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Heaven says: finding spiritual enlightenment in the shadows of a solar eclipse

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How might celestial movements affect our faith on Earth as the world prepares for the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024?

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Are you ready for what’s going to occur tomorrow, Family? For months it became famous throughout the world what’s going to occur during the solar eclipse that can happen in North America on April 8, 2024: school closures and early dismissals; anticipated rail strikes and traffic delays; stockpiling water and disinfectants; snowstorms forecast; uproar amongst the homeless; warnings to replenish on emergency supplies similar to food and disaster response agencies.

According to tradition, many spiritual AND clairvoyant The figures unanimously convey warnings and use the Internet to forecast the significance of times and headlines. In an interview with “conscious” YouTube hip-hop commentator and promoter Blackmagic363 titled “How to arrange for a solar eclipseAquarius Maximus, “cardiologist”, confirms that a total solar eclipse marks a “gentle” recent starting.

“You will be able to feel that something bigger is going to happen; that something electrifying will happen,” she said, advising: “Don’t be impulsive. Stay inside.”

Her advice is consistent with warnings even reported in the news. “You are in the eye of the needle of eclipse season,” said astrologer Rebecca Gordon w recent interview with CBS. “Then there could also be chaos and confusion. So in your life chances are you’ll encounter: “Why did this job let me leave?”; this relationship has just started, this relationship is over. There can be a lot of changes… You don’t want to over-plan; leave the space open because you will need it to respond thoughtfully.”

We know that saints are likely to have doubts about the insights gained from an astrologer and a lesser-known astrological advisor called a “cardiologist.” We understand. However, as leaders of the Christian faith, they’re beliefs and traditions we must get serious about leading our communities in addressing real spiritual questions on current events. Take fitness under consideration Issachar in the Biblefor example, a mathematician who studied the stars as an astute forecaster of the times, who took seriously what the elements could show us.

Whether you believe it or not, there have been significant solar eclipse events throughout history. “Look at the patterns and the cycles… Big things happen during eclipses that you just can’t argue with,” Gordon said, pointing out that “on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, the civil rights icon, refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, just two days after the lunar eclipse.” This strategic action would trigger a key movement.

As we observe the signs of these times, how can we harness the significance of this undeniable global celestial alignment event?

“There’s a solar eclipse.” NASA writes, “when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the Earth that completely or partially blocks sunlight in some areas. This only happens occasionally because the Moon does not orbit in exactly the same plane as the Sun and Earth. The time when they line up is called the eclipse season, which happens twice a year.

However, this time it will pass directly in front of the sun, creating the first total solar eclipse from August 2017

Experts at the intersection of faith and science agree that this is a powerful event that should inspire us to stay grounded, be intentional, contemplate and plan to move into the next chapter of our lives with great momentum.

This is not contemporary philosophy; Ancient sages of various belief systems have long taught us that heavenly beings have different levels of importance in all cultures. Whether through folklore, mythology, or sacred texts from various religious traditions, the scriptures indicate that celestial events provide a cosmic lens through which we see the work of the Divine Creator in the natural order of things. Remember that the Three Wise Men were instructed to follow the Star of Bethlehem to find the Savior, and the Gospel of Luke seems to imply that a solar eclipse occurs during Jesus’ crucifixion:

“It was about noon, and darkness covered the whole land until three o’clock. The sunlight was gone. And suddenly the veil in the sanctuary of the temple was torn in the middle. Then Jesus cried out, “Father, I commit my spirit into Your hands!” And with these words he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:44-46 NLT)

Centuries later, enslaved African Americans were told to “follow the North Star” toward freedom. We still see traces of these teachings in Afro-Protestant thought in modern times gospel music (as in “Heaven Says” by Karen Clark-Sheard) and in the Bible which says, “The heavens declare the glory of God. The heavens show his craftsmanship” (Psalms 19:1 NLT).

For those who consider themselves deeply spiritual and rooted in faith, this moment can be an opportunity for reflection, leading us to contemplate cosmic mysteries and universal connections – the deep meanings we discover in our lives.

Even among people who are not committed to any particular tradition, celestial events can symbolize transformation and renewal. In particular, the interconnection of the Moon and Sun in this way leads us to reflect on the contrast between day and night, light and dark, and chaos and order in one moment.

This symphony of events reveals the coordinated chaos that is always unfolding around us, inspiring us to reflect on our connection to the universe. The momentary obscuration of the sun by the moon poetically illustrates the depths and mysteries of the abundant luminous darkness, as well as the light that always awaits us, emerging from the shadow cast by the eclipse. We can get the data we need from scientists – we also get evidence of divine action from our ancestors when they lived in connection with nature and the stars, in connection with the Creator.

