"I've, no fear of drowning.

It's the breathing that's taking all this work."

- Jars of Clay

Sojourner Defined

Isabella Baumfree, a.k.a. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery around 1797 in Upstate New York. She became a famous Abolitionist and Women’s Rights Activist. She was a freedom fighter, speaker, writer and politician. She even recruited and travelled with Black soldiers during the Civil War.
Her story is one of pain and sorrow leading to purpose and glory. Her early life included slavery, beatings, rape and the indescribable pain of watching your children sold off to other owners. Her later years were focused on freedom as an influential abolitionist. This victory over tribulation is evident when you consider the people she had dealings with in her purpose; Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Ulysses S. Grant, and Fredrick Douglas.

This is an excerpt of her famous speech made at a women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio in 1851. It became known as the “Ain’t I A Woman” speech because of the refrain.

“Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the Negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or Negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it. The men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.”


Would to God that we all could deal with life so victoriously. She did more than ‘just get over it’. She chopped it up, packed it down and traded it in. Pain and sorrow are often prerequisites to destiny.

Crawdaddy

Nat Turner – The Black Sheep of Black History

Nat Turner’s story is a vital part of the Freedom Saga. No, I doubt there will be any holidays, stamps or highways named after him, but his story must be heard. Trust me, if the enemies of freedom could erase any part of the struggle, they would choose this one. In fact, it wasn’t till I was an adult that I heard about Nat, the ‘property’ of Samuel Turner.

He was an intelligent, ultra-religious and driven young man. One of the few slaves who could read, Nat was said to have spent long hours reading the Bible. He would often have visions that he believed were from God. Once, after running away and hiding in the woods for a month, he returned to his master after having such a vision. These visions, coupled with atmospheric phenomenon, during the dark ages of America, birthed the destiny of Nat Turner.

The reason his story is so shaded and controversial is that he fought back. Turner led the greatest or most horrific, (depending on which side of freedom you stand) slave revolt in American History. In August of 1831, for 48 hours in South Hampton Virginia, Nat and a group of about 50 other slaves and freed blacks, methodically and quietly killed 57 white men, women and children.

After a militia of slaveholders ended the rebellion, Nat was tried, convicted, hung and then flayed, quartered and beheaded. 58 men suspected of involvement were also hung. In months to come, an estimated 200 slaves were beaten, hung and mutilated by angry mobs of whites. The abolitionist movement was halted in that area, as whites became polarized concerning slavery.

Nat’s legacy undeniably removes the myth that slaves happily embraced their subservient state.

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/black_voices/voices_display.cfm?id=20

Today, Nat’s legacy is on trial. Some hail him hero, others call him lunatic.
Some call him freedom fighter; others call him blood thirsty opportunist. I say that he is the logical result of the cruel, heinous, diabolical, dehumanizing crime of slavery. Hate begets hate. Radical situations produce radicalness.

I call him, inevitable.

Making Love or Love Making (Valentine's Special)

I bet I have your attention now. Sex does that. Ice cream, shaving cream and chewing gum commercials use it, why not me. (I ought to have at least 30 replies on this one)

Actually I’m not talking about sex. I’m really talking about love. Real love. Not that hush puppy, mushy, gushy play-play love, but real love. The love that originates from God is not the same as what passes for love down here.

One of the most blaring examples is to call sex, love making. I’m not even talking about illegitimate sex; I mean the divinely authorized sexual activity between a husband and wife. Having sex is not the same as making love. Though sex makes your head swoon and your heart palpitate don’t confuse it with love. Love making takes a whole lot more than that.

To equate sex with love exalts the temporary, carnal, human experience to the heights of divine character. It is symptomatic of the self-seeking, self-pleasing spirit that rules the hearts of the unregenerate man. God desires to raise us to His level, we try to bring Him down to ours.

Here’s my list of reasons why sex (marital) should not be called making love. I’ll start it you finish it. Blog away.

