Simply Divine

To live life is the right of every man. To live life is divine, which is living life the way it should be, simple and natural. One does not need to look outside of oneself to find God… JAH the Creator. He created everyone… black, white, Indian, Chinese, rich, poor, beggar-man, thief. JAH dwells within man for He takes unto Himself flesh and dwells and makes a home in the human heart for his Word-Sound… the Spirit. When I&I look upon mankind, I&I should be seeing the living face of JAH. People try to deal so much with ism and schism… rules, rites, rituals and doctrines… pure divisiveness. They fail to love and instead of loving-kindness they practice hate and intolerance. They make all these stipulations to set one another up for failure and instead of providing equal rights and justice for every one, they withhold these things for the sake of being superior. How can such a selfish love be superior? The only superior love is JAH love, a love freely given, a free true word to reincarnate in humanity the mind of Christ. If you love you are safe and free to live, but if you hate, you will bow to the sword because hatred breeds hatred… even the smallest grain of intolerance or disrespect, it is a blemish on the soul. Love will become cruel, until one will abandon love altogether. Love is allowing each man their right, respecting them and not making their mind like your own, but to live free.

It is better and easier to be simple and live pure. Who can argue with being loving, caring and sharing with people? It is irrefutable, it is something that all human beings want and need... simplicity to save their souls alive, to give hope and renewal of spirit and mind. When you recognize the divinity in mankind, in every man, woman and child, then what you do unto them you do unto JAH also. When you feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless... when you say "respect", "good morning", "good evening"... you say these kind words unto God, you reflect your own heart. How can one deny these things of one another and of them self? To know yourself you learn to respect, and once you respect and love yourself... then you can share that with people, and with creation. If you have love, it is hard to share hatred. Plenty people say they know love, but they really do not. They love vanity, things for their self alone or for their family... what person does not want these things? Even the wicked man will love his own offspring but cannot love his poorer brother and sister, cannot love his neighbor or the stranger from another nation. A Rastaman can not watch over humanity with mighty eyes... but the humble eyes of a servant of the Almighty and teach people love and compassion by sewing good seeds and enjoying the good fruit and sharing it with all people. All were created equal in JAH sight... when man and man come and disrupt this and take away the God-given rights of another man that is what destroys the order of things and where you find hatred, envy, and strife. People must love one another and treat each other righteously… even when they find one to be their enemy, someone who sets out to fight them down. In that case you must love them still… only from a distance because they are dangerous and they do not know how to reciprocate love and treat love right, instead they will devour it and seek your flesh. But I&I have to love them still.

Two powers exist on this earth... good and evil. If you are doing good things, good things will manifest. If you are doing wicked things, wicked things will manifest. Simplicity, there is no area of grey in that reasoning... just two ways to live. If you are not serving one, you are serving the other. Goodness is love. Be good, and love humanity, teach humanity... teach yourself about the love of the Most High and do not deny people their right, and do not deny people their measure of love. Share what you have been given. Equal rights and justice for each and every soul! Love is the key of life and the key to Zion gates! One Father, One Mother, One ruler of us all, one blood running through is all... love and I-nity, equal rights and justice. Mankind, be simply divine.

JAHsh

I-tal Nice

I-tal Nice

You don't kill the food, but the food kill you
That's why the Rastaman love the I-tal stew
Nice things like beans, carrots and callaloo
A heap of fresh fruit and vegetables good for you

Must stay away from beef and its mad cow disease
Too much red meat mashup the colon and the kidneys
Nuff holy books say stay away from all the pork
Plenty parasites you could take up with the fork

All that poultry you eat could have the bird flu
Lord know what that virus go put your body through
Man, you can't even eat the many fishes of the sea
Snapper, Salmon, Tuna, they all full of mercury

Stay away from processed stuff and fast from fast food
Too much preservatives and chemicals those things include
Can't even eat the vegetables that use the pesticide
Contaminated tomatoes and spinach infected with E. coli

Gotta eat some wholesome foods and keep the body clean
Don't want too much salt to clog up the bloodstream
You can get Salmonella from preparing chicken breast
But just peel a fruit's skin and you eat what is left

Next time you're in the store think before you act
You may want a tasty snack, but would it fight back?
The consumers only see a wrapped up package of flesh
Never see their food cry out and become a bloody mess

I say I-tal nice, just like the diet appointed in Paradise
You can eat up the herbs and spice and never think twice
Don't have to be a butcher and run around with the knife
No need to bring sufferation when you can promote life

Some follow I-tal diet some follow the law in Leviticus
I&I don't really care, a man can eat whatever he wish
Just always give thanks for all the gifts and the blessing
All food is pure as long as it's JAH who you're addressing

With grace and strong faith you can eat anything you choose
Just know what you consume between your bites and chews
Best to sow seeds from plants and trees like in the Garden of Eden
When you put food in your mouth, you know what you're eating

