without being living weapon. Not to mention, although technically its never been done before, it's not really a 'new' element.
|Thu, 2012-05-03 15:24
@Lighthammer - Remember Comprehensive Rule 301.5c?
301.5c An Equipment that's also a creature can't equip a creature. An Equipment that loses the subtype "Equipment" can't equip a creature. An Equipment can't equip itself. An Equipment that equips an illegal or nonexistent permanent becomes unattached from that permanent but remains on the battlefield. (This is a state-based action. See rule 704.)
That was the reason why we needed to find different way. Artifact Creature - Equipment won't going to cut.
|Sat, 2012-05-05 20:59
Ok, so it kind of feels like beating the dead horse at this point, but in the New Phyrexia storyline, Urabrask shows sympathy to the Mirran resistance. Whatever his reasons, he is doing what he can to prevent the rest of the Phyrexian factions from discovering this. So, what happens when the Phyrexians are losing instead of winning? Urabrask would want to survive as Mirrodin is reclaimed, so why not openly aid the winning faction?
As for the living weapon, maybe we need to make a variant(0/0 colorless myr?), and somehow denote which one is which?
|Sat, 2012-05-05 21:13
@Ayxmirdyrer - That would need to make new 'Living Weapon' variant in same set because Living Weapon keyword it self includes '0/0 black germ token' for god-knows-what sake.
What I was thinking is this. Let's say...
Urabrask got a Alloy Myr, he liked it. It was good design. (Remember one of the flavor text from MBS) But he wanted better. So. He decided to give something else.
Alloy Myr
He modified in this way.
Alloy Myr
Alloy Myr
That is what I was thinking.
|Sun, 2012-05-06 01:18
That was a problem I had already considered, I figured that it just wouldn't work like that, though.
I like it, the second one could work; but we need a better keyword that doesn't sound like we're just ripping off the original mechanic, even though we pretty much are. It would also be easier for mnemonic reasons to have them be different.
It is interesting that these start off as creatures and have to be converted into weapons, sort of the opposite of living weapon. I am trying to come up with a flavorful name for the mechanic:
My Attempt
Alloy Myr
|Sun, 2012-05-06 01:36
Rules in design don't mean a lot. The goal of design is to determine an interesting mechanic that changes game play to make the game more compelling and interesting. Dwelling on rules isn't productive unless you're observing past mistakes to ensure they aren't repeated.
In development, you figure out how exactly to make it work.
That being said, no doubt some sort of keyword exempted these cards from that rule would be required, or reworking of the comprehensive rules (at least as it relates to this set / block since we can't obvious edit the rules universally).
Beyond that though, its noteworthy to point that my main interest in said suggest was to somewhat replicate Bludgeon Brawl. inside individual cards.
Consequently, I find Bludgeon Brawl to be a very fun and interesting card, but I have yet to make a deck I am really satisfied with that uses it.
|Sun, 2012-05-06 02:12
Head Administrator
Again, I am not convinced that Mirrans can do living weapon but I want to go ahead and design them. Feel free to design others cards as well based of the noted ideas. I think once we have a number of cards that show off what we need for Mirrans it will be clearer what hinders and hurts it then when we have very little showing. I am going to check out the google.docs thing hopefully this weekend. Sorry, RL has been really crazy these past few weeks. But we need to start focusing on designing some cards based off what we have come up to already. And I am not just talking about the equipment ideas.
|Sun, 2012-05-06 03:02
@Ayxmirdyrer - It wasn't intentional, guess I missed it.
As you well know, that version of Alloy Myr has Paradise Mantle built on it.
Lets try on Rig keyword Ayxmirdyrer said.
Card name is random.
Batterskull Replacement
|Sat, 2012-05-12 05:35
Head Administrator
I put a card titled "test" in the google drive. Can everyone see that? If it works then this is a pretty awesome setup...
Anyways, once we have that confirmed it is time to do some designs. Still plan on starting with the red and green cards for now.
At the moment we are designing Mirran aligned living weapon cards as well as the other ideas we have had. Later in development, we will decide which route to take. Just brainstorm the ideas and get them out there.
|Sat, 2012-05-26 07:58
Whats the URL for it ?
|Thu, 2012-06-14 06:52
Head Administrator
Goodness, sorry everyone. RL had me quite busy with a new baby and traveling a ton for work (a lot of credit to my wife for dealing with everything herself). Plus I was still working on Lumehaven previews and such. Excuses aside, I want to keep working here.
@Lighthammer - I used the file you had linked to above. But I don't see it in there now? I must have done something wrong maybe? I don't know. The point of the drive is that anyone can make real time updates to the file right?
@Kagerowrs - Considering that Batterskull is considered a mistake, we wont need a replacement. I like the concept of Immolating Firehound though.
