"A New Thing"

"Do not remember the former things,

or consider the things of old.

Behold, I am about to do a new thing;

Happy New Year!  Yes, I know that was a long break, but I left you with some great songs, did I not?  Alright then.  Besides, if you've been following this blog, you know I wasn't in the best of moods during the Holidays.  But, 2012 is here and I have wholeheartedly kissed 2011 goodbye.  So, as they adage goes, "Out with old, in with the new."

When we left, we were in the book of Judges and admittedly, I am about to lose my mind!  We should have ran right through Judges, but with life's happenstances - to include, but not limited to surgery and another death in my family - we are still in the middle of that book!  Now I could run on to the end and start up with the next book, Ruth, but I won't.  I'll wait and journey on as we have in times past.  So get to reading and meet me in Judges - somewhere around chapter 7.  In the meantime, however, let's prepare our hearts and minds for something new coming upon the horizon.

We are going to meet some very interesting characters in these next few chapters and upcoming books that will change the way we look at the "Old" or rather, Tradition and the "New," Contemporary.  Times have and are rapidly changing and strangely enough, our journey in Reading The Bible Again for the First Time, is aligning itself right along side of us.  We will soon find out, through our own inquiry, through our own reading and through our own new and critical lenses that even the contemporary debate on marriage will find itself center stage with proponents for marriage equality gaining strength and precedent from the Holy Bible.  Have I wet your lips enough to return?  I sure do hope so.

In the meantime, enjoy one of my favorite gospel songs, Tell him, by Lauryn Hill, one of my favorite artist.  Yes, I did say gospel songs because it is quite spiritual.  This is one of those instances where the Old and the New, Traditional and Contemporary expressions of worship and spirituality met in the middle and created something that raises our senses and spirits to a level that causes us to reach that place of Divine Ecstasy without the Preacher, the Church, the choir or dare I say, self stimulation....  oooohhhh, uh, yeah, yeah, ah yeah....  Uh, ummm, uh huh, uh huh.  ;)

Do you not perceive it?

I will even make a way in the

wilderness and rivers in the desert."

                                      (Isaiah 43:18,19)

©Dorinda G. Henry, 2012

THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!

"All Hopes and Fears"

"O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight..."

Once again, I have to beg your pardon for my delay.  If you've been following, I'm sure you understand how this Holiday Season might be a difficult one for me.  2011 is one of those years that my humanity could have done without, but one that I'm sure will render some life-altering lessons in the months and years to come.  Nevertheless, rather than a joyful time, it is a time of hardship, heartache and pain.  I've thought long and hard about this post and decided rather than do nothing and let a good post last until the new year, that I would be true to mine own self and transparent to others.  

As I sit here in the dark - awakened yet again at or around the time of my mother's death on August 8, 2011, just 21 days before my birthday with tears staining my face - I find myself searching to find that place in space and time where happiness resides and laughter abounds.  I am searching for hope through disillusionment, joy through pain, light in the midst of darkness and laughter through unceasing tears.  In that place, that quiet place where there is nothing but the beating of my heart, now working harder to remind me that I am still alive with much more to do, I reached back into my yesteryears for those comfort songs of Christmas.  

I remember them fondly.  I remember being a child in the Christmas play, singing Silent Night and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer at the top of my little lungs.  I remember being made to put up the largest and most complicated Christmas tree in the whole wide world, and then serenading it with the song O Christmas Tree.  I remember the lights and sounds of a family of women jockeying for their place in the kitchen to cook the dish that only they could cook.  I remember knowing that soon and very soon, I would wake up to a poor child's miracle of toys, clothes, shoes, bicycles, and my mother sitting in the chair smoking a cigarette and shaking her knee as she watched my delight when I opened that one gift I didn't expect to get.  But more than that, I remember the heavenly sound of my mother's sultry voice singing The Christmas Song by the irreplaceable Nat King Cole.   With that in mind, rather than get into the scriptures, which I'm sure you'll read and hear plenty of, I've decided to gift to you my little bit of my happiness and fond memories of songs sang and loved by my mother.  There'll be a new song every day until the New Year. 

So sit back, listen and enjoy them fully, knowing that "all hopes and fears" are carried through tears, and that they brought some light into a dark place, a smile to a sad face and "wondering love" sent from above that warmed and mended a broken heart.  Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.  Peace!

"For Christ is born of Mary

And gathered all above

While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love

O morning stars together 

Proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God the King

And Peace to men on earth..."

