This book is exactly as advertised: stories from the Black experience. This is a great read for those who are looking for daily inspiration from a specific standpoint, without it being so specific that it alienates others. In a way, I feel that specificity is a double-edged sword: it wasn't so Black that my soul cried out, and it did not stray away from the Our Daily Bread Ministries that I am used to that I am disappointed by it.

This book was so good from Lot Cary the first Baptist missionary to Lebanon in the 1800s to Ruby Bridges the first black kidney gardener in New Orleans the stories Valerie but are all basically the same one thought they should act one way through God and willpower they achieve something different although Ruby Bridges was only five her parents believed in fairness in her right to get an equal education to Caucasian children so her parents allowed her to be a guinea pig of sorts and although she was abused and called names and had things thrown at her her parents continue to send her and because of her faith in her parents faith it changed how children get education and although we still need to work on the level of education we give all of our impoverished children it’s much better than what they used to get. Lot Carry’s grandmother prayed that although he was born a slave that he would go back to Lebanon and bring the word of God to her people and after he was said in Richmond Virginia he would eventually do just that is the first Baptist missionary in Lebanon. They have more moving stories about unwavering faith in times of trouble and although some were slaves through God in their faith knew there was a better way in a better future to behead it’s up no matter how bad it got they stayed faithful and it’s all in this book. Some of these stories will make you tear up thinking about the things they faced in the fact they still loved Jesus Christ and knew through him all things are possible. I love this book and loved the Scriptures in it I love the chapter on the different singings types it’s just an all-around good book and a great meditation. I am Caucasian and totally felt the narrative and I think anyone in times of trouble could read this book and see the people that hit it much worse than we did and stayed faithful to God in the south and came through it whether good or bad . I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Tell the Story;40 Devotions with Reflections on Black History by Our Daily Bread Ministries is a wonderful book of devotions that should be on everyone's shelf if you are into biblical theology!

Daily Bread Ministries does a wonderful job of writing devotionals and this is no exception. I loved the range of people who shared their stories in this edition. I would highly recommend that all churches get this edition for their congregation.

Looking for an uplifting devotional that speaks to your life of faith, while at the same time lifting up the contributions and inspiring stories of both ordinary and renowned Black individuals, then “Telling the Story: 40 Devotions with Reflections on Black History, edited by Joyce Dinkins” is for you. Each brief devotional is based on a portion of Scripture or hymn text, while at the same time lifting up the story of a Black individual (both historical and contemporary) whose life or story connects with the message of the text. I really liked how each devotional, written by various authors, began with a key verse; but then following the devotional, that key verse was placed within its Biblical context within a longer reading of Scripture. As a lifelong Christian, and an ordained pastor within the Lutheran tradition, I found the devotionals to be quite solid in their use and interpretation of the Biblical texts. And as a white man, who is seeking to learn more of our countries’ Black history, I found the stories shared within these devotionals to be both enlightening and often inspiring. Thank you NetGalley and Our Daily Bread Ministries for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Respectfully Submitted,
David E. Nelson

A powerful devotional that also intertwines key themes of Blakc History Month and Blacl liberation. Reminding us that liberation and justice are core foundations of biblical faith.