@Kagerowrs/Ayxmirdyrer - I think the concept of rig works overall, but it seems strange to do it here just because living weapon was just used in the last set. I would think that it would be a better mechanic to use somewhere it can flourish and shine on its own. What do you think? Either way, we can come up with both some living weapon and rig designs and just flesh out the best move in development.
|Tue, 2012-06-19 22:22
@Guitarweeps - If we follows the example of Avacyn Restored (Abandoning all keyword ability from last two set except Undying and add two new keyword instead) - I think putting rig in Mirrodin Pure would not have problem - And kick out Living Weapon (If Urabrask said 'Okay, we are not friend anymore, go away' to Phyrexia in our story line, no one is left to make them anyway.) out.
|Wed, 2012-06-20 22:30
Lotus Myr
Homebrew Games Created:
~Alchemy + Expansion
Decks Currently Being Run
~R/B Vampires [Standard]
|Wed, 2012-06-20 22:36
Oh wow. We are a long ways away from that quick challenge. I like rig, it is a good sub for living weapon.
Homebrew Games Created:
~Alchemy + Expansion
Decks Currently Being Run
~R/B Vampires [Standard]
|Thu, 2012-06-21 02:57
Ok, so I just had a couple of ideas for Phyrexian cards. These ideas are based on using poison as a dangerous resource.
Glimpse of Horror
Tainted Knowledge
Ad Nauseam for Phyrexians.
|Thu, 2012-06-21 03:01
Tainted Knowledge = draw nine cards in any other format besides limited. Yowch!
Also known as Inanimate at Goblin Artisans, TurboJustice at MTGS, and TyrRev at /r/custommagic
|Thu, 2012-06-21 10:59
Head Administrator
I like the idea but we need to balance it carefully since playing in any other format can make them OP. Also, it tips in your favor if you are playing infect.
|Thu, 2012-06-21 16:32
Tainted Knowledge [2BB]
Could we perhaps throw in a homage to Bosh, Iron Golem? I don't know how we would do it, but we got a reprint of Glissa, we have the fanmade Slobad, everyone forgets good ole Bosh.
Homebrew Games Created:
~Alchemy + Expansion
Decks Currently Being Run
~R/B Vampires [Standard]
|Thu, 2012-06-21 22:55
Head Administrator
Please don't double post. Edit the post if you are the last to post.
I am actually all for Bosh. I think I even have him in the skeleton as a maybe. That version of Tainted Knowledge is crazy worse than Diabolic Tutor...
|Fri, 2012-06-22 16:56
my apologies, grand-master Guitarweeps. As for Bosh, it would have to be an artifact, perhaps a cycle of shrines like the Karn shrines of New Phyrexia. Bosh is dead. Died protecting the then Mirran Champions Glissa and Slobad.
UNLESS... we somehow find a way to semi retcon and someone reanimates him, or something.
As for Tainted Knowledge, maybe it IS a diabolic tutor with a poison counter or two tacked on. Two seems high though... And an obvious worse choice when there is a diabolic tutor RIGHT THERE. Maybe we decrease the mana cost by 1 colorless mana?
Massive Affliction 3BB
FT: I....Am....Compleat!!!!
Homebrew Games Created:
~Alchemy + Expansion
Decks Currently Being Run
~R/B Vampires [Standard]
|Fri, 2012-06-22 23:36
Head Administrator
Well, Slobad is returning... it COULD be possible that he rebuilt Bosh. He loved Bosh quite a bit. But I was thinking more of a tribute than a new Bosh. The thing about the cycle of shrines is that nobody remembers Mirrodin as it was during that time except for Glissa, Slobad, and Karn.
I am not sure that making poison counters a drawback is good because it can be used in formats that don't have poison making it irrelevant.
|Sat, 2012-06-23 02:09
Hmmm.... Maybe he alone built a memorial to Bosh. So not a cycle, but perhaps a shrine none the less. We take the idea of the shrines, and make an artifact aligned one.
Shrine of Lost Saviors (Name WIP) [3]
Artifact (Rare or Mythic)
At the beginning of your upkeep or whenever you cast an artifact spell, put a charge counter on Shrine of Lost Saviors.
{3}, {T}, Sacrifice Shrine of Lost Saviors: Distribute that many +1/+1 counters between any number of permanents.
FT: "Glissa forget, Mirrodin forget. Slobad remember Bosh." - Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer
Just a thought, what happened to Raksha? He didn't die, so should we revive him as one of Whit's Champions?