                              (Rector Phillips Brooks, 1868) 

©Dorinda G. Henry, 2011 

THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!

"For The Record"

Deborah and Jael

"We run this motha... GIRLS!

Who run the world?  Girls!

Who run the world?  Girls!

Who run the world?  Girls!..."

Well hell...  We have completed reading Judges, chapters 1-5, so what other song did you expect me to use to accompany this post?   Since I know you have been following along with us in your Reading The Bible Again for the First Time, then you know that we have met two of the most wonderfully colorful women who yielded power, persuasion and authority over men, and yet are shamelessly overlooked by most that read and preach the "Word."  And.... if you know anything about me - and by now you should - then you know I would not move through this book without shining the light on the only female "judge" and her cohort!  I mean really...  C'mo now.  Not only would I not move on without giving Deborah her due, but I have no intention of leaving out that other woman warrior - Jael.  For I can't tell the story of Deborah without including Jael...  Runners on your mark.  Get set.  Let's go!

The story of Deborah begins in Judges 4:4 and ends in chapter 5 in a parallel retelling of her story in The Song of Deborah - what some refer to as classic prose in.  First off, we are introduced to Deborah after the death of the previous "judge" Ehud.  Now, I hope you all are clear that when we speak of the book of Judges, the 12 judges listed therein, and this period in the history of Israel, we are not speaking of judges as we know them today.  Rather they were tribal leaders who, depending upon the circumstances - whether in peaceful times or in times of war - the "judges" had authority to listen to and settle disputes or as "Points of Light," if you will, in rallying the "troops" against the peoples of the neighboring regions.  Regardless of the circumstances, the "judges," were viewed as God's select.  That Deborah, arguably not a "judge," but mentioned in the book of Judges, speaks volumes of her significance and notoriety among the people.  Thus, her gender was of little to no consequence to them.   

Now, after the death of Ehud, "The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the LORD" (Judges 4:1).  What else is new right?  And as usual, the consequences remain the same - they were oppressed, they cried out for help, and God answered by sending a message to the "Prophetess," Deborah...  Deborah, by the way, in Hebrew means "Bee."  You know like, "float like a butterfly and STING like a bee, kinda "Bee."  Yep, the original "Queen honey bee," often depicted as sitting under a special palm tree giving out "oracular" (now there's a word for you) answers and responses to concerns of those seeking it.  There she gets a message from God to, "Go, take position at Mount Tabor," a region ruled under King Jabin of Canaan (v. 6b).  Soon thereafter, she summons and explains to Barak, "I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand."  He hesitates, but says to her, "If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go" (vv. 7,8a).  Deborah agrees to go with him, but before they depart on their journey, she makes it clear to Barak, that although he is being obedient - albeit reluctantly, "The LORD will sell (deliver) Sisera into the hand of a woman" (v. 9).  Ummm hmmm...  Yuummmy... The plot thickens...

As the narrative goes, Deborah - "Prophetess," "judge," that "Queen honey bee" - draws Sisera out like she said she would and tells Barak to get up and go after them.  The text doesn't tell us how she drew Sisera out, but if the song and video accompanying this post teaches us anything, it teaches us that women are more than capable of doing just about anything.  Anyhue, following Deborah's instructions, Barak leads his men in pursuit of Sisera and something strange happens to Sisera's chariots and army that no human is able to take credit for.  Consequently, Sisera gets out of his chariot and takes off running.  SIDEBAR: I know the text states that Barak had "ten thousand warriors," and Sisera had "nine hundred chariots of iron," and an undisclosed number of men with him, but as with alot in the bible, these numbers are exaggerated.  They more likely refer to what is called "muster units."  That is, that it refers more accurately to members of clans or villages that range anywhere from 5 to 15 people.  Back to the narrative...  Sisera, now on foot, flees into "the tent of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite."  Right about now, you all should have on your "Black woman's" suspicious look.  If not, let me reach for the Black Woman's Cotton Patch version and help you out with this;  "Why in the hell is a man going into the tent of another man's wife?"  Those who ignore the obvious would likely say, "She is the wife of an ally of King Jabin."  Yeah well, whatever!  

