Life is a journey. There is no part of this journey one does not meet people along the way. These people are in all manner of conditions. What is painful is the hurts we experience at the hand of others. Its never mandatory that one must hurt another human being, animals, and our natural surrounding. My soul is weary to see the wars, acts of hatred, violent terrorist attacks, and just every day people taking out their own self hate, degradation, and/or frustration on the nearest vunerable person. It shouldn’t be so. Always the news is full to the brim with the next tradegy never consistent for while one family grieves in the headlines others are not acknowledged yet their cries go out into the universe. Can you hear the weary earth shake, shudder, and grown at the abuse at the hands of humanity. Can you feel it in the air, see it in the wind, and hear it in the thunder. The earth is crying because of all the blood pouring onto the earth. The earth is crying along with all those who are weary. Our planet is in a state of mourning.
Author: Sabreehna S. Essien, MPH
A Native to the Pacific Northwest, Sabreehna is American with Kenyan descent. Sabreehna holds a Master of Public Health and is a small business owner. She currently studies Marriage Family Therapy at Northcentral University and graduates in 2024. Sabreehna is a wife and mother of two boys. Sabreehna enjoys a good book, travel, fashion, nature hikes,
and time with her husband and children. Sabreehna dreams of building schools, health clinics, community centers, and affordable housing in rural parts of Africa.
My soul aches
My soul aches and makes the sound of an old rusty bridge. Weathered by the storms of life it aches but where is the medicine to cure. My soul aches at the pain of hatred, disdain, and deceitful acts like poison killing me slowly. Its seems when one is hated joy and life drain out from your bones, peace, and hope like water pour until there are barely any drops left. My soul aches with a tired that sleep cannot remedy at all. Do you know that type of tired. The type where even in slumber some how the psyche is inflicted with faces, situations, and fables without reason leaving one restless. My soul aches to awake at any given hour of the night to energy not my own seeking to steal the little light left in me leaving me lifeless, languishing, barely breathing, and they say misery loves company. Well misery beg your pardon, I am not miserable. My soul aches because it has been running on empty for some years now. There are those in life who are takers, critics, and no matter what joyful presence you bring within minutes your smile will be wiped from your face. My soul aches so I write, write, write, and allow my soul to heal itself.
The Sky Is Falling
The sky is falling….tears started like a slow trickle sliding down my face. I first used my sleeves to wipe here and there relieved to have sun glasses on to mask my sorrow, disappointment, bafflement at my state of being, and on public transport no one noticed or if so it was no bother to them. Suddenly the tears began streaming down my face like a stream faster then could be brushed away. Why feel is my question, why feel hurt, why feel disappointment, and quickly I text my bestie for a voice of reason before sorrow devoured me. I felt ashamed to be so heart broken even though it was not a wound self inflicted…strange to be angry with oneself for trusting, believing, or is it true that happily ever after is only in movies, children’s books, or in tragedy like Romeo and Juliet.
Ubuntu Exhibtion
Ubuntu is an ancient African word which means “humanity” to others. It also means ” I am what I am because of who we all are”. It is my goal to speak to this humanity that is within all of us to inspire individuals, community, and families to come together.It is truly exciting for me to have an opportunity to Curate my first exhibition at the University of Washington. I smile every time when thinking about it and look forward to more opportunities to curate other shows and events. I will also be doing an Artist talk sharing about my technique, work habits, and inspiration in creating my Art. It is a blessing to share art, appreciate art, and connect with my community at large in experiencing the message of Ubuntu.
The Ubuntu Exhibition opens July 12th, 2016, 8am to 5pm @ UW Tower in Seattle Washington. There will be an Artist Receptions July 14th, 4pm to 6pm @ UW Tower with live performing Arts and there will be a closing reception September 22, 12 noon to 2pm with Artist talks, Reflections, and Spoken Word. Community is something to celebrate so for me Ubuntu Exhibition is a celebrations of the beauty in our community, supporting each other, and leaving a beautiful uplifting legacy to the next generations.
As my people of Kenya like to say in Swahili ,Umoja! Unity!
Sankofa: Cape Coast Ghana-Akan symbol
For Immediate Release: Updated Call For Artist: Ubuntu Exhibition @ University of Washington Tower
Ubuntu Logo
Logo By: Eric Salisbury
Artist Call:Ubuntu Exibition @ University of Washington Tower
Photo post.
Source: Artist Call:Ubuntu Exibition @ University of Washington Tower
Artist Call:Ubuntu Exibition @ University of Washington Tower
Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?
Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?
During this past Sabbath, I received a great blessing from God during my studies and compelled to share it with other.
John 5:6 “When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, wilt thou be made whole?”
How many of you remember the story about the lame man who for 38 years was brought to the pool of Bethesda; yet, he lacked strength to get in and nobody helped him either. Well if you recall the story is John Chapter 5. Jesus enters the seen, noticed the lame man lying there, and asked…Wilt thou be made whole?
John 5:5-9 “ 5 And a certain man was there (Pool of Bethesda), which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he said unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.”
During my Sabbath worship, God enlightened my mind concerning the word “Health”. Notice Jesus only asked the man if he wanted to be made whole….his response was neither “yes or no” in fact he poured out his heart first and then he received instant health or healing which was both physical and spiritual. This word “Health” is expressed in several forms within the Hebrew language and together let us exam all six Hebrew forms for health. It is Gods will for us to be made whole; no matter the situation, ailment, years, months, or days….God want us to be made “Whole”.