Homebrew Games Created:
~Alchemy + Expansion
Decks Currently Being Run
~R/B Vampires [Standard]


text: Well amongst a few other darkroom items I picked up cheap today was an Arkay Print Dryer. It is basically a chromed surface that has a canvas piece that holds the print down to. You can "flip" the dryer over and put one on the other side too. Has a rheostat to control the heat, I am assuming it is just a heating element inside. I plugged it in and it works, only gave $20 for it. Just really wondering if these are a good idea, do other members use them, anything special I should know before putting a print on it and turning it on? Did I pay too much? I also got a two bladed easel with a knob that will allow for an unexposed section of border on the outside, just turn the knob and slide the paper to the corner and it leaves that 1/2" or whatever you set it to. Paid $10 for it, seemed like a good deal and this thing is sturdy, all steel it seems. Got a medium format "Solar" enlarger by Burke & James, all the parts were there and everything works, even the bulb! Paid $40 for that, just need a lens. I plan on using it primarily for a light source for contact prints. Looking for a 4X5 enlarger with neg carriers for 4X5 and 6X7/6X9 for my primary use.


text:
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Mar 27, 2013 - 4:03 pm
Today is day 5. Larry is moving right along. It is quite amazing. Yesterday thay removed his NG tube, chest tube, epidural, and cath. He is still quite weak and gets out of breath easily. He did have a small pneumothorax yesterday, they believe it is resolving on its own. He is starting on clear liquids today, however it is not going very well. Also they have tried to increase tube feeding but had to back off. If he continues to stay on the mark he will be home Friday afternoon. My main concern is all of the coughing and the difficulty he has trying to get it out. How long does this usually last for?
Mar 27, 2013 - 11:28 pm
My cough after surgery lasted about two months. It was most pronounced the first two weeks after surgery. When I was in the hospital they gave me a couple of breathing devices to help me with clearing and strengthening my lungs. One of them vibrated when I breathed into it. It was was designed to make me cough so I would clear my lungs. My cough gradually dissipated over the next two months.
I am glad to hear Larry is making progress. If they are starting him on clear liquids that must mean he passed his swallow test and that is a major accomplishment.
Best Regards,
Paul Adams
McCormick, South Carolina
DX 10/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery 12/3/2009 - Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009
Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU - Three Year Survivor
Mar 28, 2013 - 2:14 pm
Hi Laura,
My husbands cough was also a couple of months. The more coughing. the more will come up and not settle back into his lungs and that will only help with him "getting out of breath easily". What is not going well with his clear liquids? My husband was only allowed 1 oz per hour for 2 weeks. HAve you set up his bed to be elavated when he comes home? That will help with the coughing also. I remember those huge accomplishments (a short 6 months ago) with all the tubes. Keep me updated! Janet


text:
Rule #1, by Phil Town is a relatively new book about value investing. Phil Town is a student of Buffett and Graham. As the story goes, he spent the early part of his adult life living in a teepee in the wilderness out west. He made a few thousand dollars a year working as river boat guide for travelers and tourists in the rivers around the rocky mountains. During the off-season, he lived off of unemployment and spent his time riding his motorcycle around the west coast.
During one of his stints working as a river boat guide for a group of rich travelers, they came across some trouble and the raft, which they were riding, nearly fell off a cliff. Phil's experience in the wilderness allowed him to barely escape the cliff and save the lives of the travelers that he was guiding. One grateful traveler decided to teach Phil how to invest as an effort to reward him for saving their lives.
Phil then borrowed $1000 from a friend, and using his newly learned principles from Buffett and Graham, he claims to have turned it in to a million dollars in five years.
To summarize his investing philosophy, Phil recommends finding a company that you understand, has a competitive moat, great management, and a 50% margin of safety. He recommends a very concentrated portfolio too, with perhaps just one or two stocks. When choosing stocks, he uses fundamental analysis, concentrating on a high return on equity, and very consistent and predictable growth rates in sales, equity, EPS, book value, etc. He provides a formula to calculate the fair value (what he calls "sticker price") of a stock, and then he buys only when the stock is selling at 50% of fair value. He also recommends keeping an eye on a few technical indicators to know exactly when to get in and out.
That overview of his investment philosophy probably sounds very familiar to most value investors and students of Buffett and Graham, but there are quite a few nuggets of wisdom within the book. For instance, even though I have read virtually all of Buffett's annual reports, I have to admit in retrospect that I never truly understood the concept of competitive moat. Like most investors, I thought that I understood what a competitive moat was, but it wasn't until I read Rule #1 the concept became much more lucid to me.
As the title suggests, the author constantly reiterates how your main focus should be to not lose money, and how the highest returns are made on the most undervalued, and therefore safest, investments. He methodology is so strict, that I can honestly say that if you were to follow the book exactly step by step, you would keep your capital extremely safe and have very acceptable returns.
The only thing that I disagreed with was the fact that he uses historic PE when calculating the fair value of a company. Many people might disagree with me here, but just because a company has a historic PE of 60, I still wouldn't consider buying it at 30. To me, no matter what company or industry, any PE above the mid teens is way to risky.
