The Elect Of JAH

Today is Election Day in the United States. This year, it happens to fall on Coronation Day, marking the 80th Anniversary of the crowning of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie I. The occasion offers an interesting contrast to behold. On one end, you have the game of politics. Although the idea and practice of democracy is something that the United States upholds, promotes, and has shared with the world, it is an imperfect system and has lost much of its splendor especially during the past decades. Dirty campaigning, unfulfilled promises, the shameless spending of millions of dollars, and the partisan political rhetoric have all contributed to the tainted image of American government and free elections. Even President Barack Obama, who was swept into office on a tide of hope, is not without criticism from some of his original followers, whether it is warranted or not. Ultimately the political system seems to consume all good intentions. On the other end, you have the coronation of a king from an ancient lineage, a theocratic monarchy inherited from King David and his son King Solomon. According to Scripture, this monarchy was established by the Most High Himself. However, the lineage of kings has not been a perfect one either. In fact, one only needs to read the accounts of David and Solomon in the Bible and Kebra Nagast to see contradictions between their conduct and their role as anointed kings of Israel, the nation of JAH’s chosen people. Yet, an everlasting covenant was given to David, an eternal promise to his seed that they would be the Kings of Israel and the custodians of God’s Throne as long as there is a sun and moon in the sky (Psalms 89). This is what is called the Davidic Covenant: that promise that the seed of David would endure through every generation, and that the sovereign tribe of Israel would be Judah. H.I.M. Haile Selassie I was crowned on this day 80 years ago as the 225th royal descendant in the line of Solomon. So today, these lines converge to a point where the democratic system of government, originated in ancient Athens, adopted and improved throughout time up to the present United States is juxtaposed with the crowning of King Selassie of the Ethiopian Royal Family, the Davidic monarchy of the Tribe of Judah. We have the meeting of the elect of the people versus the Elect of JAH. As for me... I choose the Elect of JAH.

I make a bold statement here, but it is a statement of Faith. Some may ask me why in this day and age would I support and follow a monarchy that claims to be the rightful rulers of Earth. After all, many kingdoms throughout history have done the same, like Britain and France, holding to the concept of divine right. However, the Ethiopian Royal Family is the only set of people on Earth capable of tracing their lineage to Solomon and David. Others have tried to make that connection, especially after adopting Judeo-Christendom. Yet, the ancient tradition and record that Ethiopia and the text of the Kebra Nagast speaks of manifests this Truth. Even so, some may then ask why the Solomonic lineage of Ethiopian kings should be significant even if it is true. However, if it was not important, then why in the Bible did the gospels of Matthew and Luke go through the lineage and genealogy of Jesus Christ up until David just to prove that Yeshua (Jesus) was of King David’s seed? If this lineage indicated that part of the Scriptures were fulfilled in the birth, death and resurrection of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, the “Son of David”, then this lineage is also important to continue through Solomon, his son Menelik I or Bayna-Lehkem (by Makeda, the Queen of Sheba) up to Haile Selassie I and even to his grandson, H.I.H. Zere Yacob, because of the Davidic Covenant which did not end after Christ’s coming... since its promise was eternal. In a mystical and spiritual sense, Jesus Christ was king on David’s throne, but not physically, not until “he whose right it is” or “Shiloh”, or in other words the Second-Advent of Christ shall receive the throne after the kingdom governed by one of David’s seed is no more. Even traditional Christians uphold this belief that Jesus Christ will return and sit on Israel’s throne in the judgment. So if the descendants of David are still present in the Royal Family of Ethiopia, and the sun still shines and the moon still glows, and Iyesus Kristos has not yet come again in His Second Advent to judge the wickedness and evil of this world in the Armageddon, then that means the Davidic Covenant still exists... and King Selassie I’s coronation represented the modern continuation of that promise and the foreshadowing of Christ’s return through the works and divinity of His Majesty. I also believe that Selassie I was not just another Davidic/Solominic king, but also truly fulfilled his role as Israel’s King and manifested the Spirit of Christ. H.I.M.’s kingship was the restoration of light and overstanding from the House of David, he was the Elect of JAH to represent Him to all of humanity and he loosed the Seven Seals.

Just yesterday I wrote a reasoning on Dr. Vernon Carrington, the Prophet Gad, who’s Earthstrong comes the day right before Coronation Day. Brother Gad’s testimony is symbolic in a similar way to how Marcus Garvey’s prophetic declaration of an African sovereign before Selassie I’s coronation had called ones to Rastafari. Gadman had aligned Rastafari doctrine with his Orthodox teachings supported by the Scriptures and with what H.I.M. Haile Selassie Himself declared. Rather than one of the traditional Rastafarian beliefs that His Majesty was the Second-Advent of Christ, Bro. Gad said that Selassie I was “the same Spirit but different flesh” and mentioned that King Selassie was the “man of the hour” in this time. He shared insight into the importance of the Davidic Throne, which many Rastas at the time did not fully overstand, and most Christians neglected. Gadman even made many of his teachings public during a radio interview in which he distinguished between Haile Selassie I and Jesus Christ. The Prophet Gad was a vital component to the Rastafari philosophy, especially after H.I.M. was withdrawn from us in his physical manifestation. In overstanding the fullness of Selassie I, one can realize that the Solominic Dynasty continues and with it the hope of restoration of the Ethiopian Monarchy and JAH Kingdom on Earth. Leaders within the Twelve Tribes of Israel such as Karl Phillpotts Naphtali have continued to carry on the Orthodox teachings, especially that of the Davidic Covenant. Selassie was the 225th descendant of Solomon, but it continues... Amha Selassie, the 226th, Zere Yacob... 227th... until Shiloh come, Rastafari can’t done.