Yes I-tal nice, cookup with rice, it will keep the body strong
Rasta live long, with vital foods you could never go wrong
I&I know I-tal is the best for maintaining a healthy livity
So I say, try more green things like bok choy and broccoli

JMC
10/24/06
(c) 2006

I Am Who I Am

I Am Who I Am

Since the day JAH formed dust into man
I am who I am
Shaped into His image by His mighty hand
Nothing can rock me
Not a woman, nor a man
My roots spread deep down below the land
I am who I am
Ordained by the Great I AM

Even if the stars shall fall from the sky
I am who I am
If darkness blots out the moon and sun
I will still live on, for I and the Father are one
Divine spark in mankind, JAH royal son
Never will I hide, never could I run
I am who I am
Following JAH plan, the battle must be won

You can kill the body but you cannot hurt the soul
I am who I am
I am the river bed where the living water flows
More than flesh and bone
The Spirit cannot be overthrown
The kingdom is within I-man, the light has shone
I am who I am
Falling into place with the head cornerstone

There are some who think that I may blaspheme
I am who I am
Destroying me is all a part of their scheme
The Truth is an offense to Babylon's regime
They do not understand, they try to put I down
But I am a Kingman, JAH has let me wear His crown
I am who I am
I-man and I-am

JMC
12/10/06
(c) 2006

Education Is A Must

After a long and laborious journey through school and plenty training, I have finally completed my final step as a student-teacher and am now well-qualified in the eyes of fellow colleagues and professionals in the field to at last… teach… and be paid for it with more than compliments. I was very fortunate to have a great position this year as a teacher in a diverse high school. Although my work there is done, I really do hope that there is a possibility to work at that school in the near future. Give thanks to JAH!

Education is very important to me, and experience and understanding has only confirmed my beliefs. As a Rastaman, I really must sight up what his H.I.M. Haile Selassie I had said about education. Selassie I was very committed to progression and the act of inspiring minds. There are plenty of worthy quotes of His Majesty on education, but one in particular stands out in the forefront:

"The key for the betterment and completeness of modern living is education."

Truly, education is the key, the key to improvement and also to finding confidence, responsibility and purpose in life. What is the great barrier between having success and being unsuccessful? One only needs to look around in their community and see the effects of the "achievement gap". This gap can only be bridged by a strong commitment to education and strong leadership. A person must first have the seed of curiosity planted in them before they desire to learn and improve their self. Unfortunately, the pursuit of self-reliance, awareness, and being informed are not a priority in Babylon society. Those who have the knowledge and power are not quick to empower others. Ignorance is easily exploited and the people who need it continue to live in darkness and complacency. In the end, Babylon points it's fingers back at the ignorant, letting the blame fall on them alone because of their "learned helplessness" and victimization. Why promote learned helplessness when one can promote learned confidence? In what people invest is what they manifest. Without education there can be no real resources for the future, for betterment… for everyone. For one set of people to keep another in ignorance is selfishness… for the oppressed group of people to perpetuate it is foolishness. Yes I, education is a must!

Teaching is not only the task of those who are professional teachers… it is the duty of all humanity. Whether people know it or not, ones are always being educated, just not always in the right things. Unfortunately there is a shortage of strong and positive role-models out there who can teach youths and adults alike on how to live righteously. Some people believe that education is synonymous with having a lot of knowledge. I do not agree with that… I think education is finding usefulness for any amount of knowledge, learning a way to think and act in order to exercise self-discipline, to think critically and to distinguish between harmful and useful things in life. Knowledge alone cannot do this, it needs to be properly applied and used in positive ways. Also it is important to know that education is much more

Education is much, much more than scholastic and intellectual achievements. Often it is the educated fools that fail to realize these things themselves despite all the knowledge and intelligence that they possess. Education in its most simple and basic form is all about having some common sense and good judgment… and continuing on that path by always learning new things. Haile Selassie I said to "study and examine all, but choose to follow the good".

Let us all be teachers of virtue, of love, of respect for one another, and of dignity. It requires no years in school, no diploma, degree or professional certification… only dedication and genuine interest in helping meet the needs of every man, woman, and child. Each person can do their part to offer a little guidance to their brothers and sisters. I will always espouse this as my purpose in life, the driving force behind my desire to teach in the classroom and more significantly the driving force of my life. Live up, Selassie I!

