Joyce Dinkins Archives - After the Altar Call

Hello World,

When I rededicated my life to Jesus Christ about 20 years ago after being baptized as a teenager, I was on the hunt for Christian materials that would help me to learn about God. The daily devotional entries by Our Daily Bread Ministries were probably the first devotional materials that I read. I appreciated the entries because they were short but encompassed the breadth of the Bible in everyday situations. I eventually included different devotional literature in my reading to expand my repertoire, but I still consider Our Daily Bread devotional literature to be the bedrock in daily devotional literature. In fact, I’m not the only who thinks so. Millions of people throughout the world read Our Daily Bread devotionals, and they are provided for FREE!

That’s why I was excited to learn that Our Daily Bread published a Black Church devotional edition This Far By Faith: Legacies of the Black Church in 2018. And now, Our Daily Bread is back with TWO special editions – Oh, Freedom: Celebrating Legacies of the Black Church and Marching Forward: HBCUs Stories! See below to read descriptions about these exciting special editions!

Oh, Freedom: Celebrating Legacies of the Black Church

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

Psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit have encouraged many to put their trust in God. Speaking to the hearts of all who follow after God’s love, this special edition offers the poetry of freedom songs through soulful responses of people of African descent. Find hope and encouragement that will remind you of God’s faithfulness and the freedom He offers now and forever through Christ.

And your girl has an entry in Oh, Freedom! See below…

Also, Oh, Freedom has an inspirational playlist that you can listen to as you read! This playlist includes songs such as Ledisi’s “If You Don’t Mind,” Koryn Hawthorne’s “Won’t He Do It?” and Kirk Franklin’s “Love Theory.”

Marching Forward: HBCUs Stories with Reflections from Our Daily Bread

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)

We invite you to praise God with us on this journey through Scripture and the stories of faith rooted in Historically Black Colleges and Universities. See how the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the God of our forefathers and foremothers. Experience the encouragement God continues to provide to all who put their hope in Jesus Christ.

My writer friend Lisa Crayton has two entries in this special edition. See the photo below for one entry…

Also, Marching Forward has an inspirational playlist which includes “Showing Off” by Kierra Sheard featuring Sir the Baptist, “Purpose Over Pleasure” by Jonathan Traylor and “Trouble Won’t Last” by Keyondra Lockett.

These special editions are the result of the work of Joyce Dinkins, a publishing leader with Our Daily Bread Ministries. Ms. Dinkins helps to develop products for diverse African-American entities and audiences as well as for general markets. Both Lisa and I connected with Ms. Dinkins at a Publishing in Color Conference in 2018! Publishing in Color conferences foster relationships between writers of color and representatives from the spiritual publishing industry. For more information about this conference, go to publishingincolor.com.

To order Oh, Freedom: Celebrating Legacies of the Black Church and Marching Forward: HBCUs Stories which are awesome resources for churches during Black History Month and FREE, go to ourdailybread.org.

Any thoughts?

Hello World,

While black history is relevant every day of every year, it is during Black History Month that black people can truly reflect on the fact that we’ve come a mighty long way! My favorite time to reflect on that fact is when I spend my time alone with the Lord each morning! It is during those times with the Lord that I journal about what is going on with me and others as it relates to my personal relationship with God, read Christian materials and ponder what message God is trying to communicate to me through them and pray and thank God for what is behind and what is ahead. There have been many, many books that I have read during my quiet time and I’m always looking for more! And it is especially helpful and meaningful when I can get my hands on materials that speak to my heritage.

If that is true for you too, I’m sure you will be glad to know that Our Daily Bread Ministries, the bedrock company for devotional materials in the country if not the world, through its Discovery House has released Our Help: Devotions on Struggle, Victory, Legacy from Editors Joyce Dinkins and Diane Proctor-Reeder!

Below is a description of Our Help featuring a cover illustrated by Coretta Scott King Book Awards medalist Jan Spivey Gilchrist and including entries from 45 black authors:

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.” –Psalm 46:10 NLT

God has given us an open invitation to spend time in His presence, reflecting on His power and majesty and our faith in Jesus Christ. And every time we accept this opportunity to go before His throne, we grow stronger in our relationship with the One who knows us better than we know ourselves.

Our Help presents a variety of short devotions and feature articles, sprinkled with creative poetry and inspiring thoughts that offer hope and encouragement as we endeavor to do God’s will.
Speaking to the hearts of those in ministry, this engaging devotional includes:

> A mosaic of stories from multiple generations
> Reflection questions and suggested Bible readings
> A Scripture index and resources for personal or small-group use

Our Help invites us to reflect on God’s wisdom that’s available for every adversity; to remember the victories He has already provided; and to realize the hopeful future He gives to all generations that rely on Him.

Click on THIS LINK to read a sample!

Also, below is a video of a few of the authors speaking about their entries:

AND if you are interested in receiving a FREE HARDCOVER copy of Our Help: Devotions on Struggle, Victory, Legacy, leave a comment including a little known black history fact. The person who has the most interesting black history fact (in my opinion) will receive a free book from me. That means that you have to come back to the blog after you’ve commented so that I can tell you to e-mail your mailing address to me 🙂 .

Any thoughts?