Ultimately human government will fail, because we as humans fail. Just look at all the dirty corrupt politicians looking for a vote to get into office. Even many of the kings of Israel and Judah after the death of Solomon and the division of his kingdom practiced idolatry and did not serve JAH faithfully, particularly those that were not of the Ethiopian line of Menelik I. It goes to show that mankind may fail, but JAH will never fail, and neither will His plan. He will always fulfill His promise, and that was seen in the divine Messianic Personage of His Imperial Majesty when he was crowned as the Elect of JAH in Addis Ababa, November 2, 1930. So, on this Election Day I give thanks for the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Elect of God, Defender of the Faith, and Light of the World... Emperor Haile Selassie I! I vote for Earth’s Rightful Ruler! JAH lives through the personality of His Imperial Majesty and the descendants of the Ethiopian Royal Family. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath prevailed.

“I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David, my servant: Thy seed will I establish forever, and build my throne to all generations. Selah” – Psalms 89: 3-4

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gather of the people be” – Genesis 49: 10

Long Live the King of Kings!,
JAHsh

Enlargeth Gad

Greetings in the Most Precious & Divine Name of our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ who has in this day revealed Himself to us in the Wonderful Personality of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I.

Greetings through the Orthodox Faith, not a faith of writs or rites, vows, nor laws, but an inward function of the heart, acquired through a Mystical Incorporation, or Unity in One, in plain words to be Born Again.

Greetings through the Twelve Tribes of Israel, which was once lost and scattered abroad, but has now been founded on the island of Jamaica since 1968 by Our Beloved Prophet, Brother Gad, and now functioning internationally!

Greetings also in the Ethiopian Royal House of David now being represented by Our Beloved Crown Prince Zere Yacob Asfa Wossen Haile Selassie I. We pray for the Restoration of the Monarchy! Selassie I!

The words above are the official greetings of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, the Rastafari mansion, or organization, which was founded by Dr. Vernon Carrington Gad, known by his followers as Gadman or Prophet Gad. Today, November 1st , is the Earthstrong of the beloved Gadman. Although he no longer trods the earth in flesh, his works and teachings will endure.

In Rastafari, there is a central unifying concept which mostly revolves around Emperor Haile Selassie I, Marcus Garvey and the idea of African liberation, but the interpretation of these personalities and other tenants within the movement vary from Rasta to Rasta, especially those within one of the major mansions. For instance, the Bobo Shanti Rastas praise Edward Emmanuel along with Haile Selassie I and Marcus Garvey as part of their trinity. Nyahbinghi Rastas may hold one of the bongo elders or ones like Leonard Howell as the next central figure. However, I as a Twelve Tribes Rastafarian see Gadman as the next most influential person in Rastafari.

A reasoning about Prophet Gad has been a long time coming. Although I never actually got the opportunity to meet the man, he has had one of the greatest spiritual influences on me. I came to know of Gad soon after a shift in my life, when soul-searching, prayer, and the love and care of bredrens and sistrens brought me to a new overstanding. By the age of 22, I was seriously starting my trod as a Rastafari. My approach to Rastafari has partly to do with the reason why I crossed paths with the Twelve Tribes of Israel. I was raised as a practicing Catholic, had a good education, and for the most part used my intelligence. I had a keen spiritual sense and strong faith, but also a logical and scholarly way of thinking. That same sense allowed me to closely study the history of Africa, of Ethiopia, and the Bible. As I started my trod, many things in Rastafari harmonized with me, but some did not. Certain things I could not sight because of what I knew historically and biblically, and because of my own identity and ethnicity. Perhaps I was approaching certain Rastafari reasonings from a different angle, perhaps I was not accepting it esoterically or allegorically (I did eventually expand past my “comfort” zones). Either way, I was seeking to continue my trod, but find ones who I could identify with and grow with as I went on my journey. My close bredren spoke of the Twelve Tribes, I heard of the Twelve Tribes in the reggae music I listened to, I came across reasonings in books and online. The spirit of Truth and of acceptance vibed with me and more and more I sought out to find out about this Twelve Tribes of Israel organization within the Rastafari movement. I began to follow many of Gad’s teachings but I soon wanted to formally be a part of it. Eventually I got a telephone number for the closest headquarters... I called, explained I wanted to visit and who I was, and I was warmly encouraged to come. By the time I was 23, I had officially become a member of TTOI, and perhaps worried my family that I was joining an obscure cult, but I eventually had time to explain all of that too, and Dr. Vernon Carrington’s teachings helped. I suppose I stepped right in his footpath.

