Richard W Black
Richard W Black is a freelance writer.
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What I learned researching a TV series concept...

9/29/2020

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​Were You Aware…
…that human trafficking was not illegal in the United States until the Trafficking Victims Protection Act was passed in 2000 to make it a federal crime?
 
…that the United States is ranked as one of the world’s worst countries for human trafficking with estimates in the hundreds of thousands of victims?
 
…that, in the United States, the National Human Trafficking Hotline receives an average of 150 calls per day concerning victims and suspected victims?
 
…that an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 victims are added to the human trafficking network in the United States every year?
 
…that the Urban Institute, a Washington think tank, found 71% of labor trafficking victims entered the US legally?
 
…that, when it comes to the number of victims in the United States, Washington, D.C., the home of the US Government and Legislation, ranks #1?
 
…that human trafficking in Washington, D.C. is not linked with sex trafficking but with other types of forced servitude; domestic workers, agriculture workers, construction workers and food industry workers.
 
…that most Americans are unaware of the extent, seriousness and wickedness of human trafficking in the United States?
 
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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The Bonus Day Anniversary

1/8/2019

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Growing up in a Christian community before our country began massive cultural changes was an advantage; I failed to see it in my youth. However, looking back, I recognize that it gave me a perspective beyond the physical world and into the spiritual. I learned to think about what might happen after I left this mortal shell. I developed early in life the belief in the reality of God and had the fortune to attend a Bible College at a time when students were encouraged to think and reason on their own instead of today's forced thought compliance. Consequently, I was exposed to a myriad of ideas in a variety of religions and cultures. The result is that I know what I believe and have chosen to place all my eggs in one basket.
Therefore, one year ago today, my spirit was prepared when I had my heart episode. As what started out as indigestion continued to evolve into heart surgery, I was fully prepared to never wake up from the procedure. I truly thought that my day had come and I was expecting with some anticipation to see what was waiting for me. Not only was I surprised to awake from the quadruple bypass surgery, but even more astonished by how well my old body has responded to the new plumbing. Modern medicine has been a gift to me.
My pastor reminds my congregation often that the mortality rate in this world is 100% and this anniversary date is a reminder to me that every day could be THE day. So, whether today is it or there are many more todays in my future, every new day following January 8, 2018 is a bonus day for me.
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R. Dilmon Black 8/16/1931 - 1/7/2009

6/16/2018

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A Tribute to R. Dilmon Black
by: Richard Black
I once saw an interview where a celebrity was asked about his heroes, those who had most influenced his life. And I thought, I should have a heroes list. So, I began a mental list and the first person I put on it was born Robert Dilmon Black. Most called him Dilmon and at work he was Blackie. But to me, he was Dad. Of all the people, teachers, professors, pastors I’ve known, none has taught me more than did my father.
First and foremost he showed me what it was to be a man. I believe that most of the qualities of manhood Jesus Christ exhibited on earth could also be seen in Dad.
He was a man of faith who gave God not only a financial tithe but a tithe of service. He taught Sunday school, chaperoned the youth group and never missed a work project at the church.
He was a gentle man; difficult to anger. I remember the last spanking he gave me. It was on the back porch. Actually, it was over his knee, on my butt, on the back porch. I don’t remember my offense, those were impossible to keep track of for they were legion. But I remember the spanking. He used his belt. I cried after the first smack even though it didn’t hurt. He stopped at three whacks – none of them hard enough to even sting. He stopped because it did hurt him more than it hurt me. Yet, I learned so much about the heart of a father.
He was a hard worker. I could count the number of days he missed work on one hand. He arrived on time and worked a full shift or more. His example taught me the value of showing up, the importance of faithfulness in everything, even the day-to-day drudgery of a job.
He could grow things. How he loved his garden. How I hated that garden. The scariest words in the summer were, “we’re going to the garden.” I knew that meant we’re going to the garden until the sun goes down. I think that’s why I love a good summer rain; couldn’t go to the garden when it was wet. We weeded and hoed and harvested. Quarts and quarts of strawberries. Tons of carrots, radishes, onions and lettuce. Buckets and buckets of peas, bean and tomatoes. Boy could he grow tomatoes. I may be prejudice but I have never tasted a better tomato than Dad’s; red and yellow, big, round, firm and delicious. And I remember learning about the real world in first grade. Peas were on the menu. I love peas but the mushy, sickly colored sludge they put on my tray were not peas. They were one level from toxic waste. Dad grew peas, real peas.
He was patient. There were six children under one roof; kids who had/have their failings. He made sure we finished school, went to church and respected each other. As well, it was expected we would respect our mother. There was no greater offense than to disrespect Mom. He taught us all to drive; six kids!! I taught one to drive and almost lost my sanity, he did it six times. And those occasions that we had bumps and stumbles, he never showed his disappointment when we came home.
That home was a safe place. It was warm and comfortable. Free of danger. It was filled with love and acceptance. All our needs and some of our wants were met. I know what it means to be rich, for I watched a wealthy man freely give of his wealth to those he loved. Yet, he never asked for anything in return.
He was forgiving. Never can I recall him ever bringing up my past mistakes. I know I must have let him down a time or two but I don’t know how or when or where. He never told me; they were all forgotten.
Over the years, heroes have come and gone. The list has grown and shrunk. But one name has never left it. One person has and always will be my hero.
In college I read a book entitled, The Lord Is My Parole Officer. It was a collection of letters by troubled teens with negative father figures. To assist them in understanding God as their Father, they were encouraged to write about a positive male role model in their lives and relate him to God. I have no problem imagining God as my Father. When I arrive in heaven, the face of God will not be a surprise to me. Because I have seen his image here on Earth. He was Dilmon Black, my hero, my father, my Dad. And I am proud to be his son.
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Borrowed Tomb

