Word Praize

Books for Young Men...

This week I'm sending out an 'all points bulletin' for HELP! We are putting together a proposal for a Summer Reading Challenge at our church and need a list of reads for young people ages 5-15 or so. I know, I know, it's already 3 weeks into summer, but that's mostly my fault. Sister Williams was giving me the look last week and I finally managed to get percolating on this project. My plate seems always too full these days, but that's another story.

I believe two female authors, Reshnonda Tate Billingsley and Jacquelin Thomas are coming out with YA lines and that's great. But, I'm trying to figure out who makes books for young men other than Walter Dean Myers. Our minister does not like storylines he considers 'dark', and so I have feeling Walter Dean might not be up his alley. Has anyone read the Harper Hill book pictured? What type subjects does it tackle and what age range would it work best for?  It might be nice if few of the male authors began to focus some of their writing on stories for young males. These young brothers need something to interest them, to get them reading and start them out on the right tract. Just a thought...

On another note, I'm hearing great things about Mata Elliott's novel, "Forgivin' Ain't Forgettin'" and about Derek Jackson's, "Brother Word." Also, I saw Norma Jarrett in the Essence this month, so she must have a good read out as well.  As for me, I'm reading J.R.R. Tolkien's letters, his biography and other works revolving around his career for a new class. Additionally, I'll be taking in some Western Ethics and a little Cultural Geography over the next several weeks. No rest for the weary! But, then, such is life and it's a blessing to be old and still living it...

That's all for this week folks!

Cheri Paris Edwards is the first-time author of “Plenty Good Room”, published in hardcover by Walk Worthy/Warner Books in Spring, 2005. She is the 50-year old single parent of two young men and lives in East-Central Illinois. Visit the website at www.cheriparisedwards.com

 

The Blessing in the Fire...

I had a blessed trip to Baltimore. More info and photos are available at my blogspot if you are interested. Glad to be back on the ground safely and at my own church this Sunday where my minister Bishop Gwin offered a great message that went something like this. He spoke from Daniel, about those three; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who refused to bow down to the image worshipped by King Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom. Instead they chose to follow the God of their hearts, willing to face whatever consequence assigned in doing so. And, their consequence was great. Ordered by the King tossed into the fiery furnace they faced a searing of their flesh they had to know would be painful and likely usher in death.

And, it is like this with our own lives sometimes. Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, we find ourselves in the fire. Sometimes we wander into the heat unknowing, other times we are tossed into the raging flames without choice, and as we become more mature as Christians at times like these three, we walk into the fire purposely. The pain while in the fire is great, because it is through these difficult circumstances our flesh is honed and the Spirit made strong. It is in fact in the fire we most often discover ourselves in greater depth, and draw close to spiritual values with greatest meaning in our lives. When King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the fiery furnace opened he expected to see nothing of the three he had doomed to a painful death, but what a surprise he found. The three were not only alive, but accompanied by another who they said, “...looked like the Son of God!”

What’s more is that once the King saw those four, and realized the magnitude of God’s power, He ordered it law that all worship the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! Glory to our Father God! It was the ability of these three to stay faithful to God in the face of the fire that had given vision to the Son Jesus even before His birth. In the fire God had worked, giving testimony to the faith of these three, honoring their sacrifice and showing a kingdom His power through saving them. And, so it is with our own lives. When we are faithful to God and He brings us through a fire we emerge with a testimony honoring His power and glory. And, it is through our testimony someone may be drawn to a walk with God. And, that my friends, is the blessing in the fire…

Cheri Paris Edwards is the first-time author of “Plenty Good Room”, published in hardcover by Walk Worthy/Warner Books in Spring, 2005. She is the 50-year old single parent of two young men and lives in East-Central Illinois. Visit the website at www.cheriparisedwards.com

 

Not of God...

“Abstinence will not work”, the beautiful young African girl declared, turning a broad smile toward members of the audience. “Why is that?”, asked the reporter, holding the microphone close so that she might answer. White smile gleaming, she announced, “Sex is fun, sex is free and young people like to have sex. They will not stop having sex.” A smattering of laughter followed. But, for me, this young woman’s words confirmed an alarming consciousness spreading among youth. Our increasingly cavalier attitudes toward intimacy progressing into a belief that sex is merely a recreational activity. Something to do, a way to pass time—"a fun, free activity".

