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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781477290996 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 12/17/2012 |
| Pages: | 432 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.13(d) |
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The Lost Legacy
By EBELECHUKWU ELOCHUKWU
AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2012 Ebelechukwu ElochukwuAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4772-9100-9
Chapter One
The Liberation
America is the nation of all nations of the world. I see it as the United Nations. Everyone came directly from somewhere, or indirectly through their ancestors, except for the indigenous tribes or aborigines. It is a wonderful union of risk-taking people from all walks of life, who through the act of faith, took their fate into their own hands with a burning "Yes" to liberate themselves from the shackles and chains of others—every yoke, various principalities, the authorities, and the powers behind them (Ephesians 6:10-12).
The individual struggles between good and evil, right and wrong, the haves and the have nots, the rich and the poor, and legal and illegal activities abound in this world. The right to choose a side is what brought us together and differentiates one from another, if founded on the basis of the spiritual truth of God. This is the spirit of God that resides in each one of us from the day of our creation. The inalienable God-given right to liberty, established not just in our founding documents, but in the beginning, when God said, "This matter arose, because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves" (Galatians 2:4) greatly abound in our lives as the citizens and residents of this great nation, the united States of America.
It also includes the freedom granted by him speaking to us. "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." (Galatians 5:13) It is the same freedom Jesus Christ preached to every one of us in Luke 4:18. He expressed the need for us to be free from all forms of prison walls, to recover from all short-sightedness, and be released from all forms of oppression; to be free from all bounds. He desires us to be free from myopic and oppressive limitations of our human development, achievement, progress, blessings, entitlements, claims, rights, and so on—beyond any barriers set by our captives (our mind, body, soul, other people, government, authorities, power, things), and the limitless end of benevolence; a gift of our father in heaven through Jesus Christ. Jesus purchased those liberties for us with his life; making for us a new covenant with God the Father who sent us the holy Ghost so that all things are possible for us. (Mark 9:23, 10:27, John 14:15-17, :26, 15:26, Romans 5:1-11)
Even the slaves who were forced against their will, and victims of indirect slavery, overcame the bounds to become one with all. We all came together, as it says in the Pledge of Allegiance: "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Like bill O'Reilly said,
"The motto E Pluribus Unum means 'From Many, One,' thereby reflecting the integration of the thirteen colonies into one country. Subsequently, the words took on a deeper meaning as immigrants from all over the world brought their talents and energy and desire for freedom to the united States, fueling its rapid rise in power and prosperity. Yes, it's an old story that may have put you to sleep in high school, but it's worth thinking about. The united States is the strongest nation the world has ever seen because so 'Many' pulled together to create the 'One.'"
Even though we know that freedom and justice are not for all yet, we truly believe in both. We aspire for them, we seek them, we die for them, we hunger and thirst for them, we cannot live without them. It is who we are. Those who have crossed paths with freedom and justice will tell you that it is not cheap, it is not easy, it is distressing and can be disgusting trying to get them. but it is refreshing, rewarding, renewing, motivating, stimulating, encouraging, invigorating, and fulfilling once you find them. These feelings make us yearn for them and make them insatiable to us.
No God-fearing person should, for any reason, try to cross paths with freedom and justice. Everyone should try to avoid this, unless you have very deep resources and a large share of goodwill with God. The conflict that exists when the paths cross is enormous and the pains are great. However, when they find you or cross your path, you fight like a lion, only to find (like many of us who have crossed paths with them) that through no fault of your own, your hands are tied because your resources are shallow and your goodwill with God is all you may have; even though that is all you need. If you have God, you have everything.
Those who are in the minority will understand better what this means. Those of alien status have it even worse, because with so many divisions among us, they have become the 5th class; yet, they are very hard-working and are major players in all aspects of our daily lives.
"I know this much to be true: It is not easy being a minority in the united States. Not only are you outnumbered, but the crushing weight of irrational ignorance is, generally speaking, directed toward you far more than it is at the majority. Sometimes whites in the USA overlook racial bias entirely because it does not affect them."
Therefore, embrace the challenges and be prepared to face what comes out of the crossroads with freedom and justice. I remember the first time I had to engage the services of a lawyer through my prepaid legal service in Maryland for a matter involving the Department of health and Mental hygiene. I got the lawyer's answering system, and the music on hold was, "If you don't have a lawyer, you have no rights." I did not understand this until I met with the lawyer and asked him to explain what it meant. Every lawyer defined that concept in a way that drove the point home to me. I also recalled a lesson I learned in business school. "As a business Administrator, do everything you can to avoid litigation and if you have to settle, do so because it might be the cheapest way for you to save the business. Legal cost is one of the main causes of business failure."
