NATION'S BURDENS OF PROOF AND REPROOF ON THE COURTS

NATIONAL BURDENS OF PROOF AND REPROOF ON THE COURTS If the state and federal judiciaries can check the deadly, draconian overreaching of President Donald Trump; in Congress; and in most Republican-held state legislatures, the judges would have done well! Not only will they have preserved our system of government, but will have vindicated the wisdom of its founders and amenders whose labors and lives have been justified!

PAEAN TO MAGIC

PAEAN TO "MAGIC" Magic need not abide the laws of nature, and frequently defies them. Human life is magical. All about it is magical from birth through life into death and union with the universe. Magic answers for me all questions of human provenance, terminus, interregnum; plus Big Bang; origin of all species ; elements; all else. That there is a universe is similarly magical. My love for God, for life, religion, philosophy, music, writing, geometry, literature, beauty, poetry, humanity, nature, science, artistry, yields my appreciation for magic . What after all is "idiopathic" or of "no known etiology," in law and medicine, but magic? What are irrational, infinitely non-repeating numbers but magic? What explains the relations Phi and Pi in nature, in mathematics' constants but magic? What explains my speaking to you silently, or any communication but magic? My belief in magic is belief in God, whence magic and all else rises, abides, falls, returns, to God. Thus however known, named, nomenclated, magic is the holy spirit suffusing existence.

EYES

The eyes have it! So ordered!

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A FUGITIVE NEGRO

“AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A FUGITIVE NEGRO”: EXCERPTS 02/27/17 By Rev. Dr. Larry Delano Coleman I was utterly amazed today reading AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A FUGITIVE NEGRO by Rev. Samuel Ringgold Ward (1855, 1970). I study black history year-round, and have done so, for years. Therefore, imagine my surprise in reading this quotation which I would have ordinarily attributed to Booker T. Washington, who was born a year after this book was published in 1856: “I have known a black man to move into a neighborhood where it was difficult for him to rent a house to live in, because of his color; but edging his way in, and proving himself to be as good a mechanic, farmer, laborer, or artisan, as anyone else, he was sure to be patronized and respected by the very best customers. I have known whites to go hear a Negro lecture, or preach, just for the fun of the thing: they have come away saying the most extravagant things in his favor. My advice to our people always was, Do the thing you do in the best possible manner: if you shoe a horse, do it so that no white man can improve it; if you plow a furrow, let it be plowed to perfection's point; if you make a shoe, make it to bespeak further patronage from the fortunate wearer of it; if you shave a man, impress him with the idea that 'such' shaving is a rare luxury; if you do no more that black boots, send him out of your boot-black shop looking towards his feet, divided in his admiration as between the blacking and the perfection of its application. As one of our own poets hath it, Honor and fame from no distinction rise: Act well your part—there all the honor lies.” p. 68-69. I am reminded of the scripture, Colossians 3:23-24New International Version (NIV) “23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” I have recently deduced from my study of Euclid's Elements that “Euclid” was an African—a black man to be more precise—based on several sources online. Imagine, then, my surprise again to read the following in Rev. Ward's book: “Nor would I degrade myself by arguing the equality of the Negro with the white; my private opinion is, that to say the Negro is equal morally to the white man, is to say very little. As to his intellectual equality, Cyprian, Augustine, Tertullian, Euclid and Terence, would pass for specimens of the ancient Negro, exhibiting intellect beyond the ordinary range of modern literati, before the present Anglo-Saxon race had even an origin.” p.63 The foregoing excerpt evokes Nahum 3:9-10, which reads: “Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers. Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains. Nah.3:9-10 Need I reiterate that there is nothing new under the sun?

NO LACK TO LAMENT

NO LACK TO LAMENT To lament some lack in oneself, in one's nation, in mankind is to presume the existence of innate capacity to not-lack; is to presume that some lack begets lack; gives rise to lack; which, if done properly would eliminate lack. If that presumptive innate capacity to not-lack, to avoid lack,does not exist, in oneself, in one's nature, or mankind, there can be no lack in anything; hence, there is nothing to lament. Such a perspective would lower man to the level of all the rest of life. The rest of life, plant, animal, insect, mineral, microbe, gas, atom, matter, energy, darkness, light: all of these lack discretion, to divert, to do other, to be other, than what it is. So, too, do planets, galaxies, stars, comets, asteroids, meteors lack the divine power that we have so boldly, so ambitiously have arrogated unto ourselves: being able to divert destiny, to transform ourselves, to opt-out of what we are, out of what humans have been created to be, along with all life! Imagine that! All sin, All guilt, All forgiveness, All failure, All "lack" are but matters of points of view, perspectives, cosmologies, religious dogmas, overlays on natural creation!

BREAKFASTING WITH BAPTISTS

BREAKFASTING WITH THE BAPTISTS Back in the middle 1990s, after accepting the call to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, I began to have breakfasts with Baptists. I was an AME (African Methodist Episcopal) pastor of a very tiny church in Butler, Missouri, with only 1 (one) member, which fact greatly amused my Baptist friends, some of whom had hundreds. My singularity also facilitated their acceptance of me, since who but one with a profession, a lawyer, could afford to drive 60 miles south of KC to preach to just one member twice a month? Included in that "singularity" notion was humility, since the Bible teaches that one will be made a ruler over many by God, who excels with the few in good works. They kidded me about this one member often as we bonded. In truth, although I began with one official "member," two or three others had died, or just drifted away. And "member" is a term of art. "Member," to me, is whoever shows up with regularity, who contributes to the ministry financially and/or by helpful activity. By that criteria, it would be fair to say that our membership at Brooks Chapel A.M.E. Church, in Bates County, Missouri, blossomed to between 12-20, during my tenure there from 1995-2004. Enough to do God's work. Our breakfasts were times of fellowship and frivolity, for preachers love to laugh and have fun too, especially with each other. Being a very low-ranking AME, they accepted me as one of their own. Some even invited me to preach at their churches. We became brothers. Although, the old Niecie's Restaurant formerly on Prospect in KC is now gone, as are some of my favorite Baptist breakfast brothers, I thought it not robbery to remember them this morning at breakfast.

NO LACK TO LAMENT

To lament some lack in oneself, in one's nation, in mankind is to presume the existence of innate capacity to not-lack; is to presume that some lack begets lack; gives rise to lack; which, if done properly would eliminate lack. If that presumptive innate capacity to not-lack, to avoid lack,does not exist, in oneself, in one's nature, or mankind, there can be no lack in anything; hence, there is nothing to lament. Such a perspective would lower man to the level of all the rest of life. The rest of life, plant, animal, mineral, microbe, gas, atom, matter, energy, light: all lack discretion, to divert, to do other, to be other than what it is. So, too, do planets, galaxies, stars, comets, asteroids lack the power that we presume ourselves to have to divert, opt-out. Imagine that! All sin, All guilt, All forgiveness, All failure, All lack is but matters of points of view, perspective, cosmology, religious dogmas!