For the record, ancient Near Eastern customs of hospitality required that travelers and strangers be invited into tents or domiciles, given shelter, food and water, and even protection by the host.  Of course that invitation would come by way of the husband and not the wife.  Second, it was common for men to have more than one wife and each of those wives had their own individual tents.  Third, although Jael is the wife of Heber, an "ally" of King Jabin, she is somewhat related to the Israelite people.  Her husband, Heber is a descendant of Jethro (the father of Zipporah - Moses' wife).  Thereby making her loyalties a bit questionable to say the least.  Have I lost you?  Stay with me, stay with me.  I told you this book would have you scratching your head and asking "wtf?"  But hang in there with me, c'mo...

Sooo...  As a woman and sorta kinda obligated by the rituals and customs of hospitality, Jael entreats Sisera to "Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me; have no fear."  Sisera, scared, tired and thirsty, asks for something to drink and that she keep watch at the tent's entrance.  Jael "opened a skin of milk (goats milk) and gave him a drink and covered him."  I am inclined to suggest goats milk because of its use in that region of the world and also, among its many benefits, goats milk has been known to be a sleep agent - especially with children.  Why is that important?  Because not long after Sisera is taken in by Jael, he falls asleep.  The record states that while he was sleeping, Jael, "went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, until it went down into the ground."  Whoa Lawd...  Yeah that's pretty much it...  The rest of the story is quick; Jael goes out to meet Barak who is yet pursuing Sisera, and tells him to, "Come and I will show you the man whom you are seeking."  And there, lying dead on the floor is Sisera (vv. 10-21).  Ahhh c'mon... Don't feel so bad for Sisera, at least he got nailed first...  ;)

"My persuasion can build a nation

Endless power

With our love we can devour

You'll do anything for me...

Who run the world?  Girls!

Who run this motha?  Girls! 

Who run the world?  Girls!"

© Dorinda G. Henry, 2011 

THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!

"Here Comes the Judge"

Judges:  An Introduction

As we enter the book of Judges, one of the first things you will learn is that contrary to popular belief, Joshua was unable to drive out all the inhabitants of Canaan.  Along with the presence and influence of the neighboring people and their God(s), the wandering people, aka Israel, the "Chosen Ones," are increasingly faced with internal strife and tribal conflict. 

To maintain order and to legitimize rule among the people, God raises up 12 leaders whose leadership was recorded as hit and misses at best.  They were; Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, and Samson.  Yep, there he is, one of the most "charismatic" and controversial figures of the bible.  Surprisingly, however, he is considered by scholars as neither a "major," nor a "minor" judge.  He just happens to be associated with a really good story.  But ultimately, the book of Judges is about God taking on a new title and position as the "Universal Judge."  A title, position and duty attributed to the God(s) of the neighboring people of Canaan.  That is to say that faith traditions and practices of the people of Canaan were co-opted by the wandering people known as Israel.  This marks the beginning of the battle of the Deities.  

With that, I'll end this introduction.  Just know that this is going to be an interesting read, so grab your bibles and follow closely, because this ride is full of magical twists, turns, hocus-pocus and disappearing acts that'll have you scratching your head and wondering "wtf?"

© Dorinda G. Henry, 2011

THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!

"The Battle Is Not Yours"

Well...  Hello again...  I thank you all for continuing to check in.  It has been a hard couple of months, but I'm still standing and slowly coming up on the other side of "through."  I know it's been a minute, but if you recall, we were nearing the end of Joshua.  Since that post, and the loss of my mother, we have been steadfast in our Reading the Bible Again for the First Time. 

Because I've been away for some time now, and as I ease myself back into the blogging water, there are a couple of things you need to know about the book of Joshua.  First, it is a rather boring book I must admit.  Second, there are only two major events that many of you might find noteworthy - the spies encounter with Rahab (which you read about in a previous post), and the battle of Jericho, which will be the focus of this post.  But first, some housekeeping. 

If I haven't already mentioned it, Joshua is one of the books in what is known in scholarly circles as the "Deuteronomic History" of Israel, with the book of Deuteronomy being its introduction.  This "history" encompasses the books of Joshua, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, and 1&2 Kings, also referred to as "The Former Prophets."  Now, don't get your panties in a wad about the word former meaning less than.  A more common label would be the "Historical books," for their focus on telling Israel's history from the first entrance into the "Promised Land," on through the period of the Babylonian exile, beginning in 586 BCE.  So, before I go any further, the book of Joshua can be summed up into three major points: 1) "The Word of God for the people of God" - that is, remembering the words and instructions of Moses, to follow and be obedient/faithful, as God has been faithful to you, 2) God will fight your battles - that is, killing off all your enemies and giving you their land, and 3) Worship no other Gods but God - no explanation needed there.

