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June
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The
design of sacrifice was intended to help us maintain a healthy and sound
relationship with the source of our sustenance and strength.
The very act of sacrifice provides for us a reality check; we
have not been all that we should have been, but our failure is not
abandonment, simply weakness. Sacrifice
becomes the manifestation of our prayer, “Lord, have mercy on me, a
sinner”. Our offering, in
sacrifice, is that proverbial token of our love and esteem; it is the
proof positive of the recognition of our reliance on and our hope for
approval from God. The
problem, as Paul observed, was that the spiritual reality of sacrifice
had become an exercise of form and fashion.
Instead of being an act of humility and submission, sacrifice had
become just a part of another day.
Like so many other values in life, sacrifice had become a
mindless chore instead of an act of worship.
“Let me run in here and throw my meat on the altar.”
The
Apostle Paul offers a more excellent way.
Let your life, your being, become your act of worship.
Why not substitute the lifeless, meaningless offering of dead
meat with living sacrifices. Instead
of trying to please God with the dead meat spiritless ceremony, present
yourself, dedicated and reverent and sanctified to Him and His will.
God is a god of life. His
will is that we would have life and have it more abundantly.
Our consecrated lives, lived and loved in a manner glorifying the
power of our salvation will, indeed, satisfy and exalt the name of God.
Let’s leave the dead meat to those dead gods. Ours is a god of power and strength and redeeming love.
Our sacrifice to Him should be in kind. …”present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service.” Kimberley Lindsay Wilson cont. The
boy's dad ran out on him and his mother when he was a baby and did
everything but deny his parentage in court. The boy's mother was hurt,
angry and I'm sure, frightened as well. So she ran to other men. She
kept hoping to find someone to take her blues away but in the process
her son saw too much and heard too much at too young an age. When did he
realize that the strange men wandering in and out of his house weren't
long lost "uncles" and "cousins"? When did his toxic
attitudes about women begin to form? The
youngster got into trouble at school his poor distracted mother defended
him. When he became involved in petty vandalism and shoplifting she
refused to see these activities for the danger signs that they were.
When the neighbors began to loudly complain about his behavior she
ignored them. Then, finally when he did something she couldn't save him
from she blamed the police. This
boy wasn't born bad and please don't think I'm picking on his mother
either. His father failed him first and our culture allowed him to do
it. Fatherlessness is a serious problem in the Black community. A boy
without a dad is far more likely to get into criminal trouble than one
who has a father, or at least a strong father figure at home. We know
this yet we wink and snicker when yet another Brother announces that
he's not about to marry his baby's mamma. We know this and yet we do not
condemn the Brother who drifts around his children's lives like some
kind of gray phantom. The
boy's mother let him down but again; certain elements in our culture
conditioned her responses. For far too long Black women have been taught
that forgiveness equals tolerance. For far too long the Sistah's have
been hoodwinked into thinking that being a strong Black woman means
forever cleaning up or covering up our loved one's messes. As
any parent who's ever visited their child in prison can tell you, love
is not enough. Tolerance is not enough. Children need checks and
boundaries. My mother is a sweet and gentle woman but she was also a
strong disciplinarian. One thing she was fond of saying as she reached
for a switch was that she could discipline me now or life would do it
for me later. Naturally, I didn't appreciate what she was saying at the
time! I understand now. Thug's
are not born. They are made. In Washington DC, where I have lived most
of my life over, 40% of Black men are "involved" in the
criminal justice system. No, they aren't cops. They're in jail, on
probation, waiting for trial or wanted for some crime. In other cities
such as Baltimore that number is even higher. Thugs
are not born. They don't just happen. The young men who boldly commit
all manner of mayhem in our communities didn't come from outer space.
They were raised in our homes and in our streets. I've yet to meet a
person who said they wanted to raise a thug but unless a boy has parents
who are willing to raise him with love, dedication and sacrifice it's
just so damned easy to create one. Kimberley Lindsay Wilson is a Washington DC born author whose commentaries and reviews have appeared in newspapers around the country such as the Houston Chronicle, the Carolina Times, Final Call and the Chicago Defender to name a few. Her work has also appeared in numerous "e-zines" (internet magazines) including TheBlackMarket.com, the Daughters of Eve Network, and TheNubianChronicles.com. She and her family live in Virginia. Author
of Work It! The Black Woman's Guide to Success at Work (Iuniverse, ISBN
059500122X, $8.95) & Eleven Things Mama Should Have Told You About
Men (African American Images, September 2000, ISBN: 0913543691, $12.95) |
In
the year 2001, we are able to look back on the previous two decades as
critical turning points for African American writers attracted to writing
mysteries and the growing number of readers who welcomed the diversity.
This Third Renaissance occurred as African American Mystery Authors found
mainstream publishers facing the practical and economic reality of meeting
specific market demands of African American readers looking for stories
that reflected their own experiences. Slowly emerging out of the shadows
of it market dominant ‘Romance’ writers, the African American mystery
author has managed to weave its way through the fabric of mainstream
publishing and dog eared its place among contemporary novelists. Using the
classic mystery formula to educate, enlighten, entertain and enrich the
reading tastes of African-American readers, these authors have also
created a strong and profitable following among mainstream mystery
connoisseurs. The
outpouring of African-American authors writing mystery/fiction has largely
been inspired by the work of early 20th century writers. Lee Meadows is the author of the best selling novel, ‘Silent
Conspiracy: A Lincoln Keller Mystery. His avid love of reading mysteries and writing kindled his
desire to create a mystery series featuring an African American male
protagonist, Detroit-based private investigator and ex-Oakland Raider,
Lincoln Keller. Lincoln
Keller, Detroit-based private investigator returns in his latest
adventure, ‘Silent
Suspicion’. Lee Meadows attended Michigan State University where he earned a BA
in Telecommunications, an MA in Counseling and Adult Development and a
Doctorate in Higher Education and Management. The
African American Book Club Summit (AABCS) The
AABCS is a national effort to form an alliance The
AABCS is the ultimate African American Literature Experience! The
participating Author line-up reads like a "Who's Who" of
African American Literature!
We've covered every genre!!! Fiction, Biography, Mystery, Romance,
Science Fiction, Horror, Children's Books, Inspirational and Self Help. For
More Information: Market
News
Glenda Howard, Senior Editor from BET's new Sepia Imprint is actively seeking submissions. Visit the Kensington Publishing Web site at www.kensington.com for more details. Calling all aspiring writers and those interested in honing their writing and creative skills. The July issue of LitLine will begin a writing contest sponsored by several of the literary world's newest African American authors. Check out the July issue of LitLine for contest rules and submission requirements. Check out our GREAT site
called http://www.blackretail.com
. We have music, movies, electronics, books, flowers, sporting goods and
much more. Our site is one of
the largest Black owned shopping sites and was launched on April 15, 2001.
The best part about our site is that 5% of its profits are donated
to charitable causes that support African American communities.
Please help us make this site a success by visiting often and
forwarding our URL to everyone you know.
Also, by just telling three friends about this site you could win a
Digital Camera. Check BlackRetail.com for details. We plan to make our
first donation in July 2001. Your
support is greatly appreciated in making a meaningful first donation. |
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