As faith leaders who engage in a diverse global society, our goal is to reflect on and connect with the miracles of God’s hand. Let us discover the meaning of these miracles and be channels of what is earth-moving and wonderful. From Haiti to Congo to Sudan and Gaza – may we expect equal peace and power. May we begin to expect that what we think may only happen from time to time will become an everyday occurrence. May we remain open to moments of inspiration.


The Rev. Dr. Alisha Lola Jones is a faith leader helping people navigate a dynamic world, as a consultant to numerous arts and faith-based organizations and as Professor of Music in Contemporary Societies at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. She is an award-winning creator (Oxford University Press). For more information please visit DrAlisha.com.

Rev. Calvin Taylor Skinner is committed to strengthening frontline communities in Knoxville, Tennessee and the UK. He uses faith and politics to handle energy justice, criminal justice reform, voter education/mobilization, electoral politics, and global issues. He and his wife, Reverend Dr. Alisha Lola Jones, run InSight Initiative, a consulting firm focused on capability constructing and live event production.

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Tina Knowles will tell her story in her memoir “Matriarch,” scheduled for release next year

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NEW YORK (AP) — Tina Knowles will release a memoir next spring with a title that will not surprise her many admirers.

Fashion designer and Beyoncé’s motherSolange Knowles and “bonus daughter” Kelly Rowland have signed a take care of Random House Publishing Group to publish “Matriarch,” which the publisher calls in part the story of a “determined, self-possessed, self-aware and wise woman” who raised and inspired a number of the great artists of our time.

The book’s premiere is scheduled for April 22.

“I have always been a storyteller and I learned that from my mother,” Tina Knowles said in a press release Tuesday. “When I had my own family, I believed that my daughters needed to know where they came from to know where they were going.”

“I call this book ‘The Matriarch’ because I am inspired by the wisdom that women pass on to each other from generation to generation – and the inner wisdom that we long to discover within ourselves. Even at 70, I’m still learning valuable lessons that I would have learned in my 40s or even 20s. So I decided to tell my story because I know what it means for me, my daughters and future generations of women.”

Tina Knowles was recently honored as Glamor magazine’s Woman of the Year, and Beyoncé was amongst those in attendance on the ceremony in New York. “Matriarch” will be published by Random House’s One World imprint, which also includes Ta-Nehisi Coates, Trevor Noah and Cathy Park Hong.

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Johns Hopkins begins work on a building in honor of Henrietta Lacks

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In her short life, Henrietta Lacks inadvertently modified the face of medicine. Now the girl whose donated cells proceed to tell and advance medical research can even change the face of Johns Hopkins, because the institution begins work on a building named after her. On Monday, several of Lacks’ descendants joined representatives from Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine at a groundbreaking ceremony on the corner of Ashland and Rutland Avenues in Baltimore.

“Today we make a concrete commitment to ensure that Henrietta Lacks’ name is as immortal as her cells,” said Ron Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University, based on the report from the institution. “When the Henrietta Lacks Building is built, it will be a vibrant, multidisciplinary place of learning, discovery and dialogue that will facilitate community-oriented medical research and support the next wave of progress in research and the promotion of research ethics. We look forward to a building that does justice to the transformative legacy of Henrietta Lacks, and we sincerely thank the members of the Lacks family for their generosity in lending this building her name.”

As documented in the best-selling book “The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks“Lacks’ history with Johns Hopkins is controversial. After starting treatment at this institution, a 31-year-old mother of five children was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Despite treatment, she died in October 1951. However, a sample of cells taken during Lacks’ biopsy proved resistant, and never only survived but additionally multiplied, a previously unseen phenomenon. Intrigued by the rarity of Lacks’ genetic material, biologist and cancer researcher George Gey, who was collecting and studying cells from cancer patients in the hospital on the time, made the samples freely available to other global researchers.

Lacks’ cells, because the cells named “HeLa” (representing the primary two letters of her name) would prove to be the idea for future medical research and innovation. In the years because the tissue was collected, its cells have been used in research on the human genome, in the treatment of cancer and HIV/AIDS, and even in currently available vaccines against polio and Covid-19, Johns Hopkins reports. Yet for all their value in the medical world, for a long time Lacks received no recognition or any compensation for her surviving family; that’s, until researcher and writer Rebecca Skloot uncovered Lacks’ story and investigated, with John Hopkins’ input, the bioethical issues surrounding the unauthorized harvesting of her precious cells.

“At several points over these decades, we discovered that Johns Hopkins could have – and should have – done more to inform and engage with the family members of Henrietta Lacks out of respect for them, their privacy and their personal interests,” he added. the institution finally relentedcommitting to cement Lacks’ legacy along with her family. In 2013, Johns Hopkins partnered with the Lacks family and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create contract based on consent for the use of Lack’s genetic material in NIH-funded research. Two members of the Lacks family currently serve on the committee, one of whom is Henrietta Lacks’ granddaughter, Jeri Lacks Whye, who attended Monday’s groundbreaking.

