Monday, March 17, 2008

Being Black, Living Christian: Clearly Obama

Two article regarding Bishop Jeremiah Wright and Obama's response to the controversy cause me pause.
Most importantly, Rev. Wright preached the gospel of Jesus, a gospel on which I base my life. In other words, he has never been my political advisor; he's been my pastor. -Senator Obama.
I appreciated his response, but as I read comments and have listened to my white Sunday School friends(who are all Republican mind you), I'm sad to say that without Jesus I don't think black people will ever be treated equal anywhere, especially in an American church. Thank God for Christ.

He doesn't judge us, require us to disavow our heritage, ask us to leave the black church, to act as if the way we have been treated daily doesn't matter, nor does he chide us for venting about it sometime. He listens, he corrects, he comforts.

I need comfort this morning, because as a black progressive there are some issues I want answer to instead of more nice nasty politicking. I want to talk about:

  1. Why so many of my cousins(mainly Marines) are still in Afghanistan, when clearly we aren't trying to find Bin Laden, when clearly when they return they can't get a job, because of their skin color?
  2. Clayton County school system in Atlanta, and whether there troubles is another way to disenfranchise urban schools?
  3. Christian publishing and why we don't have an African-American imprint yet, clearly this genre makes money, so what's the problem?
  4. Why after seven years did Legs Mason(formerly Smith Barney) return my Coverdell account holdings for my daughter's college fund? Middle class people can't save for college anymore?
  5. Why is Grady Hospital becoming privatized?
  6. Why is everything American made in China?
  7. And why do eggs, gas and milk cost so dadgum much?
  8. Why aren't the media(or Clinton pr people) not jumping on the McCain/John Hagee issue? Unless they, too believe that God brought Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans, because the town was mostly black--I mean mostly bad?
  9. Why are so many people undergoing foreclosure and living in campgrounds?
  10. And here can I get that teacake? I love teacakes!!
Photo courtesy of Mary Wells.

CF News: Chocolate Starbucks Motivation

Christian Fiction News for week ending March 16, 2008














Inciting Incidents
OT, but could be a great inciting incident for my next novel, this tornado in Atlanta. I was out on a date fifteen minutes from there at a sports bar. Two police officers came inside and spoke to the operations manager. They changed the channels(we were watching the SEC game at the Dome.) Question: Why weren't we informed? Then got home and no news. No local meteorologists wanted to say it was a tornado. Come on now...story of a meteorologist who's lost his focus, faith, and.... I say. Yes

Caffeine Addiction in Christian Fiction
After wading through many book proposals Bethany House editor, Dave Long noticed authors fascination with coffee had meandered into their submissions. As I continue in my covert book review project and complete a line edit for a friend's upcoming book release I confirm Long's discovery. So I wasn't too surprised when Christianity Today Magazine featured Jo Kadlecek and her caffeine addicted reporter protagonist.

An Inspired Easter Story
Last week I asked CFB readers to recommend me a great easter story to share with Selah. Zondervan answered my call. Zondervan is giving e-mail newsletter subscribers the opportunity to download free the Easter story from Matthew 26-28 as featured in its best-selling Inspired By ... The Bible Experience audio edition. Listen here.



Atlanta St. Patties

Yeah. I didn't forget. Atlanta is 10% Irish(30% if you add 4th generation southern African Americans,) and we've been celebrating St. Patrick's day since Friday's tornado. So who is St. Patrick and why do Catholics and straddling Christians become lushes on this day? Click here, then pray for your laddies.


Photocredits:
Strange Bird's Sneaking Up on a Leprechaun.
Shane Durrance: Photographer. According to the AJC, he has the only photo of the tornado. Beautifully Feared.

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