With that said, and coincidentally after the couple of months I have had, the battle of Jericho and the notion that God fights our battles for us resonates within me (Joshua 6:1-20).  Now, it is believed that Jericho was indeed a providence in Canaan, fortified by a great wall.  But what happened to that wall remains unknown.  Scholars have found evidence of a great fire, but where that fire came from and what caused it, is still unknown.  What is clear for me is the message within the battle of Jericho.  If you're like me, that is, not wealthy, arguably comely, committed to social justice, fairness, equality, economic parity, and against the death penalty, (just to mention a few of my character traits), then you too have come up against many seemingly insurmountable walls that block your progress, your aspirations, and thus, your happiness.  In light of the "Occupy Wall Street," protests cropping up all over the country, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could do like Joshua?  You know, call forth the warriors/activists - we'll call them Patriots, the Priest armed with trumpets, and together with the PEOPLE, circle the places that guard and protect the keys to the kingdom.  On the seventh day, after seven trips around the identified bastions of excess, greed, nullification and interposition, when the sound of the trumpets are heard, and the PEOPLE shout, the walls would miraculously come tumbling down.  

Well, that isn't going to happen.  It didn't happen then and it ain't g'on happen now.  What is going to happen is what is already happening.  God, always present and accounted for is watching the PEOPLE do what is required of them.  They have shown up on the battlefield.  They are raising their collective voice in a chorus of freedom, a chorus of righteousness, a chorus of "being sick and tired of being sick and tired."  It is a chorus that is so loud, so harmonious, so divine that it will reverberate throughout this country, to your country and throughout the world.  It is a divine chorus with divine intent, that calls out with great expectation of a divine response from the Ancestors, the Universe, the Creator, The Great One, The Truth, the Really Real, Oladumare, Allah, Krishna and all the names used, known and unknown.  And that response will come.  It is sure to come.  For when we do our part, we are met with an equal and greater power that burns with a heat so hot that it will lay mountains low, and bring down the strongest and most fortified walls so the PEOPLE may proceed forward, onward and upward.  

Shhh...  Listen to the sound of the trumpet.  PEOPLE it's time to make our way to the battlefield, raise our voices, and then stand back, "Be still and know that I AM God (Psalm 46:10a)."

© Dorinda G. Henry, 2011

THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!

"For All We Know..."

My Dearest Beloved: 

Once again, life has dealt me a devastating blow.  On August 8, 2011, I lost my mother, Patricia Lawrence Henry, "Pat."  What follows is a short tribute to the woman through which I chose to enter into this earthly realm.  I thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as I wade through these dark and troubling waters.

...AND I REMEMBER

               Patricia Lawrence Henry

                                 "Pat"

             10/29/1947 - 08/08/2011

Living ain’t easy.  Dying ain’t either.  Failure to do either is not an option.  West African tradition teaches us that before we enter into this earthly realm, our soul makes a contract with our Father/Mother/God to do a certain thing or things while we are here on earth.  Another component of this tradition is that we are afforded the opportunity to choose our earthly mother and father, and I chose you.  For while in a spiritual time, space and place, I saw you and knew all that you were in a pure, unlimited and in an all understanding way – and I saw in you traits that I wished to have in order to carry out my soul’s contract.  For obvious reasons, I wanted your looks.  I wanted your smarts and intelligence, your laughter, your “mother wit,” your creative writing skills, and a flare for the dramatic in style and being.  I wanted your strength and courage.  I desired to love fiercely and to fight with reckless and determined abandonment.  For if I had not chosen you for my mother, I would not be the woman I am today.  In your leaving, and through all of our experiences, good, bad, or ugly; right, wrong or indifferent, if I had it to do all over; I would choose to be your daughter again.

Goodnight Pat, I love you.  I have loved you all of my life.  Look for me, because I'll be looking for you - on the other side of midnight.  Peace.

© Dorinda G. Henry, 2011

THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!

"The Best Little Whorehouse in Jericho"

Joshua; Chapter 2

As we enter into the next stage of our bible study and into the storytelling of the history of the Israelite people, we begin with a curious, yet, close encounter with a prostitute by the name of Rahab.  I know the title of this post is going to get me into trouble, but hey, what else is new?  I don't know how I, Rev. Dorinda "Make it plain" Henry, could tell this story any other way.  Do you?  I didn't think so.  So let's begin...

