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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Unity Among...

The reason I believe in unity among the various faith traditions especially those of the three Abrahamic Faiths is because Satan, the Devil, Shaitan, Beelzebub, the Evil One, etc. has the whole world of religion blinded like the Sons of God in the book of Job (who didn't even know Satan had come with them). This is all because of fervent arguments over doctrines and dogmas that keep our attention off of him (our common and open enemy) that prevent us from uniting to destroy this world of evil along with the Satanic mind that purveys in it. So, if you are person who loves truth that stands against the wiles of Satan (the Evil One), then it shouldn't matter what you call yourself or (I call myself) in terms of a religious title. ~Bro. Lamon

Unity Pendant created by Dr. Steven McSwain
What would America have been like if Dr. King and Elijah Muhammad, if the Civil Rights Movement and the Nationalist Movement saw the common ground and each of us worked together for the common cause, which is the TOTAL LIBERATION of our people? -Hon. Min. Louis Farrakhan #TheTime pt. 23 http://youtu.be/6Z2M6o18_UM

Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad & Reverend Dr. Martin L. King Jr.
What Would America and The World look like if religions & people of Good will saw the common enemy of us alike, and each of us work(ed) together for a common cause, which is to destroy Satan's world and establish God's Kingdom on Earth? -The Brotha #Peace #Unity #Interfaith
Reverend Dr. Martin L. King Jr. and Minister Malcolm X (El Hajj Malik Shabazz )


Sunday, June 9, 2013

Mental Slavery

Brain in Chains
Damn! Why can't I free myself from this Mental Slavery? I'm trapped and I can't get out!!!

See most of us think, myself included that it was "The White Man" holdin' us back!!! But when I finally realized, I found out it was really us who's holdin' us back, not "The White Man!"

Too many times before; you, and I, blamed "The White Man" for our screw-ups, Fuc%ups, mess-ups, & the Bull Sh$t mentality you, and I have!

Now, don't get it twist... "The White Man," and others have played a major roll in our demise as history has taught us, but today the onus is on us!!! "The White Man," is not forcing us to rob, kill, steal, and shoot one another, nor get twisted back!

Hon. Marcus Mosiah Garvey
See, learning to accept responsibility for our thoughts, actions, and ways... for some damn reason is hard for us to admit. Huh, I guess some body has to take the blame other than us (you know)!

I'll tell your what I do know, you and I must free ourselves from this Mental Slavery some way some how--or else we will continue to die!!! (c)

Lamon Caldwell II
Original Composed 2005
Edited 2010
Re-Edited 2013

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Sowing A Seed: Tithing, Giving, & Charity

Check out how the Torah, Gospel, & Qur'an are bearing witness to one another in regards to Tithing, Giving, & Charity... These scriptures fell on my heart this morning thought I'd share... *Many people look at Sowing A Seed solely as a monetary thing. God knew that not only should we spend in His way monetarily, but spend in His way with integrity and honesty--by pouring into and serving others. God desires that we give generously of ourselves also (our time and service)--not just our money! God desires that we don't withhold what He has poured, is pouring, and will pour into us, for our service to Him and His people. We have been chosen to be Servant Leaders, not "Chump Leaders" or "Lip-Servers," but to be "Drum Majors," for justice, peace, & righteousness. This is why we are out front not for our sake, but for God's salvation, mercy, and grace working in and through us for the benefit of not only ourselves but more importantly others! In my humble estimation, that is the greatest example of a "Cheerful Giver," Jesus The Messiah was that kind of giver; He asked us "Will you lay down your life for the sheep, or will you run when the wolf comes?" Sow you seeds in good work, and surely you will "Super-Abound!" -Peace Be With You, Bro. Lamon

*Original written 2/9/2013
*Updated 6/8/2013

A friend asked me a question do we tithe from our gross pay or net pay?

My response was growth, but more importantly tithe from your heart. It's not about a % with God.

