Ephphatha Book Companion

Literary Society
What comes to mind when you think of a literary society? The link for this section will show the Male and Female Literary Society established around 1837 after schools were opened for African American children in Philadelphia. What I would like is for your eyes to be opened [ephphatha] along with mine while we study black thought and culture as a primary focus. However, I read classic literature and I am open to discussion of other topis as well. I'm not under the mistake that the other people of color don't discuss multicultural literature.
MyLibrary
I've opened a library with google and a reader that features the Sankofa Literary Society. The goal is to network and bring literarcy to the forefront of our study. The book I'm currently reviewing is Daughter's of Dignity Women in the Bible and the virtues of Black Womanhood by Laverne McCain Gill.
Challenge
I challenge you to engage in the future for yourself and your generations to follow. Genealogy is a popular subject and one day our letters will probably appear somewhere in a database with the topic of popular culture 21st century school.
Our daily bible study today is I Chronicles 15:1-3, 11-15 Old Testament.
The Ark is Brought to Jerusalem The Ark is Brought to Jerusalem
David assemble all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD. The Levite priests are requested to be the only ones to minister to the LORD and carry the ark. However the is no mention of the Levites in the ecclesia of David in II Samuel chapter 6. One thing for certain is that we know the primary goal is to worship the LORD God Almighty creator of heaven and earth. He then proceeds to give a roll call of the headmen in the village. The request now is to sanctify themselves before the ceremony of the ark. They were being sept apart for a sacred ritual. Being in the consecarted area one needed purity of heart and mind. That is what we will be achieving by the ephphatha mantra. Constant study and quest for righteous knowledge and how to apply to our daily life. This is a sacred vow to be involved in the Christian renewal. Achievment is the only spirit in this capitalist society. Ephphatha mantra request that we be open and adhere to the spirit of love and peace. That way we give off joy and hope from our spiritual aura. Morally sanctioned by the law of man and GOD we need not be ignorant of our potential. Let us encourage ourselve. Let us be in touch with our spirit.
"Male and Female Literary Societies"

Bush's African Visit!

President Bush pledges one million schoolbooks for Liberian children. The Partners in Education program was witnessed by first lady Laura Bush. Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf welcomed Bush into the capital city Monrovia. The United States has made an effort to revitalize Liberia's economy. This exceptional educational effort will bring forth fuits for tomorrow. Bush's efforts are applauded to engage not only in a military economy; also a econmic venture for the people.
The CME Church has a mission in Liberia. I lost contact with the church in Monrovia at the beginning of the war threat.
Let us lift holy hands in prayer to recognize good deeds are coming our way in life. Let us pray for a president who has been burdened with a terror war. Now experience wellness in breaking the old african colonization ties of slavery to equal opportunity. Gone from us should be the thought that only one group is welcome in the opportunity of democracy. Gone from us is the notion that slavery be a bargaining chip to restore a union full of pain and sorrow off of another man's labor. Pray away the myth that Africa is inferior.
Ephphatha {Be Opened} to the will of our LORD AND Savior Jesus Christ. Bring us into the healing power of Christ, Amen!

Blessedness as an Affirmation of Faith

Hearing the Word

Jacob had become a old man and felt his lifespan was near finished. The principal wife loved of him Rachel; was deceased. That wounded relationship experienced another tear; when Joseph became entangled with his brothers and was removed to Egypt. The channel of slaverly brought Joseph to his purpose in restoring the harvest in part. He likewise will be blessed by his father Jacob and the gentile thought that someone other than a descendant of Abraham's flesh will be given coveant. The faith is established as a legacy through generations in accord with customary law. The ritual observances are today even built around our faith in the word of God and our reponse in prayer. We are missionaries, here to spread the word in truth, deed, hope, faith, and preservance. When Jacob blesses Joseph's sons he switch's the elder to the younger, and announces that they will both be a great nation. Again here we witness creation of faith being spread to other communities beside that of father Abraham. The "hand of blessing" becomes known as a wondrous grace, not because of the way it is always gone. We must focus and reconcile the fact that our blessing is an invocation of the divine persona manifested in his ever present being to man and his domain.

Question: Does our culture have enough respect for the power and importance of words to find any real meaning in "words of blessing"? Does our church?

