Reaction and Emotion

Now I am the first person to tell you that I have been as guilty as anyone of this, so I am not judging anyone! But how many of us have been guilty of reacting to something we discovered purely out of emotion, not taking the time to decide the right course of action. I have done this more times than I care to admit, but that doesn't mean I didn't know any better. It is so easy for us to do in our very selfish, sinful nature. Ever wonder how many wars have started this way? What about government scandals? Hmmm, maybe even...marriages? I am writing this so that maybe someone out there can learn from some of the mistakes I have made.

Picture this...some college buddies, living on the same dorm hall, wrestling around and having a good time in horseplay. Bodies get flung around, people fall down and bump their heads, walls get dented...good times, right? Then testosterone builds, egos get bruised, and tempers somewhat flare. Now imagine one of those individuals receive less than cordial jokes about his fiancee at the time. Imagine said individual wanting to lash out in anger and punch someone, or something - anything. And then, he does. Only, instead of lashing out and hitting someone, he punches through the thick glass of a fire extinguisher case. Unfortunately, the wire mesh was not in the glass, so his fist goes all the way through, and then he has the absence of mind to immediately yank his hand right back out, severing veins in vital areas. Now the real problem arises when the individual who lashed out in emotion notices his wrist bleeding profusely, and commences to turn white as a ghost.

Needless to say, that individual was me. Now what did I learn from this? Well, I have tried to keep my temper in check a lot better since then; that's for sure. Am I always successful - no. But I do try to avoid these situations. Why? Well, I think it is safe to say, we make much more sound decisions when we take the time to think things through, or walk away from the immediate situation that is causing us such grief. But emotions can be a funny thing. Keep this in mind when you are at work; at school; at home...at church. When we just go on what we are feeling in the moment, passions can get the best of us, and we can even have the scars to prove it (I still have mine).

So the next time someone says something hurtful to you or about you at work; maybe go somewhere else in the building to cool down, or think of your next action, before you lose your job for fighting. If you are at school, and you see something that makes you fighting mad...go the other way, think about what is right, and let cooler heads prevail. If something controversial is discussed at your next meeting, take time to hash things out with people and stew over decisions made before making an emotional decision. I have found that since I have made a stronger effort in this part of my character, I have been better off for it. Of course, that's just my two cents (in the words of the Food Lion lion).

Chance Encounters? I think not...

So an interesting thing happened today during a break between training sessions at work. My partner in crime/training, Jeremy, and I were sitting in McDonald's drinking coffee, and I was just telling Jeremy about my latest writing ideas, and how they related to the second book I am about to release. We were just having casual conversation, but apparently a woman who was sitting nearby was listening intently to our discussion. In talking, the nice lady (Heidi) approached me and said that she couldn't help but overhear that I had been writing. We began talking, and I mentioned to her that I was a self-published author. She began asking about steps I took to get to that point, and I was able to give her some very basic tips. But then I referred her to my friend Jeremy, and explained to her how he was also a writer...and that he actually was the one who convinced me into putting myself out there and using the Amazon tools to self-publish my material.

One thing lead to another, and Heidi told us about her unique idea about writing children's stories (For Heidi's sake I won't say what made it unique), and she had plenty of good questions about what her next steps should be. Heidi said that she just happened to be praying with God about writing a certain kind of book before we sat down, when she overheard me talking about my book. Heidi very openly told us that we had both inspired her, and that she would be getting in touch with the both of us for more pointers. But then she did something rare - Heidi asked us if we would pray with her before she left. So there we were - a security officer, a police officer, and a random stranger, sitting around small tables at McDonald's, holding hands, and praying. And Heidi prayed for thanksgiving to God for the opportunity to meet us, and she prayed for guidance and continued success to the both of us, and then she closed as we all said Amen. As she was about to leave us, she stopped one more time and told us she appreciated the line of work we were in, and that she would keep our safety in her prayers. And then Heidi left us to our business.