ANCIENT EGYPT'S "NEAR EAST" HISTORY

Ancient Egypt's "Near East" History "The Euphrates . During the New Kingdom (15067-1085 BC), Egypt conquered the Near East all the way down to the Euphrates , an Asian river." I have for a long time suspected that the black ancient Egyptians had conquered their "Near East," neighbors, as attested above by Dr. Theophile Obenga in AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY: THE PHARAONIC PERIOD 2780-330 BC (2006), 297. Dr. Theophile Obenga's learned disclosure corroborates much of what I had read elsewhere, about black history, including iconic black poet, Langston Hughes ' immortal poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers." In that epic encomium the historic Euphrates River is specifically mentioned: "I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young." https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-p…/…/detail/44428 But, Obenga is adamant. He adds, going far beyond that one river : "Ancient Egypt had an extremely interesting history of interactions with countries far and near. Throughout that history, a salient theme was the high prestige of the land of the pharaohs, source of the arts, philosophy, astronomy, religion, international law, and the concept of national identity reinforced by diplomacy and well-patrolled national borders. Pharaonic Egypt gave a great deal to, and received little from, the Aegean, Syrio-Palestinian , Phoenician, and other regions. Writing and philosophy originated from pharaonic Egypt, then spread to Phoenicia, the remainder of the western Mediterranean regions, and the Syrio-Palestinian corridor . Egypt was no less than the teacher of these Aegean and Asian cultures. Never did Egypt pay tribute to Libya, Crete, Syria, Israel, Phoenicia, or to the Hittite, Assyrian , Babylonian, and Sumerian kings. It was the Cretans, Aegeans, Syrians, Phoenicians and Assyrians who, acknowledging the pharaoh's authority, sent him annual tributes for centuries on end. "Western historiography buries facts under a lethal haze, as if Western consciousness would be damaged by the simple recognition of historical realities, all verifiable from genuine written documents, paintings, and sculpture." P. 299-300.

RAMSES II AND THE HITTITE KING'S TREATY OF PEACE

"Ramses II (1301-1325) and Hattusil, the Hittite king (around 1280 BC) signed a treaty of 'peace and fraternity' based on the principle of reciprocity . This same Ramses, surrounded by Hittites at Kadesh, an ancient Syrian town near Homs, reportedly triumphed singlehanded , 'having no army with him,' thanks to the help of his father Amon. "At stake was the maintenance of his hegemony in the Syrian corridor. With this peace treaty between black Egyptians and Indo-European Hittites, international law was born. "Egypt taught Asia improved techniques of stone sculpture, drawing, painting, and architectural construction at a time when the magical prestige of Egyptian art was all-pervasive , as the prince of Byblos attested before Wenamun. In effect, the arts and sciences (geometry, astronomy, philosophy, religion, writing) originated in black Egypt. They then spread outward to influence and educate the ancient Mediterranean world. "Neither Plato nor Aristotle ever denied Egyptian anteriority. "But in the teeth of the evidence, some modern philologists have performed incredible acrobatic distortions to skew the historical record." P.296-297, "Ancient Egyptian Geography: The Near East," AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY: THE PHARAONIC PERIOD 2780-330 BC, by Dr. Theophile Obenga (2006)

INTRAVENOUS TRUTH FEEDING NEEDED

The United States of America desperately needs continuous, intravenous, truth infusions to counteract those continuously viral, intravenous infusions of lies, predating its founding in 1789. Openly lying is now official federal policy. It was formerly concealed custom. This official accretion now subverts founding documents, acclaimed values, all domestic and international boasts & violates its own laws!

"RABID INTEGRATIONISM"

I regret that Lincoln University's Law School closed too soon , wherever it may have been situated, within Missouri, St. Louis or Jefferson City! Our predecessors ' penchant for integration, exclusively, was most unfortunate for our posterity. Famed attorney Margaret Bush Wilson graduated from that law school. We accepted her as an "honorary" graduate of our Howard University Law School at annual Missouri Bar luncheons, that I used to host, due to Lincoln's now being extinct . That is the lesson that I draw from studying our history. We "educated blacks" were too willing to leave money on the table--as Dr. John W. Davis did in 1939 at West Virginia State ($4M)--that could have been used to develop his own graduate program; but preferred integration at the University of West Virginia for just a few . This tendency persists until today even. I refer to it as "rabid integrationism."

TRUTH NEEDED IN USA

The United States of America desperately needs continuous, intravenous, truth infusions to counteract those continuously viral, intravenous infusions of lies, predating its founding in 1789. Openly lying is now official federal policy. It was formerly concealed custom. This official accretion now subverts founding documents, acclaimed values, all domestic and international boasts & violates its own laws!

HIDDEN FIGURES, EXCERPT...

"In 1939, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund filed suit against the state of Virginia on behalf of a black teacher at Norfolk's Booker T. Washington High School. The black teacher and her colleagues, including the principal, earned less than the school 's white janitor. The NAACP 's legal eagles , led by the fund's chief counsel, Charles Hamilton Houston, and Houston 's top deputy , a gangly, whip-sharp, Howard University law school grad named Thurgood Marshal shepherded the 'Alston v. Norfolk' case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ordered Virginia to bring Negro teachers salaries up to the white teachers' level . It was a victory, but a year too late for Katherine [Goble] : when a $110 a month job offer came from a Morgantown , West Virginia, high school for the 1939 school year, Katherine jumped at it . Pay equalization might have been a battle in Virginia, but West Virginia got on board without a fight.... "In the spring of 1940, at the end of a busy school day, Katherine was surprised to find Dr. Davis, the president of her alma mater, waiting outside her classroom. After exchanging pleasantries with his former student, Davis revealed the motive for his visit. As a board member of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Davis worked closely with Charles Houston and Thurgood Marshall in the slow, often dispiriting, and sometimes dangerous prosecution of legal cases on behalf of black plaintiffs in the South. The Norfolk teachers' case was just one of many in their master plan to dismantle the system of apartheid that existed in American schools and workplaces. "In anticipation of the day that had come, Davis, as shrewd a political operative as he was an educator, had walked away from an offer of $4 million from the West Virginia legislature to fund a graduate studies program at West Virginia State College. Davis' gamble was that if there were no graduate program at the Negro college, all-white West Virginia University would be compelled to admit blacks to its programs under the Supreme Court's 1938 'Missouri ex rel Gaines v. Canada' decision. West Virginia 'S Governor saw the handwriting on wall : the choice was to integrate or , like its neighbor to the east , dig in and contest the ruling. Rather than fight , Holt moved to integrate the state 's public graduate schools, asking his friend Davis in a clandestine meeting to handpick three West Virginia State College graduates to desegregate the state university, starting in the summer of 1940. "'So I picked you ,' Davis said to Katherine that day outside her classroom; two men, then working as principals in other parts of West Virginia would join her." P.70, 74-75, "Those Who Move Forward," HIDDEN FIGURES by Margot Lee Shetterly (2016)

1ST NBA CHAPLAIN

I seldom mention that I am a former Chaplain of the National Bar Association (NBA), in fact, I was its first Chaplain, and was founder of its section on Law and Religion in 2005, in Charlotte, North Carolina. A friend reminded me of this fact , just this morning; one that I have taken for granted, as gratuitously granted : nothing special about it.

hope help no hinder

one may hope. one may help. but whatever one does, do not hinder!