Suffering Caused by Injustice

CME Church

23rd Sunday after Pentecost Eleventh Sunday of Kingdomtide 04 Nov 2007 Year C Green
I Thessalonians 1.1-4
Salutation
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the LORD Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the LORD Jesus Christ!
Thanksgiving
That is, we are inseparably formed and created by God Almighty. Connected with and by our risen savior Jesus Christ, the quickening spirit, in this journey of life. Our devotional prayer life gives thanks to God always. The attachment becomes complete when we continue growing in faith where persecution is nearby. There is a time, where we recognize our moral obligation to the neighbor seeking justice. Our destiny is to realize that only right relations with the needy; and the continuing resolution of poverty and injustice is a boundary of the heavens.
The Judgment of God
Certain death is separation from Christ. Let us be sure that we hold steadfast to our faith. Remember, God is the all in all! Sure and endless ruin in separation from Christ is an eternal destruction. Not injustice or gone away, just forgotten. Let us be sure that we do not miss the mark. Will you let your spiritual life lead you to pray for your community?

Prayer Request:
Show some conservative ecology to the environment soon, use environmental friendly sources of energy, such as windmill electricity.

Humility does Censure Faith

Imani {Faith} as the Principle of Love

Attitude is a social emotion that we live by when going about daily tasks. Sometimes life experience dictate that we interact to give certain impressions of how we want to be known among our peers. However, what people observe most often are our critique on what went on in the office, at church, home or in the neighborhood. What we fail to recognize is that this affect has quite a bit to do with our well being and sense of wholeness. Do you have enough attitude to say I don't like that or I don't think that's right and try to do something about it?

You know we have a basic need to be accepted and loved. Just because something does not go your way, doesn't mean that you're not deserving of devotion. Honorarium and happiness are paradox in communal association. When we seek approval, of course there is always a if situation. Righteousness toward other's does reduce the risk we must take when we give out of love. You know it might be a good idea to seek out those opportunities to give and share outside of our comfort zone.

What is necessary to recieve the blessing? Give charitably might be one answer. Likewise we need take personal reflection and ponder why outcomes changed situations. Was our intention in community boastful or simply to enjoy the bounty given by God's grace. Perhaps the host would change our guest list when the invite was not accepted without excuse. Simply because others demanor and perception was of no value to their status. Our actions show that we are not worthy and need guidance, assurance and teaching to be able to share God's kingdom.

Pray: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

nationalchurchushers.org

Revised Common Lectionary

Introduction Haggai 1.15b-2.9

Cyrus published a decree 538 BC that allowed fugitive refugee Jews return to Palestine. Likewise the disparate population was to restore the temple at Jerusalem (Ezra 1.1-4). The new temple was finished spring 515 BC. Zechariah prophesied from 520 BC to 518 BC, who similarly was a contemporary with Haggai (Ezra 5.1; 6.14). Their common goal was rebuilding the temple, community purification, and announcement of the messianic age. Haggai and Zechariah link to Ezekiel's earlier prophecy and the mature apocalyptic thought of Daniel chapters 7-12.

This disruption and restoration of the chosen life would find (Nia) purpose in the revelation and renewal of covenant. The leaders of the Judean community received five exhortations during the sixth through the ninth months 520 BC. Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest were encouraged to join in (Umoja) unity that the temple project be successful. The hope in (imani) faith prophecy would bring God's blessing and establish the messianic king from the throne of David.

Foundation

The new temple was to be as splendid, if not more so than Solomon's. The temple was raised in 'the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God. The peoples collective remembrances whence they came from Egypt with a promise in their assembly cried, I am with you! "My Spirit abides among you, fear not." The prophet Haggai questions: 'Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not in your sight as nothing?

The LORD claims all, in a little while, glory. The LORD of hosts will shake heavens, earth, sea, dry land, and nations so that treasure will come in. Everything and all creation belongs to God Almighty. How do you see it now?

http://thechristianindexonline.blogspot.com/

http://www.sankorepress.com/bookstore2.html

Feminine Dimensions of the Sacred

Earth Mother Goddess

Sacred feminine water of the Deep
Holy, praise the current of life!

Woman thy womb
fruit is the Earth
Hallowed be eternal bliss*

Wave the current Erotica
Intimate place speak
Bring me the divine Spirit!

Concubine of man and Earth
treasue of the Mist
release the passion Eros evolved!

Circle of Woman, Fire, Air, Water
consumate the orgasmic seed
Crone to Being, Blessed Be!

Mother do not decieve me!
Fire came to me in the heathen Forest
Creation opened my Womb!

Further Reading & Book Review:

http://www.sankorepress.com/bookstore1.html