Note: Scripture makes a case for both, but it depends on how one interprets it in Deuteronomy. Dave Ramsey of Financial Peace University says it this way "It (Deuteronomy) says to tithe on your net increase. If you think about an agrarian culture where that was written, if you had a flock of sheep and one was killed by a wolf but you had 11 new lambs, then you had an increase of 10. You would tithe on that. You can make a really good case for it biblically either way. I'm not going to argue about it. It doesn't matter. Just give and be a giver. It's about changing your spirit anyway."

Scriptural Study:

Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. -Duet15:10 NIV

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. -1 Chr 29:17 NIV

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.-Proverbs 11:25 NIV

But this, “Whoever sows frugally also reaps frugally, and whoever sows with bounty shall reap with bounty”; Every man according to what he is in his mind and not according to grief or of compulsion, for God loves the joyful giver. But God is able to multiply every favor toward you that you may always have whatever is sufficient for you in all things and that you may super abound in every good work, According to what is written: “He has dispersed and he has given to the poor, and his righteousness stands for eternity.” But he who gives seed to the sower and bread for food, he shall give and multiply your seed and increase the fruit of your righteousness, That you may be enriched in all things with the entire right of an heir- that which perfects thanksgiving to God by us. -2 Cor 9:6-10 Aramaic Bible in Plain English

And spend in the way of Allah (God) and cast not yourselves to perdition with your own hands, and do good (to others); surely Allah (God) loves the doers of good. -Holy Qur'an 2:195

They ask you as to what they should spend. Say: Whatever wealth you spend, it is for the parents and the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and whatever good you do, Allah (God) surely knows it. -2:215

The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah (God) is as the parable of a grain growing seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. And Allah (God) multiplies (further) for whom He pleases. And Allah (God) is Ample-giving, Knowing. (As for) those who spend their property in the way of Allah (God), then do not follow up what they have spent with reproach or injury, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve. -2:261-262

Sunday, June 2, 2013

A Woman's Dress is Her Virtuousness: What Do You Have On?

Lady in Tight Dress
Nation of Islam Women
Many of us stare at Muslim sisters or Catholic nuns whom wear head coverings known as a (veil, hijab, jilbab, khimar, or habits) especially when it's 90 degrees out side like "Why? Sister, Why?," not realizing that women wearing head coverings on their heads or clothing that does not reveal all their goods was practiced by ancient African and other Eastern civilizations.  The way a woman dressed back in the day was seen as scared and virtuous, and it reflected her divine nature.  She wasn't rockin' booty shorts and painted on dresses (know don't take me for being holier than thou because I like most men enjoy seeing an attractive woman walking down the street), but the way some women and in particular my sisters dress has gone too damn far, you might as well be naked!  Ladies, I am not try to tell you how to dress or even suggesting that you be a nun or MGT, but what I am doing is giving you a picture of an expression of virtuousness that suggests your Godly worth.  My thing is, aren't you sexually objectified enough in this world?  

Fellas: I say no matter if a sister refers to herself as a "Bad Bitch," or doesn't have a clue of her value, we as men must still respect her.  Now, I know your saying "Bruh, how can I if she's puttin' herself out there like that," and how could she say we're being misogynistic?"  My answer is simple: See the Goddess in her.

As I digress... I had a "Soap Box" moment :-)

Here's where I was going...

Kenyan Nuns
Provocatively Tasteful or Not?
Most Christians do not know that women covering their hair at service was also a common practice within Christianity.  Today, it is more commonly known for being practiced by Muslim women (though not a requirement for women to wear "hijab" in the Qur'an per se; the practiced is upheld based on doctrinal belief from the Hadith of Sahih Bukhari), Catholic nuns, and some Orthodox Jewish traditions.  However, hair covering in the early church was the standard at one time for women, and still is today by some Judeo-Christian traditions.  Women were expected to cover their hair with a large scarf (or shash) while in church, according to (1 Cor 11:2-16).  Note: The narrative given by Paul on women covering their hair is viewed by some as a part of his later diatribe in (1 Cor 14:34) that cogently suggests that women are to remain silent in the church, as form of submissiveness, which I do not particular agree with.  The idea of women covering up here, I contend was and is symbolic of their divine virtuousness that should be honored, cherished,
and respected by men.