BONDS

INDELIBLE BONDS Don't do anything or say anything here that may sully anything there; because wherever "there" may be, a connection exists between them. For, it is written in scripture that "wherever you are, there will I be also." Genesis 28:15 It also says that "your descendants will be like the dusts of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring." Genesis 24:14. Amen.

MISSOURI JUDICIARY HELP NEEDED

As the federal judiciary has served to check President Donald Trump's executive orders on immigration, to this point, may the Missouri courts similarly prove to be no less vigilant in checking the abuses arising in the Missouri legislature, with regard to amending employment discrimination statutes, and unemployment insurance benefits!

FINISHING "THE SECOND MESSAGE OF ISLAM"

Yesterday, I finished reading THE SECOND MESSAGE OF ISLAM by Mahmoud Mohamed Taha (1996), an extremely important book, that was written by a Sudanese sage, and engineer, whose gentle, clear, edifying philosophy resulted in his execution in 1985, by Sudanese authorities. Fortunately, he left this work and others in his passing to instruct , enlighten, fortify others. I am a Christian. But, that fact did not dissuade me from reading this book or the Holy Qur'an, itself, in the 1980s, which had been given to me as a gift, by the Imam of a KC area temple at which I had spoken. The grace of God covers the earth, regardless of language, religion, or other human phenotypic variation. May those who read it be blessed!

THE SECOND MESSAGE OF ISLAM, EXCERPT

"Social equality is the most difficult type to achieve in practice. Since economic and political equality are the preludes to social equality, the latter has not yet been accomplished. It cannot be achieved in the future except by hard work , discipline, education , correction, and change of what is almost natural in human behavior . It will represent the peak of civilization when man moves away from his base animal drives and develops a superior moral character. The law of the jungle --the law of violence and oppressive force--will then be replaced by the law of justice, truth, compassion--thereby improving the quality of human relations. Consensus will replace force, justice exploitation, freedom oppression, and intelligent community awareness selfish individual drives. "The object of social equality, as in the case of economic equality, is the individual... the individual is the object of all social endeavor, through the means of Islam and the Qur'an. Society is also another method, being the best method yet devised by humanity. The individual who is the object of all means is the individual human being as such. Not even the lowest human being should be made a means to another end. This is why there should be no discrimination on the grounds of birth, race, faith, or sex. God says in this connection: 'O mankind , We have created you from a male and female; and We have made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily the most honorable among you, in the sight of God, is one who is the most righteous among you. Surely , God is All-Knowing, All-Aware.' (49:13) ... "Absence of social discrimination against the weak and removal of distinctions between individuals and classes are the true signs of civilization. A society which safeguards the rights of the weak, respects their dignity, secures freedom and honor for women, protects children, and is considerate , merciful , and loving to them, is truly a civilized and advanced society.... "In conclusion, we repeat that religion has a pyramid shape, the peak being with God at infinity, and the base with humanity: 'Religion with God is Islam. (6:19) In the past, religion has been lowered from its peak down to the level of human needs and capabilities, in the form of Shari'a. The peak of the pyramid will remain forever beyond our reach. As individuals each one will continue to develop in his understanding of religion, through knowledge of the material world and of ourselves. God says: 'We shall show them Our signs in the material world and within themselves until it becomes manifest to them that He is the Truth. Is your Lord not sufficient witness upon everything?' (41:53) He also says: 'They learn nothing of His knowledge except what he wishes them to learn.' (2:255) God wishes us to have more of His knowledge every moment. He says: 'Everyday He [reveals Himself] in a fresh state.' (55:29) in other words, He is always revealing Himself to His creation so that they may know Him. He is the one who is teaching us . He says: And make no haste to recite the Qur'an until its revelation is completed unto you , but only say, Lord, bestow on me increase of knowledge.' (20:114) Such additional knowledge is in fact higher ascent from the base of the pyramid of Islam to its peak in continuous evolution. As man develops in understanding of religion, he evolves his Shari'a in accordance with his needs and capabilities , which are increasingly refined and purified ." P.161-162, 165, THE SECOND MESSAGE OF ISLAM by Mahmoud Mohamed Taha (1996)

WHY ARE WE SO SHOCKED?

Why are they shocked? Try finding black apostles, disciples, Jesus in many black churches! All white or olive skinned. Few browns, no blacks but slaves! From many black pastors, bishops, lay leaders on down to the pew, most blacks subscribe to her sub rosa view! http://www.rawstory.com/2017/02/racist-black-history-month-essay-shocks-school-all-stories-in-the-bible-are-about-white-people/

FRUSTRATING SEARCH TODAY

FRUSTRATING SEARCH TODAY! Earlier today, I searched online for a photo or painting of black men studying the Bible. No luck. There were single black men but no groups. Or there were always white and black groups mixed together. My search continued for about an hour , until I used a lithograph of Bishop Richard Allen, founder of the AME Church , the AME seal. And a batik from Ramses III's era showing the different races of men. Because I study this subject matter rather intensely, I know that Egypt, Israel/Palestine of today, including Lebanon and Syria, were once held by Egypt or Kemet, the black land, by the black man and women for thousands of years. These same black people bequeathed Arts and Sciences, alphabet, mathematics; in short, civilization to the world! I also know Moses was raised in Egypt, Abraham found succor in Egypt , and Israel, whose youngest son was sold by his brothers into Egypt as a slave due to his nagging prophesy and his coat of many colors, given to him by Israel. That same Israel (Jacob) was buried in Egypt until his bones were removed by Joseph, that second to Pharaoh. Everything comes from God. Until black men, at a minimum, know this, and their responsibility for the knowledge of truth into which they were born, they must lag behind! No one is going to "admit" this to you! You had better get this and more for yourself ; so that you can work the work of Him that sent you; the night comes, when no man can work. So doing, you will work out your own salvation with fear (of God) and trembling! Hallelujah!

BIBLE STUDY

MY BIBLE STUDY WITH THE LATE REV. AARON NEAL. An old friend of mine, Rev. Aaron Neal, now deceased, taught me how to savor scripture: to taste it, each syllable of it. To take my time, when doing it. To read is one thing. But to savor it is quite another thing, altogether! A dramatic, even traumatic difference is experienced, as new insights, meanings, associates, yield to your touch, humbly, sweetly, obediently, conjugally, reverently, blessedly.

MEDITATIONS UPON A SINGLE SEED

MEDITATIONS UPON ANY SEED by Rev. Dr. Larry Delano Coleman 02/21/17 So much is buried inside of a single, tiny seed that it dwarfs our imagination. So many bio-algorithms long lay within one that none can pretend to know: From whence, or what, whither or thither, such complexity has come hither. But one seed of any type: apple, grape, peach, pear, coconut, wheat or grass. One seed. Any one seed packs life, perpetuity, possibility, ingenuity, superfluity, and gratuity. Meditate with me upon just one seed. Any seed. Then may we marvel at ourselves in its mirror.