I felt like writing about this today, because I was very inspired by that moment. I wish other people could have seen the encouragement on Heidi's face as she explained to both of us how we inspired her to pursue her goal. I have written before about how I don't believe in coincidences, but this hammered it home for me. I truly feel like God put myself and Jeremy, two independent writers - and Christians, in that exact McDonald's, at that exact time, and opened Heidi's ears to hear what we were talking about as she prayed. Do I even have to tell you how rare it is that a random stranger asks you to sit down with them, hold hands, and pray with them? This is a God-thing, folks. This is a miracle...something that can't be explained by science. Atheists out there reading this - if this offends you, read no further...but there is a God out there who loves us. He uses each of us as his tools; he can use you at any given time in your life to touch the life or inspire someone else. This incident today put my gift of writing in perspective for me. It suddenly made the eventual goal of turning a profit from my books so insignificant. That moment today made me realize part of my purpose in this world...part of God's purpose for me in this world. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity. As for Chance Encounters...I don't believe in them.

A One of a Kind Soul

We were on opposite ends of the spectrum
As anyone could see...
You the Loves-life-to-the-fullest Bartender
And then there's straight-laced Me.

You the short little scrapper,
And me, the big Teddy Bear -
Yet whenever someone used to want to fight you
You bet your Butt I was there.

Back in my Days at Chicora Alley
You were one of the ones who welcomed me most
You always tossed me the Red Bulls,
And you rooted for our Tigers the most!

Your smile welcomed me every weekend;
It didn't matter what kind of mood I was in...
I could always count on ol' Jacob
To Cheer me up with a Grin!

In a time back when we were strangers
People would never guess we'd be friends;
Funny how a place like Chicora
Can change ALL of our trends.

You helped me feel like one of the guys
Instead of just a bouncer looking over the crowd.
You always laughed at my weird faces
When I thought the crowd was too loud!

Though after I left Chicora
And it could be months 'fore I'd see you again,
Somewhere downtown I'd spot you,
And you'd still Cheer me up with a Grin.

Jacob, I don't know why you left us
But I have an idea or two.
Somewhere the good Lord needs
More one-of-a-kind souls like you.

So you take that Grin of Yours,
Go where the Angels are Loud.
You Cheer up all those Folks in Heaven
And you wear your Tiger colors proud.

We're gonna miss you down here on Earth
Anyone on Facebook knows it's True.
Me- I'm Thankful I got to Know
A One-of-a-Kind Soul like You.

I don't even know the details my friend, but I sure wish I could have seen you again. Maybe one day...
Jason E. Fort
3/25/2015

Generalization is breeching the peace

I think it is safe to say that many people took the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. serisouly at one point, so I thought I would sight a quote from the man. He is saying something important here I think. Although peace between all races would be ideal, and a great goal (I think only God will bring about this goal eventually), I think the good Dr. King was right; let's seek to reach that goal THROUGH peace.

Racism is a hot topic these days, but it doesn't have to be. Whether it be racism, or social profiling, or religious descrimination - we have a tendency to judge an entire group of people by the actions of a very small, select sample of that group. This has been the case and point in racism for years. It's like, "Hey I saw this black guy shoot someone once, and the cops caught him and took him to jail." And so the person that makes such a bold statement assumes all blacks are criminals just by the actions of that one soul he happened to see commit such a heinous act. This is classic generalization.

Or you might have a certain religion, and just because they have certain people who proclaim that religion who happen to be radical in action, the whole religion is judged by the radicals. Don't get me wrong...I do think some belief systems, if followed according to their doctrine, are easier to sway people into radical thinking. But we should still not make generalizing statements about one whole group of people just because of the bad apples. This is yet another example of generalization.

I can use this similar example in my marriage. My wife and I have even argued over generalizations before. I might say something like, "You always do that!", when really, whatever she may have done to make me angry could be something that she has just done frequently in the last couple of days or so - but she never did it before then. Or my son might get upset because I am busy with certain activities one night, and he may say "You never spend time with me." Only, I spend lot of time with him, but he uses one small sample to describe  how I behave all the time.

