What Is That Thing?: Poetry for Spiritual Introspection & Dialogue That Leads to Action

By Janae Moore D.Min. LCSW

What Is that Thing? is more than a book. It is an experiential spiritual, ontological, and historical journey into the depths of who we really are. This process leads the reader to directly name and face what those things are about them, within them, and around them that tend to keep them from experiencing life to the fullest. Dr. Moore describes this work as a process to be engaged and a journey to be taken together. It is not often that you will find an ordained itinerate elder and licensed clinical social worker use poetry to help individuals become all who God has purposed them to be. Yet this writer, through her poetry, reaches the innermost areas of those who will take this journey that will lead them toward self-examination and healing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524578107

Janae Moore D.Min. LCSW

Somewhere in the recesses of our minds, lurking and hiding in the shadows of the thoughts of our hearts while exercising ill-assumed authority and power over who we think we are as well as over how we believe we need to be, there is some thing seeking to control us, determined not to let us see that we are already free. And, as long and as hard as I have tried to understand it and figure it out, I really haven't been able to, so, would somebody tell me please, "What is that thing?" As a spirit-warrior, Rev. Dr. Janae Moore lives, loves and learns with a passionate desire that all will come to know and be the Truth of who we are as only God has created us to be. With a heart for the least of us, she is particularly committed to the spiritual consciousness raising, healing an liberation of the socially and racially oppressed, marginalized and devalued. Her poetic and narrative writings, teaching, preaching, mediating and mentoring are all directed to this optimal end. Dr. Moore is a clinically trained chaplin and licensed clinical social worker who specializes in the deep inner work necessary for addressing and healing multi-generational issues of loss, grief, wounding, violence, unconsciousness and depression. Dr. Moore is an itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and is currently on the ministerial staff (at Mt. Zion AME in Severn, Maryland where she heads the Spiritual Healing Ministry. She is an adjunct professor at Morgan State University in the School of Social Work and is the founder and facilitator of Taranga House Spiritual Retreat & Practice Center and Lov'N Poetry Ministries. Her utmost is being a child of God who is a proud and praying mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, friend and citizen of the world.

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Copyright © 2017 by Janae Moore, D.MIN., LCSW.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017900913

ISBN:   Softcover   978-1-5245-7811-4

             eBook       978-1-5245-7810-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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NRSV

Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Website

NIV

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

NLT

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Website

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Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Website.

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Rev. date: 02/02/2017

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Introduction

What Is That Thing?

Spiritual Introspection & Dialogue about that Thing

Journaling for Action about that Thing

The Stone-Hearted

Spiritual Introspection & Dialogue about The Stone-Hearted

Journaling for Action about The Stone Hearted

In That Fragile Moment

Spiritual Introspection & Dialogue about Being In that Fragile Moment

Journaling for Action about that Fragile Moment

A Godless Table

Spiritual Introspection & Dialogue about A Godless Table

Journaling for Action about that Godless Table

And So They Cry

Spiritual Introspection & Dialogue about Our Babies who are Crying

Journaling for Action about Our Babies Who Are Crying

Righteous Raindrops

Spiritual Introspection & Dialogue about Righteous Raindrops

Journaling for Action about those Righteous Raindrops

What, Pray Tell, Do You Do?

Spiritual Introspection & Dialogue about What, Pray Tell, Do you Do?

Journaling for Action about What, Pray Tell, Do You Do?

Simply, Simply Amazing!

Spiritual Instropection & Dialogue about God Being Simply, Simply Amazing!

Journaling for Action about God Being Simply Amazing!

Epilogue

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all who desire to help build God’s beloved community by being victorious over what(ever) that thing is that tries to prevent it.

FOREWORD

What is that thing? Have you ever wondered what that thing is, in your life controlling, molding and reshaping what God has ordained for you? That thing, even if you tried to explain it, you would find yourself in a space often with no words to describe it. That thing-so crafty and profound- can make you forget that you are free. That thing, can actually cause you to lose your mind. I believe many of us have encountered that Thing but are usually too afraid to admit that there is such a Thing in our lives. Or, we may not want to address that unpleasant space we find ourselves in because of who we think we may be.

For too long we have hidden behind masks so the world cannot see who we really are. Those same masks have allowed the world to shape us into individuals we are not or don’t want to be. At the same time, the masks have shielded us from the true love that we should have for ourselves, for others and the love of our God. We have suppressed the hurt and the pain for so long we do not feel love or recognize that we are free and free indeed.

Thank you, Dr. Janae Moore, for listening to God’s voice and for being obedient to His Word. I am overjoyed that Dr. Moore decided to write, "What is that Thing?: Poetry for Spiritual Introspection & Dialogue that Leads to Action. This creative and spirit-led work helps us identify and answer the question, "What is that Thing?" That Thing in our lives that is lurking quietly yet at the same time vociferously. As this poetess says, What is that thing (and things) that we have allowed and continue to allow to keep us from enjoying a loving relationship with the Lord?