THE DARK CHILD

"At the end of the third year I took the examinations for a certificate of proficiency. We were told that a minimum of sixty percent was required to pass the tests in technical and classical subjects and that the Conakry engineers were to be our examiners. Then the school designated the fourteen most likely candidates. Fortunately my name was among them. "I was determined to pass. I had worked hard for three years. I had never forgotten my promise to my father, nor the one I made to myself. I had always been among the three highest students and hoped to maintain my rating. But I wrote my mother to see the marabouts and get their help. Was I superstitious at the time? I do not think so. I simply believed that nothing could be obtained without God 's help, and that, even if His will were predetermined, our actions, though these too were predetermined, influenced it. And I felt that the marabouts were my natural intermediaries .... "Finally the exam came. It lasted three days. Three days of agony. But the marabouts must have given me all the help they could. Of the seven candidates who passed I was first." P.166-167, THE DARK CHILD by Camara Laye (1954)

MISCONCEPTIONS OF MAN AND GOD

MISCONCEPTIONS OF MAN/GOD To misconceive of mankind as "a miscarriage of divine intent," as certain religions have done, is to conceive of mankind as being an error, a 'lamented' mistake of God. This view, doctrine, dogma acts to abase God, to personify God as not "perfect," but as negligent as man. That mankind has coyly religiously accepted this view, deferred to its truth, for almost 2,000 years, itself, explains what is wrong with many! Dr. Alvin Kuhn, from whose book, THE REBIRTH OF CHRISTIANITY (2005), the above quotation was taken, continues this thought by saying that it is the natural frictions between the material and spiritual, not some "gift," are what actually induced the calling forth of Jesus Christ. What to many is deemed "miraculous" is as natural as birth in man, whose spiritual essence must overcome plethora physical challenges upon its transit into life. As the larval pupae must overcome their own protective sinecures, their natural cocoons, which have sustained them before maturity, so too by virtue of more struggles, each pupa, before coming forth as lovely butterflies, created from patterns encoded by divine grace, must yet still struggle. So too must mankind struggle before emerging pursuant to those same encoded algorithms.

KICKING THE BAR EXAM'S ASS

KICKING THE BAR EXAM'S ASS "I'm gonna kick the bar's ass! No matter how difficult it may be. Let it be dripping with issues. Let it be saturated with exceptions. Let it be written in Japanese! I'm gonna kick its ass! My mother has prayed too long, too hard. My father has worked too long, too hard. I have studied too long, too hard! I'm gonna kick its ass, so help me God!" [i wrote the above self-exhortative poem the night before the Missouri Bar examination in February 1977. Forty years ago! It was brought back to mind, as I read of a similar engineering examination and very kindred exhortation experience in THE DARK CHILD (1954) by Camara Laye, tonight. He passed. And I passed! What a mighty God!]

PRE-SENCE

PRE-SENSE AND PRESENCE There is a pre-sense inside of we humans that precedes common senses, which latter senses may dispute that pre-sense, at times. That pre-sense or presence often protects us from ourselves, others, even from dangers, or mishaps, seen or unseen. We have no name for it, being barely aware of its prior presence ; although "instincts" or "intuitions"  are fair approximations. I was just reminded of its presence again today, and glorify God for the privilege, opportunity yet to do so!

EMAILS ABOUT ALEXANDER STEPHENS' "CORNERSTONE SPEECH" OF MARCH 21, 1861

EMAILS ABOUT "CORNER STONE " Our "regression" as African Americans from some hypothetical pre- enslavement ideals, is akin to the "Stockholm Syndrome," in which the victims identify with their tormentors; but worse for us, is that our is not limited to individuals. It is multi-generational, continental, global. Deprivation, degradation, alienation are all part of it, for vulnerable ones, spiritual emaciation is another, since they worship the image of the enemy as their God, limiting any emancipation! Sent from my iPhone On Feb 20, 2017, at 5:49 AM, ARTHUR wrote: Well, I am not going to dignify Stephens "Cornerstone Speech;" it is rife with wrong assertions about our fore fathers. We did come to this country as a people, many taken from royal stock. However, how did we regress to a race where so many of our men have been reduced to thugs, gang bangers, and the chronic unemployed? -------------------------------------------- On Sun, 2/19/17, wrote: Subject: INFAMOUS EXCERPTS FROM "CORNERSTONE SPEECH" OF MARCH 21, 1861 To: Date: Sunday, February 19, 2017, 12:41 PM http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/cornerstone-speech/ EXCERPTS FROM C.S.A. VICE PRESIDENT, ALEXANDER STEPHENS' "CORNERSTONE SPEECH" OF MARCH 21, 1861, REGARDING AFRICAN SLAVERY AS BASIS OF CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA'S PHILOSOPHIC, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION, AS CAUSE OF WAR. "But not to be tedious in enumerating the numerous changes for the better, allow me to allude to one other though last, not least. The new constitution has put at rest, forever, all the agitating questions relating to our peculiar institution African slavery as it exists amongst us the proper status of the negro in our form of civilization. This was the immediate cause of the late rupture and present revolution. Jefferson in his forecast, had anticipated this, as the “rock upon which the old Union would split.” He was right. What was conjecture with him, is now a realized fact. But whether he fully comprehended the great truth upon which that rock stood and stands, may be doubted. The prevailing ideas entertained by him and most of the leading statesmen at the time of the formation of the old constitution, were that the enslavement of the African was in violation of the laws of nature; that it was wrong in principle, socially, morally, and politically. It was an evil they knew not well how to deal with, but the general opinion of the men of that day was that, somehow or other in the order of Providence, the institution would be evanescent and pass away. This idea, though not incorporated in the constitution, was the prevailing idea at that time. The constitution, it is true, secured every essential guarantee to the institution while it should last, and hence no argument can be justly urged against the constitutional guarantees thus secured, because of the common sentiment of the day. Those ideas, however, were fundamentally wrong. They rested upon the assumption of the equality of races. This was an error. It was a sandy foundation, and the government built upon it fell when the “storm came and the wind blew.” Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner- stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth. This truth has been slow in the process of its development, like all other truths in the various departments of science. It has been so even amongst us. Many who hear me, perhaps, can recollect well, that this truth was not generally admitted, even within their day. The errors of the past generation still clung to many as late as twenty years ago. Those at the North, who still cling to these errors, with a zeal above knowledge, we justly denominate fanatics. All fanaticism springs from an aberration of the mind from a defect in reasoning. It is a species of insanity. One of the most striking characteristics of insanity, in many instances, is forming correct conclusions from fancied or erroneous premises; so with the anti-slavery fanatics. Their conclusions are right if their premises were. They assume that the negro is equal, and hence conclude that he is entitled to equal privileges and rights with the white man. If their premises were correct, their conclusions would be logical and just but their premise being wrong, their whole argument fails. I recollect once of having heard a gentleman from one of the northern States, of great power and ability, announce in the House of Representatives, with imposing effect, that we of the South would be compelled, ultimately, to yield upon this subject of slavery, that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics, as it was in physics or mechanics. That the principle would ultimately prevail. That we, in maintaining slavery as it exists with us, were warring against a principle, a principle founded in nature, the principle of the equality of men. The reply I made to him was, that upon his own grounds, we should, ultimately, succeed, and that he and his associates, in this crusade against our institutions, would ultimately fail. The truth announced, that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics as it was in physics and mechanics, I admitted; but told him that it was he, and those acting with him, who were warring against a principle. They were attempting to make things equal which the Creator had made unequal. In the conflict thus far, success has been on our side, complete throughout the length and breadth of the Confederate States. It is upon this, as I have stated, our social fabric is firmly planted; and I cannot permit myself to doubt the ultimate success of a full recognition of this principle throughout the civilized and enlightened world. As I have stated, the truth of this principle may be slow in development, as all truths are and ever have been, in the various branches of science. It was so with the principles announced by Galileo it was so with Adam Smith and his principles of political economy. It was so with Harvey, and his theory of the circulation of the blood. It is stated that not a single one of the medical profession, living at the time of the announcement of the truths made by him, admitted them. Now, they are universally acknowledged. May we not, therefore, look with confidence to the ultimate universal acknowledgment of the truths upon which our system rests? It is the first government ever instituted upon the principles in strict conformity to nature, and the ordination of Providence, in furnishing the materials of human society. Many governments have been founded upon the principle of the subordination and serfdom of certain classes of the same race; such were and are in violation of the laws of nature. Our system commits no such violation of nature’s laws. With us, all of the white race, however high or low, rich or poor, are equal in the eye of the law. Not so with the negro. Subordination is his place. He, by nature, or by the curse against Canaan, is fitted for that condition which he occupies in our system. The architect, in the construction of buildings, lays the foundation with the proper material-the granite; then comes the brick or the marble. The substratum of our society is made of the material fitted by nature for it, and by experience we know that it is best, not only for the superior, but for the inferior race, that it should be so. It is, indeed, in conformity with the ordinance of the Creator. It is not for us to inquire into the wisdom of His ordinances, or to question them. For His own purposes, He has made one race to differ from another, as He has made “one star to differ from another star in glory.” The great objects of humanity are best attained when there is conformity to His laws and decrees, in the formation of governments as well as in all things else. Our confederacy is founded upon principles in strict conformity with these laws. This stone which was rejected by the first builders “is become the chief of the corner” the real “corner-stone” in our new edifice. I have been asked, what of the future? It has been apprehended by some that we would have arrayed against us the civilized world. I care not who or how many they may be against us, when we stand upon the eternal principles of truth, if we are true to ourselves and the principles for which we contend, we are obliged to, and must triumph. Thousands of people who begin to understand these truths are not yet completely out of the shell; they do not see them in their length and breadth. We hear much of the civilization and Christianization of the barbarous tribes of Africa. In my judgment, those ends will never be attained, but by first teaching them the lesson taught to Adam, that “in the sweat of his brow he should eat his bread,” and teaching them to work, and feed, and clothe themselves."