JAHsh

"A school is to shape one's character; just as looking into a mirror could rid himself of the dirt that is on his person, likewise can one shape his character by education." – H.I.M. Haile Selassie I

JAH JAH Arms

JAH JAH Arms

My soul finds rest in JAH alone
No matter where I step
No matter where I roam
In JAH JAH arms is my eternal home
Never can forget all the things I was shown
No matter the boderation
The Most High JAH ease my frustration
Yes He gives me life
He answers every supplication
In my going out and my coming in
JAH is with me and He dwells within
He will never let the righteous fall
No, not at all
All I have to do is pray and He answers I call
So meh seh... in JAH JAH arms I-man feel the best
Only in Him do I receive my comfort and rest
No matter what happens when the devil come test
I just stand firm and JAH Will manifest
Yes, I keep His commands in my heart
Giving thanks when the day end, and when the day start
He carries me to Zion in His mighty hand
Prosperity and hope he always puts in my plan
In JAH JAH arms is where I belong
The Father sets me on the right path
Never on the wrong…
Selah

JMC
11/29/06
(c) 2006

Baby, I’m Needin’

Baby, I'm Needin'

It's amazing how the world keeps changing
And what it takes to keep a man on his feet
Cause when the ground starts rumbling
I go down tumbling, falling into holes in the street

Since you let me go, I'm spinning out of control
Can't concentrate on all the things I must do
When people ask me why, I can't even reply
Because I wasted all of my words on you

Whoah baby I'm needin' a much better reason
Why you're leaving me alone like this
I know I done wrong, but I just can't go on
Without having some of your tenderness

Now I cannot lie, it's so hard to say goodbye
Tell me how can I just keep on walking away
I gotta swallow my pride and just take it in stride
Even though I wish you'd call me today

I can accept it the same if this how it remains
But it'd be hard to never hear your voice again
I guess I gotta admit, I'm not one to really quit
Cause there's not much else I can lose in the end

Whoah baby I'm needin' a much better reason
Why you're leaving me alone like this
I know I done wrong, but I just can't go on
Without having some of your tenderness

Ooo baby I want you to know
Since you decided to go
How I'm trying to keep a smile on my face
But when I think of losing you
There's just nothing I can do
That smile of mine gets quickly replaced

Whoah baby I'm needin' a much better reason
Why you're leaving me alone like this
I know I done wrong, but I just can't go on
Without having some of your tenderness

Oh baby I'm needin', just short of pleading
To hold you, to be there with you
I just need to know baby, can't you see...
Oh lady... I'm needin'...

JMC
11/26/06
(c) 2006

@}~~}~~~

Glimpse Of My Soul

Welcome to a brief glimpse of my soul. This is the man behind the veil of all of the words, thoughts, and ideas floating around me… things read or spoken. I am a simple man of flesh and blood. No greater than the next man, or woman… for a man is just a man. Usually it is my place to promote spiritual upliftment and share some of the things I have found along my journey. It is my identity, a calling that I had chosen to follow. Yet I do make mistakes, for I am only a man. If my confidence appears to mean that I know everything and do everything right, then that is the wrong perception. I am aware of myself and of my faults and shortcomings. Yes, certain things I believe in so strongly that they resonate in the core of my being. These things I would by no means consciously waver from, because they are weaved into who I am, and what I represent. However, outside of these vital parts of my character, I am sometimes guilty of falling short of many of the ideals that I espouse. Self-control and discipline can go a very long way, but it can never reach perfection. It would be nice to avoid hurting people, but sometimes this happens, especially unintentionally. It would be nice to be patient and kind all the time, but I have my moments of being the opposite. It would be nice to never allow any profanity to pass through the gates of my mouth, but this may happen too. It would be nice if I could never be jealous, rude, insensitive, disobedient, disrespectful, negative, weak, foolish… you name it, all of the vices. Yes it would be really nice, but there is one huge problem… I am just a man. Am I better than the average? Perhaps in certain behaviors or actions that I have learned to foster or subdue, but in the end, weighed against all else, when I am judged by mankind or by the Most High… I am still just a mere man.

Such is the man behind the prayers to JAH, behind any words of inspiration… or behind emotional poems venting frustration, all of the pieces of me that I freely give out to anyone who cares to look. I am a teacher, but sometimes the teacher needs to be taught. I am more or less simple to read and candid with people… but sometimes the artist in me needs to illustrate feelings in a different way… for creativity's sake, for the message's sake… for goodness' sake. Should every word be examined and upset the balance? Not at all, they are only for your consideration. Sometimes I use allegories and metaphors in my poetry and prose… these are my entitled expressions, the images I choose to use for either promoting my philosophy, or for conveying my bare feelings… emotional, gritty, and often exaggerated. This is how I am inspired to write. One could argue that the ancient Scriptures, the parables, and the texts of many religions do the same thing. They give you something to reflect on, and leave the rest for you to find and make connections until you have your faith, your belief, and your own identity. I am not comparing myself to anything sacred, I am only saying take me as I am. There is much more to me than a few words, a few thoughts. I am a man of complexity, strong in some aspects, weak in others. Before anyone can cast judgment, good or bad, one should always look on the other side of the coin and see the vulnerable underside that is rarely known or understood… the soul of a man.

I am a positive man, an honest man, a reliable man, a person of integrity… but forgive me when I fail to live up to your expectations, for that is not my purpose. My purpose is to live life, and share some love and respect with those who cross my path, and to make amends when I fail. May the Most High search my heart and examine my mind. My friends, accept me or reject me for who I am… I&I will always be around.

JAHsh

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O JAH, my strength, and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14