Isaiah 58:8 “Then Shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine “health” shall spring forth speedily, and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.”
In Isaiah 58:8 the word “health” is the Hebrew word Arukah meaning restoring to soundness, made perfect in health. Glory to God we won’t just have health but speedily have health restored and made perfect in health. Amen. This word make me excited Beloved.
Jeremiah 33:6 “ Behold, I will bring it’ health” and cure and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.”
In Jeremiah 33:6 the word “health” is the Hebrew word Arukah again; however, this text also has the word “cure” mentioned twice both two seperate Hebrew words define both differently: 1) The first “cure” mentioned in the text is the Hebrew word Marpe (also another form of the word health) which means medicine, a cure, healing remedy, sound, wholesome, yielding. 2) The second “cure” mentioned in the text is the Hebrew word Rapha raphah meaning cure, heal, physician repair, properly mended, thoroughly, make whole.
Jeremiah 30:17 “ For I will restore “health” unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds saith the Lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, who no man seeketh after.”
In this verse the Hebrew form is Arukah meaning restoring to soundness, made perfect in health.
Jeremiah 8:22 “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the “health” of the daughter of my people recovered?”
In this verse the Hebrew form is Arukah meaning restoring to soundness, made perfect in health. In this text Jeremiah ask a question he very well know the answer…the question is to say…God I know you are the great physician so then why are not the daughter of my people made whole…imagine this man has guts but indeed his faith is in the word of God because he brings it forward that in the word God people have healing so where Lord is the evidence of this healing. Man I can preach a sermon off this text all by itself. Amen.
Acts 27:34 “ Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your “health” for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
Bless God…. this scripture is powerful. So the Hebrew word for health is “Soteria” meaning rescue or safety, deliver health (physically or morally) salvation, save, saving, saved, deliver, the one be saved. Imagine the health being described in this verse is declaring past, present, and future health physically and morally. God is awesome. Also an extra note concerning the mention of “meat” in this verse the Hebrew word is “Trophe” or nourishment not to be confused with flesh meat (animal product).
3 John 1:2 “ Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in “health”, even as thy soul prospereth.”
In this text in 3 John the Hebrew word for “ health” is Hugiaino which means to have sound health that is be well in body, to be uncorrupt, true to doctrine, be in health, be safe and sound (be) whole (some). Glory to God so then the health discribed in this text speaks of our health in not being corrupt or lacking in truth. In fact our health is in direct relationship to our spiritual and physical well-being.
Psalms 67:2 “ That thy way be known upon earth thy saving “health” among all nations.”
The Hebrew form for “health” is “Yeshuah” which means something saved, deliverance, hence (aid) victory prosperity, health (help), salvation, saving.
Psalm 43:5 “ Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me ? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the “health” of my countenance, and my God.”
The Hebrew form for “health” is “Yeshuah” which means something saved, deliverance, hence (aid) victory prosperity, health (help), salvation, saving.
Psalm 42:11 “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the “health” of my countenance and my God.”
The Hebrew form for “health” is “Yeshuah” which means something saved, deliverance, hence (aid) victory prosperity, health (help), salvation, saving. Notice that this verse mirrors the previous Psalm 43:5 with one word inserted in Psalm 42:11 “thou”…..the mere fact that David repeated this statement twice is reason to stop, reflect, and meditate on the reality that God wants total deliverance, victory, prosperity, help, and salvation which is our promise of Health. Hallelujah!
Proverbs 3:8 “ It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”
The Hebrew form of “health” in this text is Riph’uth meaning cure or health.
Proverbs 4:22 “ For they are life unto those that find them, and “health” to all their flesh.”
The Hebrew form for the word “health”in this text is Marpe meaning cure or medicine, deliverance, healing, remedy, and wholesome. So what is being discussed in this verse that will bring “health” to our flesh….lets look at the previous versuses (this is an extra treat)
Proverbs 4:20-22 “ 20 My son/daughter, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and “health” to all their flesh.”
It is clear God is referring to his WORD which is our cure to life’s ailments, or medicine, our deliverance. It is in his WORD we find our healing, remedy from life’s woes, and are made whole. Bless God for the regenerative power of his eternal life giving WORD.
Proverbs 16:24 “ Pleasant words are as an honeycomb sweet to the soul, and “health” to the bones.”
The Hebrew form for the word “health”in this text is Marpe meaning cure or medicine, deliverance, healing, remedy, and wholesome. Our words towards others, ourselves, and in times of adversity can be pleasant words which are sweet and bring health to our bones Beloved. God has mercy and forgive us for all the negative bitter words be have spoken which are not sweet and shatter bones. God helps to speak pleasant words always.
Proverbs 12:18 “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is “health”.”
The Hebrew form for the word “health”in this text is Marpe meaning cure or medicine, deliverance, healing, remedy, and wholesome. Again our words can pierce like a sword. God helps us to be wise that our tongue speak words of health to others and even ourselves. Bless God this study has moved my heart deeply Beloved.
Proverbs 13:17 “ A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is “health”.”
The Hebrew form for the word “health”in this text is Marpe meaning cure or medicine, deliverance, healing, remedy, and wholesome. So as ambassador of God we are “health”…Beloved as I am closing this bible study…let us receive our Health in all its forms
- Arukah
- Riph’uth
- Yeshuah
- Hugiaino
- Soteria
May we be instruments which bring health and healing to others. Amen.
Prepared By LaQuita S. Thurman March 26, 2016
SABREEHNA S. ESSIEN 