Vernon Carrington had been a member of the Ethiopian World Federation in Jamaica, when he had a revelation and began to closely read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. He started to identify with one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel spoken about in the Old Testament, the Tribe of Gad. Eventually he saw it as his duty to reunite Israel which was scattered throughout the world and his message brought him many followers in Trench Town, Kingston. He told others to read the Bible cover to cover, just like he did, and seek answers for themselves. Gadman brought something unique to the Rastafari movement in the late 1960’s. Something that earned him the criticism of many others within the Rasta community. His teachings were quite unorthodox compared to the traditional Nyahbinghi roots anchored in the philosophies of the “Holy Piby” and Leonard Howell’s “The Promise Key”. Many Rastas knew and followed Scripture, but mostly Genesis, Revelation and the Psalms. Because the Bible was seen as the tool of the oppressors, much of it was forsaken. Yet Bro. Gad said it was all important to read the entire Bible because the message within remained true.

Gadman began to fill in a gap that had grown between Rastafari and Christianity, and in actuality also the very words and identity of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I. He encouraged literacy and education, having followers read the Bible a chapter a day along with the speeches of Haile Selassie I and Marcus Garvey. He also asked followers to get a Metaphysical Bible Dictionary and to read the daily newspaper. Many Rastas did not (and still do not) read the utterances of Selassie or Garvey for themselves. Many were not literate in the Bible outside of certain passages. Things are mostly communicated orally and musically in Rastafari, but Gad was saying for people to check things for themselves and seek Truth by using their own intelligence and not the words of others... even those of himself. So with a firm foundation of to build on, Prophet Gad continued to reveal more teachings. Brother Gad taught that by reading the entire Bible, one would find the relevance of both the Old and New Testaments and recognize that Jesus Christ was the savior, and also that the Spirit of Christ could be found in the personality of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I. One would be able to overstand this concept through the eternal promises to David, the Davidic Covenant which so many Christians neglect to this day. He taught that anyone could identify with the Twelve Tribes of Israel according to their month of birth. Each tribe represented a part of the body of Christ and had its own faculties and tendencies along with their own designated color.

If being saved by Jesus Christ’s name was not enough of a shock to the Rasta community, the revelations would continue to cause a disturbance. He said “whosever will may come”, and rather than deal with race, he spoke of humanity as the decedents of Noah’s three sons: Ham, Shem and Japheth. Therefore all were welcome and all were bredren, there was no racial discrimination. Gad reminded Rastafari people that women stood next to man as equals and were represented in the organization. Although there was a lot of talk about Mama Africa and Queen Omega, women had a history of being considered, or at least treated, as second-class in the traditional patriarchy of Rastafari. In Twelve Tribes, women had important roles and positions. Gad taught that faith was not of writs or rites, and therefore there was no doctrine of race, sex, food, hair, smoking or holidays... rather ones were saved by grace and adherence to certain practices was optional. Gad encouraged ones to act as princes and princess and to carry themselves as royalty. He taught that marriage was good and important for raising families, and that proper burials were not a problem because man was flesh. These are things that some traditional Rastas have avoided. Gad taught ones to spread the message of unity through music and TTOI began to host stage shows and dances, and record reggae artists. In fact some of the biggest reggae superstars were Twelve Tribes members: Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Freddie McGregor, Judy Mowatt, Sister Carol, Junior Byles, Brigadier Jerry, Israel Vibration, Denroy Morgan and Morgan Heritage... and many others. The message still continues in the words of other artists, for instance Luciano and Messenjah Selah, who as far as I know may not officially be Twelve Tribes members but adhere to many of the concepts.

Prophet Gad stressed the importance of organization. He began formal membership, had a system of succession, and centralized headquarters in Jamaica and then wherever the mansion was established. Dr. Vernon Carrington’s message spread internationally to twenty houses in eighteen countries all over the world: Jamaica, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Australia, New Zealand, England (Manchester & London), Barbados, Sweden, Suriname, Cayman, USA (New York & California), St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Kenya, Germany and Guyana. Members would have one voice with uniform greetings and banners (red, gold and green hats). Gadman also spoke of being diplomatic and cooperate with authority (within reason of course). Headquarters display the flags of Ethiopia and the local country, a photo of the local head of state is within the HQ (in America that included Bush). The concept is in line with the Bible in accordance to the words of Yeshua (Jesus) who said to give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. Therefore Twelve Tribes in non-political and peaceful and does not set out to stirrup conflict.

Brother Gad stressed the importance of repatriation back to Ethiopia. While this is a central tenant of Rastafari, Gad and the Twelve Tribes fulfilled this by sending members to live in Shashamane Land and recommended that all of the different mansions and individuals with Rastafari join together there under the Jamaican Rastafarian Development Community. Finally, Gadman showed ones that Selassie’s divinity and anointment are significant because he has prepared David’s throne for Christ’s coming, and called us to rally around Jehovah Throne. He taught ones to recognize that H.I.M. Haile Selassie I designated his son and grandson, Zere Yacob, to succeed the throne and that the Davidic/Solomonic Monarchy of Ethiopia continues beyond Selassie I until Shiloh, the return of Christ comes, because Israel shall never be short of a king or a prophet. The Twelve Tribes has organized benefits for the exiled family where they have attended. So Gadman has united the Twelve Tribes of Israel with the King, both physically and metaphysically.