1. Real love is not conditioned on the “mood”.
2. Sex requires chemicals, love requires spirit.
3. You must eventually stop having sex (at some point), but love must continue.
4. The Bible calls it due benevolence or “knowing”.
5. Love is what your children ought to see, not sex.
6. The term was paraded and applauded by hippies.
7. You have to study the character of God to create love.
8. You give much more than your body to make love.
9. Making real love is not about performance but selfless sacrifice.
10. Loving your enemies ain’t sexy.
11. Sex can make a baby, but it can’t raise one.
12. Eros love is not mentioned in Scripture.
13. Sex is episodic, but love is eternal.
14. Sex doesn’t always go right, but love never fails.
15. Proof of love doesn’t come during the honeymoon but after surviving some marital crisis.
16. Sex will put you to sleep, but love will send you to the cross.
17. Sensuality is physical, love is spiritual.
18. Physical disability, even paralysis, is no hindrance to real love.
19. You can’t fake love (not for long).
20. …..

Vocabulationistic Frustrations

Earlier tonight my heart was broken when told, rather rudely, that edificatious was not a word. While fruitlessly searching for justification, I found this site on Meriam-Webster's online Dictionary. Thought it was funny since I make up so many words. Enjoy.


Top Ten Made-up Words

ginormous (adj): bigger than gigantic and bigger than enormous
confuzzled (adj): confused and puzzled at the same time
woot (interj): an exclamation of joy or excitement
chillax (v): chill out/relax, hang out with friends
cognitive displaysia (n): the feeling you have before you even leave the house that you are going to forget something and not remember it until you're on the highway
gription (n): the purchase gained by friction: "My car needs new tires because the old ones have lost their gription."
phonecrastinate (v): to put off answering the phone until caller ID displays the incoming name and number
slickery (adj): having a surface that is wet and icy
snirt (n): snow that is dirty, often seen by the side of roads and parking lots that have been plowed
lingweenie (n): a person incapable of producing neologisms


Popular Culture
ESPN-onage (n): secretly viewing an all-sports network when your wife leaves the room
polkadodge (n): the pseudo dance when two people attempt to pass each other, each moving in the same direction
scrax (n): the waxy coating that must be scratched off an instant lottery ticket


LANGUAGE
dunandunate (v): to overuse a word or phrase that has been recently added to one's vocabulary
lexpionage (n): the sleuthing of new words and phrases
whinese (n): a language spoken by children or spouses on long road trips


WEATHER
slush turtle (n): the snow that collects on your mud flap
spinter (n): the season between winter and spring where everything is drowning in a slush/mud mixture
sprummer (n): when spring and summer can't decide which is going to come first—hot one day, cold the next


PEOPLE

headset jockey (n): a telephone call center worker at the other end of a toll-free number
knitpicker (n): a person who selects your knitted sweaters. Beware the Christmas knitpicker or the put-the-family-in-the-same-sweater-for-the-photo knitpicker.
stealth-geek (n): one that hides nerdy interests while maintaining a normal outward appearance


ANATOMY
fumb (n): the large toe
jimberjaw (n): a protrusive chin
wibble (n): a trembling of the lower lip just shy of actually crying


MENTAL & PHYSICAL CONDITIONS
asphinxiation (n): when you are sick to death of unanswerable riddles
museum head (n): being mentally exhausted, and unable to take in anything more; usu. follows after a full day at the museum
precuperate (v): prepare for the possibility of being ill


TECHNOLOGY & THE INTERNET
shanghaIM (v): Instant Messaging somebody who's in the process of IM-ing somebody else, causing them to inadvertently type (and possibly send) their message to you
vidiot (n): one inept at programming a VCR
wurfing (v): the act of surfing the Internet at work and rationalizing that it is for work purposes
TRANSPORTATION
detroitus (n): car parts found alongside the highway
(n): when two or more immobile vehicles are parked next to each other
pregreening (v): the tendency to creep forward while waiting for a red light to change


