HISTORY MAKERS: THE MYRRHBEARERS

(From the History Makers column in Power For Today Magazine, October 2011. Copyright 2011 Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries. All rights reserved.)

The Myrrhbearers

(Matthew 27:55-61, Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 15:40-16:11, Luke 23:50-24:10, John 19:38-20:18)

Myrrhbearers Icon

The Myrrhbearers were the group of women involved in the preparation of the body of Jesus for burial. According to Gospel accounts, these women were Mary, mother of James and Joses, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the wife of Cleopas, Martha of Bethany, Sister of Lazarus, Joanna, the wife of Chuza the steward of Herod Antipas, Salome, the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, and Susanna.

We know from Gospel accounts that these women were among the earliest followers of Jesus, following Him throughout His earthly ministry. They were supporters of His work, out of their own financial means as well as through their time and devotion to His teaching. The Myrrhbearers stood with Jesus, right through to the end, and then beyond. Many of these women remained faithful and were a part of leadership and founding within the early church. They carried the words and commands of Jesus with them, teaching them to others, and living them in their very lives, as is evident from their commitment to Jesus, even in the wake of His death. It is no mistake that every one of the Myrrhbearers is either referred to as an Apostle or as an “equal to the Apostles.”

These women brought forth and offered what they had to the Lord, and it was multiplied manifold. What do you have that can be brought forth to the Lord?

Quotable quote: “And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him: 56Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children. “ (Matthew 27:55-56, KJV)

HISTORY MAKERS: RUTH FULTON BENEDICT

(From the History Makers column in Power For Today Magazine, March 2011. Copyright 2011 Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries. All rights reserved.)

Ruth Fulton Benedict

(1887-1948)

Ruth Fulton Benedict

Ruth Fulton was born in New York City in 1887. When she was only 18 months old, her father died. She spent her childhood moving multiple times with her mother, to states such as Minnesota and Missouri. Eventually the family settled in Buffalo, New York.

In 1914, Ruth married Stanley Benedict, a biochemistry professor at Cornell University. After a few years of being married, Ruth started college. This led to her interest in anthropology. Between 1925 and 1940, Ruth was the editor of the Journal of American Folklore.

Ruth Fulton Benedict was the first woman to serve as a full tenure professor of the Faculty of Political Science. Her years of study and interest in varied culture was noted by a hands-on approach, including work with the Serrano, Zuni, Cochiti, Pima, and Apache tribes. Her books, Tales of the Cochiti Indians, Patterns Of Culture, Zuni Mythology, and The Chrysanthemum And The Sword: Patterns Of Japanese Culture are still considered standards of anthropology and research understanding on these critical areas of study.

How hands-on is your approach to research and study? What gives us the power and promise in our work is how active we are among God’s Kingdom people and with those we seek to learn about. If we want to have an impact, we must get involved! God does not call us to sit back and idly watch life and people pass us by under the guise of not having fear or praying. When we pray, we must move our feet and step up to the fullness of all God has for us!

Quotable quote: “The adequate study of culture, our own and those on the opposite side of the globe, can press on to fulfillment only as we learn today from the humanities as well as from the scientists.”

HISTORY MAKERS: KYOKO KUMAI

HISTORY MAKERS: KYOKO KUMAI

(From the History Makers column in Power For Today Magazine, May 2011. Copyright 2011 Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries. All rights reserved.)

Kyoko Kumai

(1943- )

Kyoko Kumai's Winter Grass

Kyoko Kumai is a Japanese artist, known for her use of stainless steel filament to create her artistic sculptures and images.

Her work in modern art goes all the way back to the 1980s, in which she began seeking to create personal pieces that would reflect things she desired to artistically create. By using stainless steel filament, Kyoto is able to demonstrate the things we are all influenced by, both conscious and unconscious. For example, many of her pieces depict the wind, such as giving a visual element to the wind blowing over the grass. She also has a piece depicting the ocean tide in the form of a wave. In doing this, Kyoko seeks to bring memories of recall to the surface, bringing us back to a time where we had an encounter with something that influenced us, somewhere in time, and had an effect and impact upon our lives and memories.