All of these visions and teachings of Dr. Vernon Carrington, The Prophet Gad, helped bring Rastafari beliefs in order with what is revealed in the Bible and what has been spoken by H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, as well as Marcus Garvey. All of Gadman’s teachings have Biblical compliments... the holy foundation that even His Majesty claimed to glorify and said that all “all the ancient Scriptures were written for Our instruction...”. Gad’s teachings have received criticism and ridicule from other Rastas not willing to accept such things as the fullness of the Bible, or the idea of being saved by grace through Christ, or the inclusion of different nationalities in the unification of Israel. Some have even ridiculed members for being more educated and economically stable, which seems more like resentment. Nevertheless, how can Rastafari people argue with His Majesty? Ultimately Gad’s works reveal the reason why H.I.M. Haile Selassie I is the King of Kings. Twelve Tribes eventually became the largest and most organized of all the Rastafari mansions. The people influenced by Gadman’s revelations are twice as much, even if they don’t realize they are receiving lessons through some of the songs of Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, or Morgan Heritage.

I give thanks to Bro. Gad for what he has shown JAH people. I remember following his advice and when I started reading the Bible a chapter a day even before I joined Twelve Tribes. It took me three and a half years and I gained so much wisdom and knowledge. Although I haven’t read it through again consecutively, I keep the Bible handy at all times. In addition I read the Kebra Nagast and other books taken out of the Bible, like the Book of Enoch. I continued to read the Utterances of His Majesty and the Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey. The greatest thing was that I was not commanded to do a thing, or forced to believe anything. I was only encouraged by Brother Gad and the executive body at TTOI HQ in NY to read the Bible a chapter a day to find the truth for myself. This is the same way Gadman taught his followers, and the same way they are still taught... to cross the bridges in our gaps of understanding and come closer to JAH and the teachings of His Majesty while operating with love and unity. While I am a Twelve Tribes of Israel member, I have also sighted up things outside of the main tenants of the organization... as I am sometimes carried along by the natural mystic of Rastafari, and the Nyahbinghi teachings that go beyond Scripture. However, thanks to Bro. Gad, I always have the firm foundation of Orthodox Faith to stand on, and ultimately the Truth reveals itself in JAH Word.

Our beloved Prophet Gad passed on in 2005. I remember calling the Twelve Tribes HQ in NY to double check if the news was true. I attended a memorial for him at NYC and was wishing I could have gone to Kingston for the gathering of Israel at his funeral. Years later I did reach, and I met Sister Vie (Sister Dinah), Gadman’s wife. It was an honor to meet her and shake her hand at the Twelve Tribes organ in Kingston. I could only express how thankful I was for Bro. Gad’s teachings and how they changed my life and overstanding of my faith. He stopped his breath to save the people... surely there was a prophet amongst us. So, Israel continues to enlargeth Gad!

"And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head." - Deuteronomy 33:20

Long Live The Prophet Gad! Read your Bible a Chapter a Day!

Are You Picking Up?,
JAHsh
Joshua Curzan Simeon

Journey Along Life’s Way

As I was driving into New York, I couldn’t quite remember how long it had been... somewhere in between too long and awhile ago. Either way, I was happy that I had the opportunity to make the trip because circumstances have been pressuring me lately. I started attending meetings at the Twelve Tribes of Israel back in 2003, and I think my official date of membership at the NY HQ is January 2004. Those were some tumultuous times in my life, but I was trying to find some peace of mind. I was in my young twenties and had gone through my fair share of trials and tribulations of the heart and soul. I had also started my trod with Rastafari about two years prior to that and I was on a quest to mature more in my overstanding of things to find a community that I could take part in and belong to... especially when it sometimes seemed like I was a lonely sheep. The same reason I was driving now, was the same reason I was driving then... for fellowship and renewal.

I remember when I was still living in the neighborhood in Newark as a young man and my good bredren and mentor had often used the language and ideas espoused by the Twelve Tribes in the advice he had given me. It had always resonated with me when we would reason about life and everything within it. The Rastafari trod has many different facets to it, and by that time I had already been exposed to different levels and philosophies within the movement, but the Twelve Tribes vibes always came back to plant a seed within me. Eventually it led me to learn more about the actual Rastafari organization called the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and about Prophet Gad, Dr. Vernon Carrington, TTOI’s founder. I had found and read interviews with Gadman, read books like Bro. Karl Philpotts Naphtali’s “Testimony of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I”, and listened to reggae artists who followed the Twelve Tribes philosophy. I started following Gadman’s teachings, like reading the Bible a chapter a day, along with the utterances of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I and Marcus Garvey. As an educated and tolerant person I embraced the Twelve Tribes teaching on self-reliance, literacy, nondiscrimination and unity, as well as refocusing through a new lens on the Christian faith... a faith that I had nearly abandoned in anger, but found rejuvenation in as a Twelve Tribes Rastafari. After taking it upon myself to follow the guidance of Prophet Gad, and having acquired a strong knowledge of the Scriptures, Ethiopia and His Majesty in the process, the last thing for me to do was sign up, seal up and be a member of the organization that I had studied so fervently. Fortunately Twelve Tribes had a house in New York and I lived close enough to the New York area, so I joined and I attended meetings and functions when I could. Eventually between going to graduate school, and working as a teacher I could not go as often as I liked and time passed. So did Prophet Gad in 2005. I remember attending a special meeting in his remembrance. I never got to meet him, but he changed my life.