4/1/2018

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Jesus was placed in a borrowed tomb; there had been no time to prepare one specifically for him. What his family and friends did not know was that he would only use it three days. His final destination was home to be with his Father. And his task was to prepare a place for us. Easter is a celebration that we are only guests on this world, it is not our home. We are living in borrowed space.
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Our Secrets to 41 Years

3/19/2018

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Today marks the 41st wedding anniversary of Richard and Barbara Black. As a couple with over 40 years behind us, we are frequently asked what the secret is to our longevity. In our case, we actually have two; although they are hardly secrets.
One is obvious to anyone who knows us; we have learned to love each other. The ancient Greeks were an intelligent people. They had six words for love while English has only one. In English, the same word is used for the affection between two people and a liking for potato chips.
When Barbara and I first met, we developed a fondness for each other, an attraction of two young people with hormones running wild. With the passing of years, we moved from youthful romantic love to an unconditional love as a couple. Each of us has developed a love where our partner has become the most important person in our life at the cost of our own personal wants and needs.
It is my contention that most marriages fail because many people do not grow in their love for their mates. Their concept of marriage does not expand beyond romance and no married couple can survive on sexual attraction alone; it fades and must constantly be renewed. Eventually for many, it becomes too hard to retrieve the old physical sensation with the same intensity and dies.
We have shared the second non-secret to our success numerous times when people ask us about our sustained romance. Nevertheless, it appears to be particular to us. That is, we have never encountered another couple who have made the same commitment to one another. While we had a formal wedding which included vows we exchanged in the presence of our family and friends, we also made a private vow to each other prior to our marriage. There was no ceremony, no candles, romantic music or warm atmosphere. I do not even remember where we were or what we were doing at the time. However, we made a verbal pledge, we spoke the words out loud. Our declaration to each other was clear and unmistakable.
Our promise was that we would never, under any circumstances, ever use the D-word in connection to our marriage. We would not speak the word in anger, frustration or antagonism and even decided that it included not joking about the word. We would not tease or mockingly use the D-word with each other or about each other. After 41 years of marriage, we have never used the word in a conversation between the two of us or with anyone else in reference to our marital relationship. Not in our most heated disagreements or lightest moments have we said it or implied the meaning of the word. It is a promise that we have faithfully kept.
It may be, for some, difficult to believe, yet I assure you that it is the absolute truth. Even now, I cannot bring myself to write the word as it relates to the union of Richard and Barbara Black. A habit of 41 years is hard to break.
In a world of instant everything and the fragility of obligations, contracts and agreements, it is often forgotten that anything which is worthwhile takes work, perseverance and determination. Rarely is anything of value or permanence gained easily. We have developed something special and enduring with a dedication to keeping our commitment.
Forty-Onederful Years of marriage speak for themselves.