I have attempted to tell you about the book, with out spoiling it or giving away any of his secrets. All in all, I would say that the best thing about the book is his ability to explain some of the more abstract concepts in investing. Novice investors would probably do well to read Rule #1 as an introduction to value investing. More experienced investors, such as the people that frequent gurufocus.com, would probably already be familiar with the concepts presented in the book. However, I can honestly say that after already being familiar with the concepts and principles of value investing, Rule #1 did a great job of giving me a much deeper understanding of such concepts as margin of safety and competitive moat. For that reason, I would recommend any fan of value investing to read the book if you would like to get a much deeper understanding of some of Buffett and Graham's more abstract principles.
For those of you that don't want to read the book but would like to see his calculation for the fair value of a stock, you can sign up for free at his website, http://www.ruleoneinvestor.com/ and find automatic calculators for margin of safety and various growth rates._____________
The author of this article can be reached by email at [email protected].


text:
Texas Curly Haired Cheerleader Kicked Off Squad
A mother in Tomball, Texas is speaking out claiming her daughter was kicked off the cheerleading squad because of her curly hair.
Makayla Fallaw, 11, and her mom claim officials at Woodlands Elite Cheer told her she needed to straighten her hair to match the straight hairstyles of her teammates.
Fallaw's mom was so outraged she met with officials of Woodlands Elite Cheer to tell them why straightening would be a bad idea for her daughter's hair.
Officials at the center said they were willing to compromise, but chose to kick the girl off the team because her mom refused to consider any other options.
Mother Jenny Fallaw said she plans to send her daughter to another cheer company.


text:
How do you stop unplanned and unnecessary spending? Stop using credit cards. Sounds simple enough. Except that doing away with the plastic in this day and age isn't as easy as that.
The scramble to bid for 2012 Olympics tickets is a recent example. You could only bid online, and you could only do so using a Visa card. Of the 1.8million who applied for tickets, anecdotal evidence suggests that many may have had to use their Visa Debit cards. This means that payments will come out of their current accounts.
But, do you have any choice if you can't trust yourself with a credit card? I decided to find out.
Now, I'm not a financial advisor and I am most certainly not an expert on financial issues. I am happy to share what I've learnt in looking into this for myself, and I hope it saves other people time. But please do check details yourself before you commit to anything.
Debit cards
You can use a debit card in situations where you would use a credit card. But, there are reasons to avoid doing so. First, it is harder to manage your account. Some retailers may take money out of your account days, or even weeks, later. Make a mistake and you've got bank charges to pay as well.
Also, unless you're using an Electron or Solo card, the retailer or bank doesn't necessarily check you actually have the funds clear in your account.
Second, a debit card is tied to your current account. And since this is the one I pay all our bills out of, there are times in the month when there's quite a lot of cash in there. I'm getting increasingly uncomfortable using our debit card to buy online. Just this month Sony had the online account details of around 100 million users stolen.
Card One Banking
Card One Banking is a unique sort of bank account run through the Natwest. You get a basic bank account, for which you're charged £12.50 a month. And there's no interest paid.
Which sounds mad but it doesn't give out overdrafts, and it doesn't have any other banking charges at all. As someone who once had the spectacular misfortune to run up nearly £300 in charges alone with Lloyds, I can say that's a major point in Card One's favour for me.
You get a bank account, into which money like your salary can be paid by BACS, or cheque, and you can set up payments too. You also get a Mastercard, onto which you can transfer money from your bank account. So you can never accidentally go into debit.
There's no credit checks needed, as the account doesn't offer you any credit. And if there's not enough money to pay the £12.50, the bank will wait until there is. You can run up to two months of missed fees, and it will then freeze your account. So the most you could end up owing is £25.
Compare that to, say, the Halifax who suddenly announced with little warning that they were going to charge DAILY for approved overdrafts - yes daily. That's £1, and if you're mostly in overdraft that's an extra £30 a month. So £12.50 isn't too much all things considered.
One issue that I came across is that it is rather complicated to have money paid into the account from overseas. However, that's not a huge problem for most people.
Pre Paid Cards
You may already know this, but it came as a big surprise to me to find out that there are such things as pre-paid 'credit' cards. Of course they're not really credit cards in the sense that you're not going into credit to the bank to use them.
Instead, you load money onto these cards, and you can only spend as much cash as you have. For this reason, they're also marketed as a great way to dispense pocket money to offspring who still need financial support such as teenagers and university students.
There's a number of these available, and you can compare all the costs and fees involved using the comparison tables at What Prepaid Card? They are mostly all Mastercard, with some Maestro and a few Visa cards such as the two offered by Virgin. These are a pay as you go card, and a pre-paid monthly card. Which one will suit will depend on how you propose to use the card.
TOPICS: Money News and Recalls