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REFLECTIONS AT HOME The Morning Star Series

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Chapter One

REFLECTIONS AT HOME EZEKIEL 23: 1-4

"... the Assyrians conquered Palestine's northern kingdom. The victors captured a large number of Israelites as slaves. Those who remained intermarried with the new Assyrian colonists."

from The Damascus Way by Bunn & oke

THE RAINBOW

Has there been a time when you thought yourself superior to someone else? Why? Was it because of where you were born? Was it because of the college you attended? Was it because of a physical feature you possess that is idealized by society? In this allegory, Jerusalem is warned about feeling superior to her sister city, Samaria. I have found that many times in life, people feel superior to others when they have had no personal relationship outside of their own culture.

As we learned in the January workbook, Amos was charged by God to travel and warn the wealthy not to ignore the poor. In Damascus Way, not until Jamal, the Syrian trader; Julia, daughter of a Samarian: Linux, the Roman legion; and the Ethiopian traveled from their place of origin, did they find the commonality of mankind. I recently traveled to beautiful Strousbourg, France and Heidleburg, Germany where the cobblestone streets and quaint shops were like going back in time. As we meandered beneath the multitude of cascading flowers in carefully arranged flower boxes, we saw that as with the flowers, the people made up a living quilt.

It made me think of Stoudtburg Village in Adamstown, PA. The village tries to give one the same feeling as walking through the European hamlets of yesteryear. The major difference is the lack of a mixture of cultures. I have a friend named Simpson, who is a gifted artist and would be a fantastic asset as well as bring something missing to the makeup of the Village. For those people of various ancestry, I encourage you to not only visit or become a merchant of Stoudtburg, but consider moving to Adamstown (an hour from Philadelphia) to own a home away from the big city.

When people live together, they get to form relationships, and a sense of community develops allowing myths, untruths, and old prejudices to die.

NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH

FEBRUARY 1ST

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 44th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA.

    Still I Rise

    You may write me down in history
    With your bitter, twisted lies,
    You may trod me in the very dirt
    But still, like dust, I'll rise.

    Does my sassiness upset you?
    Why are you beset with gloom?
    'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
    Pumping in my living room.

    Just like moons and the suns,
    With the certainty of tides,
    Just like hopes springing high,
    Still I'll rise.

    Did you want to see me broken?
    Bowed head and lowered eyes?
    Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
    Weakened by my soulful cries.

    Does my haughtiness offend you?
    Don't you take it awful hard
    'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
    Diggin' in my own back yard.

    You may shoot me with your words,
    You may cut me with your eyes,
    You may kill me with your hatefulness,
    But still, like air, I'll rise.

    Does my sexiness upset you?
    Does it come as a surprise
    That I dance like I've got diamonds
    At the meeting of my thighs?

    Out of the huts of history's shame
    I rise
    Up from a past that's rooted in pain
    I rise
    I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
    Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
    Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
    I rise
    Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
    I rise
    Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
    I am the dream and the hope of the slave,
    I rise
    I rise
    I rise.

    Maya Angelou

FEBRUARY 2ND

REFLECTIONS AT HOME 2 SAMUEL 21: 15-22

BLIND LOYALTY

There are times in life when someone is so loyal to a cause or person, he acts before thinking. This behavior is especially destructive when done en masse such as with the current Republican in Congress known as the "Do-Nothing" Congress. Some have even signed pledges, as if running the country can take a stoic point of view, ignoring the common man of the day.

This was the plight of Abishai who truly was devoted to David, however it is not enough to be physically strong to defeat the Philistine giants of today. True leaders must be wise and have self-control. Former presidents have never had to endure the arrogant racist antics of a bony, age-spotted finger being wagged in their faces, or a Supreme Court Justice mouthing "that's not true" as the President warns the nation that by allowing undisclosed millions of dollars to be poured into the election process, it would lead to distorting the outcome, or the disrespectful shout of "you lie" by an average Joe. While visiting in Germany, someone said to me "It's like the Ku Klux Klan has taken over the Republican Party." Europeans know the history of our country better than some candidates who are running for the highest office in the land, as the news anchors dance around the pole of political correctness.

Like Abishai, who was usually under the command of his younger brother, Joab, the Tea Party of 2011 seem to be dictating commands to the Speaker of the House. Congress has given the appearance of a trailer full of hypocrites, racists, and liars that will destroy this country out of blind loyalty to what? The Confederate Flag? Power? Greed? The concept of millionaires paying their fair share is abhorrent to many in Congress because they would be voting against themselves.