Kyoto’s art is unique, and was not without its challenges. It took a few years for her simple, gentle, beautiful, and yet modern designs to gain attention and acclaim. She had to work hard to find the right materials for the desired effect through trial and error, perseverance and persistence. It took many years for the right synchronization of material, technique, and ability to come forth and convey the desired feel and effects. Now her artwork can cover an entire gallery floor, be spread out in a courtyard or contained, bunched up, or draped over walls. It can be featured in large spaces or small ones.

Her persevering spirit encourages all of us to continue as we are called. If we hit an obstacle, we must keep trying until we get things just right.

Quotable quote: “I am making things by stainless steel filaments. They have 2 or 3 dimensions. They are the things that I hope to see and things that I have not ever seen.”

HISTORY MAKERS: MATA HARI

(From the History Makers column in Power For Today Magazine, June 2010. Copyright 2010 Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries. All rights reserved.)

Mata Hari (Margaretha Geertruida “Grietje” Zelle MacLeod)

(1876-1917)

Mata Hari

Margaretga Geertruida Zekke was born in Leeuwarden, Friesland in the Netherlands. She was the eldest of four children born to Adam Zelle and Antje van der Meulen. As she was born into a wealthy family, she was able to attend exclusively private schools until the age of 13. In 1889, her father went bankrupt, causing her home life chaos as her parents divorced. Soon after, her mother died in 1891. She lived with a few different relatives and eventually studied to become a teacher. When the headmaster flirted with her, she was removed from training, and moved with her uncle. At age 18, she married Dutch Colonial Army officer Rudolf John MacLeod after answering a newspaper ad for a soldier seeking a wife. They began their lives together, and had two children. Her husband turned out to be a violent alcoholic who blamed everything on his young wife, half his age. He also kept a native wife and a concubine in addition to his marriage. They lived in Java, in the Dutch East Indies, far from home and familiar culture.

In an attempt to leave her husband, Margaretha joined a dance troupe and took up with another officer. Her stage name, “Mata Hari,” comes from her extensive study of Indonesian traditions, and means “sun,” or literally, “eye of the day.” Even though she would return to her husband, she immersed herself in the Indonesian culture. Their marriage would not be strong enough to support the death of their son, and in 1902, they divorced. In 1903, Mata Hari moved to Paris, and become one of the main founders of the modern exotic dance movement.

Mata Hari is best known as a spy during World War I. While some believe her involvement with espionage was contrived, her unique position as a dancer gave her access to many soldiers during the war and to classified information. She was identified as German spy H-21 from information received in January, 1917. She was tried and executed by firing squad in October 1917 at the age of 41.

Mata Hari lived a fast-paced and exciting life, yet we can see in her life an emptiness and void, lacking love and depth. Even though she struggled much with convention, abuse, and mistreatment, Mata Hari found a personal niche through cultural study and interest in others. May we too learn from others, never cutting ourselves off or believing we have all the answers, and embrace the differences that make us unique in this world.

Quotable quote: “I am a woman who enjoys herself very much; sometimes I lose, sometimes I win.”

HISTORY MAKERS: INEZ MILHOLLAND

(From the History Makers column in Power For Today Magazine, July 2009. Copyright 2009 Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries. All rights reserved.)

Inez Milholland

(August 6, 1886- November 25, 1916)

Inez Milholland

An active suffragist, Inez Milholland lived a wealthy life in Brooklyn, New York and went on to attend Vassar College. Suspended for forming a suffragist meeting, Inez was not dismayed and went on to hold classes and protests on the issue. Her life was spent as an activist of many kinds: women’s rights, anti-war, and as a labor lawyer producing a socialist newspaper during World War I. In July 1913 she married Eugen Jan Boissevain, a Dutch importer. They remained married until her death in 1916. In her later years she toured and lectured actively on the work of suffragism, the importance of women’s rights, and continued on despite severe anemia. Often cited as the martyr for the women’s movement, her work was tireless, intense, and lasting.

Inez Milholland reminds us of the importance of making a difference in every arena we walk in. Sometimes we find ourselves intimidated in the halls of power or in wealthy public arenas, but we must recognize we can’t bow down and forsake our purpose in being somewhere because we are intimidated. We are sent where we are sent to make a difference, no matter how that difference may come.

How many of us back down because we are scared of what others will think? No matter what circles we run in, God has placed us there to declare His Word in every situation.