"PECULIARITIES" OF MY PEOPLE

"PECULIARITIES" OF MY PEOPLE Earthly kinds produce in-kind. Thus every kind reproduces its own kind. Gen. 1:24-27 "Our peculiar institution," slavery, produced very "peculiar people." These peculiar people were those forcibly produced by that peculiar institution, slavery in the American South. They were once deemed to be, were actually proclaimed to be, the "cornerstone of a new nation" in the now infamous "Cornerstone Speech," given on March 21, 1861. During his epic speech, delivered by Alexander Stephens of Virginia, at Savannah, Georgia, Stephens was then Vice President of the new Confederate States of America (CSA). It seceded over the issue of slavery and of its "peculiar people!" https://www.facebook.com/larry.d.coleman1/posts/10155151641033689 That asseveration by Stephens would make us, reestablish us, African descendants, as "peculiar people," who were produced by a "peculiar institution;" yet, who are kindred to, related to, a "peculiar people" prophesied in the Bible: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation , a peculiar people; that ye should show forth praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9. "Ain't that peculiar?" inquires our late, legendary, Marvin Gaye! His 1960s hit song lyrics' answer our "peculiarity" questions, perfectly: https://play.google.com/…/prev…/T7gjccdhxieaki6vgy4736beeeq…  https://www.facebook.com/larry.d.coleman1/posts/10155151806298689

INFAMOUS "CORNERSTONE SPEECH" EXCERPTS OF ALEXANDER STEPHENS

http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/cornerstone-speech/ EXCERPTS FROM C.S.A. VICE PRESIDENT, ALEXANDER STEPHENS' "CORNERSTONE SPEECH" OF MARCH 21, 1861, REGARDING AFRICAN SLAVERY AS BASIS OF CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA'S PHILOSOPHIC, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION, AS CAUSE OF WAR. "But not to be tedious in enumerating the numerous changes for the better, allow me to allude to one other though last, not least. The new constitution has put at rest, forever, all the agitating questions relating to our peculiar institution African slavery as it exists amongst us the proper status of the negro in our form of civilization. This was the immediate cause of the late rupture and present revolution. Jefferson in his forecast, had anticipated this, as the “rock upon which the old Union would split.” He was right. What was conjecture with him, is now a realized fact. But whether he fully comprehended the great truth upon which that rock stood and stands, may be doubted. The prevailing ideas entertained by him and most of the leading statesmen at the time of the formation of the old constitution, were that the enslavement of the African was in violation of the laws of nature; that it was wrong in principle, socially, morally, and politically. It was an evil they knew not well how to deal with, but the general opinion of the men of that day was that, somehow or other in the order of Providence, the institution would be evanescent and pass away. This idea, though not incorporated in the constitution, was the prevailing idea at that time. The constitution, it is true, secured every essential guarantee to the institution while it should last, and hence no argument can be justly urged against the constitutional guarantees thus secured, because of the common sentiment of the day. Those ideas, however, were fundamentally wrong. They rested upon the assumption of the equality of races. This was an error. It was a sandy foundation, and the government built upon it fell when the “storm came and the wind blew.” Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner- stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth. This truth has been slow in the process of its development, like all other truths in the various departments of science. It has been so even amongst us. Many who hear me, perhaps, can recollect well, that this truth was not generally admitted, even within their day. The errors of the past generation still clung to many as late as twenty years ago. Those at the North, who still cling to these errors, with a zeal above knowledge, we justly denominate fanatics. All fanaticism springs from an aberration of the mind from a defect in reasoning. It is a species of insanity. One of the most striking characteristics of insanity, in many instances, is forming correct conclusions from fancied or erroneous premises; so with the anti-slavery fanatics. Their conclusions are right if their premises were. They assume that the negro is equal, and hence conclude that he is entitled to equal privileges and rights with the white man. If their premises were correct, their conclusions would be logical and just but their premise being wrong, their whole argument fails. I recollect once of having heard a gentleman from one of the northern States, of great power and ability, announce in the House of Representatives, with imposing effect, that we of the South would be compelled, ultimately, to yield upon this subject of slavery, that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics, as it was in physics or mechanics. That the principle would ultimately prevail. That we, in maintaining slavery as it exists with us, were warring against a principle, a principle founded in nature, the principle of the equality of men. The reply I made to him was, that upon his own grounds, we should, ultimately, succeed, and that he and his associates, in this crusade against our institutions, would ultimately fail. The truth announced, that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics as it was in physics and mechanics, I admitted; but told him that it was he, and those acting with him, who were warring against a principle. They were attempting to make things equal which the Creator had made unequal. In the conflict thus far, success has been on our side, complete throughout the length and breadth of the Confederate States. It is upon this, as I have stated, our social fabric is firmly planted; and I cannot permit myself to doubt the ultimate success of a full recognition of this principle throughout the civilized and enlightened world. As I have stated, the truth of this principle may be slow in development, as all truths are and ever have been, in the various branches of science. It was so with the principles announced by Galileo it was so with Adam Smith and his principles of political economy. It was so with Harvey, and his theory of the circulation of the blood. It is stated that not a single one of the medical profession, living at the time of the announcement of the truths made by him, admitted them. Now, they are universally acknowledged. May we not, therefore, look with confidence to the ultimate universal acknowledgment of the truths upon which our system rests? It is the first government ever instituted upon the principles in strict conformity to nature, and the ordination of Providence, in furnishing the materials of human society. Many governments have been founded upon the principle of the subordination and serfdom of certain classes of the same race; such were and are in violation of the laws of nature. Our system commits no such violation of nature’s laws. With us, all of the white race, however high or low, rich or poor, are equal in the eye of the law. Not so with the negro. Subordination is his place. He, by nature, or by the curse against Canaan, is fitted for that condition which he occupies in our system. The architect, in the construction of buildings, lays the foundation with the proper material-the granite; then comes the brick or the marble. The substratum of our society is made of the material fitted by nature for it, and by experience we know that it is best, not only for the superior, but for the inferior race, that it should be so. It is, indeed, in conformity with the ordinance of the Creator. It is not for us to inquire into the wisdom of His ordinances, or to question them. For His own purposes, He has made one race to differ from another, as He has made “one star to differ from another star in glory.” The great objects of humanity are best attained when there is conformity to His laws and decrees, in the formation of governments as well as in all things else. Our confederacy is founded upon principles in strict conformity with these laws. This stone which was rejected by the first builders “is become the chief of the corner” the real “corner-stone” in our new edifice. I have been asked, what of the future? It has been apprehended by some that we would have arrayed against us the civilized world. I care not who or how many they may be against us, when we stand upon the eternal principles of truth, if we are true to ourselves and the principles for which we contend, we are obliged to, and must triumph. Thousands of people who begin to understand these truths are not yet completely out of the shell; they do not see them in their length and breadth. We hear much of the civilization and Christianization of the barbarous tribes of Africa. In my judgment, those ends will never be attained, but by first teaching them the lesson taught to Adam, that “in the sweat of his brow he should eat his bread,” and teaching them to work, and feed, and clothe themselves."

