People from many cultures and regions have long admired the beauty of Tulips. Wild Tulips can be found in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Their natural habitat extends from southern Europe to northern Africa and continues eastward to Asia via Anatolia or Iran. The steppes of Kazakhstan, among the Pamir and Hindu Kush mountain ranges are the most important Tulip habitats. However, wild Tulips can also be found in the easternmost parts of China or Japan.
The Middle East cultures have always held the Tulip in high regard. In fact, the European name Tulip is actually derived form the Persian word for “turban”. While some etymologists believe that the name was chosen because a budding Tulip looks like a traditional turban, others suggest that it is a misunderstanding. Tulip flowers were used commonly to decorate the turban’s folds. Traditional folk art from Turkey and Persia will reveal a wealth of information.
The Tulip is now the national flower of Iran and Turkey. It is even featured on the Iran flag. You can clearly see the importance of the Tulip motif in traditional Persian folk art and Turkish folk art.
The Tulip is also strongly associated with the Netherlands, which will send Tulips each year to Ottawa in Canada every year. Canada was a key ally in the liberation of the Netherlands from German invasion during World War II. It also provided refuge for the Dutch Crown Princess, who later became Queen Juliana.
Episodes of “Tulip Mania”, when tulips were used for speculation, have happened in Europe and the Ottoman Empire. Historians are still unsure of the extent of these speculation waves and the impact they had on the respective economies. Some claim that Tulip Mania was a major contributor to the financial collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
If you are interested far East then there are so many destinations waiting for you. here you can check the life styles, monuments, visitors top selections, tasty foods and many more. there is vast variation in the floriculture and landscape of these areas which is appealing for all type of visitors and specially to the nature lovers. The persons who are interested to 2east are also encouraged to see the glimpse of ancient cultures.
Historians don’t know the exact date and method by which the Tulip was first introduced to Western Europe. Perhaps the Tulips were introduced to this region several times before it became famous and appreciated.
According to one story, Oghier Ghislain de Busbecq, the ambassador of France brought Tulips to Germany’s attention in 1554. Oghier Ghislain de Busbecq was sent by Ferdinand I of Germany, to Suleyman The Magnificent. He wrote that he saw “an abundance of flowers everywhere” and also mentioned hyacinths and narcissus. We were amazed to learn that it was midwinter, which is a harsh season for flowers. Botanists have a little problem with this letter. Tulips don’t bloom in midwinter even in the warm Middle East.
Jesus had seen Nathanael, even though Nathanael didn’t know he was being monitored. David, in one of David’s psalms confessed that he couldn’t flee from God’s presence because God knew him intimately: Psalms 139.7-10 “Wherever you go, You’re there.” Nathanael just discovered the same truth.
Jesus knew Nathanael wasn’t very fond of Nazareth. Nathanael recognized what was inside him and said, “Rabbi! You are the Son Of God!” You are the King Of Israel! Jesus challenged him, saying “You believe because you saw me under a fig tree.” You will see more than that… You will see greater things than that, I assure you. John 1:150-51
Jesus said in a short statement, “You are stunned because I revealed myself to you?” Wait until you discover the whole truth about who I am, and where I came from! He transformed Nathanael’s understanding of the minor things into a place of profound insights. Jesus gives each person who approaches Him a personal understanding of Him.
We have just read about Nathaniel. Just before that, he has a similar encounter to Simon. John 1:41-42. He (Andrew), first found his brother Simon and told him “We have discovered the Messiah” (which can be translated as the Christ). He took him to Jesus. Jesus then looked at him and said, “You’re Simon, the son of Jonah.” “You will be called Cephas (which means, A Stone). Take a moment to notice the reference to “son of Jonah” in parentage. When studying the Bible and the life of Jesus, it is important to keep in mind the physical culture.
This is the same Simon we find in Matthew 16:13-18. It says: Jesus arrived in Caesarea Philippi and asked His disciples: “Who do men claim that I, the Son Of Man, am?” They replied, “Some say John The Baptist, some Elijah and others Jeremiah. Or one of the prophets.” He asked them: “But who are you saying that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You’re the Christ, the Son and Living God.” Jesus replied and said to Simon Bar-Jonah: “Blessed is you Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood have not revealed this, but My Father, who is in heaven.”
You also know that I am Peter and I will build My church on this rock, and the gates and Hades will not stop it. You will also notice the parentage references: “Son Of The Living God”, Simon Bar-Jonah”, and “My Father Who is in Heaven”. These scriptures make reference to heritage and parentage in a consistent manner.