Forward back to 2010. It was one of the colder evenings of the year so far, jacket weather. Out of the four quarterly meetings each year, October and April were the easiest for me to attend. I figured if I missed this one, it might be another year of absence for me. I walked to the gates of the HQ, and stepped through. The first time I had been to the NYC House of Twelve Tribes in maybe two years. Since then I had actually been to the “organ”, the original Twelve Tribes HQ in Kingston, Jamaica, on Hope Road just up from Bob Marley’s old home (who was also a TTOI member in his day). There I met with Sangie Davis, a reggae artist and producer for Orthodox Muzik of Twelve Tribes, and amongst other bredrens and sistrens I met Sis. Dinah 1st, Gad’s widow... but the visit there to Hope Road is a story of its own. Now I was here again on Farmers Boulevard in Queens. I walked into the doorway and greeted bredrens and sistrens wearing the “banner”, the red, gold, and green tam that all members wear during official functions. I had mine with me as well, but I passed through proudly with my locks swinging free, as it was the first time I had been there since growing them nearly 2 years ago. I took a look around. The same signs with the tribe names and their colors were across the top hallway wall, pictures of His Majesty and the Royal Family were in their spots, the latest news and communication from other houses was posted. I chatted with a few people and learned that one of the executives, the original overseer of the New York house, repatriated to Shashamane Land, Ethiopia along with his family. I saw some other familiar faces, but they would be missed, especially since I rarely made visits. Yet repatriation is one of the missions of the organization..

A sistren greeted me and I chatted how it had been such a long while since I had come, but how circumstances allowed me to come again tonight. She remarked on how nice it was that I was able to make the journey there and how it was destiny to come back in this time. “Yes Simeon”, she said, “strong of faith!” (I am of the Tribe of Simeon, and faith is one of our tendencies). She also made mention of how it was the anniversary of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I’s 1963 visit to the United States tomorrow (which is today, Oct. 4th) and that in the same way it revealed a natural mystic in my visit. I thought about that. Soon after, the meeting began in the familiar way, Ezekiel 37, and continued with reasonings, financial oversight, and messages to the massive. After a few hours of some empowering words in the company of bredrens and sistrens, the meeting ended with the Ethiopian Anthem. I wish that I could have stayed longer to reason with ones and spend some time at the HQ but I had a 2 hour drive back home and still had to work tomorrow (although not at my usual very early time). On my way out, I chatted with a few more bredrens who urged me to come more often again. I said I would try... and that is my intention. Not just to make the occasional meeting, but to come and just cool out on an occasional Friday evening.

I realized that even just a short time there in the New York house gave me a renewed energy, a renewed sense of self and resistance to the Babylon folly flooding all around me in my daily life. Whatever it is that caused me to set out to the meeting that night, whether it was the shift in my schedule, the mere determination, or the Hand of JAH... I was able to come and complete that journey. Just like His Majesty made his visit to New York and the USA on this date, I also set out to my destination on the eve of that anniversary, and maybe it is that sign for me to strengthen up and find that fervor I did when I had first sighted up Rastafari, along with Gadman and his message to Israel. My good bredren often says to me, “two mountains don’t meet” because I sometimes don’t get to visit with him as much as I like either. Yet, as Rastamen we also both know that everything is in its due time and season. When we journey along life’s way we move in a progressive manner... seeking to advance and improve. A simple journey of 100 miles one October evening has given me some more mileage for the spiritual trod ahead. A little more prayer, a little more study, a little more livication to help me along Life’s Way and give me strength every day! Give thank to JAH! Give thanks to all the bredrens and sistrens who trod together toward One God, One Aim and One Destiny!

More Life,
JAHsh

Things & Time

Greetings! It is amazing how quickly time flies by. Seasons come and go, and the next thing you know it has become almost a year. I realized this and decided that it was time for me to get back on track with a few things. I figured a great way to start this would be to write about some of the changes that have happened within this past year...

Looking backward, the last time I actually took a little time to post something was after the results of last year’s presidential election. Well, needless to say much has happened since that time. Obviously, we have our first African-American president, which is a really great thing. I had so many things that I had wanted to write about and share during that time, but the pace of life was a bit overwhelming. In any case, it has been a refreshing six months with Mr. Obama in office. What astonishes me though is how many haters there are already. Have Americans forgotten the amount of rubbish Obama has inherited as President? Are people that scared of reform, change, and sacrifice? Are people impatient and expecting too much? I’m not sure what the general public believes, but I for one still have faith in the man. I know full well that I will not be pleased by everything that he does, but being a president involves having to make compromises and different choices sometimes in order to establish something greater. We shall see what comes down the road.

Besides the new presidency, I was in the midst of completing CT’s notorious BEST Portfolio in order to keep my job as a teacher. If there was one reason why a barren wasteland replaced my field of thoughts and poems, this was it. Teaching alone is a very intense job, you are always creating, thinking, and making decisions, so it is exhausting at times. Well, keeping that in mind, imagine having to do a huge amount of tedious planning, reflecting, and paperwork in addition to the usual job requirements and what you get is a stressed-out mess. I am so thankful that that arduous task is over. I believe I did a good job, but my results are still forthcoming. I’m not worried though... so BEST, get thee behind!