When we get into the book of Joshua, we like to run on to the fall of Jericho.  Preachers, teachers, and lay leaders like to run on past this cute and yet, arguably, unnecessary narrative of the "prostitute," Rahab.  I find it interesting that this narrative was even included - until I realized Rahab is the second woman named in the genealogy of Jesus.  She is also the second woman in this small group of women, who found herself in the royal ancestral line through particularly particular circumstances.  Like her predecessor, Tamar, (Whom we'll get to in just a moment), she is identified as being a prostitute, or harlot if you're reading the King James Version.  Rahab lived in a house on the "wall" of Jericho.  The scripture tells us after getting instruction from Joshua to go and spy out the land, "especially Jericho," the first order of business for the spies must have been for them to get a piece of @$$, so they went, "and entered the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab."  After spending the night with Rahab and after she risks her life to hide the men from the King of Jericho, and helped them escape, they make an oath to her that they will spare her life and the lives of her "father, mother, brothers, sisters and all who belong to them" if she ties a crimson cord in the same window they escaped from (Joshua 2:1-21).  I know when you read these blogs you struggle to believe that I am a real card carrying, bonafide Preacher, but I assure you that I am.  I write these blogs this way, because I need the masses, regular ole folk, to stop being intimidated by the bible and bible thumpers.  For it is a moral imperative to know for certainty, that without prostitutes, misfits and miscreants, the world would have never heard of the most famous Mediterranean Jewish peasant man named Jesus.

Now where was I?  Oh yeah, this "whore," is not the first in the royal lineage of Jesus.  There was another woman said to have "played the whore."  Enter stage left - Tamar.  If you remember, Tamar, was the Canaanite woman Judah gave to his firstborn son, Er.  The scripture tells us that Er "was wicked in the sight of the Lord and the Lord put him to death" (Genesis 38: 1-8).  According to the Levirate Law (Deuteronomy 25:5-10), Judah commanded his second son, Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her; raise up offspring for your brother."  Now, if you have been following this blog and reading along with us, then you know Onan, knowing that the offspring from these encounters with Tamar would not be his, he spilled his seed upon the ground.  Consequently, for his disobedience, he too, was put to death by the Lord (Genesis38:8-10).  Although Judah had a third son, Shelah, he was not of age and therefore, Judah instructed Tamar to return to her father's house until the young boy grew up.  

Well, in due course, Judah's unnamed wife dies and after a period of morning, he and a friend goes to Timnah.  When Tamar hears of it, she takes off her "widow's garments, put on a veil, wrapped herself up, and sat down at the entrance of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah (vv. 12-14c).  To make a long story short, Tamar sees that Shelah, Judah's youngest son has grown up and yet, she has not been given to him for marriage.  Can you hear the Black Woman's Cotton Patch Version's commentary?  It sounds a little sumptn like this; "Ah, okay, okay, are you for real?  Huh?  Are you for real?  Watch this... Ima take off these mourning rags, put my freak 'em dress on, and meet ya @$$ right where you are!"  And it works.  Judah sees her, mistakes her for a prostitute and negotiates with her a payment to "go in to her."  He offers a kid (a baby goat), but knowing her own worth - she countered; "Your signet, and your cord and the staff that is in your hand."  Whaaaat?  All of the identifying accoutrements of a man with significant authority!  And he gave the items up to her!  Ummm umph!  I won't say it, but you know what I'm thinking...  That's alright, take ya time... ;)  Oh and did I mention she became pregnant, and for his failure to restore her (his daughter-in-law's) honor, she, like Rahab, is saved from being burned alive (vv. 15-26).

Both of these women, Tamar and Rahab are but two of the women mentioned by name in the genealogy of Jesus.  They are women, of questionable reputation.  Women who have been painted with a broad brush of insignificance, labeled as being among the underbelly of society, and yet, had it not been for their actions, their sense of self-worth, their act of holding men accountable to the law, or for their example of faith, where would our Jesus be without them?  For me, however, they are tenacious women, women with moxy, women who dared to challenge the Patriarchal constructs of conventional wisdom and mores of the day to secure their own safety and the safety of others.  They are women who should be lifted up and revered alongside the men of the bible.  Their courage and acts of faith are no less than that of the men.  We are simply more likely to forgive and overlook what the men do and applaud them when they finally do what is expected of them.  On the contrary, we make examples of the women in an effort to exert power and control of women in present day.  To that I say, ladies, take a lesson from these women - know the power of the .....   Did I say that?  Noooo... I did not.  ;)

© Dorinda G. Henry, 2011

THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!