We want freedom and justice, but at what cost? No cost is too great. If it is a matter of triviality, you may ignore or endure and not fight insignificant issues due to an injured ego, pride, and principles that will sink you like a ship in the middle of ocean. If you chose to fight for such freedom or injustice, have no regrets, for no price is greater than less of both. It is the principle of the united States of America.
It is better to make peace among yourselves, or find people who can mediate or advocate for you if you know that you cannot do it on your own. If you can do it on your own, do so; this is an investment into your social capital. Mediation services are sometimes available within the judicial system. You can do so amongst yourselves if you believe in our lord as your savior, in whose principles this nation was founded (1 Corinthians 6:1-8, Romans 2:1-16, Matthew 5:9).
I remember a contractor suing my company, claiming triple damages for unpaid wages; a claim that was contentious between us. After going back and forth in motions and counter motions, the case was scheduled for a hearing. The company was struggling to make the payroll, having suffered over two years of zero funding in the community. The contractor filed the case moments after finding out that funding was to be reinstated. Due to lack of funding, I could not afford to retain a lawyer; the money was not there for legal defense. This particular contractor sued because she wanted another contract when funding came, and had lost her bid for the job before the advisory council that did the selection.
The contractor had asked me not to contact her for any negotiations or mediation, and so did her attorney. Considering that the balance was less than $5,000, I went to court to represent the company. The contractor had inflated her claim to over $5,000. Out of ignorance, I assumed that showing proof that the pending fee was less than $5,000 was sufficient, not knowing that the maximum of $5,000 required by court procedure (for a company to be represented by an officer) was determined by the amount of the claim of the plaintiff, and not by what the defendant's evidence showed. Secondly, I learned that the company must be represented by a lawyer.
When the case was called, her lawyer simply asked the judge to order me not to speak or say anything in court since I was not a lawyer. So it was ordered. The lawyer asked for a default judgment and so it was ordered. Prior to the hearing on damages, our funding was reinstated, so the company retained a lawyer. The lawyer tried to negotiate for a settlement, but failed because the demands of the contractor's lawyer were impossible for the company to meet at that time.
At the hearing, the contractor's lawyer objected to the company lawyer's arguments and motions because he filed a notice of appearance without responding to a motion from the plaintiff's lawyer, for which the deadline had passed. The judge agreed with the plaintiff's lawyer's opposition, but the company lawyer continued to make his arguments, ignoring the judge. I could see that the judge was mad and when the plaintiff's lawyer objected again, the judge told him to allow the company lawyer to finish so that she could make her ruling. The moment the company lawyer finished, the judge asked what the claim, multiplied by three plus attorney's fees and interest, was. The plaintiff's lawyer quickly calculated it and told the judge.
The judge reprimanded the company lawyer and ordered judgment in the amount of over $17,000. They quickly went through with garnishment and before I knew what was happening, the company account was garnished and frozen until the bank paid the money to them. The company suffered a great loss again, after experiencing over two years of no funding. The company never recovered from those issues—from wrongful suspension of funding in which the only thing we received from the Attorney General's office was an apology on behalf of the State for the wrongdoings of the regulators, to damages and debt incurred by the company as direct result of their actions. A company that was debt free became deeply in debt, along with investors and staff who gave their talents, time, and resources to create the business and employ hard-working Americans. This started the company on a spiraling journey, fighting for its life.
Someone said to me, "Sue the lawyer for malpractice." The company could not afford to sue the lawyer when it was struggling to meet the payroll. It would not cost the lawyer anything to defend himself. Moreover, all he needed to say was that he was passionately and zealously defending the company, and that would be the end of the case. No lawyer will guarantee you victory. They will always tell you that they will try their best to secure your freedom or justice—but no promises. It is not up to them; it's up to the judge or jury. It is often a waste of time to the losing party. The more you loose, the more probable cause you give the winning party to file claim against you again. Even judges will tell you that it is better to avoid the court system, which is why a majority of cases settle before they go to trial.
In another case involving another contractor, it was a small claim that was not owed. The company could have settled it, but I could not see myself paying what the company did not owe. Hence, I could represent the company in this small $1,400 claim and I went to court as ordered. The plaintiff explained to the judge his side of the story. Immediately, I opened my mouth to explain, and the judge cut me off, saying, "let me tell you! That thing you see on TV is a show and is not real. This is real! In this courtroom! This is how it is in this country and it has been this way for over two hundred years ... You have lost your chance to ask questions to the plaintiff."
I was shocked and afraid and stopped talking and listening to him. In my mind, I said to myself, I have not even explained my side and the judge is reminding me that I am an alien whose rights are limited, and that I should not talk. I remembered the word of God:
"You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born (leviticus 24:22). Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them—the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil. 'We will give it back,' they said. 'And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.' Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, 'In this way may God shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!' At this the whole assembly said, 'Amen,' and praised the lord. And the people did as they had promised" (Nehemiah 5:11-13).