"Nuff Said!"
Moreover, in Orthodox synagogues, especially in the Ethiopian church men and women sat separately, with men on the left and women on the right (when facing the altar)--very similar to what you have seen for instance, if you've ever visited Mosque Maryam in Chicago.  Sisters covering their hair and sitting separately from the Brothers in the sanctuary is common among some Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, (prior to the 60's) with Catholics, and with many conservative Protestants (i.e. Adventist churches).  This is an interesting interwoven parallel between the three Abrahamic faith traditions.  So, next time you see a sister covered don't stare in astonishment, but acknowledge that she is upholding her faith and conviction not because she is restricted or weak, but because she is striving to exemplify virtuousness through her expression of her Godly worth.  ~Peace Be With You, Bro. Lamon

Scriptural Study:

Paul speaking On Covering the Head in Worship (1 Cor 11:2-16 NIV)

Gabrielle Union  with Style  & Class
I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man,a and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

A man ought not to cover his head,b since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.

O children of Adam, We haveindeed sent down to you clothing tocover your shame, and (clothing) forbeauty; and clothing that guardsagainst evil — that is the best. This is of the messages of Allah (God) that theymay be mindful. ~Surah 7:26 (Maulana Muhammad Ali Translation)

O Prophet, tell thy wives and thydaughters and the women of believersto let down upon them their over-garments. This is more proper, so thatthey may be known, and not be giventrouble. And Allah (God) is ever Forgiving, Merciful. ~Surah 33:59 (Maulana Muhammad Ali Translation)

“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close around them. that will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever forgiving, merciful…” (Surah 33:59 from A. Yusef Ali’s translation of the Qur’an; other versions translate the original Arabic as “veils” where Ali uses “cloaks”).  ~Source: http://postcolonialstudies.emory.edu/women-islam-and-hijab/

Hadiths 

“My Lord agreed with me (‘Umar) in three things … (2) And as regards the veiling of women, I said ‘O Allah’s Apostle! I wish you ordered your wives to cover themselves from the men because good and bad ones talk to them.’ So the verse of the veiling of the women was revealed” (Bukhari, v1, bk 8, sunnah 395). ~Source: http://postcolonialstudies.emory.edu/women-islam-and-hijab/

"Ayesha (rad.i-Allahu `anha) reported that Asma’ the daughter of Abu Bakr (rad.i-Allahu `anhu) came to the Messenger of Allah  while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asma’! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to the face and hands." [Abu Dawud]

Ibn Qudama in al-Mughni (1:349) explained that showing the face and hands are a specific dispensation within the general meaning of the hadith "All of the woman’s body is considered her nakedness [to those outside the mahram relationship or her husband]." (al-mar'atu `awra)

`Ayesha (rad.i-Allahu `anha) said: "I used to enter the room where the Messenger of Allah  and my father (Abu Bakr) were later buried in without having my garment on me, saying it is only my husband and my father. But when 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab (rad.i-Allahu `anh) was later buried in (the same place), I did not enter the room except that I had my garment on being shy from 'Umar."



Saturday, May 4, 2013

"Hands Off Assata"

Know the facts... This is much deeper than we think a big part of this is about getting at Cuba, let alone Sis. Assata. Cuba is the itch that America can't stop scratching. Cuba offered support to aid Katrina victims, but America arrogantly refused. Remember, the mob boys back in the day once owned Cuba and were stripped of their power when Castro & Che' ran them out--so, that has not been forgiven, the pressure on America to get back control of Cuba is increasing. Now, Jay and B going to Cuba recently raised some smoke--Jay got his slap on the wrist from the POTUS last week in a joke "I got 99 problems and now Jay-Z's one."  Placing Sis. Assata on this list "is an attempt to inflame public opinion," as her lawyer said, for it is also the pretext to something bigger.  I say "Hands Off Assata" & Free All Political Prisoners... Mumia Abu Jamal, Romaine "Chip" Fitzgerald, and "the countless others who have been falsely locked up by this white man."


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