The moral of her life? Let us be the martyr for our cause in every situation. We don’t have to be whiny, but we need to take on every cause with our very life, our very soul, and our very personal being to make a difference in everything we do. Let’s stand up and be counted for what’s right rather than keeping silent in the name of what is comfortable or familiar to us.

Quotable quote: “Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?“

HISTORY MAKERS: MARIE-ROSALIE BONHEUR

(From the History Makers column in Power For Today Magazine, August 2011. Copyright 2011 Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries. All rights reserved.)

Marie-Rosalie Bonheur

(1822-1899)

Marie-Rosalie Bonheur

Born in Bordeaux, France, Rosa Bonheur was the oldest child of painter parents. Both her and her siblings worked in the arts and were adherents of Saint-Simionianism, a movement advocating the education of women alongside men. She was reported to be an unruly child, especially after the family’s move to Paris when she was six.

Rosa was trained in painting technique by her father. She would practice by copying other paintings, especially those in the Louvre. She also received training in anatomy and osteology, the training of which helped her to paint landscapes and natural settings later in her life. She even received notoriety from Queen Victoria for her scenic painting skills.

She spent much of her life known more for wearing men’s clothing than her paintings – although she did receive a French government commission which introduced her artistic success. In speaking of her reason for dress, she simply stated that it was more practical for work with animals and painting. In many ways, she was a trailblazer for women’s movements to follow.
She painted throughout her life until her death in 1899. Her work is still lauded and recognized to this very day.

Were you a “difficult child?” What things do you stand for in your life that may be unpopular or unconventional? How do you view your role in the world? Sometimes we need to be willing to make a stand to be different because that difference stirs not just us, but what we do. We can always be noted for something that generates a buzz and gets people talking about us – and by proxy, what we are doing in the long-term.

Quotable quote: “The epithets of imbeciles have never bothered me.”

(From the History Makers column in Power For Today Magazine, September 2009. Copyright 2009 Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries. All rights reserved.)

Grace Under Fire

(1993-1998)

Brett Butler in Grace Under Fire

A revolutionary show for women, Grace Under Fire tackled issues such as spousal abuse, alcoholism, divorce, infertility, and system injustice in a most monumental way – they made the characters funny. In a time when television centered around saccharin-sweet family images, Brett Butler brought a new life of honesty and truth to modern marriage, family, and single-parenting. Showing a mother willing to do any work she could find in order to keep her family afloat with limited income and economy, the character of Grace Kelly also showed incredible strength in overcoming an abusive marriage and past alcohol abuse.

The character of Grace Kelly also puts herself through night school, earns a college degree, and shows the difficulty which often results when employment is sought after obtaining such a degree, yet no job to support the level of education exists. Setting a good example for her children in productivity, determination, and getting the job done, we can see in Grace Under Fire the importance of doing what needs to be done and relying on the support of friends around us to get us through everything we need to do.

Sometimes the world makes us believe we can’t handle things on our own; that we, as women, simply aren’t competent enough to raise our children (especially our boys) or maintain what has to be done in an environment that is often less than supportive to our ambitions. What do we do in these situations? We keep going and leave behind what is unsupportive in all situations, circumstances, and instances to move on to whatever lies ahead that is better.

Quotable quote: “Can you see me walkin’ down the street/Beatbox blares a click-track to my empty mind/Now my Walkman’s playin’ a slow and endless march/and I’m looking for that bright spot in the sky.” – Theme Song

HISTORY MAKERS: PHILLIS WHEATLEY

HISTORY MAKERS: PHILLIS WHEATLEY

(From the History Makers column in Power For Today Magazine, September 2010, Copyright 2010 Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries. All rights reserved.)

Phillis Wheatley

(1753-1784?)

Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley was born in Gambia, Senegal. She was kidnapped and sold into slavery at the age of eight. She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her how to read and write. They encouraged her to pursue major languages, such as English, Latin, and Greek. She was also taught the Bible. The Wheatleys were so impressed with her, they encouraged her to write and keep paper by her nightstand so she could write as inspired, even in the middle of the night.

Phillis Wheatley became one of the most famous Africans of her day by publishing her poetry and writings in “Poems on Various Subjects, Religion, And Moral.” She wrote on various subjects, themes, issues, and morals. Her poem in support of George Washington caught his attention and led him to invite her to his home. In pursuit of the war, however, Phillis’ poem was lost in the shuffle.