Every race has its heroes, and their scumbags. Every religion has its bigots or radicals, and their saints. Everyone screws up SOMETIMES, but not necessarily all the time. It is when we get caught up with these generalizations that we find ourselves breeching the peace. So here is a challenge for all of us: Let's all try to make it several days in a row without assuming the worst about an entire group of people just because we see certain people of a certain mold do things we disagree with. Let's try to get along with others when they displease us, and hope that maybe their errors in their ways are just a temporary 'glitch in their circuitry', and they get their wires uncrossed at some point. Let's try not to use generalizations, and maybe we can all just get along.

A Spontaneous Gift

I received a gift today; a really neat coin that says the Officer's Prayer on one side, and a picture of the Patron Saint of Law Enforcement - St. Michael - on the other side. It was a very pleasant surprise, and it was so spontaneous, I was dumbfounded. The Officer's Prayer is profound, and after reading it, I was moved almost as much as I was with the thoughtfulness of the person who gave me the coin.

Consider this...someone took the time to put down a prayer consisting of all law enforcement officers' greatest needs. That someone might have been a law enforcement officer themselves at one time or another. But they wrote the following words, and I really felt like sharing it with everyone I can:

Lord
I ask for Courage-
Courage to face and conquer my own fears,
Courage to take me where others will not go...

I ask for strength-
Strength of body to protect others,
And Strength of spirit to lead others...

I ask for Dedication to my job,
To do it well;
Dedication to my Community,
To keep it safe...

And please, Lord,
Through it all,
Be at my side.
Amen

If you know a police officer out there, think about all the things they have to fear. Think about all the places they go...that you won't dare set foot near. Think of the strength it takes to fight someone - truly fight someone - to stay alive. Don't you think they need as much strength as they can get? Think of the dedication it takes to do the job...and stick with it. I can truly relate to this, and even envy my other cohorts; especially the ones out there on the road, making the traffic stops, looking for fugitives in attics, entering the least desirable of places - and sticking with that same job day after day. I already know I had trouble maintaining that dedication; that's why I have stayed in the same field, but taken a different path. I admire the true dedication all my brothers and sisters in blue have to their job.

So not just because of these tumultuous times in which we live, but just for the simple fact that they need our prayers - Pray this prayer from your perspective...the outside looking in. Send a wall of God's angels out to protect the men and women in blue. Pray for them as often as you can think of it...and who knows? Maybe one day - God will use one of those officers out there - to save YOU.

Give More -

"Bring the full 10 percent into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test me in this way, says the Lord of Hosts. See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure." ----Malachi 3:10

As I passed the offering plate over to my wife, my eyes got wide when I saw the amount on the check my wife showed me before she placed it in the plate. I, too, had been moved by the pastor's words as he had spoken about giving to God, but I didn't realize how much my wife had been moved. She manages our finances, because - well let's just say - she has the gift with numbers; not me. So although it seemed like a large sum to go ahead and fork over, I trusted her.

At first we had our doubts. Bills began adding up. Tutoring opportunities had been used up; all my wife's students had had their tests and wouldn't need extra help for a time. Jay had things he needed. I was preparing to leave for a big trip to Texas to possibly learn more about a writing career. And on top of all that, I had a strange case of Cellulitis...woohoo - nothing beats unplanned medical bills. It got to the point that my wife and I had our doubts whether God saying TEST ME IN THIS meant maybe we should have eased our way into giving more. My wife even point-blank asked me, "Do we still give ten percent again, or what? Things are awfully tight." At that point, I truly didn't have an answer, other than a shoulder shrug, and me telling her, "Well I know what we SHOULD do, but"- but then I left it at that.

But my wife was sitting down with my son one night soon after that, and she told him that either he could go with me on our annual father-son trip, or we could go ahead and tithe like we had the month before. But she told him we probably couldn't afford to do both.

"Give to the church, Mom. That's what God tells us to do," my 12 year old young man said to his mother. And that settled it. We knew how much we were going to give again; leave it to the middle-schooler to tell us what to do.

