"Some where I read."

That; "Some where I read." expression was made popular by Dr. King. Dr. King did not create it, he simply popularized it in his brilliant oratory.   Many black preachers of old punctuated their dynamic sermons with that phrase.

When the minister got to "Some where I read." the church knew instinctively that preacher was about to get down to some gut wrenching moaning and groaning.  Some fire and brimstone was about to fall.  Fire and brimstone to be followed by manna from heaven.  This would be the hour everyone had waited for, had gathered for.

That old minister would take out a huge white handkerchief and cuff it in this hand.  Then he would work that handkerchief like magic, wiping spittle from his mouth and mopping sweat from his brow.  That old black preacher was not content to stand in one place.  The spirit often made him run from one side of the pulpit to the other.  Sometimes the spirit would take over and cause him to jump and shout and threaten to jump over the chancellor rail.

"Some where I read." was a warm up call.    Holy sanctified  filled with the Holy Ghost churches ate it up.  That one phrase put the "shouters" on notice to get ready.  This was the warm up, there was about to be a Holy Ghost party.

First came the "Amens", then the "Preach it brother!", followed by a lot of foot stomping and "Praise duh Lawd!".   Every one knew to say "Amen" when the preacher called; "Can you say Amen?  Can you say Praise duh Lawd?  Can you say thanky Jee-zuz?"

It would not be long before that old preacher was "hacking".  Hacking was punctuating every sentence with a "hack".  "Dey nailed my Jee-zuz to an old rug-ged cross!" (hack) "Yes dey did!" (hack)  "Dey hung Him hi and streeee-tched Him wiiiiii-ddd-eee!" (hack)

This was the style of preaching I grew up listening to.  I found it invigorating and certainly entertaining.  My own grandfather said that a preacher that couldn't "hack" couldn't preach.

I pursued a masters degree in African American Studies.  I learned this style of preaching is steeped in African tradition.  All black people of the African diaspora are very musical, melodious people.  We love melody, music.  Not just from musical instruments, but in our language, our speech.  We are very colorful.  We will paint you a picture verbally.   "N**** I will slap duh taste out'cha mouth!"   "Who dat stray slew footed n***** coming up here?"

Most black people will not just talk to you using their voice only.  It is in our melodious tone, body language, head, hands, eyes.  Black women are famous for rolling their heads and necks.  It's cultural.  It's cool.  We are not culturally deprived as some say.  Black people are simply culturally different.

Back to "Some where I read".  "Some where I read; you're going to reap what you sow!"  What you did in the dark is going to come to light.  "Some where I read; it would be better that a millstone were placed around your neck and you were cast into the sea, for harming the least of GOD's little children!"

"Some where I read."; that I should not get weary in well doing.  That I should not give up the right for the wrong.  "For GOD has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Though I was terrified and horribly abused from birth.  I was brainwashed, misused and abused for my entire life!  I was demonically,  physically, sexually and emotionally abused by my own MOTHER! (a jack leg "root worker" soothsayer )  I will fear no evil!  She is an idiot, the devil's imp.  She serves a purpose.  Never be that dumb.  Put your trust in GOD, not in "voodoo" and "graveyard dust".  Never allow yourself to become so primitive, void of understanding, utterly vacuous.

You will end up old and haggard looking just like the fool you are.  Your sins will follow you to the grave.  You will commit sins so depraved very few will have the courage to recount them.  You will become a hated thing demanding to be loved.

"Some where I read."; you can be loved Martha.  "Come to Jesus.  Come to Jesus right now."  You are forgiven.  Forgive yourself for being stupid, for being rebellious.  Forgive yourself for not trusting in GOD, something that you know you were taught to do from birth.  Don't let your foolish pride and lies keep you from from GOD's Grace.

Stay in His WORD children.   Remember;"Apart from Christ you are nothing."

May GOD's Grace, Mercy and Truth engulf you and keep you in Perfect Peace,
Rachel Gwendolyn Doster (the exceedingly proud granddaughter of a great Patriarch, JEROME WALTERS)