This was not God’s plan for sexual intimacy though. And, the repercussions of indiscriminate sexual activity can be heartrending. In the month of Mother’s Day, I represent one who has knows well the heartbreak following sex outside of marriage. I am a single parent, and though a good mother, the experience did not have to be as difficult as it has been. I know am blessed for having my sons, certain it is through them that God worked on me first, still there are and have been many trying days. And, not just for me. It’s been most difficult for my sons not having a father in the home. First boys, now young men, they would have had a much easier time of it with a husband/father to role model behavior. But, unlike the young girl speaking above, in most cases I moved too quickly to the physical believing love and sex synonymous. The word is serial monogamist. For the past several years, I’ve lived an abstinent life. And, it’s only when I stood on my own, allowing God opportunity to wrap me in His arms, that dreams I didn’t even know I had began to come true. I’ve written a novel, and it was published! And, I’m finally finishing my degree and doing well at it. I feel like Sarah in the Bible, only birthing dreams instead of babies at this late stage in my life.

Sadly, the young lady speaking about sex in the text above represents a growing mindset in the world today. I remember being young as she, and I remember thinking after hearing about birth-control from friends sharing their exploits…everybody is doing it, so why shouldn’t I? What a crazy reason to make a decision to become one with another; but no more crazy than those given by these young people today, huh? However, young people must realize, Abstinence IS a viable choice. Life can be rich and relationships meaningful for those who choose to live without physical intimacy until within the confines of the marital union it meant for. It helps to remember that we who proclaim ourselves Christian, belong to God. He knows our hearts, and has great plans for us, but we complicate His plan, when we don’t follow His word. Life becomes more challenging. Many fall, under the challenges and some don’t even get the chance to face them. Unfortunately, the fact is, in today’s world, perhaps because too many think of sex as play, it is also a harbinger of death, and I know that’s not of the Lord… 

Cheri Paris Edwards is the first-time author of “Plenty Good Room”, published in hardcover by Walk Worthy/Warner Books in Spring, 2005. She is the 50-year old single parent of two young men and lives in East-Central Illinois. Visit the website at www.cheriparisedwards.com

The Promise of Spring...

This morning, as I drove my son to school, he and I were laughing as we observed how quickly the trees have donned their leafy coverings. Only one week ago they stood naked and exposed and now most are almost fully dressed in green. To those who may not keep up with weather news, East-Central Illinois is going through an especially turbulent bout of spring storms this year. Lots of rain, rain, rain and more. In fact, Springfield Illinois, which is the setting for the story in “Plenty Good Room”, has already been hit twice by tornados. About a week ago, my son, my doggie and myself were huddled in our center area closet with no power, praying that we would be spared from the driving winds and rain we could hear thundering past outside. Thankfully, human casualties have been few, but structural damage is severe.

But today, all the stormy drama is forgotten on this bright sunny day. This is what I love most about the changing seasons that we experience in this area. Each time nature responds to God’s call to change, I’m reminded of His power and of the consistency of His presence. I’ve found since I’ve gotten older, that though thankfully fewer in number, my Winter seasons bring more intensity, when they arrive. Unexpected storms are the issues that pile up silently like heavy snow falling on a winter day. No quick answers ‘spring’ forth like in the past. Instead, these are the times when life seems to shape-shift from one problem to the next, and answers to these pressing issues are not forthcoming. These are times I talk to God and get no reply. But, I’ve learned I must maintain focus, and press on despite my uncertainties. In fact, it is during these times, when doubt looms and like the gray days of Winter that cause melancholy, life’s issues seems most heavy, that prayer must remain consistent.

In ways I don’t fully understand, God is working on nature during their ‘down’ Winter months. And, while the terrain may look barren outwardly, inwardly He’s working something that cannot be seen. Certainly, I find, if we let God work with us, it is during these Winter times in our lives that Faith truly becomes our stronghold and grows stronger if we let it. For if we believe, we know that even when times are bleak, God is aware and present. He is with us, even when it seems He is not. The joy is that just like the promise of Spring fulfilled at the end of the coldest winter, our season will change too. And, so we must retain focus and like the trees be ready. Able to don our finest and proclaim His word, when He calls; to show the world the glory of His power.