But something amazing happened. My wife got this phone call from her trainer in the business she had been doing for almost a year, with this great training opportunity and a trip to Florida paid for by the business company. My wife took her trainer's offer, and left for Florida the same weekend I was headed to Texas. And then some of God's blessings He promises ALL of us trickled into our lives.

My wife came back on fire for her business, and made some real headway in contacting people and generating new business. Before she knew it, she had made more than enough money to cover the ten percent that we had planned on giving again! Seriously - we had prayed for help from God, and He provided! I mean we had been living from paycheck to paycheck for a while now, but then BAM! God shows us how He can do exactly what He says He will do.

Maybe money isn't part of your means to give right now. Maybe God just wants ten percent of your time...or maybe He just wants more of your time. But I wanted to take the time in this blog to ask any of you out there...please give more.

Maybe you can give more of your talents or gifts to God. Maybe you can give more of your time and efforts to helping the poor. Maybe God is calling you to give more of your time to your family. Maybe God is asking you to give more of your time to Him and attend church or Bible studies - it doesn't really matter, but my challenge to you remains...Give More.

If you have the financial means, give more to God.
If you have untapped talents in music or art, give more to God.
If you have time outside of work where you can probably have more rest and fun, give more to God.

It doesn't have to be about money...but God said it; not me. TEST ME IN THIS - if I am not mistaken, a wise man told me this is the only part of the Bible where God challenges us to test Him. Seems kind of important - so test Him. Give more of your time, or your money, or your gifts, or your love...see what blessings come forth. My wife and I are convinced. Although we are imperfect, and I know I will probably waiver in my commitment, because I have before - my wife and I are convinced that God means what He said. If you think about it in the next little while, especially before we celebrate Jesus' resurrection, please consider, and give more.

Let's Talk about Heroes

So I don't know if you have paid much attention to this, but have you ever noticed how obsessed the world is with heroes? Why do you suppose that is? It is almost like we were designed to look up to someone...wait...what? Personally I think it is just one more piece of evidence that we were all made by a Creator, and He wants us to worship Him. Every culture has their tales of heroes. Every religion has many stories of their champions. I just don't think this is by coincidence. I look up to my dad as a hero. When I was a kid, I looked up to Michael Jordan...I wanted to be like him (just like the Gatorade song). The Bible tells us that we were made in God's image, so it should be natural for us to look up to Him...to be like Him. To this day, I still emulate my earthly father and try to do some of the things I remember him doing when I was young. God wants us to get to know Him, so we can emulate Him and be like Him. He even sent us the perfect example by giving us His son, Jesus.

You know, I wouldn't change the heroes I had growing up. All in all, they were some pretty swell guys. I mean sure, Michael Jordan has a gambling issue. But the kind of drive and desire I got to witness in him as an athlete has kept me inspired most of my life. As a matter of fact, I believe that if I can approach my dream of becoming a successful writer with the same fervor that MJ pursued a career in basketball, then I will reach my goals. Then there was the Crocodile Hunter. That's right - I looked up to Steve Irwin. Not only did he have a fun accent, by crikey, but he had a passion and care for the wildlife on this planet that I daresay would be hard to match. Yes, it was tragic the way he left this world, but he died still doing what he loved. He faced Danger, danger, danger...and it finally caught up to him. Ask yourself this...how many wildlife conservationists out there were inspired by that man? Probably more than you know. Then of course, there's my Pops. Dad raised me by teaching me there were consequences to breaking rules. He taught me that if you want something, you have to work for it, or earn it. He taught me that you should treat people fairly, and you should always - always do the honest thing. Most importantly, he taught me that it was important to love God, and that I needed to make church a centerpiece in my family life. He taught me how to treat my own son...I learned a whole lot from watching him.

With all this being said, I would like to know who some of your heroes were. Do you believe in the greatest hero of them all, Jesus? I would be interested to hear some of your stories. Please comment on here, and I look forward to reading some of your posts.