FOOD
onionate (v): to overwhelm with post-dining breath
smushables (n): the groceries that must be packed at the top of the bag or separately to avoid being mangled by the time you get home
spatulate (v): remove cake batter or other substances from the side of a mixing bowl with a spatula

MISCELLANEOUS
dringle (n): the ring-shaped stain on wood caused by condensation from a glass of liquid
espacular (adj): especially spectacular
furgle (v): to feel in a pocket or purse for a small object such as a coin or key
hoyle (n): the point at which a genius transcends our reality and becomes a madman
nudenda (n): a nudist's unhidden agenda
optotoxical (adj): of or pertaining to poisonous looks that could kill, esp. from a spouse
parrotise (n): a haven for exotic birds, esp. green ones
quackmire (n): muddy edges of a duck pond
sinspire (v): to compel one to be creatively wicked
sprog (v): to go faster than a jog but slower than a sprint

Announcing Kingsverse Blogspot

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!!!

KINGSVERSE.BLOGSPOT.COM

This is the Kings Church of Christ’s poetic exposition

Check out the site and you could be in the next position

To use your poetic giftedness to empower the world, your sisters, and your brothers

With glory to God, fulfillment to self, and inspirational blessings to others

If you’re not a poet you can check it out and leave a comment too

Kings Verse is currently featuring

Several Kings poets

And soon to be featuring YOU!!!

--Jamila Lyiscott

Kingsverse Administrator

Parade Parallels

The sounds and sights were amazing. One million plus fans packed in all along Broadway Avenue, paper of all sizes flying everywhere, with deafening cheers for everything and everybody. Oh yeah, and the Super Bowl Champion Giants. That was basically it at the parade. My son David and I had a good time.

Of course being who I am and doing what I do, I gained some spiritual insight through the physical occurrences of that day. I saw a parallel of fans in a parade to Christians and worship. The applause of regular Joes in adoration of their heroes, their champions, is easily analogous to Christians praising, lauding and applauding the Savior.

First, I was reminded that quiet worship makes absolutely no sense. I’m not talking about funerals or private prayers, etc. I’m talking about the celebration that happens when the fans of Christ come together. When I saw the supposed millions of New Yorkers cheering their champs, I thought of worship. There was vibrancy, an electric pulse throughout the crowd. It was cold but everybody was hyped about the Giants. They were so excited they cheered for policemen, firemen, street sweepers, busses, even toilet paper flying through the air. Why? Because they recognized the accomplishment of a hometown football team. They celebrated the winning of a title and a trophy.

How then can we be quiet for the Christ? After giving up a glorious throne, living a impoverished but perfect life, He died on a cross for our sins. And that with no halftime!! How can we silently and somberly sing sad songs for the Savior? I am not speaking of the extreme, mindless, disorder of charismatic chaos, but praise is like a parade, not a funeral.

Second, you could tell something was coming by the noise of the crowd. There was a lot of waiting time, moments when nothing was happening. In fact, we were around the corner of the main street, so we were blind to the process. But the noise of the crowd let us know when something was happening. It flowed up the canyon of heroes like a living thing. I, who could not see, was alerted by those who could see, that the champions were coming. So I got my camera ready.

In like manner, the church has a unique position in salvation. The noise we make over the coming King should prepare the world for action. A world, off the path, blind to the light, distracted by their personal agendas, should hear our noise and know that Jesus is near. They, who cannot see, should be enlightened by the praises of those who can see, that the Champ is coming. Get your life ready.

Third, I was taking pictures of heroes taking pictures of me. Not me personally, but you know what I mean. The Superbowl champs were more focused on filming our celebration than being filmed themselves. It reminded me that in worship, we are on display. Not to the world, the church or angels, but primarily God. He pays attention to our worship. He adores our praise. We think He is on stage, but in actuality, He is the audience judging our performance. I wonder if He ever falls asleep or boos a lackluster effort. Yeah I know, He never sleeps or slumbers, but you get my point.