FREEDOM "SHAREHOLDERS"

FREEDOM "SHAREHOLDERS" There are many forms of ministry that avail themselves to blessedly loving persons. Many forms, I say. Just now, I am reading of how a Quaker, Levi Coffin of Cincinnati went about his charitable labor of collecting contributions from fellow merchants with "stock in the Underground Railroad," as they termed it, with which to supply the needs of, then forward onwards desperate, daring, needy fugitive slaves to family freedom in Canada in the 1840s, my heart rejoices! As he recounts his encounters with those merchants, some whom he just barely knows, including those who are less than well disposed, but whom his powerful example and testimony still convicts, then secretly converts into contributing "shareholders," I cannot help but feel that this man was doing the Lord's work! Indeed that very work to which he was specially born. How blessed are we who know and do that ministry to which we were born, for which we are called to do. I am reading REMINISCENCES OF LEVI COFFIN, edited and abridged by Ben Richmond (2006), 219-223

TRUMP LOVE SPREAD ABROAD

TRUMP LOVE ❤️ SPREAD ABROAD President Donald Trump is certainly spreading whimsical and capricious American love all around. It used to be that it was we, black folks, who suffered disproportionately, if not exclusively, from the public disdain. Now, by the President mocking the Constitution, the press, the Courts, trade agreements, usual protocols , he has spread much disdainful love all around to his voters, supporters! Such largesse is most unexpected, but is surely welcomed by we who are weary, historically, constantly. Thank you, sir, for spreading love!

VINTAGE MILES WONDERMENT

"FACTS"

MY DEFINITION OF "FACTS" Since Donald Trump was elected as President of the United States, the term "alternative facts" has entered our national vocabulary. Alternative or alternatives are self-evident, meaning more than one . What is not so evident, however, is the true definition of "fact." That four-letter word is power-packed! I recall seeing a set of tomes in a law library distinguishing "fact and law." Until seeing that treatment of fact and law, their distinction had not occurred to me over years of legal practice. There were rules of evidence that governed proffers of factual evidence into the courts, which were riddled with exceptions being rules that we had no choice but to review continually, if in trial. My qualifications to inject myself into this lexical dispute are these: I have a Bachelors of Arts degree in print journalism (cum laude); am a former newspaper editor in chief, at Howard University's "Hilltop," which is where I also graduated law school. I am an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (retired), and I am, additionally, a voracious reader of classic works. That will suffice . By this very brief essay I have decided to try to help to unravel the uproar over "alternative facts." Facts are demonstrable evidence. Facts are far more than assertions: oral, written, graphic, cyber. Facts are laden with, burdened by, proof. No proof no facts. Belief is not fact. Belief is but an accepted assertion of fact, that is acceptable to someone or group. Without proof in nature, in science, in mathematics, or in some other source that is capable of empirical, measurable, objective third-person demonstration, no facts have been established: independently, reliably objectively; only a version of such . Thus, unless an assertion is proven out of the mouths of two or three witnesses, no facts are established, says, even the Bible in 2 Cor 13:1. Indeed, the Bible demands proof of facts in many passages repeatedly! Thus, "alternative facts" that are unproven are not facts, just words. Thanks 🙏🏿 

FOUR FEATURES OF A "VISION"

FOUR FEATURES OF A "VISION" What cannot eat, dies. Same goes for what does not drink or breathe. These three support bases sustain systems in life along with excretion. Sunshine, exercise, interactions help improve life's quality, but are not as fundamentally essential to the process of life's sustentation, as the four features named above . Labor is among the most vital of all the interactions among humans, as food, water, shelter, clothing, child rearing, defense, all acculturation, etc., must be systematized in some manner, under some viable aegis: family, tribe, city, nation, standard, religion, language, philosophy, as agglutinating forces of some kind. Coordinated labor is the solid bed where, upon which, life's anchors must successively rest, to stabilize, to resupply, human vessels when they are navigating to destinations. But coordinated labor demands an overarching design or some vision, since "where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he." Prov. 29:18. Any vision or overarching design, whatsoever, that does not address the four basic features of a solid bed upon which coordinated human labors may periodically anchor, rest, stabilize, resupply, in route, namely: food, drink, breath, excretion, at an absolute minimum, is doomed to end up in some dung heap of desuetude, abandoned . On the other hand, systematically addressing these four critical features may assure successful implementation of the vision, for then, the people will have energy to work. Energy is as needed as will! Jesus said to Simon, "Do you love me? ...Feed my sheep." John 21:17