“While this building will bear her name, it will also provide a space for further research, learning and inspiration for future generations,” Lacks Whye said in a statement. “We appreciate more than the scientific contributions her cells have made possible. We also acknowledge the story of a Black woman who didn’t live to see the world her cells helped create – a story that has been hidden for too long. We hope this building will continue to shine a light on her legacy.”

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At Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony, Theodore DeWeese, dean of the college of medicine and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to just do that, stating: “Today just isn’t about these immortal cells, necessary as they’re. Today it’s about immortalizing the name of the girl from whom these cells come. The idea is that her name and unconscious role will all the time be remembered by all students, all residents, all other interns, management and staff entering the building that shall be built on this plot.

“(Henrietta Lacks) is undoubtedly one of the most important figures in science and medicine, and we truly hope that this building will be an important reflection on the importance of her life to this world,” DeWeese added.

Designed by Black architect Victor Vines The future building bearing Lacks’ name, situated on the Johns Hopkins campus in East Baltimore, shall be a 34,000-square-foot facility adjoining to the university’s Deering Hall, the longtime home of the Berman Institute of Bioethics. According to Johns Hopkins, the brand new building “will support multiple programs of the Berman Institute, Johns Hopkins University and the School of Medicine, and will house flexible programs and teaching space for educational, research and community use.”

“With the new building, the scope and depth of our work will expand,” said Jeffrey Kahn, director of the Berman Institute, adding, “and the dedication to Henrietta Lacks serves as an important reminder of the need for ethics, equity, responsible science, and community-engaged research.”

As for the inspiration behind the design, architect Vines described the concept as “veil-like (and) delicate, (yet) strong, bold and beautiful, which we thought this person was.” The building’s evocative features include “a grand staircase leading up through the building towards the sky, where I believe Henrietta Lacks is today,” added Vines, who collaborated with each Johns Hopkins and the Lacks family on the design concept.

For JaBrea Rodgers, Lacks’ great-granddaughter, this architectural tribute continues to disclose the complete significance of Lacks’ long-overlooked legacy. “Today we recognize not only her cells, but her humanity,” she said of the laying of the cornerstone. “My great-grandmother was a mother, wife and friend. While we cannot change the injustices of the past, we can make its legacy known and celebrated. As we look to the future of this building, may it be a symbol not only of scientific progress, but also of the continuing journey towards recognizing the humanity behind every discovery.”

Construction on the Henrietta Lacks Building at Johns Hopkins is anticipated to be accomplished in 2026.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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It’s official: Rihanna is for kids

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Rihanna and her family are stepping into the vacation spirit. This week, the Fenty mogul released a brand new Savage x Fenty campaign featuring two special guests — her children, RZA and Riot Rose. Posing along with her two-year-old and 14-month-old sons, Rihanna showed off the brand’s latest Christmas rompers at Instagram.

“We are officially one of those families that fits the holidays,” she captioned the post.

Since giving birth to her sons, Rihanna has been using her motherly instinct in her works, expanding her collections to incorporate kid’s sizes and more. However, it is not only her children who participate in her latest projects.

Recently, while promoting the discharge of her latest Fenty x Puma Avanti sneaker colorway, the mother of two invited a handful of her favorite kids’ social media influencers for a special press conference.

During the special event, the Fenty tycoon conducted quite a few interviews and conversations with young people, during which he gave and received advice. In an interview with seven-year-old E! News correspondent Francesca, who expressed hope of becoming “the next Rihanna,” the star encouraged her to dream greater.

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“Oh no, you must be better than Rihanna. Rihanna? It’s late. Before you grow up, I’ll be vintage. “Antique,” ​​she joked. “Aim for the celebrities. Don’t aim at me. Aim beyond me. You shall be incredible. I need (the following generation) to all the time be greater, higher, smarter and alter the world in ways we couldn’t.

Just because the star followed her sons’ example when designing her brand’s kid’s sneakers, she also learned self-confidence by talking to seven-year-old Miles “Relaxation therapy”. Admitting that she doesn’t all the time feel confident, Rihanna asked Miles to share his secret.

“Being kind and brave,” he said, adding that it is a balance of pondering and never pondering on a regular basis. “Just look at everything around you,” he advised within the cute clip. “Because then you can barely think because you are watching.”

Outside of her work within the Fenty universe, Rihanna, like all other mom, is attempting to juggle all of it — a lot in order that she admits Halloween took her by surprise this yr. Previously known for her extravagant Halloween costumes, she teased that her family will probably try to maintain a low profile this yr.

“(Halloween) consumed me very quickly,” she said Entertainment Tonight, revealing that she won’t be making lavish costumes this yr. “We won’t be making family costumes this yr.

“I chose the easiest costume: a ghost,” she added, holding her sons’ costumes near the vest in a moment where you possibly can discover with the mother. “I don’t want to say it because if Amazon doesn’t deliver, I’ll have to come up with something else.”


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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