What Is that Thing? is more than a book. It is an experiential spiritual, ontological and historical journey into the depths of who we really are. This process leads readers to directly name and face what those things are about them, within and around them that tend to keep them from experiencing life to the fullest. Dr. Moore describes this work as a process to be engaged and a journey to be taken together. It is not often that you will find an ordained Itinerate Elder and Licensed Clinical Social Worker use poetry to help individuals become all who God has purposed them to be. Yet, this writer, through her poetry reaches the innermost areas of those of us who will take this journey with her, will lead us all towards self-examination and healing, purposely for action.

This poetic narrative workbook is for those of us who are serious believers and seekers who earnestly want to know what that thing is (and what those things are) that we must face within and with each other that keep interfering with God’s great spiritual plan for our lives. Dr. Moore uses her poems, What is that Thing, The Stone Hearted, In that Fragile Moment, A Godless Table, And So They Cry, Righteous Raindrops, What Pray Tell, Do you Do?, and, Simply, Simply Amazing" to minister to the reader’s soul. As you read and meditate on the poetry and narratives, allow the Holy Spirit to speak to the depth of your inner being. I know that your life will be transformed.

God used Dr. Moore to bring life and light to the dead and dark areas in our lives. This reminds me of Ezekiel 37: 1-14. The Lord set Ezekiel in the middle of a valley and it was full of bones. Ezekiel saw many bones as he moved among them and the bones were dry. The Lord asked Ezekiel, Can these bones live? The Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones and say to them, Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. So, Ezekiel prophesied as the Lord told him to do and the bones came together; skin covered them, and then he breathed on them and the bones came alive. I believe that God is speaking through Dr. Moore for a modern-day dry bones moment that we face both personally and collectively so that we too can live our lives freely with unspeakable joy.

What I love about this book is that it promotes contemplative thinking. Not only are you able to be reflective, but this book provides space for journaling. This is a must read, and even more, a spiriutal journey that is worthy of taking.

I write this foreword with the prayer that you will read this book, converse about what that thing is, and, most of all, be willing to consciously choose to surrender yourselves to the move of the Holy Spirit for actions necessary for your complete healing. I believe if you take this journey seriously you will be able to recognize and answer the question, What is that Thing?, and be set free.

Reverend Valdes J. Snipes-Bennett, PhD

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

No journey is ever taken alone, no matter how lonely it can sometimes feel and actually can be. Our African brothers and sisters have gotten it right for they, in essence, affirm that it takes a village to be. This village existence is indeed true for me and thus, there are many people I need to acknowledge for pouring into me over the course of more than five decades, what has been necessary to help make this poetic narrative workbook a reality.

First and foremost, of course, I must give a high and holy hallelujah shout out to the Trinitarian Team of One who makes Life possible for me: God, my Divine Creator and Keeper; Jesus, my Lord and Savior; and, the Holy Spirit, my Comforter, Guide and Intercessor. The unfathomable mystery of the Trinity’s character and nature as well as the awesome unconditional love, grace, mercy and forgiveness this Divine Trio has for fallen humanity shall forever be more than I can ever think or imagine. It is with the totality of who I AM that they have created me to be that I give thanks. What good news this Three-in-One brings so that we all might have Life more abundantly as well as eternally—no matter what that thing is that tries to deceptively intervene and stop it.

Next, I return to my southern roots where I grew up and I acknowledge and thank my parents, the late Geneva and Richard Moore, for birthing and raising me in the midst of a large nuclear and extended network of family and friends. It was the hardness of your own lives within a demeaning and debilitating racist context that made me pay closer attention to what that thing is that causes us to be so unloving to one another. Since your respective physical transitions in April (Mom) and August (Dad) 1999 to the spirit realm, I have sought to know and understand this unloving pathological phenomenon even more and I have you both to thank for managing to help my seven siblings and I make and sip lemonade sometimes when socially, we were unjustly and intentionally given so many, not just sour, but spoiled lemons. I acknowledge and thank also my seven siblings with whom I grew up: Victor (transitioned February 1993); Allen, Bobby, Debbie, George, Loretta and Charles. It has been in my relationship with each of you and our relationships together that I know what it means to love and to be loved, no matter what. Through marital relationships, I have been blessed to have Sheila, Joann, Nancy and Tonya become my sisters as well and the many nieces and nephews who are now a part of our family circle. I love, appreciate and thank you all for the extra love and support you continue to bring in to my life.

I have a host of other family members, friends and sorors of Delta Sigma Theta who have loved me, supported me and believed in me. Many of you have long awaited this book (and others to come) and I am glad to finally be able to share this first one with you and the many others whom I pray will receive and be blessed by it. While naming everyone is not possible, I give special acknowledgement and thanks to Jackie, Tricia, Paula, Marilyn, Marie, Elizabeth, Deborah, Beverly, Cynthia, Patricia, Denise, Rhonda, Annie, Glenna, Linda, Sharon, Yolandra, Val, Robin, Tanya, Almeta, Tish, Allie, Bob, Lyn, Jackie, Joyce, Raliegh, Mildred, Tish, Robert, Barry, Kim, Evelyn, Melissa, Betty, Maxine, Parker, Patrick and my earth mothers, Miriam Love, Barbara Abrams and the late Marilyn Preston Killingham.

I fondly and gratefully think of my first and second grade teacher, the late Mrs. Phobie Moore, who instilled in me a passion for learning and evidenced the