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Valentine’s Day

2/13/2018

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During my time at the Bible College, I took a course on Marriage and Family. Although our professor was a forward thinking and practical instructor, I do not think he could have envisioned the current state of marriage and family in this country given the cultural shifts that have taken place in my lifetime. However, I remember one principle he taught which could revolutionize the family unit if practiced in any age. He stated that marriage was not a 50/50 relationship; 50% give and 50% receive. Marriage, he said, was a 100% commitment; giving 100% to the relationship without expecting or demanding anything in return.
Granted, given that we are flawed humans, it is more a utopian dream than a practical expectation that someone would give 100% to a marriage without anticipating anything in return. Nevertheless, there would be fewer broken marriages, dysfunctional families and shattered lives if more spouses would strive to meet their partner’s needs and wants instead of attempting to have their own desires fulfilled or insisting on some kind of equal tradeoff. Someone who is 100% committed to their mate, or as close as is humanly possible, will be more likely to remain faithful to their marital relationship when trials test it.
Over 40 years ago, I fell in love with Barbara. Our love has matured and grown through the struggles of life. Together, we have enjoyed the high points of life and shared the disappointments of the low points. Her commitment to me was never more evident than when I had my heart attack and was on a very uncomfortable emergency room bed waiting for the doctors to decide what to do. Right beside me the entire night was Barbara on an even more uncomfortable chair. I have had the time to reflect on how much more difficult my health crisis experience could have been and might still be had I not had someone faithfully and supportive there with me through it all.
One of the great privileges Barbara and I had attending a Bible College was that we met other couples making the same lifelong commitments we made and traveling the same marital path we took. Some of our friends have seen their spouses go on ahead of them to the next life after many years together. Others continue to celebrate new anniversaries of life together. They all can attest to the power of love in living life to its fullest as a couple. Whatever the future holds, the past has been worth the journey as two people bonded together in love.
This Valentine’s Day, I hope others can find the same love that I have had with Barbara.

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The Problem with Crystal Balls

12/27/2017

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‘Twas the Year before Christmas

12/23/2017

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Most people are unaware of many of the real details of the Christmas story. Most notably they do not know that the Magi were not present on the first Christmas night. The ones we call the Wise Men arrived several months, possibly as long as a year or more after the event. We know that they were men of some political influence because they were granted an audience with King Herod and were rich from the gifts they gave to Mary and Joseph. It is uncertain how many of them there were. Given their wealth and influence, they probably traveled in a large caravan with many servants and guards. They were also men of learning and well educated to have known that one particular star in a heaven filled with stars was unique and that it would lead to a great king.
However, although they were not there to witness the birth of Jesus, their faith is astonishing, nonetheless. It is my belief that the star they would follow appeared on that miraculous night of the nativity. I can imagine them gathered on the balcony of a large palace in Bagdad or some other splendid eastern city, possibly eating a meal and enjoying fellowship with each other. They saw the star and determined that they had to go and see the ruler who had so much favor in Heaven that a celestial body announced his birth. Think of the faith it took to undertake a long journey that was not without obstacles and danger and came at a personal cost as travel was not cheap.
Their faith was so strong that they believed the little baby they found in Bethlehem, though of a humble family, was destined to be not only a king, but a might king. It was demonstrated by the fact that they presented to the child the expensive gifts they brought with them then obeyed God’s warning not to speak to Herod about what they had found. They risked their own lives quietly leaving Judea as they did because the Jewish king was known for his vindictive nature and intense cruelty toward his enemies.
For those looking back to an event which took place over 2000 years ago, their faith should be an inspiration. They believed, even though they saw nothing more than a star in the sky. Then they acted on that faith.
As a writer, I never let the facts get in the way of a good story. Therefore, like most people, I have the three wise men in my annual manger scene. In commemorating the first Christmas, I recognize the faith of all who believed in the miracle of that night, especially several men in a faraway city gazing up at a star.

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Too Connected

12/14/2017

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Recently, I attended an event with hundreds of people; front row seat. I was in to it, those around me were in to it and then I looked to the side. A few front row seats down, a young woman was on her cell phone. Okay, sure, I thought, she might have received a text or email and was responding then would rejoin us enjoying the live moment. Nope, she was surfing the social networks.
I tried to refocus on the event, but my attention kept getting drawn over to the woman. For the entire length of the event, almost two hours, she stood and sat and stood and even clapped with the rest of us as if she was a part of what was happening around her. Nevertheless, at no point did she put down her phone and only glanced around on occasion. Instead, she giggled, chuckled and smiled at what was occurring on her phone. A few times, her fingers flew as she responded to a post before flipping to the next page.
However, this story becomes stranger. A month later, I once more encountered her at a similar event. We appear to run in similar social circles. Again, she pulled out her cell phone before things began and started to peruse her social contacts. As before, she went through the event connected to her phone and tepidly interested with what was happening on stage. My assumption was that she checked-in as attending so that she had the post on her page then turned to internet interacting; the cyber world seemed to carry more fascination for her than the real one.
More than likely, the young woman believes that she has an active social life. Sadly, she does not.
Being connected is one of today’s marvels. I appreciate the security of having a cell phone and knowing that my wife and daughter have them when they are out-and-about or traveling. It is great to have the ability to contact family and friends when and where it is necessary. Also, modern cell phones can give directions, find places and save the time of going from store to store in search of goods and services. It allows people to conduct business or do their jobs anywhere and everywhere. However, like anything that has value, when improperly used beyond moderation, it can become more a danger than an asset. I would suggest that being too connected is the new addiction, harmful and detrimental to the metal health of those caught in its grip.
As with any addiction, becoming too connected is a difficult habit to break. The very real risk of individuals caught up in staying connected is becoming isolated in cyber cocoons.
As Paul noted in 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NASB) “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” Use your cyber connection to enhance your life, not become your life.
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White Sins