It is your responsibility to learn of the character of those you elect to office. Visit the CREW (Citizens for Responsibility & ethics in Washington) website crewsmostcorrupt.org and research why Rep. Vern buchanan; David Vitter; Joe Walsh; eric Canter; anthony Weiner; Charles bass; and many more are mentioned and judge for yourself. You cannot afford to be a victim of blind loyalty.

FEBRUARY 3RD

REFLECTIONS AT HOME 2 CORINTHIANS 11: 1-15

THE HIRAGASY

There are times in life when someone will have a "calling". This usually means that there is something within which drives an unexplainable passion for a cause. Usually, this desire is not what the individual has had in the way of formal training. Notice that I said "formal" training indicating school. Yet, such a person has trained himself by reading and studying, or working with people who share the same passion. Such was the dilemma of Paul. Scholars of his day were usually trained in Greek schools of oratory. In fact, professional reciters of poetry (which was an occupation) were called rhapsodes.

During the time of Paul there existed a doctrine known as Gnosticism. This was a belief that spiritual knowledge, rather than faith, was essential to salvation. Paul preached that the content of what he was saying outweighed his presentation, which probably did not have the grandiose of other scholars. He reminded the people that they should be more concerned with the lifestyle of the "teacher". Was it consistent with biblical morality or more of a self-serving or pagan deity? The amount charged by the spiritual teachers did not always indicate their true worth, for Paul charged nothing.

Even today, there are persons who because of their occupation, should be excellent communicators. However, like Paul, the skill of an orator does not come easily. There is a musical tradition in Madagascar, Africa which is known as hiragasy. During the 18th century, the people first used musicians to draw a crowd to make political speeches, and to communicate information to the various villages. This is called kabary. Musicians often used their dances and songs as a means of criticizing their French rulers. We are familiar with how the American slave used music as well in the form of spirituals as a code language to outsmart their oppressors. During the French colonial period of Madagascar, such musicians were often exempt from the usual forced labor requirements of their oppressors.

If you have a "calling" like Paul, do not let your lack of formal education stop you. If you can not afford college to become a veterinarian, then volunteer at an animal shelter or start an annual Rhapsode Contest for high school students and adults at your church. There is a wonderful organization called "Poetry out Loud" you can contact on its website.

FEBRUARY 4TH

REFLECTIONS AT HOME ACTS 6: 8-15

FACES OF THE LIBERTINES

In April of 1945, one hundred sixty-two African American officers in the United States Army Air Force on the 477th Bombardment Group were arrested for protesting the segregation of officer club facilities. This was known as the Freeman Field Mutiny in Indiana. I remember how my father hated the military's treatment of Black families. The Black wives had to ride in the filthy caboose of the trains taking them to meet their husbands returning from WWII, while the Caucasian wives rode in the clean, comfortable seats in the front cars. It was no better for the returning soldiers. The black soldiers had to ride in the same dirty caboose cars while the Nazi prisoners rode comfortably in the front cars. How my ancestors endured this form of American "freedom" makes me respect them even more for their wisdom and strength to last so that my generation would not have to suffer the law of the land.

The evangelist, Stephen, who was selected by the apostles to help organize the followers of Jesus was wrongly accused of preaching against Moses' laws found in the Pentateuch or Torah. These are the first five books in the Bible, from Genesis to Deuteronomy. The Libertines, also known as Freedmen (a group of Jewish slaves who had been freed by Rome) seemed to have adapted to the mindscape of their oppressors. They turned the people against Stephen by spreading lies, they set up false witnesses, and they finally caused his arrest. Sound familiar? Today, we would say that he was "swift-boated".

When the laws of a country mistreat its citizens through its actions, it changes the fabric of all of its citizens. No one had a problem with men sent to Italy and Africa to fight, yet these same black soldiers could not stay in a hotel in the Southern states. Likewise, no one came to rescue or rebuke the false allegations against Stephen. In Oscar Wilde's novel, Dorian Gray, every time he committed a sinful act, his handsome portrait became more grotesque. Apathy and sin have a way of working from within a person. In your lifetime, how many different faces have you worn? What do others see in your face? Does your face portray something evil or do others look at you and see the face of an angel?

FEBRUARY 5TH

REFLECTIONS AT HOME MARK 6: 1-6

ISN'T HE THE CARPENTER?

Unfortunately some people will only see you as who you used to be and not as who you are today. This passage tells us that many times these people are your family and friends. The very ones who you look to for support and encouragement, are the ones who refuse to see the growth and possibilities God has given to you in the form of opportunities because He allows free choice. What you decide to do with your creativity is up to you.