Cheri Paris Edwards is the first-time author of “Plenty Good Room”, published in hardcover by Walk Worthy/Warner Books in Spring, 2005. She is 50-year old and the mother of two boys. She lives in East-Central Illinois. Her website is www.cheriparisedwards.com

Let Go and Let God....

I made it! My trip to Charlottesville for the Festival of the Book was a blessing in many ways. It was a wonderful experience that I won’t re-hash here. There is a blow-by-blow summary of the weekend events at my own blogspot, cconfusion.blogspot.com. if you are interested.

You know, I am a person who harbors many fears. Always have. Whenever I think of myself, an old Charlie Brown show where he visits Lucy and she’s manning her booth, wearing her psychologist hat comes to mind. Lucy begins to recite different phobias that might describe Charlie’s issues to him. Finally, after naming one after the other, she states, “agoraphobia, the fear of everything!” “That’s it!,” he yells, triumphant that his ailment has a name and everyone laughs. I laugh too each time I see it, but truth is, that’s been me most of my life.

Don’t know where these fears came from, but long as I remember they’ve been there. Maybe that’s one reason I have such a love for Paul’s New Testament writing. He suffers from some personal affliction as well yet pushes through it, pressing on. For many years, I leaned on drugs (smoking weed, drinking, etc.), relationships, smoking cigarettes, to waylay my fears, but then I realized that wasn’t really working. I was still scared. And, so one by one I let the crutches go. Not even knowing that I’d been leaning on them so heavily until they were gone.

Once “Plenty Good Room” was bought for publication I thought life might get easier. All the crutches were gone, right? And, with so much life-difficulty behind me, I was sure there would be less fear and stress and more easy riding, you know? NOT! In fact, for the last two years my stress levels reached new heights as suddenly I was faced with uncertainties and complexities never before expected or experienced. And, what’s more often I’ve been facing these new challenges with only God to keep me company.

And, so fittingly, last week after being invited to this wonderful event, I faced another huge fear. Flying. I only cried twice the week before--or at least twice I can remember now (I cry a lot, ya’ll; so I might forget a time or two). On the day of, once in motion, it seemed less scary though. Sitting in the small airport in my hometown, I looked out and saw a small plane with luggage around it and thought, that must be what they carry baggage on. Well, ya’ll know I was wrong again. Moments later we boarded that LITTLE plane. And, I mean it was tiny. Talking about bringing my fears down to size! Here I was expecting to be on a big whole plane, instead, innately, I knew I was boarding the plane all who I told I was flying complained about. The turboprop. So, as usual, God wasn't even playing--He was breaking me in for real!

Once we began to ascend into the air I had my earplugs in (playing Bishop Eddie Long’s Spirit and Truth – my favorite). Actually I wasn’t supposed to be listening then, but didn’t know till later. All was okay, until we hit some turbulence and suddenly I began to fill a little panicky. My stomach was queasy and I felt the walls closing in even tighter, and I was beginning to tell myself, not way was I going to be able to take the other 3 flights necessary to complete the trip. But, just as suddenly feeling took over. Gazing into the clouds from my window, a calm ensued as the moment took over. Here I was floating in the clouds! And, though I don’t know where heaven is or what it looks like, for that moment it seemed close and so did God. And, so I exhaled. Let go. And, let God. And, from that moment on, it was all good.

Got there safely, maneuvering successfully through airports and crowds and then turned around and made it back. And, you can bet when I touched ground in Champaign-Urbana, I felt lighter than air. This small town girl had done it! My nature of fearfulness is still intact, it’s my burden. But, trusting in God I’d looked fear squarely in the eye, and in doing so gained confidence in my faith and myself.

So what is the moral of this story? Well, the songwriter says, “You don’t have leave here the same”, and that’s the crux of the tale. With God at the helm, I am a witness that we can do those things we never thought we could. And, floating high about the earth, I realized with certainty there is some peace in knowing, that ‘if tomorrow never comes’, I will have lived for God today. Now, as I make preparations to go to Baltimore next month, I still have a knot in the pit of my stomach, but this too will pass. When God prods us to move outward into the world, faith is sufficient, when we just ‘let go and let God’….

Cheri Paris Edwards is the first-time author of “Plenty Good Room”, published in hardcover by Walk Worthy/Warner Books in Spring, 2005. She is 50-year old and the mother of two boys. She lives in East-Central Illinois. Her website is www.cheriparisedwards.com