OF "NO" AND "ALL" AND ORIGEN

OF "NO" and "ALL" and ORIGEN If no means no, then all means all. The above declaration or idea was inspired by my reading in ON FIRST PRINCIPLES (2013), Chapter VI, "The Consummation of the World," by Origen, 3rd Century African philosopher and, perhaps, the first Christian theologian, who writes: "Now when it is promised that in the end God is 'all in all' (1 Cor 15:28), we must not imagine, in strictly logical wise, that animals either cattle or wild beasts, will come to the end, lest it should be implied that God dwells even in animals, whether cattle or wild beasts; neither will stocks and stones, lest it should be said that God dwells in them also. So, too, we must not suppose that any evil reaches that end, lest when it is said that God is 'all in all' he should be said to dwell even in some vessel of evil . "For although we say God is everywhere and in all things, for the reason that nothing can be empty of God, still we do not say it so as to mean that he now actually is in all things in which he is present. Hence we must look more carefully what this condition is that marks the perfection of blessedness , and the end of all things, in which God is said to be not only in all things, but even to be all things. Let us inquire, therefore, what are I these 'all things' which God shall be 'in all things' 1 Cor 15:28).  P. 324 1 Corinthians 15:28 (KJV) states: "And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." Having read scripture and Origen, I am obliged to reiterate the above: If no means no, then all means all. Where there can be no death, just as assuredly, there is no life; as life and death are not severable, but one; like day and night are one day, being but flipped as in wet and dry; positive and negative, inversions. God is not obliged to evade "evil" as most good men vainly try to do . In Isaiah 45:7, God says: "I form the light and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things." Thus, to my beloved brother, Origen, whom I love, I must state : If no means no, then all means all. Origen says: "And he will be all things in each person in such a way that everything which the rational mind, when purified from all the dregs of its vices and utterly cleared from every cloud of wickedness, can feel or understand or think will be all God and that mind will no longer be conscious of anything besides or other than God, but will think God and see God and hold God and God will be the mode and the measure of its every movement and in this way God will be all and all to it ." Id. 324 By now dear reader, having heard Origen out, I need not reiterate my thesis, but just to be clear, it is : " if no means no, then all means all."

I LOVE YOU

😍 I Love ❤️ YOU MY FRIENDS! I told a few friends that I love them today. A few true childhood friends from our youth, who played with me, who matured with me, who affected me, profoundly, by their presence, by their own essence. Love is very powerful, engendering, well worthy of remembering, from whence it comes and to whom it goes. As I have done for them, so do I now to you; that is confess that I love you too! You, you, you, & you!

REFLECTING LIGHT

REFLECTING ON LIGHT Leading lights ever shining above us, were released for us eons ago , already in formation, constellations. This frightening fact declares the certainty of our celestial efficacy as their chosen, unique, kindred when referent light streams unto earth to us from billions of light years away. What does this light say of that light, the patterns and formations of light streams; or say about us? Might not it say that : "For with you is the fountain of life, and in thy light shall we see light?" Psalms 36:9

FEMALES CAN ALSO BE LETHAL

FEMALES CAN ALSO BE LETHAL Thursday, February 16, 2017 By Rev. Dr. Larry Delano Coleman THE ASSASSINATION OF THE NORTH KOREAN LEADER’S HALF-BROTHER, KIM JONG NAM, IN MALASIA, BY POISONING, THIS WEEK, REMINDED ME OF MARY SURRATT AND “JACK THE RIPPER”, FOR SOME REASON. WOMEN ARE AS CAPABLE AS MEN IN ASSASSINATING OR MURDERING SOMEONE; MAYBE, MORE CAPABLE THAN MEN ARE THEY, SINCE THEIR FEMALE SEX BEGUILES MALE INDIFFERENCE TO THEIR TACIT DANGER. MARY SURRATT WAS A BOARDING HOUSE OWNER IN WASHINGTON, D.C. SHE WAS ALSO A CONFEDERATE SECRET SERVICE (CSA) AGENT FROM BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, THE VERY CITY THAT ABRAHAM LINCOLN AVOIDED IN 1861, WHEN COMING TO WASHINGTON VIA TRAIN, TO FIRST ASSUME THE PRESIDENCY. JOHN WILKES BOOTHE WAS HER LODGER. THESE FACTS ARE NOT GENERALLY KNOWN. I LEARNED THEM READING WILLIAM WELLS BROWN’S EXCELLENT, 1867 HISTORY OF BLACK TROOPS IN THE CIVIL WAR. HE SURMISES, FROM THESE SELDOM-MENTIONED-FACTS, AND OTHER EVIDENCE, THAT SHE WAS THE LEADER OF A CSA ASSASSINATION GANG THAT KILLED LINCOLN, AND ALMOST KILLED SECRETARY OF STATE, ABOLITIONIST, WILIAM SEWARD, ON THE SAME DATE, APRIL 15, 1865, AT THE SAME HOUR. THUS, “JACK THE RIPPER,” OF LONDON, ENGLAND, MAY WELL HAVE BEEN A FEMALE, LIKE MARY SURRATT, AND LIKE THE KILERS OF KIM JONG UN’S, HALF-BROTHER, IN KUALA UMPAR, MALAYSIA’S AIRPORT.

OBSERVATION

OBSERVATION IS LEARNING Observation instructs mightily. Seeing my dad interact with his dad taught me to be deferential, adoring; just as mom, her mom. I became deferential to and adoring of both of them by observing them. Actions deliver the goods directly! They communicate without words! 

REFUSE TO RECUSE?

REFUSE TO RECUSE ? Refusing to recuse presages some abuse of persons, process, truth and troth; else they'd have prudently done both; to honor themselves and to honor us all before fateful destiny enthralls, such narcissistic obstinacy!

FORWARD TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY

FORWARD TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY In nature nothing detests itself except man. Man detests himself even to the point of desecration of himself; suicide of himself, or of others, as well as himself. Never before our era has flesh not loved itself. Such self-hatred reproof, self-renunciation is abnegation, rebuke of one's Creator. Sometimes, cabals, gangs, tribes of self-haters find it convenient to unite to expedite their mutual destruction, death being but an incident of life to those who devalue the spiritual life. They attack what is nearby, close at hand, disguised as their victims, the better to destroy, kill, steal, or bully. They abhor the life that others adore, thus, by this evil mindedness acquire advantages over those without such. Far too often, evil is not contested. Then, the field of human endeavor is abandoned to "wicked," worldly ones by those who deem themselves the sole righteous ones of God. Made of softer stuff by training, these are less strident, less self-assertive, less self-assured. Thus, evil exploits, pillages, enslaves the ones who abdicate, who cede without a fight, who delimit their hopes, defer their expectations, and await the coming of what never left! More perverse than Satan is the man who so disregards life or his own life: "'Skin for skin!' Satan replied. A man will give all that he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." Job 2:4-5 "What manner of man is this," Mt.8:27, indeed? Either man, now? All manner of mankind exist, persist, subsist, as do all manner of anything else, everything else, under the sun, without exception. "Is" is also is not. Everything has a shadow in the light. One possible solution to the evil that besets the souls of some men, and the cowardice that besets the souls of other men, is to increase spiritual strength of their meat and drink. Stronger meat merits stronger drink. Hebrews 5:14-6:1 reads: "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity , not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and faith in God." Elementary school is over for those who are mature, there being no need to lay another foundation on one that has already been lain in Jesus Christ. Rather, new curricula, new teaching, new skills and new understandings are in order. Men now fly, x-ray, laser, tweet; do all manner of things that were previously unimaginable to men. "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, understood as a child, but when I became a man, I set childish ways aside." 1 Cor. 13:11. I have said all of that just to say this: New bodily coverings for our loins are needed after elementary school, due to natural growth; so too are longer coverings needed for our legs in bed. New food, new drink of strength and power, also, must be made. A new paradigm for a new day is required for all mankind. Humans' spirituality dynamic must be broadened to meet, accommodate new natural dynamics. We occupy one planet with one star and one moon; everything is on one. We too are one, therefore, despite our perceived, apparent differences, on the outside, our inner similarities, reproductive redundancies, fungible human features, and natures, reign over all history, multiplicity, prolixity. Amen 🙏🏿.