10/15/2017

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The headlines are filled with the latest scandal of a man who used his power, wealth and position in the film industry to exploit and abuse people. But he neither suddenly become a monster nor was he born one; he was created by the little choices he made. Incremental, small things which did not appear all that evil at the time. The name I have for them is white sins; those little wrongs, those small moral failures or ethic compromises that people think are not so bad or too harmful until they grow bigger and become serious problems that control and destroy lives. Yet, be warned. It is not only Hollywood producers who fall under the weight of white sins.
This cautionary tale comes to mind; a true story with the names omitted, the places changed and details altered to protect the innocent.
At the prestigious firm, she was a trusted employee working in the financial department where hundreds of thousands of dollars were handled. Well paid and with generous benefits, she lived the good life and had the potential of advancement with bigger, more important responsibilities or she could move to another company that might offer her even higher pay and more perks; her options were many.
However, a dark spot sprouted and was beginning to grow far under the surface where no one could see it.
Not satisfied with what her salary could afford her, she began spending more than she made. The larger house, better car and clothes were draining her paycheck until she was living from payday to payday. Then, one day, she needed funds for lunch and gas but the credit cards were maxed out. Her eyes fell on the petty cash box she kept locked in her desk. A loan, she would loan herself the money and pay it back after payday. Of course, there was the question of the log for the money, but a bogus entry took care of that.
Payday came and went and there were bills to pay and money to stretch until the next month’s salary payment. Also, there were additional dips into the petty cash box and new fabricated line items in the ledger. Eventually, she determined that there was no reason to pay back the appropriated funds. After all, the owners of the firm made so much money because of her efforts and she was not necessarily adequately compensated for all she did for them. The petty cash acquisitions were, well, the raise she deserved. Anyway, none of the executives noticed such small sums, given the large amounts that passed through the firm on a monthly basis.
Each month, she reported to her boss with the accounts and each time he verified and accepted them as correct. Nevertheless, leading up to the annual audit, she was nervous and swore that she was done, finished with using out of petty cash. Yet, when the outside agency auditors came and went without incident, she felt secure.
Unfortunately, her spending habits had not changed with her resolution. Instead, they were becoming more problematic and she was constantly reaching the end of her bank account before the end of the month. A bill sat in her purse that had to be paid, but she did not have the money. While her mind tried to find an option as she worked, one suddenly presented itself in the form of a check from a client. With a simple adjustment, the client account showed paid but the funds were not directed into the firm’s bank account, but hers. Her bill was promptly paid and the pressure was off; momentarily.
Another month and another unpaid expense short, she found it necessary to creatively transfer another check into her account. By the fourth or fifth time, it had become easy and she was confident that her boss and the owners would never see or notice the missing funds.
At the annual holiday party, she accepted the adoration of the owners as one of the key employees who were responsible for the success of the firm. She was given a raise and additional perks including a parking place closer to the door near the executive parking. There was nothing to fear from those above her.
Trouble came when a lower level accountant under her supervision notice a small discrepancy, a minor detail. Clearing up the trivial little things was part of the accountant’s job and she thrived on dealing with them. After eliminating all the potential reasons for the error, she was left with a banking error. When the bank verified that it had not made a mistake on their part, there left only one explanation; someone in the firm had fraudulently altered the check’s passage through the company accounts. She finally, fearfully took her documentation secretly over her boss’ head.
After carefully combing the books, it was determined that more than $100,000.00 had been embezzled over months and years. In reality, the figure was estimated to have been much larger, but so well disguised were the thefts that it would have taken months to find them all.
Some might argue that her mistake was in taking one too many checks while others would maintain that it was the moment when she determined that she had a right to the funds or some point to her failure to repay the initial dip into the petty cash. I maintain that it was surrendering to white sins which led her down a path that saw her eventually fired, almost prosecuted, and financially and personally damaged for many years. The moment she gave in to a white sin, she set herself up for devastation. For one white sin led to another and another until they became an avalanche of destructive behavior and ruinous consequences.
To avoid the devastation brought on by the eventual results of gigantic sins, avoid the temptations of white sins.
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    "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"  John 8:31-32

    "Context is everything in life."  Richard W Black

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