Jesus used his worldly knowledge of culture to help the apostles understand and appreciate His divine cultural roots. Blessed is Simon Peter, who recognized the true parentage Jesus and took that journey of faith and thought to a higher place, seeing Jesus as God’s Son and not Joseph the carpenter’s son or Jesus the Nazareth.
We see the story of Simon meeting Jesus for the first time in John’s first chapter. Jesus then calls him Cephas which means “stone”. Then, Matthew’s account shows Jesus calling him Peter in a later event between Jesus and Simon. This is because Simon, now Simon Peter has boldly confessed.
Jesus’ confession that He will build His church on the rock He has given Him, is a confession from Simon. He first met Simon and he called him Cephas, or “stone”. Can you see the divine connection?
Jesus knew the roles these men would play before they came to Him. He knew Nathanael long before he ever came to Jesus, and He also knows us well before we even come to Him. He invites us to continue the divine journey of thought He took them on.
But, as long as our physical limitations of time & place & time continue to bind us, we will never understand or be able to enjoy the unlimited, eternal, boundless joy that is found in Christ and God.
To be Christlike; to share Christ’s love with others; and to understand our salvation, we must change our thinking to reflect Heaven’s perspective. We need to see the world from Heaven’s view and not the world’s.
Only then can we make a plan for our lives, goals, and purpose. We must do this according to God’s will for us, as individuals with unique gifts to give in His service. We must live in that eternal perspective if we are to ever achieve happiness and stop pursuing it.
The Constitution of the United States gives us the right of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Now, globally, we can have that hope through God and Jesus Christ.
Jesus was a vision of human weakness, which I believe helped us see God’s power and strength over what we thought we knew.
Everyone would expect a great and powerful King to be politically and socially influential, have influential parents, and enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. This is especially true in the east. Because that’s how the world thinks, we would expect Him be able to change laws and deliver them. He asked us to think like God, the eternal perspective, the “forever with Him”, concept instead of valuing the things on this earth that will go away.
In a surprising way, Jesus came to us so that we could see God and get to know Him as He is. Not for what He has, or how He looks. Did you know that Jesus is not described in detail? He wanted us to see His heart and not just a physical appearance.
We are shown God’s triumphing attributes through His earthly shortcomings. Jesus showed us the limits of our ability to believe in God, despite what seemed impossible.
He was able to defeat every temptation and even death. This revealed our true weaknesses and the need for a Savior. It is a sacrifice we will never be able to make.
Did you ever ask God “Where are you ?”…?” like Andrew? Or cried out, “Where are You?” Only to find out that He lives in you and is always there waiting for you to follow him home. Did you ever ask Nathanael “Can anything be gained from this?” You found out that He knew you even before you knew Him. Did you know that even through all your troubles, He was shaping you into the person He knew you would be to serve Him in the role He had already given you?
Our culture is dying, the physical, earthly culture we know from the East and the West. Every day, the culture of the world dies. It had a beginning and will end. It is possible to have time, space, motion, and all other earthly-defined boundaries. Yet, everything fades and degrades with each passing minute.
Reality is only temporary. It’s only a blink of an eyes… a mist… and vapor. Then it’s over. You’re gone forever from this earth. This is all you have left on this planet. You may live to see the end. Is that something you think about? Do you live each day like it’s your last?
Our culture fades but Jesus’ home will last forever. It is renewed in the glory of God’s presence for ever. It has no beginning and will never end.
There are no boundaries, no limitations of time, space, or motion. It is closer to becoming your only reality every day, and will replace what you already know and understand, no matter how much you resist or how wealthy or poor you may be.
Eternity is coming, regardless of whether you want it or not. Death is coming. It’s a welcome promotion if your are one of His faithful spiritual children fighting every day for you, but regardless, Death is coming to take us home. If you are not ready, it’s a good thing.
Your value, the things you care about, will be in God’s hands and your entire life will be yours. You will not be able to claim your value elsewhere. Your entire life will be wasted and without any hope for the future.
Which culture will Jesus know you value when you meet Him? Did you proclaim Him God’s Son like his apostles and fellow believers, regardless of the price on this temporary Earth, since your riches are eternally stored? Have you continued to view Him as Jesus of Nazareth (son of Joseph, the carpenter) up until His death? Is it from His home or yours that you are thinking? What do you see in Him, while He is watching you right now, even if you don’t realize it? Do you see Him in others as they watch you, even if you don’t know it?
This is the last thought. God doesn’t believe in staying neutral. He sees conflict as a constant. He said that you can either love Him and hate Satan or you can love Satan and hate Him. You can either be for Him or against Him… If you are against Him, then you will die. You will live beyond what you can imagine if you are for Him. Two masters are impossible. There is no neutral position. An undercover Christian is not possible.