This year I had decided to finally dreadlock my hair. As a Rastaman, this is something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but circumstances didn’t always allow for it. There is still a stigma about having locks in society, let alone as a teacher and public servant. I wanted to wait until I had established myself and let people know me from the heart. In fact, being a baldheaded Rasta during the past 7 years or so has given me the ability to mature in that heartical sense, so that by the time I decided to lock, it was merely a visible affirmation of what’s been within for a long time. In all honesty, I was also motivated to dread by the fact that if I waited too long, I may not have any hair left! This doesn’t mean that locking my hair wasn’t met by opposition, strange looks, and criticism, especially during the first awkward stages. Yet, enduring that with patience has brought me to really be happy with my dreads. They still have a long way to go, but the progress has been amazing. Since I’ve begun my dreadlocks I also feel fulfilled in a way that I couldn’t quite feel before... something almost mystical. I will definitely share more vibes about my dread journey in due time.

This past year has also been eventful because I finally reached Jamaica, which has an obvious influence on me in a variety of ways. Travelling has been something that I’ve not been able to do on my own up until recently. Once again, circumstances. So, I am so thankful for the journey I was able to take. I was able to see many parts of the country and reason with fellow Rastafari people. I also made a trip to the Twelve Tribes of Israel headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica. I am a member of that particular organization in America, so it was a real blessing to go where it all started and meet some of the elders. I already had know so much about the culture, the history, the people, and the music of Jamaica… but there is nothing like stepping foot there and experiencing it, especially from a natural point of view. I hope to reach Ethiopia someday and have a similar type of experience! There are many places in this world where I must trod and behold.

As it shows, this year has been a blessing in many ways, and I give thanks for that! It has also been a very busy time, and some of the changes have not always been as positive. The stress and pace work, the blows dealt to the heart by failed romance, the lack of creativity, and the failure to keep healthy routines have all taken a toll on me. That is why I’ve decided to make a few changes to strengthen up the livity and make things a little bit easier and satisfying. I will definitely share more about that as progress is made. One thing this year has taught me is that life can go in so many directions, heights and depths… but I must always remember myself and take care of myself in order to sustain that journey. There comes a time to revitalize and reevaluate, and that time has come for me. Give thanks for life, and hold a meditation!

JAH Bless,
JAHsh

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

Clear Itation

Sometimes I am amazed by the simple things that can be said to someone and awaken them, set them upon another level of awareness, of consciousness. It is even more surprising when you are the one receiving this awareness and clarity of mind. When we become troubled by something in life, our vision often narrows and the road that we travel becomes foggy. This is true even for those with a good sense of direction.

Recently I have faced an obstacle of my own along life's road. If you breathe the air and have blood running through your veins, I know that you have also felt this way. That constraining and downhearted feeling… a whole set of negative vibes. Ever since I began to sight up Rastafari some years ago, I learned how to deal with disappointments and focus on the Most High with a progressive mind and not allow troubles to linger in my soul. However, trials will occasionally come out of the blue and really test someone's conviction. As a Rastaman, one should never fail to do JAH works because JAH Rastafari provides I&I strength through guidance and wisdom, but this can be easily forgotten in the midst of human emotions and worries. We tend to become selfish and panicky. It's not easy, but one must trust God, rise up as kings and queens in this time and move forward because when one door is closed, another is open and where there is life there is hope. Even though I know these things in my heart, and make them a part of my daily livity, I had been caught in the Valley of Decision scratching my head instead of trusting JAH to get me out and set me on the right path. I felt alone, but fortunately I had some good people that gave me encouraging words and spiritual reinforcement. A simple reminder recharged my battery. Even if there was not another soul on earth to help me out, I would still have a real relationship with God and the comfort of His presence. I had been so busy lately that even during better times I have forgotten to just think about JAH in quiet reflection… which is significantly different from just believing in JAH and even following JAH.

So I followed some advice, quietly relaxed my mind and listened to some Rasta tunes. True Rasta music is sacred, it sings praises to JAH and is prayerful and contemplative. Just having this meditation can make miracles happen, bring forth the natural mystic burning out any doubt in the mind, and clearing away all of the fog of confusion. Finally I was cool and calm, leaving things to JAH. After readjusting my focus onto good and upful things, I realized how much of my prior attention had been on human desires and emotions rather than JAH instead. I had to meditate on God and remember His Spirit within I-self. The deep itation had put things in a truthful light and gave me serenity. I was awake. I remembered that JAH is my guide and protector and all of this came about with some reasoning, some words shared between bredren to uplift the soul. I am convinced that everyone needs reassurance and rejuvenation, even the most faithful servants of JAH, and those few words and messages plant seeds that can either bring someone back to awareness or for the first time ignite the spirit of Rastafari dwelling in every man and woman. Let every warrior rise up and continue on their journey to JAH! When I&I put JAH first, the blessings will come and the way will be made clear!

Relieve your frustration with some deep itation. Share your revelation with every nation!

