Unlike “Navin R. Johnson”, Steve Martin’s moronic characterization in the 1979 comedy film “The Jerk” , I was not born a “poor black child”. I arrived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on the 18th of October in 1946 - the firstborn of European immigrant offspring. My father’s parents were Irish and my mother’s parents were Sicilian. Although I was born in New England and could characterize myself as “a Yankee”, the Lion’s share of my cultural identity rests in background of the people who had a hand in raising me. What I know about the warmth and affection among extended family members, I learned from my mother’s Sicilian people. My incisive wit is… brought to you by the makers of …my father’s Irish people.
Read MoreThe Mountain of the Lord 1. This is what Isaiah, the son (lawful heir; beneficiary; recipient; inheritor) of Amotz (strength and courage), saw in a divinely inspired vision (oracle; prophecy; prediction) that focused on Judah (Praise and Thanksgiving unto Yhwh) and Jerusalem (The Schoolmaster of Peace and Salvation). . . . . 2. During “the last days” (our generation) the mountain […]
Who’ll Believe Us? 1. Who has confidence in the truth and reliability of Israel’s Message (annunciation; declaration; proclamation; announcement; formal public statement) and who believes the arm (people; children; seed; descendants) of Jehovah, unto whom that message is revealed? . . 2. For Jehovah’s servant was raise-up (developed; adapted; ready; willing; able; prepared) to be tamed (bent to another’s will; subdued) like a tender-plant (“twig”; […]
The Kingdom Of Righteousness 1. Behold (see and observe something remarkable and impressive)…… an Israelite Princess (Lady; head of a sovereign state, who has inherited the position by right of birth) will reign (sit on the throne) over Israel’s people in righteous (what is right). Indeed (in fact) high-priestesses (female-executives) will rule (govern; have dominion over) men with justice (fair-treatment; due-process; “a square-deal”). . […]