SPUTNIK AND 2016 COUP D'ETAT

SPUTNIK AND 2016 COUP D'ETAT Russia jumped ahead of us with Sputnik, remember? Grade school kids were introduced to new math, and patriotic nationalism, to catch up and pass them, technologically. This was back in the late '50s and early '60s. Names like Yuri Gorgen, Russian, Gus Grisham, American, resulted in a space race.Thus, John Kennedy's plan to put a man on the Moon met receptive audiences. Now, Russia's latest "Sputnik" may be its cybersecurity superiority capacity that has resulted in the election of United States President Donald Trump, in 2016, via cyber electoral hijinks involving its cyber security advantage. Meanwhile, Trump, whose claimed fortune, in the billions, was bankrolled from serial bankruptcies by a cadre of rich international Russian criminals, government or intelligence officials, according to some news reports! That would mean, if any of these bewildering speculations are true, that an American coup d'etat has just occurred on our watch, in our presence, without our knowledge!

Beauty of body and spirit

The body is beautiful, so too is the spirit.

'COURAGEOUS COLLABORATIONS'

This morning I read Mrs. Dana Tippin Cutler's outstanding commentary in the current issue of the JOURNAL OF THE MISSOURI BAR, "COURAGEOUS COLLABORATIONS," (linked below) Her quotations from Missouri's iconic wit, Mark Twain, on 'courage' --who is definitely one of my favorite authors--was then, improbably, exceeded by her references to an astute African (Ugandan) proverb, "Run Towards the Roar" to close her argument. We are blessed to have her as President of our bar in 2017! http://www.mobar.org/uploadedFiles/Home/Publications/Journal/2017/01-02/journal-janfeb17.pdf

RUN TOWARDS THE ROAR

https://steemit.com/vaccines/@canadian-coconut/run-towards-the-roar-what-this-african-proverb-means-to-this-mother-of-a-vaccine-injured-child-vaxxed-stories There is great wisdom in this AFRICAN proverb, being one that I have intuitively followed at critical times!

MATRIX OPENERS ARE "LEAD DOGS"

MATRIX OPENERS ARE "LEAD DOGS"! First born of every womb is God's. http://biblehub.com/exodus/34-19.htm As a matrix opener, I joy in being able to look back upon my more youthful siblings with fondness and delightful memories with fun-filled laughter, challenges, meals, travel, homes, games, stories, fights, love. Nothing like being the "lead dog," as daddy once called me, the one who set the standard, example, set the dinner table, too! Being it also includes washing dishes, windows, cars, clothes, and the boys, too! There was not always the mystique associated with being the first-born as is generally assumed. A lot of it was work, too! And teaching. But superior knowledge from sheer existence has its advantages. I do not begrudge my seniority; few eldest would cede their position to juniors. Even after I met several of my father's elder children, I was still, as ever, Mama's matrix opener. "Lead dogs" sound off !

CONSIDERING VALENTINE DAY'S "BRIDAL PRICE"

CONSIDERING VALENTINE’S DAY “BRIDAL PRICE” By Rev. Dr. Larry Delano Coleman Tuesday, February 14, 2017 “Dowry” and “curtsey” initially befuddled me in law school, in the 1970s, being foreign concepts and nomenclature, too, relative to my sociological background. Dowry refers to the durable goods, cash, and real or movable property that the bride's family gives to the bridegroom, his parents, or his relatives as a condition of the marriage. Bridal price, best called bridewealth, also known as bride token, is money, property, or other form of wealth paid by a groom or his family to the parents of the woman he has just married or is just about to marry. More common and familiar to me was the simple exchange of “I love you’s” which progressed, ideally, to marriage, children, and grandchildren, if things worked out. But listening to African singer, Miriam Makeba’s, song, “Malaika,” lamenting subverted love, due to the groom’s inability to pay the bridal price, I reflected on my experience. I have never paid a bridal price, as such, in either of my two marriages, nor was dowry ever paid to me or my family, as such. Our children and grandchildren sublimated both, were higher expressions of each! They are precious beyond purchase at any price!

TAPESTRY

Our tapestry is enriched by every thread interwoven within its decor. Every life is an insight, is an angle from the divine sent to us as an angel of life. Amen.

WOOD

Wood that is already touched by fire is not hard to ignite. --African proverb

THE ENNEADS

Are not vice and virtue like wet and dry? like hot and cold? Mere natural polarities of being, of existence? are not good and evil symbolic of life and death? All 'concepts' being our synthesis, reconciliation of all? These thoughts assail me as I read Plotinus ' THE ENNEADS, wherein the iconic, ancient African philosopher of Alexandria writes: "Obviously, unless the particular is included under some general principle of order, there can be no signification... "All teems with symbol; the wise man is the man who in any one thing can read another ... "All things must be enchained; and the sympathy and correspondence obtaining in any one closely knit organism must exist, first, and most intensely, in the All. There must be one principle constituting this unit of many forms of life and enclosing the several members within the unity, while at the same time, precisely as in each thing of detail the parts too have each a definite function , so in the All (the higher All) each several member must have its own task--but more markedly so since in this case the parts are not merely members but themselves Alls, members of the loftier Kind. "Thus each entity takes its origin from one principle and, therefore, while executing its own function, works in with every other member of that All from which its distinct has by no means cut it off; each performs its act, each receives something from the others, each one at its own moment bringing its touch of sweet or bitter.... "Soul, then, in the same way, is intent upon a task of its own; in everything it does it consists as an independent source of motion; it may take a direct course or it may divagate, but a Law of Justice goes with every action in the Universe, which, otherwise, would be dissolved and is perdurable because the entire fabric is guided by the orderliness as by the power of the controlling force.... "And what of vice and virtue?.. "In a word, virtue is ours by the ancient staple of the Soul; vice is due to the commerce of a Soul with the outer world." P. 80-82, THE ENNEADS by Plotinus (1991) 

FRESH EGGS

If I give you some fresh eggs, cook them as you please; don't ask me to do for you what you can do for yourself.