Higher Heights,
JAHsh

Self-Reflection

I had an interesting conversation the other day. An acquaintance of mine from some years ago happened to contact me out of the blue and we spoke for awhile and caught up. This made me realize that sometimes when you answer somebody's questions it really challenges how much you actually know about yourself... about your identity. So, I had a moment of self-reflection. Not to say that I don't self-reflect anyway, I probably do so more often than I'd like... but this occasion kind of brought me back in a time machine. Years have gone by, I am older now, in my mid-twenties. I navigated through the treacherous rapids of the late-teens and early-twenties and safely found calmer waters, albeit with a few holes in my sails. Without losing my core being, my personality and character, I went through some great changes. Some were more than awful, and thankfully short-lived, others have been magnificent but perhaps strange for people to understand or accept... a perfect example being my trod in Rastafari. Certainly I am not the same man I was 5 years ago or so. In fact, I truly believe now that although I referred to myself as a "man" then, I was most definitely a boy. I can say with confidence that in another 5 years when I look back to this time, finding a "lost boy" wouldn't be the case. Lessons of life have seasoned me: spiritual awareness and maturity, confidence and purpose, the experience of relationships lost and found, better decision making skills... and clinically speaking, a fully developed frontal lobe of the brain (I teach psychology and some clinical terminology rubbed off on me). I'll confess I am "lightly seasoned" as it were, I still have countless defining moments and experiences ahead of me, but I know who I am and who I am not. While conversing with this person from my past, I became aware of how difficult it was to admit certain things to myself. Once in my life I tasted the result of my own folly, and then like the prodigal son, I came back to my Father's house as a humble and remorseful man. Experience taught me wisdom, but it was an avoidable experience. My previous lifestyle of "living on the edge" was not born out of necessity, but from poor choices. Yet at the same time I know that without that detour, I would have never become who I am now. If I wasn't who I am now, then who would I be? Well it is impossible to answer... and rather pointless. My faith in JAH reassures me that everything happens for a reason, and even my former vagabond ways were indeed necessary for my personal growth. My acquaintance was surprised by some of the things I briefly mentioned, I had never given an impression or indication of these things during the time he knew me, and truthfully I was and still am an affable guy who tends to get along with most people. So any given person's perspective of me may not be the entire one or the correct one. I think this holds true today, even from my very own perspective. Consequently, during the conversation I zoomed out from my ordinary field of vision, just to check myself. What did I discover? Well, I saw where my journey had led me through... a winding snake of a path with barely any trace of sensible direction. But on closer examination, more and more it looked like it became a progressive route. My focus now is on the straight and narrow, yet I am open to change and growth in my character and outlook. There are many small uncharted paths along life's highway, scenic ways that are worth checking out, as long as I remember where my final destination is... and I'll know it when I get there, because I've seen it in a vision in the Valley of Decision. I&I must give thanks. I know that I am a good man, a good person, with much to share with humanity in this short lifetime of mine. Although I myself may find my former and future journeys strange and inexplicable, I know that I am a SoulJAH on a mission and I won't stop moving until my work is done.

How about you? Take time to know yourself and identify who you are!... and never ever judge your fellow man. Guidance everytime!

JAHsh

Chapter A Day

Today is a day of extreme significance for me. I haven't had the chance to think over things and articulate its importance properly; nevertheless, it is something I needed to write about while it is still relevant. It is the end of a long journey of awareness and discovery for me, and yet it is also the beginning. Sometime around January 28, 2003 I began a vow to read a chapter of the Bible a day, from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, the latter of which I read today on May 1, 2005. For anyone who is wondering, reading the Bible in this manner takes exactly 3 years and 94 days. There are quicker ways of accomplishing this, there is a system to read the Bible in one year, or in three years exactly by combining smaller chapters together. However, back in the beginning of 2003 I decided to stick to the plan of reading and meditating on just one chapter a day. I owe this idea to a Rastafari leader named Dr. Vernon Carrington, "Prophet Gad", or as we Twelve Tribes of Israel fondly call him, "Gadman".

About 5 years ago I began to seriously sight up Rastafari, living a certain way of life, following certain teachings and applying them to my own personal trod. Years before that, I had been aware of some things, but not until I was exposed to the "livity" on a day-to-day basis did I truly understand it. Rastafari revealed itself by the hand of Almighty JAH through friends and those around me. Yes, Jerusalem schoolroom. It was the most pure and unadulterated thing I had ever witnessed, and that is how I approached Rastafari, not a political thing, a nationalist thing, not a joke thing... just love, understanding, equality, justice, and righteousness. Soon after gaining a foothold, I was tested in the fire of tribulation, a personal battle that eventually refined me and made me stronger than I had ever been before. To make a long story short, that trial brought me closer to JAH and I pursued Rastafari even more, trying to find those with a common vigor, and more people I could learn from. Although my bredrens were not part of any particular organization within Rastafari, many of the teachings and reasonings they shared with me were similar to what I found when I came across the Twelve Tribes of Israel, an organization or "mansion" within the Rastafari movement. It is not necessary to go into detail about them here in this entry, but many things made sense. My bredrens had shown me how all mankind was manifested in the Twelve Tribes, when I learned that this idea along with others I held were sighted up by the organization, I went to a meeting to see for I-self. Later I became a member of the Twelve Tribes, but that too is another story. One of the teachings espoused by Twelve Tribes was Gadman's calling to "read one chapter of the Bible a day, from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22", with a "clear conscience" in order to find the truth for oneself.