Phillis Wheatley was freed from slavery the year her owner died, in 1778. Not long after she married John Peters, a free man and grocer. He was imprisoned for debt in 1784, making it impossible for Phyllis to publish another volume of her writing. She was left behind with a sick infant daughter and forced into scullery work at a boarding house. She died alone on December 5, 1784.

Phillis Wheatley is considered the first African-American poet and the first African-American to profit a living from her writing. In light of her historical contribution, we recognize the work we do may not always seem relevant when we do it. We also see clearly how a great calling doesn’t exempt us from trials and tragedies. Making history is bigger than any trial, and must move us on.

Quotable quote: “The world is a severe schoolmaster, for its frowns are less dangerous than its smiles and flatteries, and it is a difficult task to keep in the path of wisdom.”

HISTORY MAKERS: AMELIA JENKS BLOOMER

HISTORY MAKERS: AMELIA JENKS BLOOMER

(From the History Makers column in Power For Today Magazine, November 2009, Copyright 2009 Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries. All rights reserved.)

Amelia Jenks Bloomer

(1818-1894)

Amelia Jenks Bloomer

Amelia Bloomer can be described in one word: trailblazer. While she is not as well known as many of her contemporaries, Amelia Bloomer was a powerful voice for change and progress for women. Born to a very poor family in Homer, New York, Amelia Bloomer received only two years of formal education; however, she still went on to serve as a teacher.

When only 22, Amelia Jenks married Dexter Bloomer, a progressive Quaker lawyer and newspaper owner. He encouraged Amelia to write about issues pertaining to women for his paper, and write she did! Later prompted by feminist friends such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, she started the first paper to ever be run, owned, and edited by a woman: The Lily. An immediate success, her paper featured women’s issues, problems, challenges, and promoted reform on laws, education, and social customs for women.

Amelia Bloomer is best known for her promotion of a style of clothing known as “Bloomers” for women. Clothing in the 1800s was tiresome, heavy, and uncomfortable for women, and Amelia Bloomer both advocated and wore a new style for women that involved pants – a daring move for women in the 1800s. Despite ridicule, she continued in this dress until 1859.

What does God have for you to lead? We forget that each one of us is called to be a trailblazer, whether it’s leading our families out of religion or to lead societal and religious reforms. Let’s lead the way God has for us!

Quotable quote: “The human mind must be active, and the thoughts of a woman’s heart must find vent in some way; and if the garden of the mind instead of being highly cultivated, so that it may produce a rich harvest of fruits and flowers, is suffered to run to waste, it is not surprising that it yields nothing but weeds, briars, and thorns.”

HISTORY MAKERS: SYNCLETICA OF ALEXANDRIA

(From the History Makers column in Power For Today Magazine, November 2011, Copyright 2011 Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries. All rights reserved.)

Syncletica of Alexandria

(d. 350 AD)

Syncletica of Alexandria

Syncletica of Alexandria is regarded as a “Desert Mother,” an early worker within the monastic movement of the fourth century. Although little is known about her life, she was believed to have come from a wealthy background and great natural beauty. From a young age, it was her desire to dedicate her life unto God and follow His ways.

When she was old enough to handle her family’s fortune and estate – coinciding with the death of her parents – she sold everything, giving the profit to the poor and needy. She left the city with her younger sister, retreating to a crypt and adopting the lifestyle of a hermit. God didn’t let Syncletica go that easily, however. Her devotion to the Lord quickly gained attention, as did her adherence and desire to maintain holiness, and she quickly drew many followers unto her, desiring to learn of her and follow her teaching and example as a leader.

Her writings are found among the Desert Fathers, one of only three women included in that recording. She was believed to live to eighty years of age, dying in 350 A.D.

Sometimes we have our own concepts of what God wants for us, wants us to pursue, or of what is His will in our lives. Syncletica of Alexandria reminds us that we can pursue our own plans – but God will bring us to our full purpose in Him. Even though the hermitage lifestyle may have been what she wanted for herself, it wasn’t what God wanted for her. Our lives find their ultimate fulfillment in His will for us.

Quotable quote: “In the beginning there are a great many battles and a good deal of suffering for those who are advancing towards God and, afterwards, ineffable joy. It is like those who wish to light a fire. At first they are choked with smoke and cry, until they obtain what they seek. As it is written, “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:24).”