“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield (Ps. 5:11-12).”

“O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet (Ps. 47:1-3).”

64th Annual National Lectureship for the Churches of Christ

March 24th-27th, 2008 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Host Church: Powderly Church Of Christ

Host Minister: Evangelist W.C. Edwards

Theme: "Standing at the Crossroads"- We will exam contemporary issues facing the church.

http://www.bham64nl.com/home.html

For a tentative listing of Speakers, Topics and Workshops - http://expalot.blogspot.com/2008/03/lectureship-is-just-few-days-away.html

Registration: $159

Please send all corespondence and to fees to:

2008 National Lectureship

P.O. 110415

Birmingham, Alabama 35211

Contact number (205)925-4041

Host Hotel: Sheraton Hotel at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Downtown, 2101 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd.

To make reservations please call (800)325-3533 and enter the group code(COCC21) and reserve your room under the group name 64th Annual National Lectureship.

Room Rates:

Single -$106

Double(2)-$106

Triple(3)-$113

Quad(4)-$113

Second Hotel

Holiday Inn Birmingham

(800)465-4329

Make sure to refer to the 64th COC National Lectureship for the group rate.

Super Bowl Champs New York Giants

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

New York is in the house!! The Giants beat the Giant! You know what I mean.

Super Bowl Champs

Nobody was able to stop Brady and the Patriots all year, until now.

HOLLA!!!!

Two things I saw as I watched the game of the century, surrounded by members of the Kings Church of Christ.

First, I saw a team that had everything to lose and a team that never should've been there. The problem with a perfect record is that you have a lot to lose outside of the game at hand. That's alot of pressure. The Patriots played to keep what they had. The Giants played like they had nothing to lose. They wanted it more.

Second, I was reminded that heart matters. You need passion to keep you going. You need a big heart to overcome huge obstacles. You can be outmatched in skill, stats, pointspreads and whatnot, but heart makes the diffrence. You gotta want it more. Eli and the Giants wanted it. They scrapped out a win. Tooth and nail style fisticuffs. Made the blood boil.

Go New York!!!

You deserve the place for my 50th Blog.

Celebrate!!!

Please pray for Hamilton Landrum. I'm afraid for him. He didn't look good at all when we left church.

Fredrick Douglas

Douglas is my favorite champion among the great heroes of the movement. His story strikes a resounding chord in my heart, because he went from slave to abolitionist. He broke out of his bonds and then came back for those left behind. Sounds familiar.

I also loved the story of him stealing an education. This was a time when Blacks were not allowed to learn how to read or write. At an early age, he learned the alphabet by competing with the son of his keeper. One day he would brag and say, "Look what I can do," writing an A on a board with coal. Then came the hook, "Bet you can't beat that." Of course the young boy couldn't resist showing his superior knowledge, "Aw that's nothing, look at this," writing a B, C, and D.

This would go on for days until Fredrick learned the entire alphabet. Brilliant. Even today, many don't know how to take a loss in order to win. He went from ignorant slave, to educated slave, to runaway educated slave, to prolific writer, famous orator, charasmatic leader, and Ambassador of the United States. All from stealing ABC's. He did more with a stolen education than many of us do with free.

Here are some great quotes from this great man.

"Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the roar of its many waters."

"To make a contented slave it is necessary to make a thoughtless one. It is necessary to darken the moral and mental vision and, as far as possible, to annihilate the power of reason."

"I assert most unhesitatingly, that the religion of the South is a mere covering for the most horrid crimes - a justifier of the most appalling barbarity, a sanctifier of the most hateful frauds, and a dark shelter under which the darkest, foulest, grossest, and most infernal deeds of slaveholders find the strongest protection."

"Without struggle, there is no progress."

"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did, and it never will."

"I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs"