WHAT'S NEXT?! It doesn't matter- we've been told the ending

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

These words give us hope, if you believe.

In a tumultuous time, when the environment is becoming harsher; where politicians are corrupt and evil; where race wars are incited; where terrorism runs rampant; where nobody can afford health care; where the law followers are punished and the law breakers are rewarded; where man wants to kill and hurt man; where snap decisions and judgements are made; where the rule of law is fading; where accountability is lost...COULDN'T WE ALL USE A LITTLE HOPE?!

As I stood behind my laptop where it sits on my bartop in the kitchen, I watched news updates unfold on my Facebook from different news agencies about the tragic events in Dallas. I had struggled through a day in my law enforcement job before getting to attempt to relax in front of my computer tonight, frustrated with things I had read about all day involving the officer involved shootings, sensing off and on throughout the day special stares just because I was wearing a badge and a gun. I also struggled with the last call of my day where I tried to help a vulnerable adult whose family situation and psychological situation was so bad, I felt almost helpless to assist her until I finally reached the right people. I keep wanting to ask God above, 'WHY?!'

But then God answered me with this verse. It hit me like a lightning bolt, or maybe a 'Godsmack' across the back of my head saying, 'Silly child - remember when I said this?' And I was brought back to the reality I can find in my faith, that is, if I truly believe.

I was reminded that despite all this chaos, and disaster, and evil...I already know that Jesus has conquered it all. I already know that time is but a finite thing to an all powerful Lord and Creator of all things, therefore He has already won this battle. If I believe Jesus is who He said He was - and if there is to be any real hope in this world, then He has to be who He said He was - then there is what some people would call a fairy-tale ending, only it is TRUTH, in its purest form. The good Lord up above reminded me that despite all the fear, and dread, and anger, and frustration, and worry, and anxiety, and puzzlement...there is hope to be found. That hope is in Jesus Christ.

Here's the real good news. That hope in which I so believe...is available to any one of you. It is not forced upon you, but rather offered freely to you because it was already paid for by someone else - God's Son. If you are struggling as I have mentally with seeing and absorbing all this negativity going on around us, it is easier than you think to find hope.

Shall I still keep trying to warn people of the dangers I sense are coming? Maybe; maybe not. But if I have a forum to share my knowledge, and what I know to be TRUE in my heart of hearts, then I better put it out there now. So that the lost can know that they are so easily found, by the All Powerful God that loves them and offers salvation - to those that believe.

God bless everyone out there. Pray we find peace soon, even if it is temporary repreival until the End of Days...but Pray for thanks for forgiveness along the way, and I pray for the hope of us all.

WHAT'S NEXT?! It doesn't matter - we've been told the ending

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

These words give us hope, if you believe.

In a tumultuous time, when the environment is becoming harsher; where politicians are corrupt and evil; where race wars are incited; where terrorism runs rampant; where nobody can afford health care; where the law followers are punished and the law breakers are rewarded; where man wants to kill and hurt man; where snap decisions and judgements are made; where the rule of law is fading; where accountability is lost...COULDN'T WE ALL USE A LITTLE HOPE?!

As I stood behind my laptop where it sits on my bartop in the kitchen, I watched news updates unfold on my Facebook from different news agencies about the tragic events in Dallas. I had struggled through a day in my law enforcement job before getting to attempt to relax in front of my computer tonight, frustrated with things I had read about all day involving the officer involved shootings, sensing off and on throughout the day special stares just because I was wearing a badge and a gun. I also struggled with the last call of my day where I tried to help a vulnerable adult whose family situation and psychological situation was so bad, I felt almost helpless to assist her until I finally reached the right people. I keep wanting to ask God above, 'WHY?!'

But then God answered me with this verse. It hit me like a lightning bolt, or maybe a 'Godsmack' across the back of my head saying, 'Silly child - remember when I said this?' And I was brought back to the reality I can find in my faith, that is, if I truly believe.

I was reminded that despite all this chaos, and disaster, and evil...I already know that Jesus has conquered it all. I already know that time is but a finite thing to an all powerful Lord and Creator of all things, therefore He has already won this battle. If I believe Jesus is who He said He was - and if there is to be any real hope in this world, then He has to be who He said He was - then there is what some people would call a fairy-tale ending, only it is TRUTH, in its purest form. The good Lord up above reminded me that despite all the fear, and dread, and anger, and frustration, and worry, and anxiety, and puzzlement...there is hope to be found. That hope is in Jesus Christ.

Here's the real good news. That hope in which I so believe...is available to any one of you. It is not forced upon you, but rather offered freely to you because it was already paid for by someone else - God's Son. If you are struggling as I have mentally with seeing and absorbing all this negativity going on around us, it is easier than you think to find hope.

Shall I still keep trying to warn people of the dangers I sense are coming? Maybe; maybe not. But if I have a forum to share my knowledge, and what I know to be TRUE in my heart of hearts, then I better put it out there now. So that the lost can know that they are so easily found, by the All Powerful God that loves them and offers salvation - to those that believe.

God bless everyone out there. Pray we find peace soon, even if it is temporary repreival until the End of Days...but Pray for thanks for forgiveness along the way, and I pray for the hope of us all.

The Keyboard is More Powerful than the AR-15

"It [writing] is a dangerous pursuit….But it's one of the most important things that human beings do."----Toni Morrison

http://www.elle.com/culture/books/a37207/toni-morrison-writing-is-dangerous/

The article above may be about social activism, but the point that was hammered home to me as I read it was that the old cliche, "The pen is mightier than the sword," can still ring true, and Ms. Morrison and others in the black community have used that to their advantage.

These days, however, people seem to be infatuated with the so-called "Assault Rifle" (which is NOT what AR stands for), and how much damage the GUN seems to inflict. What the media has so inadvertently proven to me, however, is how powerful words can be, and how written word - or rather, TYPED word, can influence MILLIONS!

Words typed on a page and transferred to the digital world have caused more division in this country and in this world than your average person ever thought. Words have offended more people, and lit more fires, than any single AR-15. The sword these days, GUNS, are the hot topic right now. But what we need to realize is that words are causing more harm, and inciting more chaos than anything else out there, because of the information age. People can read anything in any language on the internet, and what they read influences them in one way or the other. 

Look how important even simple things like e-mails (cough, cough - HIllary!) have become. Sure, their importance has been masked over by the media...but how did they accomplish that? By their management of WORDS and the power to influence millions.

I propose an idea - instead of rousing the public into disarray and chaos, let's solve some problems with words. Let's inform others, as many people as we can, with words of encouragement. Let's inform our leaders, not with complaints, but solutions, on how to fix the mess we are in as a country. If those leaders are unwilling to listen to the people, then they're not proper leaders and must be replaced. Words need to be used when the time is right to inform about those poor leaders so that better leaders can be put into place. Let's inform people again how we used to appreciate words like liberty, and freedom, and how the definitions of these words now have been twisted and perverted by both the media and government leaders who wish to control us. Instead of getting into political debates on-line, use any words of brilliance you feel like you have to offer to write a book. Put that book together in organized fashion, and present it to the world as a possible solution to problems. Or present information to the world in story form, so that people can enjoy a story, rather than argue.

I don't have all the solutions to all problems, though I feel like if we turned as a people to God, we could solve more than we do - but I do realize the power of words. Ms. Morrison and other authors in social activism realize the power in words. The elite in control in the world definitely understand the power of words. If a lot of us realize how powerful words can be, and channel those words to a better purpose...perhaps there can be a little more hope in this world. Of course, Jesus is the real hope in the world - but until more people realize that, use your words to offer solutions. Just this writer's two cents - may they be powerful enough to rival a gun.

Why Are You so Angry?

I will never forget the anger in those eyes, his nostrils flaring, and his chest heaving up and down as I turned young Quintavius to face me - rather than letting him continue in his approach to attack the third grade girl that cut in front of him for a sip at the water fountain. I had seen it happen, and I saw the mission he set about doing and the serious intent on his face after he turned and realized the girl cut in front of him while he wasn't paying attention. I seriously believe that had I not intervened when I did, the boy would have pummeled the little girl on the ground.

The young black boy stared me down, so mad that I had the audacity to interrupt his mission in retribution.

With a hand gently touching his shoulder, I told him, "Quintavius, just what do you think you're about to do? You know there's no fighting in my class."

His chest heaved some more, and I even saw a tear start to flow out of his left eye.

"Man - she cut in front of me, Coach! You know I can't let her get away with that!" he declared to me as he stared away for a moment and eyed the girl as she walked back to her spot on her 'running team'.

I remember being taken aback by the amount of rage this young man seemed to hold inside, and how angry he had gotten at such a minor incident. I often didn't assume too much about children and their backgrounds, but this time I slipped up.

"Why are you so angry? Do you think your dad would want you to be this angry at girl, for just cutting in front of you?" I made the mistake of asking. And that's when the faucet opened up. 

Young Quintavius then shouted at me, "Man - what you mean, 'my dad'? I don't have no 'dad' Coach! Man, get away from me...you don't know me!"

And I knew from then on I faced an uphill battle. Quintavius was right...I didn't know him. And I had no idea what he was going through. I had no idea what it was like to never be taught how to control anger - and yes, I grew up knowing how to get angry! But I also had a father who, despite having a temper himself, still taught me the importance of trying to tame it. Was my father the perfect example? No, but apparently it was more than Quintavius got. And the only perfect example we men have is Jesus. 

But that day I discovered how young men without a father can struggle with issues like anger. And Quintavius was just the beginning. Unfortunately I didn't last at that school. The challenge of working with so many kids with broken homes and fatherless houses got to be too much for me, and I didn't feel like I was on the right battlefield to combat the situation. Perhaps that is how I got to law enforcement? It sure did reinforce my yearning to put right some of the things broken in this world.

Now let's unpack the issue with Quintavius. How much does he represent the society around us? Think about it...think of all the fatherless children out there - the fatherless young men who are entering an age where they want to become men, but only have the media and the streets to show them how to be that man. I joined a new study for Christian men at our church this morning, with the whole message of manhood being brought to us by an inner city pastor by the name of Eric Mason...and his message hit home with me. He featured a man named Octavius in the session, and Octavius spoke about growing up without a father. Listening to Octavius speak about what it was like, trying to figure out how to be a man without a father - gave me a different perspective...and that's when I remembered Quintavius.

I work in law enforcement. I am a passionate man, and I have strong emotions when it comes to seeing how law enforcement is portrayed by the media, and how the bad apples in law enforcement have made people so angry. But knowing how the statistics in prisons reflect statistics of single parent families and young men without fathers - is it a wonder that there is so much anger. And here comes Johnny Law to tell this young man on the street or that young man what to do, and on and on it goes. I wanted to share this because I want people to know that I do have some understanding of what goes on out there...but I am a broken and flawed image of God just like the rest of us. I know I am emotionally charged, and even angry myself sometimes when I see some of the chaos out there in society. But there is one PERFECT Father out there for all of us. Although God blessed me with a father who was always there for me, and did his best no matter what to teach me how to be a man...he wasn't perfect. But the God of the Bible, and ironically His Son Jesus Christ, are right there for all of us to see.

So the next time you are stewing about something...the next time you see something like people stomping on the American flag or attacking a culture that you identify with so easily...ask yourself the same question I asked Quintavius. I need to ask myself that same question sometimes - Why are you so angry...

When the picture of the perfect father, the perfect man - is right there in the Bible for all of us to see?

Danged if You Do, Danged if You Don't

Everyone who has read anything by me knows by now that I am not shy when it comes to telling you where I stand. And although I don't care for all of Trump's personality, I will take him over the few alternatives I have left - especially Hillary Clinton.

Now I will give you fair warning...this message is strictly subjective. But perhaps some of you out there who think like me will see why I have the fears in the back of my mind - that you're danged if you do, danged if you don't when it comes to this election cycle. Let me explain.

If you do vote for Trump, who I really do feel has a legitimate shot, and really do feel like he is in this race for the right reasons - I think you may be in for a long four years if he wins. Don't get me wrong...I think he will build that Great Wall of Trump between here and Mexico, and figure out a way to make them pay for it. I think he will build up the military again in similar fashion to how Reagan did it. I think he will somehow improve our job market and may even get a few more people to work.

But if he wins, these are the things I think you will see happen thanks to the culture and precedents set by the predecessor - the Muslim in office - and the entire left wing agenda that has torn this country apart:

CRIME RATE WILL EXPLODE

Whether it is because certain supporters of Obama just want to prove a point, or because race-baiters and trouble makers like Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, and Black Lives Matters so-called supporters, or even Black Panther members will feel like it is their place to demonstrate anything but peaceful protests. And with Trump's strong support of law enforcement that he has shown all his life, leave it to the opponents of Trump to exploit that and let social chaos erupt.

WAR

Yep, I said it. It would probably only be a matter of when; not if, if Trump gets elected. And I'm not saying it will be for the wrong reasons, or even with the wrong people. But I do think that hard liner mentality, that New Yorker in Trump - will bring us to war after certain things are said to get him all bristled up with a Defense Budget his brilliant cabinet will have put together. Once again, a lot of people think this is the best reason not to vote for Trump...but we'll get more into that in a while.

TERRORISM WILL ATTEMPT TO RISE

The haters of all infidels, namely radical Islamic terrorist organizations will use Trump's victory and inauguration as an excuse to justify violence, because of his so-called hate-speech towards Islam itself. Once again, more liberal bull that has been pushed on the general public until they either push back, or drink it in like Koolaid. The bolstered military will combat this, but nonetheless, I see it happening. It still isn't near as dangerous as if Hillary gets elected. We'll get more into that later as well.

HILLARY WILL GO TO JAIL

Once he sits in the most powerful office in the land, Donald will be able to pull out all stops, certain liberal hands will be weaker than they were when they had the liberal mic dropper himself in office. That means his New York gloves will come off and he will unleash all the dirt he ever had on the Clintons. This is why the war against Trump has been so vile; because Hillary knows this will happen. And why would you ever want to go down without a fight if you have so much clout with the media. They have succeeded in vilifying Trump like he is the anti-Christ. But if Trump wins even after all that, mark my words - the war will still be ugly ugly ugly, and I think Hollywood will somehow be flipped upside down!

So, this isn't the fun and games we thought we would have if we ever got rid of the Muslim in the White House, is it? But guess what...IT GETS WORSE if HILLARY GETS ELECTED.

Perhaps if you DON'T vote for the Trumpster, and vote Hillary instead...

THE ECONOMY WILL CRUMBLE

Mrs. Clinton and her entire liberal following will run our economy into the ground, trying to have more and more BIG Government Programs to pay for those people who feel like the government should take care of them; the tax payers will finally be taxed literally to death to pay for all the things the free loaders will not pay for OR work for. If you think it's bad now, there will be funding for programs nobody has even heard of yet. Our national debt is horrible; it is so high, I have no idea how any one country could accumulate that much debt in the first place - almost $20 Trillion! Now, imagine giving a woman with really tacky taste in pants suits access to a credit card backed by the US government - aye aye aye! Greece will look like economics professors once she's done.

OUR MILITARY WILL CRUMBLE

The liberal lady will sing praises for big government programs and her great big bleeding heart will have all the Occupy Wall St cronies and all the We Hate Soldiers crowd cheering for more money for the poor. In the meantime, North Korea and Iran will achieve enough progress in their nuclear programs to be a viable threat to our once relatively safe location. ISIS will be growing their numbers and spreading their rhetoric. China will be doing their thing, getting closer and closer to being the world's premiere super power, and Russia will once against be butting into some poor smaller country's business and taking them over, assimilating them as they go. And our military budget will be cut so low that generals and admirals will be looking for jobs at police stations and security firms because we can no longer afford to pay those who have earned rank. It's not going to be pretty.

IMMIGRATION WILL BE OUT OF CONTROL

Do you feel safe in your neighborhood? Do you enjoy your freedom? Well, guess who's coming. That's right..the Muslims are coming...refugees by the thousands; nobody knowing exactly how many by the time it's all said and done. And while many of the refugees do need someone to take them in, they unfortunately all practice the same religion that tells our 'buddies' from ISIS that it's okay to throw homosexuals from rooftops, and chop off the heads of Christians, and force women to cover their faces. Hmm, here's a side question: wonder what Mrs. Clinton would say if some guy wearing his kafiyeh held a sword to her throat and demanded her put on a burqa? Anyway, the number of refugees will become uncomfortably high because Hillary and her inept ability to keep things secure (Benghazi, anyone?) will mean we just stop vetting these people altogether because - hey - that's discriminating! So, have you given it any thought...you know...about learning Arabic or Farsi?

CRIME WILL STILL REACH AN ALL-TIME HIGH

The awesome precedent set by her predecessor (oh you know, never saying anything about the tragic loss to one single police officer ever on the news or in the public eye) where the police are the bad guys for enforcing, oh what are those things again - oh that's right - laws...this environment will only get worse when we forgive all the illegal immigrants for their crimes, thus giving them a sense of confidence that they can bring in more of their friends and commit more heinous crimes...and round and round we go. Anyone seeing a picture here yet? Cops will continue to get murdered; gangs will continue to war with each other and kill more cops along the way; more and more kids will drop out because of our education system and the BS forced upon them by Common Core.

I could go on, but this post is getting long enough. Point being, I don't feel very good about the future of our country. Nobody can help us but God. If we are a nation doomed to drown in chaos, if the aforementioned stuff happens or comes close to happening, then HE is our only hope. So, I know I haven't painted a pretty picture. I know this isn't exactly all roses and steaks (two items that are especially appealing to the eyes of men and women?). But there you have it...my gut feeling of what's to come. Hopefully I am sooooooo wrong. But while you're at it, please, leave a comment on my contact page. How far off the mark am I?

The Trickle-Down Effect

So now schools in North Carolina want to do away with valedictorians and salutatorians? What's next?

Perhaps we can look at the highest office in the land, and see how things from there trickle down to spread out to the rest of society. Mainly the weak-minded...but it seems to be a problem that is actually not hard to identify.

Let's start at the top then, shall we. Go back to 2009. Mr. President Barack Obama received one of the most coveted awards in the world - the Nobel Peace Prize (which may I remind people, comes with a measly million dollar bonus). What did the man do up to that point that warranted such a prize? Seriously - the man had been in state politics and a senator, and hadn't exactly been in a position to make the world a better place. Shall we look at his record since (ISIS, Police - public relations, lack of support for Israel, lack of proper response to terror attacks in Europe, etc)?

Now, if you haven't heard or read from various sources that Obama wants to dissolve American exceptional-ism...look it up elsewhere - but it's out there. What do you think getting rid of valedictorians and salutatorians will do? Everything Obama has tried to bring about in this country has been about making a very even playing field, so-to-speak, for everyone...from the so-called Affordable Healthcare Act, to the mutilation of the military - the man has accomplished exactly that. We are no longer exceptional. So is it any wonder that this effect has found its way to our schools?

Professional athletes like Ray Lewis and DeAngelo Williams have commented on the problem with rewarding everyone with a participation ribbon, and not rewarding the efforts of the people who excel. If the so-called 'dumb jocks' can see the problem with it, why can't the intellectual elite? Even members of the committee that originally selected 'Barry' as the award winner state they regret their decision. Some have even gone so far as to say that the decision did not have the desired effect they intended on world affairs and Obama's power position in the world. Imagine that; giving someone an award that they didn't earn didn't help them...who'da thought?

So if the highest office in the land can have a President receive awards for doing nothing special (especially since he hadn't even been in office for a full year yet), why wouldn't we want to just give everyone in schools equal awards? Is it because we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings?

Really?

In a time where politically correct is the 'right way' to be, and we seem to want to avoid hurt feelings at all costs - surprisingly, that is not what's going on here.

It is intentional. This trickle down effect has been engineered from the start - and why? Because it all comes back to control. If you can control the masses, especially by convincing them to just accept what you say and follow suit, then you can convince the people of anything. Do I know what the final goal or objective of this elite agenda may be? No; I can only speculate (which makes for fun novels). But you are naive if you can't see it.

 

Thankfully there are those of us who are not weak-minded. There are those of us who can reason and think for ourselves, and figure some of this stuff out. If you read this and it offends you, guess what - you may not fall in the category of the strong-willed and strong-minded. But I digress...

If nothing else after you read this, you can perhaps at least understand the trickle down effect. Now - what to write about next...hmmmm. Maybe we will tackle - accountability.

Y'all have a good one.

Why We Celebrate: Our Annual Salute to the Military

Why We Celebrate: Our Annual Salute to the Military

May 19, 2016

|

Jason E. Fort

There is a certain amount of respect you have to have for warriors; especially those warriors who put their lives on the line, of their own volition, for a cause much greater than themselves. I have always understood this, yet I never quite took that plunge, to be ready at a moment's notice, to pack up what I need to survive, leave my family behind, and go seek and destroy an enemy seen as a threat to our nation...and that is why I thought five years ago that it was so important for my son and I to celebrate those brave men and women, who HAVE taken that plunge; who have put themselves out there in harm's way, ready to defend a nation and take the fight to the enemy. Since I was not one of the few, the proud, willing to sacrifice time with family, I owe my ultimate respect to those who did. And five years ago, my son expressed interest in the Air Force, became a huge fan of WWII history, and we started a tradition.

My son has always been what I consider an old soul, born a few generations too late. His heart shows on his face when he talks about how he feels for WWII veterans. When he has met them in the past, his eyes showed wonder and awe. He understands what the greatest generation did when they took a stand against evil. He understands that Captain America mentality; that strange concept John F. Kennedy suggested when he said, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." Whether my son accomplishes his goals and ambitions and becomes that drone pilot and aircraft engineer for the Air Force or not, he has this deep-rooted respect for honor and tradition, and he is the one that prompts me to give to this military donation or that one. He gets that the world in which we live is an ever-darkening place, and he sees that America has become much weaker and less respectable than she once was. But he and I both hold on to hope, because we know our history, and we know there are still patriots out there. And we both figure there is no better way to honor the ones that have gone before by paying respect and going out to learn as much as we can about the people who fought for the home of the brave. That is why we celebrate.

I am a police officer. Though some of my normal duties have changed, I still have those days where I go to work wearing a gun at my side, knowing that any given moment, some wolf who's crept into my beat could expose his teeth and go for my gun. Because of training, I can appreciate the action steps and mental mindset needed to react in those situations. Soldiers of course receive that kind of training and more. But I work in an environment and beat area that is somewhat controlled, heavily monitored, and necessary for people from all walks of life...so evil agendas don't find their way in through our doors near as often as - say - Islamic terrorist insurgents attempting to overrun some American contingent of soldiers or marines over in the Middle East. And I don't have to fly over an ocean to go meet some of the wolves I may encounter. I may have to fight the domestic enemy. But our veterans; our soldiers, and sailors, and marines, and airmen leave for days and months, thousands of miles away from their loved ones. And they take that training with them...and they hope and pray that the training is enough. They go to unsightly places, and hot places, and cold places, and places in which we have no business being - but they still go. They go in under fire and pull out injured comrades...and injured enemies - and they treat the injuries and move on to fight again. They understand the concept of following orders, and I pray this concept doesn't die as our older generations die...but America used to be known as a nation full of soldiers and protectors with true grit. And those protectors are why my son and I celebrate.

So here we are on the day of departure for our fifth annual father-son military trip. This year we are going with a dear and trusted friend who took that plunge and served for twelve years for the United State Marine Corps, and we're going with him to visit Parris Island. My friend Corey is a true warrior - a defender, who did three tours in Iraq as a US Marine, and I am so pumped he is joining us for this trip. Jay is excited, too, and after we watch a Boot Camp graduation and tour Parris Island, we're going to venture back where it all started for us and watch the Thunderbirds perform in an air show at Shaw Air Force Base. I pray God helps us remain true to the reasons behind this tradition. Besides the father-son bond that I will always cherish, I pray God helps us remember those brave men and women who have gone on to serve and die for their country. I pray my friend Corey can go and have fond memories of the beginnings of his journey, without having to remember too much of the ugly things that happened when he served. And I pray that my son comes back home with the same fervor and love for the military.

There will be excitement; there will be much fanfare; there will be boots so in-sync on the parade deck that you will think it is all one giant foot making the noise; there will be aircraft flying at the speed of sound; there will be brave men and women who serve their country - and we will celebrate.

Dueling Spirits Within

This poem reflects the thoughts I battle with when it comes to the threat of Islam. The opposing approaches are prevalent in my novels, to which in my head there seems no end. My main characters all represent one side of the coin or the other, as readers will discover, book by book. But this poem says exactly how I feel; it shows my dueling spirits within:


Dueling Spirits Within                        

Lord help me understand; please help me try to see
A peaceful resolution in this battle within me.

Do I pray for courage to stand against
The evil that crowds at our door?

Or do I pray for patience
And a mission field in which to explore?

Is the secret in holding on to our Bibles
With our guns at the ready?

Or do we stand firm in our faith;
Believe in God's timing, slow and steady?

Do we shout from the mountaintops,
"Their prophet is a fraud!?"

Or do we get down on our knees and pray?
For they're not the only ones who are flawed.

Do we pray for Your mighty angels
To come and cast them asunder?

Do we hold on to hope and wait
For you to cry out in a voice as loud as thunder?

Or should we get to know our enemy?
Should we try to help them see?

Can we point their eyes to You,
Show them Your meaning of victory?

Lord I confess I have struggled
With this dilemma of what to do.

Part of me wants to be protective...
But part of me wants to show them...You.

Lord, you left yourself open
To human hatred, and all our scorn.

We gave you whips and lashes;
We made you wear a crown of thorns.

The misinformed and the evil
Now prepare to come ashore.

Half the nation wants to make them feel welcome;
Welcome with open arms and open wide the door.

I am part of the other half;
I'd rather stay safe from harm.

I want to be the first warn the people
I want to raise the alarm.

Some of them are wolves in sheep's clothing;
Of that there is no doubt.

But does that justify my longing
To just say NO - STAY OUT.

I think I know the answer;
You even tell us how it all ends.

So whether we open ourselves up or not
It is your spirit that will win.

The protector within me says
Taking precaution is where it starts.

But instead perhaps we set our focus -
On their souls; on their hearts.

Godly Mothers

Do you remember when you were growing up, ever hearing your mother saying, "Don't forget your homework"?
What about "Don't forget to brush your teeth"?
Or "Don't forget your lunch money."

I remember hearing so many reminders from my mom, and thinking back when I was a kid, "Will she leave me alone already?" But it wasn't like she was trying to annoy me. My mom wanted me to remember these things because she loved me. She was trying to teach me to remember what was important. So where did our moms get this deep instinct to help us remember what's important?

My pastor this morning spoke about the Lord's Supper, and how Jesus said "Do this in remembrance of me."
He went on to say that if you look at it, God told us in as many ways as He could to never forget Him.
He told the Israelites not to forget Him when He gave them the Ten Commandments. He told His people not to forget Him whenever Israel gained a new king. He reminded prophets time and time again to tell His people to turn back to God when they had turned away. And of course He told us through His Son Jesus Christ. And just like we all forgot to take our lunch money every now and then, or forgot to do our homework...God's imperfect people have forgotten Him over and over.

And yet when you forgot to do those things, didn't your mom forgive you? Ironic that a mother's love and forgiveness - can be the perfect mirror of God's love for us. So much so, that God was so willing to forgive us, that He sent Jesus to die the death that all imperfect humans deserve, but no longer have to endure spiritually, as long as we believe.

Hold on to your Heart Strings

Today I wanted to give an in-depth review of a book I just finished, written by a fellow author who lives in Alabama. Jase Rosenburg wrote a wonderful, emotionally and spiritually gripping story called Bryan's Journey. At first, I enjoyed the story because of the familiarity I have with the southern, lower middle class culture, and the good old fashioned things in life that Jase describes so well. But as I kept reading, Jase's story went deeper...and deeper.

Bryan's Journey is a novel that really does tell the story of a young man's journey. But what seems to start as just a well written story to convey the ideas of good moral values like work ethic, and appreciating family - goes on to tell a story of a more spiritual journey.

Now first, let me go ahead and tell you...this is not my typical choice of novel. I read thrillers. I love action, and I love to write action...and according to my editor, I'm pretty good at it. But what Jase does so well in this book is he takes the pace of the story, and makes the feelings and emotions that should be felt by the reader (if you have a pulse) and causes the same type of roller coaster that my action sequences cause when you read my books or the works of similar authors like Brad Thor, Ted Dekker, Tom Clancy.

There were times when I would get a little mad at the main character...I thought the 16 year old Bryan in the story was just being just a bit ungrateful. Then there are other times where I was absolutely floored by the compassion and care shown by Bryan's grandfather in the story. There were times when the dang book made my eyes well up...and there were even times I wanted to sing! If you want a book that takes you up, and down, and side to side like a roller coaster - here it is!

But the themes present in the story are the most important, I think. And Jase does not hold back the punches when it comes to showing that:
1)We should never take our family or loved ones for granted. Hold on to the ones you love with all your heart. Appreciate them while they are here - because none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.
2)The power of prayer is real, and we should be persistent with it; the more persistent we are, the more proof God gives us that He hears us.
3)Bullying sucks...don't do it. :)
4)Miracles happen; get over it. There are some things in this world that just cannot be scientifically explained. But the good news is God has an answer - even if He doesn't share the explanation with us.
5)There is no greater power in the universe than love...and God is love.

So there you have it...I may include some more of these sporadic reviews to help out other fellow indie authors out there. But give Jase a read. He also has another one: The Lobby.
Please check out his link HERE!!!!!!!!

Us vs Them? Why not make it ALL OF US?

Today I attended the visitation of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty. It was a somber experience, and one that I did not take lightly...and I could get on this blog and turn this into a political statement, and ramp up the public outcry for violence against police - but that is not what this is about.

No; I wanted to comment on the amazing camaraderie I felt and was able to actually share in today, despite the loss of a person with which I had only had brief encounters. My hometown police department lost one of their comrades, and as I went to just represent our police department, the show of devotion and brotherhood from agencies all around was astounding. This display of brotherhood and camaraderie will be even more pronounced tomorrow at the funeral, but I knew I would be unable to attend. But the visitation to me was still special. You could tell that any one of those men or women there would have taken a bullet for anyone else there if evil had lurked about, the way it was lurking around a corner for the officer who was being honored.

Nevertheless, it felt good to be part of something made up of so many, yet so many in which I had something in common. And that feeling of acceptance among Greenville City, Greer City, Columbia City - Chicago PD, and even the universally recognized NYPD was such a fulfilling experience of unity and remembrance. So of course, these emotions made me think.

Now some may call this the 'mob' mentality...just wanting to be part of the gang. But I think it goes so much deeper.

Why do gang members want so bad to become gang members, despite the knowledge going in that they may have to get beat up, tortured, and even have to inflict such injury or even death on another individual? Because they have this longing to belong that usually isn't getting met at home, and usually, that yearning to belong has been there since they were very young, but the need was never met.

Why do soldiers ever want to be soldiers in the first place? Because that inner voice that tells them to join up or find something bigger than themselves is louder to them than it is for others. They will sign the dotted line, give their life to Uncle Sam, and know that they still have to endure drill sergeants, push-ups, hazing, and lots of running.

Why did Italian or Irish Americans in the big cities not too long ago want to become part of La Cosa Nostra, or the mob? Because they wanted to be a part of something where everyone KNEW they were a part of something, and they would be feared, and respected. They knew the risks going in; they saw the mobsters from the past come and go (and vanish), and yet their longing to belong to 'this thing of ours' overpowered whatever doubts they had.

Why do Muslims join groups like Al Queda, or ISIS? Besides their truly radical doctrine brought about by Muhammad himself - they all want to become part of something bigger...even though they are pretty much told to submit or die! But nevertheless, they still want to belong.

Why do you join any kind of organization? Is it because you find unity with whatever causes that organization represents? Why is this important to you?

It is my opinion that God designed us this way...that he wants us to long to be part of something bigger, with one great cause. Jesus told the first two disciples he encountered to drop their fishing nets and follow Him...and what did they do? They started up their very own gang! But that cause that united them - was a cause that would change the course of history forever. If they hadn't decided to follow Jesus, I'm sure Jesus would have moved on to others who would follow Him - but they joined up and even helped start something bigger.

Here's the thing...Jesus told each and every one of us to love our neighbor. He referred to people with terms like brother, or sister. He filled people with hope with His wonders, and they wanted to follow Him. And the bigger crowds got, the more people wanted to join in the crowd. And Jesus told the disciples before He physically left them for the last time - Go, and make disciples of ALL NATIONS!
That means all of us.

So although my brothers and sisters in blue tend to be known for our Us vs Them mentality - Jesus wanted to include ALL OF US.

So although gang members will attack anyone not wearing their colors, but embrace all of those WITH their colors - Jesus wanted to include ALL OF US.

If you long to belong to something bigger than yourself, and you don't want to have to pick up a gun to do so, it's easier than you think. The answer can be found in the most influential book in history. Pick up a Bible, and find the verse John 3:16. I invite you to read the words over and over. Pay attention to the words "The world"...and "Whosoever"...because really and truly - God loves ALL OF US.

Senseless

"Do what makes sense."
It's my mantra, right up there with 'better safe than sorry'. I have been telling my son this phrase ever since he was old enough to learn a lesson. But all the news lately, and the news that has inspired me to write a whole novel in the past, and the news hitting so close to home - it's obvious people are not following this idea.

It is time people started caring more about using their minds for what matters in this world. If people would just stop and think before they act, their actions might just make a little more sense.I thought I would use this forum to make some suggestions as to how to do this by providing some examples. They may or may not 'make sense' to everyone - but they make perfect sense to me. And if people start to do some of these things, we will all get along better as the human race should.

1. If you are wanted by the police, and you encounter police officers - do what makes sense, and do what the cops say. It is senseless for either you or a police officer to die. You made the mistake of breaking the law; own up to your mistake and move on. Cops don't just go around shooting people. Even the bad ones somehow act because of whatever incident has occurred to bring them on scene in the first place. IT IS SENSELESS to go and do anything that will just make you more wanted by the police.

2. If a rule is in place, set about by some legislative or governing body,  just follow the rule. You can question rules, but you still follow them. If a child questions a rule, but does what the parent says regardless, the parent is less apt to discipline for said questioning. In a similar sense, if your manager or boss at work asks you to do something - just do what they ask. If you want to question them about it, address it after you have done what was asked. It is SENSELESS to purposely break a rule, especially if you know there are consequences for doing so (losing your job, getting a spanking, getting grounded, etc. Do What makes sense.

3. If you believe in something different than a friend or acquaintance - fine - share your belief, answer questions, and move on. Chances are pretty good that people who believe in something have reasons for arriving at that decision. If they are interested in why you believe in what you believe, chances are pretty good that you can have a lively discussion about it. But don't get angry because they decide they don't see things your way. It is SENSELESS to think someone HAS to see things your way. I see things a certain way, and I am not shy about it. But those differences I have with others don't mean I can't be friends with others (unless they totally hate law enforcement BECAUSE they don't like following rules; sense I am in law enforcement and I am in the business of enforcing rules, it is a conflict of interest to remain friends with those individuals). Do what makes sense, and get along with those who are different than you. Obviously, if you believe in something that tells you to force everyone to believe what you believe, then this post is irrelevant to you and you can stop reading now; it will be SENSELESS for you to go on.

4. If you get up on any given morning, be grateful that you are alive. Go out and appreciate the world around you. Love the ones your with, and show kindness to others. Whether you are religious or not, you will find that it just makes sense to treat others the way you want to be treated - it is called peace. It is SENSELESS to go out wanting to cause harm to other people just because they wear different clothes, or vote a different way, or like guns and you don't, or have things that you don't, or have access to things you don't. You can still be kind to people despite these differences.

5. If you want to 'Rally' behind someone's cause - awesome...go to that person's rallies. But don't go to a rally of someone you have no interest in supporting, just to cause disorder and get attention. Start a rally of your own if you're that passionate...but you're not going to change the minds of the people already rallying to the cause of the other. THIS IS SENSELESS, so do what makes sense.

I am a police officer, but have the privilege of training civilians in self defense and de-escalation. I no longer have to call hop or pull people over on a regular basis. I envy the courage that road officers have this day and age, answering call after call, not knowing what they are going into. If more people would just do what makes sense, and think before they act, and treat other people the way they want to be treated...don't you think we'd all live more peaceful lives?

To The Offended

Dear Offended

I have a question...what exactly isn't offensive out there? And when you happen to see something 'offensive', how long are you forced to stare at it? If you see a symbol that 'offends' you, do you have the sudden urge to gouge out your eyes? And if so, do you feel like someone forced you to look at the 'offensive' image? I mean were you held down in such a way that you could not pry your eyes away? Could you not turn your head? Or were you unable to avert your eyes?

In order to not offend you, do I have to only talk about food or word count if I write a book? Or does the food need to be kosher or halal? Am I allowed to write anything speculative, or will that enter your mind and invade and make you lack the will power it takes to ignore it? Can I write about stories with my family, or will it offend you that I happen to be white, and heterosexual, and in a monogamous relationship with my wife...and we had a child - dare I say - biologically?

Am I allowed to show a picture of a church? Or will that cross sitting on top of the steeple burn an image in your mind that hurts your feelings and makes you feel guilty for every sin you ever committed?

Can I speak of American icons, such as the American flag, and can I even mention the colors red, white, and blue? Or will that remind you too much of the country that for the last several decades has been the world's police and philanthropist?

Can I mention anything of conservative value? Or will that hurt the feelings of the many free-loaders who are offended by the word WORK as well?

Please, Offended, I really must know. I need these questions answered. I want to know how not to offend so many out there. I would like to write a book...but then, maybe that will offend the illiterate as well. I will look for a reply. However please know - I will only understand your reasoning if I lower my IQ!

If you can relate to this post, please share!
Sincerely,
A Fed Up American

Certainty, Peace, and a Day Without Death

I just got back from watching the movie RISEN with my son...and I really liked the movie! I thought it was one of the best Christian films to date. I am not entirely sure of the accuracy of the historical account from the Romans point of view - but it was really neat seeing the story of Jesus told from that perspective. I thought I would share my view on the main points in the movie; I may or may not include a spoiler or two - although, the gist of the story is in the New Testament :)

There is a scene where the Roman Tribune, Clavius, is sitting on a mountaintop discussing the finer things in life. In the movie, Jesus is referred to in the Hebrew name - Yeshua. Yeshua comes right out and asks Clavius, who is new to Yeshua's followers post-resurrection - he asks, "What is it you seek most in this world?" This takes the movie watcher back in their minds to a previous conversation between Pontius Pilate, and Pilate had asked Clavius virtually the same question. You can tell that the character of Clavius is pondering the same thoughts he had with Pilate, but before he can answer, Yeshua answers for him..."Certainty...peace...a day without death?" Clavius smiles and nods, not quite sure how Yeshua read his thoughts.
This was one of my favorite scenes in the movie because Yeshua goes into how what He came to Earth for made it possible to achieve all three of these goals sought by Clavius - and just about every other person who ever lived.

So I just want to ask those who read this the following question: Can you think of anything you would want more than knowing you were absolutely right about your belief system, having complete peace, and finally having a day where nobody - I mean nobody - dies?

Those of us who believe fully in God's Word know in our hearts that we will find all of these things one day. The possibility of ever seeing a time when we can have all three things listed above is pretty enticing - and here's the kicker: if we're wrong...who cares? We're no worse off than we were when we didn't believe. But if you do not believe, then what exactly do you have hope IN? Perhaps if you've never thought that deeply about it before, you should start to...really - what have you got to lose?

Pay Attention - Danger and Evil Lurks

I want to share this article in hopes that you read the message...and take it to heart. I work in law enforcement. I do not claim to have the riskiest law enforcement job out there (although there are times when I am at just as much risk as my other brothers and sisters in blue). But I am around other veterans in my field who have seen much worse than me, and I have taken upon myself in this ever-darkening world to learn from the best; to take some real life lessons that could perhaps save not just me, but my family and friends as well. The good news is, even if the worst, most evil-minded predator were to read these words, your chance for survival is still going to be increased because you will already be AWARE - that that individual is out there. And Awareness can help you win a LOT of the potential battles out there before they ever have to happen.

My wife and I were discussing the dangers out there in the real world this morning before I came to work. A shooting had occurred at the local bowling alley, and we read about it right after I had just told my wife that my cohorts at work can just feel things getting worse out there. I told my wife that I feel absolutely called to inform the good people I know - the members of my church, friends, family, fellow believers, non-believers who abhor evil, and anyone who wants to increase their chances out there! So even though I offer training for employees at my place of work, and even though I intend to offer this same training at my church, I wanted to share the most valuable information that can be used by ANYONE, regardless of ability or level of protective aptitude. So  here is some key information that I have shared with my wife, that I learned from very valuable friends of mine:

First of all...PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS! Wherever you go, whatever you do, keep your head and eyes moving around and looking for things that look 'out of the ordinary'. Always look ahead of where you are going...is there anything suspicious that way? Is there someone out of place that you have never seen in that same way you travel? If you see them before they see you, perhaps go a different way.

Speaking of going a different way, my wife thought I was kidding about this...but I wasn't. If you have ever encountered or often encounter people that may hold a grudge against you in any way, perhaps change your routine. Take a different route to work that day. Park in a different spot. Do something in a different order than you always have. Look - we all become creatures of habit. But if someone does want to cause you harm, or if I wanted to cause someone else harm and maybe even get away with it...I would get to know their habits. There is a reason why authors of thrillers, and historians who document events, write about assassins getting to know their victims' habits before killing them. Would someone who is stalking you or harassing you handle things any differently? If this scares you to think about - GOOD! Then it's working; the thought and consideration has already entered your head.

Look, I am not saying you walk around paranoid, but pay attention to your surroundings. Become a people watcher. Notice odd behavior; avoid close contact with those oddities. If someone has ill intentions in their eyes when they approach you, get away from them. Don't set yourself up to be a victim. Avoid a situation whenever possible. Does this seem cowardice? Not if you are facing enemies that don't fight fair, and you are just an ordinary citizen in your day to day life, trying to mind your business! A cop, or a soldier, or a guard or officer responsible for protection - they are supposed to look for this activity and go towards it...but NOT YOU if it's not your job. So avoiding things because of certain signs you have seen is half the battle.

One of my friends and co-workers and I agree that things are getting more dangerous out there. It is not just the media that pushes this idea. It is the number of incidents that WE actually encounter at work - and we work in a hospital! Folks, I implore you; I beg you - start paying attention to more of your environment. But I don't want you to be that paranoid squirrel who looks around so much that he doesn't know when to cross the road! I want you to be that Seeing Eye Dog that keeps an eye out for your master, and just take the safest path. That alone will increase your chances in this world of not becoming a victim.
Just putting this out there makes me feel a little better. We are not promised tomorrow, but the good Lord also put all of us here for a reason. Wouldn't you want to increase your chances of carrying out that purpose for as long as possible? If you read this, your mind is already more aware.

Something to Believe in...

Did you know there are at least 96 popular songs that have the word BELIEVE in the title?
Then you have the whole Ripley's 'BELIEVE it or Not' adage.
You even have ancient astronaut theorists use the word BELIEVE in various programs they run to speculate the existence of some ancient visitors that just HAD to be here in our past to explain the unexplained.

So no matter which way you look, it is obvious that the 80's band Poison hit the point home that we all want 'something to BELIEVE in".

Think about it. When one is at their wit's end, and have nowhere to turn...when they have tried everything to solve some problem and they just can't find an answer anywhere...what does every single human being long for in these times of desperation?

They long to believe that the answer is there above; they turn upward, or bow down, out of some strange desperate plea to a god or force or entity bigger than the situation they are dealing with. In every movie, every thriller, every story you hear where someone is crying out, what do they call out? Even if it is to curse, they may call out a curse to some higher being that they didn't believe in before.
It is almost like we were designed or created TO BELIEVE in something bigger than us.

How do you explain the numerous, unbelievable number of self help books that have come out in the information age? How in the world is anyone supposed to figure out which person has the best answer to believing in themselves, when there seem to be so many people who figured it out? And then what do those people do when some horrible incident or event happens that tests their humility? Are they immune from natural disasters, or circumstances beyond their control such as an unexpected home invader, or a terrorist attack? Suddenly their self-help solutions can't do them a whole lot of good in that particular moment - at that particular time and space.

What do you believe in? Ask yourself that question. Do you think you can rely on yourself in all situations, all the time - no matter what happens? Are you the highest power you know?

Let's say you answer that question with something other than YOURSELF. What higher power do you believe exists? There is still the problem similar to all the self-help books - how do you know which one to BELIEVE? That is a question that nobody can answer but you. I can tell you what I BELIEVE, but it still may mean nothing to you, depending on your perspective on life, and life experience in general. But I can tell you why I BELIEVE what I do.

So if I were to give advice to someone looking for something to believe in, I would tell them to search for answers the same way I have searched for answers. I would also tell them to carefully consider the questions that they want answered. For me, the main questions I want answered is, 'Why am I here?', 'Who loves me always?', and 'Who can I always turn to?' If you get right down to it, we all need to be validated, appreciated, and understood...but can we just rely on loved ones to always meet these needs? Are the people we love perfect? And will they always be around? Hmmm- I love my family, but I daresay, none of my loved ones are perfect - and neither am I. And I also know that we humans haven't quite figured out that whole physical immortality thing. So if a person can find TRUE answers to these questions that satisfy their needs, they can choose how important that is to them.

As for what is TRUE - well that is another blog post for another day. But there really is no denying, Poison had it right...we all need something to BELIEVE in.
#Believe #Faith #Jesus