I knew then that the word of God must be fulfilled and did not want to test the lord. I felt a ball of fire and energy inside me that shook off my fear, and came out with a truthful expression of my account of what happened with the contractor. After my speech, the judge quietly said that he did not believe that the contractor was an employee as he claimed, nor was he entitled to three times the amount claimed. He granted him the basic hours he claimed, stating that he understood both parties might not agree with him, but that was his decision. He also denied the company's claim to the revenue lost as a result of the contractor's refusal to complete his work, which the government did not pay the company for.
He was right! I did not agree with the latter part denying our counterclaim and giving him hours he claimed (without completing his work), but I had to live with it. I believe my lamentations touched the judge, who earlier seemed ready to give the plaintiff whatever he asked. If the word of God had not come to me to encourage me, I would have kept quiet, the contractor would have got three times what he originally claimed and the truth would not have been in the record of the proceeding. I encourage believers to remember the word of God in the bible, speak the word, use the word, and make the word work for you in every situation. Have faith in the working word of God and see how the situation will change in your favor. There is power in the word of God.
I was not completely satisfied with the outcome but it is the freedom and justice we believe in. We both had due process. As bill O'Reilly said,
"Generally speaking, however, any kind of legal problem is going to remove assets from your possession. So think very hard before misbehaving or suing somebody for throwing trash on your lawn. Even the contingency crowd (lawyers who charge only if they win a settlement) may peck you to death with 'expenses.' The American justice system is a runaway money train where those without legal credentials are tied to the tracks ... The reality is that judges and lawyers and cops and everybody else in the law business belong to a club. And that club wants you to pay in the club. Lawyers and judges often know each other, have 'relationships,' and, for one reason or another, have a vested interest in seeing the club prosper. You, the U.S. citizen, are just passing through the club and will not even be offered valet parking."
Although I agree with O'Reilly, I also believe that there are a lot of judges who are interested in discovering God's truth, and will not make decisions without genuinely seeking true justice. It is important for one to pray to God for those kinds of judges or juries to preside over their cases. There are also a lot of lawyers who will go out of their comfort zones, and are willing to make tremendous sacrifices to defend, advocate, litigate, and protect your rights and freedom. One just has to pray for such people. God, who gives generously, will endow you with them. I have not lost hope in our judicial system. I strongly believe in it.
My point is that those who are of the world have relative truth known to them. Those who are of the Lord must never deviate from the truth that is in the word of God, even if no one believes them. Therefore be aware that God's truth is not enough to usher in the freedom and justice we search for in this world (you will be rejected), but will surely have abundant of freedom and justice in heaven. Enjoying the freedom and justice here on earth will not come easy and may not be possible unless you are of the world, and requires patience, perseverance, faith, trust; in God, and love of neighbor and God (James 1:1-8). With Jesus Christ in your life, he will set a path different from that of the world, where there is abundant freedom and justice that comes from him. He will fill you with the fruits of the spirit and gifts of the holy Ghost to help you overcome all things (Galatians 5:22-26, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 3:14-19, John 1:16-17, 6:63, Psalm 104:30, Romans 8:2-4).
One should not be surprised, but should be aware that there are other imposing factors that have greater impact on freedom and justice than the truth value we place on it. Due process is a game that requires skillful manipulation within the sovereignty of man-made laws. Habitual liars are better at such behavior, because the act of intentional falsehood shares the same roots with the skills of the artist or the art; Satan is their master. The systems are normally not eager to dig to the bottom of the God truth. It is very hard for the worldly person to measure the truth value to be placed in God truth. Their truth is mostly relative truth and/or based in either realism or idealism.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Lost Legacy by EBELECHUKWU ELOCHUKWU Copyright © 2012 by Ebelechukwu Elochukwu. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Table of Contents
Contents
Preface....................ixDedication....................xvii
Acknowledgments....................xix
Chapter One The liberation....................3
Chapter Two The American Dream....................101
Chapter Three Community Integration Through Conflict Management....................105
Chapter Four Responsibility & Accountability of a Community Organizer....................122
Chapter Five Performance Paid Community Programs by Objectives....................159
Chapter Six Designing Strong Community Programs....................229
Chapter Seven Data Collection by Community Programs....................237
Chapter Eight Data Analysis by Community Programs....................255
Chapter Nine Methodology & Measurement in the Behavioral & Social Science Programs....................279
Chapter Ten Family and Effective & Efficient Communication Centered Evidence-Based Model....................291
Excerpts from the Author's next book....................321
Bibliography....................329
Index....................349