Kickstarter Project 2015

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fortress23/the-knox-mission-unleashed-3-book-set

Please check out my project proposal for Kickstarter.com. I plan on re-releasing my first three novels in a higher-class, more professional style through a self-publishing company, but I do not have the funds at this time. I think if I could put these first three out there in a better product format, I can be that much closer to achieving my dream of being a successful author. Please, pledge...I promise I won't forget it. Thank you- and God Bless...
Jason

Evil - See how it Divides Us?

Evil is real. Science can explain a lot of things in this world...but it can't explain evil. If you don't think evil is real, then how do you explain events the likes of mass shootings, terrorist attacks, and mass executions that we see today? And if evil is real, doesn't it stand to reason that good is real as well?

Please understand this - evil is the force that we see prevail in this world; in our country - when we begin to divide ourselves and want to blame this group or that group or this sterotype or religion for the actions of another, we begin to divide ourselves. What happens when you make forces divide themselves in military? If you can get a team or army or battalion to divide its forces under your direction, then the divided forces can become weak and be defeated. What is happening in America today? Religious division; racial division; political division; sexual division; even moral division. To me, it is obvious that evil, or Satan (Evil personified) is strategically moving things into place and dividing our forces. All of the divisions I mentioned above, with regard to the US, were at one point or another, what set us apart from other nations of the world.

Sure, the killer in Charleston was a white man who hated black or African American people. But if you let your focus on the problem begin AND end with that, it is exactly what the true enemy wants you to do. Don't focus on the fact that the killer was white...FOCUS ON THE FACT THAT THE KILLER WAS A KILLER.

Although I identify with more conservative values of a Republican nature, I think we should get rid of the political parties. What we need to do is UNIFY our forces again, against evil. When we truly were a nation under God - guess what...Satan was losing. I know I am an opinionated person, and somewhat inflammatory at times because I am passionate about American History and biblical teaching. But I can put that aside if more American citizens would stop caving to some entitled attitude of denial and lack of accountability, and acknowledge that we need God. We need Jesus. I pray for this nation, and this world we live in, and I hope and pray there are plenty of others who are with me. Don't let the Evil One divide us anymore.

Anger Management

We had a guest pastor this morning, and I enjoyed his message so much, that I thought I would share it from my perspective. This morning, the pastor spoke on anger - more specifically, anger management.

Those that grew up with me can understand one reason why I might have been able to relate to the sermon. I grew up with a hot temper; fortunately I have been able to keep it in check for most of my life since I was young, but I found this verse in Proverbs profound.

"An angry person stirs up conflict,
    and a hot-tempered person commits many sins."---Proverbs 29:22

Not only did this prove true as I actually turned my anger on certain friends, and even family, as I grew up...but I have also seen it first-hand in my line of work. It is truly amazing how anger can take complete control of your behavior, and even your decisions! One of the reasons I always felt like I connected to the character of the Incredible Hulk in the comics was because of how anger effected his life. (Yes, I know - there may also be some strange resemblance to the man who played him, too...at least that is what I have been told). But hearing these words of scripture today helped bring me back home to the fact that anger, while itself is even an emotion God has felt, is not something we can just write off as something we couldn't control so our actions were justified.

The pastor also pointed out this passage:

"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
    for anger resides in the lap of fools."---Ecclesiastes 7:9

This reminded me of exactly what I am writing about in my upcoming novel, and what happened in Baltimore. People perceive some injustice, and quickly overreact without taking time to pause and reflect on what has happened. Then they make foolish, stupid, and even self-destructive decisions. Something similar has happened to me before. I believe I have even written about it before, when I let my temper win out and I ended up punching a fire extinguisher case - and wound up in the hospital. 

Note that both verses I referred to were profound words of wisdom. Well, one thing we should all consider is that these words were written down by one of the wisest men to have ever lived. These words are not mere suggestions; King Solomon wrote them down for a reason. So take heed folks. The passages do not suggest to never get angry...but do not let your anger control you. Instead, take a page out of Bruce Banner's book. Learn how to keep it controlled. And the best way to do that? Why - turn it over to someone who is bigger than you or me. Turn it over to God, and He will help you tame the wild green hulk within us all.

Humility & Accomplishment

 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

----Philippians 2:5-8

This was the scripture we focused on this past week at a youth group beach camp I chaperoned. The theme for the week was 'Others First', and I really enjoyed being part of this special group. We also looked at several other verses in reference to putting other people's needs before your own...but these verses I think sum up the ultimate service for mankind. Jesus put aside the human needs for survival and relief from pain in order for us to have salvation. To me, that is as selfless as one can get. 

Think about that for a second. The Son of God gave up being a supreme being and entered our space and time - just to have that life ended as the perfect sacrifice for an eternal gift we did not deserve. Then he proved his divinity by rising up from death 3 days later, defying death and joining the Father in heaven. Jesus could have said, 'Well, they had their chance'- but instead he came down in the form of a humble servant and died for OUR sins.Talk about being knocked down a few notches.

In Philippians 2:5, the Apostle Paul is asking believers to have the same humble mindset as Jesus when we relate to others around us. He wrote it down in God's inspired Word, which spiritually inspired Christian scholars to include these words in the New Testament. Therefore, we as believers are expected to pursue this task. Now ask yourself this...what if all of us, as believers, really took on this task? What would the world be like? God asked for us to do this for a reason. Think about how much peace would exist in this world if people looked out for one another, instead of constantly trying to one-up their neighbor...or degrade their enemy. Christ didn't just turn the other cheek - He gave all he had.

This past week, I got to see these words put into action by teen-aged youth. They were helping one another, putting other people's needs first, and even putting their pride aside. It was pretty neat to see, especially in this day and age. I hope I am able to meet other people's needs in a similar fashion as I move along in life. I hope that one day, I can look back and say that I helped people; I put aside my pride; I helped where I could. Perhaps my sharing of God's Word in some of my thoughts on the internet can count as some form of service. Or even my modern day parables contained in the novels I write. Who knows? But in the end, I want to please my Father. Doesn't everyone?

It wasn't too long ago, I had my first book signing, and while we sat around the dinner table afterwards, at the same venue - my father told me in front of friends and family how proud he was of my accomplishment. It brought me to tears, and it is a moment I will never forget. But now what if I can dedicate my life to having the Christ-like mindset of putting others first? What if you can, too? What if more and more believers followed suit? Then, when we arrive at the Golden Gates, won't it be that much MORE SPECIAL, when the Father of all fathers says:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Perhaps we who believe can all strive to achieve such an accomplishment!