In Rastafari I found certain sets of people saying different things, yet all identifying themselves as Rasta. I also read the words of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, and found some contradictions amongst those following H.I.M., so by this time I was trying to find the deeper substance of things, the voice of JAH and not the voice or traditions of man. All Rastas sight up the Bible in some portion, most pick and choose... but Gadman said to read the whole Bible, and even more so, King Selassie I said that all of the Scriptures were written for our instruction. I had decided to take up Gadman on his instruction, and I am very thankful for it. It was not about somebody telling me what to believe, nor any particular group. Not my Catholic upbringing, not any church, politician, ideology, not any Rasta group, whether Nyabinghi, Bobo Shanti... not even Twelve Tribes. It was about finding the Truth for oneself. Spirituality and recognition of the Bible and certain biblical truths are what seemed to put everything together for me... a natural mystic outside the bounds of any rite or ritual, and a learning spirit free of a hardened heart. Such a foundation is a blessing, because as H.I.M. Emperor Selassie I said, "Spirituality is not theology or ideology. It is simply a way of life, pure and original as was given by the Most High." Reading the Scriptures gave me that realization and it really didn't matter to me what the next man say.

Within those 3 and a quarter years of reading I have grown tremendously. I have gained so much wisdom and have made my own mind based upon what I have learned and meditated on. Rastafari liberated me, but not without the daily meditations on the Scriptures to help give me some guidance. When I needed in answer to something in my life I could find it through prayer, meditation and studying the words of the prophets. These 3 years have also presented many other changes... escalated wars in the world, injuries and physical changes I've had, relationships, deaths, births, etc., even Gadman passed in 2005. The journey is never done though, and it goes beyond the mere pages of a God inspired book... it is Life it is Creation, the Truth is revealing. The trod never ends cause I&I never stop growing, always seeking JAH in all things! Tomorrow I start reading again... Genesis 1, another walk with King Alpha and Queen Omega.

Bless Up,
JAHsh

Organize & Centralize

When ones hear "organize and centralize" in regards to Rastafari we think of I-nity in the movement, coming together as a people, collectively making things happen as one body in Yeshua, JAH Rastafari. However this same idea must be applied to the individual. It is the set of individuals which make up the greater body, the same way the ear must hear and the eye must see, I&I must also satisfy our functions for the benefit of all. The need for me to "organize and centralize" is quite obvious to me, my room is strewn with paperwork and books piled up and cluttered from endless days of work and studies. Within these next couple days though I will have it clean and sorted out, but more importantly it is symbolic of my need to remove the clutter from my spiritual trod. I have realized that although I always have JAH on my mind and try to walk in the livity, I have become dull... worn out as it were. The sands of time sometimes cause a sharp sword to become blunt and tarnished. So the time has come when I&I must sharpen I-self against a "whetstone" and polish I-self again to reflect the light of the Most High. This is something that we all must do from time to time, for JAH works is never just one time and the work done, no... it is a continuous process that I&I must go through.

School and work has kept me busy in these times and I have neglected my vow to read from the Bible a chapter a day. This has happened on occasion and I always catch up on a particular day and read all of the chapters that I missed. However, this past year it has happened too often and it bothers me especially because I will soon be done with my first cycle of reading the Bible one chapter a day from Genesis to Revelations (I have 28 more days left now, and it has been 3 years and 66 days). I feel it is important that I end my first journey with JAH on a high note, with a focused mind and thanksgiving... because it has given I-man so much wisdom in these 3 years and more, I have really grown so much. So, tonight I am "dusting off" my Scrips, catching up on my readings and shall meditate on the teachings I receive. More prayer, more life.

Another aspect that I have not maintained well enough this year is my fellowship with the Twelve Tribes of Israel, a Rastafari organization of which I am a member. Until I attended a meeting last night, it was a year ago that I had last gone, partly because of distance and also the inconvenience of time since I have been busy with my studies. However, when I visited the headquarters on Sunday and saw some of the bredrens and sistrens I have not seen in awhile, I felt more strength and conviction come to me again. As the elders spoke to the masses late into the night, I felt motivated, I felt inna-spuration inside of me, calling I to do certain things that for a long time I have hoped to accomplish, things that others have done before me. Simply to be around good vibes and people who sight up Rastafari with love is reinvigorating for me. The trod can be lonely at times, especially since I do not have ones close by that I can reason with, but I have to give thanks for being a part of something and having access to certain opportunities. I opened some doors this last meeting, and made some connections which I hope will help me with the things I wish to accomplish. I also plan on being present at the Twelve Tribes HQ whenever possible.

In the end it is all about responsibility and doing what is necessary. JAH provides us with the tools and the means to do the work, it is we who must swing the hammer and wield the sword of the Spirit. I really hope that I maintain my renewed focus, the time will get rough again as my rigorous schedule will manifest once more, but livication can conquer all of that, I am certain. I&I must always make time for JAH. I&I can accomplish what we will as Marcus Garvey said. Recently I have been focused physically by regularly going to the gym and watching my nutrition. I have not failed in these things... so with that same determination I must offer I-self to the Most High and exercise my Spirit so that I can be in shape for the spiritual battle that surrounds us in these times. Endurance. Organize and centralize yourself. Love JAH.

JAHsh