These preconceived notions and prejudices may be grounded in jealousy, and lack of faith in the person they remembered as a youth. When Jesus left Nazareth and returned with the disciples, the people of the village still saw him as only the son of the carpenter named Joseph. Because they refused to accept Jesus for whom He had become, He chose not to perform all of the miracles He could have done.

"And He marveled because of their unbelief." (Verse 6:6)

There is a statue in front of the Philadelphia City Hall of a man named Matthias W. Baldwin. In the 1800's, he owned one of the most successful locomotive manufacturing firms in America. However, this New Jersey native lost his father at the age of four and was one of five children. At the age of sixteen, he was apprenticed to learn how to make jewelry. By age twenty-four, he had devised a patent for gold plating. Baldwin then went on to open a printing shop which was powered by his self-designed steam engine. By age thirty-six, he built his first locomotive which grew to some fifteen hundred steam locomotives before his death in 1866.

Because this young man who once designed jewelry understood what is was like to have access to opportunity, Baldwin donated money to build a school for African-American children in Philadelphia and supported the movement to allow black men to vote as well as supported the abolitionist movement. His choice to follow the teachings of Jesus rather than the reasoning of racists, led to a boycott of Baldwin locomotives by railroads in the Southern states. And even today, we marvel at their unbelief that all men are created equal.

FEBRUARY 6TH

REFLECTIONS AT HOME AMOS 2: 6-16

THE WARNING

God condemned Israel for many things: exploiting the poor, worshiping false gods such as money, and taking illegal collateral for loans to name a few. Their response to those in need was one of arrogance and greed. He warns about bribing court officials as some say is a serious problem that we face today on the Supreme Court as judges are serenaded at parties given by political advocates. Nazarites took a vow of service to abstain from wine and to never cut their hair. The radical Congress has also taken a vow whereby the country be damned as they serve the masters of their purse strings. God's law is more concerned with doing what is right. He warns that the actions of the Nazarites will be punished.

There is a need for representatives of the common man. Although President Obama has had to endure the hypocrites who deliberately block everything and anything that benefits the middle class, perhaps he should just say the heck with them and press on as President Roosevelt did in the 1930's when he knew that he had to address the plight of the disfranchisement of African Americans. In 1935, President and Mrs. Roosevelt established the "black Cabinet", known as the Federal Council of Negro affairs to advise him on public policy. One of the forty-five members of this council was Mary McLeon Bethune, a civil rights leader and educator.

The arrogant people who call the "occupy Wall Street" a mob, yet saw the hate-filled racists in the Republican Tea Party who carried signs of President Obama as Hitler and monkeys, and who spat on black Congressmen were said to be "grass root organizations" by Cantor and crew.

Can you name forty-five people who could comprise a minority policy advisory committee today? Fill in your suggestions on the next page.

Remember, it was the Senators that stabbed Julius Caesar in the name of "saving" the Republic. But, as today, they ignored the will of the people and were later defeated at the battle of Philippi in 42BC. Perhaps it is time once again to defeat the Senators along with blue Dog Democrats by sending them home to join the ranks of the unemployed.

MINORITY CABINET OF 2012

1. Joy-Ann Reid—managing editor, grio.com

2. Karen Hunter—journalist

3. Martin Bashir—MSNBC Anchor

4. Earl Ofari Hutchinson—author

5. Joe Madison—civil rights activist

6. Michael Eric Dyson, PhD—professor of sociology at Georgetown U.

7. Obery Hendricks, PhD—professor of Biblical Interpretation at NY Theological Seminary

8. Goldie Taylor—political analyst

9. Russell Simmons—music producer

10. Renee C. Hughes—former Common Pleas Court Judge, CEO

11. Rev. Marvin E. Wiley—Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Illinois

12. Melissa Harris-Perry—MSNBC anchor, Prof. At Tulane U.

13. Neil D. Tyson, PhD—astrophysicist, director of Hayden Planetarium

14. James Peterson, PhD—director of Africana Studies at Lehigh U.

15. Heather McGhee—journalist, demos.org

16. Richard Kim—journalist, thenation.com

17. Marshall P. Mitchell—marketing, differentdrummer.com

18. Dr. Gerald DeVaughn—cardiologist

19. Rev. al Sharpton—MSNbC anchor, civil rights activist

20. Tyler Perry—movie mogul

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Excerpted from REFLECTIONS AT HOME The Morning Star Series by CRYSTAL V. HENRY Copyright © 2012 by Crystal V. Henry. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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