In the 17th century, the celebration had an agricultural overtone, celebrating the beginning of spring and good harvests which would follow in the fall.  Since then, it has evolved into enjoying spring’s first colors hence the throwing of colored powders on each other followed by water from water guns and balloons to work the colors into skin and fabric.

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Saint David of Wales was the Welsh bishop of Mynyw in the 6th Century.  Considering the 1400 years which have passed since David lived in Wales, quite a lot is known concerning his activities and life.  He is regarded as a founder of the faith in Wales and is known for preaching, teaching and founding monasteries and churches.  David is buried at St David's Cathedral in St Davids, Pembrokeshire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shrine_of_St_David.jpg

Dancers celebrating the Ayyam-i-Ha or Intercalary Days in the Baha’I calendar.  The four calendar fill-in days are used for hospitality, festivals, celebrating, doing service works and enjoying life just before the beginning of the fast period in the first days of the New Year.

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Almost 100 years after the icons were removed from the churches in 787 the Seventh Ecumenical Council was convened in Nicaea.   It was determined at the council that the icons could be returned to the churches and the issue of idolatry would be dealt with.  The church would define the respect due to the icons and worship due to God.

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The practice of using ashes as a sign of sin and pain goes back to the time of Tamar and King David’s reign.  When Tamar was raped by her half brother she sprinkled ashes on her head, tore her clothing, buried her face in her hands and cried.  There are additional references to the use of ashes to recognize wrongdoing and repentance in the Books of Daniel, Job, Jeremiah, and several others.  http://www.womeninthebible.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Copy_of_gallery5CB5CBouguereau_William_Adolphe5CBouguereau_Jeune_italienne_puisant_de_leau.jpg

The Zionists upon their return to Israel in the 20th Century used Tu Bishvat as an opportunity to connect to their agricultural roots.  This picture taken in the 1930s shows dignitaries planting trees in an orchard in Tel Mond, https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tu-bishvat-practices/   

Paul made a total of three missionary journeys into Asia Minor carrying the message of a resurrected Christ before his finale trip to Rome.  Shown here is the route of his first journey taken in approximately 46 CE.  The map is created by Chris and Jenifer Taylor of The Bible Journey.  This map and maps of the rest of Paul’s journeys are available at http://media.freebibleimages.org//stories /FB_BJ_Paul_Maps/thumbnail.jpg

We watched the flames ravaging the hillside from the Fair grounds parking lot.  We knew our apartment was in that general area.  We even saw the Twitter feeds about the apartment complex being on fire.  But it is not until you stand amid the ashes and look at the spot where your apartment had been that you really understand that you have nothing left.  My heart goes out to those who are not as fortunate as us.